TWIN FALLS Jayco Inc. has announced an expansion that will bring another 360 jobs to Twin Falls.
The travel trailer manufacturer will build a 160,000 square-foot manufacturing and warehouse building at its existing site in Twin Falls, Urban Renewal Agency Director Nathan Murray said.
Jayco opened its Twin Falls operations more than a decade ago in order to better serve West coast and Canadian markets.
This is a pretty significant expansion for them, Murray said.
Unemployment has been at record lows around the Magic Valley over the past year, making it challenging for employers to attract workers. Jayco had considered expansion in other locations, but Murray believes the decision to expand in Twin Falls is a testament to their faith in Twin Falls to rally around them.
The new jobs, he said will be added over the next 18 months to two years.
The Idaho Department of Commerces Economic Advisory Council approved the project for tax reimbursement incentives in August. Jayco can begin receiving those reimbursements one it has created at least 50 jobs, Idaho Commerce spokeswoman Megan Hill said. The state reimburses the company 24 percent of its income, payroll and sales taxes.
The estimated incentive value of that incentive is $4.9 million over 12 years.
The average yearly wage for the new jobs will be $43,300. The expansion is projected to bring direct state revenue of $20.4 million.
Our executive team considered several western states when searching for the right fit for expansion, Matt Thompson, Jayco COO, said in a statement. We concluded that capitalizing on the benefits offered in Twin Falls out-weighed benefits outside the state of Idaho.
He commended the work of Gov. C.L. Butch Otter, Idaho Commerce and Twin Falls County Commissioner Don Hall in supporting what the company wanted to accomplish.
There is nothing more heartening than when the economic conditions are right for an existing Idaho company to deepen its roots and create more great opportunities for Idahoans, Otter said in a statement. The expansion of Jayco further confirms Idahos leadership in growing jobs and incomes in America.
Twin Falls County Commissioners are considering offering a tax abatement as an incentive package to Jayco, Hall said. If it happens, it will have been the first time Twin Falls County has offered an incentive package for economic development.
Its a win, he said. Ive had this theory that a community is either growing or dying. You cant stay static in this environment.
The URA and city of Twin Falls have agreed to cover the companys building permit fees.
Bishs RV, the only Jayco dealer in the Magic Valley, sells all lines that the company manufacturers. Its Jay Flight SLX travel trailers, manufactured in Twin Falls, are the most popular item the dealership sells, company spokeswoman Megan Walker said. And the close proximity to Jayco helps cut the cost of freight.
Its great that theyre expanding, Walker said. It means that Jayco is doing good and the RV business is doing good.
Murray said Jayco will expand production by bringing in a product line currently not in Twin Falls.
Local and national Jayco offices could not be reached for comment.
Jayco, based out of Middlebury, Ind., is a subsidiary of Thor Industries Inc. The company said in a statement that it plans to begin and fast-track the expansion project immediately.
Renowned Ghanaian Fashion designer, Tetteh Plahar, is shocked about the shooting incident in Las Vegas in the United States of America (USA).
He said he was lucky to have escaped unhurt as he was at a party at the hotel where the unfortunate shooting took place.
At least 58 people are feared dead and 515 injured when Stephen Paddock, 64, and a resident of Mesquite, Navada, fired hundreds of bullets into a music festival crowd from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Monday.
Narrating his ordeal to the Daily Heritage, he said Ghanaians in the city are living in fear after the shooting incident.
Mr Plahar, together with seven other Ghanaians, was attending a friends party and had checked in at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, where the shooting took place.
According to him, they do not feel safe living in Las Vegas as we are so terrified that we couldnt sleep the whole night.
If you look at the layout of the city, you feel everything is fine. But now if I am walking on the streets I have to be extra-careful and look behind me to see who is coming, he added,
We were in our rooms at the Mandalay Bay Hotel, which is directly opposite the place where the shooting happened. When I heard the sound outside, I thought it was fireworks until I saw people running and police vehicles driving to the scene.
I was panicking because we didnt know where he [the gunman] was hiding and what he would do next. We were terrified but things calmed down when the police came around, he narrated.
The former designer for the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings said Prior to the shootings, security at the hotel wasnt tight. No one was checking what one was carrying inside the hotel.
We cant say were safe now because during our breakfast this morning we were told there was a bomb scare and that we should stay indoors. When you come close to incidents like this, you feel very scared, he said.
He continued that, we are checking out of the hotel in the next 30 minutes because we dont feel safe here.
UK-based Ghanaian music duo Reggie N Bollie have blamed weak foundation of the Ghana music industry for the ailing industry.
According to them, talents abound in the country but there is no support to nurture such talents which renders the few struggling inadequate.
In an interview with host KMJ on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, the runners-up of the 2015 edition of the UK series X-Factor stressed that one doesnt need to be an A level artiste to generate revenue from their musical careers.
According to them, the technicalities required to promote artistes in the country to the international platform is misplaced, noting that is the reason most artistes are not living up to standard.
It is killing talents in Ghana. Think about artistes who have relocated. The industry must get to the level where they dont have to travel to abroad to make music to make money. A lot of talents are coming in.
"We still feel challenges are still around. I think its time our industry elevates to the next level where when a song is among the top 40 or number one, there are lots of revenue coming in; artistes will not fight with their managers
You dont have to be the hottest artiste to make millions elsewhere. You come here [Ghana] and the hottest artistes dont receive the required income and go down the drain. Our industry must get to a level where the money comes from every angle Reggie indicated.
The duo believes the Ghanaian music industry is should be monetised for artiste to reap the fruits of their labour.
The time for talking is over. We should start implementing things now. People are making money and we need to take the music business serious they maintained.
The UK-based Ghanaian musical duo commended Catherine Afeku, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture for naming them as Tourism ambassadors.
We are so proud of the Minister of Tourism, Madam Catherine Afeku. Ghanas tourism will go to the next level
Kwame Baffoe otherwise known as Abronye DC
03.10.2017 LISTEN
The outspoken Brong Ahafo Regional Youth Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe otherwise known as Abronye DC, has told a controversial musician, Kwame Asare Obeng aka A-Plus to stop attending management meeting at Korle Bu hospital.
Controversial musician, A Plus in a recent Facebook post, described the two gentlemen, Samuel Abu Jinapor and Francis Asenso-Boakye as stupid corrupt thieves". The matter was referred to the police for further investigation following widespread condemnation.
However, on Wednesday 27th September 2017, an audio conversation between A Plus and a senior CID official identified to be the Deputy Director General of the CID, ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah which indicated that the investigative report was cooked, went viral on social media.
Speaking to the media recently, Abronye DC noted that A-Plus is the most corrupt person in Ghana who has lost his moral senses and now resorting to calling others as corrupt just to shield his stingy deals.
In a latest statement issued on October 2, 2017 by Abronye DC indicated that A-Plus is not a member of Korle Bu hospital's management but always attend a meeting as a Special Assistant to Dr. Felix Anyaa the CEO of Korle Bu hospital.
"Kwame A-Plus, you and your boss cannot contest me at all. As for you, you think Korle Bu is for you now because you always attend management meeting as special assistant to Dr. Felix Anyaa the CEO of Korle Bu, even though you are not part of management. I will address the issue at an appropriate time.
Abronye DC however, told A-Plus that his boss, Dr. Felix Anyaa doesn't qualified to handle the position as CEO indicated that Dr. Anyaa is above 60 years and should be on his retirement status now.
He asked, "is Dr. Felix Anyaa current position at Korle Bu for a limited period or what? And if so for how many years did Dr. Felix Anyaa, appointment letter indicated for his retirement since he is over sixty years (60)".
According to Abronye DC, Dr. Anyaa appointment as CEO of Korle Bu is therefore in contravention with PNDL (327) Service Act 1903 subsection 71 of that law says that, a person holding a civil service post shall in accordance with the article 199 of the 1992 Constitution, retire from the service on reaching the age of sixty years.
Below is the statement:
Kwame Baffoe Abronye Writes,
Kwame A plus, you and your Boss Cannot contest me at all. As for you, you think Korle Bu is for you now because you always attend management meeting as special assistant to Dr. Felix Anyaa the CEO of Korle Bu, even though you are not part of management. I will address that issue at an appropriate time.
First and foremost, it is on record that, your boss Dr Felix Anyaa was born on 1950 and he was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Korle Bu in April 2017 , an indication that his appointment was in contravention with the Civil Service Act, 1993 327 Section 71 of that law says that a person holding a civil service post shall in accordance with article 199 of the constitution, retire from the service on reaching the age of sixty years. Subsection 1 does not prevent the appointment of a person who is more than sixty years of age on a limited engagement for two years at a time not exceeding five years in total.
Here is the question, Is Dr Felix Anyaa current position at Korle Bu for a limited period or what? And if so for how many years did Dr. Felix Anyaa, appointment letter indicated for his retirement since he is over sixty years (60). If all these were not captured in the appointment letter as CEO of Korle Bu, then his appointment is/was in contravention with PNDL (327) civil service act 1993.
Source: Daniel Kaku /Ghana /Modernghana.com
An operation by the Accra Regional Police Command has led to the arrest of 156 suspected criminals, including 45 women, in some brothels at the Madina, Adentan and Abokobi areas.
The operation was part of moves by the new Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP George Alex Mensah to clamp down on robberies in the Accra metropolis.
Among the arrested 45 women were 10 Nigerians and a Liberian, believed to be commercial sex workers.
They were said to be in brothels practising prostitution when the police team swooped on them.
Some of them, according to the police, were having sex with their clients when the heavily armed police personnel broke into their rooms.
Some quantities of condoms were discovered on them in the course of the arrests.
At a press briefing, the Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Efia Tenge, said the three-hour operation was conducted in the wee hours of yesterday and was led by the Regional Operations Commander, Chief Superintendent Kwesi Ofori.
After receiving several complaints of bag snatching, robbery and all sorts of criminal activities in the area, the command deployed a team to raid the brothels and nab the suspected criminals.
The police spokeswoman said that the suspected prostitutes were within the ages of 19 and 51.
The ages of the 111 men, ASP Efia Tenge disclosed, range from 18 to 40 years.
Some quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp (wee) and sharp implements were discovered from the men in the process of the arrest.
The suspects have been brought to the Accra Police Command for screening and those found culpable will be prosecuted.
Meanwhile, ASP Efia Tenge has extended invitation to all victims of robbery attacks to visit the regional command to identify the suspects so that they could be processed for the court of law.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey
([email protected])
The final report on the investigation conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service into the corruption allegation against the two deputy chiefs of staff by controversial musician and satirist, Kwame Asare Obeng aka A-Plus, is out with startling revelations.
According to the over eight-page report of the investigators, led by COP Bright Oduro, Director General (CID), A-Plus could not provide any evidence which suggested that the two deputy chiefs of staff Francis Asenso-Boakye and Samuel Abu Jinapor were involved in any corrupt practices but based his allegation on personal opinion.
The investigators therefore described the allegation by A-Plus as baseless, unsubstantiated and without credibility.
How It Started
On August 27, 2017, Kwame A-Plus accused Messrs Francis Asenso-Boakye and Samuel Abu Jinapor of corruption, thievery, arrogance and stupidity on his Facebook wall and wondered why President Akufo-Addo appointed them to the positions they occupy.
Following the allegation, President Akufo-Addo ordered the Financial Forensic Unit of the CID to look into the matter to establish the authenticity or otherwise of the allegation and to take action against the individuals per Section 239 of the Criminal and Other Offences Act (Act 29).
A-Plus Statement To Police
On September 5, 2017 A-Plus responded to an invitation by the police to give his statement on the allegation.
In his statement, the musician, who is now the special aide to Dr. Felix Anyah, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), denied accusing the two deputy chiefs of staff as thieves, but stood by the allegation of corruption against them.
Giving reasons for his allegation, A-Plus said the acting CEO, having known him for the past six years, particularly requested him (A-Plus) to seek public and the staff perception about the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital with the view of putting corrective measures in place to resolve them.
On his maiden familiarization tour of the hospital facilities, A-Plus said he accompanied the CEO on his rounds and it was observed that the hospital has no knowledge of actual revenue collected for a day or a period because the financial institutions Stanbic Bank Limited and uniBank Ghana Limited that do the collections, do not credit the accounts of the hospital on the same day.
The banks decide how much to be credited to the hospital's accounts and there is no way the hospital can confirm total collections for the day or at any given period and due to the fact that there is no interface between the two banks that are doing the billing and the collections, revenue leakages continue to occur at the hospital, A-Plus indicated.
According to him, in his later discussions with the management, it became apparent that an efficient Hospital Management Information System (HMIS), which links units and equipment such as X-Rays, CT scan, and laboratory to indicate actual services rendered and how much is charged for each service was needed by the hospital to stop the revenue leakages to improve KBTH finances.
He said based on the decision by the management of the hospital in June 2017 which he was part of the CEO directed the head of legal department to write to uniBank to cancel the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the bank.
On July 12, 2017 a letter terminating the agreement between KBTH and uniBank was sent to the bank giving them a 90-day notice after they had detected several weaknesses from the bank's past operations at the Police and Ridge Hospitals, referencing a letter from the deputy controller and accountant general that suggested that Unibank was inefficient in its operations.
According to A-Plus, when the letter to the bank intended to cancel the MoU was delivered, the two deputy chiefs of staff called him and the CEO severally, asking the CEO to withdraw the cancellation of the MoU because uniBank had supported the New Patriotic Party (NPP) financially during the campaign period.
He therefore concluded that in his personal opinion, Francis Asenso-Boakye and Samuel A. Jinapor, who are government officials, had taken advantage of their position to favour a private business entity.
CEO's Testimony
Police investigations were extended to Dr. Felix Anyah, the CEO, by the investigators and were met together with three management members in his office.
According to him, on assumption of office after his appointment on June 1, 2017, he met the management to look into issues confronting the hospital and also find ways of improving the management and for the hospital to give quality health-care and also improve the fortunes of the hospital.
He said he first of all observed that there were revenue leakages, no beds at the emergency department, malfunctioning of life support equipment and poor supply of oxygen, among others.
The management at a meeting, therefore agreed for the use of ICT software to electronically manage the process, he said.
Dr Anyah stated in his statement that another issue that came out during their meeting was the use of two banks operating without an interface system to communicate, worked against the interest of the hospital and needed to select one efficient bank to help resolve the lapses and weakness in managing the revenue mobilization at the hospital.
Management, however, thought it will be in the interest of the public if one Bank (Stanbic Bank) does the collections and so a termination letter was sent to uniBank but before they could respond to the letter, calls started coming in from influential persons asking him to withdraw the termination letter.
The acting CEO said no reasons were given except that he should withdraw the letter.
Notable among the callers were the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu; Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyemang-Manu; Deputy Chiefs of Staff Francis Asenso-Boakye and Samuel Abu Jinapor.
Abu Jinapor's Testimony
On September 7, 2017, Messrs Francis Asenso-Boakye and Abu Jinapor responded to police invitation where Jinapor said he received a complaint from the CEO of uniBank that the contract with KBTH had been abrogated in favour of a wholly foreign owned bank to do cash collection at the hospital.
He said uniBank was not given any opportunity to demonstrate its ability to also use electronic means to collect cash for the hospital as given by Stanbic Bank.
Abu Jinapor said uniBank further stated that it had already invested about GH1.4 million at KBTH and thought the bank had not been treated fairly and thought the complaint could reach the chief of staff through the office of the deputy chief of staff.
Mr Jinapor said on receipt of the complaint, he called Dr. Anyah to seek clarity on the complaint but the CEO responded by saying he was at a programme at Sogakope and that he would call back, but never did.
He added that he was therefore compelled to inform the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, and his colleague Francis Asenso-Boakye about the complaint from uniBank.
Asenso-Boakye's Testimony
Francis Asenso-Boakye also stated that in July 2017, he was informed by his colleague, Samuel Jinapor of a complaint by uniBank against Korle-Bu for abrogating a contract between uniBank and KBTH and called the CEO to confirm the matter.
He said he only sought to draw the CEO's attention that abrogating a contract was a major decision and that the CEO should have waited until there was a board in place but never put pressure on the CEO as stated.
uniBank's Statement
The team finally met officials of uniBank at its head office and met the Executive Director, Ekow Nyarko Dadzie-Dennis, and the Legal Team.
The bank revealed that before the current administration, there was an MoU between them and KBTH for cash collection and had invested GH1.4m at the hospital
It said in July 2017, uniBank received a letter from KBTH terminating an MoU between them and gave a 90-day notice to wind up without any reason.
Officials narrated that apart from the initial teething problem during the implementation, KBTH never officially complained to uniBank of any challenge as far as the billing and cash collections were concerned, adding that the bank was not treated fairly.
It claimed copies of its letters were sent to the vice president, the chief of staff, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Health and the Controller and Accountant's General Department to intervene to allow uniBank to do the cash collection because of investment they had put in at the hospital.
Findings
The investigators, after contacting the parties involved, established that there was an MoU between KBTH and uniBank before the CEO of KBTH, Dr. Felix Anyah took office.
Investigations revealed that there were no discussions between the CEO of the hospital and the two deputy chiefs of staff to explain to the latter the rationale for opting for Stanbic Bank instead of uniBank and that the call by the two deputy chief of staff to intervene was based on a letter from uniBank copied to the office of the chief of staff which was very consistent with the work of the office of the chief of staff and by extension, the deputy chiefs of staff.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey
([email protected])
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his government's commitment to improving the country's agriculture, especially the cocoa sub-sector, through the mass spraying exercise and provision of subsidized fertilizers to farmers.
According to the president, Ghana will soon regain her pride of place in the cocoa industry with deliberate policies and measures aimed at boosting production.
Speaking at a grand durbar to celebrate Cocoa Day in Kumasi yesterday, President Akufo-Addo indicated that as part of the policy to increase production, the government had taken away the oversight responsibility of the cocoa industry from the Ministry of Finance.
The ceremony was under the theme, 70 Years on: Mobilizing for a Sustainable Cocoa Economy, with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, being named as Cocoa Consumption Ambassador.
President Akufo-Addo revealed that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has now been made responsible for all matters relating to the cocoa industry for effective formulation of relevant policies required to boost agriculture and cocoa production.
Today, one of the greatest threats in the cocoa industry in our country is not disease or death; price volatility on the international cocoa market represents, perhaps, the biggest threat to our cocoa. The prices of cocoa are forecast to remain low till the year 2020, President Akufo-Addo disclosed.
He stated that the fortunes of the country's cocoa farmers unfortunately have become tied to the volatile cocoa beans market.
He explained that this accounted for the cooperation between Ghana and her sister nation, Cote dIvoire the two largest cocoa producers in the world to ensure that they do not continue to be victims of trade of the global cocoa industry to the detriment of the hard work of the two countries' farmers.
I have, since assuming office, worked closely with His Excellency Alassane Dramane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, to provide the necessary leadership, and technical and political cooperation that addresses effectively the international cocoa pricing from short to medium term, he pointed out.
President Akufo-Addo said the two countries were fashioning a far-reaching policy towards achieving a shared vision of an industrialized and profitable domestic cocoa economy.
Together, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire account for more than 60 percent of the world cocoa output. Ghana, for example, earned US$2 billion for the sale of cocoa beans in the year 2015. Cote d'Ivoire earned US$3.7 billion, he revealed.
According to the president, the two put together, amounted to US$5.7 billion and yet the total proceed realized from the global value of cocoa amounted to US$100 billion, pointing out that that translated to 5.7 percent received, despite the hard work and sweat of the nations' farmers.
President Akufo-Addo said that could not be allowed to continue since it constitutes a manifest injustice to the producers, and intimated further that Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire need to device ways to ensure that farmers reap much better value from their activities.
He disclosed that he had asked the Minister of Food and Agriculture to direct the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) to work towards increasing domestic processing of cocoa beans from the current levels to a minimum of 50 percent annual production by 2020.
In the president's view, this would increase significantly Ghana's export revenues and foreign exchange earnings from cocoa.
He stated that this should go beyond grinding of the cocoa beans to tertiary manufacturing for local consumption.
Chocolate and cocoa products from Ghana should be readily accessible anywhere on the globe. As part of the 'one district, one factory' programme, Cocobod and other private sector activists will roll out programmes that create small scale cocoa processing industries across the cocoa growing districts of our country, he underscored.
President Akufo-Addo challenged the country's youth to take advantage of the opportunities that will be made available.
The export market, nonetheless, should be focused with the processing of the cocoa, he asserted and added that this ought to be done alongside the promotion of the nutritional and health benefits of cocoa consumption.
The celebration attracted top government officials and other international high-profile personalities, including the President of the World Cocoa Foundation, Richard Scobey and representatives of the International Cocoa Organisation.
From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi
The much-anticipated oral examination of Alfred Agbesi Woyome, embattled National Democratic Congress (NDC) businessman and financier, by the Attorney General (AG), could not come off yesterday.
This is because the sole judge presiding over the case at the Supreme Court was indisposed, DAILY GUIDE has gathered.
The Attorney General was expected to resume oral examination of the NDC financier over the GH51.2 million he fraudulently collected from the state.
Mr. Woyome and his lawyer were also nowhere near the court, signaling that they might have been pre-informed that the judge was indisposed.
The oral examination has been rescheduled for October 10, 2017.
In July, this year the Deputy Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, began an inquiry into the sources of income and assets of Mr Woyome in order to recover the fraudulent judgement debt he collected from the state.
At the last hearing of the case, which lasted for almost two hours, Mr. Woyome argued that it was an error for the Attorney General to haul him before the Supreme Court.
He said there was already a payment plan between him and the AG and wondered why he was before the apex court for grilling.
He also prayed the Supreme Court to stay proceedings on the oral examination since he had filed for a review of the case.
Mr. Woyome indicated that since 2012 he had not been in business, claiming that he had lost all his businesses after his arrest in 2011 and subsequent trial, indicating that he spent all his time in court to the detriment of his businesses.
In an answer to a question on Anator Holding Company Limited, Mr Agbesi Woyome said he is a shareholder of the company, although he could not remember his percentage share.
Touching on his possible landed properties in the country, the deputy AG was sure that the Abelemkpe and Kokomlemle houses belong to him (Woyome).
Woyome averred, I own the Kokomlemle house together with my family; you cannot say that for the Abelemkpe house.
He insisted that the Abelemkpe house belongs to his brother in America.
It's a house owned by my junior brother in America who made it available for the use of the family for a year now, he asserted.
Mr. Yeboah Dame, as a result, urged Justice Benin to compel Woyome to produce the documents on the said house pursuant to Order 46 Rule 1 of the High Court Civil Procedures CI 47.
By Gibril Abdul Razak
Local Governance Think Tank, Centre for Local Governance Advocacy, has called for sanctions against the Northern Regional Coordinating Council for demanding five thousand Ghana cedis each from the 26 assemblies in the region, to support the President's tour of the area this week.
Speaking to Citi News, the Deputy Executive Director of the Centre, Gladys Naadu Tetteh, said the demands from the Coordinating Council were unfortunate, and steps must be taken to discourage such a practice from becoming the norm.
According to her, when the president visits MMDAs, they often overspend and in several cases overstate their expenditure.
Per the new local government Act, the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs), are supposed to receive a percentage of the Common Fund to undertake their activities.
She insisted that, if the president is coming to their region, the RCCs should use their percentage of the common fund and not burden the districts.
When the president visits MMDAs, they overspend and even though sometimes they spend much less, they quote higher figures. So even though the RCC directive to the MMDA is not good, for me I think we should discourage that. Definitely, the presidency has their budget. This is coming from the RCC. It is the RCC which is the coordinating body within the region which is asking the Assemblies to pay. Per the new Local Government Act, they are supposed to get a percentage of the common fund to undertake their activities or operations. So they should not burden the assemblies with all their other expenses, she said.
Probably because the president would be moving through the district, you know the assembly too would be a little petty probably (that's what I suspect), that's why this amount of money is being requested. If they have received it and the letter has gone to them then the RCC needs to be talked to, I wont use the word sanctioned, but I think they need to be talked to, to take a second look at some of the things they are doing in the region, she added.
Salifu Saeed, Northern Regional Minister
'Don't pay for President's trips'
Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, has directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region to disregard a circular which requested them to pay Ghc5,000 each to fund President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's three-day official visit beginning October 6.
The Minister in an official statement copied to citifmonline. com implied that, his office did not endorse the earlier memo.
The statement however admitted that, the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives' caucus in the region, voluntarily made the earlier proposal which his office did not endorse.
Salifu Saeed has therefore dismissed the earlier memo which went viral on both mainstream and social media.
According to him, the President's trip is to be fully sponsored by the Presidency.
The Local Government Ministry has also denied asking the Regional Coordinating Council; to contribute that amount after it emerged that a circular had been sent to all district assemblies.
By: Michael Ogbodu /citifmonline.com/Ghana
The Managing Director of Energy Bank has kicked against segmentation of the minimum capital requirement directive for commercial banks by the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
Christiana Olaoye said there is a need for a leveled-playing field so the argument about special banks meeting a lower capital requirement should not be an issue for debate.
Her comments follow a directive by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), commercial banks in the country would have to increase their capital levels from the current 120 million to 400 million by December 2018.
Speaking to JoyBusiness on the sidelines of the launch of the banks customer service week celebration, the Nigerian said she has seen a similar development in her native country where the same argument was put forth about.
"In that era, we had the number of banks reduced from about 100 to 22 and is currently 23. If you want to make it a level playing field, make it a level playing field and the issue of segmentation does not arise," she stressed.
"If banks want to play in the smaller segment, they can become micro-finance institutions or savings and loans institutions," adding these have been already taken care of in the financial inclusion system and the issue of segmentation has already been taken care of.
She, however, indicated that measures are being put in place to ensure the bank meets the new capital requirement latest by September 2018 and may also consider mergers should the need arise.
Madam Olaoye disclosed that the bank held a meeting Board meeting two weeks ago and the issue of the new capital level was top on the agenda.
"The Board is aware and they have indicated that they will bring an additional capital and they are opening up room for additional investors who want to bring in new capital.
"We are assuring our customers that definitely, we will be one of the banks that will meet the 400 million minimum capital requirement from December 2018," she said.
According to her, the bank may not wait until December 2018 as it is working to with a September 2018 deadline with June 2018 likely to be when they will get the required funds.
She said they have opened their doors to other investors who want to come in through mergers or by acquiring one or two smaller banks.
Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline | Sarah Amelley Djosu| Joy Business
Member of Parliament for Subin Constituency, Hon Eugene Boakye Antwi has called for arrest of Kwame Asare Obeng popularly called A-Plus over a leaked audio tape alleged to be a conversation between him and CID boss, ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah.
The Subin law maker who described the conduct of A-Plus as criminal, cruel and unethical in Ghana said the leaking of the audio on the social media has brought the professional integrity of the Officer to disrepute and for that matter must be arrested and dealt according to the law of Ghana.
As a country we must be able to distinguish between what is good and what is right, what A-Plus has done is criminal and as such must be arrested. How can you record a senior Police officer, he fumed.
He must be arrested and dealt with according to the laws of the land because this is not done anywhere and no serious society will entertain that, he stressed.
A-Plus took to Facebook earlier this month to accuse President Akufo-Addos two Deputy Chiefs of Staff, Francis Asenso-Boakye, and Abu Jinapor of being corrupt.
President Akufo-Addo subsequently ordered the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to conduct an investigation into the matter.
The department, after its investigations, said it found A-Plus claims to be baseless, but A-Plus in a subsequent media interaction expressed his disagreement with the report.
A leaked audio tape later emerged with a conversation between A-Plus and a senior CID officer in which the officer supposedly indicated to A-Plus that the report was skewed to favour the government officials.
The CID officer in the tape, whos the Deputy Director of the CID, ACP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, later claimed that the tape was doctored, adding that A-Plus had threatened to blackmail her.
Speaking on Otec FM, Hon. Eugene Boakye Antwi emphasised that the conduct of A-Plus is a depravity and indecency to the country.
If he was able to record a senior CID officer who can become an IGP tomorrow, he can go and record the President."
03.10.2017 LISTEN
Dubai, UAE October 3, 2017: Ring , the leader in home security, announced that it is making a foray into the Middle East market and will make its debut at GITEX Technology Week 2017. The company will use the exhibition as a platform to unveil its latest suite of smart home security products such as Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Video Doorbell Elite, Ring Floodlight Cam and the new Ring Spotlight Cam in addition to announcing new partnerships across the region.
Ring re-imagined the doorbell so consumers could respond using a smartphone to someone at their front door from anyplace, anytime. Ring's mission is to reduce crime in neighborhoods and empower consumers by creating a Ring of Security around homes and communities with our suite of smart home security products. Since its launch in 2012, the company has grown tremendously and our products are well accepted in the US and other global markets. After our global success, we are looking to replicate this in this region as well and GITEX Technology Week 2017, being the biggest technology exhibition, is the best platform to make our Middle East debut, says Mohammad Meraj Hoda, Managing Director of Ring.
Rings mission is simple: to reduce crime in neighborhoods. Rings products globally have been hailed as dependable second set of eyes and ears to deter would-be thieves from entering their homes, and it has been proven that Ring doorbells can reduce crime by up to 55% in neighborhoods across the US, and the goal is to bring the same convenience and security to the Middle East neighborhoods.
With the UAE witnessing a positive growth of the property sector with many developers focusing on building master-planned communities, we believe that the time is right for Ring to introduce its products and solutions to the Middle East market. At GITEX, we want to create awareness of our brand and products, demonstrate how our products can reduce crime, and meet with channel partners and sign on strong partners to expand our market reach. We are confident that our smart home security products will be well accepted in this region, Mr. Hoda adds.
Ring will be showcasing Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Video Doorbell Elite, Ring Floodlight Cam and the new Ring Spotlight Cam at GITEX, which will create the neighborhood watch for the digital age and continue to keep homes in the Middle East safe. Senior executives from the company will be available at Hall No. CLD-24, Stand No. 6 to meet with customers and partners and share their global success stories with them.
Members of the Takoradi Technical University (TTU) chapter of the Technical University Teachers' Association (TUTAG), are up-in-arms against the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) for allegedly breaching the Technical University Act, 2016 (Act 922).
According to the TUTAG members, the NCTE had submitted a draft document to the Governing Council of each technical university demanding that there should be harmonized statutes for technical universities.
NCTE is also demanding that there should be harmonized scheme of service for staff of technical universities and harmonized conditions of service for senior and junior members, as well as staff.
It has further directed the Governing Councils of the technical universities that no substantive appointments would be made to positions in the technical universities until the proposed 'harmonized statutes' have been approved.
This move, according to members of the TTU, is contrary to the Act that established the technical universities since the Governing Councils were those mandated to enact statutes and to ensure the implementation of the Act.
Addressing a press conference yesterday on the issue, Peter Awini, TUTAG President of Takoradi Technical University, claimed that the NCTE played a key role towards the enactment of the Technical Universities Act which provides sufficient legal framework for the conversion of polytechnics to technical universities in Ghana.
He emphasised that the Technical Universities Act did not enjoin all the universities to enact harmonized statutes, agree on harmonized conditions of service or institute harmonized scheme of service for staff.
The Governing Council of a Technical University is the body responsible for enacting statutes to ensure implementation of the Act, he stressed.
He noted that the NCTE's directive regarding the enactment of 'harmonized' statutes of a technical university contravenes Section 26 of the Act which confers the power to enact statutes to ensure implementation of the Act on the Council of each technical university.
So even if an interim council of polytechnic converted to a technical university approved statutes in accordance with the Technical Universities Act, those statutes have the same effect as if done by the current Councils, he added.
Mr Awini therefore, threatened that members of TUTAG would resort to the law court for the matter to be settled, if the NCTE did not rescind its directives.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi
Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, has indicated that government is in the process of vigorously decentralizing the distribution of heavy-duty equipment or machineries to all 216 districts nationwide.
The Minister was speaking on Monday in Accra during a brief swearing-in ceremony of a seven-member governing board for the Ghana Heavy Equipment Limited (GHEL).
Members of the GHEL Board include Yaw Ntow Ababio, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GHEL; Dr. Kwabena Twum-Nuamah, Robert Bediako Asare, Dorothy Ama Amponsah, Alhaji Alidu Abukari, Prince Opoku Edusei and Chairman of the Board, Yaw Asuo Banim.
According to the Minister, the move is to ensure that every district in the country has ample access to equipment, especially agricultural machineries, to fast-track their developmental agenda.
He said government, through the Ministries of Food and Agriculture, Trade and Industry and other agencies and departments, shall identify private businessmen who will establish mechanization centres across the country to aid the decentralization process.
The Minister further indicated that an assembling plant was going to be established for agricultural machineries, urging the new board to take advantage of the opportunity to make GHEL one of the vibrant state enterprises.
I want your name to start coming up as a leading equipment company, according to Mr. Kyeremanten.
Touching on the operations of GHEL over the years, Mr Kyeremanten said that the company has not optimized its real potential.
He urged members of the new board to use their expertise to provide the needed strategic direction to get the company to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Chairman of the Board, Mr Asuo Banim, also thanked President Akufo-Addo and Mr. Kyeremanten for reposing trust in them.
He said the board would use all resources at their disposal to improve the company to serve the needs of its clients.
GHEL is a limited liability company, solely owned by the Government Ghana.
It was initially the Heavy Equipment Division of the erstwhile Ghana National Trading Corporation.
GHEL is involved in the sale and service of construction and mining equipment, agricultural tractors and implements, generator sets and automobiles.
Motorists may have to endure the poor state of our roads a little longer because funds accruing to the Road Fund are being used to service a loan.
According to Deputy Road and Highways Minister, Anthony Karbo, the Ministry is unable to access the Fund as a result of the decision of the previous administration to use it as collateral for a GHE1.5billion loan it contracted from United Bank for Africa (UBA) last year.
Mr. Karbo disclosed on the Super Morning Show on Joy FM, Tuesday, October 3, 2017, the loan was contracted by the John Mahama-led administration to pay debts owed to contractors who had built some roads.
As part of the deal, the total annual regular inflow of GHE1.2biilion into the road Fund is to be used to finance the loan, leaving the sector Ministry no access to road tolls, taxes and axle load fees paid into the Fund by motorists.
The loan agreement, according to Mr. Karbo, was ratified by Parliament some six months to the elections in 2016.
The state of many of the country's roads has continuously deteriorated while the motorists continue to pay for using such roads, some of which have become death traps and the cause deadly crashes.
But the new government in July said it met no money in the Fund to enable it to undertake maintenance works on roads including the Accra-Tema motorway constructed over half a century ago.
Mr. Karbo said the Ministry has so far settled GHE750million of the loan and expects the full amount to be paid by August 2018.
The Ghana Road Fund was established in 1985 to provide a secure source of funding for preservation of Ghanas road network. It was restructured under the Road Fund Act, Act 536, 1997.
The sources of revenue into the Fund are derived from levies on petroleum products, bridges, ferries and road tolls collected by the Highway Authority. Other sources of funding include; vehicle License and inspection fees; international transit fees, collected from foreign vehicles entering the country.
Monies collected are channelled into the Road Fund accounts established for the purpose.
These sources yield an average of GHE1.2billion each year but the Deputy Minister appears amazed as to why the previous regime would commit itself to road projects costing GHE17billion consequently compelling it to collateralise the Road Fund for a loan.
We get 1.2bn [cedis] but we have commitments of 17bn cedis that we have to pay; where are we going to get that money from?
The Deputy Minister complained that: The entire Roads Ministry is saddled with a lot of financial challenges.
However, Mr. Karbo said the current administration is determined to fix the challenge indicating that maintenance works on some major roads including the motorway would likely start by the end of October. I am aware of discussions ongoing for Ministry of Finance to release some funds so that we can get underway with some maintenance works.
Theres some work going on to deal with the problem of the motorway once and for all and its one of the top priorities of the government, Mr. Karbo assured.
He told the host of the programme, Kojo Yankson that the Government in the process of redesigning [into six lanes] and looking for partners to take up the project fully.
Play attached audio to listen to the discussion with also had contributions from legal practitioners Samson Lardi Anyenini and Ace Annan Ankoma:
Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Jerry Tsatro Mordy | Email: [email protected], Twitter: @jerrymordy
The Ghana Health Service (GHS), in collaboration with Ghana Education Service (GES), will today commence the annual national mass drug administration (MDA) exercise to deworm about 1.3million school children in 8,200 schools across the country.
The MDA which will also be done in communities in 47 selected districts is expected to deworm children against intestinal worm and schistosomiasis (bilharzias) infestation to improve the health status of pupils.
Dr Benjamin Kofi Marfo, Deputy Programme Manager, Neglected Tropical Disease Programme, stated that the implementation of the programme has, over the years, prevented millions of children from the effects of worm infestation.
He said the children will be given the two medications for intestinal worm and schistosomiasis (bilharzias) infestation according to their height and weight, adding that volunteers will be seen in the various public schools administering the medicine to children.
Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, Director General of GHS, said in a speech read on his behalf at a media briefing that intestinal worm and schistosomiasis have been identified as the main cause of malnutrition, reduction in cognitive development and impediment in concentration in class among pupils, hence the exercise to rid their system off the worms and infestations.
It is worth noting that the distribution of drugs to school age children to prevent and treat worms and bilharzia will improve their health and wellbeing and prevent the negative effects of diseases like malnutrition, anemia, and growth retardation among others, he mentioned.
Dr Angela Tina Mensah, Acting Director of Secondary Education at the GES, stated that sensitisation has gone round the various beneficiary schools on the exercise, adding that the smooth implementation of the exercises will, in the long run, benefit the school.
I want to encourage school heads to help facilitate the exercise by organising the children when the volunteers come around to administer the medication, she said.
Dr Joyce Aryee, NTD Ambassador, also encouraged parents to allow their children to participate in the nationwide exercise which will improve their health and well-being.
She said the exercise is to benefit the children, thus, any hindrance of the children from partaking in the activity will go against overall goal of ensure a worm infestation-free society.
She also asked parents to give their children enough food during the exercise to make the programme a success.
Schistosomiasis and intestinal worm are part of the 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), of which 12 can be found in Ghana.
Presently, the GHS through the Neglected Tropical Programmes offers treatment to five of the disease which include elephantiasis, trachoma, schistosomiasis, intestinal worms and onchocerciasis.
Schistosomiasis, commonly known as bilharzias, is a chronic disease contracted due to contact with contaminated freshwater, it is transmitted by a parasite called schistosoma.
Intestinal worm, commonly referred to as soil-transmitted helminthes, is found at places with poor environmental sanitation where the soils are contaminated with human excreta.
ACP David Eklu
03.10.2017 LISTEN
The Director-General in-charge of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, ACP David Eklu, says his outfit is determined to attain its vision of becoming a world-class police service.
He pointed out that the police service would deliver services to meet international standards.
ACP Eklu also revealed that the police administration would collaborate with the media to enhance policing in Ghana.
To this end, he stressed that the police service would soon launch guidelines on how to communicate effectively with the media to reach out to the public and tackle crime in Ghana.
ACP Eklu disclosed this when he interacted with some journalists in the Western Region to outline the vision of the police administration, among others, as part of his three-day working visit to the region.
He underscored the important role the media plays in good policing and stressed that without the media, the police would not be able to operate effectively.
He added, So there is no need for a police officer and a journalist to fight as they complement each other.
He revealed that the service was developing media guidelines which would enhance communication between the media and Police.
The police administration is making strategic restructuring which would, among other things, give specialised training to journalists on correct crime reporting and community policing, he added.
He stressed that the Police Service would improve its investigative mechanisms and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department so that the officers in the unit would act more professionally, as well as introduce technology to support investigations, data collection and analysis.
ACP Eklu entreated journalists to take pictures of police officers who extort money from drivers.
The Director-General, who welcomed constructive criticisms from the media, assured the general public of maximum protection and security and promised that the law would deal with officers who drag the name of the Service into disrepute.
ACP Eklu, who was accompanied by the Western Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olivia Ewurabena Adiku, earlier visited personnel of the Marine Police in Takoradi to get first-hand information about the operations there.
He also addressed the audience at a town hall meeting on behalf of the Inspector General of Police on illegal mining at Wassa Akropong.
The smuggling of refined petroleum products by some unscrupulous individuals under the pretext of exporting them to neighbouring countries has become major concern for all stakeholders in the industry.
The illegal activity is said to be known to some security operatives at the various fuel depots, but nothing significant has been done to tackle it due to the parochial interests of certain people.
Investigations by DAILY GUIDE at Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) have helped to expose the lucrative illegal activity.
The products are smuggled into tanker yards at Kpone and Tema in the Greater Accra Region with false documents and number plates.
According to sources, the smugglers, after loading their trucks, move into the yards where they discharge the products into 13,5000-litre capacity trucks with the use of pumping machines.
They change the number plates of the trucks bound for Togo, Burkina Faso and Mali immediately after loading and discharging the products into other trucks.
They sometimes collect the invoices and send them to the border area for stamping with the help of some customs officers.
The fuel smuggling is prevalent at TOR, Fuel Trade, Chase Petroleum, Cirious and Accra Plans Depot (APD) of BOST.
A source indicated that immediately some suspects were arrested, the smugglers adopted new tactics.
The unscrupulous people, under the pretext of supplying fuel to vessels at the country's ports, divert them to yards for sale.
Deep throat sources at TOR told DAILY GUIDE that as much as 40 trucks with fake foreign number plates load fuel mostly on Saturdays and holidays at night.
Some senior staff of the country's only refinery are said to be involved in the illegal activities.
Some officials sign delivery orders and liaison officers also collect and distribute them to the drivers. Until a serious reshuffle is conducted at TOR, including the delivery manager, customs officers and people around Mr Isaac Osei, who is not unaware of what is going on, the State will continue to lose. Mr Osei is too weak and needs to do reshuffle at TOR to save the nation because most staff are complaining but cannot tell him, the source said.
Staff of the refinery said the haulage tankers are owned by a cartel made up of politicians, especially members of NDC and well-connected business people, who have been licensed by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA).
Reports indicate that government risks losing GH1.5 billion Ghana cedis to fuel smuggling this year.
But for the smuggling of fuel, Ghana would have gained more than GH5 billion in revenue in 2017.
Last year, Ghana lost an estimated GH800 million in 2016 as a result of smuggling, and even though we are only halfway through the year, conservative figures released by the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC) suggest that the nation risks losing a staggering GH1.5 billion this year if we continue to turn a blind eye to the issue,
Bulk Oil Distribution Companies and Oil Marketing Companies have complained that aside revenue losses to the state, the smuggling of fuel negatively affect their operations.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Association of Oil Marketing Companies, Kwaku Agyeman Duah, said the criminal activity resulted in a 15 percent loss of volumes to his members last year.
Since April, this year, the OMCs have been threatening to sack workers at the filling stations and other offices.
The source stated that to tackle the menace, all trucks must be escorted to their destinations with the help of security officers.
Licenses to exporters should be scrutinized, with proper audit and enforcement of proper electronic tracking of fuel to the neighbouring landlocked countries. Tracking devices must be installed on all export bulk road vehicles, the source indicated.
Ussif Mustapha, Acting Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), has conducted members of the re-constituted Board of Directors of the scheme round some of its projects during a familiarization tour in Accra.
The Acting Executive Director was accompanied on the tour by Deputy Executive Directors, Nana Boakye and Gifty Oware Aboagye, as well as other senior staff of the NSS.
The delegation inspected the stalled GHc1.6 million water project at Medie in the Ga West Municipal of the Greater Accra Region.
According to the project engineer, Gordian Wononuah, the plant, when completed, will have the capacity to produce about 22,000 bottles of water a day.
At the Haatso, Papao Farms in the La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipality, Cyril Tettey-Enyo, Farm Manager indicated that the project comprises livestock and aqua-culture.
According to him, the mixed farm produces about 450 rabbits, 960 layers, 250 pigs and up to 3,000 catfish annually.
Mr. Tettey-Enyo called for more resources to boost work on the feed production unit of the farm.
He further called on management to help improve the quality of livestock breeds at the rabbitry and piggery in order to satisfy current market demands.
Board
Prof Kofi Osei-Akuoko, Board Chairman, who was impressed by the efforts of management to execute the various projects, called for a plan that will guide the board.
He gave assurance that all projects will be re-activated, adding that the projects fall in line with the President's policies of One District, One Factory and 'Planting for Food and Jobs.'
Can you image the huge employment opportunities that will open for people who are at various levels; let us put our heads together and make these projects work, he stated
He urged National Service personnel to take advantage of the rich experience that abound on the various farms to establish businesses after the service.
Issuance of Certificates
In a related development, the management of NSS has called on the 2015/16 National Service personnel to contact the various NSS Regional Secretariats from Wednesday, October 4, 2017 with valid NSS identification or National Identification Cards to collect their certificates.
THE DEPUTY Minister of Environment, Science and Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Patricia Appiagyei, has disclosed that government is finalising a strategic plan to address the country's sanitation challenges.
According to her, the strategic plan will involve the full participation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in its implementation.
She was optimistic the strategic plan would help Ghana effectively manage waste, and would also go a long way to improve the sanitation situation to make Ghana one of the cleanest countries.
Delivering a keynote address as the Special Guest at the 'Voice For Change (V4C)' partnership programme organized by SNV in Accra dubbed 'Building Vibrant CSOs for Advocacy', Mrs. Appiagyei further revealed that as part of the plan, government will construct waste management plants in some parts of the country.
Touching on post-harvest losses, the Deputy Minister mentioned Planting for Food and Jobs as one of government's efforts in tackling the country's food security, improve nutrition and minimize post-harvest loses.
She noted that government will continue to improve investment in the promotion of clean cooking system for the benefit of the lower income class, believing that it will save lives, prevent the forest from further degradation and reduce the burden of smoke inhaled diseases in households.
For his part, H.E Ron Strikker, the Ambassador of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands called on government to continue to create the enabling environment for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to operate without any hindrance.
According to him, when CSOs are supported with the required capital and given the opportunity to criticise policies of government through dialogue, it will facilitate change and development in most sectors of the economy.
Civil Society is the voice of the citizens and when they make government accountable it will bring about much development, make democracy stronger and make the country better.
The ambassador believed that advocacy has become a fulcrum of change in most areas of development across the globe, adding that The Voice For Change is a typical example that SNV and its partners have put together to ensure change in key areas of the country.
Mr. Eric Z. Banye, Country Programme Coordinator of SNV in his speech indicated that through the 'Voice for Change Partnership' (V4CP) programme, SNV supports CSOs to foster collaboration among relevant stakeholders, influence agenda-setting and hold the government and private sector accountable for their promises and actions.
By Vincent Kubi
A youth group calling itself Concerned Denkyira New Patriotic Party (NPP) Youth in Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira District in the Central Region, has warned the Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Bright Wereko Brobbey to desist from attacking the District Chief Executive (DCE) for the area.
The Deputy Minister who doubles as the Member of Parliament for the area is alleged to be creating division in the party which would ultimately affect the performance of the NPP in the area.
This is contained in a press statement signed by the president of the group, Osei Boateng and copied to the Chief of Staff, Central Regional Minister, Regional Chairman of the NPP, Constituency Chairman, District Police, DCE and the MP.
It outlines chronology of events that according to the group has given credence to the fact that everything that has been happening in the district as well as the constituency is masterminded by the MP since 2008
The group alleged that Mr. Wereko Brobbey after losing the 2008 NPP primaries went as an independent candidate against NPP's preferred choice and even organized thugs to hoot at Nana Addo, the then Presidential candidate.
In the interest of peace the party forgave him and accepted him back after he lost the 2008 elections. The evidence is that Nana Addo has appointed him as the deputy minister for employment, it said.
According to the press statement, Mr Wereko Brobbey has shown and continues to show that he has not changed.
It explained that, when the current MP lost the Parliamentary election in 2012, he refused to campaign for the elected candidate but rather sabotaged him with all sorts of evil machinations.
Indeed he was able to achieve his selfish ambition as the party lost the seat to NDC. He has shown that if it is not him or anybody from Twifo Hemang then it should not be any one else it said.
The group said that, to show his hatred to the DCE and his mission to make him unpopular in the eyes of the people in the district, the MP organized his boys from Hemang to demonstrate against the DCE during assembly sitting.
They are therefore calling on the Central Regional Minister, Kwamina Duncan as a matter of urgency to call the MP to order for peace to prevail in the district.
Geneva (AFP) - The World Health Organization said Tuesday there was a "moderate risk" that a plague outbreak in Madagascar would spread to other countries in the region, but advised against travel restrictions.
The outbreak of both bubonic plague, which is spread by infected rats via flea bites, and pneumonic plague, spread person to person, has infected 133 people, killing 24 of them, since August 1, according to WHO numbers.
Madagascar has suffered plague outbreaks almost every year since 1980, often caused by rats fleeing forest fires.
But WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters the current outbreak had more potential than most to spread further in Madagascar since it has already affected large urban areas, including the capital Antananarivo.
Pneumonic plague, though rarer on the island, spreads more easily, he said, pointing out that 17 of the deaths recorded so far were due to the respiratory version of the disease.
"The overall risk of further spread at the national level is high," Lindmeier said.
At the regional level, the risk was "moderate due to frequent flights to neighbouring Indian Ocean islands", he said.
But the risk of a more international spread of the disease was "low", he said.
For this reason, Lindmeier said the WHO was for now advising against slapping any travel or trade restrictions on Madagascar.
The plague is a highly infectious disease that has killed millions of people across the world in the past before being largely wiped out.
Pneumonic plague can kill quickly, within 18-24 hours of infection if left untreated, but common antibiotics can cure it if they are given early on.
The WHO stressed that most people can recover from the plague if they are rapidly treated and urged anyone in the affected areas who notice respiratory symptoms to seek treatment, which is being provided for free.
Accra, Oct. 3, CDA Consult The Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) the foremost indigenous Oil Marketing Company in the Country has donated 70 specialized Road Barrier Equipment to the Sekondi- Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly.
The Road Barrier Equipment are to help the Metropolitan Assembly and Security Officials control road traffic and assist in general road safety management at the Airport Round About and the Central Business District of the Port City.
The Donation was in response to appeals for support to help control traffic, unauthorized Parking and general vehicular congestion in the twin city.
GOILs Zonal Manager, West, Mr. Enoch Bimpong who presented the equipment to the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, underscored the importance the company attaches to safety hoping it will assist the assembly to reduce congestion in the city.
He said GOIL has taken steps to significantly enhance the quality of its petroleum products and explained that its fuel additive, XP3 ensures stronger performance of vehicle engines.
Mr. Bimpong gave the assurance that GOIL, as a local marketing company would continue to sell its products at reasonably cheaper prices and encouraged increased patronage to sustain it on the path of growth and profitability.
That, he noted, was the way to go to enable the company to support the local economy and live up to its corporate social responsibility.
The Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr. Kobina Sam was grateful to GOIL for the gesture.
I would like to believe that no patriotic Ghanaian will ever shrill and thrill over the spate of sleazes and corruption in the country.
It would appear that in Ghana, the justice system more often than not, descends heavily on goat, cassava and plantain thieves, and let go the remorseless criminals who hide behind narrow political lines.
I must confess, though, I was over the moon when the Supreme Court of Ghana once returned a favourable verdict in the case of Occupy Ghana versus the Auditor General that the latter is obliged to retrieve the embezzled or stolen funds from the culprits without fear or favour.
Disappointingly, however, , my excitement became ephemeral, like the life span of a fly, when the Auditor General later claimed that some culprits have already returned their loots, albeit without the essential prosecutions.
Obviously, the benign and somewhat lenient approach would not circumscribe the widespread sleazes and corruptions which have been retrogressing Ghanas advancement thus far.
How on earth would individuals turn away from their misdeeds if the only punishment for stealing public funds is a mere plea to return the loot?
Let us be honest, much as the paradox of exposure is somewhat relevant in the fight against corruption, it is not an isolated tool, it goes hand in hand with prevention and deterrence.
Regrettably, though, the justice system tends to clampdown heavily on goat, cassava and plantain thieves, and more often than not, let go the obdurate criminals who hide behind narrow political colorations.
Well, if we are ever prepared to beseech the fantastically corrupt public officials to only pay back their loots without any further punishment, we might as well treat the goat, plantain and cassava thieves same. For after all, what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Verily, reported cases of political criminals misdeeds often leave concerned Ghanaians with a glint of bewilderment.
And what is more, when it comes to the prosecutions of the political criminals, we are often made to believe: the wheels of justice turn slowly, but it will grind exceedingly fine.
Yet we can disappointingly recount a lot of unresolved alleged criminal cases involving political personalities and other civil servants.
Where is the fairness when the political thieves could dip their hands into the national purse as if there is no tomorrow and go scot free, while the goat, cassava and plantain thieves are often locked up?
Indeed, it beggars belief that individuals could form an alliance, create, loot and share gargantuan sums of money belonging to the state and would eventually slip through the justice net.
I will dare state that there is no deterrence for political criminals. For, if that was not the case, how come political criminals more often than not go through the justice net, despite unobjectionable evidence of wrong doing?
Let us admit, though, corruption is a serious economic, social, political and moral impediment to the nation building. To this end, corrupt officials must be held accountable at all times without fear or favour.
As a matter of fact, corruption is found in all countriesbig and small, rich and poorbut it is in the developing world that its effects are most destructive.
In fact, some of us cannot comprehend why the people we have entrusted with the national coffers could team up with shifty individuals and steal gargantuan sums of money belonging to the nation without facing any stiff punishment.
Regrettably, despite the fact that corruption slows down the nation building, some corrupt officials are nonetheless bent on siphoning our scarce resources to the detriment of the poor.
Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to violations of human rights, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life and allows organized crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish (UN 2003).
For the poor, women and minorities, corruption means even less access to jobs, justice or any fair and equal opportunity (UNDP 2016).
Let us however keep our fingers cross for the arrival of the Special Prosecutor and pray that the corrupt public officials are brought to book.
Indeed, it will be gratifying to witness the Special Prosecutor exerting dint of effort and retrieving most of the stolen monies in the last few years, which obviously collapsed Ghanas economy.
It is our anticipation that the Special Prosecutor will go after the greedy politicians and other public servants who have shamefully stolen from the national purse.
Of course, the suspects and their apologists will grumble and squall over the Special Prosecutors lawful interrogations.
Nevertheless, there will be no mercy for the wrong doers. We shall claw-back all the stolen monies which were meant for various developmental projects.
Let us therefore humbly remind President Akufo-Addo that the right antidote to curbing the unbridled sleazes and corruptions is through stiff punishments, including the retrieval of all stolen monies, sale of properties and harsh prison sentences.
K. Badu, UK.
Accra, Oct. 3, CDA Consult The Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL), the nations foremost Indigenous Oil Marketing Company has for the second consecutive year, won the coveted Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) Petroleum Company of the year.
GOIL has affirmed and consolidated its position as the number one Oil marketing Company in the Country.
The award which was announced at the 28th National Marketing Performance awards held in Accra, confirms the biggest indigenous marketing entitys role also as an important player in the competitive sector.
GOIL won the award in 2015 and its MD, Patrick Apke Kwame Akorli is the immediate past CIMG Man of the Year.
Mr Akorli explained in an interview after the award that GOIL has the largest retail network of over 300 active service stations countrywide with 20 per cent of market share and has been posting impressive results, recording 58.7 per cent increase in profit after tax in 2016, a 26.95 per cent increase in turnover compared to that of 2015.
GOIL as the biggest indigenous marketing entity continues to make strides, venturing big into the bunkering sector.
He said in line with the companys expansion drive, a 13.5m litre capacity MGO bunkering facility has recently been commissioned in Takoradi Port at a cost of $15 million.
The GOIL Group Chief Executive Officer said already, a modern 4000m3 MGO bunkering facility fitted with a filtration and coalescing unit at the Sekondi Naval Base is in operation.
In the medium to long term GOIL wants to become a vibrant energy company with a significant foothold in West Africa, says Mr. Patrick Akorli, MD and CEO of GOIL.
Downstream petroleum analysts says, the bunkering investments especially the Takoradi Project , are significant because they will position GOIL to benefit from the huge trade in MGO, 60 per cent of which is being done offshore, bringing in the much needed revenue to GOIL and to the state in the form of taxes.
Mr. Alex Josiah Adzew, the GOIL Chief Operating Officer, underscored the premium GOIL puts on the quality of products, explaining that this has pushed her to procure a modern mobile laboratory van to test all products at its station before sale to consumers.
He reiterated that the company will invest more resources to ensure products are always of the highest standards and quality.
GOIL is already eying the road construction sector, finalizing plans to construct a bitumen plant to serve the burgeoning industry.
Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwe police have arrested a journalist at a privately-owned daily over a story claiming that President Robert Mugabe's wife, Grace had donated second-hand underwear to supporters, lawyers said Tuesday.
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said that Kenneth Nyangani, a NewsDay journalist, was arrested on Monday night "for allegedly writing and publishing a story over the donation of some used undergarments by First Lady Grace Mugabe".
Nyangani was being detained in the eastern city of Mutare and is likely to face "criminal defamation" charges, the organisation said in a statement. He is yet to appear in court.
The NewsDay on Monday reported that a ruling Zanu-PF lawmaker, Esau Mupfumi had over the weekend handed out clothes saying they were donated by Grace Mugabe.
"I met the First Lady Grace Mugabe and I was given these clothes so that I can give you. I have briefs for you and I am told that most of your briefs are not in good shape, please come and collect your allocations today," the NewsDay quoted Mupfumi as saying.
"We have night dresses, sandals and clothes, come and take, this is from your First Lady Grace Mugabe."
Zimbabwe's worsening economic crisis has forced many people to resort to buying second-hand clothes which are more affordable.
The used clothes that include undergarments are mostly imported from Mozambique after being shipped from Western nations.
Zimbabwe once banned the sale of second-hand clothes in 2015 but later lifted the ban.
The southern African country is facing money shortages and high unemployment blamed on long ruling President Robert Mugabe economic policies.
Amnesty International has called for Nyangani's unconditional release, saying his arrest aimed at harassing and intimidating journalists.
"The intention is to send a chilling message to journalists and media workers that they must self-censor rather than expose truths," it said in a statement.
Pretoria (AFP) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe returned to South Africa on Tuesday for the first time since his wife claimed diplomatic immunity over allegedly assaulting a model in a Johannesburg hotel room.
Mugabe, 93, was not accompanied by his wife Grace as he met President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria, six weeks after the alleged attack sparked diplomatic tension between the two neighbours.
Mugabe used his opening remarks at the talks to stress the close relations between Zimbabwe and South Africa, but did not mention the incident.
"Had we had a say in the choice of a neighbour, we would have chosen you," he said, to laughter from ministers on both sides.
"We are one -- one people, one revolution, one struggle, one future," he added.
Grace Mugabe, 52, is alleged to have assaulted Gabriella Engels with an electrical extension cable at the chic Johannesburg hotel where the Mugabes' two sons, who are in their 20s, were staying.
Engels suffered cuts to her forehead and the back of her head during the alleged August 13 assault.
The first lady was granted diplomatic immunity by South African authorities and promptly flew out of the country, accompanied by her husband who had arrived for a regional summit.
Earlier, the South African police had vowed to prevent her from leaving as they considered issuing an arrest warrant.
At the time of the incident, Mugabe's two sons Robert Jnr and Chatunga were living in the Sandton business district of Johannesburg, where they have a reputation for partying.
Engels, 20, has launched a legal battle to have Grace Mugabe stripped of immunity over the alleged attack.
"We were chilling in a hotel room, and (Mugabe's sons) were in the room next door. She came in and started hitting us," Engels told local media.
In 2009, Grace Mugabe was granted immunity in Hong Kong after repeatedly punching a British photographer for taking pictures of her at a luxury hotel.
President Mugabe, who came to power in 1980, is due to stand again in elections next year, with his wife seen as one possible successor when he leaves office.
At Tuesday's talks, Zuma also made no reference to the incident and said there was "ever-growing cooperation between the two countries".
03.10.2017 LISTEN
Most of the traditional markets in Accra are in a deplorable states. They do not have modern market facilities to enable them perform their functions as modern markets in the various communities.
Businesses are slow in these markets as people no longer patronise them because of poor infrastructure. Business activities in these markets have virtually come to a halt. This has brought untold suffering to the trader folks who operate in those markets.
In times past, the markets were booming with lots of shoppers, including expatriates shopping on a daily basis. But today, these shoppers hardly come around to shop because of the poor state of the markets.
A careful study conducted by a team of journalists from Journalists In Community Development (JICD) proved that the authorities-district assemblies, members of parliament and the chiefs whose responsibility it is to ensure the wellbeing of the markets, have not been supportive enough.
Interestingly, some of these markets have been in the news in recent times for issues of poor infrastracture, neglet, poor security, low patronage, among others. Traders of these markers often complaint of attacks by armed robbers who rob them of their money and valuables.
Again, traders complain of thieves who steal their wares at night because there are no proper places to keep them.
The lack of proper infrastructure has eventually driven away all of their customers from shopping in the markets. Instead, they go to the malls to shop. Clearly, the customers find these malls better for shopping because the mall have modern infrastructure which make shopping more fun. Afterall, everthing, including "momone" (stinking fish) can be obtained from the malls.
Nonetheless, traders have remained in the markets because they have no alternative source of livelihood.
Obviously, these developments have called for urgent need for our traditional markets to be given a facelift to befit a modern market. This is the only way that we can keep the traders in a more profitable and sustainable business.
A JICD reporter visited the Anyaa market, in the Anyaa Ablekum constituency of the Ga Central Municipal Assembly. In an interview, the Deputy Organiser of Anyaa Market Association, Madam Dina Anum, appealed to Nana Akuffo Addo to construct a modern market in place of the old deplorable one for them. According to her, the Mahama administration promised to provide a bus terminal and a modern market for the people of the constituency but time permitted only the terminal to be completed.
The organiser said ever since the NPP took office nine months ago, there has been no sign of the new administration continuing the project to alleviate the suffering of the traders.
She therefore advised the government not to abandon projects that were started by the previous administration, but to continue and complete them to maintain growth and development for the people.
Complaining further, the Deputy Organiser stressed that anytime it rains, the entire market becomes flooded and muddy, and this makes it difficult for traders and shoppers to come to the market. Again, she complained that traders do not have secured places where they keep their wares. And this, she said has given thieves the opportunity to steal at will.
Madam Anum also recalled that in times past, when the market was not in such a deplorable state, many shoppers including foreigners were always at the market to shop. "Today, many of the customers have stopped buying from the market because of its deplorable state", she added. "Customers prefere going to the malls to do their shopping because of convenience and better facilities", she added.
Madam Anum told the reporter that the poor state of the market has cost traders all their trading capital. "now we have place to turn to, we find it difficult to support our families under the circumstance", she cried.
Concluding, the Deputy Organiser appealed to Nana Akuffo Addo and the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Ayokor Botwe to use their high offices to construct the market for the traders in order to restore their economic fortunes.
The National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has accused the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, of peddling falsehood about the state of the economy he inherited from the previous administration
According to Kofi Adams, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government took over the most stable economy of any administration in the fourth republic.
Speaking in response to calls by the President for Ghanaians to be considerate in their demands on his government, Kofi Adams claimed the NDC had inherited and turned around an economy in a far worse state, with the government having to issue bonds initially just to pay salaries of workers
The President is not only showing signs of double standards but he's also peddling falsehood. President Akufo-Addo inherited a better economy than possibly any of our [other] presidents have had in the fourth republic, Kofi Adams said in an interview with Citi News.
The NDC inherited an economy in 2009 that was borrowing to pay salaries. Indeed we went out there and took bonds before we could pay salaries. That was the type of economy we inherited. The NPP inherited an economy that never borrowed to pay salaries. We paid salaries using revenue generated internally.
The President was responding to demands made on him by the chiefs and people of the Dorimon traditional area at Jambusie in the Wa West District, while on a two-day working visit to the Upper West Region as part of 7-day tour of northern Ghana.
The President said his government had inherited an ailing economy which forced them to be measured in the number of projects they undertake.
What we are saying is that, all the things that you have put to me are things that I am very concerned about extending the school feeding programme, establishing a nurses training collegebut a lot of them depend on the state of our public finances. And the truth of the matter is that, I am not a lucky son, I did not inherit a rich father. The inheritance I got from my predecessor was an empty treasury so I'm having to work my way from the bottom up, Nana Addo said.
However, Kofi Adams touted the Mahama administrations feats in infrastructure development despite the challenges they had encountered, particularly the work that has been done at the various airports.
We had added a lot more infrastructure that did not exist. Go to our air and sea ports today; we've added a lot more infrastructure that did not exist. We have a more expanded Kumasi Airport, Tamale Airport and the Kotoka International Airport is seeing massive expansion he said.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana
YaoundA (AFP) - A home-made device exploded overnight near a police station in Cameroon's restless English-speaking region, where separatist leaders have launched a campaign for independence, concurring sources said Tuesday.
There were no reported casualties, they said.
The bomb detonated near a police unit called the Mobile Intervention Group in Bamenda, the chief city in the Northwest Region, a security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The information was confirmed separately to AFP by an official with the regional government, who added that another device nearby was safely defused by police.
There was no claim of responsibility by late afternoon.
The blast came after a weekend of violence in which 19 people were killed in the English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions as the authorities clamped down on a symbolic declaration of independence for "Ambazonia," the name of the state radical anglophones wish to create.
Fourteen died in clashes with security forces, and five were prisoners shot by guards in an attempted jail break at Kumbo, according to an AFP toll.
Cameroon, a francophone-majority nation in central-western Africa, has a large anglophone minority, comprising about a fifth of its population of 22 million.
English-speakers complain they suffer inequality and discrimination -- a resentment that has fuelled a breakaway movement that culminated Sunday in a symbolic declaration of independence from the rest of Cameroon.
President Paul Biya strongly opposes independence, as well as a less radical alternative for a return to a federal structure, which the country once had.
Home-made bombs exploded in Bamenda on September 18 and September 22 in Douala, Cameroon's economic hub, which is in a francophone region.
The blasts prompted the government to ratchet up its response to anglophone agitation, notably calling the separatists "terrorists".
This was followed by orders for a three-day curb on movement in the two anglophone areas, coinciding with the independence declaration.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Amnesty International have called on Cameroon to investigate the fatalities, and the European Union and France, the country's former colonial power, have urged dialogue and non-violence.
Cameroon was a German colony from 1884 until 1919, when it was split into British- and French- run entities at the end of World War I.
Today's anglophone-francophone rift dates back to 1961, when the British-administered Southern Cameroons united with Cameroon after its independence from France in 1960.
A group belonging to the New Patriotic Party in the Northern regional capital, Tamale, has alleged that the partys regional chairman, Mr. Bugri Naabu hired them to stage a massive demonstration against President Akuffo Addo who is due to visit the region on Friday, 6th October, 2017, as part of a three-day working tour and some two top regional officers.
This latest disclosure has deepened tensions among party executives in the region after divisions caused by the leakage on Sunday of an official document at the Regional Coordinating Council asking Metropolitan Municipal Chief Executives to finance the visit of the president.
We wish to bring to the notice of Ghanaians and members of our party that the plans of some section of the partys youth to stage a demonstration against His Excellency President Nana Addo, the Northern Regional Minister and the Mayor of Tamale, Mr. Musah Superior, this week before the president arrives is masterminded by chairman, Bugri Naabu, a statement issued by the group on Tuesday revealed.
The demonstration was also targeted at the Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed and Mayor of Tamale, Musah Superior and intended to disgrace the president as revenge for lowering his authority as leader of the party, the statement added.
The group, Get All on Deck said the protest was scheduled to occur this Thursday, a day before the arrival of the President.
The group members said they together with other groups were part of the grand scheme but they decided to blow the cover because they realized after intense deliberations that the chairman only wanted to use us for his parochial and selfish interest.
The group added further that the decision to speak out publicly against the plot was because some of the members hired by the party chairman to join the protest were known members of the opposition party. They claimed they found that the chairmans intention was to destabilize and frustrate efforts of the Minister and the Mayor.
Some of our members who can be identified were Rashid and Habib who are known allies of Bugri Naabu and those who always organize the youth all these while. For the avoidance of doubt, you may have heard that, some youth group last Saturday stormed the chairmans residence with a petition, complaining about some issues against the northern regional minister. This is one of the schemes of Chairman Bugri Naabu. He paid us GH10, 000.00 to carry out the operation this time around.
According to the group, the chairman paid them to protest against the President over issues concerning the appointment of MMDCEs in the region that has upset Bugri who had issued threats to quit his position.
The minister vehemently denies all the charges and maintained he has friendly relationship with the chairman.
The group added that the chairman instructed them to target the Mayor and Regional Minister in the plot because he (Bugri Naabu) believed the two appointees were against his chairmanship ambition. Bugri has repeatedly accused the Minister, in particular of supporting other potential candidates to unseat him as regional chairman. He, at a point suggested to the president to fire the minister.
The group also drew the attention of the security agencies to stop the chairman from causing mayhem and advised the chairman to address concerns through dialogue and negotiations and eschew violent confrontation.
Responding to the statement, Bugri Naabu roundly denied meeting with any group and said the claims by the youth was concoction and nothing but concoction.
I dont know any group at all; no group has come to me neither I have met with any group and I dont see why Im receiving the president and will ask the youth to demonstrate against him.
The Author
03.10.2017 LISTEN
Most leaders will never be what they think they are and will ironically pray to be the persons their dogs think they are: In a date with CIMG marketing man of the year 2015, Patrick K. Akorli, Managing Director (Goil) recently, he made us appreciate the complementary role of the dog whenever it is being misled towards the wrong direction by its manager. In a related development, Ken Banchard concluded that Eagles flourish in organizations where customer is the focus but Ducks multiply in places where boss pleasing is a daily ritual. In every faculty of life, eagles abound in transforming the lives of individuals through activities within the aegis of human relations. Indeed, Max Depree emphasized that the first responsibility of a leader is to define the reality. The last is to say thank you. In-between, the leader is a servant.
From the world book (2001), leadership is important in keeping group work together and directing it to act in certain way. Being one of the elements of human relations, experts believe it is one of the best means in achieving the desired goal with minimum conflict primed on the fact that individuals have inborn and acquired needs. If a leader understands individuals needs, why they act and react as they do and the things that will change their mind, he is better positioned to provide them with the appropriate solution. It is also important to marry individual needs to living together because people are social beings and live in contact with each other. The third reality is the unpleasant ring of conflict that every group situation offers among members with distinct needs.
A royal caretaker must know his sheep just as the dynamics of leadership in salesmanship beholds on the manager to understand the needs of his sales force and the specific situation. The value relevance of this as presented by Anderson provides four kinds of people that will need tailored art of influencing. In the first segment, you will lead experienced high performing team who tend to be competitive with one another. A second set consists of experienced high performing team doing work they know and enjoy amid new hired inexperienced trainees and experienced team likely to do the unpleasant unfamiliar jobs. A study has determined that effective leaders address two kinds of needs within an organization: efficiency and human needs.
These leaders are effective at both planning and implementing task and at working with people in the organization. The journal school of leadership reaffirmed that the more a company focuses on internal leadership growth, the better its sales and profit. A great deal of contributions from the social sciences such as the economist, political scientist, cultural anthropologist, social psychologist and the sociologist enhance this element of human relations.
The genetic engineering on the art of influencing through research from the 1970s and the 1980s has been phenomenal in that while leaders are essential component of organization, they are also one of the most complex components. According to Thomas Carlyle (1840), to suggest that leaders do not enter the world with extraordinary endowment is to imply that people enter the world with equal talents. It is also widely accepted that leadership learning should be a lifetime activity as being practiced by the military.
This puts to rest whether leaders are born or made because a leader will always be born before being grilled by teaching, observation and learning. These manifest in telling people what to do, how to do it and who is to do it. Leaders are also expected to be concerned about how they listen, provide clarification, know the individual motives and providing feedback. In order not to court a leadership failure one fit style to all situations is bad.
Ken Blanchard emphasized that the best leaders are those who understand that their power flows through them not from them. On this journey of influencing you need to know where you are going and have a personal mission statement strongly footed on your strength but be guided by your assumed obituary. According to Ken, you need to set the boundaries as to your purpose, values, goal, role and structures. The world book also admonishes us to consider other factors such as the organizational unit and any outside influences, system control and the group goal.
Human dignity and respect are important because leadership is not something you do to people but something you do with people and committed to helping your people win. All the things leadership espouses has nothing to do with size; it is about knowledge, wisdom and dealing in hope. In the words of Peter Drucker, it is lifting a persons vision to high sight, the raising of a persons performance to a higher standard, the building of personality beyond its normal limitations.
All remarkable leaders are marked with great achievement and history. Pope Francis has attracted non catholic admirers by setting a new direction for the church, refused to occupy the Palatial papal apartment, washed the feet of female Muslim prisoner and created an advisory team of 8 cardinals. Alan Mulally, former CEO of Ford Motors is referred to as miracle worker who saved his company without resorting to bailout as previous leaders tried and failed. Bill Cliton has been a relentless and forceful advocate for HIV/AIDS, Malaria, tuberculosis and the need to stem greenhouse emission. Jeff Bezor is also a life testimony of world leader as CEO of Amazon.com is an extremely rare combination of visionary and master builder for 20 years with the foresight and turning into world number two after Apple.
Warren Buffet, an investor is also an example of leaders who leads 300,000 employees into a value based hands off style that gives managers wide leeway and incentivizes them like owners. The likes of Christine Largarde and Angela Mekel are worth mentioning. Zed Corner in 2015 listed some of the good leaders in Africa as Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Haile Selasie, Ellen Johnson, Kenneth Kaunda, Patrice Lumumba, Jomo Kenyatta, Thomas Sankara and Samora Machel. We venerate them for their boundaries, exemplary lives, truthfulness, self sacrifices, investment in the wellbeing of followers, human relations, and the eagle like characteristics.
You can inspire in your marital decision, business decision, household decision, national decision, global decision and financial decision among the lots because leadership is a high calling. You should think and talk about the solution as suggested by Brian Tracy. Mr Patrick Akorli MD (Goil) advised us to be ready to learn on this journey of leadership while thinking about our followers first because if town folks are happy, the chief deserves thank.
The Oluwo of Iwo Land, Osun state, South-West Nigeria, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I has called on indigenes in diaspora to come home and contribute their quota to the development of the town as he marks his second anniversary on throne and 50th birthday 7th of October 2017.
Oba Akanbi in a statement released by the palace, disclosed that eminent Nigerians are expected at the twin event. He said: As a responsible father I am thirsty of development. There are two Iwos: the old Iwo and the new Iwo. The new Iwo is the best because we have migrated from obscurity to light. The name is everywhere now and big investments are underway.
The Monarch also charged the indigenes saying that the best they could do as indigenes is to invest in the many community projects in Iwo land.
According to him, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, are among the many dignitaries expected to grace the event marking his 50th birthday and coronation anniversary as Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola will be the chief host to the invited guests.
While Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi also spoke about the guest slated for the event, he hinted that the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan is the Chairman of the occasion while Haija Abbah Folawiyo is the Mother of the Day.
Other dignitaries expected at the event include: Monarch, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Femi Otedola, all Emirs in Nigeria, as well as other high-ranking monarch across the country.
Recall that Oluwo of Iwo Land recently held a prayer session for President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders in Nigeria. The event witnessed over 3000 people in attendance from all over the country.
Nollywood actress and Philanthropist Rosaline Meurer has bagged special recognition award for ambassadorial support for mother and Child at the La Mode Green October Event held yesterday at Oriental Hotel, Lagos. The glamorous fashion show and exhibition was designed to mark independence day and also raise fund for Cerebral Palsy.
It was a colourful award ceremony and gala night which attracted several high profile personalities and brands as Meurer was honoured for her benevolence and charity works towards mother and Children.
It would be recalled that she visited a maternity hospital in Delta State where she paid off hospital bills of pregnant and newly delivered mothers, as well as donating for a child in Lagos hospital that had eye cancer. Her philanthropic works cuts across Nigeria and even Ghana with a recent support carried out in Delta State to commission Udu water project.
The talented Actress who was nominated for CityPeople Movie Award 2017 has also joined the league of movie producers with the released of her new movie " The Therapist's Therapy" featuring A'list actors.
Heres why controversial birth control healthcare needs to start putting women first, not financial gain.
In June of 1960, the FDA approved the sale of the first birth control pill, Enovid. Though effective and simple to use, Enovid was far from perfect. Due to the extremely high dose of hormones it carried (far more than necessary to prevent pregnancy), the likelihood and severity of side effects were sky high. Even more disturbing was the fact that these serious side effects had been evident since the first clinical trials.
In the first trials in Puerto Rico, Dr. Edris Rice-Wray reported early on that 17 percent of the women* who took the pill had significantly unpleasant side effects, including dizziness, nausea, headaches, and vomiting. Because of the discomfort caused by the medicine, 25 of the patients withdrew from the trials before completion. In her first report, Dr. Rice-Wray made it known that although the pill provided exceptional protection against unintended pregnancy, she felt it caused too many side effects to be generally acceptable.
Unfortunately, Gregory Pincus, the head of the research team, was more concerned with the pills effectiveness at preventing pregnancy than the side effects he had little empathy for what he regarded as hypochondria among the women in the trials. But it wasnt hypochondria at all. Besides the distressing side effects mentioned above, one woman died of congestive heart failure and another developed pulmonary tuberculosis. The trial researchers were so focused on watching for damage to the cervix, endometrium, liver, and ovaries, that they didnt stop to consider that these adverse reactions were related to the pill.
Once the pill hit the market, the problems only intensified. Reports of nausea, breast tenderness, water retention, and weight gain poured in from millions of women worldwide. In 1961, G.D. Searle the manufacturer of Enovid reported 32 incidents of thrombosis (blood clots) and embolism (clots moving through and blocking a blood vessel) among women using the pill. But the FDA resolved that even if the pill caused these harmful side effects, the rate was much lower than the rate of women who would die from pregnancy complications.
However, Senator Gaylord Nelson elected to hold hearings on whether the women who used Enovid had been provided with enough information about possible risks and side effects to make an informed decision. Some who questioned the use of the pill were motivated by an interest in womens health. Some, such as Hugh Davis, were not. Davis, a gynecologist, was Nelsons lead speaker at the hearings. He testified that women would be safer using a new IUD instead of the pill. He failed to reveal the fact that he had a financial interest in promoting this new IUD the Dalkon Shield which was later found to cause pelvic inflammatory disease, loss of fertility, and the death of five women. This wasnt the first time profits were put ahead of womens safety, and it wouldnt be the last.
As a result of the Nelson Pill Hearing, drug companies were required to include a health warning with oral contraceptives the first informational insert on any prescription drug. Enovid was discontinued in 1988, and oral contraceptives were released with far lower estrogen doses.
The history of the birth control pill is a disturbing one, and unfortunately, it doesnt seem to have had any impact on the modern pharmaceutical industry. If we look closer at the birth control options available for women today, well find that not much has improved in the last 57 years.
Good Enough Doesnt Cut It
As it stands, no birth control currently available on the market is risk free even those that are generally considered safe. Hormonal birth control (pills, patches, vaginal rings, injections, and implants) is known to cause headaches, nausea, sore breasts, and spotting between periods in many women. Much worse, though, is the increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, stroke, and liver tumors. Women who smoke, especially if they are over 35 years of age, are especially susceptible to these serious side effects.
For the most part, progestin-only birth control doesnt carry these risks. Women who are over 35 years of age and smoke should avoid birth control containing estrogen. Women of any age should avoid combination hormonal birth control if they have a history of uncontrolled high blood pressure, chest pain, diabetes, severe headaches, heart or liver disease, blood clots, or stroke.
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are one of the most effective forms of birth control. However, they shouldnt be used if you have an active STI, have had a recent pelvic infection, have had cancer of the cervix or uterus, or if youre pregnant. Rare but serious side effects include infections caused by bacteria getting into the uterus when the device is inserted, punctures in the wall of the uterus, ovarian cysts, and ectopic pregnancies. Copper-releasing IUDs can cause intense cramping, longer and heavier periods, and spotting between periods.
Even permanent birth control isnt totally safe. Surgical sterilization (tubal ligation) typically involves general anesthesia and a laparoscopy. Major complications of tubal ligation arent common, but include infection, heavy blood loss, general anesthesia problems, and organ injury during surgery.
Invented to be an alternative to surgical sterilization, Essure is the latest birth control option found to cause serious harm to the women who use it. Essure is a permanent birth control procedure that involves two nickel-titanium coils being placed inside the fallopian tubes to incite the growth of scar tissue that eventually blocks the tubes to prevent pregnancy.
Many women who have used Essure report the implant having migrated and embedding itself elsewhere in the body, chronic fatigue, migraines, joint pain, digestive issues, back pain, heavy periods full of clots, difficulty concentrating, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, hair loss, tooth deterioration, depression, and severe bloating. These problems have been so severe that hundreds have needed surgery to remove the device a surgery that often ends in a complete hysterectomy.
Bayer, the maker of Essure, failed to properly carry out clinical studies, and actually petitioned the FDA to downgrade the nickel contraindication to a warning which resulted in physicians not screening patients for nickel allergies. Consequently, many users had severe autoimmune reactions to the device.
The Essure scandal which is still very much ongoing has led the FDA to require that Bayer label the device with the agencys strictest black box warning. This alerts both patients and doctors to the risks associated with Essure. Furthermore, Bayer has to develop and conduct a new post-market study to investigate the rate of complications including injuries, pain, unplanned pregnancies, and surgery to remove the device.
Is The Future Of Birth Control Male?
The effect of modern birth control on womens bodies has led many to look to new options for men** as a possible solution. As it stands, men have only two choices for birth control: condoms or a vasectomy. Both these methods come with their own issues and limitations. Fortunately, there are a number of male contraceptives currently in development, the most promising of which is Echo-V, a hydrogel created by contraceptive company Contraline.
The Echo-V gel is injected directly into the vas deferens (the tube that transports sperm from the testes to the urethra) where it solidifies and blocks the flow of sperm but still allows other fluid to pass through. When the patient is ready to have children, a solution is injected to dissolve the gel. The doctor uses an ultrasound to guide the placement of the injection, so no surgery or stitches are required.
Clinical trials in India have shown that the hydrogel method works with almost perfect results and no serious side effects. However, tests will still need to be carried out in America, and Contraline has had trouble finding financial backing. It may be a while yet before Echo-V is available.
Though contemporary birth control is safe for most women, everything currently on the market is still associated with some risks and side effects. And, with the controversy surrounding contraceptives such as Yasmin, Mirena, and now Essure, we are constantly faced with the question of whether those in the healthcare field can truly balance ethics with financial responsibility.
Our best bet is to do as much research as possible before choosing which birth control is right for us. Other than that, well just have to look to the future.
* Not all women have a womb.
** Not all men have a vas deferens.
Artwork: Brittany Naundorff (brittanyfears.com)
'The big truck is still on ...
I have been a resident of Twin Falls for the last 14 years (having moved here to retire with my husband who is a native). I have lived in many diverse places (LA, Houston, Abadan, Iran to name a few). I usually don't comment too much on what is in our local paper (although I could) but I am compelled to after reading the article Saturday, Sept. 30, titled "Coalition aims to confront hate." One sentence in particular jumped out at me.
I was totally offended by it as I am sure many of the good residents of south-central Idaho probably were. I am quoting Adrienne Evans when she described Twin Falls as a "haven for white nationalists." She lumped thousands of good, hard-working people of this community who give of their time, talents, money and other donations to help people in our community better themselves, and yes, this includes the many fine people who happen to be refugees.
Whether you happen to lean left or right politically, we are all Americans. We need to listen to each other's concerns without attacking them with opinionated facts. We need to learn the art of compromise. We need to respect other viewpoints and not attempt to vilify them if they are different than ours.
As for our president, he is doing his job. As he has said, he views his prime responsibility as protecting the citizens of this country while following the Constitution. He wants to screen potentially dangerous factions from coming to our country under the guise of "refugees." Thus the constraints on certain countries where we are not well-liked.
Pam Woods
Twin Falls
Microphone and US Flag View Photos
During the Democratic Weekly Address Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) said she shares the frustration of those in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands who feel forgotten and neglected.
Cortez was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are her words:
Hello, my name is Catherine Cortez Masto, Im a Senator from the Great State of Nevada.
In the month of September, Americans in the Caribbean and along the southern United States experienced three hurricanes of the century Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
These historically destructive hurricanes flooded homes, closed businesses, and turned the lives of millions of Americans upside down. So many heroes including brave DREAMers answered the call to rescue those that were trapped and provide shelter and comfort to the displaced.
I am proud of the efforts of all of our brave first responders many gave their lives for their communities. I also want to take a moment to thank the many Nevadans participating in the relief efforts, my best wishes go with the Nevada Army National Guard members from Reno and Carson City, who will soon be headed to Puerto Rico. Your actions make us all proud to be Americans.
This pride is tempered by the recognition that millions are still waiting for help. I share in the frustrations of Americans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands who feel forgotten and neglected. I encourage Americans to volunteer and donate to legitimate organizations helping in relief efforts. Every dollar and every volunteer hour spent brings hope and relief to the people of Puerto Rico and all those impacted by these tragic hurricanes.
Right now, 3.5 million Americans are without power, food, and clean drinking water in Puerto Rico. Right now, hospitals on the island are unable to serve patients because backup generators do not have fuel. The elderly do not have their medicine. Puerto Ricans are fleeing flooded towns and cities with polluted waters, some with dead bodies floating in them, and looking to mountain streams to find safe drinking water. This is a public health crisis and must be treated like one.
Senate Democrats are standing with the people of Puerto Rico. Republicans in Congress must act now to deliver on the Trump administrations request for additional funding for search, rescue, and recovery operations.
We also call on the President to stand with the people of Puerto Rico, focus on saving lives, and tweet less about Wall Street creditors targeting the island. FEMA must waive any requirement forcing the people of Puerto Rico to contribute additional funds to their own relief effort in the middle of a debt crisis.
We wouldnt do this to Florida, Texas, or any of the other 50 states. Its inhumane and irresponsible to keep an open tab on saving lives.
I commend the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and of Customs and Border Protection in delivering water and providing rescue workers to assist in relief efforts.
The impact of these hurricanes will be felt for decades. We must render aid and protect all survivors documented and undocumented.
That is why I joined my colleagues to call on President Trump to extend the arbitrary October 5th deadline for DREAMers to request extension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status. DREAMers are fellow survivors of these terrible storms.
And to the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, I want you to know that you deserve and will have the full support of our government as you recover and rebuild.
Thank you and we stand with you.
The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Despite the fact that it is the 21st century, and we live in a civilised world, the issue of human trafficking still exists. Nigeria is one of the countries that have suffered from this problem for a long time. Today, we will try to figure out the major causes of human trafficking in Nigeria. What pushes people towards human trafficking? What is the purpose of human trafficking? Find out here.
What is human trafficking?
According to the UNs protocol that was created in order to prevent trafficking (also known as Palermo Protocol), human trafficking is when people recruit, transfer, transport or harbour other people against their will by using force, blackmail, deception, fraud and other malicious means.
Human trafficking has three elements to it:
The act, or what exactly has been done to the victim. Were they illegally recruited, transported or harboured? The means, or how it has happened. Did they use coercion, force, blackmail, fraud, abduction or deception? The purpose, or why it has happened. Were victims trafficked for exploitation, slavery or organ removal?
While we are going to touch a little bit on the subject of why human trafficking happens in Nigeria, the main thing we are going to discuss is what pushes people into the realm of human trafficking.
The issue of human trafficking in Nigeria
Human trafficking is a global problem. However, a large portion of victims comes from the African countries, particularly Nigeria. Nigeria is both the source and the destination for human trafficking. The country is actually on the U.S. Tier 2 Watch list.
Women and children become the victims of child trafficking more often than men. They are used for the purposes of slavery, exploitation and servitude. However, men and young boys can also be used in human trafficking for the purposes of working in quarries, mines and on the fields.
But what pushes Nigerians towards human trafficking? Find out below.
Five causes of human trafficking
There are many reasons why people might get involved in human trafficking, both as victims and as perpetrators. But today we will focus on the goals that people pursue and the things they are running from that land them in the hands of the human traffickers. Here are the five main causes of human trafficking.
Armed conflict
As Nigeria is quite a tumultuous country, with Biafra conflicts in the south and Boko Haram in the north, it is no wonder that some people might want to get away. This, in turn, makes them extremely vulnerable to the perpetrators of human trafficking.
At the same time, those that are not trying to leave anywhere can also become victims of human trafficking if they stay in the epicentre of the armed conflict. Either side can just barge into the homes and kidnap people to use them in their plans.
Ignorance on the topic of human rights
One of the main causes of human trafficking in Nigeria is the complete disregard for human rights. Women (and also children) are often viewed as objects that can be sold. Thus, they are sold into slavery and sexual exploitation or forced into marriages.
On the other hand, women often resort to seeking alternative opportunities outside of their home country because of the lack of respect or discrimination. When this happens, they are more easily deceived into human trafficking.
Greed
Among other causes of human trafficking, there is also the constant search for wealth. People are often unsatisfied with what they have, even if they have perfectly decent living conditions, so they try to go out there in search of a better life.
This is particularly relevant for Nigerians, as many of them have this incessant idea of getting very rich very fast. The Nigerian web is riddled with ads for earning money with little to no effort (MMM, anyone?), and lots of people actually try them and end up in the hands of very bad people.
Unemployment
Despite the fact that Nigeria has one of the biggest and fastest growing economies in Africa, many of its citizens cannot find jobs. Many people cannot get decent education and learn relevant skills in order to get a proper job. Therefore, they try to search somewhere else.
What is also important to mention is that even those who have a diploma and skills struggle to find a place to work. And as they try to find something in another country, they might encounter fraudsters that might lure them into something terrible under a false pretence of employment abroad.
Poverty as a cause of human trafficking
READ ALSO: Human trafficking in Nigeria Facts
As a result of unemployment, many Nigerian citizens struggle to keep their heads above water. Those who have large debts can easily become victims of slavery and exploitation. Similarly, people who have no money often have no other choice but to sell themselves in order to at least have some food and a roof over their heads.
In some cases, traffickers are even able to deceive parents into giving up their children. In hope that their kids might have a chance at a better life, parents send them off. That way, when they think their kids are somewhere living happily, they might be slaving away at some sweatshop or somewhere even worse.
What is the purpose of human trafficking?
We have considered what pushes people into human trafficking. What is also important to mention is what spheres call for human trafficking. Why is there a demand for human trafficking in Nigeria? Here are seven main reasons why people are trafficked in Nigeria:
Sexual exploitation. This is one of the biggest branches of human trafficking in Nigeria. Women and young girls are either shipped off to other countries or left in the country to work in prostitution, escort or the adults films industry.
This is one of the biggest branches of human trafficking in Nigeria. Women and young girls are either shipped off to other countries or left in the country to work in prostitution, escort or the adults films industry. Labour exploitation. Victims of human trafficking are made to work in abusive or even hazardous working conditions, as nobody would willingly work there.
Victims of human trafficking are made to work in abusive or even hazardous working conditions, as nobody would willingly work there. Domestic work. Children from as small as five years old are used for performing various domestic tasks. They usually have no documents, rights or knowledge that would help them escape the situation, so they are forced to work for food and shelter.
Military conscription. Sometimes, especially in times of war or major conflicts, children are forced to fight. An example of this would be the use of child suicide bombers by Boko Haram.
Sometimes, especially in times of war or major conflicts, children are forced to fight. An example of this would be the use of child suicide bombers by Boko Haram. Forced marriage. As we have said before, girls and women are often forced into marrying a complete stranger. Parents can either do this because of traditions or for a hefty sum of money.
As we have said before, girls and women are often forced into marrying a complete stranger. Parents can either do this because of traditions or for a hefty sum of money. Organ harvesting. This is arguably the most terrifying reason for human trafficking, as the victims usually do not live long enough to tell the tale if they are not rescued in time. Human organs have always been in high demand, which makes human trafficking for organ harvesting a very lucrative opportunity.
This is arguably the most terrifying reason for human trafficking, as the victims usually do not live long enough to tell the tale if they are not rescued in time. Human organs have always been in high demand, which makes human trafficking for organ harvesting a very lucrative opportunity. Illicit adoption. Often nurses in hospitals tell the mothers that their child was stillborn, when in fact the baby is sold to wealthy adoptive parents (best-case scenario). At the same time, sometimes mothers themselves sell their children.
Human trafficking is a serious issue that should not be overlooked. It is the modern day slavery, and we should do everything we can to stop this menace. Protect yourself and your loved ones.
READ ALSO: 10 Causes of Insecurity in Nigeria and The Way Out
Source: Legit.ng
- Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria's former vice president, denies commencing his 2019 campaign with bags of rice
- Atiku believes that the photographs in circulation are photoshopped
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has cleared the air concerning reports of bags of rice bearing his photographs and inscriptions concerning his plan for 2019.
Atiku, who spoke through his Facebook wall, denied that he had started such campaigns.
READ ALSO: Read the first Independence Day address presented by Tafawa Balewa in 1960
We've seen this flying around. It's fake. Possibly photoshop.
Atiku Abubakar owns a feed factory, employing hundreds, not rice. He hasn't commissioned any posters either, the post stated.
Senator Ben Murray-Bruce also confirmed that the photographs were actually doctored.
"I just confirmed that this is a photoshopped image. Really sad the lengths people go to when threatened by another's popularity," he said.
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app
Atiku is believed to be gunning for the 2019 presidential election with many waiting to see if he will contest against Muhammadu Buhari if the latter decides to seek a second term.
Legit.ng earlier reported that Atiku Abubakar recently won another massive support ahead of the 2019 general election as he seeks to take over from Buhari.
The Fast Forward Nigeria (FFN) said it is supporting Atikus ambition to rule the country as well as his warning and suggestion concerning the need to restructure the country.
The FFN said the former vice presidents suggestion on restructuring was the only way for national cohesion.
2019 Presidency: Nigerians reveal why they prefer Atiku to President Buhari - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
- Some prominent past and present Nigerian leaders and their counterparts across the world will soon gather in Abuja
- The aim of the meeting will be to discuss how peace can be achieved
- The occasion is meant to herald the golden jubilee and thanksgiving service of the founder of Living Christ Mission Incorporated, Professor Daddy Hezekiah
The need for religious leaders to use their platforms to preach peace and harmony will be the focus as some prominent past and present Nigerian leaders and their counterparts across the world are expected to meet at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) soon.
Those expected at the event include Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former president Goodluck Jonathan, former president Olusegun Obansanjo and other past and serving presidents of other African nations.
The occasion is meant to herald the golden jubilee and thanks giving service of the founder of Living Christ Mission Incorporated, Professor Daddy Hezekiah.
READ ALSO: The Rider's Embassy marks independence with One Nigeria Ride
Legit.ng gathered that the leaders will be discussing on the theme: "The Role of Religious Leaders in a Developing Economy."
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, October 2, the chairman national planning committee of the event, Professor Obiekwe Nwanolue, said the golden jubilee celebration is put together to discuss how peace, which the celebrant stands for, could be achieved.
Pastor Nwanolue used the opportunity to advise pastors to use their pulpit to preach holiness. Photo credit: Bode Olagoke
While urging Nigerians to rededicate themselves to God so that the country can attain its pride of place in the world, Professor Nwanolue also advised Christians to delve into all legitimate spheres of human endeavour in order to turn the fortunes of the country around.
He advised church leaders to stop pauperizing the people by asking them to 'sow seeds', stressing they should instead focus on preaching holiness and how to make their followers succeed.
According to him, dignitaries across the globe will be gracing this occasion including serving and former presidents of several countries. Zambia, Central Africa Republic (CAR), delegation from America, Britain, among others, adding that the celebration has transcended beyond the activities of the church.
Speaking on the celebrant, Professor Nwanolue said the man of God has trained and empowered many people in several professions who have made serious impact in the society.
His words: He is a man who has predicated his teaching and aspirations on truth, holiness, righteousness and salvation. He does not hear any other language other than being transparent and proven integrity.
Contrary to what some men of God preach, he is a man that genuine children of God should not be politicians, soldiers, policemen, lawyers because such professions should be saturated with genuine children of God so that they can simply sanitize he ills that have bedeviled those participating professions.
Professor Nwanolue aso used the opportunity to give a note of caution to some of religious leaders using their pulpit to score cheap political favour.
We have many men of God using religion to deceive people just to score cheap political goals. Religious leaders should face their pulpit and pray for the country. If they use their pulpit to advice the leaders of this country, the country would have gone far even though the political leaders don't listen to advice.
What they are doing is wrong because politics should be for politicians while raw responsibility of the men of God is to pray for the country. They should call you order with sincerity of purpose the political leaders that are not doing well, he said.
Meanwhile, young American-based Nigerian, who declared his interest to contest for 2019 presidential election three months ago, Chris Emejuru, has stated that restructuring Nigeria is the best way to address the country's problems.
Emejuru made the call in a statement he personally signed and sent to Legit.ng on the 57th anniversary of Nigeria.
He also dismissed calls for secession from some quarters, stressing that they are not realistic.
READ ALSO: 57th anniversary: Don't give up on Nigeria, ACT charges Nigerian youths
Fayose announces his presidential bid, expects an honest victory over Buhari - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
Fluted pumpkin farming is an exponentially growing industry in Nigeria. Both the seeds and the plants leaves have dozens of potential uses, so its no wonder that its getting a lot of attention from farmers and financial investors. If you would like to learn the most interesting production practices for fluted pumpkins in Nigeria, please continue reading below!
Fluted pumpkin production in Nigeria
Fluted pumpkin, otherwise known as ugu (ugwu) or fluted gourd, is a crop native to Southern Nigeria. According to the most recent studies, fluted pumpkins are annually consumed by thirty to forty million people in the country. Thus, they have proven to be one of the top-selling types of crops Nigeria. Even though the fruit itself is inedible, the seeds contained within, as well as the leaves are a valuable resource for a farmer.
Fluted pumpkin production consists of several stages, such as preparation, planting, management, harvesting, and post-harvesting handling. Well talk about all of these in detail below, and well explain the various production practices you can adapt to increase the amount of fluted pumpkin you yield.
Stage 1: Preparation
The first thing you need to do is to select the site where your crops will be planted. Next, you need to prepare the soil for seeding. Fluted pumpkins grow best on well-drained surfaces with a neutral pH level. Get rid of all the weeds and stumps that may prevent your seeds from growing.
The majority of farmers have admitted that they plant the fruits during the dry season, between November and February. Fluted pumpkins are usually grown in-between April and May. The plant is known to be drought resistant and extremely versatile in terms of soil. Seeds that are ripe for planting are taken out of the fruit and air dried for a day before the sowing process.
One of the first production practices youll have to choose from is whether youll sow the fluted pumpkin solely or will it be intercropped with other types of produce. You also have to decide between letting the fruit grow on the ground and stringing it against a wooden fence or bamboo stakes.
Stage 2: Planting
To plant your fluted pumpkins, you need to sow the seeds right into the ground. There are also numerous production practices involved in this process. When youre planting the seeds, you can place them into the holes either by one, two or three. Studies have shown that planting them in groups of three increases the size of your potential harvest.
The seeds need to be put into the soil at a depth of three to five centimeters. The recommended ratio is thirty to seventy thousand seeds per hectare while leaving about 0.3 to 1 meter of space between the groups. There are also three different ways of placing the seed:
Hilum up;
Hilum down;
Hilum sideways.
The only one we dont recommend is to plant the fluted pumpkins with the pointy end sticking upward.
Tip: If you want your fluted pumpkins to yield more leaves, then sow them closer to each other. However, if you want to produce more fruit, leave more space in-between.
READ ALSO: List of industries in Nigeria and what they produce
Stage 3: Management
Heres a list of the recommended production practices that will help you secure a richer harvest:
Stake the plants during the rainy season to protect them from potential infections.
Weed the crops two times before the pumpkins canopy is strong enough to get rid of the weeds on its own. If youre planting during the rainy season, a third weeding may be necessary.
Perform the first pruning a month after the fruit has developed to stimulate its growth.
Water the fluted pumpkins every three days.
Use fertilizers or manure for a better harvest.
Tip: We advise a ratio of a hundred kilograms of K2O and fifty kilograms of P2O5 per hectare.
Stage 4: Harvesting
You can harvest the first leaves, which are usually more important for a fluted pumpkin farmer, four weeks after you sow the seeds. However, professional farmers prefer to delay the first harvest until six weeks after planting. Next, you can continue collecting the leaves in cycles that last from two weeks to a month. The fruits can be picked up within two months of their setting. This occurs mostly between October and December.
Tip: The best way to harvest fluted pumpkins is by slicing the crop under the lowest reachable leaf.
You can yield about five hundred to a thousand kilograms of leaves per hectare, or even higher if you use the right management system. Its also possible to obtain two tons of seeds from three thousand pumpkins.
Stage 5: Post-harvest Handling
The last production practice for fluted pumpkins is their storage. Collected leaves maintain their freshness and health-beneficial attributes only for 24 hours unless contained in jute bags that can prolong their shelf life up to three days. Its recommended to sell the leaves to entrepreneurs wholesale, and let them handle the retail sales.
The seeds are left untouched in the fruits until they are needed for sowing or eating. A fluted pumpkin can be shelved for a period of up to two months.
Now youve discovered all the secret production practices for fluted pumpkins in Nigeria. If you know anyone that might benefit from learning this information, be sure to share it with them! Happy farming!
READ ALSO: Grasscutter farming: A manual for beginners in Nigeria
Source: Legit.ng
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians to halt campaigning for the 2019 general elections
- The INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated that the ban on campaigns had not yet been lifted and anyone who goes about campaigning is carrying out an illegal activity
- The Electoral Act states that the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day
Ahead of the 2019 general elections, politicians have been warned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to desist from campaigning, as the ban on campaigns has not yet been lifted, Vanguard reports.
The warning was issued by the commissions chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a quarterly consultative meeting with newsmen.
READ ALSO: Christian youths should go into politics - Olagunsoye Oyinlola
He stated: Let me warn political parties and aspirants, we have not released the schedule of activities for the elections.
Anything that anybody does is illegal before the law. They should wait for the time table of the elections.
Legit.ng notes that Section 99 of the Electoral Act 201 (as amended), states: For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.
Upon conviction, anyone found guilty of contravening the law would be liable to a maximum fine of N500,000.
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigerias #1 news app
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the 2019 presidential campaign posters of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state, have flooded some parts of Zaria, Kaduna state.
The Ekiti state governor had earlier launched his presidential campaign on Facebook.
Last week, Fayose officially declared his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election. In an elaborate ceremony at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja, on Thursday, September 28, the governor said his decision to contest the election is borne put of his love for Nigeria.
Buhari 2019 posters hit the streets: Too early or too bad? on Legit.ng TV:
Source: Legit.ng
- The minister of state for petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, says the insubordination of NNPC GMD Baru could derail recorded strides in the countrys petroleum industry
- He says he wrote to Buhari after being unable to have a one-on-one appointment with the president at the state house
Former petroleum resources minister, Diezani Alison Madueke, pleads with a Federal High Court sitting Lagos to order the AGF to ensure her return to Nigeria
The minister of state for petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, has called the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari to the alleged illegal practices and insubordination of the group managing director of the NNPC, Maikanti Baru.
READ ALSO: 2019 election: Hamza Al-mustaphas presidential campaign poster surfaces
Kachikwu in a letter dated August 30, told the president that the conducts of the NNPC GMD were counter productive to the countrys petroleum sector, Premium Times reports.
Parastatals in the ministry and all CEOs of these parastatals must be aligned with the policy drive of the ministry to allow the sector register the growth that has eluded it for many years Kachikwu said.
To do otherwise or to exempt any of the parastatals would be to emplace a stunted growth for the industry.
In the letter which emerged on Tuesday, October 3, the minister of state for petroleum said he wrote to Buhari after he was unable to have a one-on-one appointment with the president at the state house.
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app
Copies of the letter has surfaced over the internet, but it is not clear how the letter became public.
See copies of the letter below:
Kachikwu accuses Maikanti Baru of insubordination, photo credit: Premium Times
The minister of state for petroleum says Barus actions are counterproductive to the countrys petroleum sector, photo credit: Premium Times
Kachikwus letter to President Buhari, photo credit: Premium Times
Meanwhile, embattled former petroleum resources minister, Diezani Alison Madueke, has reportedly pleaded with a Federal High Court sitting Lagos to order the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to ensure her return to Nigeria.
The former minister said she was ready to stand in court and defend a criminal charge linked to her relating to an alleged laundering of N450 million.
Alison-Madueke, has been in the UK since 2015 when Goodluck Jonathan lost the presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari.
The Punch reports that the major defendants in the charge are Dele Belgore, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Professor Abubakar Suleiman, a former national planning minister.
Are Nigerians truly tired of President Buhari? - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
- Nigeria's minister of information and culture has revealed the reason behind the high price of foodstuff in the country
- Lai Mohammed also explained the various steps being taken by the government to improve the situation
- The minister blamed corruption, infrastructure deficit among other things for the high cost of food
While speaking on Africa Independent Television's (AIT) current affairs programme 'Focus Nigeria', Lai Mohammed revealed why despite the revolution witnessed in the agricultural sector, the cost of food items remains high.
The minister of information and culture said it was because of infrastructural deficit and export demands.
He said: Despite the fact that the production of staples like rice, grains, yam has increased with the agriculture revolution of the government, food items are still on the high side.
There are many reasons why the prices are still up there but principally, I think it is infrastructural deficit.
By this, I mean what it takes to bring the produce from the farms to the farm gates and from the farm gates to the city centres and this may not improve until various road and rail projects are completed.
The good news, however, is that from october this year, the General Electric, which has the concession for the 3,500 narrow gauge rail routes will commence work.
The Lagos to Kano standard gauge rail project and the Lagos to Calabar rail lines which will criss-cross all the southeastern states are priority projects of the government.
That will help in the transportation of goods and services including agricultural produce at a far cheaper fare and that will percolate to the common man."
READ ALSO: IPOB has shown it is a terrorist group - Lai Mohammed
He also assured that the government would do all that is possible to ensure that the Lagos to Ibadan, Kano to Maiduguri and other critical roads across the country were completed.
"There is so much demand on our grains and cereals from other parts of Africa.
You cannot stop the farmers especially with the ECOWAS protocols that allows for free movement of goods and services.
There is also a lot of demand for our grains from other parts of the world and as a matter of fact, we got over N30 billion from agricultural export in the second quarter of this year.
I believe that with the economy picking up and the various infrastructural development coming up, Nigeria will very soon start to feel some relief.
Also the presidential initiative to employ 10,000 people from each state in the agricultural sector will bring succour and a lot of relief, he said.
READ ALSO: Nigeria does not need to take permission from foreign countries - Lai Mohammed
Trying to assure Nigerians, he said:
Living together for 57 years as an independent country with all the ups and downs and challenges and we are going stronger in all ramification.
The present administration is getting its priorities right and focussed on the economy, good governance, security and improving the quality of life of Nigerians."
The minister also reiterated the position of President Muhammadu Buhari that the administration would not rest on its oars until the impact of good governance is felt by all Nigerians.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported earlier said that Lai Mohammed insisted Buharis administration should not be blamed for the infrastructural deficit in the country.
The minister stated this on Monday, October 2, when he featured alongside other guests on the Nigeria Television Authority programme, Good Morning Nigeria, which focused on Nigeria at 57.
How Lai Mohammed 'sold' Nigeria - on Legit.ng TV.
Source: Legit.ng
- The agitation for Biafra by the Igbo people in Nigeria has gained international attention
- One clear indication of the far reaching impact is a recent mention of the agitation in the TIME magazine website
- Biafra supporters posted the mention on their Facebook page as a sign of success
That the agitation for Biafra is gaining international recognition is no news. On Monday, October 2, 2017, the prestigious TIME magazine spoke on the importance of self-determination.
Below is the full quote mentioning the agitation for Biafra, the Catalan referendum in Spain among other separatist movements:
A country of 250+ ethnic groups, Nigeria declared independence from Britain in 1960, but a couple of military coups in 1966 stoked underlying ethnic tensions.
In 1967, southern groups (led by the Igbo people, one of Nigerias three major ethnic groupings) declared the independent Republic of Biafra in Nigerias south.
Nigeria refused to recognize the breakaway state, and a 3-year civil war ensued. All told, more than 1 million people lost their lives, many due to starvation. Biafra surrendered in 1970.
But defeating a secession movement on the battlefield is a far cry from defeating its spirit and nearly half a century later, the dream of Biafra remains alive.
These and other nationalist currents continue to make Nigerian politics choppy, as does a president whose frail health has the country continuously on edge. Southern leaders have rejected secession calls as impractical.
But the movement for Biafran statehood is still considered enough of a threat that the Nigerian military declared the Biafra separatist movement a terrorist group just a few weeks agoharkening back to a simpler time when just wanting a homeland of ones own was enough to be labeled a terrorist.
A Facebook page, belonging to the IPOB movement had this to say on the mention: "Yesterday it was the London based Financial Times, today its the all powerful Times magazine of USA.
"IPOB has accomplished something hitherto thought impossible. Biafra is the number 1 emerging nation in the world all thanks to millions of Nnamdi Kanus all over the world."
READ ALSO: Kalu fires IPOB, says the groups false opinions about him will not stop his support for one Nigeria
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that members of separatist organisation IPOB alleged that their leaders misappropriated funds they contributed as more troubles beset the already embattled group.
It was reported that US mobilization officer of the group Candy Stallworth raised the alarm on Monday, October 2 that funds of the IPOB are not being properly used.
We need to understand the Biafra objective - on Legit.ng TV.
Source: Legit.ng
- A former director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) has been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment
- Benjamin Ogunbodede and tow others got the 40 year jail term for corruptly enriching himself to the tune of N177 million
- However, Ogunmodede claims he and two other persons convicted alongside him spent N177m to bribe lawmakers and some employees of the Federal Ministry of Finance
Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Tuesday, September 3, sentenced Benjamin Ogunbodede, a former director of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) , Ibadan, to 40 years imprisonment for corruptly enriching himself to the tune of N177 million.
Zacheus Tejumola, a former Chief Accountant of the institute, was also sentenced to 40 years imprisonment while Clement Adenose, another staff, bagged four years in jail.
READ ALSO: TIME magazine mentions Biafra supporters among world separatist movements
In a judgment which lasted over two hours, Ayo-Emmanuel said that he convicted the trio based on the overwhelming evidence against them.
The judge, however, said that he had no reason to convict them on count 13 due to want of evidence.
There is no ambiguity in the facts tendered by the prosecution that the three convicts conspired, converted and stole the hazard allowance of N177 million belonging to the staff of IAR&T.
Ogunbodede and Tejumola are therefore, sentenced to 40 years imprisonment each for their roles for counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16.
Adenose is sentenced to four years in prison. The sentences will, however, run concurrently, Ayo-Emmanuel stated.
However, Ogunmodede claims he and two other persons convicted alongside him spent N177m to bribe lawmakers and some employees of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
They claimed that a huge part of the money was used to bribe members of House of Representatives and some staff of the Federal Ministry of Finance who facilitated the release of the fund for the research institute, Punch reports.
Earlier, Mr Tunde Olupona, the counsel to Ogunbodede, had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing his client.
He argued that his client lacked administrative experience in running such a sensitive position.
Similarly, Mr I.A Salawu and Mrs Yetunde Adegboye, counsel to Tejumola and Adenose, pleaded with the court to show mercy to their clients, citing various portions of the constitution.
However, Mr Nkwuruka Amana, the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, urged the court to sentence the convicts in accordance with the stipulation of the law.
Ogunbodede, Tejumola and Adenose along with 10 others had since 2014 been standing trial over a 16-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful conversion and stealing of N177 million hazard allowance belonging to the staff of the institute.
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigerias #1 new app
Ten of the defendants had earlier pleaded guilty and opted for plea bargain arrangement.
Nine out of the 10 previously convicted were different companies which Ogunbodede, Tejumola and Adenose indirectly used to siphon the N177 million.
Olupona, who spoke after the judgment, told NAN that he and his other colleagues were still studying the judgment and would in due course take appropriate decision on whether to appeal or not.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reports that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, has ordered heads of the divisions of courts to create special courts for corruption and financial crimes cases.
Onnoghen said this directive is to end the unnecessary delay associated with the prosecution of corruption cases.
The CJN also ordered that all lists of pending corruption cases in the various courts be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Order' placed on her accounts. The EFCC stage a walk against corruption - on Legit.ng TV.
Source: Legit.ng
This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 496 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year and our current goal, more meetups and travel.
Trade
South Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-chong had a stark message for lawmakers and other officials he met with last week: Seoul is willing to let President Donald Trump kill the [KORUS trade] pact, rather than bow to unreasonable U.S. demands for concessions to bring bilateral trade more into balance [Politico]. Hes not going to beg and grovel to stay in this, a source familiar with one of Kims meetings told Morning Trade.
Hollywood has been whining about the DMCAs safe harbors quite a bit in the past few years (yes, the same safe harbors that are from the DMCA that it forced the US to pass via international trade agreements). So far, however, heavy lobbying by the RIAA and MPAA to do away with the DMCAs safe harbors has failed to convince Congress (in part because Congress has seen through this game and, in part, because Congress still remembers what happened with its attempt to undermine the internet through copyright law with SOPA) [TechDirt]. But, hey, with the reopening of NAFTA, Hollywood saw an opportunity, and has pushed for language that will undermine the DMCAs safe harbors and fair use things they cant get through Congress alone. Unfortunately, the latest reports are that the USTR has agreed to support this move.
Politics
2020
At Iowa steak fry, Bustos, Moulton and Ryan call on Democrats to refocus on Midwest working class [Des Moines Register]. We let those people down. We let em down, Ryan, an eight-term Ohio congressman, told the crowd. We didnt see them. We didnt listen to them. We didnt hear them. If we want to be a national party, not a coastal party, a national political party in the United States, weve got to get those workers back from Iowa, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky Those are our people. We gotta go and get them. Frankly, my fellow Democrats, they dont want resistance; they want results, Bustos said of Midwest voters, twisting the Resist mantra often heard among liberals since Trump became president. Sounds like centrists trying to steal Bernies clothes Also, folks. Ugh.
2018
Collins agonizes over decision to ditch the Senate [Politico]. Im from the northern part of the state, which needs a lot of help two-thirds of the state is losing population and opportunity, [Collins] said. I have some ideas for economic development that only a governor can pursue.' Challenging. Conservatives furious about Gov. Bruce Rauners expansion of taxpayer-funded abortion in Illinois are threatening to put up a challenger against the first-term governor in next springs Republican primary [AP].
2017
[The Moore v. Strange] race [in Alabama] was yet another sign of the realignment that is taking place within the Republican Party (theres one underway among Democrats, too) because of a culture war within the GOP. The battle pitted the populist, antiestablishment Moore, the candidate of downscale whites as well as evangelical and other social and cultural conservatives, against the traditional, upscale, business-oriented Strange, the candidate of the country clubs and Episcopalians and Presbyterians [Cook Political Report]. To lose, Moore would likely have to make a gigantic faux pas, something along the lines of then-Rep. Todd Akins comment about legitimate rape, which handed the 2012 Missouri Senate election to Sen. Claire McCaskill and cost the GOP a precious seat. Moores track record of explosive comments has to make Republicans nervous, and at least on paper, Jones, the Democrat, looks pretty good, but Alabama is still Alabama, and he needs a huge break to win. Oh dear: All hope is lost for #alsen. Jones is using @teammothership so it will be another abusive email program ala @ossoff with zero winning. Melissa Byrne (@mcbyrne) October 1, 2017 Mothership Strategies were last seen collecting millions of dollars in the Ossoff debacle. Ka-ching.
2016 Post Mortem
The Resistance in Tribeca (hat tip AM): Nice plates on that Tesla Wish Id thought of this: Like this? pic.twitter.com/iMWTXfNzgQ Nurse Ratched (@veggie64_leslie) September 29, 2017
New Cold War
Last week, the Russians were responsible for Black Lives Matter. This week, theyre responsible for the NRA: The NRA spent $30m to elect Trump, standing by him after other GOP groups left him. Why? The answer may be in Moscowhttps://t.co/LkP4UnXPyZ Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) October 3, 2017 Damn. Whats that warbling sound?
Health Care
House candidates back single-payer healthcare plan in Virginia [Inside NOVA]. Lee Carter, a Democrat running for a Manassas-area seat in the House of Delegates, is leading a crop of House candidates pledging to push for a state-level, single-payer healthcare system if they reach Richmond. Carter joined 15 other Democratic hopefuls in announcing the new initiative Oct. 2, which is aimed at radically reforming Virginias healthcare system to cover all of the states 8.4 million residents. This is great, but the currency issuer really needs to run #MedicareForAll. Do we really want to be cutting health care budgets in recessions? Because thats what will happen with state-level funding.
Realignment and Legitimacy
Justices Split on Voting Maps Warped by Politics [New York Times]. In extended remarks, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. expressed worry that the courts authority and legitimacy would be harmed were it to start striking down voting districts in favor of one political party or another. That is going to cause very serious harm to the status and integrity of the decisions of this court, he said. After Bush v. Gore without which, Roberts might not even bee on the Court the Court has no integrity. Focus Group Reveals Democrats Have a Lot of Work to Do With Black Millennials [NBC News]. [T]hey were divided about whether the Democratic Party was for them or neither for nor against them. I think the Democratic Party took [our] votes for granted, said one participant. Thats true, but the Democrats take everybodys vote for granted. Except wealthy suburban Republicans, of course. Every Member of Congress Who Took Money From the NRA and Tweeted Thoughts and Prayers to Las Vegas [Splinter News]. On prayer, see Matthew 6:5-8.
Stats Watch
Gallup US Economic Confidence Index, September 2017: Confidence in the economy declined slightly to plus 4 in September, down from Augusts plus 6. While the ECI climbed past the plus 10 mark in January, Septembers score of plus 4 represents a continuation of economic attitudes that have held since May, apart from a brief increase in early August after the Dow hit 22,000 [Econoday]. Even if overall confidence in the economy has stagnated recently, confidence remains notably higher compared with any month between 2008 and November 2016.
Coincident Indicators: Philly Fed: State Coincident Indexes increased in 27 states in August [Econintersect]. The reason for the recent sharp decrease in the number of states with increasing activity is unclear and might be revised away. And but: More data that shows we may already be in recession, and in line with the deceleration in bank lending [Warren Mosler].
Employment Situation: The jobs report provides an important high-frequency feel for the state of the U.S. labor market, the consequences for consumption (the biggest component of gross domestic product, with domestic and international effects), and the implications for policies (both what is likely to occur and what should happen) [Mohamed A. El-Erian, Bloomberg]. More recently, however, there has been a breakdown in these relationships. Neither the rate of growth in wages nor the labor participation rate has responded well to the historic run of high job creation and to the decline in the unemployment rate to historically low levels. In addition, wages, in particular, have evolved into an indicator of a broader economic phenomenon that speaks directly to the notable level of social discontent and feeds into political polarization and the erosion of trust in institutions and expert opinion. Read to the end, and youll see that El-Erian is notably light on solutions.
Commodities: Why lithium, why now? [Mining.com]. Bloomberg reports that global battery-making capacity is set to more than double by 2021, topping 278 gigawatt-hours a year compared to 103 gigawatt-hours at present. Theres a looming problem[:] There isnt enough lithium currently being mined to supply all those gigafactorys. A round-up, well worth a read.
Shipping: Worldwide air freight maintained its strong growth momentum throughout the summer, with a further double-digit year-on-year volume increase in August [Lloyds Loading List].
Retail: More than half of Americans dont think stores should be open for business on Thanksgiving Day. More than another quarter dont care whether stores are open, and just 16% think stores should be open on the holiday [247 Wall Street]. As of Monday morning, 56 retailers, including some of the countrys largest and best-known companies, have confirmed that stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Sensible. The less hysteria over shopping the better. Maybe the online sites can shut down too.
Retail: [Under Amazon, Whole Foods] price cuts were by as much as 43% [MarketWatch]. Whats important here is that after the Whole Foods acquisition and the price cuts foot traffic jumped by roughly 33% in the first week, according to the research firm Thasos Group. The firm also noted that Walmart regulars accounted for the largest percentage of first-time customers. During this week, 24% of new Whole Foods customers were previously loyal Walmart customers. [T]he firm said that Trader Joes saw about 10% of its regular customers go to Whole Foods, and Sprouts saw roughly 8%.
The Bezzle: Amazon will be slapped with tax fine by the EU on Wednesday, report says [CNBC]. The European Union is contending that Amazon used Luxembourg as a tax haven and that it had established unfair partnerships with the country in an effort to skirt European taxes on 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) in royalties. Such moves were seen as unfair by rivals, the FT said. The level of the fine was not reported.
The Bezzle: Exclusive: U.S. mulls further Wells Fargo sanction over sales abuses source [Reuters]. Wake me when an executive is criminally charged.
The Bezzle: [Tesla,] the Silicon Valley electric-car maker built just 260 of its new automobile in the third quarter with production bottlenecks undercutting Teslas plans to move 1,500 Model 3s to the market [Wall Street Journal]. Looks like Musks production hell isnt working out so well for him. 260. Thats not a lot.
The Bezzle: The most shocking thing about this report isnt even the low Model 3 production number, said Mark Spiegel of Stanphyl Capital. Its that Model S and X sales were only up 4.5% year-over-year despite massive discounting and before all the luxury EV competition arrives next year from Jaguar and Audi and in 2019 from Mercedes and Porsche. This is supposed to be a hypergrowth company' [Los Angeles Times]. Although sales are tiny compared with the major auto companies and Tesla has spent billions in cash without profit, its stock price has exceeded that of Ford and General Motors.
The Bezzle: Anthony Levandowski and Travis Kalanick first meet at a TED Talk [Recode]. I believe it.
The Bezzle: [T]esting of trains and driverless trucks has been plagued by problems such as software glitches. Rio Tintos success this week highlights the near-term potential of autonomous transportation technology in closed-loop systems where vehicles wont have to move in bigger and more unpredictable transport networks [Wall Street Journal]. And when the developers cant get to Level 5 Autonomous Vehicles in open systems, which they wont, you can bet theyll try to turn open systems into closed loops, because thats how programmers think, and thats how Silicon Valley thinks. So, billions of dollars to make our roads safe for robot cars. Why not build trains?
The Bezzle: Goldman Sachs Might Be Desperate Enough To Start Trading Bitcoin [DealBreaker]. Bitcoin may be a bubble. It sure looks like one to Ray Dalio. Even its most ardent admirers think so. But as the dot-come bubble and subprime mortgage bubble and, well, every other bubble in history teaches, there is money to be made on bubbles. And Goldman Sachs? Yea, it needs to make some more money. So where Jamie Dimon sees a stupid fad and firing offense, Lloyd Blankfein sees an opportunity.
The Bezzle: Equifax auditors are on the hook for data security risk controls [Francine McKenna, MarketWatch]. A companys external auditor is supposed to be an objective independent watchdog, the first line of defense for shareholders and the public when company executives and the board fail to protect them. [B]efore [Equifaxs auditor Ernst & Young (EY)] even thinks about reviewing and testing the numbers, it must make sure that company executives set the right tone at the top about controls, including of its IT systems, to ensure Equifax is protecting its biggest assetthe consumer information it sells to banks and other organizations that generates most of its revenues.
Private Equity: The COO at BlackRock explains why the $5.7 trillion investment giant is a growth technology company' [Business Insider].
Five Horsemen: Facebook sails serenely on, as Amazon writhes with Whole Foods heartburn [Hat tip, Jim Haygood].
Todays Fear & Greed Index: 88 Extreme Greed (previous close: 89, Extreme Greed) [CNN]. One week ago: 67 (Greed). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Oct 3 at 11:35am.
Our Famously Free Press
After Las Vegas shooting, Facebook and Google get the news wrong again [Engadget]. Looks like Google needs to tweak that algo
Gaia
Can ice structures solve a Himalayan water crisis? [BBC]. We are freezing water that goes unused in winter and, because of the geometric shape it doesnt melt till late spring, says [engineer Sonam Wangchuk]. In late spring the artificial glacier starts to melt and water can be used for drip-irrigation of crops.
Guillotine Watch
Former congressman Anthony Weiner cried when a judge sentenced him to 21 months in prison last week for sexting with a 15-year-old girl. Prison is tough and most felons have no idea what to expect. For a few thousand dollars, however, high-profile felons like Weiner can hire a prison consultant to help smooth the transition to life behind bars [MarketWatch]. Idea: Oh, forget it.
Class Warfare
Argument analysis: An epic day for employers in arbitration case? [SCOTUSBlog]. In the first oral argument of the new term, a divided Supreme Court seemed likely to uphold employment agreements that require an an employee to resolve a dispute with an employer through individual arbitration, waiving the possibility of proceeding collectively. More:
The conflict among the justices could be captured by two exchanges this morning. The first came when Chief Justice John Roberts, in a back-and-forth with University of Virginia law professor Daniel Ortiz, who represented one of the employees in the case, observed that a decision in favor of Ortizs client would invalidate employment agreements covering 25 million people a step that several of the justices would be reluctant to take, particularly given the courts strong support of arbitration in recent years. Justice Stephen Breyer, on the other hand, had a very different concern: He told Paul Clement, who represented the employers in the case, that he had not seen a path for Clements clients to win without undermining and changing radically the labor laws that are the entire heart of the New Deal.
Thats not a bug. Its a feature.
Is the Rise of Contract Workers Killing Upward Mobility? [Knowledge@Wharton]. [A]ll of the net employment growth in the U.S. economy from 2005 to 2015 appears to have occurred in alternative work arrangements, write Katz and Krueger in The Rise and Nature of Alternative Work Arrangements in the United States, 1995-2015. Using data from the Current Population Survey and the Survey of Income and Program Participation, [Wharton management professor Adam Cobb and University of Texas at Austin sociology assistant professor Ken-Hou Lin] find that in 1989, although all private-sector workers benefited from a firm-size wage premium, the premium was significantly higher for individuals at the lower end and middle of the wage distribution compared to those at the higher end. But between 1989 and 2014, the average firm-size wage premium declined markedly. Significantly, the decline was exclusive to those at the lower end and middle of the wage distribution while there was no change for those at the higher end. They conclude that the uneven declines in the premium across the wage spectrum could account for about 20% of rising wage inequality during this period.
The Rise and Nature of Alternative Work Arrangements in the United States, 1995-2015 [Lawrence F. Katz and Alan B. Krueger, NBER]. Amazingly, I linked to this exactly one year ago, so here it is again.
News of the Wired
A blivet:
Apple now sells an iPhone dongle with a headphone jack and charging port https://t.co/FcSkDw9ePT pic.twitter.com/PRTt29rvB5 The Verge (@verge) October 3, 2017
Not so slim after all, eh?
Facebook Lies [Iain R. Learmonth]. Apparently, you cant actually delete your Facebook account.
Nobel Prize goes to researchers who figured out how our cells tell time [Ars Technica]. Microbes, plants, and animals all run on a 24-hour cycle, one thats flexible enough to gradually reset itself, although it can take a few days after transcontinental travel. The biological systems responsible for maintaining this circadian clock require a lot of proteins that undergo complex interactions, and the new laureates are being honored for their use of genetics to start unraveling this complexity.
Technology is destroying the most important asset in your life [Quartz]. The most important asset in your life isnt time, but attention. The quality of the experiences in your life doesnt depend on how many hours there are in the day, but in how the hours you have are used. But its not your asset any more, is it?
* * *
Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, (c) how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal, and (d) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please put it in the subject line. Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. Todays plant (AE-L):
AE-L writes: A beautiful but poisonous mushroom photographed in a forest near Oslo, capital city of Norway.
This is Naked Capitalism fundraising week. 452 donors have already invested in our efforts to combat corruption and predatory conduct, particularly in the financial realm. Please join us and participate via our donation page, which shows how to give via check, credit card, debit card, or PayPal. Read about why were doing this fundraiser, what weve accomplished in the last year and our current goal, more meetups and travel.
Yves here. I have a small quibble with Gaius piece. He claims No large company can survive with no growth it will die or be absorbed into another large company. That simply isnt accurate. First, a private company can be managed for any objective that suits its owners: serving a vanity market and only occasionally being profitable (as in being a bragging rights project for the owners), keeping neer do well relatives employed, or being a nice stable business in a mature market that throws off steady cash flow. Public companies are subject to demands from shareholders for growth in revenues or dividends. Even then, some public companies have enough ownership by insiders so as to be able to be run as fiefdoms (think of Larry Ellisons relationship to Oracle).
Most entrepreneurs who do not harbor squillionaire fantasies seek to create businesses in defensible markets (say niches that have barriers to entry or scale factors) and repeat customers. Those are the best candidates to generate good cash flow. A businessman understands that cash flow, and not growth, is what defines a truly successful venture.
Another way to look at it is that the fetish with growth at the business level (as opposed to the economy level, where a pie that keeps getting bigger on a per head basis makes it a lot easier to manage social issues) is to a significant degree a creation of the 1980s and 1990s. In the 1980s, raiders funded by Mike Milken made fortunes by buying overdiversified conglomerates that were trading at a discount in the stock market. These vultures were able to spin what was almost without exception mere financial engineering as entrepreneurs showing up corporate bureaucrats. The fact that these takeover artists became so fabulously rich also led to fawning press coverage as well as advocacy masquerading as academic research arguing that corporate executives needed to be paid like entrepreneurs, as in get more stock incentives. The leading light of that movement, Michael Jensen, has repudiated that work, but as we know, it lives on and continues to have destructive effects.
Mind you, I am not saying that there would not be companies that would be run with growth as a major goal, but the preoccupation with growth is a result of a change in ideology.
By Gaius Publius, a professional writer living on the West Coast of the United States and frequent contributor to DownWithTyranny, digby, Truthout, and Naked Capitalism. Follow him on Twitter @Gaius_Publius, Tumblr and Facebook. GP article archive here. Originally published at DownWithTyranny
The video above comes in two parts the first four minutes or so deals with the title problem, and the last two minutes offers a solution. Note those two sections and the points they make as you watch. Ill address each point separately below.
Capitalism, Infinite Growth and Climate Change
We seem to have turned the corner on American belief that climate change will result in a bad end for us unless we stop it or alter its trajectory. Most Americans, however secretly, have come at last to that conclusion, even if (or perhaps because) they think the us in the previous sentence is other people, the un- or soon-to-be-born.
Even Republican office holders are starting to affirm the obvious trajectory of climate change, not to mention ordinary Republican voters of all stripes and kinds. Yes, there are still deniers and agnostics in the mix, but I dont think they represent the majority of the nation any more. That tide has turned, if only just.
We have also likely turned the tide on the notion that infinite economic growth, defined as more cans and bottles for you, more and greater wealth for the rich, can be sustained, though most dont realize it yet. Watch the first four minutes of the video above and ask yourself Who doubts the main point made? Is there anyone you know (or know of) who thinks we can have infinite growth on a finite planet and survive? Likely no one.
Its the connection pf infinite growth to capitalism that hangs people up. Most dont see yet that infinite growth more cans of coke, more terrible fast food restaurants, more smart phones you cant repair is required for our present economic system to continue to function. They dont see the present economy, defined as the production of things, as requiring infinite growth. Does a corner grocery store need infinite growth to survive? they ask. Obviously not. And isnt a corner grocery store capitalism?
But todays capitalism isnt the world of the corner grocery store, where the owner who lives upstairs can do well by earning enough to meet his or her expenses, year after sustainable year. That world has become this one, a world of giant companies eating giant companies in order to grow, absorbing others to ensure theyre not the next prey, because quarterly earnings can never be said to be flat when market analysts come calling.
No large company can survive with no growth it will die or be absorbed into another large company. And at some point, all of this growth will end. Grow or die is one of the marks of late stage capitalism, with die the inevitable end of all of them.
Just as late stage capitalism is unsustainable, by the way, so too is infinitely increasing income inequality, a situation into which were heading, both nationally and internationally. The image of a world collapsing under the burden of extreme wealth inequality brings to mind one of the most memorable lines from the video above:
Imagine what it means for your personal security as a heavily armed civilian population gets angrier and angrier about why this was allowed to happen.
Sound familiar? Sound like it may be nascent now?
Why Dont We Choose Differently?
All of the above situations suggest a grand problem statement one that American citizens, indeed world citizens, are coming to grips with as we speak. Is this trains journey sustainable into the future? If not, how do we get off?
Just as the first four minutes of the video engender fear, the final two minutes water the tree of hope, suggesting that humankind can fix these problems if only it wishes to. I too believe that we can fix these problems hold at bay a collapse due to the twin tsunamis of wealth inequality and climate-cause chaos at least within limits, if we choose to. In fact Ive offered an Easter Island solution to the problem of addressing climate change, offered it many times:
Youre a villager on Easter Island. People are cutting down trees right and left, and many are getting worried. At some point, the number of worried villagers reaches critical mass, and they go as a group to the island chief and say, Look, we have to stop cutting trees, like now. The chief, whos also CEO of a wood products company, checks his bottom line and orders the cutting to continue. Do the villagers walk away? Or do they depose the chief? Theres always a choice
Its a simple solution, and certainly not unique to me. Naomi Klein, for example, brings it up in a different form every time she speaks depose the chief and run the island ourselves.
So what prevents us from choosing that?
Manufactured Hopelessness
For the answer Ill turn to David Graeber. This is from his excellent book Debt: The First 5,000 Years (quoted here, my emphasis throughout). Graeber begins:
There is very good reason to believe that, in a generation or so, capitalism itself will no longer exist most obviously, as ecologists keep reminding us, because its impossible to maintain an engine of perpetual growth forever on a finite planet, and the current form of capitalism doesnt seem to be capable of generating the kind of vast technological breakthroughs and mobilizations that would be required for us to start finding and colonizing other planets. Yet, faced with the prospect of capitalism actually ending, the most common reaction even from those who call themselves progressives is simply fear. We cling to what exists because we can no longer imagine an alternative that wouldnt be even worse.
This is in line with the video presenters idea, that fear is our natural reaction to this awareness, and fear can lead us to make changes.
Graeber then explains why, instead of experiencing fear that spurs us to action, were gripped by fear that locks us to inaction:
How did we get here? My own suspicion is that we are looking at the final effects of the militarization of American capitalism itself. In fact, it could well be said that the last thirty years have seen the construction of a vast bureaucratic apparatus for the creation and maintenance of hopelessness, a giant machine designed, first and foremost, to destroy any sense of possible alternative futures.
He means militarization as a metaphor, that the apparatus, the giant machine hes talking about, is a form of capitalism thats been weaponized and propagandized as a defense against its own consumer base, which is all of us. When has any major companys commercial not had as its secondary message, Were doing this because we want to help you, whatever else the primary message for example, This $1000 drug is your only hope may be?
Every bought commercial paints its purchasing corporation as noble, as the solution, when in fact its purchaser is the problem. That description is true even of those benign-appearing car ads that offer off-road freedom to wage slaves chained to cubicle farms. The fault is never the corporate-dominated life; the solution is the corporate-dominated life. Or so says the commercial. Do the wage slaves of the car companies buy those cars to experience freedom?
You cant have that
In the passage above, Graeber, writing in 2011 about manufactured hopelessness, also presciently reminds us of Hillary Clintons virtual campaign slogan, You cant have that. This still serves as a slogan for the current neoliberal support for Medicare for All in Al Frankens words, its aspirational, something to want but never to expect to get.
Graeber then exposes the inner workings of the apparatus of manufactured hopelessness:
At its root is a veritable obsession on the part of the rulers of the world in response to the upheavals of the 1960s and 1970s with ensuring that social movements cannot be seen to grow, flourish, or propose alternatives; that those who challenge existing power arrangements can never, under any circumstances, be perceived to win. To do so requires creating a vast apparatus of armies, prisons, police, various forms of private security firms and military intelligence apparatus, and propaganda engines of every conceivable variety, most of which do not attack alternatives directly so much as create a pervasive climate of fear, jingoistic conformity, and simple despair that makes any thought of changing the world seem an idle fantasy. Maintaining this apparatus seems even more important to exponents of the free market, even than maintaining any sort of viable market economy. Economically, the apparatus is pure dead weight; all the guns, surveillance cameras, and propaganda engines are extraordinarily expensive and really produce nothing, and no doubt its yet another element dragging the entire capitalist system down along with producing the illusion of an endless capitalist future that laid the groundwork for the endless bubbles to begin with.
He concludes:
Finance capital became the buying and selling of chunks of that future, and economic freedom, for most of us, was reduced to the right to buy a small piece of ones own permanent subordination. In other words, there seems to have been a profound contradiction between the political imperative of establishing capitalism as the only possible way to manage anything, and capitalisms own unacknowledged need to limit its future horizons, lest speculation, predictably, go haywire. Once it did, and the whole machine imploded, we were left in the strange situation of not being able to even imagine any other way that things might be arranged. About the only thing we can imagine is catastrophe.
A being can nibble on itself from time to time, but it cannot eat itself forever and live.
Consumed with that which it was nourished by
In the capitalist vision of infinite growth, we see, to paraphrase Shakespeares words
the glowing of such fire
That on the ashes of its youth doth lie,
As the death-bed whereon it must expire
Consumed with that which it was nourished by.
In other words, that which feeds it, eats it. Infinite growth, the fuel of late-stage capitalism, can only burn it down to a bed of ashes that lingers briefly warm, then dies.
What drags us into hopelessness is the carefully manufactured illusion that there is no possible economy but a free market economy, despite (a) the fact that no free market ever existed anywhere, and doesnt exist now; and (b) that successful communal non-competitive markets exist everywhere around us.
Start by looking within your own family. Or at any community that sustains its weaker members rather than feeds on them. At Social Security, say. Or Medicare.
Medicare isnt aspirational, Mr. Neoliberal. Its already here. How do we know we can have that? Because we already do have that. We just want a little more of it.
By Lee Camp, the host and head writer of the comedy news show Redacted Tonight that airs every Friday on RT America and at YouTube.com/RedactedTonight. Hes a former comedy writer for the Onion and the Huffington Post
The corporate media is nervous now. Theyre nervous because people are waking up to the realization that the mainstream media almost without exception toes a pro-war, pro-Wall Street, pro-profit-over-people line. Cable news and the other corporate info sources rarely question the heart of our system. We know now they will never provide us with all the information we need to act as an informed republic. Every topic they cover is weighed against a giant sack of dollar bills.
The corporate media is nervous because this awakening has proved so powerful it nearly made Bernie Sanders the Democratic nominee even though Hillary Clinton received at least 10 times as much media coverage as him and Donald Trump received 23 times as much.
They are nervous because Black Lives Matter became a powerful force despite largely negative corporate media coverage.
They are nervous because Occupy Wall Street became an international phenomenon despite zero media coverage for the first several weeks, followed by largely negative coverage.
They are nervous because Standing Rock became a national flashpoint for the fight against big oil and big corporations, even though it also received little to no corporate media coverage.
They are nervous because Americans are talking about things like single-payer healthcare, legalizing marijuana, shrinking our military empire (with roughly 1,000 military bases around the world), keeping net neutrality, and so much more. Even though these issues are nearly blacked out on mainstream corporate media, Americans are talking about them and getting angry.
So where is the information coming from if not the giant media monopolies?
This world-changing news and thought is pouring forth from crucial outlets like Naked Capitalism. If we want to even begin to have hope that human beings can stand up against inverted totalitarianism and the rule of the corporate state, then we all need to support alternative media. That means you. Now. Give whatever you can, whether its $5 or $50 or $5000. The Tip Jar tells you how.
I have a unique relationship with Naked Capitalism because the first time I wrote a piece for Yves was after I was extensively attacked on the front page of the arts section in the New York Times. Apparently the mainstream outlets are so nervous about alternative media, that theyre devoting entire hit pieces to political comedians who say all the things they refuse to.
I penned an in-depth response to the propaganda unleashed against me and none of the outlets I approached were willing to publish it except Naked Capitalism. Once my response went viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of views and forcing the New YorkTimes to issue corrections Only THEN did other outlets pick up my piece. So without Naked Capitalism, Im not sure the truth about the New York Times utter bullshit wouldve gotten out there.
There is an information war going on right now. Google and Facebook have joined the corporate media forces. Their new search protocols have crushed the traffic to many leading left-wing sites. YouTube has also demonitized and suppressed many, if not all, leading alternative news channels. For all these reasons it is crucial you help Naked Capitalism continue its work.
We are willing to pay for so much in our society. Were willing to pay for an Uber home so we dont have to wait for the bus, willing to pay an extra $40 to board a plane a few minutes earlier than others, willing to pay $5 for a latte, $15 for an eyebrow threading, and hundreds of dollars to get that tattoo of Dave Matthews Band removed from our back. We are all willing to pay for SO MUCH and yet so few of us are willing to pay a small amount to maintain one of the pillars of our society a genuine, wide-ranging information flow outside the gooey tentacles of massive corporations. It truly is up to you and me to make sure outlets like Naked Capitalism continue. So please, given generously to Naked Capitalism now. The Tip Jar beckons.
Information is revolution. The only hope I see that our society will ever change for the good will ever become a sustainable, egalitarian, ACCOUNTABLE representative democracy The only hope I see for that is by maintaining powerful alternative media outlets like Naked Capitalism.
Give whatever you can. Give like you mean it. Even if thats only a little, it makes a difference because others can provide more. You are investing in getting better information, making voices heard, and loosening the stranglehold of elite bought-and-paid for corporate media. You are investing in your future.
(Natural News) The Flemish government has joined the number of countries banning glyphosate, as reported by the Baum Hedlund. The prohibition on the use of glyphosate is not new in the country as the Belgian cities of Brussels and Wallonia have already issued their own laws regarding the individual use of the chemical. In addition to Belgium, four more countries have banned glyphosate for this year. These are:
Malta The country was the first European country to ban the use of this controversial weedkiller. Sri Lanka The President of Sri Lanka also banned the use of glyphosate nationwide to protect the health of the its citizens. The herbicide has been linked to a quintuple increase in the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the nation and resulted in about 20,000 deaths in northern Sri Lanka. The Netherlands The Netherlands likewise prohibited the herbicide after hearing the arguments of Party for Animals, an organization that focuses on animal rights issues. Argentina Meanwhile in Argentina, about 30,000 doctors demanded the prohibition of glyphosate in their country since the chemical is associated with cancer, spontaneous abortions, birth defects, skin diseases, respiratory illness, and neurological disease.
In 2015, the World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) identified glyphosate as a potential carcinogen to humans. They found a strong association between glyphosate and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a type of blood cancer that affects the white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lawsuits against Roundup Monsantos flagship product began piling in after the IARC report. Over 1,100 people all over the U.S.have filed lawsuits against Monsanto. Allegedly, exposure to Roundup caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma. There are more than 50 lawsuits against Monsanto that continue to pile up in the U.S. District Court in San, Francisco.
Moreover, the glyphosate manufacturer is also facing a class action lawsuit in Wisconsin after six consumers claimed that Roundup was falsely promoted as safe when it actually caused adverse impacts on human gut bacteria.
Earlier this year, the California Environmental Protection Agencys Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment confirmed that glyphosate would be added to Californias Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer. (Related: Glyphosate and cancer: Read how this deadly weed killer promotes multiple myeloma, leukemia, sperm damage, infertility, kidney damage, autism, endocrine disruption, DNA damage and birth defects.)
More on glyphosate
Glyphosate is an herbicide that is used on the leaves of plants. It is the most widely-used chemical for this purpose, with about 9.4 million tons having been sprayed on fields to date.
It was first approved for use in the United States in 1974. It was initially produced by Monsanto and is best known as the active ingredient in the companys Roundup herbicides. It will kill most plants since it is a non-selective herbicide, which prevents the plants from producing the important proteins that they need for plant growth. This chemical stops the shikimic acid pathway that is necessary for plants and some microorganisms.
Over 750 products that contain glyphosate are sold in the U.S. market.
Many countries continue to ban the chemical because of the proven health risks that it causes humans.
Sources include:
BaumHedlundLaw.com
News.BackToTheRoots.com
GlobalResearch.ca
NPIC.orst.edu
USRTK.org
(Natural News) As authorities continue to piece together information that will help them better understand the motives behind the Las Vegas murders, one thing has become abundantly clear already: The fully automatic firearms the shooter is believed to have used are extremely rare, heavily regulated and expensive to own/obtain.
Already insane Democrats are blaming the guns and not the shooter, who could be a terrorist operative for all we know at this point. Thats a typical, politically-motivated response for far-Left liberal Democrats who really want to ban all guns regardless of how they function.
That said, its worth noting that the use of an automatic weapon to commit this horrific crime is so rare as to be statistically immeasurable. In fact, the last time an automatic weapon was used to commit mass murder was decades ago.
As for obtaining one of these weapons, there are a number of very expensive hoops you must jump through and several legal hurdles to clear before the government will let you have one.
Fully automatic weapons have been banned for civilians who have not first obtained special permission from local law enforcement and the federal government since 1934, following passage of the National Firearms Act.
If youve been convicted of a felony, you need not even bother to apply. Even some misdemeanors will disqualify you.
There is a form that local police must sign off on before you can proceed any further. If they dont sign, you dont get your weapon.
Each gun is subject to a $200 tax every time it changes hands, and each time that happens, owners must be federally registered and approved by Uncle Sam and local law enforcement before the transfer/purchase can occur. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives regulate the sale and licensure of automatic weapons.
Also, since the Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986, ownership of newly manufactured machine guns weapons made after that law was passed is prohibited outright to civilians. That legislation dramatically limited the number of automatic weapons that could even be obtained by anyone other than police, the military, and federal agents.
Because the number of full-auto weapons is very low there were some 240,000 registered weapons in 1995 the price of a machine gun is very high and, for most Americans, prohibitively high. Just as an example, I have a friend who bought a 1970s-era M-16 rifle and it cost him $20,000.
There are some states that completely ban automatic weapons, period, despite the federal requirement to be licensed, further limiting where these guns can be legally owned. (Related: Five things that just dont add up about the Las Vegas mass shooting.)
CNN idiot Don Lemon once said that automatic weapons are easy to buy. Broadcasting from Ferguson, Mo., in the wake of the Michael Brown incident and subsequent rioting, Lemon who was there to further fan the flames of division and lie about what did and did not happen in the Brown case had a back-and-forth with conservative radio host Ben Ferguson over the issue.
Lets deal with the facts here, Ferguson said. A semi-automatic weapon is a gun that you or I are allowed to own and in different places they have different rules. But to imply that anyone can just go out and buy an automatic weapon is just not true, Don.
What do you mean? Lemon said. During the theater shooting in Colorado, I was able to go and buy an automatic weapon, and I maybe have shot a gun three, four times in my life. I dont live in Colorado. I think most people can go out and buy an automatic weapon.
Thats completely false and irresponsible because it proves that Lemon did zero research before making that ridiculous claim. An automatic weapon is something that you can shoot off a number of rounds very quickly, he said. But thats not the legal definition of an automatic weapon; turns out Lemon went out and bought an AR-15, which may look like a fully-auto M-4, but is in actuality a semi-automatic rifle.
The truth is, the average Joe or Jane cannot legally obtain a fully-automatic weapon. So it will be interesting to see where Vegas shooter got his.
J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.
Sources include:
Politifact.com
Class3WeaponsLicense.com
TheNationalSentinel.com
The victims just kept coming.
In cars, in ambulances waiting four or five deep, from the walking wounded to the barely alive, they arrived in droves.
"I have no idea who I operated on," said Dr. Jay Coates, a trauma surgeon whose hospital took in many of the wounded after a gunman opened fire from his 32nd-floor hotel suite Sunday night on a country music concert below. "They were coming in so fast, we were taking care of bodies. We were just trying to keep people from dying."
It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, with at least 58 killed and 527 injured, some by gunfire, some during the chaotic escape. Scores remained in critical condition Tuesday.
Authorities say the gunman set up cameras inside and outside the hotel room where he opened fire on the crowd at a country music concert.
Sheriff Joe Lombardo said at a news conference Tuesday that he believes Stephen Paddock set up the cameras to see if anyone was coming to take him into custody. He did not release further details.
The sheriff also said authorities had completed their investigation at the gunman's property in Reno, finding five handguns, two shotguns and a plethora of ammunition.
University Medical Center of Southern Nevada was one of many hospitals that were overflowing Tuesday.
"Every bed was full," Coates said. "We had people in the hallways, people outside and more people coming in."
He said the huge, horrifying wounds on his operating table told him this shooting was something different.
"It was very clear that the first patient I took back and operated on that this was a high-powered weapon," Coates said. "This wasn't a normal street weapon. This was something that did a lot of damage when it entered the body cavity."
The gunman, 64-year-old high-stakes gambler and retired accountant Stephen Paddock, killed himself as authorities stormed his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay hotel casino.
He had 23 guns some with scopes in the room where he had been staying since Thursday. He knocked out two windows to create sniper's perches he used to rain rapid fire down on the crowd of 22,000 people some 500 yards away.
He also had two "bump stocks" that can be used to modify weapons to fire continuously, as if fully automatic, according to two U.S. officials briefed by law enforcement who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still unfolding.
At Paddock's home, authorities found 19 more guns, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Also, several pounds of ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer that can be turned into explosives, were in his car, authorities said.
The FBI discounted the possibility of international terrorism, even after the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. But beyond that, the motive remained a mystery, with Sheriff Joseph Lombardo saying: "I can't get into the mind of a psychopath at this point."
While Paddock appeared to have no criminal history, his father was a bank robber who was on the FBI's most-wanted list in the 1960s.
"I can't even make something up," his brother in Florida, Eric Paddock, said when asked what might have motivated his brother. "There's just nothing."
President Donald Trump on Tuesday called the gunman "demented" and a "very, very sick individual." Asked about gun laws, the president said, "We'll be talking about gun laws as time goes on."
His muzzle flashes visible in the dark, Paddock began shooting just after 10 p.m. and appeared to fire unhindered for more than 10 minutes, according to radio traffic, as police frantically tried to locate him.
"We can't worry about the victims," an officer said over the radio at 10:15 p.m. "We need to stop the shooter before we have more victims. Anybody have eyes on him ... stop the shooter."
The crowd, funneled tightly into a wide-open space, had little cover and no easy way to escape. Victims fell to the ground, while others fled in panic. Some hid behind concession stands or crawled under parked cars.
Faces were etched with shock and confusion, and people wept and wailed. Some of the injured were hit by shrapnel. Others were trampled or were injured jumping fences.
"It was chaos people just running for their lives. People trying to get down. Trying to get to their loved ones that had gotten hit," Shaun Topper said.
Marie Langer, 16, of Las Vegas, got to the concert early so she could get to the very front, closest to the stage.
That meant she and her friends were among the last to get out, and could hear shots ringing and people screaming the entire time she was trying to flee. She finally had to climb a fence with points on the top of metal bars designed to prevent people from getting over it.
"We had no other option," she said.
Tales of heroism and compassion emerged: One man grasped the hand of a dying stranger, unable to pull himself away despite the danger. Another borrowed a flannel shirt from a man he didn't know to create a tourniquet for a girl he didn't know.
Couples held hands as they ran. The healthy carried the bleeding off the grounds. Strangers drove victims to hospitals in their own cars.
Authorities put out a call for blood donations and set up a hotline to report missing people and speed the identification of the dead and wounded. They also opened a "family reunification center" for people to find loved ones.
Before Sunday, the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history took place in June 2016, when a gunman who professed support for Muslim extremist groups opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people.
Sally Ho, Regina Garcia Cano and Brian Skoloff in Las Vegas; Brian Melley and Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles; Sadie Gurman and Tami Abdollah in Washington; Kristin M. Hall in Nashville, Tennessee; and Jocelyn Gecker in San Francisco contributed to this report.
According to a research conducted at the University of Jyvaskyla, estrogen acts as a regulator of muscle energy metabolism and muscle cell viability. Menopause leads to the cessation of ovarian estrogen production concurrent to the deterioration of muscle function. After menopause, the risk of metabolic diseases also increases. Although a healthy lifestyle does not increase the amount of estrogen in circulation, it reduces risks.
The well-known symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings and other so-called women's troubles. The consequences of the menopausal withdrawal of estrogen production are, however, broader than commonly assumed. Menopause accelerates the aging changes of many tissues, of which perhaps the most known and well-studied is osteoporosis. The effects of estrogen on skeletal muscles are not yet well known. The study from the University of Jyvaskyla discovered that estrogen acts as an upstream regulator for the energy metabolism and viability of muscle cells.
- It has already been well established that the male sex steroid, testosterone, is an important regulator of muscle size. Now we showed that also the female sex steroid, estradiol, has a substantial regulatory role in muscles, says Academy Research Fellow Eija Laakkonen from the Gerontology Research Center at the University of Jyvaskyla.
- These findings help to understand why menopausal women's muscles get smaller and their muscle strength diminishes, Dr. Laakkonen explains. Skeletal muscle is important for whole-body metabolism. Therefore, these results are important when fighting against the elevated risk of metabolic diseases associated to aging.
In total 24 pre- and postmenopausal women participated in this muscle research on middle-aged women. By applying a proteomics approach to investigate the protein content of the muscle and by taking into account the participants' age, menopausal status and the use of estrogen-containing hormonal therapy, the researchers were able to identify 1,353 proteins and quantify 762 of them. In total 137 of the proteins were associated for the first time with skeletal muscle aging. This collaborative study between the researchers of the University of Jyvaskyla and the University of Helsinki was recently published in Aging Cell. The research is part of the larger SAWEs twin study that is led by Docent Vuokko Kovanen from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyvaskyla, and funded by the Academy of Finland and the Paivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation.
Absence of a prefrontal activation during sensory gating of simple tones detects the Alzheimer's disease (AD) before the occurrence of the first symptoms. Sanja Josef Golubic Ph.D., physicists at the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, reveals the high potential, absolutely non-invasive biomarker of AD pathology in a new study published in the journal Human Brain Mapping. Josef Golubic found a discrete, individual biomarker of AD with "ideal" properties.
Highlights of the new biomarker:
Absolutely non-invasive
Detects the illness before the occurrence of the first symptoms (preclinical)
Discrete: localized/non-localized a prefrontal generator
Does not require estimation of uniform cut-off levels and standardization processes
Low sensitivity to individual heterogeneity and variability
Can follow the evolution of the pathophysiological process of AD
Individual
Topographic
Worldwide spread of Alzheimer's disease, a long-lasting morbid type of dementia, is one of the biggest global public health challenges facing this generation. A wealth of evidence emerged during over more than 110 years of disease research suggest that the pathological changes associated with AD start decades before the onset of clinical symptoms. This long progression of neurodegeneration that is irreversible by the stage of symptomatic disease, may account for failure to develop successful disease-modifying therapies. Currently, there is a pressing worldwide search for a marker of very early, possibly reversible, pathological changes related to AD in still cognitively intact individuals, before the occurrence of the first symptoms.
Reisa Sperling, chairman of the National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer's Association Workgroup on Preclinical AD and director of the Neuroimaging Program at Harvard Medical School, reviewing the extensive search for the biomarker of preclinical AD, emphasises: An active line of research is the relationship of intrinsic neural networks and the "topographic" evolution of the pathophysiological process of AD. It is possible, just as in real estate, that "location, location, location" is key".*
Sanja Josef Golubic found the location of the key - it was hidden in the topography of auditory sensory gating network. She uncovered a topological biomarker of preclinical and clinical AD pathology at the individual level that shows a large effect size (0.98) and high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity (100%) in identifying symptomatic AD patients within a research sample. The new biomarker does not require estimation of cut-off levels or standardization processes what is the main problem with so far proposed AD markers. It is absolutely non-invasive, not based on the use of group means and is not associated with statistically significant changes in a continuous variable. Its strength lies in the simplicity of using a binary value, i.e. activated or not-activated a neural generator. The low sensitivity to individual heterogeneity and variability due to its binary nature is probably the most important property of the proposed biomarker.
Neuroscience eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today
"Three years ago we discovered the novel, third fast sensory processing pathway-gating loop, which directly links primary sensory areas to medial prefrontal cortex within first 80ms after auditory stimulation**. We provided strong evidences of the modulatory role of the medial prefrontal generator on the dynamics of generators in primary auditory cortices. We have also noticed the high sensitivity of the gating generators dynamic on AD pathology. It was inspiration to focus our AD biomarker search in the direction of prefrontal sensory gating generator activation", says Sanja Josef Golubic, who together with Cheryl Aine, Selma Supek, Julia Stephen, John Adair and Janice Knoefel form the international research team. The team was formed by the University of Zagreb, New Mexico University, Mind Research Network and New Mexico VA Healthcare System.
"In the present study, we demonstrate the use of the localization of neural sources underlying neuromagnetic fields measured outside a head to detect AD even before the onset of symptoms. The healthy controls activated a prefrontal generator in response to both the deviant and repeating tones of an oddball paradigm. To the contrary, the symptomatic AD group was lacking any medial prefrontal gating generator activation to either the deviant or repeating tones. However, we detected a sub-group of controls characterized by the absence of prefrontal gating generator activation for the repeating tone only and significantly lower scores on a mini mental status exam and delayed visual memory test - Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure Test. It is highly probable that these individuals were captured in a preclinical AD phase since they show both neuropsychological and neurophysiological impairments characteristic of an AD type of dementia, although they did not yet meet clinical criteria for the early phase of symptomatic AD", emphasizes Josef Golubic.
The localization of a discrete prefrontal gating activation is a highly promising biomarker of Alzheimer's disease at the individual level with potential of following the evolution of the pathophysiological process of disease. The next steps in evolving the biomarker include the testing in large independent samples and assessment in longitudinal clinical studies. The large effect size, absolute non-invasiveness, and statistical independence, properties of an "ideal" biomarker, will certainly launch this AD biomarker promptly into clinical use.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded two five-year grants to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center worth more than $5 million to prospectively study the effects of a genetic variation in organ donors that appears to contribute to survival of kidneys after transplantation.
The funding will establish the APOL1 Long-term Transplantation Outcomes Network (APOLLO) to evaluate donor and recipient apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) renal-risk variants in all U.S. kidney transplants from African-American kidney donors to determine their effect on transplant outcomes. In addition, the post-donation health and kidney function of African-American living kidney donors will be assessed.
Kidneys transplanted from deceased African-American donors fail more rapidly compared to kidneys transplanted from deceased European- American donors. Reasons for this are unknown, but retrospective studies suggest that the presence of two APOL1 renal-risk variants in the African-American kidney donors may contribute to the disparity.
Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today
These gene variants are common in populations with recent African ancestry, such as African-Americans, where they are strongly associated with non-diabetic end-stage kidney disease, but rare in other racial or ethnic groups. Up to 40 percent of end-stage kidney disease in African Americans is related to variation in this gene.
"Compiling APOL1 data may provide physicians with a more accurate way to assess the likelihood for long-term renal function in transplanted kidneys," said nephrologist Barry I. Freedman, M.D., John H. Felts, III, Distinguished Professor of Internal Medicine, at Wake Forest Baptist and a principal investigator at the Wake Forest Baptist APOLLO coordinating center. "Hopefully, it also will improve our ability to match donor kidneys with potential recipients to improve the success rate of kidney transplants and patient survival."
As the national coordinating center for the APOLLO consortium, Wake Forest Baptist will be closely aligned with the United Network of Organ Sharing, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations and 13 APOLLO clinical trial centers. Co-principal investigators of the APOLLO coordinating center are David Reboussin, Ph.D., Robert Stratta, M.D., and Donald Bowden, Ph.D., of Wake Forest Baptist.
Pioneering studies led by Freedman demonstrated that two copies of the APOL1 gene in African-American kidney donors were associated with more rapid failure of transplanted kidneys.
In addition, the NIH funding supports an APOLLO clinical center led by Amber Reeves-Daniel, D.O., of Wake Forest Baptist, and Rasheed Gbadegesin, M.D., of Duke University Medical Center. This clinical trial site, with its 12 counterparts around the country, will assist in developing the protocol and recruiting participants for APOLLO.
"Findings from the APOLLO study have the potential to alter clinical practice by increasing the numbers of kidneys available for transplantation and improving matching of kidneys with recipients to extend post-transplant kidney function," Freedman said.
Captain Marvel and the X-Men crossover for Revenge of the Brood and Lord of the Brood
Captain Marvel and the X-Men are about to embroiled in a two-part Brood-centric story
The China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) has signed an agreement with the Shenhua Group, Chinas biggest coal producer, to promote the development of advanced traveling wave reactor technology, the state nuclear giant said.
At a ceremony on Tuesday, the two sides signed an investment agreement to promote fourth-generation traveling wave reactors (TWR), CNNC said in a notice posted on its website. The deal also involved the Zhejiang Energy Group and the Hebei Construction and Investment Group.
The new organization will be a partnership with four Chinese energy companies and will have /A> starting capital of CNY1bn ($153.2 million).
TWR, one of several new fourth-generation reactor designs, uses depleted uranium and is more fuel-efficient and cheaper to run than conventional nuclear reactors.
Leading developers of TWR include the Bill Gates-backed Terrapower, which is working on large scale projects aimed at providing base-load electricity. CNNC said its chairman, Wang Shoujun, met with Gates in July to discuss cooperation.
TerraPowers traveling wave design is a breeder reactor that produce more atomic fuel than they consume, reducing the need to add costly processed nuclear elements.
In 2006, Intellectual Ventures launched a spin-off named TerraPower to model and commercialize a working design of such a reactor, which later came to be called a traveling-wave reactor. TerraPower has developed TWR designs for low- to medium- (300 MWe) as well as high-power (~1000 MWe) generation facilities. Bill Gates featured TerraPower in his 2010 TED talk.
In 2010 a group from TerraPower applied for patent EP 2324480 A1 following WO2010019199A1 Heat pipe nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor cooling. The application was deemed withdrawn in 2014.
In September, 2015 TerraPower and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop a TWR. TerraPower plans to build a 600 MWe demonstration Plant, the TWR-P, by 20182022 followed by larger commercial plants of 1150 MWe in the late 2020s
CNNC said the technology uses 30 percent to 40 percent of the isotopes in natural uranium, compared with just 0.7 percent in conventional models, and reactors could run for decades without requiring additional fuel.
CNNC and its rival China General Nuclear are both developing small modular reactors that can be deployed in remote regions as well as mobile ship-mounted units that can be used to supply power to offshore drilling platforms or small islands.
Shenhua, which is in the middle of a merger with state power giant Guodian, is seeking to diversify away from coal and coal-fired power, and it has already been in talks with CNNC and CGN to invest in nuclear projects.
Researchers from the University of Bristol have discovered that super-powerful quantum computers, which scientists and engineers across the world are racing to build, need to be even more powerful than previously thought before they can beat todays classical computers.
Research groups at leading universities and companies, including Google, Microsoft and IBM, are part of a worldwide race to realise the first quantum computer that crosses into the quantum computational singularity or quantum supremacy.
This represents a point where quantum computers become faster than any non-quantum supercomputer. Quantum computers have vastly better speed scaling. So once quantum computers surpass classical computers then quantum computers will remain dominant.
A team of scientists from Bristol have discovered that the boundary to this singularity is further away than previously thought.
The results apply to a highly influential quantum algorithm known as boson sampling, which was devised as a very direct route to demonstrate quantum computings supremacy over classical machines.
The boson sampling problem is designed to be solved by photons (particles of light) controlled in optical chips technology pioneered by Bristols Quantum Engineering and Technology Labs (QETLabs).
Predicting the pattern of many photons emerging from a large optical chip is related to an extremely hard random matrix calculation.
With the rapid progress in quantum technologies, it appeared as though a boson sampling experiment that crossed into the quantum computational singularity was within reach. However, the Bristol team were able to redesign an old classical algorithm to simulate boson sampling, with dramatic consequences.
Dr Anthony Laing, who heads a group in QETLabs and led this research, said: Its like tuning up an old propeller aeroplane to go faster than an early jet aircraft.
Were at a moment in history where it is still possible for classical algorithms to outperform the quantum algorithms that we expect to ultimately be supersonic.
It was believed that 30 or even 20 photons would be enough to demonstrate quantum computational supremacy.
Yet he was able to simulate boson sampling for 20 photons on his own laptop, and increased the simulation size to 30 photons by using departmental servers.
Alex added: With access to todays most powerful supercomputer, we could simulate boson sampling with 50 photons.
But demonstrating such a feat [finding or creating better classical algorithms] meant assembling a crack team of scientists, mathematicians, and programmers.
Nature Physics Classical boson sampling algorithms with superior performance to near-term experiments
It is predicted that quantum computers will dramatically outperform their conventional counterparts. However, large-scale universal quantum computers are yet to be built. Boson sampling is a rudimentary quantum algorithm tailored to the platform of linear optics, which has sparked interest as a rapid way to demonstrate such quantum supremacy. Photon statistics are governed by intractable matrix functions, which suggests that sampling from the distribution obtained by injecting photons into a linear optical network could be solved more quickly by a photonic experiment than by a classical computer. The apparently low resource requirements for large boson sampling experiments have raised expectations of a near-term demonstration of quantum supremacy by boson sampling. Here we present classical boson sampling algorithms and theoretical analyses of prospects for scaling boson sampling experiments, showing that near-term quantum supremacy via boson sampling is unlikely. Our classical algorithm, based on Metropolised independence sampling, allowed the boson sampling problem to be solved for 30 photons with standard computing hardware. Compared to current experiments, a demonstration of quantum supremacy over a successful implementation of these classical methods on a supercomputer would require the number of photons and experimental components to increase by orders of magnitude, while tackling exponentially scaling photon loss.
Press release: The Nobel Prize in Physics 2017
3 October 2017
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Physics 2017 with one half to
Rainer Weiss
LIGO/VIRGO Collaboration
and the other half jointly to
Barry C. Barish
LIGO/VIRGO Collaboration
and
Kip S. Thorne
LIGO/VIRGO Collaboration
for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves
Gravitational waves finally captured
On 14 September 2015, the universes gravitational waves were observed for the very first time. The waves, which were predicted by Albert Einstein a hundred years ago, came from a collision between two black holes. It took 1.3 billion years for the waves to arrive at the LIGO detector in the USA.
The signal was extremely weak when it reached Earth, but is already promising a revolution in astrophysics. Gravitational waves are an entirely new way of observing the most violent events in space and testing the limits of our knowledge.
LIGO, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, is a collaborative project with over one thousand researchers from more than twenty countries. Together, they have realised a vision that is almost fifty years old. The 2017 Nobel Laureates have, with their enthusiasm and determination, each been invaluable to the success of LIGO. Pioneers Rainer Weiss and Kip S. Thorne, together with Barry C. Barish, the scientist and leader who brought the project to completion, ensured that four decades of effort led to gravitational waves finally being observed.
In the mid-1970s, Rainer Weiss had already analysed possible sources of background noise that would disturb measurements, and had also designed a detector, a laser-based interferometer, which would overcome this noise. Early on, both Kip Thorne and Rainer Weiss were firmly convinced that gravitational waves could be detected and bring about a revolution in our knowledge of the universe.
Gravitational waves spread at the speed of light, filling the universe, as Albert Einstein described in his general theory of relativity. They are always created when a mass accelerates, like when an ice-skater pirouettes or a pair of black holes rotate around each other. Einstein was convinced it would never be possible to measure them. The LIGO projects achievement was using a pair of gigantic laser interferometers to measure a change thousands of times smaller than an atomic nucleus, as the gravitational wave passed the Earth.
So far all sorts of electromagnetic radiation and particles, such as cosmic rays or neutrinos, have been used to explore the universe. However, gravitational waves are direct testimony to disruptions in spacetime itself. This is something completely new and different, opening up unseen worlds. A wealth of discoveries awaits those who succeed in capturing the waves and interpreting their message.
Read more about this years prize
Popular Science Background
Pdf 1.7 MB
Scientific Background
Pdf 2.2 MB
Image Gravitational waves (pdf 162 kB)
Image Two black holes (pdf 508 kB)
Image LIGO (pdf 1.7 MB)
Image LIGO in the USA (pdf 1.6 MB)
All illustrations: Copyright Johan Jarnestad/The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Rainer Weiss, born 1932 in Berlin, Germany. Ph.D. 1962 from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA. Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA.
http://web.mit.edu/physics/people/faculty/weiss_rainer.html B
Barry C. Barish, born 1936 in Omaha, NE, USA. Ph.D. 1962 from University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Linde Professor of Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
https://labcit.ligo.caltech.edu/~BCBAct/ K
Kip S. Thorne, born 1940 in Logan, UT, USA. Ph.D. 1965 from Princeton University, NJ, USA. Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
https://www.its.caltech.edu/~kip/index.html/
LIGO/VIRGO COLLABORATION
www.ligo.org
Prize amount: 9 million Swedish krona.
Further information: www.kva.se and http://nobelprize.org
Press contact: Jessica Balksjo Nannini, Press Officer, Phone +46 8 673 95 44, +46 70 673 96 50, [email protected]
Experts: Olga Botner, member of the Nobel Committee for Physics, Phone +46 73-390 86 50, [email protected],
Ulf Danielsson, member of the Nobel Committee for Physics, Phone +46 70-314 10 86, [email protected]
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, founded in 1739, is an independent organisation whose overall objective is to promote the sciences and strengthen their influence in society. The Academy takes special responsibility for the natural sciences and mathematics, but endeavours to promote the exchange of ideas between various disciplines.
Nobel Prize is a registered trademark of the Nobel Foundation.
To cite this section
MLA style: Press release: The Nobel Prize in Physics 2017. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Prize Outreach AB 2022. Tue. 15 Nov 2022.
You are clearly a super-user of NUVO.net. Thats a good thing. It means you depend on independent and local news sources to keep you informed. You are a smart person.
Coincidentally, independent and local news sources depend on you too. Youve read 25 articles this month and now, wed like you to be join our mission and become a NUVO Supporter. For as little as $4 a month, you can keep us alive and fighting -- and can have unlimited access to the independent news that cant be found anywhere else.
Authorities have not officially released details on the weapons a gunman used to kill 58 people and wound about 500 more late on Sunday in Las Vegas. But analysis of video posted on social media shows that the gunman, identified by the police as Stephen Paddock, 64, had rifles with rapid-fire capabilities.
An arsenal of firearms was recovered from Mr. Paddocks hotel room, said Sheriff Joseph Lombardo of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. At least one rifle in Mr. Paddocks suite had a bump stock, a device used to retrofit a semiautomatic firearm to make it function like a fully automatic weapon, according to a law enforcement official who requested anonymity to divulge details of the investigation.
This video shows 15 seconds of the attack, with constant gunshots ringing out.
Isolated, the pattern of gunshots looks like this.
Las Vegas About 90 shots in 10 seconds
Compare that with audio extracted from a video of the June 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, in which 49 people were killed and 53 were wounded. The gunman, Omar Mateen, used at least two guns, including a semiautomatic AR-15-style assault rifle.
Orlando nightclub 24 shots in 9 seconds
In contrast, a fully automatic weapon, like this pre-1986 Colt AR-15A2, sounds different. There are no variations in the firing rate like there was in the Las Vegas shooting.
Fully automatic weapon 98 shots in 7 seconds
How did he fire so quickly?
The Las Vegas gunman modified at least one of his semiautomatic rifles to fire faster using a bump stock.
Slide Fire, a main manufacturer of bump-fire stocks, shows how the product works in the promotional video below.
Promotional video by Slide Fire
The device replaces a rifles standard stock, which is the part held against the shoulder. It frees the weapon to slide back and forth rapidly because of recoil, with the stock bouncing, or bumping, between the shooters shoulder and trigger finger.
The shooter holds his or her trigger finger in place, while maintaining forward pressure on the barrel and backward pressure on the pistol grip while firing. This modification can be done legally and allows the user to fire at rates similar to those of automatic weapons.
A potentially harmful algae bloom covered more than 700 square miles in the western basin of Lake Erie last week, turning the lake bright green and alarming residents and local officials.
Sept. 26 LAKE ERIE TOLEDO 5 miles Sept. 26 LAKE ERIE TOLEDO 5 miles Sept. 26 LAKE ERIE TOLEDO 10 miles Sept. 26 LAKE ERIE TOLEDO 5 miles Source: Landsat 8
Scientists say that algae blooms have been a growing problem for Lake Erie since the 2000s, mostly because of the extensive use of fertilizer on the regions farmland.
The algae blooms contain cyanobacteria, which, under certain conditions, can produce toxins that contaminate drinking water and cause harm to the local ecosystem.
During last weeks bloom, the amount of toxins in the algae remained low at the intake points where towns draw water from the lake, according to officials.
Lake Eries algae blooms are driven by a landscape dominated by agriculture.
LAKE ERIE Toledo Farmland 20 miles LAKE ERIE Toledo Farmland 10 miles LAKE ERIE Toledo Farmland 10 miles Rain causes nutrients from fertilizers on farmland to run off into rivers. River Raisin Maumee River River Raisin Maumee River Sandusky River River Raisin Maumee River Sandusky River The nutrients travel along rivers, eventually reaching Lake Erie.
In the Maumee River, the largest tributary to any of the Great Lakes, green algae was visible last week in an aerial photograph.
According to experts, excess nutrients that are transported by the Maumee River can be a good indicator of how severe an algae bloom in the lake will be.
Maumee River Maumee River Maumee River Source: Aerial Associates Photography, Inc., Zachary Haslick
Millions of people get drinking water from Lake Erie. Previous blooms have been toxic.
While not all algae blooms are toxic, they can produce a type of toxin called microcystin that can cause serious liver damage under certain conditions. Dangerous levels of the toxin caused Toledo, Ohio, to shut down the drinking water supply of a half-million residents for three days in 2014.
In total, almost 3 million people get drinking water from the central basin of Lake Erie. Officials have been testing the intake pipes in the lake where towns draw water and report that the current toxin levels are low.
CANADA MICHIGAN Water intake point LAKE ERIE Algae OHIO CANADA MICHIGAN Water intake point LAKE ERIE Algae OHIO Source: NASA MODIS
Note: Only intake points for towns and cities in Ohio are shown.
The blooms are hurting the regions economy.
Lake Erie attracts millions of visitors for beaches and recreation like fishing, and many businesses stand to lose money during large algae blooms.
David Spangler, vice president of the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, describes the algae as a musty-smelling, lime-green skin on the lakes surface thats so thick you could write your name in it.
An awful lot of money may go someplace else other than Ohio if we continue having these issues in the lake, Mr. Spangler said. He noted that in 2015, an algae bloom kept boats out of the lake for six to seven weeks.
The algae blooms are getting larger.
Since the 2000s, algae blooms in Lake Erie have become much more extensive.
Area of maximum summertime blooms 1,500 square miles 1,300 square miles 1,000 500 0 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Area of maximum summertime blooms 1,500 square miles 1,300 square miles 1,000 500 0 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Source: Carnegie Institute for Science and Stanford University
According to one study by the Carnegie Institute for Science and Stanford University , most of the increase in the size of the blooms can be attributed to a rise in the amount of dissolved phosphorus flowing into the lake.
Cumulative dissolved phosphorous in Lake Erie 5k metric tons 4 3 2 1 0 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Cumulative dissolved phosphorous in Lake Erie 5k metric tons 4 3 2 1 0 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Source: Carnegie Institute for Science and Stanford University
In the 1980s, researchers started tracking algae blooms in Lake Erie. They were mostly small, but changes in farming practices caused them to spike.
The blooms are expected to grow more harmful as global warming changes rainfall patterns.
According to local experts, storms have become more intense in the region, carrying more nutrients from the farmland into the lake.
Another study from the Carnegie Institution for Science shows that extensive algae blooms will continue to grow throughout the continental United States and around the globe, especially in Southeast Asia.
The mayor of Toledo, Paula Hicks-Hudson, wrote a letter to President Trump on Sept. 26, calling on the federal government to declare Lake Erie impaired, which would allow for the lakes nutrient loads to be regulated under the Clean Water Act.
Ever since Justice Anthony M. Kennedy left the door open to a workable standard to limit partisan gerrymandering, political scientists have sought to construct a measure to satisfy him. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear a case that will test whether theyve pulled it off.
At the center of the case is the efficiency gap, a relatively new measure of partisan gerrymandering. A federal court in Wisconsin ruled in November that the states Republican-controlled legislature had discriminated against Democratic voters, and it partly relied on the efficiency gap to find that the Wisconsin State Assembly map was an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander.
Whether its persuasive to Justice Kennedy expected to be the key swing vote in the case is another matter. The efficiency gap is not a perfect measure. But it would probably address many of gerrymanderings problems, with few downsides.
Heres what the efficiency gap is, what it does well, what it doesnt do so well and what it might ultimately mean for American democracy.
What Is It?
In general, the goal of a partisan gerrymander is to force the other side to waste votes, and thats exactly what the efficiency gap measures.
A wasted vote is one that doesnt contribute to winning any additional districts. All of the votes beyond what's necessary to win a district are "wasted" in victory. All votes are wasted in defeat, since they didnt result in any seat at all.
There are two types of wasted votes: 1 All the votes cast for the losing candidate 2 All the extra votes for the winning candidate
Partisan gerrymandering follows this logic by employing so-called packing and cracking, two tactics to force the other side to waste votes. With packing, one partys votes are concentrated into a district, resulting in wasted votes in lopsided victories. With cracking, one partys votes are split among several districts that lean safely to the other side.
The efficiency gap measurement aims to summarize the effect of gerrymandering by identifying all of the wasted votes in victory and defeat for both parties. It then adds them up, finds the difference between the two sides, and divides that by the total number of votes in a state. This yields a single percentage figure: the efficiency gap. The creators of the measurement, Eric McGhee, research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California, and Nicholas Stephanopoulos, professor at the University of Chicago Law School, propose that a gap of 7 percent or higher should be enough to find that a state may have committed an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander.
This process of adding up the wasted votes in each district is a little cumbersome. But this formula can be simplified to a theoretical relationship between vote share and the number of seats that a party should win.
Over all, its a simple measure that elegantly follows the logic of partisan gerrymandering. And it satisfies many of Justice Kennedys requirements for a gerrymandering test. It does not, for instance, require an analysis of hypothetical elections, and its straightforward enough to understand.
What Works Well
Does it work? Well, the results do look about right.
The congressional and state legislative maps that have been considered most notorious are found to be in violation using this standard.
Exactly which states violate the efficiency gap depends a bit on the details. Wisconsins state legislative districts are in question in the case, but the basic issues are the same for congressional maps, and well focus on those here.
There are two potential standards for whether a states congressional map is in violation: the 7 percent threshold suggested earlier, or if the plan costs a party two seats in a state. Small states are likelier to fail the percentage threshold test, while the two-seat threshold is more likely to trip up big states. There are also judgment calls needed on how to handle uncontested elections here, we impute the results and turnout using a model based on recent congressional and presidential election results. But the conclusion is basically the same no matter the approach.
In looking at the 2016 congressional elections, there are five states in violation by both the seat and percentage measures: Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina, New York and Michigan. With the exception of New York, no one would dispute that these lines were ruthlessly drawn to favor the Republicans.
In addition, theres a longer list of medium-size states that violate the percentage measure but dont quite hit a two-seat threshold. Ohio, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Virginia and Alabama all have efficiency gaps over 10 percentage points in favor of the party that controlled redistricting, while Indiana has a 9 percent efficiency gap. All of these congressional maps could be vulnerable to a legal challenge under the proposed standard.
These results would largely pass the gut-check test for most fair-minded observers. But theyre not quite perfect either, and they hint at some of the limitations of the test. Illinois, where Democrats plainly used the redistricting process to their advantage, is considered well balanced by this measure. It actually has a Republican-leaning efficiency gap. And New York, drawn by a court-appointed magistrate, is considered a Republican gerrymander with a 10 percent efficiency gap in favor of the Republicans. But in truth, few would argue that New Yorks map is balanced against the Democrats at all, let alone by so much.
So whats going on? Political geography.
What Doesnt Work Well
Gerrymandering isnt the only reason one party might waste many more votes than the other. Parties can naturally pack or crack themselves, simply because of how their voters are distributed geographically.
The efficiency gap doesnt distinguish between votes wasted by gerrymandering or by natural causes. Thats probably the biggest practical limitation of the measure.
Its not a small issue. Democrats routinely win major cities with more than 80 percent of the vote. Nationally, virtually all of the seats with the most wasted votes in victory are Democratic-held urban districts. For the most part, theyre not gerrymandered at all.
Number of wasted votes in victory by congressional district
2016 presidential election
The effect of all of these wasted Democratic votes in urban areas is considerable. Its enough, for instance, to make a fair map in New York look like a partisan gerrymander. There, Hillary Clinton won more than 75 percent of the major party vote in 10 of the states 27 districts. But no gerrymandering was required as Mrs. Clinton won 81 percent of the major party vote in densely populated New York City.
Similarly, the efficiency gap measure makes Illinoiss Democratic gerrymander look like a balanced map. Mrs. Clinton won 78 percent of the major party vote in Cook County, which includes 40 percent of Illinoiss population. The Democrats made a herculean effort to undo this disadvantage. They unpacked Chicago and Cook County as best they could, spoking the citys districts out to the suburbs, exurbs and even the countryside. But even this was insufficient to give the Democrats a real advantage. Republicans and Donald J. Trump still won seven of Illinoiss 18 congressional districts, even in a state Mrs. Clinton carried easily.
Geography is probably the biggest reason Republicans are skeptical of the efficiency gap. Various amicus briefs contend that the measure is biased against Republicans. They argue that a remedy could even require maps that violate nonpartisan criteria, like those districts that spoke out of Chicago.
Theres some merit to the Republican argument. If Democrats are at a geographic disadvantage compared with the Republicans, Democrats would generally have more flexibility to draw maps that deviate from nonpartisan standards, like compactness or following jurisdictional lines, without generating a 7 percent efficiency gap violation as they have in Illinois. Republicans, meanwhile, might draw relatively fair maps that might seem to disadvantage Democrats. Indiana is a good example.
One could argue that the courts shouldnt view Democratic gerrymanders as especially troubling if they dont create the same burden on Republican voters to translate their votes to seats, but Republicans are unlikely to see it that way.
Making matters worse for the Republicans: The efficiency gap isnt great at measuring the one big Democratic geography advantage: Hispanic districts. Here, the Democrats advantage is that they can translate votes to seats at an efficient rate, thanks to the extremely low turnout-to-population ratio of Hispanic areas, which, for good measure, are not always overwhelmingly Democratic. The efficiency gap, if anything, gets this backward. Its measuring wasted votes, after all, and the low turnout of these districts means that the Republicans waste very few in Hispanic districts.
Right now, Illinois and New York are probably the only two states where the efficiency gap is misled by geography. But it could be a much bigger issue in the future. An easy way to tell is to look at the 2016 presidential race rather than U.S. House races. Based on presidential results, efficiency gap violations would spread to 18 of the 26 states with more than five congressional districts. The nonpartisan maps in Arizona and Minnesota, the bipartisan map in New Jersey, and, incredibly, the Democratic-drawn map in Illinois would all violate the 7 percent threshold in favor of the Republicans.
Its worth noting that there isnt much danger that fair maps will be found to be unconstitutional gerrymanders, even if they fail the efficiency gap. Under the test proposed by the plaintiffs, the courts would have to find motive as well. Similarly, the state would have the opportunity to show that the imbalance was because of political geography.
But the presidential election results nonetheless show how significant the Democratic geography disadvantage has become. It can easily create the appearance of a partisan gerrymander. It is directionally consistent with the notion that the Democratic geography disadvantage would somewhat bias the efficiency gap measure against the Republicans. And it hints at a core challenge for the plaintiffs: The efficiency gap isnt as easy as it looks.
The Role of the Courts
The courts would have to assess whether geography explains the efficiency gap in just about every case.
In the Wisconsin case, the federal court concluded that political geography did not explain the entirety of the Republican edge because there were alternative plans with a smaller Republican advantage.
If this ultimately becomes a standard way to rebut the geography argument, as it has in racial gerrymandering cases, gerrymandering opponents will probably be well off. It is usually possible to draw a relatively fair map, even in states where geography really does significantly burden one party.
But things get more complicated if the courts dont simply accept the presence of an alternative, fair plan as proof that geography isnt responsible. After all, the fact that a more balanced map was possible doesnt prove that a less balanced map was a result of partisan gerrymandering, as the New York and Minnesota maps plainly show.
The difference between the presidential election results and congressional election results hints at another problem: The efficiency gap is very noisy. It can shift back and forth from cycle to cycle. That's mainly because the efficiency gap emphasizes the difference between winning and losing a district. If you win by one vote, all of your opponents votes are wasted, and just one of yours; lose by one vote and the opposite is true.
As a result, the courts would probably need to look across many elections to assess whether a map is in violation. They would also probably check to see whether the result would be very different if the election had gone a little differently. The courts will undoubtedly consider other potential measures of partisan symmetry or gerrymandering, including whether the map violates nonpartisan criteria like compactness or violating jurisdictional lines.
None of this represents an insurmountable challenge to the efficiency gap. But it means that the efficiency gap isnt really what it seems. It is not a test of partisan gerrymandering. It is a test of whether a congressional map burdens the voters of a political party to an extent that is likely to be persistent for a decade. Whether voters were burdened because of an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander, geography or bad luck is another matter. Its the sort of matter that the courts have been resolving for decades in racial gerrymandering cases, but that doesnt mean its easy or clear.
What Might Be Coming in 2020
The efficiency gap has real limitations. But from a practical standpoint, this is not necessarily a deal breaker. The efficiency gap is not the entirety of the plaintiffs proposed legal test. The standard of motive would probably prevent fair, nonpartisan maps from being struck down. The opportunity to show that geography, not gerrymandering, was responsible for the bias would most likely protect those states as well. And the courts could consider other measures, as the federal courts did in the Wisconsin case.
There is a better chance that the efficiency gap will fail to capture some maps that deviate considerably from nonpartisan standards like preserving communities of interest. These maps are likelier to be Democratic-led gerrymanders, given the partys distinct geographic disadvantage.
But anyone afraid of letting, say, the Democratic gerrymander in Illinois get by should be concerned about what might be coming in 2020.
In 1986, Justice Sandra Day OConnor wrote that gerrymandering was a self-limiting enterprise. A majority party must weaken some of its safe seats to win additional seats; therefore, gerrymanders can wind up increasing the number of vulnerable seats. This was probably right in 1986. The countrys political geography wasnt so reliably and deeply polarized, and that limited what a gerrymander could accomplish.
But this wasnt so true by 2010, and it is even less true today. There are now strong incentives for parties to pursue gerrymanders that go much further than they did in 2010. In 2020, many states could all but end competitive congressional districts in their state.
Take Pennsylvania. Today, Democrats hold only five of the states 18 congressional districts. Its hard for Democrats to imagine that it could be worse. But it could be. After all, there are still five competitive, Republican-held districts in southeastern Pennsylvania outside Philadelphia.
Why are there competitive districts in southeast Pennsylvania? At the time Pennsylvania Republicans redrew the map, Justice OConnors point about self-limiting gerrymandering was quite relevant. Democrats had a record of competing across rural and post-industrial Pennsylvania, even though President Obama didnt fare especially well on traditionally Democratic turf. Republicans had little incentive to dilute the Philadelphia suburbs further, and they would have been endangering their central Pennsylvania seats anyway.
That logic may not hold today. In fact, its not a given that there have to be competitive districts in the Philadelphia suburbs anymore. Mrs. Clinton won 41 percent of the major party vote in the 14 districts outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, including the fifth Democratic district in northeast Pennsylvania. Republicans could probably figure out a way to make several or even all of the competitive districts in southeastern Pennsylvania safely Republican. There would be a practical challenge in spoking the Philadelphia suburbs to such an extreme extent, but it could probably be done, and even if it couldnt they could still greatly improve on the map they have now.
IT'S BACK! Amazon Great Indian Festival (4th - 8th Oct) - Upto 80% Off & Win 1 Year's Free Shopping*
Feature
oi-Madhuri
GOOD NEWS! Have you been wailing that you missed Great Indian Festival that held between 20st - 24th Sep'17 from e-commerce giant Amazon? You don't have to anymore. Amazon India pitching the Great Indian Festival once again from tomorrow till 8th Oct'17 and this time over 10 Crore products leaking out price tags to come under Great Saving league. Get the big deal on big brands and refresh and rejoice the upcoming Diwali festival with a boom. So what are the offers that are on the table? Scroll below and find out right now.
Amazon offering up to 40% off on mobiles, up to 80% off on Mobile Accessories, up to 40% off on Air Conditioners and up to 30 and 35% off on Refrigerators and Washing Machines respectively. Other than these, customers can expect up to Rs. 20,000 off on Laptops, up to 50% off on Storage Devices, 60% off on Network Devices, Headphone & Speakers.
On the Fashion Store, there is up to 70% off on Men & Women Clothing, Kid's Fashion and Lifestyle Accessories.
On Kitchen Appliances, Amazon allowing discount up to 60% off and same goes for the Home Accessories, Toys & Baby Products and more.
Other Offers: Pay in easy installments as No Cost EMI is on the table. Plus enjoy instant discount and doorstep pickup on exchange offers.
What are the Bank and Amazon Pay Offer This Time?
Citi Bank offering 10% additional Cashback on its credit and debit cards whereas AmazonPay offering 15% back* for the customers who shop with balance.
How To Win 1 Year's Free Shopping?
Customers have to answer The Festive Riddles correctly through the Amazon App between the Contest Period that last on 15th Oct'17 and by which one will be entitled to a lucky draw and the declared winner will be eligible to win Rs. 10,000 monthly credit for 1 year as Amazon Pay Balance.
Go to Amazon right now. You can also save more on your shopping using deals, discounts, and free coupons; go to 'Oneindia Coupons' right now to find out more.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 16:41 [IST]
Pay matrix at cell one
The Finance Ministry will be improvising this matrix. The Pay Matrix starts at Rs1,18,500 at Cell one and ends at Rs2,14,100 at Cell 21, the ministry said, adding that the said level has been modified. This Index of Rationalisation' has been applied by the Commission on the minimum entry pay corresponding to the successive Grades Pay in the pre-Revised pay structure, the report said.
Pay in the Level-13 is to be fixed by multiplying by a factor of 2.57 or 2.67
The Pay Commission, while formulating the various Levels contained in the Pay Matrix, corresponding to the pre-Revised pay structure, used "Index Of Rationalization" (IOR) to arrive at the starting Cell of each Level (the 1st Cell) of the Pay Matrix. This IOR has been applied by the Commission on the minimum entry pay corresponding to the successive Grades Pay in the pre-Revised pay structure. In Level-13 of the Pay Matrix, as formulated by the pay panel and as accepted by the Government in terms of the CCS(RP) Rules, 2016 promulgated vide notification dt. 25.7.2016, the IOR was 2.57. The IOR in respect of both Levels 12 and Level 13-A, i.e., Levels immediately lower and immediately higher than Level-13, is 2.67. Therefore, the modified Level-13 in terms of the Pay Matrix contained in the CCS(Revised Pay) (Amendment) Rules, 2017 has also been formulated based on the IOR of 2.67. While the concept of the IOR, as applied by the pay panel, is exclusively in regard to formulation of the Levels in Pay Matrix, the formula for fixation of pay in the Pay Matrix based on the basic pay drawn in the pre-revised pay structure for the purpose of migration to the Pay Matrix, as recommended by the commission, is based on the fitment factor of 2.57. The Commission recommends "this fitment factor of 2.57 is being proposed to be applied uniformly for all employees." Accordingly, Rule 7 (1)(A)(i) of the CCS(RP) Rules, 2016, relating to fixation of pay in the revised pay structure, clearly provides that "in case of all employees the pay in the applicable level in the Pay Matrix shall be the pay obtained by multiplying the existing pay by a factor of 2.57........."
Thus, the fitment factor for the purpose of fixation of pay in all the Levels of Pay Matrix in the revised pay structure is altogether different from the IOR. The fitment factor of 2.57 is uniformly applicable for all employees for the purpose of fixation of pay in all the Levels of Pay Matrix. This has no relation with the "IOR". The formula for fixation of pay based on the fitment factor of 2.57, as contained in Rule 7(1)(A)(i) of the CCS(RP) Rules,2016, has not been modified by the CCS (Revised Pay) (Amendment) Rules,2017.
Accordingly, pay in the Level-13 of the Pay Matrix, as provided for in the CCS(Revised Pay) (Amendment) Rules, 2017, shall continue to be fixed based on the fitment factor of 2.57 as already provided for in Rule 7(1) (A) (1) of CCS(RP) Rules, 2016. In case pay has been fixed in the modified Level-13 by way of fitment factor of 2.67, the same is contrary to the Rules and is liable to be rectified and excess amount recovered forthwith.
Pay re-fixed in the modified Level-13 working out lower than the pay fixed in the earlier Level-13:
As mentioned above, earlier Level 13 in operation before the coming into force of CCS(Revised Pay) (Amendment) Rules, 2017 promulgated vide notification dt. 15.6.2017, has become non-existent ab-initio and the modified Level 13 as contained in CCS(Revised Pay) (Amendment) Rules, 2017 is the applicable Level 13 from 1.1.2016. Therefore, the earlier Level 13 is extinct and, hence, no employee can retain the some consequent upon promulgation of CCS(Revised Pay)(Amendment) Rules, 2017.
As such, pay in respect of those, who are entitled to Level 13 either from 1.1.2016 or from any date later than 1.1.2016, has to be re-fixed in the modified Level 13 and the pay as earlier fixed in the earlier Level 13 gets automatically rescinded. Therefore, pay, as fixed in the modified Level 13 in terms of Rule 7 of the CCS(RP)Rules, 2016 in case of those who were drawing pay in the pre-revised pay structure in PB-4 plus Grade Pay of Rs.8700 as on 31.12.2015 or in terms of Rule 13 thereof in case of those promoted to Level 13 on or after 1.1.2016, shall now be the pay for all purposes. However, a few instances have been brought to the notice of this Ministry, where pay fixed in the modified Level-13 contained in CCS (RP) (Amendment) Rules,2017 works out less than the pay fixed in the earlier Level-13 before promulgation of this amendment.
The pay fixed strictly in terms of the applicable provisions of CCS(RP) Rules, 2016 in the earlier Level-13 before promulgation of CCS(Revised Pay) (Amendment) Rules, 2017, was the pay before the date of promulgation of the said Amendment Rules on 15.6.2017. As pay is now required to be re-fixed in the Level-13 contained in the CCS(Revised Pay) (Amendment) Rules, 2017, any overpayment, if taking place, consequent upon such re-fixation is not attributable to the concerned employee.
Re-exercise of option for coming over to the Revised Pay structure in case of Level 13
A reference has been received whether in view of the modification in the Level 13 in terms of the CCS(Revised Pay) (Amendment) Rules, 2017 promulgated on 15.6.2017 with effect from 1.1.2016, the date of effect of the revised pay structure contained in CCS(RP) Rules, 2016, the employees who are entitled to the Level 13 on 1.1.2016 may be given fresh option to come over to the revised pay structure in case of modified Level 13.
The matter has been considered and it has been decided that since the modification of the Level 13 as per CCS(Revised Pay) (Amendment) Rules, 2017 is a material change, the employees, who were entitled to Level 13 as on 1.1.2016 and who had already opted for the earlier Level-13 as per Rules 5 and 6 of the CCS(RP) Rules, 2016, shall be given an opportunity for re-exercise of their option there under. Such an option may be exercised within three months from the date of issue of these orders.
In their application to employees belonging to the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Ahead of Amit Shah's visit to Kerala 3 BJP workers attacked
India
oi-PTI
Kasargod (Ker), October 3: Ahead of the launch of 'Jan Raksha Yatra' today by the BJP, three party workers were attacked by unidentified men allegedly belonging to the CPI(M) in Neeleswaram town in Kasargod district.
The attack happened around 9:30 pm when the BJP workers were decorating a part of the National Highway-66 for the 15- day march, which will be launched by BJP chief Amit Shah.
The three injured BJP workers were being treated at a private hospital in Neeleswaram, the police said. No case has been registered in connection with the incident so far.
BJP Kasargod district secretary Sreekanth said nearly 20 CPI(M) workers attacked BJP activists without provocation, while they were decorating a road side at Neeleswaram market. Flex boards, tube-lights and a two-wheeler was also damaged, he said.
CPI(M) cadres, who could not tolerate the growing political influence of the BJP in the state were indulging in such attacks, he alleged.
Sreekanth further said around 15,000 BJP cadres were likely to participate from the district in stages during the march.
PTI
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 9:14 [IST]
Only those from political families can eye a CMs post in Congress: Amit Shah
Uniform Civil Code in Himachal if BJP comes to power: Amit Shah
Amit Shah announces padyatra, blames CPI(M) for Kerala violence
India
oi-PTI
BJP President Amit Shah on Tuesday attacked the Left saying that political killings are common in both Kerala and Tripura, both Left front rules states.
Addressing a rally in the CPI(M) bastion, Shah announced a two-week 'padyatra', against the Communist Party of India (Marxist) targeting his party's workers, in all state capitals from Wednesday.
Shah said Vijayan was responsible for the violence in the state. BJP workers were victims of "political murders", he added.
Shah is here to launch a fortnight-long march, called Jan Raksha Yatra, by the party in the state to protest alleged political violence by the Left party. He said his party would use democratic means to fight Left rule in the state.
"CPI(M) leader and Kerala chief minister Vijayan is directly responsible for all political murders in Kerala," he alleged.
As many as 120 BJP workers, 84 in Kannur alone, have been killed in the state since 2001. Fourteen people were killed in Kannur since the CPI(M) came to power last year, the BJP had said yesterday.
Earlier today, Shah offered prayers at the famous Rajarajeswara Temple in Taliparamba near Kannur. The senior BJP leader arrived at Mangalore airport early this morning and reached the temple by road from Bakel, an official in the party's state media department said. He was accompanied by state BJP leaders.
Shah was received by temple authorities. The BJP President, who spent 30 minutes at the temple, offered a golden pot to the deity. The Rajarajeswara Temple at Taliparamba is a famous Shiva temple in North Malabar.
After offering prayers, Shah proceeded to Payyannur to launch the 15-day march in the state against the alleged 'red terrorism' unleashed by the Left party against BJP and Sangh parivar workers.
The Jan Raksha Yatra (people's protection march) from Payyannur will travel through the state before culminating in Thiruvananthapuram on 17 October.
The CPI(M) has, in turn, accused the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of resorting to violence and denied the involvement of its government and leadership in political killings.
Several Union ministers will also participate in the march under the theme of "All have to live!! Against Jihadi-Red Terror."
PTI
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 16:36 [IST]
Armed with a confession and approver, NIA set to crack Kashmir terror funding case
India
oi-Vicky
By Vicky
The investigations into the Kashmir terror funding case is progressing swiftly. While evidence galore has been gathered, the National Investigation Agency has also managed to get an approver in the case.
Armed with an approver and a confessional statement, the NIA will now take on the top Hurriyat leaders who are allegedly the masterminds of this entire case.
There have been probes in the past as well, but these leaders have never taken it seriously. This time around the documents seized and the huge number of arrests carried out suggests that the NIA is going for the big guns next.
NIA sources suggest that next in line could be Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq. The details against the two Hurriyat hawks is very strong in nature. Moreover these two separatists have been desperately looking for a good lawyer to defend them in court. The arrests of their aides and also Shabir Shah has sent the two into panic mode. They have the most to hide says the NIA official.
The NIA says that it is confident that this case would be taken to the logical end. The cases of the past have not been as strong. In fact the NIA had to drop a 2016 case on the same issue.
The probe this time is different for a variety of reasons. First and foremost the NIA has been given a free hand to probe the cases and there is no political compulsion on the agency on who to arrest and who not to. The probe was carried out in multiple directions.
Moreover if one looks at the manner in which Kashmir is being handled, it is text book Ajit Doval doctrine in which it says that the policy of non-appeasement must be shunned.
The NIA began with the foreign funding which came in from Pakistan, Dubai, London and Saudi Arabia. The agency then studied thousands of documents relating to the cross border trade. It was suspected that this route through the Line of Control was used to pump in the funds.
While these dimensions were already know, the NIA decided that it would actually act upon it and hence carried out the arrests. It was the arrests that became the turning point for the NIA. The questioning of these separatists and their associates only added weight to the evidence that the NIA had already sourced.
The arrests and this hectic probe by the NIA had its ripple effects in Kashmir as well. The unrest is dying a slow death and the funds are gradually drying up. Earlier separatists used to dole out money at will to fund stone pelters and terrorists. However this time they are careful, watchful as they are fully aware that a full-fledged probe with all its seriousness and minus the appeasement is on.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 7:01 [IST]
Ban on PFI: Home Ministry officials begin deliberations
India
oi-Vicky
By Vicky
Union Home Ministry officials held a series of meetings to study whether the Popular Front of India could be banned or not. The Home Ministry is examining a report submitted by the National Investigation against the radical Islamic group.
The NIA speaks about the killing of RSS worker Rudresh in Bengaluru. Further it details the professor's hand chopping case at Idukki. While giving details about a Kannur training camp from where country made bombs and swords were seized, the NIA report to the Home Ministry also speaks about an Islamic State module case.
The NIA says that the approach of the PFI is radical in nature. It speaks about recruiting only committed Muslims into its fold. It also states that the cadres train with clips of the Babri Masjid demolition and this is clearly a sign that it is trying to radicalise its cadres.
It is trying to run a parallel administration the NIA states. It speaks about the Darul Khada an outfit comprising Muslim scholars, social workers and advocates. This was set up in 2009, by SDPI national chief E Aboobacker. The NIA says that they run a parallel judiciary which settles a host of issues. The NIA dossier also states that in July 2009, a Kerala level declaration was passed by the Darul Khada in Mallappuram in which it had called upon the Muslim community not to attend civil courts, but get all issues sorted out by it.
The NIA also cited the most recent case it is probing in connection with Love Jihad. It speaks about the Sathyasarani Islamic Dawah an affiliate of the PFI. It says that this organisation is running an Islamic conversion centre and also details the rigorous religious training it is imparting.
OneIndia News
Bimal Gurung could settle for bipartite talks with the Union Government
India
oi-Amitava
By Amitava
Darjeeling, October 3, 2017: With fast changing political equations in the Hills, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha President Bimal Gurung stated that he is ready to hold bipartite talks with the Union Government if Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is not ready to sit across the table with him.
During the recent Gorkhaland agitation the GJM seeking the Union Government's intervention had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. Minister Singh had categorically stated that as Home is a State subject the West Bengal Government has to convene tripartite talks.
Later in a political maneuver the State Government had nominated a board to run the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) with rebel GJM leader Binay Tamang as the Chairman. This resulted in a vertical crack in the GJM.
The state Government then started propping Tamang. CM Mamata Banerjee held two round of talks with the rebel leader on the Darjeeling crisis.
Meanwhile after an appeal made by Union Home Minister Singh on September 26 to end the indefinite bandh assuring Gurung and his men of talks with the Union Government on "all related issues," Gurung declared the lifting of the bandh that had touched the 104 day mark.
However in the appeal the Union Home Minister had not clarified the nature (whether bipartite or tripartite) of the Delhi talks neither had he assured that talks would be held on the Gorkhaland issue, preferring "all related issues" instead.
Gurung, when confronted with the question as to what will be the fate of the meeting if West Bengal Chief Minister or the State Government does not want to sit with him, Gurung stated "Then we will hold bipartite talks with the Centre. On the assurances of Union Home Minister that talks would be held within a fortnight, we had lifted the bandh."
When asked whether he would attend the talks in Delhi as speculations were rife that the State Government could try to arrest him in Delhi or during the journey, Gurung stated "I am leading an agitation. Getting arrested is part of an agitation. If the situation demands and I decide to go to Delhi, I will go. Fear of arrest will not stop me."
Gurung implicated in numerous cases and charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) is on the run.
To foil the State Government's conspiracy to arrest me and derail the Gorkhaland agitation I am residing in jungles. Soon I will be amidst you" was Gurung's message to the public.
Gurung then questioned Binay Tamang's locus standi to attend talks. "Tamang is not elected. He was nominated as the Chairman of the Board of Administrators by the Chief Minister. How did the Chief Minister nominate him? He is also implicated in hundreds of cases like me. For their own political benefit the West Bengal Government is creating such a situation" alleged Gurung.
Gurung stated that only after date for the Delhi talk is confirmed the composition of the GJM team will be finalized. Meanwhile prior to the Delhi talks a BJP team led by State BJP President will be arriving at Kalimpong on Wednesday.
Political commentators feel that the BJP want to test the ground before the Delhi talks. Already there is growing resentment among the masses over Delhi's calculated silence during the agitation period and the prolonged bandh.
Rebel leader Tamang has asked the BJP to clarify their stand on the Gorkhaland issue before their Hill visit. He has warned the BJP of facing protests and demonstrations in the Hills.
"The BJP has won parliamentary elections twice on the Gorkhaland plank but have utterly failed to address the Gorkhaland issue" alleged Tamang.
Gurung however has appealed to the masses to meet the BJP delegation and apprise them of the alleged police excesses in the Hills and how the Gorkhas have been suppressed by the State Government. "GJM leaders will also be meeting the BJP team and apprising them of the present situation" added Gurung.
Ghosh along with other state leaders will be arriving at Kalimpong on Wednesday. "They will be attending Dusserah Milan Samaraho at the Marwari Palace in Kalimpong on Wednesday and the GDNS Hall in Darjeeling on Thursday. The State President will have an interactive session with the public, political leaders and intellectuals in Kalimpong and Darjeeling" stated Manoj Dewan, BJP Darjeeling District President. From Darjeeling the team will be visiting Sikkim.
Dubbing the BJP teams visit as "fishing in troubled waters" veteran CPIM leader Ashok Bhattacharya talking to media persons in Siliguri on Tuesday stated "Instead of trying to create further unrest, the BJP should try to press the Union Government to arrange for tripartite talks between the Union, State and the GJM so that the impasse can be diffused and a solution can be found at the earliest."
OnneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 22:06 [IST]
BJP forms manifesto committee for Karnataka assembly polls
India
oi-PTI
Bengaluru, October 3: In the run up to election due early next year, the BJP's Karnataka unit has constituted a 17-member manifesto committee. The committee is headed by former minister and MLA from the city S Suresh Kumar.
MPs Shivakumar Udasi and L Prabhakar Kore, and MLAs Basavaraj Bommai, Lakshamana Savadi and Ashwathnarayan, are members of the committee.
The party, which has announced its state unit president B S Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate, has set a target to win 150 seats in the 2018 Assembly polls.
The ruling Congress has not announced its chief ministerial candidate yet, but has said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will lead the party in the polls. JDS will be led by former chief minister and party's state unit president H D Kumaraswamy.
In the current Assembly, out of total 225 seats with one nominated member, the Congress has 123 MLAs, BJP 44, JD(S) 40, and rest are from smaller parties and independents.
According to BJP sources, Yeddyurappa is likely to contest from a constituency in a north Karnataka district this time, with an intention to attract more votes towards the party from the region. Shikaripura in Shivamogga district is Yeddyurappa's constituency.
Sounding the poll bugle in the state, BJP president Amit Shah had on a visit to the state in August declared that the party stands united. He is scheduled to visit Mangaluru tomorrow.
Shah's call for unity within the state unit had come amid the open bickerings between some of the party leaders until recently that had embarrassed the party.
Over alleged "arbitrary style" of functioning with another senior leader K S Eshwarappa, Yeddyurappa had come under criticism from a section of partymen until both were told to shun open display of differences.
PTI
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 16:44 [IST]
Rahul Gandhi has not said a word': Surjewala on 'collusion with BJP' remark
BSF camp attack: Modi govt compromising national security, says Randeep Surjewala
India
pti-PTI
New Delhi, Oct 3: The Congress denounced the government over a militant attack on a BSF camp near the Srinagar airport, accusing it of compromising national security.
Speaking to reporters here, Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged the government had proved to be a "total failure". He asked the prime minister when his administration would formulate a policy to deal with terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
"The attack is evidence of how the Modi government has compromised and toyed with national security. The question is what are Modiji and his government doing? When will we see the 56-inch chest?" Surjewala asked.
Earlier in the day, security forces gunned down three Jaish-e-Mohammed militants who stormed a BSF camp near the high-security Srinagar airport. An assistant sub-inspector of the force was also killed in the gunfight.
PTI
Lack of development in J&K for decades was one of the reasons behind rise of terrorism: Rajnath Singh
His contributions ignored: Why Rajnath Singh said Netaji was first PM of India
BSF camp attacked: Rajnath compliments security forces for foiling terror attack
India
pti-PTI
New Delhi, Oct 3: Home Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the security forces for successfully eliminating the terrorists involved in an attack on a BSF camp near Srinagar airport in Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh said he has spoken to the chiefs of the Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force following the suicide attack near the Srinagar airport.
"I have spoken to the DG CRPF and DG BSF. It was a good operation that they have conducted," he told reporters here. The home minister said one Assistant Sub Inspector of the BSF has martyred and two others were injured but they were out of danger.
A group of militants today launched a suicide attack on a BSF camp near the Srinagar Airport, killing the ASI and leaving four security personnel injured. Two militants were killed in the gun-battle that is raging near the airport, forcing brief suspension of air traffic and closure of schools in the vicinity.
PTI
UP polls: BSP worker Arshad Rana bitterly cries for not getting ticket in viral video
BSP leader shot dead, violence erupts in Allahabad
India
oi-Chennabasaveshwar
By Chennabasaveshwar
Protests erupted in Allahabad after a leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was shot dead on Tuesday morning. Angry protestors set to two buses on fire and damaged a private hospital.
Rajesh Yadav, who had contested 2017 assembly polls on a BSP ticket, was shot at about 2.30 am outside the Allahabad University's Tarachand Hostel. Yadav had gone to meet someone along with a friend. They reportedly had an argument with a group of people, who threw stones at their car and then shot the politician in his stomach.
The police is trying to control the violent mob and described the situation as tense.
This morning, a mob of about 50 attacked the hospital, ransacking it and also allegedly attacked journalists there, snatching and breaking their cameras and mobile phones.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 15:47 [IST]
Central team roped in as dengue cases in Bihar rise to over 5000
CSBS Bihar Constable Exam 2017: Check exam pattern here
India
oi-Vicky
By Vicky
The CSBS Bihar Constable Exam 2017 is set to be held. The CSBC constable exam is scheduled to be held on October 15 and 22, 2017.
All those appearing for the exam should know the pattern. Here let us take a look at the examination pattern.
In the 100 marks exam, objective type questions will be asked. The syllabus will be of 10+2 standard. The exam duration is two hours.
The Bihar police constable recruitment exam will be held in two sessions on October 15. The first session will begin at 10 am to end at 12 pm while the second session will start at 2 pm to end on 4 pm.
There will be one morning session on October 22. Candidates have to report to the exam centre at 9 am, that is, an hour before the exam time.
Selection procedure for Bihar police recruitment 2017
The selection for the recruitment of constable in Bihar police 2017 will be done in two phases. In the first phase, there will be a written exam and the candidate has to score a minimum of 30 marks out of 100 to appear for the second phase.
In phase II, there will be the Physical Evaluation Test (PET) of 100 marks. The candidates will have to perform well in the race, shot put and high jump rounds. The final merit list will be prepared on the basis of the marks scored by the aspirants in the Physical Evaluation Test (PET).
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 7:51 [IST]
Dalai Lama expresses grief over Las Vegas massacre, calls for brotherhood
India
pti-PTI
Dharamshala, Oct 3: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama expressed sorrow over the Las Vegas gunfire deaths and called for a world based on universal brotherhood. The Nobel Peace Laureate said such violence came out of a lack of compassion and respect for life.
At least 59 people were killed and over 500 wounded when a gunman shot at concert-goers in the American resort city on Sunday night. Advocating religious harmony, the Dalai Lama also lauded India as "a land of diverse cultures and religions".
Despite "isolated incidents", all major religious traditions of the world existed peacefully in India which was a matter of great pride, said the Dalai Lama, who began a teaching session at the main Tibetan temple Thekchen Choeling Tsuglagkhang, in Mecleodganj in upper Dharamshala, today.
"If you keep harbouring anger or jealousy towards others, you will be on the losing end, because you will remain mentally disturbed unless you resolve it," he said, denouncing the "myopic worldview of us-vs-them". He called for faith based on reason and logic rather than blindly following a religion that one was born into. While following any religion, including Buddhism, practitioners should have full understanding of the methods and concepts of that tradition, he said.
"Desire for happiness is universal to all sentient beings. However, unlike animals, we humans have an inborn faculty of thought. Therefore, we should use this faculty to develop happiness through love and compassion," he added. The four-day session has been organised at the request of a group of devotees from Taiwan. Over 5000 followers from 69 countries are attending the teachings which will conclude on October 6.
PTI
Dalit men thrashed and killed in Gujarat, raises question on laws against lynching
India
oi-Shreya
By Shreya
Just when attacks on Dalits and acts of violence on journalists, and the subsequent protests against such acts made headlines, news of Dalits being thrashed in Gujarat made it to the forefront.
Two dalit men were allegedly thrashed by men belonging to the Rajput community in Gujarat in two different incidents for sporting a moustache and in another a dalit man was lynched for attending Garba.
According to reports the incidents took place Limbodara village in Kalol taluka of Gandhinagar district on September 25 and 29.
Krunal Maheria (30), a law student was allegedly roughed up by Bharatsinh Vaghela. In his complaint to police, Maheria said that he was assaulted for sporting a moustache.
Based on Maheria's complaint, an FIR has been lodged against Vaghela, under the IPC section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) of the IPC and under the Prevention of Atrocities , who was arrested on Sunday.
A similar incident took place on September 25, where some members of the Rajput community allegedly assaulted a 24-year-old Piyush Parmar for keeping a moustache.
On October 1st, a 21-year-old dalit youth was lynched by upper caste Patel community for attending a garba event in Gujarat. According to police all accused have been arrested. According to reports, the victim was thrashed and his head was banged against the wall. He was declared death at the hospital.
If one keeps a track of number and frequency of such acts, one will notice the increasing frequency. Not only people belonging to the lower case, but journalists or rationalists who refuse to toe the line of a certain ideology are falling victims to such terror, mostly.
Recently the nation was shook by the cold-blooded murder of noted journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was shot to dead in front of her residence in Bangalore. After Lankesh, a journalist from Tripura, Shantanu Bhowmik was stabbed to death while covering a conflict. Several journalists in the national capital have received threats on WhatsApp messenger, warning them of same fate of Gauri Lankesh.
The repeated incidents of attacks and acts of lynching have become very common, and numerous protests have failed to ensure action against the perpetrators.
Speaking to Oneindia, Activist Tehseen Poonawalla said, "A similar incident took place on in Gujarat's Una and the PM came out and said don't shoot them, shoot me, the point I am trying to make is that instead of throwing pople who break the law in jail the PM is encouraging people to break another law. This is how people have now got the encouragement to attack Dalits because they belief no action will be taken against them and if things go out of control they will be proptected with stuff 'like attack me don't attack them'.
To fight with the growing terror of lynching, a law called Masuka has been drafted, which if passed will be India's first law dealing specifically on lynching. Masuka not only ensures speedy justice, but also state protection to the victim, witnesses and only provide for compensation to the ones assaulted and the kins of victims.
OneIndia News
Elphinstone stampede: 10-day survey to decide on 'safe' stations
India
oi-Anusha
Days after the Elphinstone station stampede claimed 23 lives in Mumbai efforts are being taken to make railway stations safe. About 150 officials from various departments will carry out inspections at crowded stations in Mumbai for the next 10 days to assess passenger safety and provide inputs to improve infrastructure.
As per the orders of Union Railway minister Piyush Goyal, officials from multiple government agencies will inspect select stations- especially crowded ones- in Mumbai and carry out a thorough study on passenger safety, infrastructure quality, need for improvement and funds.
Officials will divide themselves into groups of seven and inspect all railway stations on the Central and Western Railways line of Mumbai suburbs. Out of the 136 railway stations on the Mumbai Suburban system, the teams are expected to inspect those on the Churchgate-Virar section of Western Railways, and CSMT-Panvel, CSMT-Kalyan sections of Central Railway. These routes are the most crowded and attract a major load of commuters.
Inspection of foot-overbridge, entry and exit points, ticket booking counters, platforms and food stalls will be the focus of the teams. The teams consisting of officials from commercial, engineering, Railway Police Force, railway construction, Mumbai Police, Government Railway Police, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will carry out the checks.
The teams will be equipped with cameras to videographs the shortcomings to identify the issues that ail railway stations and trouble passengers. Solutions to each problem will be proposed individually. Corporators from Vasai Virar, Mira Bhayander, Kalyan Dombivali and Navi Mumbai in case of stations beyond Mumbai limits are also expected to be part of the teams.
The teams will visit the stations at peak hours in the morning as well as evening to assess the need for improvement. In the next 10 days, the multiple agency teams are expected to prepare a report that points out problems as well as solutions to put an end to the misery of the commuters and better railway infrastructure. Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde will chair a meeting of the officials in the month of October to review the suggestions and implementation of the same.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 10:45 [IST]
Elphinstone stampede: PIL seeking NIA probe over 'soft terror angle' filed in Bombay High Court
India
oi-Anusha
A petition seeking either a National Investigation Agency (NIA) or judicial commission probe into the Elphinstone stampede has been filed before the Bombay High Court. The Public Interest Litigation seeks action against those responsible for the tragedy in which 23 lives were lost in Mumbai.
The petition filed by one, Faisal Yusuf Banaraswala, has demanded that the tragedy be probed by the NIA to rule out soft terror angle in the case. This is the third such PIL being filed in connection with the tragedy. THe Bombay High Court will hear the petition on October 5.
The petition comes at a time when the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has called for protests over the tragedy. On Thursday, MNS chief Raj Thackeray will go on a one-km-long march as a mark of protest. MNS has asked citizens to join the protest that will be held between Metro cinema and Churchgate station.
In a bid to gather numbers for the protest Thackeray has been urging netizens to highlight the plight of the regular Mumbaikar. The MNS has been active on social media, releasing a series of messages and videos about passengers struggling to board trains. The publicity material also highlights the lack of proper amenities and the problem created by hawkers around railway stations.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 15:42 [IST]
RRR box office collection in Japan: SS Rajamouli's flick likely to beat '3 Idiots' record
As 'RRR' performs well at Japan box office, SS Rajamouli confirms sequel to NTR-Charan-starrer
Telangana youth beaten up over remarks on Prophet; 5 arrested
'Yashoda' 1st weekend box office collection: Here's how much it collected in 3 days
Heavy rains in Hyderabad, more expected in next 48 hours
India
oi-Deepika
By Deepika
Recommended Video
Hyderabad Rains: City lashed by heavy rain, 3 dead, more rain in next 48 hrs | Oneindia News
Three people died as Hyderabad was lashed for five hours by heavy rain, triggered by a cloudburst, on Monday, leaving the city paralysed.
The city recorded 6.76cm rainfall (up to 8.30pm), which caused waterlogging at perennial hotspots, traffic snarls and power outages.
While it hasn't rained this morning, the weather office predicts more rain in next 48 hours.
Authorities have asked residents to avoid localities like Begumpet, Mojamhahi market, and the Narayanaguda-Liberty route. Civic officials are clearing the roads.
Saroornagar Lake frothing The heavy rain led to Saroornagar Lake in the city spewing foam and froth which entered nearby residential colonies. Water-logging Water-logging in various parts of Hyderabad after incessant rainfall has been reported. Images this morning showed water entering Hyderabad's Holy Trinity Church, following the incessant downpour. Water-logging in Nehru Zoological Park after incessant rain in the city. Safari at Nehru zoo suspended temporarily due to waterlogging Flooding water also entered in Nehru Zoological Park after incessant rain in the city. The authorities have been draining excess water through pumps and by digging channels.There are chances of animals falling sick if they drink such contaminated water. People stranded People returning home from their workplaces were caught in long traffic snarls. Techies were stranded in a long traffic jam in Madhapur, which houses many software giants. Terming it an emergency situation, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has requested citizens "not to step out unless it is very important". Police play good Samaritan In terribly wet conditions on a very busy road in Hyderabad one absolutely drenched traffic cop was seen stepping up to help public, who were lost in the heavy rains. Schools, colleges shut With the intensity of rain growing, state education ministry declared late at night that all schools and colleges in the Hyderabad region would remain closed on Tuesday.
OneIndia News
Honeypreet Insan, adopted daughter of Ram Rahim arrested
India
oi-Vicky
By Vicky
Recommended Video
Honeypreet Insan in Punjab police custody, confirms Haryana Police | Oneindia News
Honeypreet Insan has surrendered before the Haryana police. She was on the run for over a month after being accused of inciting violence following the conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a rape case. Following the surrender, the police formally arrested her. She will be produced before a court on Wednesday said Panchkula DCP Manbir Singh.
Anticipating trouble, security was stepped up at Panchkula.
A lookout notice and an arrest warrant were issued by the Haryana Police against Honeypreet after she was booked at Sector 5 police station in Panchkula along with Dera functionaries Aditya Insan and Surinder Dhiman for allegedly inciting violence in Panchkula in the aftermath of the Dera head's conviction in a twin rape case. Honeypreet denies that she was involved in any of the violence.
The adopted daughter of Ram Rahim, she had earlier spoken to a news channel and said that she had full faith in the law. The Delhi police had last week rejected her plea for anticipatory bail.
She had been booked along with several other Dera members for inciting violence following the conviction on August 25. Earlier there were reports that she had fled to Nepal. However in the interview she had said that she had never left the country.
In an interview with News 24 she had said earlier from an undisclosed location that she was shocked by news reports about her relationship with Ram Rahim. Can't a father touch his daughter lovingly, she had asked. She also said that she had full faith in the judiciary. I will approach the Punjab and Haryana high Court, she also said.
On reports about her relationship with Ram Rahim, she said that these are aimed at tarnishing the image of a father and daughter. Can't a father love his daughter, can't a father touch his daughter lovingly, she also asked.
These comments came after her former husband, Vishwas Gupta alleged that he had caught Ram Rahim having sex with Honeypreet.
"Honeypreet slept in Ram Rahim's bed and had sex with him too. I saw her naked with Baba," he said, adding that Ram Rahim would ask him to stay out of his room while she was inside with him and warned him to not tell anyone about it.
On her whereabouts, she said that she never fled the country. I was shocked to find about a look out notice against me. On September 27, the Delhi High Court had rejected the transit anticipatory bail plea of Honeypreet, facing charges of sedition and inciting violence.
OneIndia News
AAP vs LG fight again and this is time it is on Gandhi Jayanti
How to make Assam alcohol mukt? Group writes letter to Mahatma Gandhi
India
oi-Oneindia
By Oneindia
Guwahati, Oct 3: Mahatma Gandhi was a strong supporter of bringing alcohol prohibition as he considered "drinking" the biggest evil in society.
A pro-prohibition group in Assam, which strongly feels that liquor ban should be imposed in the Northeastern state as "drinking" among Assamese people (mostly men) has reached a great proportion, on the occasion of the 148th birth anniversary of Gandhi on Monday, decided to write a letter (a symbolic one) to the deceased Father of the Nation to help the state get rid of alcohol menace and create public awareness about the ill-effects of alcohol.
The members of the group, which calls itself Mod-Mukta Asom Dabi Samity (Liquor-free Assam Demand Committee), on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti wrote a letter to Bapu ji and also staged a dharna in Guwahati to demand ban on liquor in the state.
The letter to Gandhi also urged the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government to ban liquor in the state.
"Bapu ji, you had always considered liquor as the biggest evil in society and tried to liberate people from its clutches. But after our country attained Independence, the government did not take any initiative in the anti-liquor campaign--instead, considering it to be good source of revenue for the state, it helped in its distribution," said the letter written by the group.
The group hosted dharnas in various parts of the state on Gandhi Jayanti to press for their demand to ban liquor.
"Mahatma Gandhi, whom we consider the Father of the Nation, had spoken for banning liquor. But our government never followed his ideals in real earnest and therefore, they have no moral authority to garland his photograph on his birth anniversary," said Deep Das, a member of the group.
"We appeal to the government for a complete ban on the sale of liquor as in states like Bihar, Manipur and Nagaland," Das added.
The reason behind the demand by the group has been triggered by the fact that liquor consumption has increased manifold in the state. Das said the state government revenue from the sale of liquor has risen alarmingly last financial year and crossed Rs 250 crore.
"As a result, around 25 per cent of the total population of the state consumes liquor and a majority of the road accident deaths in the state are due to drink driving," he said.
According to an estimate, the state has more than 1,400 licensed liquor shops. The group said that because of alcohol consumption many families have been destroyed.
"It is the women who suffered the most if their husbands develop drinking problem. So, we want rehabilitation of women subjected to domestic violence by their husbands under the influence of alcohol and men who spent their earnings on liquor.
"We also appeal to the state government to explore the possibility of including ill-effects of alcohol and drug abuse in the school curriculum to sensitise students," said another member of the group.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 8:10 [IST]
IAF's women combat aircraft pilots set to fly Sukhoi-30 this month
India
oi-Chennabasaveshwar
By Chennabasaveshwar
Recommended Video
IAF's women combat aircraft pilots set to fly Sukhoi-30 this month | Oneindia News
India's first female combat aircraft pilots are likely to fly the supersonic Sukhoi-30 jets after the completion of the last leg of their training, said Indian Air Force officials.
Three women, Bhawana Kanth, Mohana Singh and Avani Chaturvedi, are currently training on British Hawk advanced jet trainers at an IAF facility at Kalaikunda in West Bengal, reports Hindustan Times.
They were commissioned at a function at Air Force Academy in Dundigal on the outskirts of Hyderabad in June 2016.
Firstly, they went to Bidar in Karnataka for their stage-III training for a year on Hawk advanced jet trainers in June 2016.
The women are likely to be assigned to a Sukhoi-30 squadron later this month, IAF sources told HT. They are part of a batch of around 40 flying officers training on Hawks at the Kalaikunda air force station.
Women fighter pilots during passing put parade Women fighter pilots Avani Chaturvedi, Bhavana Kanth and Mohana Singh who were inducted in the Indian Air Force pose for photograph during their Combined Graduation Parade at Air Force Academy in Hyderabad on Saturday, June 18, 2016. PTI Photo Pilots with Late Marshal of the Indian Air Force (MIAF) Arjan Singh Marshal of the Indian Air Force (MIAF) Arjan Singh along with Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha meeting with three newly commissioned women fighter pilots at his residence in New Delhi on Friday. PTI Photo Cadets roaring to go The three cadets who will be inducted in the Indian Air Force on June 18 as the first batch of women fighter pilots. PTI Photo Sukhoi Su-30MKI The Sukhoi Su-30MKI, a twinjet Multirole Air superiority fighter lands after a sortie at the forward base in the Western sector. PTI file photo
OneIndia News
This cop from Pakistan became a millionaire overnight: Here is how
With the number of anonymous rogues from Pak rising, here's how BSF is beating down the drones
Jawan killed in ceasefire violation by Pak forces in Poonch
India
oi-PTI
Jammu, October 3: An Army jawan was killed on Tuesday as Pakistani firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. In the exchange of fire, Naik Mahendra Chemjung was grievously injured and succumbed to injuries, Army officer said.
"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in the Krishna Ghati sector at around 1250 hours today. Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively," a defence spokesman said.
Mahendra Chemjung, 35, belonged to Chilingdin in Nepal and is survived by his wife Nayan Kala Chemjung and a son, the spokesman said.
"Chemjung was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," he added.
Two minors were killed and 12 civilians, including five children, injured in cross-border shelling by Pakistan along the LoC in Poonch district on Monday.
The youngest being five-year-old Zobia Kousar, who was airlifted to a hospital in Jammu.
PTI
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 18:04 [IST]
TNPSC Group 1 Hall Ticket For Prelims 2022 out: Check steps to download
Heavy rains submerge most of Tamil Nadu; 'holiday' declared for schools
CM Stalin visits rain-affected areas; More rains in store for Chennai
'Medicine can also be studied in Tamil medium!' - CM Stalin's efforts are getting a growing response
Mayor Priya is not the puppet but the savior - How did Chennai recover from the floods?
Karnataka Prisons department rejects Sasikala's parole application to meet ailing husband Natarajan
India
oi-Madhuri
Karnataka Prisons department on Tuesday rejected deposed AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala's parole application to visit her ailing husband M. Natarajan.
Sasikala, who is currently serving her sentence in a Bengaluru prison after her conviction in a disproportionate assets case, had applied for parole to meet her ailing husband M. Natarajan.
Her husband Natarajan is awaiting a liver transplant in a hospital in Chennai.
Her advocates had sought for a 15-day parole, but Mr. Dhinakaran said he was not sure how many days she would be granted leave.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 19:15 [IST]
Mehbooba Mufti asks JKSPDC to exploit potential of solar energy in state
India
pti-PTI
Srinagar, Oct 3: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti asked the State Power Development Cooperation to exploit the huge potential of solar energy in the state in view of the straining future power market in the country.
Mehbooba also asked the corporation to come up with a quantifiable data of the losses suffered by the state due to the Indus Water Treaty. The chief minister said this while chairing the board of directors meeting of the J&K State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) here.
Mehbooba advised the corporation to explore the possibility of setting up of small solar power plants at district levels to meet the power requirement locally. "This would be in view of the low cost of production in terms of solar power and also keeping in mind the straining power market of the country in future," she said.
The chief minister also asked the corporation to undertake an in-depth study for quantifying the losses suffered to Jammu and Kashmir due to the Indus Water Treaty, using all professional expertise for the purpose. She also asked it to execute a policy of corporate social responsibility for the welfare and development of its catchment areas.
PTI
Months after big claims, where is the farm loan waiver in Karnataka, Punjab and Maharashtra?
India
oi-Anusha
Three farmers committed suicide in a single day in Punjab as recently as October 1. A debt-ridden farmer in Karnataka's Kalburgi taluk was found hanging dead on September 30. A farmer from Yavatmal of Maharashtra hung himself after holding Minister Narendra Modi government and debts as the reason. Incidentally, all these farmers hail from states that announced big farm loan waiver scheme. Months after the announcement, the benefits are yet to reach the farmers.
While in some cases the scheme is too little, in other cases it is too late. Despite assurances by the government to waive off part of farm loans, farmer suicides continue unabated. The delay in disbursing the loans seems to be a primary reason.
Three months since announcement, Karnataka yet to release funds
In Karnataka, the Rabi season has already begun with abundant rains bringing cheer. For farmers growing in debt, however, the misery continues. The state government is yet to release a single rupee of the Rs 8,165 crore crop loan waiver.
Farmers in Karnataka are caught between the devil and the deep sea. On one hand, the government is yet to release funds to the banks and cooperative societies to ensure that fresh loans are available and balance sheets are cleared. On the other, farmers willing to repay the loans themselves are being turned away by banks awaiting government funds to waive current loans. In the bargain, farmers are losing out on fresh loans for Rabi crops
Farmer suicides continue unabated in Punjab
The assurance of a loan wavier came months ago but the Punjab cabinet cleared the notification for the same only in September. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh in June announced the waiver that aimed at benefiting 10.25 lakh farmers, including 8.75 lakh farmers up to 5 acres with Rs 2 lakh loan waiver. Months down the line, farmer suicides continue to haunt Punjab- India's food bowl.
A high-level panel headed by NITI Aayog advisor Tajamul Haque has suggested that the center should help Punjab government with financial aid to farmers. The panel has pegged accumulated an institutional debt of the state's farmers as on March 31 this year at Rs 73,772 crore of which Rs 59,621 crore of crop loan and Rs 14,151 crore of the term loan. The total loan works out at Rs 1,20,000 crore, since 39 per cent debt belongs to the informal category, including moneylenders, according to the panel. The numbers are overwhelming but the help that is coming the farmers' way is very less. Yet again, not a single rupee has been released to the farmers from the state.
The farm loan mess in Maharashtra
After a huge protest from farmers, the Maharashtra government announced a farm loan waiver scheme worth Rs 34,000 crore. In an attempt to ensure that the scheme only benefits those who are in need and eligible, the state government undertook online registration and direct disbursal method. The method has only resulted in a mess. "Reading between the lines of a farm loan waiver is very important. It comes with terms and conditions and these conditions become detrimental for the farmer. Loan waiver schemes are an eyewash and at best, a temporary fix to a larger problem. We need to look at long-term solutions," Devinder Sharma, agricultural researcher, and activist told OneIndia.
Maharashtra has a cap of Rs 1.5 lakh for the waiver and leaves out many who need relief. 57 lakh applications have been filed online so far after the extension of the deadline. The number is 31 lakhs less than Fadnavis' claim of the scheme helping 89 lakh beneficiaries. With many conditions and criteria for eligibility, not a single farmer has received any replief from the government that boasted of a 'mammoth relief package'. Seasons are rolling and balance sheets are becoming heavier but farmers in the country are receiving no relief.
Even in states like Uttar Pradesh where the process of waiving loans have started, farmers are being mocked with waiver as low as 1 paise despite having loans of lakhs.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 13:41 [IST]
Himachal was valued less on strength, more on Parliament seats before: PM Modi
PM Modi lays foundation stone of AIIMS in Himachal Pradesh
India
oi-Chennabasaveshwar
By Chennabasaveshwar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of AIIMS and IIIT in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur. Governor Acharya Dev Vrat, CM Virbhadra Singh and Union Min JP Nadda were present in the programme.
Pm Modi, said, "Opening of AIIMS in Himachal Pradesh especially in this region of the state has a lot of benefits for people. We're making a campus where over 3000 people will work together. This is also bringing employment opportunities."
This will be This 750 bed hospital will be built at a cost of approximately Rs. 1350 crore. In addition to healthcare, it will also provide medical education at the under-graduate and post-graduate level, besides nursing.
Kicking off the BJP's election campaign in Himachal Pradesh, PM said the Congress leadership was wary of taking action against the Himachal chief minister as it was also sailing in the same boat.
Modi's rally is significant as the BJP lost due to infighting in 2012 and is putting all its might to regain power in the hill state that goes to the polls soon.
In 2012, the BJP, which has 29 seats in the Vidhan Sabha, lost largely due to infighting between former chief ministers Prem Kumar Dhumal and Shanta Kumar.
The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), at Una.
OneIndia News
Sonia tells Lalu, Nitish to meet her again after Cong gets new president
Railway tender case: CBI summons Lalu, Tejashwi on Oct 5, 6 respectively
India
oi-Deepika
By Deepika
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad failed to appear before the CBI for questioning on Tuesday in connection with a case of corruption.
Fresh summons have been issued to RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi after their inavailability to appear before CBI.
Lalu, a former railway minister, has been asked to appear on October 5, and Tejashwi the next day, CBI sources said.
Lalu had sought two weeks to appear before the CBI for questioning in connection with a case of alleged graft in giving the maintenance contract for two IRCTC hotels to a private firm.
They had been called on September 11 and 12. Lalu Yadav did not turn up, citing an ongoing court case in Ranchi where his presence was required, while Tejashwi claimed he had political commitments to take care of.
On July 7, the CBI carried out searches at 12 locations after registering a corruption case against former railway minister Lalu and his family members, including wife Rabri Devi and his son former deputy chief minister of Bihar Tejashwi.
The case pertains to allegations that Lalu Yadav, as railway minister, handed over the maintenance of two hotels run by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, a subsidiary of the Indian Railways, in Ranchi and Puri to Sujata Hotel, a company owned by Vinay and Vijay Kochhar, in return for a prime plot of three acres in Patna through a benami company.
The FIR alleged that the RJD leader, as the railway minister, abused his official position for extending undue favours to the Kochhar and acquired a "high value premium land" through a benami firm Delight Marketing Company. As a quid pro quo, he "dishonestly and fraudulently" managed award of leasing of the two hotels.
The CBI has registered the case against Lalu Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, a former Bihar chief minister, son Tejashwi, who was deputy CM until a few months ago, and Sarla Gupta, wife of Prem Chand Gupta, a former union minister.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 11:13 [IST]
SC asks govt to update rules on granting of parole, furlough
India
oi-PTI
New Delhi, October 2: The Supreme Court has said convicts too "must breathe fresh air" and be allowed to maintain social ties provided they show a tendency to reform and favoured a "humanistic approach" while dealing with pleas for parole or furlough to those serving long jail terms.
A bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan asked the government to update its rules, framed way back in 1955, on granting of parole and furlough, saying these were skeletal in nature.
It referred to one of the objectives of awarding punishment and said it was about reformation of the convicts.
"There is an imperative and immediate need for updating these Rules thereby including comprehensive provisions in the light of the discussion...so as to provide suitable guidelines to those who have to consider such applications for grant of parole," it said, adding that the copy of its verdict be sent to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
The bench, however, said a person must remain in jail for the period of sentence awarded to him or her.
"It is in this context that his release from jail for a short period has to be considered as an opportunity afforded to him not only to solve his personal and family problems but also to maintain his links with society.
"Convicts too must breathe fresh air for at least some time provided they maintain good conduct consistently during incarceration and show a tendency to reform themselves and become good citizens. Thus, redemption and rehabilitation of such prisoners for good of societies must receive due weightage while they are undergoing sentence of imprisonment," it said.
The top court, in its verdict, referred to the grounds on which parole can be granted and said "the most important ground, which stands out, is that a prisoner should be allowed to maintain family and social ties."
It said the reason for grant of parole to maintain family and social ties also found justification in one of the objectives behind punishment that was reformation of convicts.
"When we recognise reformation as one of the objectives, it provides justification for letting of even the life convicts for short periods, on parole, in order to afford opportunities to such convicts not only to solve their personal and family problems but also to maintain their links with the society.
"Another objective which this theory underlines is that even such convicts have right to breathe fresh air, albeit for periods," it said.
The verdict came on the plea of one Asfaq, who is serving life term in connection with cases lodged under TADA for his role in serial bomb blasts that had taken took place in five trains on December 6, 1993.
The blasts had taken place in trains at Kota, Allahabad, Kanpur, Gujarat, Malkangiri and Karjat allegedly at the behest of certain miscreants on the first anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition.
Asfaq had moved the apex court against denial of parole by the authorities. The court, however, upheld the decision of the Rajashtan High Court with a direction that he may file a fresh plea seeking parole after some time, if the situation warranted.
A parole can be defined as conditional release of prisoners on good behaviour, with regular reporting to the authorities for a set period of time. Furlough, on the other hand, is a brief release from the prison which is given in cases of long-term imprisonment.
PTI
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 10:15 [IST]
PM Modi holds brief discussion with French President at the start of G20 Summit in Bali
'Return to the path of ceasefire and diplomacy': PM Modi's advice on Ukraine crisis at G20 Summit
Temple with 100 foot tall idol of Narendra Modi to be built in Meerut
India
oi-Vicky
By Vicky
A temple will be built in the name of Narendra Modi at Meerut. J P Singh a follower and supporter of the Prime Minister said that the temple will be built on five acres of land in the Sardhana area of Meerut.
A 100 foot statue of the PM will be installed. "I am inspired by the love Narendra Modi has for mother India. The 'Modi magic' deserves that a temple be built which will also be a kind of commemoration of Modiji's model of development," Singh who retired recently as an assistant engineer in the irrigation department said.
Singh said, "5 acres of land has been bought on Meerut-Karnal highway. A huge statue of Modiji will be installed in the temple. It will take two years to complete the Modi temple."
He said the bhoomi pujan would be held on October 23. He said the estimated expenditure of 10 crore would be generated out of public donations.
OneIndia News
Accession Day: Valley lights up on this day when J&K became part of India
Srinagar: BSF camp attack, 3 terrorists killed, ASI martyred
India
oi-Vicky
By Vicky
Three terrorists have been killed following an 8 hour long encounter that broke out at a BSF camp in Srinagar. One ASI has been martyred in the attack.
The attack took place on the BSF 182 battalion camp which is near the Srinagar international airport.
The troops of the CRPF, 53 Rashtriya Rifles, BSF and SOG Zonal had cordoned off the building where the terrorists were holed up.
#WATCH Heavy firing at BSF 182 battalion camp, operation underway. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) #SrinagarTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/MwhIeHdzhg ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
Earlier flight operations had been suspended. However passengers are now being allowed to move towards the airport. This was being done to avoid any inconvenience to the passengers. Flight services are however yet to resume and a final decision would be taken by the Airport Authority of India following a security clearance.
Meanwhile airports in metro cities have been put on high alert as a precautionary measure.
The Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the attack. Several infiltration bids and cease fire violations have been reported in the past couple of weeks. The Pakistan army has been providing cover fire to terrorists so that they could infiltrate. Such attempts would go up as Pakistan would want to place as many terrorists as possible in the Valley before the winter sets in.
OneIndia News
Why questioning nationalism of Assam Muslim men, with track record of serving India, is shameful
India
oi-Oneindia
By Oneindia
Guwahati, Oct 3: In Assam, the issue of "identity politics" is back in the limelight, especially after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state for the first time last year.
Since the saffron party has come to power in Assam--which for decades has been fighting over the vexed issue of illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh--the state is once again witnessing a resurgence of "identity politics", where target is not just the illegal Muslim Bangladeshis, but most often bonafide citizens of the country, unfortunately coming under the scanner of "nationalists and nationalist groups" for their religion.
The latest two cases--involving two Muslim men, both educated and have a proven track record of serving the nation (one who was an ex-Army personnel and another an award-winning disabled rights activist)--but were asked to prove their nationality and nationalism once again showcases the rise and rise of ugly head of Hindutva politics encouraged directly and indirectly by the ruling Narendra Modi government at the Centre.
First, came the news of Mohammad Azmal Haque, a retired army official who had served the country for three decades, but was asked to prove his Indian citizenship by the foreigners tribunal (Number 2) at Boko in Kamrup district of Assam, not only rattled the man for being questioned by authorities about his identity and his very existence, but once again brings to focus how one's religion (read Islam) often brings trouble to people in a secular and democratic country like India.
Then came the story of Arman Ali, an award winning Guwahati-based disabled rights activist, whose recent outing for a film in the city proved how India has started judging people about his/her love for the country (read nationalism) by acts like standing for the national anthem played during the beginning of a film in cinema halls.
When Ali, who himself is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair to move from one place to another, failed to standup during the playing of the national anthem at the cinema hall, a few men accused him of being a "Pakistani" without caring to look at his condition.
After Ali posted the humiliating episode on Facebook, the media has been covering the issue relentlessly. This is what Ali wrote on Facebook:
While Ali's ugly encounter with "nationalism" in a cinema theatre is mostly seen as a plight of disabled people across the country due to lack of availability of facilities and empathy in public places, but the activist himself did not reject the idea that he could have been in a precarious situation had his identity of being a Muslim was also known to his tormentors.
Ali, in the comment section of his Facebook post, stated his fear of being "lynched" inside the theatre for being a "Muslim". "Probably, I would have been lynched yesterday if they knew I was a Muslim guy," Ali wrote.
Ali's fear of being killed has naturally emerged from the fact that a large number of Indian Muslims in recent times have been lynched to death on suspicion of being a beef-eater, a cow smuggler or an anti-nationalist.
Likewise, Haque, who joined the Indian Army as a sepoy on September 13, 1986, and retired as a junior commissioned officer on September 13, 2016, was "hurt" for being questioned about his nationality.
"It hurts to receive such a notice after serving and defending one's motherland for three decades," the ex-serviceman was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
The local tribunal office in its notice asked the former army personnel to appear before its members on October 13 with required documents to prove that he was not an illegal Bangladeshi migrant.
Similar kind of notice, like the one served to Haque, putting a person in the doubtful-voter ('D' voter) category, was served to 40 others from his native village.
"Considering the current situation in the state, I am forced to think that it had happened to me only because I belong to a particular community. Around 40 others from my village have been given such notices and I personally know that they are all Indian citizens," he added.
Even in the past he had received such a notice. Haque said he received a notice in 2012 saying he was a doubtful voter. "...but I submitted all documents in the tribunal court and it had declared me as an Indian citizen," he added.
"Why do I have to be humiliated so many times? I request the prime minister, the president and the home minister to end this harassment of a proper citizen," Haque was quoted as saying by PTI.
He said a notice was slapped on his wife also in 2012, but the "tribunal declared her an Indian citizen after she furnished proof".
As Assam is in the race of finishing the task of updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to identify and detect illegal immigrants by December 2017, thus many Muslims, who are of Indian-origin, fear that they too might be labelled as 'D' voters because of their religion.
Along with Haque, who was a part of the revered Indian Army (the Indian Army employs only Indian citizens), many well-known Assamese Muslims families too have come under the scanner of government officials raising doubts about their nationality.
The family members of Assamese actor of international repute, Adil Hussain, and Padma Shri Eli Ahmed were also branded as 'D' voters. As per the government figures, Assam has identified 141,733 'D' voters.
However, after probe it has been found that more than 92 per cent of the resolved cases of 'D' voters have been declared as genuine Indian nationals, stated a white paper published by the Assam government in 2012.
One of the BJP's main poll promises was to resolve the issue of illegal immigrants which continue to shimmer in the state since the time Assam Agitation broke out in 1979 for a period of six years that demanded the deportation of "Bangladeshis" from the state.
However, successive governments, especially the 15 years rule of the Congress till 2016, never did anything to solve the problems and political parties continue to play vote bank politics over the issue.
The BJP says that Hindu Bangladeshis will be given Indian citizenships, but the saffron party shares no such concern for the Muslim illegal immigrants. The Congress, on its part, has been accused of playing minority politics by giving safe haven to millions of "illegal Muslim Bangladeshis" in the state.
The main regional party in Assam, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), which came to power after the Assam Agitation got over after signing the Assam Accord that put 1971 as the cut-off year after which anyone who had crossed the Indo-Bangladesh border to take shelter in the state would be considered as "illegal", maintains that both Hindu and Muslim illegal immigrants should be deported, a sentiment shared by many people in the state. The AGP too never did anything to solve the issue forever during its rule.
However, as the BJP and the Congress play their politics over the issue of nationality, experts fear that the state might be heading towards a communal strife between the two communities that would initially start as a fight over land rights.
As politics of communalism and nationalism have reared their ugly heads in the state, it needs a clear understanding over issues like rights of the indigenous people, rights of refugees, how to deal humanely with illegal immigrants and most importantly why not to play politics over one's identity in Assam which is a ticking time bomb that could burst anytime soon.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 12:06 [IST]
Deadliest mass shooting rekindles debate on gun control laws
International
oi-PTI
Washington, October 2: The debate on gun control laws is back after the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history at Las Vegas that killed at least 58 people and injured over 500 others.
Nearly 12,000 Americans have been killed by guns in 273 mass shootings in 2017 so far - one incident for each day.
On an average, more than 90 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every day, a daily toll of heartbreak and tragedy in communities across the US.
Experts believe that the last night incident, which President Donald Trump termed as an "act of pure evil", is unlikely to bridge the bitter differences between the pro- and anti-gun control law lobbies in the country.
Trump, who ran his campaign against any gun control laws, did not mention it in his two remarks today during which he said that this is "a very very sad" day for him.
Responding to questions, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said today that is the day of reflection and mourning and not a day to discuss political issues.
Referring to Chicago, she said gun control laws have not been helpful. Taking a lead, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader, sought off a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan on creation of a Standing Committee on gun violence and passage of a common-sense legislation on gun control.
"Congress has a moral duty to address this horrific and heartbreaking epidemic. Charged with the solemn duty to protect and defend the American people, we must respond to these tragedies with courage, unity and decisive action," Pelosi said in her letter to Ryan.
The Congress, she said, must pass the bipartisan King- Thompson legislation to strengthen the life-saving background checks that keep guns out of the wrong hands. But this is only a first step, she said.
"I urge you to create a Select Committee on Gun Violence to study and report back common sense legislation to help end this crisis. The bipartisan committee would make recommendations to prevent unspeakable tragedies such as the mass shooting in Las Vegas and to restore confidence in the safety of our communities," Pelosi said.
Congressman Kathy Castor said: "Certainly, we can come together to pass common sense safety requirements such as background checks and limits on civilian use of military-style weapons and to enforce the laws on the books.
"The sorrow that I and so many around the country feel for the innocent men and women whose lives were cruelly cut short by this heartless act of domestic terrorism is immeasurable".
Congressman Earl Blumenauer said: "From Orlando to Roseburg, OR and now Las Vegas, the carnage has only continued. Thoughts and prayers will not stop future tragedy. Enough is enough. My hope is that sanity will prevail, and Republican leadership in Congress will muster up the courage to act".
The right-wing - and NRA - messaging point that nothing could have been done to prevent the horrific attack in Las Vegas is just wrong, he said.
Over two years ago, he had released a comprehensive plan to deal with gun violence like the public health epidemic that it is, the lawmaker said, adding that the solutions should not be hard.
Congressman Andre Carson said it is time people need to stop hiding behind the false narrative that enacting common sense gun policies somehow limits the rights of law abiding Americans.
"Every day that we fail to act puts more innocent lives at risk. It is long past time to fix our gun laws. Congress has a moral responsibility to act and address the daily tragedy of gun violence in our communities," he said.
Last week, he said, Republicans planned to vote on a bill that would loosen gun laws, instead of strengthening them. In light of the tragedy in Las Vegas, and the ongoing tragedy of gun violence in America, this could not be more inappropriate.
The American people deserve a vote on legislation that will curb gun violence, including reinstating an assault weapons ban and instituting new restrictions on gun trafficking, Carson said. Congressman Alcee L Hastings said that more than 33,000 people will die from gun violence this year.
"With each new tragedy that occurs, those who stand in the way of legislation to address our country's gun violence epidemic are increasingly culpable for its continuation," he said.
"Trump, who ran as a champion of gun rights throughout his campaign, is unlikely to directly tackle the issue of gun control and, in fact, rolled back a restriction that made it more difficult for people with mental illnesses to purchase a gun," a report in Newsweek said.
Acts of mass gun violence, reported The Washington Post, "have done little to change the strong partisan divide on the issue".
Most Republicans think Americans should have a greater ability to protect themselves, while most Democrats argue that the incidents heighten the need for tighter gun laws, the daily said.
PTI
Did Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock convert to Islam?
International
oi-Vicky
By Vicky
Recommended Video
Las Vegas Shooting: Did Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock convert to Islam? | Oneindia News
Following a claim made by the Islamic State, the question being asked is whether the shooter Stephen Paddock had converted to Islam. Stephen Paddock the man who mercilessly killed 58 persons at Las Vegas did not have a criminal history.
While the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, the investigators are not ready to buy it as yet.
A statement published by the group's Amaq propaganda agency claimed the attacker was a "soldier of the Islamic State".
"The Las Vegas attacker is a soldier of the Islamic State in response to calls to target coalition countries," it said.
ISIS also claimed the gunman "converted to Islam several months ago." These claims however could not be ascertained as Paddock's lifestyle and religion are not clear as yet.
This could be a release by the ISIS to stay in the limelight. Attacking the United States has always provided terror groups with enough material to rope in more recruits.
Moreover if one looks at the wordings in the claim, it is very similar to the ones made in the past.
While the ISIS has been propagating lone wolf attacks, there seems to be a change in pattern here. Lone wolves of the ISIS usually do not die in the manner that Paddock did.
He killed himself before the police could storm into his room. A lone wolf of the ISIS would prefer to be martyred and normally takes the battle right to the end with the law enforcement agencies.
For now there is absolutely no confirmation whether Paddock had converted to Islam.
There is also nothing concrete to suggest that this attack was ISIS inspired. At best for now, what one could say is that the claim made by the ISIS is only aimed at spreading its psychological warfare.
OneIndia News
India's stand on Rohingyas gracious so far but housing them would be risky
The Rohingya influx continues as Tripura police nets seven of them
Is Myanmar ready to take back Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh?
International
oi-Oneindia
By Oneindia
Recommended Video
Rohingya crisis: Is Myanmar ready to take back Rohingyas ? | Oneindia News
Dhaka, Oct 3: Bangladesh is facing one of its most pressing humanitarian crises in recent times as half a million Rohingya refugees, who have fled Myanmar, have taken shelter in the nation.
For a "poor" country like Bangladesh to allow such a huge number of refugees to enter its soil is a big thing as it is nowhere capable of giving proper shelter, food and clothing to so many refugees who have left their homeland to avoid violence and persecution.
The humanly gesture shown by Bangladesh towards the violence-hit Rohingyas from Myanmar has been well-appreciated by all international aid groups, including the UN.
However, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also made it clear that Myanmar government needs to stop violence and killings of Rohingyas and restart the process of taking back the Rohingyas.
The process of repatriation of Rohingyas has started on Monday, albeit the entire exercise is in its very initial stage.
On Monday, Myanmar proposed to take back over half a million of its Rohingyas from Bangladesh as the two countries agreed to set up a working group to coordinate the repatriation of the minority Muslims who have fled across the border after a military crackdown.
More than half a million Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh over the last five weeks after militant attacks on police checkposts in the Buddhist majority country sparked violent reprisals.
Bangladesh has repeatedly urged Myanmar to repatriate them. Bangladesh's foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali on Monday held talks in Dhaka with a senior representative of Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
"Myanmar has proposed to take back the Rohingyas from Bangladesh," Ali told reporters emerging from an over one hour long meeting with minister for the office of the state counsellor of Myanmar Kyaw Tint Swe.
The two sides agreed on forming a joint working group to oversee the repatriation process but its composition would be decided later by both the countries, he said.
Ali said the meeting was held "in a peaceful manner" and Bangladesh handed over the Myanmar representative a proposed agreement for smooth refugee repatriation and suggested implementation of Annan Commission report for peaceful resolution of the crisis.
"Fruitful discussion was also held on security cooperation (in the meeting) when Bangladesh reiterated its zero tolerance policy against all sorts of terrorism," Ali said.
Asked if there was any timeframe fixed for forming the joint working group, the minister evaded a direct answer saying "the process has started" but said Bangladesh's home minister Asaduzzaman Khan would "soon visit Myanmar to discuss the issue".
Hasina earlier called for an end to the violence and for safe zones to be set up in Myanmar to enable refugees to return. She asked the United Nations (UN) to send a fact-finding mission to Myanmar and for Myanmar to implement recommendations drawn up by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan-led team on solving problems in Rakhine.
Khan and senior Bangladesh officials joined the meeting, which came after the overnight arrival of Kyaw Tint Swe. There was no immediate comment from Suu Kyi's representative, who arrived late on Sunday night to Dhaka amid mounting global pressures on the country over exodus of its ethnic minority Rohingya nationals to Bangladesh.
The latest influx of refugees began on August 25 when Myanmar's military launched a crackdown in the northern Rakhine State over alleged terrorist attacks on its police outposts.
With the latest influx, there are now more than 800,000 refugees living near Bangladesh's border with Myanmar. The refugees claimed the Myanmar security forces were shooting at civilians, setting fire to their homes and raping Rohingya women.
Nobel peace laureate Suu Kyi, who has been severely criticised for her failure to curb the military crackdown on the Rohingyas, said in a speech last month that Myanmar would take back "verified" refugees.
She said Myanmar was ready to start a verification process under a 1993 agreement with Bangladesh and "refugees from this country will be accepted without any problem".
Rohingyas, a Muslim minority, do not qualify for Myanmar citizenship even though many have lived there for generations while its army insists they are interlopers from across the border in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, India's latest stand to deport around 40,000 Rohingyas staying in various parts of the country has been heavily criticised by several national and international groups. In an opinion piece for Hindustan Times, Colin Gonsalves, senior Supreme Court advocate and founder, Human Rights Law Network, said that the law is clear that India can't deport Rohingyas.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 6:48 [IST]
PM Modi holds brief discussion with French President at the start of G20 Summit in Bali
'Return to the path of ceasefire and diplomacy': PM Modi's advice on Ukraine crisis at G20 Summit
Narendra Modi is an elected terrorist, says Pak Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif
International
oi-Chennabasaveshwar
By Chennabasaveshwar
Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif during an interview to Geo TV's show 'Capital Talk' called Prime Minister Narendra Modi an "elected terrorist" who has the "blood of Muslims of Gujarat on his hands", referring to the 2002 Godhra riots.
Khawaja Asif also called the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) a "terrorist party".
"What can we say about a country that elects a terrorist [as prime minister]," he said on the show. The minister added that Muslims were being killed in India in the guise of cow protection, and that Muslims, Dalits and Christians were all "fair game" in the country.
"At the (UN) General Assembly, Sushma Swaraj accused us of exporting terror, while in fact, it is a terrorist who is Prime Minister of her country, his (the PM's) hands have the blood of murdered Muslims in Gujarat," said Asif. The minister's comments come days after verbal exchanges between the two countries at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly.
Khawaja Asif also pointed out that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had won elections in Uttar Pradesh with full majority primarily because of support from "communal upper-caste Hindus".
During the interview, Asif also denied recent reports that Pakistan had received a proposal from Afghanistan to swap former Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav for the militant who attacked a school in Peshawar in 2014 and is currently jailed in Afghanistan.
OneIndia News
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 10:52 [IST]
Africa faces climate disaster but is also a beacon of hope
Can Africa power with renewables as it grows?
Ram Nath Kovind leaves for Africa on first foreign trip as President
International
oi-PTI
President Ram Nath Kovind has embarked on his first international trip since taking office, a four-day visit to Djibouti and Ethiopia.
During his visit to the two African nations, the president is expected to sign agreements on institutionalisation of foreign office consultation and greater economic cooperation with Ethiopia, Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs had said earlier.
Press Secretary to the President Ashok Malik has said that Djibouti is an important Indian Ocean partner country with whom India's bilateral trade stands at USD 284 million in 2016-17.
"The president is looking forward to the visit. He recognises that the Africa and Indian ocean region are central to Indian foreign policy. That is why this region was chosen as his first foreign visit," Malik said.
India has extended a line of credit of USD 49 million to Djibouti, mainly for constructing a cement plant. It is a strategically located country just off the Gulf of Aden.
Kovind's visit will be the first by an Indian president to Ethiopia after 45 years. The last visit was by President V V Giri in 1972.
India's bilateral trade with Ethiopia in 2016 was nearly USD 1 billion. The country is among the top three foreign investors in Ethiopia with an approved investment of 4 billion dollars.
President Kovind is also expected to meet Indian diaspora in Ethiopia.
PTI
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 13:20 [IST]
US to ask Cuba to cut embassy staff by 60 percent
International
oi-PTI
The Trump administration will ask Cuba to cut their Washington embassy staff by 60 percent following a mystery illness that spawned diplomatic fracas in Havana.
The US request marks yet another major setback for relations between the United States and Cuba, two countries that only recently renewed diplomatic relations after a half-century of hostility. It comes as the US seeks to protect its own diplomats from unexplained attacks that have harmed at least 21 Americans in Havana with ailments that affected their hearing, cognition, balance and vision.
The State Department is expected to announce the decision Tuesday, officials said, though they cautioned no decision was formalized until publicly announced. The officials weren't authorized to discuss the plan publicly and requested anonymity. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson discussed the plan Monday with President Donald Trump, one of the officials said.
Cuba has denied involvement in the attacks. Though Havana is likely to view the move as unwarranted retaliation.
US Officials claim the move by the State Department is not intended as a punishment but instead will be used to ensure both embassies had an equal amount of diplomats.
PTI
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 10:46 [IST]
Why has the ISIS claimed the Las Vegas attack
International
oi-Vicky
By Vicky
Recommended Video
Las Vegas Shooting: Reason behind ISIS claiming the shootout, a bigger plan| Oneindia News
The Islamic State was quick to call the Las Vegas shooting in which 58 persons were killed. Officials however doubt this claim. The initial investigations do not suggest that the shooter belonged to the outfit or was inspired by its ideology.
The ISIS has been quick to call attacks and this is part of its larger strategy to spread fear and panic. Since the ISIS has lost heavily in Iraq and Syria it has been operating on a concept called inspired modules.
An inspired module is one that draws inspiration from a group's ideology. The members of the group of a lone person is not in touch with the members of the terrorist group. The planning of an attack is not discussed or known to the members of the group. The ideology is in circulation and it is up for grabs. Any person can draw inspiration and carry out an attack in the name of the terrorist group.
In India too several such modules were busted. Most of the members were not in touch with any of the members or handlers of the ISIS. They drew inspiration from the material circulated online and planned and tried to execute the attack on their own. This also meant that the ISIS or the al-Qaeda did not have to fund these modules. The members collect funds and go about their business on their own. For using the ISIS ideology, the group only would seek credit in return.
One needs to bear in mind is that the ISIS does not function like other terror groups. The ISIS does not function on the module theory. It is an outfit that works like an army in Iraq and Syria.
The function it gives its recruits in Iraq and Syria is very different to that it expects from its men in other parts of the world. When Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the boss of the ISIS delivered a message a year back, he made it amply clear that the outfit needed people who were inspired by it. He wanted to spread the ideology of the ISIS across the world and directed all to set up the Caliphate in their respective countries.
Top Intelligence Bureau officials say that the ISIS functions on inspiration. There is no set pattern that it works on. It has thrown a lot of material online about ideology and how it expects its men to function. It does not call for an attack that would require a great deal of planning.
Do not follow the rules is the message that it delivers. For instance, if a 'non-believer' is pushed down a building, the IS would call it an attack. The Nice attack in which a lorry mowed down several people was also called an attack. That attack was carried out by an ISIS inspired man who was not part of any module.
OneIndia News
Risk of his posts 'too great': Facebook, Instagram extend ban on Trump's account till transition is complete
Mark Zuckerberg says 'sorry' as Meta fires over 11,000 employees in one go | Full statement
Zuckerberg apologises for Facebook's negative effects, vows to keep tab on political ads
International
oi-PTI
Washington, October 3: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has tendered apology for the social-media platform's negative effects and asked for forgiveness for his work that was used to divide people rather than uniting them. But, Zuckerberg did not mention any specific incident for his apology.
Zuckerberg, 33, apologized in the wake of mounting evidence that Russians had used Facebook he created more than a decade ago to spread propaganda and influence voter sentiment all to tip the US presidential election in Donald Trump's favour, Washington Post said.
He took to his social media account and wrote, "For those I hurt this year, I ask forgiveness and I will try to be better."
"For the ways my work was used to divide people rather than bring us together, I ask for forgiveness and I will work to do better," he wrote in a brief post.
Earlier, Facebook had announced it would turn over to Congress copies of more than 3,000 advertisements that a shadowy Russian company bought for USD 100,000 from June 2015 to May 2017.
The ads were linked to about 470 fake accounts likely operated out of Russia. Alex Stamos, Facebook's chief security officer, said last month that the vast majority of the ads didn t specifically mention the presidential election, but it touched on divisive topics, such as LGBT rights, race, immigration and gun rights.
Facebook had initially declined to share copies of the ads, saying it would compromise user privacy, but Zuckerberg announced a reversal of that decision on September 21, the paper said.
"I don't want anyone to use our tools to undermine democracy. That's not what we stand for," Zuckerberg said in a Facebook Live video.
Zuckerberg vowed that the company will continue to investigate and enhance transparency on who buys political ads. He acknowledged that the amount of problematic activities Facebook has uncovered is "relatively small".
PTI
For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications
Story first published: Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 11:19 [IST]
See original here
By Mark Sumner
Donald Trump has already demonstrated that he'll pardon anyone, even if that person is clearly guilty and even if a sentence hasn't yet been handed down. The pardoning of Joe Arpaio is a clear signal to those who took part in Trump-Russia that if they just keep their mouth's shut, a nice pardon is waiting for them when the special counsel comes around.
With that in mind, Robert Mueller has assigned one of his team to finding ways of stopping Trump's pardon power from wrecking their case.
"Pre-emptive pardons are a distinct possibility now that current and former Trump advisers are under Mueller's scrutiny. Trump himself has tweeted that everyone agrees the U.S. president has 'complete power to pardon.' Some of those kinds of executive moves have been well studied, including Gerald Ford's swift pardon of Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton's exoneration of fugitive financier Marc Rich. But the legal territory is largely uncharted over pardons of a president's own campaign workers, family members or even himself -- and how prosecutors' work would then be affected."
If Trump begins blocking the progress of the investigation with pardons, federal courts can expect some exercise. But Mueller doesn't want to leave his case in the hands of Trump-appointed judges.
"Acting as Mueller's top legal counsel, [Michael Dreeben] has been researching past pardons and determining what, if any, limits exist, according to a person familiar with the matter. Dreeben's broader brief is to make sure the special counsel's prosecutorial moves are legally airtight."
And if they do end up in front of the Supreme Court, Dreeben has been there -- more than 100 times.
Dreeben, 62, built that expertise over three decades as an appeals lawyer at the Justice Department. As a deputy solicitor general, he's pored over prosecutors' moves in more than a thousand federal criminal prosecutions and defended many of them from challenges all they way to the nation's highest court.
That hasn't always made Dreeben a progressive favorite. Under the charge of defending cases brought by prosecutors, it's sometimes been Dreeben's task to push cases where collection of evidence collided with the rights of defendants. But as part of Mueller's team, Dreeben is the expert in how to make charges stick.
From Alternet
The Second Amendment is an anachronism that's no longer relevant today.
With the crazed assault in Las Vegas that killed over 50 and wounded hundreds as only the most recent example, America's gun violence problem has reached a breaking point. While we can talk all we want about assault weapons bans, universal background checks and terror watch lists, there's only one real solution to this problem: We need to repeal the Second Amendment.
This, of course, is completely unacceptable to Republicans, but that's because they don't know the real history of the Second Amendment, and the real history of the Second Amendment is as ugly as it gets.
Thanks to corporate media's unquestioning regurgitation of right-wing talking points, most Americans think that Second Amendment is in the Constitution to protect the rights of individual gun owners from the government.
But that's not even remotely true.
Despite what you might hear on Fox So-Called news, there actually was no "individual right to own a gun" until 2008, when the Supreme Court said there was in its decision in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller.
That decision, which struck down Washington, D.C.'s handgun ban, was the culmination of a decades-long push by the gun industry to twist the Second Amendment into something that would help it sell more weapons, and it had zero basis in real Constitutional history.
It's what former Chief Justice Warren Burger called a "fraud on the American public," and it's a fraud that now makes it very, very hard to put in place sensible gun control laws.
So, if the Second Amendment wasn't originally about protecting gun rights, why is it in the U.S. Constitution? What were the Founders thinking?
Well, the first and most obvious answer, and the one accepted by most historians, is that they were trying to prevent the existence of a standing army during times of peace.
The Founders were scholars of classical history, and they knew that history teaches that when given too much power, armies, repeatedly and throughout history, would overthrow democracy and put in place a military dictatorship. There's even a phrase to describe it: a military coup.
As James Madison told the Philadelphia Constitutional Convention in 1787,
"'A standing military force' will not long be safe companions to liberty. The means of defense against foreign danger have been always the instruments of tyranny at home. Among the Romans it was a standing maxim to excite a war, whenever a revolt was apprehended. Throughout all Europe, the armies kept up under the pretext of defending, have enslaved the people.
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
From The Nation
The American Civil Liberties Union is flexing the organizing and campaigning muscles it has developed since Donald Trump assumed the presidency to address the structural challenges that undermined American democracy before the 2016 presidential election.
The ACLU's ambitious "Let People Vote" project will work in states across the country to strengthen democracy by extending early-voting periods, making voter registration more accessible, restoring voting rights for disenfranchised communities, and combating "attempts at voter suppression, such as discriminatory voter ID requirements and voter purges."
Those vital initiatives will make it easier to vote. But the ACLU is not stopping there. It is also seeking reforms that will make voting more meaningful by restoring competition to legislative and congressional elections.
"One way politicians have been able to reshape the electorate to their liking is through the redistricting process," explains the ACLU's Brian Tashman. "Gerrymandering is done to protect incumbent lawmakers, especially when they are members of the party in power. This practice creates legislative districts that are so uncompetitive that it discourages voter participation."
The focus on gerrymandering is essential, and the Supreme Court will take up the issue Tuesday, hearing oral arguments on a Wisconsin case that could ultimately transform elections nationwide. The legal scholars and voting-rights activists who brought the case, now dubbed Gill v. Whitford, have asserted that Wisconsin's state Assembly and state Senate district maps were rigged by Governor Scott Walker's hyper-partisan legislative allies to lock in the majorities they gained in the wave election of 2010. Republicans gerrymandered legislative district lines so aggressively that in the next election, even as Wisconsin Democrats won 174,000 more votes than Republicans in races for state Assembly seats, Republicans won a 60-39 majority in the chamber.
The democratic disconnect illustrated by those numbers has strengthened the argument that the gerrymandering of district lines denies voters their right to participate in fair and competitive elections. And jurists have begun to accept that something must be done to make elections more reflective of the popular will. As the lead plaintiff in the Wisconsin case, longtime University of Wisconsin law professor William Whitford, says: "In a democracy citizens are supposed to choose their legislators. In Wisconsin, legislators have chosen their voters."
Click Here to Read Whole Article
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com.
I first "met" Noam Chomsky in 1969 by reading these words of his about the My Lai massacre:
"And now there is Song My -- 'Pinkville.' More than two decades of indoctrination and counterrevolutionary interventions have created the possibility of a name like 'Pinkville' -- and the acts that may be done in a place so named. Orville and Jonathan Schell have pointed out what any literate person should realize, that this was no isolated atrocity but the logical consequence of a virtual war of extermination directed against helpless peasants: 'enemies,' 'reds,' 'dinks.'"
Discussing various of America's criminal acts in the larger war in Vietnam, Chomsky then added of the My Lai massacre itself:
"It is perhaps remarkable that none of this appears to occasion much concern. It is only the acts of a company of half-crazed GIs that are regarded as a scandal, a disgrace to America. It will, indeed, be a still greater national scandal -- if we assume that to be possible -- if they alone are subjected to criminal prosecution, but not those who have created and accepted the long-term atrocity to which they contributed one detail -- merely a few hundred more murdered Vietnamese."
Chomsky wrote "After Pinkville" -- areas like Song My were then colored pink on American military maps -- in 1969. Almost half a century later, the question is: Have things improved? After all, in Ken Burns's new Vietnam extravaganza, his 18-hour documentary on that war, he seems to have captured the zeitgeist of the moment by carefully changing the word "murder" in the script for the My Lai episode to "killing." "At lunch, Burns defended his change," wrote the New Yorker's Ian Parker,"on the ground that My Lai continues to have 'a toxic, radioactive effect' on opinion. 'Killing' was the better word, he said, 'even though My Lai is murder.'" To be thoroughly upbeat, perhaps by 2067 Americans will finally be able to take "murder" straight on television when it comes to My Lai.
Almost 50 years ago, Daniel Ellsberg was both celebrated by many and unsuccessfully prosecuted by the Nixon administration, in part under the Espionage Act, for releasing The Pentagon Papers, a massive secret trove of documents that revealed to the American people something of what the United States was actually doing in Vietnam. In our era, Chelsea Manning did something similar. She turned over a twenty-first-century trove of secret documents on the Afghan and Iraq wars -- on, that is, what she's accurately termed "death, destruction, and mayhem" -- to WikiLeaks and for that she was celebrated by few and prosecuted and convicted by the U.S. military. Pardoned by President Obama after seven years in military prison, she recently had her visiting fellowship to Harvard's Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School of Government rescinded after CIA Director Mike Pompeo cancelled a talk there, complaining that Manning had "betrayed her country," and former CIA Acting Director Michael Morell, a senior fellow at the same school, resigned in protest. Or to put it another way, Harvard caved to men who represented an agency that had committed secret acts of horror betraying every imaginable American value. (To give credit where it's due, significant numbers of Harvard faculty members protested this craven act.) The same institute felt no compunctions about offering a visiting fellowship to former Trump press secretary Sean Spicer and, despite alumni protest, not rescinding it. Perhaps there's an essay, "After Punkville," to be written about all of this.
Under the circumstances, it's our good fortune that, with civilians regularly being "killed" by U.S. firepower across the Greater Middle East, Noam Chomsky continues to remind us what our world really looks like if we don't censor either our language or our thoughts. It makes today's TomDispatch post, a recent interview from his upcoming book with David Barsamian, Global Discontents: Conversations on the Rising Threats to Democracy, particularly relevant to our moment. Tom
The Trump Presidency
Or How to Further Enrich "The Masters of the Universe"
By Noam Chomsky and David Barsamian [This interview has been excerpted from Global Discontents: Conversations on the Rising Threats to Democracy, the new book by Noam Chomsky and David Barsamian to be published this December.] David Barsamian: You have spoken about the difference between Trump's buffoonery, which gets endlessly covered by the media, and the actual policies he is striving to enact, which receive less attention. Do you think he has any coherent economic, political, or international policy goals? What has Trump actually managed to accomplish in his first months in office? Noam Chomsky: There is a diversionary process under way, perhaps just a natural result of the propensities of the figure at center stage and those doing the work behind the curtains. At one level, Trump's antics ensure that attention is focused on him, and it makes little difference how. Who even remembers the charge that millions of illegal immigrants voted for Clinton, depriving the pathetic little man of his Grand Victory? Or the accusation that Obama had wiretapped Trump Tower? The claims themselves don't really matter. It's enough that attention is diverted from what is happening in the background. There, out of the spotlight, the most savage fringe of the Republican Party is carefully advancing policies designed to enrich their true constituency: the Constituency of private power and wealth, "the masters of mankind," to borrow Adam Smith's phrase. These policies will harm the irrelevant general population and devastate future generations, but that's of little concern to the Republicans. They've been trying to push through similarly destructive legislation for years. Paul Ryan, for example, has long been advertising his ideal of virtually eliminating the federal government, apart from service to the Constituency -- though in the past he's wrapped his proposals in spreadsheets so they would look wonkish to commentators. Now, while attention is focused on Trump's latest mad doings, the Ryan gang and the executive branch are ramming through legislation and orders that undermine workers' rights, cripple consumer protections, and severely harm rural communities. They seek to devastate health programs, revoking the taxes that pay for them in order to further enrich their Constituency, and to eviscerate the Dodd-Frank Act, which imposed some much-needed constraints on the predatory financial system that grew during the neoliberal period. That's just a sample of how the wrecking ball is being wielded by the newly empowered Republican Party. Indeed, it is no longer a political party in the traditional sense. Conservative political analysts Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein have described it more accurately as a "radical insurgency," one that has abandoned normal parliamentary politics. Much of this is being carried out stealthily, in closed sessions, with as little public notice as possible. Other Republican policies are more open, such as pulling out of the Paris climate agreement, thereby isolating the U.S. as a pariah state that refuses to participate in international efforts to confront looming environmental disaster. Even worse, they are intent on maximizing the use of fossil fuels, including the most dangerous; dismantling regulations; and sharply cutting back on research and development of alternative energy sources, which will soon be necessary for decent survival.
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Nothing going on here.
(Image by chris breddy1) Details DMCA
I'm reading about how Israeli Security and IDF are teaching our police brutal methods and practices during the ongoing 'Police Exchange Programs'.
Please, our police departments are very well versed in brutal tactics and practices. I was in law enforcement for many years, starting in 1962 in Missouri (Pre Miranda). I learned (and practiced) things that make me blush to think about today, and I wasn't one of the worst offenders. To think that the Israelis could teach our cops more than they already know about illegal, improper and brutal procedures is to be naive to the extreme. I'm not saying every cop uses these tactics. I am saying that they are already known to our police and still practiced today by all too many. In addition to well-established methods, our veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere are joining police departments upon discharge from active duty and bringing with them new and exotic methods used by our forces overseas.
My point? The forgoing is not the cause for alarm for our country. What is going on is the quiet and subtle infiltration of Israeli influence at every command level of our nation's police forces, from chiefs down to patrolman.
The 'School of the Americas' was established by our military at Fort Benning, Georgia. It's stated mission was to export professional military policies and procedures to armed forces in Central and South America, but few people know the long-term mission of that program. Let me explain: upon arrival at their quarters at Fort Benning, officers from the various countries were assigned a 'Buddy'. This American intelligence operative was fluent in the language of the student officer and well schooled on his country of origin. The Buddy was assigned as a roommate, as a rule, and would take the student under his wing and show him 'the ropes' around the school campus, the post and the surrounding town attractions.
This Buddy would work to establish a close personal relationship with the student over the days and weeks of classes and training. He would hopefully gain his friendship, his trust and his confidence. He would learn of the student's likes, dislikes, family, home life, hobbies, weaknesses, strengths and spiritual beliefs, if any. Everything would be recorded in a file and kept by Army Intelligence. The insidious part of this practice is that this 'Buddy' would stay in touch with the student long after his completion of the school. Regular contact would be maintained to such an extent that the student could be groomed for service to our government while serving in his own government's military. Many military coup leaders around the globe were/are graduates of our School of the Americas. This is a simple verifiable fact.
Am I saying that Israel is grooming our civil police for the possible overthrow of our government? No, I'm saying that Israel is infiltrating our police forces in furtherance of their own national interests. I'm saying this program is a long-standing one. I'm saying it is ongoing today, and I'm saying this is the real danger of this program. Police officers of every rank take an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. There is no room there for foreign entanglements. Israel has been infiltrating and influencing our political, military and commercial interests for decades. The program i'm discussing here is just one more aspect of their continued intrusion into our affairs.
Our officers return from these programs in Israel with their egos plumped, having been flattered, pampered and rewarded in many ways, both official and unofficial. Don't expect them to feel that they've been used by a foreign power. They return flush with a mountain of pleasant memories and exotic experiences. They are the last persons to suspect they were being used badly. Their 'Buddies' are their friends, and you will be a 'conspiracy theorist' and that will be the end of the discussion. I'm only taking the time to write this so that someone, somewhere knows what's going on and why.
Postscript: The FBI has had the exact same program in place for years with their "National Academy; at their primary training facility, Quantico, Virginia. Again, the primary goal is to gain intelligence about various local police officers and their agencies, and additionally, to insure that there is a point of contact in every U. S. jurisdiction where the feds can expect to find a friendly voice that will take their call, if needed.
Congress Switchboard: 202-224-3121
"At 350.org we've always wanted to work from the bottom up, and it's good to see people assembling a theoretical framework for understanding this decentralized approach! "
Bill McKibben, founder 350.org, author of The End of Nature
Quicklink Not Found
Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them.
To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here.
Progressive Content Not Found
Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing.
To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here.
Article Not Found
Sometimes, authors delete their articles after publishing them.
To see if the article was renamed or re-published, please click here.
(Image by Egberto Willies) Details DMCA
CNN's segment describing who Las Vegas mass killer Stephen Paddock was illustrates the problems with the media. To many, the piece is an attempt to humanize Paddock as they promote his neighbor's description of him as a gentle giant.
"The retired accountant, firing dozens of rounds onto thousands of concert goers about five hundred yards away from two hotel windows he smashed on the 32nd floor at the Mandalay Bay," the reporter said.
That antiseptic and matter-of-fact nature of the entry to Paddock's description gives the impression that it was some ordinary crime. It would have been more appropriate after introducing him to refer to him appropriately, the mass killer or the domestic terrorist. He was an accountant but what he is now is a mass murderer. Engrained in many Americans' minds is just an Accountant doing wrong. Is that how the media addressed the mass killers associated with Islam or people of color committing murders of lesser volume and terror?
CNN went out of their way to make Stephen Paddock seem like just the normal guy. CNN highlighted a statement by a gun shop owner who sold Paddock a gun.
"He didn't set off any of my alarms, anything that I felt like there was a problem in any way shape or form with him," said Chris Michel, owner of the Utah gun store. "He was a normal everyday guy that walks into my door fifty thousand times a day."
Really? Is that not the case with most killers purchasing weapons? That is not out of the ordinary.
CNN continues to build Paddocks character pointing out he has no criminal past. A lot of killers don't. They made sure to get his brother stating that Paddock never exhibited any violent tendencies.
The reporter points out that the brother said Stephen Paddock was a successful real estate investor who owned several properties. Instead of calling Paddock a gambler which has a negative connotation, they softened it.
"He also had an affinity for gambling," CNN said.
They then attempted to inject an excuse if only subliminally, maybe a seed from the past that caused him to snap.
"But the family has a troubled past," the reporter said. "Paddock's father, Benjamin, was a convicted bank robber who escaped from prison in the late sixties and was on the FBI's most wanted list."
But here is the kicker at the end of the segment.
"Neighbors shocked by the news," the CNN reporter continued. "Some even describing him as a gentle giant. 'We wouldn't recognize him as being anything out of the norm."
And there you have it. A mass killer, humanized.
Next Page 1 | 2
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Hurricane damage in Puerto Rico
(Image by airforcemag) Details DMCA
From today's violence in Las Vegas with 60 killed and 500 wounded from the actions of an American gunman, the loss of human life in Puerto Rico, Florida, Texas, the US Virgin Islands and the massive property destruction from Hurricanes Maria, Irma and Harvey, over the past two months, citizens of the United States have faced fire and violence from the skies that people in other parts of the world have routinely been enduring.
Other islands of the Caribbean, Cuba, Barbuda, Dominica, Antigua, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, British Virgin Island, St. Martin, Monserrat, Guadaloupe, St. Kitts and Nevis were also smashed by Hurricanes Maria, Irma and Harvey.
In other parts of the world, one-third of Bangladesh has been underwater from monsoon rains, parts of Nigeria have been flooded. Mexico has endured killer earthquakes.
Rahingya villages in Myanmar have been burned, thousands murdered and over 400,000 fleeing into Bangladesh to escape Buddhist Burmese/Myanmar military violence.
(Image by Screenshot (Channel 4)) Details DMCA
Endless numbers of homes destroyed by hurricanes and floods in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Barbuda, Dominica, Antigua -- some of these areas resemble the blown up buildings, streets filled with rubble and the dazed citizens wandering looking for food and water just as in the war zones where people in Afghanistan have been enduring U.S. war and destruction for 16 years... and in Iraq for 13 years... and in Syria for five years.
Afghan, Pakistani, Somali, Iraqi, Yemeni and Syrian civilians have been murdered by U.S. killer drones, whose pilots are trained 60 miles from Las Vegas, raining hellfire missiles from above in the same sudden violence from the skies as people in Las Vegas suffered last night. Death came from different munitions-long-range rifles in Las Vegas and hellfire missiles in the Middle East, but the result was the same -- sudden violent death from the skies.
Hurricanes from space
(Image by NASA) Details DMCA
Americans are now face-to-face with the human and environmental violence that many parts of the world have endured. Americans are enduring the ravages of both gun violence of a committed sniper and the violence of Planet Earth's environmental war on the frail humans that have been using and abusing her.
Access to guns and gun violence in the United States is out of control. US wars killing people around the world has been the rationale used by some to kill in the United States. Corporate, Congressional and Trump administration denial of the human impact on our environment and refusal to work to reduce the impact of humanity will fuel even more violent attacks by nature on us.
It's time for Congress to enact gun control legislation, for US wars to end, and that we take serious measures to stop further destruction of our climate.
From The National
The unravelling of the map of the region would likely lead to chaos of the kind that a strong, nuclear-armed Israel could richly exploit
Palestinians and Israelis watched last week's referendum of Iraq's Kurds with special interest. Israeli officials and many ordinary Palestinians were delighted -- for very different reasons -- to see an overwhelming vote to split away from Iraq.
Given the backlash from Baghdad and anger from Iran and Turkey, which have restive Kurdish minorities, the creation of a Kurdistan in northern Iraq may not happen soon.
Palestinian support for the Kurds is not difficult to understand. Palestinians, too, were overlooked when Britain and France carved up the Middle East into states a century ago. Like the Kurds, Palestinians have found themselves trapped in different territories, oppressed by their overlords.
Israel's complex interests in Kurdish independence are harder to unravel.
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the sole world leader to back Kurdish independence, and other politicians spoke of the Kurds' "moral right" to a state. None saw how uneasily that sat with their approach to the Palestinian case.
On a superficial level, Israel would gain because the Kurds sit on plentiful oil. Unlike the Arab states and Iran, they are keen to sell to Israel.
But the reasons for Israeli support run deeper. There has been co-operation, much of it secret, between Israel and the Kurds for decades. Israeli media lapped up tributes from now-retired generals who trained the Kurds from the 1960s. Those connections have not been forgotten or ended. Independence rallies featured Israeli flags, and Kurds spoke of their ambition to become a "second Israel."
Israel views the Kurds as a key ally in an Arab-dominated region. Now, with ISIL's influence receding, an independent Kurdistan could help prevent Iran from filling the void. Israel wants a bulwark against Iran transferring its weapons, intelligence and know-how to Shiite allies in Syria and Lebanon.
Israel's current interests, however, hint at a larger vision it has long harbored for the region.
It began with Israel's founding father, David Ben Gurion, who devised a strategy of "allying with the periphery" -- building military ties to non-Arab states like Turkey, Ethiopia, India and Iran, then ruled by the shahs. The goal was to help Israel break out of its regional isolation and contain an Arab nationalism led by Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Israeli general Ariel Sharon expanded this security doctrine in the early 1980s, calling for Israel to become an imperial power in the Middle East. Israel would ensure that it alone in the region possessed nuclear weapons, making it indispensible to the US.
Sharon was not explicit about how Israel's empire could be realized, but an indication was provided at around the same time in the Yinon Plan, written for the World Zionist Organization by a former Israeli foreign ministry official.
Oded Yinon proposed the implosion of the Middle East, breaking apart the region's key states -- and Israel's main opponents -- by fuelling sectarian and ethnic discord. The aim was to fracture these states, weakening them so that Israel could secure its place as sole regional power.
Next Page 1 | 2
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Image From Article
(Image by Unknown) Details DMCA
"Those who create a problem can't fix it."--Albert Einstein as quoted by Arnold Schwarzenegger
"It is time to terminate gerrymandering!" former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger told a crowd of about 100 activists today in front of the SCOTUS building once the case Gill v. Whitford had been argued within. He was one of several Republicans, mostly retired from office, who oppose this form of corruption; (John McCain and John Kasich (OH SoS) are the active GOP supporters) who had joined ranks with Democrats and independents to support ending this partisan/racist practice that involves "redistricting" throughout the country, especially in battleground states. Tthe goal is to "pack" and "crack" electoral districts, at the federal and state levels, to guarantee that Democrats, for the most part, are packed into a few districts and diluted ("cracked") over others so that in most cases Republicans control them.
There was about an hour and a half of rallying as the case was being argued, with speakers including U.S. representatives from Wisconsin, New York, Oregon, Florida, Michigan, and California. Sponsors included Common Cause, RepresentUs, and the Center for American Progress (CAP) Action Fund.
Rep. Tom Swazi, first to speak, noted that there are 400 "safe" seats in the House of Representatives out of 435. A "safe" seat contains an incumbent guaranteed reelection unless "primaried," a rare occurrence (it happened to Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) in 2012 when two blue Cincinnati districts were combined into one). On average 10 percent of the populace vote in primaries, he said.
We need competitive seats. . . . Don't underestimate the power of the people!
Hey, hey, ho, ho--gerrymandering has to go!
Tired of your tampering! Stop your gerrymandering!
When politicians choose, the voters always lose!
Several of the speakers mentioned yesterday's Las Vegas massacre that killed at least 59 people and injured more than 520--one context, of course, was the need for the background check requirement wherever guns are sold. Will Congress do anything about it? asked the only GOP speaker at the protest, former U.S. Rep. David Jolly (R-FL). He referred to James Madison's warning in the Federalist Papers #10 against factionalism (George Washington also warned against it in his farewell speech in 1796). Candidates will have to speak to those independent voters who comprise fully one-third of the country, rather than just the battleground areas.
Rachel Brewer, of RepresentUS, said that distrust of the government serves the self-interest of political parties. Of course, gerrymandering alienates voters who lose faith in the system. Gill v. Whitford represents the first time in 15 years that the issue has been argued in SCOTUS. She's heard from 25,000 members of her organization. "Shout like the future depends on it!" she exhorted.
What do we want? Representation! When do we want it? Now!
Rise up! Shout back!
Oregon U.S. Rep. Richard Blumenthal noted that 15 years ago there was more competition in Iowa than in four of the most populous states in the U.S. for the simple reason that Iowa had an independent commission doing the redistricting rather than its state legislature, which in most of the country is in charge, sometimes with the assistance of outside commissions. Since then the situation has deteriorated with the advent of computerized gerrymandering and survey research. [A few states have nonpartisan independent redistricting commissions, including Arizona and California, and five others have bipartisan commissions--Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Jersey, and Washington State).
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
From Wallwritings
Image created from image crediting
(Image by James Wall) Details DMCA
October Sky begins on the night of October 5, 1957. Residents of the town of Coalwood, West Virginia, peer into the October sky, some with binoculars, searching for a brief glimpse of Sputnik, the first Russian-launched satellite.
The film is based on Rocket Boys, a memoir written by Homer H. Hickam Jr. The memoir tells the true story of four boys in a coal-mining town in Appalachia, each determined to build a rocket that will soar into the sky. It is a serious project. The boys want to help get America back into the "space race."
At the film's conclusion, we discover what their experiences as "Rocket Boys" prepared them what to do as adults.
This is a positive post, so please avoid thinking about the title of Hickam's memoir.
The celebration of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union is the first of two anniversaries in October, 2017.
The second will arrive October 31, preceded by other events, all pointing to the day 500 years ago when Martin Luther posted 95 theses on the city hall door in the small German town of Wittenberg.
These celebrations look back at one contest between nations, and a second struggle between a church hierarchy and a growing demand for theological openness.
The "thesis" is a list Luther offered to debate with church authorities, who were in no mood to allow this irascible young monk to further arouse the faithful.
It is notable that these two events were of a peaceful nature, though, as sinful nations and institutions are wont to do, subsequent events in those contests turned violent.
In the space race, from commanders like John Glenn to the African-American women who under the burden of racial segregation provided crucial technical assistance, a large number of individuals acted positively to give the U.S. an edge.
The African-American contribution to the space race is creatively portrayed in the recent film, Hidden Figures.
Key to both, however, is that at turning points, key individuals emerged to provide practical and inspirational leadership for movements long in gestation.
For the Reformation, which Luther's defiant 95 theses moment indicates, a single man provided a key movement, and drove it forward. Luther proposed an academic discussion of the practice and efficacy of indulgences in his Ninety-five Theses of 1517.
According to one account, Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of All Saints' Church in Wittenberg on 31 October 1517.
Next Page 1 | 2
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
Fluoropolymers Market During 2024 to Perceive Substantial Growth
https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/fluoropolymers-market.html
https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=94
https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/94
http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=94 What was the historic Coupled Inductor market data from 2012 to 2016?> What is the Coupled Inductor industry growth forecast from 2016 to 2022?> Which companies lead the Coupled Inductor industry, how are they positioned in the market in terms of sustainability, competency, production capacity and strategic outlook?> What are the technology & innovation trends, how will they evolve by 2022?> Which are the leading market products, applications & regions and how will they perform by 2022?> A detailed analysis of regulatory trends, drivers, industry pitfalls, challenges and growth opportunities for participantsAbout Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the worlds most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:GlobeMetrixJames JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4,Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns,Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog:
Global Battery Separator Market 2017: ASAHI KASEI, Cangzhou Mingzhu Plastic
https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/724549-global-battery-separator-sales-market-1
https://www.htfmarketreport.com/request-discount/724549-global-battery-separator-sales-market-1
https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/724549-global-battery-separator-sales-market-1
https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=724549
A new research study from HTF MI with title Global Battery Separator Sales Market Report 2017 provides an in-depth assessment of the Battery Separator including key market trends, upcoming technologies, industry drivers, challenges, regulatory policies and issues, opportunities, future roadmap, value chain, ecosystem player profiles and strategies. The research study provides forecasts for Battery Separator investments till 2022.Get Access to sample pages @This study answers several questions for stakeholders, primarily which market segments or Region or Country they should focus in coming years to channelize their efforts and investments to maximize growth and profitability. These stakeholders include Battery Separator manufacturers such as ASAHI KASEI, Cangzhou Mingzhu Plastic, Celgard, Daramic, Dreamweaver, ASAHI KASEI, Cangzhou Mingzhu Plastic, Celgard, Daramic, Dreamweaver, Bernard Dumas, ENTEK, Foshan Jinhui Hi-Tech Optoelectronic Material, Henan Yi Tang New Energy Technology, Hunan Chi, etc.Global Battery Separator (K Units) and Revenue (Million USD) Market Split by Product Type such as Diode Type Battery Separator, Relay Type Battery SeparatorMarket Segment by Type 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022Diode Type Battery Separator xx xx xx xx xx xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Relay Type Battery Separatorxx xx xx xx xx xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx xx xx xx-Change (%) xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx% xx%The research study is segmented by Application as well such as Suvs, Motor Homes, Special Vehicle with historical and projected market share and compounded annual growth rate.Get customization & check discount for report @Global Battery Separator Sales (K Units) by Application (2016-2022)Market Segmentby Application 2012 2016 2022 Market Share (%)2022 CGAR (%)(2016-2022)Suvs xx xx xx xx% xx%Motor Homes xx xx xx xx% xx%Special Vehicle xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx 100% xx%Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @The research provides answers to the following key questions: What will be the market size and the growth rate in 2022? What are the key factors driving the Global Battery Separator market? Who are the key market players and what are their strategies in the Global Battery Separator market? Trending factors influencing the market shares of the . What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Global Battery Separator market? What trends, challenges and barriers are influencing Markets growth? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Global Battery Separator market? What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the Global Battery Separator market?Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions such as , with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Global Battery Separator in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringMarket Segment by Regions 2012 2016 2022 Share (%) CAGR (2016-2022)United States xx xx xx xx% xx%Europe xx xx xx xx% xx %China xx xx xx xx% xx%Japan xx xx xx xx% xx %Southeast Asia xx xx xx xx% xx%Total xx xx xx xx% xx%The report provides a basic overview of the Battery Separator industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. And development policies and plans are discussed as well as manufacturing processes and capital expenditures.Further it focuses on global major leading industry players with information such as company profiles, product picture and specifications, sales, market share and contact information. Whats more, the Battery Separator industry development trends and marketing channels are analyzed.Buy this research report @There are 15 chapters to deeply display the Global Battery Separator market.Chapter 1, to describe Battery Separator Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Battery Separator, with sales, revenue, and price of Battery Separator, in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with sales, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the global market by regions, with sales, revenue and market share of Battery Separator, for each region, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the key regions, with sales, revenue and market share by key countries / regions ;Chapter 10 and 11, to show the market by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application [Suvs, Motor Homes, Special Vehicle], from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 12, Battery Separator market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Battery Separator sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data source.Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.HTF Market Report is a wholly owned brand of HTF market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited. HTF Market Report global research and market intelligence consulting organization is uniquely positioned to not only identify growth opportunities but to also empower and inspire you to create visionary growth strategies for futures, enabled by our extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist you for making goals into a reality. Our understanding of the interplay between industry convergence, Mega Trends, technologies and market trends provides our clients with new business models and expansion opportunities. We are focused on identifying the Accurate Forecast in every industry we cover so our clients can reap the benefits of being early market entrants and can accomplish their Goals & Objectives.Contact us :HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private LimitedUnit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJNew Jersey USA 08837sales@htfmarketreport.com+1 (206) 317 1218
Blister Packaging Equipment Market to Grow at Over 5.4% CAGR through 2025
MRRSE
https://www.mrrse.com/sample/3395
https://www.mrrse.com/blister-packaging-equipment-market
https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/3395
https://www.mrrse.com/
https://www.mrrse.com/
According to the report titled Global Blister Packaging Equipment Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2017 2025 added to the wide database of Market Research Reports Search Engine (MRRSE), the market for blister packaging equipment is expected to grow at a 5.4% CAGR during the forecast period 2017 to 2025. The factors driving demand include increased production efficiency, less time in product changeover, massive automation in the packaging line, and increasing number of companies adapting to blister equipment in production lines leading to smart modernization of manufacturing facilities. Conversely, unwillingness in the pharmaceutical industry for adopting new procedures is hampering expansion of the global blister packaging equipment market. The report contains in-depth information about past trends and future prospects for the period 2017 to 2025.The report based on global Blister Packaging Equipment Market begins with an executive summary providing an overview to the readers. The executive summary is then followed by market introduction containing market definition and its taxonomy. The market overview section in the report gives reader insights into the market that studies macroeconomic indicators, market dynamics, region wise market share, and value chain analysis. The report gives 360 degree view of the market as it analyses the global blister packaging equipment market by type of the product, process, equipment, technology, end-use and region. Additionally, it also examines the fierce competition involved in global blister packaging equipment market.Request Free Sample Report:The product type segment is divided into solid, semi-solid and liquid. As per the report, the solid segment dominates the blister packaging equipment market worldwide with a share of 83% by value. Solid products are convenient to fill and more suitable. The semi-solid and liquid products are required to be packed in bottles or ampoules over blisters to avoid leakage due to shocks or load. The process type segment holds more than two-third of market share by value and the remaining belongs to semi-automatic and manual. The increasing trend of automation decreases the human involvement leading to reduction in errors in blisters manufacturing.Further, the end-use industry segment is divided into cosmetics & personal care, consumer electronics, pharmaceutical, food industry and other manufacturing in the report. Out of these, pharmaceutical segment is anticipated to dominate three-fourths of market share by value approximately. In segment equipment type, the inline filler is estimated to reach to a CAGR of 5.6% by value during the forecast period. In terms of technology, the market is categorized into ultrasonic sealing, thermoforming, heat sealing and cold sealing. As per the report, the thermoforming category is ruling the global blister packaging equipment market at present with half of the market share followed by heat sealing. The category heat sealing is further divided into plastic-to-plastic, plastic-to-card and card-to-card.Browse Full Report with TOC:According to the report, Asia Pacific region is currently dominating the global blister packaging equipment market in terms of volume and value. In 2017, this market was valued at US$793.4 mn due to the growing demand of packaging in various applications such as consumer goods, food, and pharmaceuticals. Europe and Asia Pacific are key producers of packaging machinery, mainly with countries like Japan, Germany and Italy globally.The report mentions some of the key companies holding prominent positions in the market are CAM Packaging Solutions, Romaco Pharmatechnik GmbH, Gebo Cermex, Fabrima Maquinas Automaticas Ltda, Korber AG, IMA Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A., Marchesini Group S.p.A., Sonoco Products Company, Bosch Packaging Technology and Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG.Enquire About this Report ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite: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 StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:
Research Delivers Insight into the Global Outlook for Fillings & Filling Mixes Market
https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=24143
https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=24143
http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com
Global Fillings & Filling Mixes Market: OverviewFillings & filling mixes are the natural or synthetic flavoured fillings used as stuffing or topping on the variety of food products. Fillings and filling mixes are most widely used in confectionary and bakery products. For instance, doughnuts, pastries, cakes, pie are the popular items where fillings have the majority of share. The fillings and filling mixes with the variety of flavours add texture and fine taste to the baked goods which often attracts the consumers and increases the probability point of sale.Besides, filling and filling mixes provides food product manufacturers new ways to diverse there product range with additions of luscious fillings. Primarily, fillings & filling mixes are available veg based, non-veg based and fruit based types. The new product development in the fruit based fillings is considerably strong owing to the increased demand ready to eat diversely flavoured food toppings.View TOC for this Market Report @Global Fillings & Filling Mixes Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe fillings & filling mixes is primarily driven by the growing demand for bakery and confectionary food items. The growth of the confectionary industry is one of the major driving factors for global fillings & filling mixes market. The changing food habits of the consumers, increase in the disposable income, and growing demand for ready to eat food are some of the factors contributing to drive the global fillings and filling market.However, the consumers health concern over intake of sugar-related food items restricts the sugary fillings & filling mixes market to some extent.Global Fillings & Filling Mixes Market: Region wise OutlookThe global fillings & filling mixes market is divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). North America holds major share in the global fillings & filling mixes market owing to the growth of sugar-free product items, fruit based crushes, etc. Also, the robust confectionary industry in the North America region boosts the global filling & filling mixes market.The fillings & filling mixes market in Western Europe, is expected to grow at a significantly high CAGR owing to the fact that, consumers in the Western European countries have the highest spending on confectionary products. Also, consumers inclination towards the adoption of premium fillings is an added advantage for fillings & filling mixes manufacturers.For more information on this report, fill the form @APEJ fillings & filling mixes market is expected to exhibit high attractiveness index for key manufacturers such as Macphie Ltd, Tereos to penetrate more in the region with an aim to increase their market share in the region. However, the economic fall down in the China, has impacted the growth of confectionary industries coupled with consumers limiting sugar products owing to health reasons.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Contact UsTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Smartwatch Global Market Key Players Apple, Samsung, Sony, Motorola/Lenovo, LG, TomTom Analysis and Forecast to 2022
https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2361017-global-and-regional-smartwatch-market-research-report-2017
https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/2361017-global-and-regional-smartwatch-market-research-report-2017
https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=2361017
SummaryWiseGuyReports.com adds Smartwatch Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Smartwatch is an information processing device with the basic time function. The watch may communicate with external devices such as smart phones, sensors, and a wireless headset. Smartwatch often consists of two parts: Peripheral devices and software. Peripheral devices of Smartwatch may include camera, thermometer, accelerometer, altimeter, barometer, compass, GPS receiver, speaker and SDcard that is recognized as a mass storage device by a computer. Software may include Map display, scheduler, calculator, and various kinds of watch face. To be more exact, Smartwatches are not only watches, but more like hi-tech equipment.Global and Regional Smartwatch market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingAppleSamsungSonyMotorola/LenovoLGPebbleFitbitGarminWithingsPolarAsusHuaweiZTEinWatchCasioTAG HeuerTomTomQualcommRequest a Sample Report @Market Segment as follows:By RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoBy Main SystemApple Watch KitAndroid WearTizenEmbedded OSOthersBy Screen TypeMirasol ScreenFlexible E-paperLCD ScreenOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Smartwatch for each application, includingPersonal AssistanceMedical / HealthFitnessPersonal SafetyAt any Query @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Triangular Track1.1.2.2 Regular Track1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Personal Assistance1.1.3.2 Medical and Health1.1.3.3 Fitness1.1.3.4 Personal Safety1.2 Global and Regional Market Size1.2.1 Global Overview1.2.2 Market by Region1.2.2.1 Asia-Pacific1.2.2.2 North America1.2.2.3 Europe1.2.2.4 South America1.2.2.5 Middle East & Africa.6 Key Manufacturers6.1 Apple6.1.2 Company Information6.1.2 Product Specifications6.1.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)6.2 Samsung6.2.1 Company Information6.2.2 Product Specifications6.2.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)6.3 Sony6.3.1 Company Information6.3.2 Product Specifications6.3.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)6.4 Motorola/Lenovo6.4.1 Company Information6.4.2 Product Specifications6.4.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)6.5 LG6.5.1 Company Information6.5.2 Product Specifications6.5.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)6.6 Pebble6.6.1 Company Information6.6.2 Product Specifications6.6.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)6.7 Fitbit6.7.1 Company Information6.7.2 Product Specifications6.7.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)6.8 Garmin6.8.1 Company Information6.8.2 Product Specifications6.8.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)6.9 Withings6.9.1 Company Information6.9.2 Product Specifications6.9.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)6.10 Polar6.10.1 Company Information6.10.2 Product Specifications6.10.3 Business Data (Capacity, Sales Revenue, Volume, Price, Cost and Margin)6.11 Asus6.12 Huawei6.13 ZTE6.14 inWatch6.15 Casio6.16 TAG Heuer6.17 TomTom6.18 QualcommBuy Now @Continued....Contact Us: sales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US) ; Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India
Tissue Engineered Skin Substitutes Market Overview and Forecast up to 2023
http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/3854
http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3854
http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=385480Mozs gold and >13Mt copper with these resources heavily weighted to areas of outcrop or limited cover. Emmerson's five exploration projects contain many attributes of the known deposits within the Macquarie Arc but remain under explored due to historical impediments, including an overlying cover (plus farmlands) and a lack of exploration focus. Kadungle is a JV with Aurelia Metals covering 43km2 adjacent to Emmerson's Fifield project.
In addition, Emmerson is exploring the Tennant Creek Mineral Field (TCMF), one of Australia's highest-grade gold and copper fields producing over 5.5 Mozs of gold and 470,000 tonnes of copper from deposits including Warrego, White Devil, Orlando, Gecko, Chariot and Golden Forty. These high-grade deposits are highly valuable exploration targets, and to date discoveries include high-grade gold at Edna Beryl and Mauretania, plus copper-gold at Goanna and Monitor. These are the first discoveries in the TCMF for over a decade.
Zhaopin Announces Completion of Going Private Transaction
Melbourne, Oct 2, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - SEEK Limited ( ASX:SEK ) ("SEEK") advises that its subsidiary Zhaopin Limited ("Zhaopin"), has announced the completion of its merger as detailed in SEEK's announcement on 7 April 2017. Following completion of the merger, Zhaopin's American depositary shares will be suspended from trading prior to the opening of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on 2 October 2017, and thereafter will be delisted.
Further details are set out in the attached copy of Zhaopin's announcement.
Zhaopin Limited Announces Completion of Going Private Transaction
BEIJING, September 29, 2017 -- Zhaopin Limited ( NYSE:ZPIN ) ("Zhaopin" or the "Company"), a leading career platform1 in China focused on connecting users with relevant job opportunities through their career lifecycle, today announced the completion of its merger (the "Merger") with Zebra Mergerco, Ltd. ("Merger Company"), pursuant to the previously announced agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement"), dated April 6, 2017, among the Company, SEEK International Investments Pty Ltd. ("Parent") and Merger Company. As a result of the Merger, Parent together with affiliates of Hillhouse Capital Management, Ltd. and FountainVest Partners acquired the Company and the Company ceased to be a publicly traded company thereafter.
As previously announced, on June 19, 2017, the Company declared the final amount of a cash special dividend (the "Special Dividend") of US$0.94 per ordinary share of the Company (each a "Share"), corresponding to US$1.88 per American depositary share of the Company (each, an "ADS") (each representing two Shares) as contemplated under and determined in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, payable to holders of record of issued and outstanding Shares and ADSs as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), subject to and conditioned upon the consummation of the Merger. The Special Dividend will be paid by the Company as soon as practicable and no later than three business days (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement) following the Effective Time.
In addition, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, which has been approved by the Company's shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting held on September 25, 2017, other than certain of the Company's ordinary shares described below, each Share that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time of the Merger has been cancelled and converted into and exchanged for the right to receive US$8.16 (which represents US$9.10 per Share minus the US$0.94 per Share amount of the Special Dividend) (such amount, the "Per Share Merger Consideration"), and each ADS, together with the two Shares underlying each such ADS, has been cancelled in exchange for US$16.32 (which amount represents US$18.20 per ADS minus the US$1.88 per ADS amount of the Special Dividend) (such amount, the ''Per ADS Merger Consideration'') to be paid, net of the cancellation fee of US$0.05 per ADS, pursuant to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2014, among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as the ADS depositary (the "ADS Depositary"), and the holders and beneficial owners of ADSs issued thereunder, in each case, in cash, without interest and net of any applicable withholding taxes.
The US$8.16 Per Share Merger Consideration, together with the US$0.94 per Share amount of the Special Dividend, will result in holder of Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time being entitled to receive a total of US$9.10 in cash per Share, and the US$16.32 Per ADS Merger Consideration, together with the US$1.88 per ADS amount of the Special Dividend, will result in holder of ADSs immediately prior to the Effective Time being entitled to receive a total of US$18.20 in cash per ADS, in each case in connection with the Merger.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Shares (including Shares represented by ADSs) were not converted into or exchanged for the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration or the Per ADS Merger Consideration described in the immediately preceding paragraphs:
(a) 54,503,586 Shares held by Parent immediately prior to the Effective Time, which are deemed "Continuing Shares" pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, which do not entitle Parent to payment of the Per Share Merger Consideration or the Per ADS Merger Consideration in respect therefor (but entitle Parent to payment of the Special Dividend in respect therefor), and were not cancelled and instead continue to exist without interruption, and each represents one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Class B ordinary share of the surviving company,
(b) ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares represented by ADSs) held by the Company or its subsidiaries and the ADS Depositary and reserved for issuance pursuant to the Company's share incentive plans immediately prior to the Effective Time have been cancelled and ceased to exist without payment of any consideration or distribution (including the right to receive the Special Dividend) therefor, and
(c) ordinary shares held by holders who have validly exercised and not effectively withdrawn or lost their rights to dissent from the Merger pursuant to Section 238 of the Cayman Islands Companies Law Cap. 22 (Law 3 of 1961, as consolidated and revised) have been cancelled at the Effective Time for the right to receive the fair value of such Shares determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 238 of the Cayman Islands Companies Law.
Shareholders of record as of immediately prior to the Effective Time who are entitled to the Per Share Merger Consideration will receive a letter of transmittal and instructions on how to surrender their Share certificates in exchange for the merger consideration. Shareholders should wait to receive the letter of transmittal before surrendering their ordinary share certificates. The Special Dividend will be paid to shareholders of record as of immediately prior to the Effective Time pursuant to the Company's memorandum and articles of association, applicable law and the Merger Agreement.
ADS holders of record as of immediately prior to the Effective Time who are entitled to the merger consideration and the Special Dividend will automatically receive from the ADS Depositary, per each such ADS held by them, US$16.32 (less an ADS cancellation fee of US$0.05 per ADS) as the Per ADS Merger Consideration and US$1.88 as the per ADS amount of the Special Dividend, in cash, without interest and net of any applicable withholding taxes, in exchange for the cancellation of such ADSs. Payment of the net per ADS Merger Consideration and Special Dividend will be made to such ADS holders as soon as practicable after the ADS Depositary receives the merger consideration and Special Dividend. ADS holders which hold their ADSs in "street name" through their broker, bank or other nominee will not be required to take any action to receive the net Per ADS Merger Consideration and Special Dividend for their ADSs as the ADS Depositary will arrange for the surrender of such ADSs and the remittance of the net Per ADS Merger Consideration and Special Dividend with The Depository Trust Company (the clearance and settlement system for the ADSs) for distribution to the applicable broker, bank or nominee on behalf of such beneficial owners. Any questions concerning the receipt of the Per ADS Merger Consideration and Special Dividend from holders who hold ADSs in "street name" should be directed by such holders to their applicable broker, bank or nominee.
The Company also announced today that it requested that trading of its ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") be suspended as of the close of trading on September 29, 2017. The Company requested that the NYSE file a Form 25 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") notifying the SEC of the delisting of its ADSs on the NYSE and the deregistration of the Company's registered securities. The deregistration will become effective 90 days after the filing of the Form 25 or such shorter period as may be determined by the SEC. The Company intends to suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by filing a Form 15 with the SEC in approximately ten days. The Company's obligations to file with the SEC certain reports and forms, including Form 20-F and Form 6-K, will be suspended immediately as of the filing date of the Form 15 and will cease once the deregistration becomes effective.
About Zhaopin Limited
Zhaopin is a leading career platform in China, focusing on connecting users with relevant job opportunities throughout their career lifecycle. The Company's zhaopin.com website is the most popular career platform in China as measured by average daily unique visitors in each of the 12 months ended June 30, 2017, number of registered users as of June 30, 2017 and number of unique customers2 for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The Company's over 140.0 million registered users include diverse and educated job seekers who are at various stages of their careers and are in demand by employers as a result of the general shortage of skilled and educated workers in China. In the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, approximately 49.3 million job postings3 were placed on Zhaopin's platform by 613,083 unique customers including multinational corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises and state-owned entities. The quality and quantity of Zhaopin's users and the resumes in the Company's database attract an increasing number of customers. This in turn leads to more users turning to Zhaopin as their primary recruitment and career- related services provider, creating strong network effects and significant entry barriers for potential competitors. For more information, please visit http://www.zhaopin.com.
About SEEK Limited
SEEK Limited (ASX:SEK) (OTCMKTS:SKLTY) is a diverse group of companies, comprised of a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK operates across 18 countries with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 26 per cent of GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people's lives on a global scale. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, where it is a top 100 company with a market capitalisation close to A$6billion and has been listed in the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies Globally by Forbes, and Number One in Australia.
ABCNews.com(NEW YORK) -- The sheer number of mass shootings in America means that presidents and recent presidents more than most -- have had to deal with the aftermath.
Former President Obama addressed mass shootings roughly 18 times during his administration, with some of his most damning comments coming exactly two years before this weekend's deadly shooting in Las Vegas.
For Obama, it was the shooting at a community college in Roseburg, Oregon, where nine people were killed Oct. 1, 2015. And for President Trump, it was the Sunday shooting at a country music concert in Las Vegas, where at least 59 people were killed and 527 others injured.
While both mass shootings included deaths, life-saving first responders and acts of heroism, the two presidents responses were starkly different.
The 2015 Roseburg shooting
Obama opened his remarks in the press briefing room by saying "there's been another mass shooting in America."
"That means there are more American families -- moms, dads, children -- whose lives have been changed forever," he said.
Obama went on to talk about how the response of many people to mass shootings has become almost routine, and to criticize those who only offered words instead of actions.
"Our thoughts and prayers are not enough, he said. Its not enough. It does not capture the heartache and grief and anger that we should feel. And it does nothing to prevent this carnage from being inflicted someplace else in America -- next week, or a couple of months from now.
"Of course, whats also routine is that somebody, somewhere will comment and say, Obama politicized this issue. Well, this is something we should politicize. It is relevant to our common life together," Obama said.
"When roads are unsafe, we fix them to reduce auto fatalities. We have seatbelt laws because we know it saves lives. So the notion that gun violence is somehow different, that our freedom and our Constitution prohibits any modest regulation of how we use a deadly weapon, when there are law-abiding gun owners all across the country who could hunt and protect their families and do everything they do under such regulations doesnt make sense," he added,
Obama wasn't the only one calling for action.
Then-candidate Trump also reacted to the Roseburg shooting and shared his thoughts with ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos.
"No matter how you cut it, you have people that are mentally ill and they have problems and they're going to slip through the cracks," Trump said.
He went on to say that "the gun laws have nothing to do with this" but said he wouldn't be passive if he were president.
"This isn't guns. This is about, really, mental illness. And I feel very strongly about it. And, again, politically correct, oh, we're going to solve the problem. They'll be no problem," Trump said in 2015.
Reaction to the latest shooting
Trump gave a statement from the White House Diplomatic Room the morning after the Las Vegas shooting, which struck a somewhat different tone.
He called the shooting "an act of pure evil," thanked first responders and offered condolences to the victims.
"Hundreds of our fellow citizens are now mourning the sudden loss of a loved one -- a parent, a child, a brother or sister, the president said. We cannot fathom their pain. We cannot imagine their loss. To the families of the victims: We are praying for you and we are here for you, and we ask God to help see you through this very dark period.
Trump quoted Scripture, ordered federal flags to be flown at half-staff and announced that he would be traveling to Nevada two days later.
He made no mention of gun laws or steps to be taken to prevent mass shootings from happening again.
"In times such as these, I know we are searching for some kind of meaning in the chaos, some kind of light in the darkness, he said. The answers do not come easy. But we can take solace knowing that even the darkest space can be brightened by a single light, and even the most terrible despair can be illuminated by a single ray of hope.
The day after Trump gave his formal statement, he was asked by reporters this morning whether the Las Vegas shooting, which is now the deadliest in modern U.S. history, would prompt him to pursue gun control legislation.
"We'll be talking about gun laws as time goes on," Trump said.
Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Distribution of company announcements to the professional platforms, finance portals and syndication of important corporate news to a wide variety of news aggregators and financial news systems.
Innovative aircraft cabin lighting specialist, STG Aerospace, has won its first contract in the Americas for its saf-Tglo blu.
Bolivian airline, Boliviana de Aviacion (BoA), has ordered the unique, blue-glowing, photoluminescent floor path marking system for two of its Boeing 737-300s and one of its 737-700s aircraft.
Carlos Alba, BoAs Avionics Engineer, commented: As an existing customer of STG Aerospace, we have always been impressed by the proven operational performance of saf-Tglo products, especially their robustness. With saf-Tglo blu we can now seamlessly blend our brand identity with our cabin aesthetics due to its exclusive blue glow.
Currently flying to 13 destinations in 5 countries, BoA is the largest airline in Bolivia in terms of both fleet size and passenger numbers. BoA is the flag carrier airline of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and is wholly owned by the country's government.
Latin America is a very important market for us, said Dan Rice, STG Aerospaces Americas Sales Director, so we were particularly pleased that BoA saw the many benefits of saf-Tglo blu, our latest research-driven photoluminescent product. It helps place us in a very strong position to promote our total cabin lighting system - photoluminescence and LED - throughout the region.
STG Aerospace currently serves over 50 customers in Latin America including airlines, MROs, and regional operators. To support the growing MRO market in Latin America, STG Aerospace has recently strengthened its team in the region with the appointment of a new Regional Sales Manager. The company anticipates further orders for its saf-Tglo blu - the worlds only blue-glowing, photoluminescent floor path marking system, which fits better with cabin interiors and customer branding.
With FAA and EASA approvals for the majority of Boeing, Airbus and Embraer aircraft types, BoA is the latest airline to join a number of major global airlines to select the award winning saf-Tglo blu technology including; one of the worlds largest low-cost carriers, Icelandair and a major Boeing 777 operator.
From accessories to temples, Indian politics has seen it all from their Bhakts. A temple in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India is not scandalous, but the fact that it took so much time for it to come up is more shocking. Modi likes to take selfies and his face is used noticeably in all government initiatives. In February 2015, some Modi supporters built a temple with his statue as the God in a village located around 300 miles from Ahmedabad. However, the temple was dismantled after a rap from Modi himself. Last year, he was in the news after Khadi India used his image in place of Mahatma Gandhi on its calendar. However, the opposition alleged that the PM did it purposely. It didnt stop here. After the completion of three years of Modi government at the Centre this year, BJP is celebrating Modifest across India, which has gone unnoticed by the party leaders and people. Most of the places only the volunteers were seen and no other visitor and lumpsum money were wasted on these fests. Corruption does not mean getting caught in some scandal but this type of misuse of public funds is also corruption, and Modi needs to realize this. For self-glorification, he cannot waste public funds.
His worshippers are one step ahead of him when it comes to glorifying their leaders lord. A temple in the name of Modi will be built on five acres of land in the Sardhana area of Meerut where the PMs admirers can worship. A 100-foot statue of Modi would be installed there. Five acres of land has been bought on Meerut-Karnal highway. A huge statue of Modi will be installed in the temple. The temple will take two years to complete and its bhoomi pujan would be held on October 23. The estimated expenditure of 10 crore would be generated out of public donations.
It seems politicians in India take such beliefs very seriously and never lose an opportunity to project their face and name, even at the risk of frustrating the public forever. Probably, they also believe that their photos can win more votes than their work for the people. Sometimes, when they dont project themselves on their own, their followers do that to show their devotion for the leaders. In 2013, Puducherry government proposed to offer subsidized cement to low and middle income group people and named the scheme after Congress president Sonia Gandhi. She was also in news in 2014 when a Congress legislator from Andhra Pradesh built a Goddess Sonia statue, depicting her as Telangana Talli (Mother of Telangana) to show his devotion towards the leader. Tamil actor, director and former CM of Tamil Nadu, Late Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran has a temple dedicated to him in Thirunindravoor, Chennai.
A couple that had been an ardent of the late actor MGR built this temple in his memory. On one occasion, MGR was having a cool drink and left it unfinished. The remains were sprinkled on the ground as holy water. Just like the woman who constructed the temple in his honour, there were others who thought of him as a holy man. In India, we often think of politicians as miracle-makers. To a certain extent, what we have is a form of hero worship. But it doesnt last very long.
Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayees temple is located at Satyanarayan ki tekri in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. It was constructed 17 years ago, ostensibly for the politicians work for the cause of his mother tongue. Late Jayalalithaas image was displayed prominently on almost all schemes of her government in Tamil Nadu. She was omnipresent in the state. From salt to canteens to pulses to cement, several schemes were named after her. Not only this, her photo was prominently displayed on almost all items distributed by her government. Though former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister projected himself as a development-oriented leader, Akhilesh never shied away from putting his image on most of the schemes of his government be it Samajwadi cycles, school bags or laptops. Interestingly, Akhilesh also used the image of his father and former Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav prominently alongside him. As Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, BSP supremo Mayawati was attacked by the opposition for using public funds for building elephant parks and statues of Dalit icons like Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram. Mayawati also became probably the first politician in the country to have installed her own statues alongside these icons in the state.
Not only politicians but the film stars too have their temples and worshipper. In South Kolkata there is a temple, which is deeply devoted to megastar of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan. There is a specially carved out chair (from movie Aks) on which a photo of Big B is kept and his shoes. On daily basis, the head priest recites the well-written Amitabh Chalisa amid his ardent fans and worshippers.
There was a temple devoted to film star Khusbhoo, later torn down by her fans after she made controversial remarks on pre-marital sex in 2005. Some temples are hole-in-the-wall shrines with a small idol; others are like fan clubs for supporters. Tamil Nadus top heroes like Rajinikanth, and the current crop of movie stars, Joseph Vijay are worshipped as demi-gods today. Fans garland their posters and throw flowers, coins and cash notes when their heroes appear on screen in frenzy imitating rituals of temple worship.
Telugu film star turned politician late NT Rama Rao was an icon, especially for playing roles in films as the Hindu god Krishna. During his election campaign, supporters showcased large images from his films in his avatar as the god Krishna. In 1993, the matter went to the courts in Andhra Pradesh after someone complained that the depiction of NT Rama Rao as an incarnation of Lord Krishna amounted to exhorting voters in the name of religion to vote for his Telugu Desam party.
Film stars and politician have their own set of Bhakts, flattering fans in India give divine status to politicians and movie stars, building temples and deifying them. Hero-worship gages new statures in India.
(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com)
Police recovered a huge cache of guns and explosives from the Las Vegas hotel room and home of the man accused of killing at least 59 people and injuring over 500 in the deadliest mass shooting in US history.
US officials reacted cautiously meanwhile to an Islamic State claim that Stephen Craig Paddock (64) had carried out Sunday nights massacre on the Las Vegas Strip on behalf of the jihadist group.
Police said Paddock, a retired accountant with no criminal record, smashed windows in his 32nd floor hotel room shortly after 10pm and trained bursts of automatic weapons fire on thousands of people attending a country music concert below.
Investigators recovered at least 16 guns, including assault rifles, from Paddocks room at the Mandalay Bay hotel, and another 18 firearms along with bomb-making materials at one of his two homes.
The Islamic State group claimed that Paddock was one of its soldiers but the FBI said it had found no such connection so far and the local sheriff described him as a lone psychopath.
Police said Paddock killed himself before a SWAT team breached his hotel room overlooking the country music venue.
Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said a security guard was shot in the leg as officers stormed the room where Paddock had been staying since 28 September.
He said a search of Paddocks house in Mesquite, Nevada, recovered in excess of 18 additional firearms, some explosives and several thousand rounds of ammo.
Lombardo said investigators had discovered several pounds of an explosive called tannerite in the Mesquite home, as well as ammonium nitrate, a type of fertiliser, in the gunmans car.
The sheriff said the death toll had risen to 59, while 527 people had been injured.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif reportedly referred Prime Minister Narendra Modi a terrorist who has the blood of Muslims on his hands.
Asif, who was speaking in a show on Geo News, made the statement in an attempt to rebut External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who recently ripped Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for supporting and exporting terror.
Sushma Swaraj has accused us (Pakistan) of exporting terrorism. (However) one terrorist (in India) is the countrys prime minister himself. He (Modi) has the blood of Muslims murdered in Gujarat on his hands, Asif made the statement, while talking to Geo Newss Hamid Mir.
India is being ruled by a terrorist party the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), Asif further said.
These remarks have come after Sushma Swaraj ripped apart Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and said India has risen despite being the principal destination of Pakistans nefarious export of terrorism.
India has risen despite being the principal destination of Pakistans nefarious export of terrorism. There have been many governments under many parties during 70 years of Indian freedom, for we have been a sustained democracy, Swaraj had said while addressing the 72nd UNGA session in New York.
Every government has done its bit for Indias development. We have marched ahead consistently without pause, in education, health and across the range of human welfare. We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world, she added.
Aiken, SC (29801)
Today
Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 46F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..
Tonight
Cloudy this evening with showers after midnight. Low 46F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
End The UN's Christian Refugee Double Standard
Assyrians attend the first Palm Sunday procession in the burnt out main church of the Assyrian city of Qaraqosh since Iraqi forces retook it from Islamic States militants, Iraq April 9, 2017. ( Reuters/Suhaib Salem ) One million Syrian Christians have fled their homes fearing death at the hands of Islamic extremists and the Iran-backed Assad regime since 2011. Christians across the Middle East regularly face persecution and violence for their faith. These hundreds of thousands of Christian families have fled to nearby countries which host large United Nations refugee camps. These camps which are in part funded by American tax dollars, are unsafe for Christian refugees. Christian families face violence at the hands of Islamic extremists within these camps and are unable to seek refuge there. The Trump administration must force the United Nations to take all necessary steps to make these camps safe for Syrian Christians. These reforms vary from creating refugee camps specifically for the Christian population, cracking down on Islamic extremism in existing refugee camps, and setting up specific zones for Christians within each refugee camp guarded by United Nations peacekeepers. Christians fled Syria in record numbers as one million individuals sought safety in nearby countries amid the bloody Syrian civil war. Families who escaped Syria faced a new problem once they arrived at United Nations refugee camps. Christians discovered that these refugee camps, which are generously funded by United States taxpayers, were not safe for them to settle. Nowhere is this better seen than within the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. Zaatari, the largest Syrian refugee camp in the Middle East, does not host a single Christian family of the approximately 80,000 residents. Christians are not technically barred from these camps, but they face persecution, violence, and death from Islamic extremists if they dare enter. Since Christians cannot safely settle in these camps, they wander aimlessly searching for a place to call home. Many are forced to sleep on the streets, churches, or other accommodations waiting to return to Syria or relocate to a foreign country thanks to lack of support from the United Nations. The seemingly hopeless plight of these refugees stems from the Obama administration's failed foreign policy approach. The Obama administration relied heavily on a "leading from behind approach" throughout its disastrous eight-year tenure failing to contain the bloody Syrian civil war and spread of radical Islamic terrorist groups. ISIS and other radical Islamic groups have gained a significant foothold in Syria since the start of the war. And once considered a friend of Christians, Assad has shown his true colors as the war has escalated. More than 60% of the churches destroyed since the start of the war has been as a result of Assad's forces. Worse, Assad and his forces indiscriminately drop barrel bombs with little regard for civilian life. Many of these bombs have resulted in the deaths of Syrian Christians. With nowhere to safely settle, now more than ever do Syrian Christians refugees need our help. President Trump has made helping Christian refugees a top priority of his administration unlike the previous one, but there is still much work to be done. The Trump administration must hold the United Nations accountable for its failure to help Syrian Christian refugees relocate safely to these camps. Not only as Christians should we demand action, but American tax dollars should not be used promoting policies that effectively bar Christians from safety. We as Christians have a moral obligation to right this wrong and must continue to advocate the Trump administration to enact change. The future of the Syrian Christian community depends on it.
Qatar Airways Cargo has added Finnish capital Helsinki to its expanding pharma network, the Middle East carriers 74th pharma destination.
Qatar Airways chief officer cargo, Ulrich Ogiermann, said: The expansion of our pharma network helps us meet the growing air freight requirements in the pharmaceutical industry where time and temperature management are of paramount importance.
"We understand the intricacies in maintaining a seamless cool chain for pharmaceuticals. With the inclusion of Helsinki in our QR Pharma network, we can now offer pharmaceutical importers and exporters in Finland seamless connectivity, while adhering to the highest cool chain standards.
Finland is a part of the strongly international pharmaceutical market and attracts hundreds of clinical trials in Finland every year. The pharmaceutical service system in the country is dependent on imports, while exports of pharmaceutical substances and medicinal devices from Finland grew by over 6% in 2016.
Qatar Airways launched flights to Helsinki in October last year. The daily direct B787 Dreamliner flights provide more than 70 tonnes of belly capacity each way, connecting pharma import and export businesses to a global network of over 150 destinations via the airlines GDP compliant hub in Doha.
Qatar Airways Cargo recently signed an agreement with Dokasch to offer its Opticooler range of temperature-controlled containers for pharmaceuticals and healthcare products.
The cargo carriers customers can now choose from a range of active containers such as Envirotainer, CSafe, DoKaSch and va-Q-tec to transport their pharmaceuticals to and from the cargo carriers extensive network globally.
Qatar Airways Cargo commenced operations of a dedicated airside Climate Control Centre earlier this year. The 2,470 sq m facility, with two zones operating for 2C to 8C or 15C to 25C, enables the cargo carrier to handle an additional 2m tonnes throughput per annum.
Share this story
Schiphol Airport could see as many as 37 freighter flights per week disappear this winter as a result of slot restrictions at the hub.
Last month, the Schiphol airport communitys worst fears were confirmed when Air Co-ordination Netherlands (ACNL) announced where slots would be allocated for the winter season.
Amsterdams airport can handle a maximum of 500,000 slots per year and growth at the airport means that limit will be reached this year, with all-cargo flights accounting for around 18,000 of those.
When ACNL decides where slots should be allocated, those airlines that fail to adhere to 80% of their requested flight schedules are more likely to lose out as per IATA and European Union regulations.
The unpredictable nature of air cargo means freighter operators are less likely to hit the 80% mark.
Netherlands transport group Air Cargo Netherlands estimates that as many as 37 of the 150 freighter flights per week could be lost during the winter season as a result of the slot restrictions.
The organisation warned that most freighter operators are looking to move flights to Brussels, Liege or German airports, where they are received with open arms.
Ostend airport and Paris Vatry could also pick-up some freighter flights, one contact said.
Concerns have also been expressed over the impact the restrictions will have on ground handling jobs.
Dutch press reports quote the FNV union saying that as many as 100 jobs could be lost from ground handler Menzies as a result of the slot restrictions.
To try and mitigate the situation, Air Cargo Netherlands has proposed the creation of a local rule that would give priority to freighter operators when unused slots are re-allocated.
The organisation argues that other airports have their own local rules and that it would not contravene European regulations.
However, it is understood that the government is seeking approval of passenger airlines before pushing ahead with the local rule, which could hinder its progress.
The local rule is also backed by AirBridgeCargo, Cargolux, Emirates SkyCargo, Kalitta Air, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways, which each stand to lose out because of the slot restrictions.
Following on from the allocation of slots for the winter season, Schiphol cargo director Jonas van Stekelenburg said: The slot coordinator has now allocated slots for the IATA winter season and, as we expected, we believe this will result in a 10.5% reduction in Full Freighter slots for 2018 compared to 2017.
We expect that there will be some movement within this, with some carriers lending slots to others and some ad hoc slots allocated by the co-ordinator. In addition, some slots will not be used and will be handed back to be redistributed.
Schiphol cannot intervene in the slot allocation, which is undertaken by an independent body, but we continue to support our stakeholders and customers through this period of adjustment.
We understand that there is an initiative by Air Cargo Netherlands to give preference to full freighter operators when redistributing slots.
This is under discussion and if the aviation community at AMS can agree on this preference, Schiphols position would be to support this, as long as it fits in with the current and/or future slot framework set up, and does not interfere with the vested historic slot rights of carriers. We expect some news regarding this in the coming weeks.
Read more cargo airport news
Share this story
October 2, 2017
CAIRO The Egyptian governments approval Sept. 20 of a proposal to amend the country's nationality law raised controversy among politicians, legal experts and rights activists amid fears that the amendments might be targeting opponents of current regime policies.
According to a Sept. 20 statement by the Council of Ministers, the governments proposed amendments would broaden the powers of the prime minister when it comes to taking nationality away from citizens. The proposed changes would add a provision that could revoke the nationality of Egyptians convicted of a crime harming state security, whether in Egypt or abroad, even if the person's parents were both Egyptian. The proposal also has a provision that would revoke Egyptian nationality acquired by a foreigner who joins any group or organization, inside or outside the country, aimed at harming the public order of the state.
Human rights activists and observers fear that if the amendments become law, the government would misuse them to take Egyptian nationality away from persons opposed to the regime under the pretext of protecting the country's security. The proposed amendments are expected to be submitted to the Egyptian Council of State for legal review before being referred to parliament, whose majority supports President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his government.
The assistant interior minister for passports, immigration and nationality, Gen. Ahmed Anwar, told Youm7 news website Sept. 26 that the proposed amendments aim to preserve Egyptian identity and nationality.
Some from among the new arrivals to Egypt from countries with an unstable security situation took advantage of legal loopholes to acquire Egyptian nationality, thus the need to amend this law, Anwar said.
He said revoking nationality falls within the scope of the permissive and discretionary power of the Council of Ministers only, which must issue a reasoned decision in accordance with the supreme interests of the country and the requirements of national security.
Asked about former President Mohammed Morsi and others affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, classified by the government as a terrorist group, Anwar said that the amendments provide for withdrawing nationality after a final judicial ruling. He said that stripping Morsi of his nationality is a decision subject to the Council of Ministers.
The administrative courts at the Egyptian Council of State have their hands full with lawsuits that call for Egyptian citizenship to be withdrawn from political figures opposed to the regime and also from Muslim Brotherhood leaders, whether in Egypt or abroad, against whom criminal judgments were issued or who are accused of communicating with foreign countries or working abroad with anti-Egypt entities.
In June 2016, the Administrative Court refused to strip Morsi of his nationality for lack of evidence proving he committed any act that undermined national security or harmed the country's supreme interests. But when Morsi was convicted of communicating with Qatar on Sept. 17, a new lawsuit was quickly filed that seeks to have his Egyptian citizenship withdrawn.
Nasser Amin, a member of the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights, told Al-Monitor, The government proposal explicitly violates Article 6 of the Egyptian Constitution and is contrary to the international conventions signed by Egypt, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He said that nationality is a basic human right and that nationality may not be revoked even by law. No state, government or regime has the right to do so, he said.
Article 6 of the Egyptian Constitution says, "Nationality is a right to anyone born to an Egyptian father or an Egyptian mother, and legal recognition through official papers proving his/her personal data, is a right guaranteed and regulated by law. Requirements for acquiring nationality shall be specified by law.
Amin said of the amendment proposal, If passed, it will be a major legislative disaster that will forcibly turn citizens into aliens. The amended law might be used by the government or the regime to persecute a given civilian group or a group of citizens for political reasons.
Amin said he did not think the changes will pass, saying the government is expected to refer the proposal "to the State Council's Fatwa and Legislation Department which is responsible for reviewing draft laws submitted by the parliament or the government and examining their conformity with the provisions of the constitution and international covenants" before forwarding the amendments to parliament in preparation for discussion and approval.
Salah Fawzi, a constitutional law professor at Mansoura University who participated in the drafting of Egypts 2014 constitution, told Al-Monitor that the amendments do not violate the constitution or the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. The constitution did not prohibit the withdrawal of nationality from Egyptian nationals and left it to the government to regulate the process of granting or withdrawing nationality, he said.
He said the amendments were proposed to counter increased support for terrorist groups, escalating terrorist operations, crimes involving foreign communications and financing aimed at harming Egypts national security.
Fawzi said the amendments provide for guarantees by requiring a justification for the decision to revoke someone's nationality and by allowing citizens stripped of their nationality to have recourse to the court to reverse this decision. The law sets forth a general framework and does not target specific persons, he noted.
On Dec. 14, 2016, parliamentarian Mustafa Bakri, who supports Sisis regime, along with more than 60 members of parliament, had submitted a less stringent version of the government's proposed amendments to revoke the Egyptian nationality of "terrorists."
Bakris proposal specified that anyone convicted by a final and conclusive judgment of committing a terrorist crime would be stripped of Egyptian nationality. His proposal was rejected by the government at the time and postponed.
In an article in Al-Watan newspaper, Bakri criticized the current governments proposal, saying, It might be exploited to punish anyone with a dissenting opinion.
Author and journalist Abdullah al-Senawi described the governments proposal as a serious legislative development that deprives the state of its jurisdiction over its citizens and its right to prosecute the perpetrators of crimes abroad according to international laws. He told Al-Monitor, The proposal also would revoke the nationality of the adult children of Egyptian women married to a foreigner, but not that of her minor children.
Senawi said the amendment proposal is a setback, considering that Egyptian women married to a foreigner have obtained the right for their children to be granted Egyptian nationality. This is a serious violation of the rule of equality that threatens the stability of the family, he said.
Many believe that the government will not back down from the proposal and that parliament will likely approve the amendments since most lawmakers support Sisis regime.
October 3, 2017
Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is scheduled to fly to Tehran tomorrow for talks with his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, and the Islamic Republics supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The visit follows a flurry of high-level exchanges between the historic rivals who seem united, at least for now, in seeking to reverse the referendum on Kurdish independence in Iraqi Kurdistan and to cement shaky de-escalation zones to end the conflict in Syria.
The state-run Anadolu news agency reported that Erdogan and Rouhani will chair the fourth meeting of the Turkey-Iran High Level Cooperation Council, which gathered for the first time in Ankara in 2014 to bolster trade ties between the regions non-Arab heavyweights.
Turkeys Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar was in Tehran on Monday to reciprocate an August visit to Ankara by Iranian counterpart Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the first such visit by an Iranian army chief since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
In a joint news conference Bagheri said Iran and Turkey were unanimous in their determination to preserve Iraqs territorial integrity and called the Iraqi Kurdish referendum unacceptable. Bagheri added that Turkey and Iran will collaborate in matters of military training and border security. They would also take part in each others war games, he said.
Yet, for all the recent mutual back-slapping, Iran and Turkey continue to disagree on a broad array of issues. Galip Dalay, the research director at Al Sharq Forum, explained in a recent essay, This recent uptick in diplomatic activity should be seen in the context of a recent convergence of concerns and threat perceptions in the Middle East. Dalay cautioned, However, it should not be interpreted as anything more than that, as Turkey and Iran continue to have diverging, if not conflicting, interests, especially in Iraq and Syria.
Still, Persian-Turkish hobnobbing is being observed with mounting worry in Iraqi Kurdistan as leaders from both sides keep up their calls on Massoud Barzani, Iraqi Kurdistan's president, to annul the referendum results. In a show of force, Iran and Turkey have deployed additional troops to the Iraqi Kurdish border and invited Iraqi forces to join in training drills.
Khameneis chief of staff, Mohammadi Golpayegani, has called the referendum a Zionist plot, a view that was echoed by Bagheri.
In Turkey, too, the pro-Islamic and nationalist media is awash with claims of how Barzani and his family are in fact crypto-Jews who are bent on establishing a second Israel. Israel is one of the few countries to say it will recognize an independent Kurdish state in Iraq.
An Iraqi Kurdish official told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity the Iraqi Kurdish leadership had reached out to several ethnic Kurdish members of parliament in Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party for their help. But so far, their intervention appears to have had little effect. This has further alienated pious, pro-Barzani Kurds who normally vote for Erdogan.
An unswayed Erdogan renewed threats to impose further sanctions on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) if it failed to rescind the referendum, saying, If they do not come to their senses, [sanctions] will grow.
Erdogan was due to discuss such measures with his ally Devlet Bahceli, the leader of the far-right Nationalist Action Party, who is leading the chorus of xenophobic howls against the referendum.
Meanwhile, Baghdad, which shut Iraqi Kurdistan's airspace to international flights on Sept. 29, is continuing to pile on pressure as well.
The Kurdish news outlet Rudaw reported today that the Iraqi parliament had asked the countrys federal court in a letter to strip Kurdish lawmakers who backed independence of their parliamentary immunity. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says he will not resume any dialogue with Erbil until the KRG cancels the results of the plebiscite, which was approved by a crushing 93% of voters. Reuters, quoting banking and government sources, reported that Iraq's Central Bank told the KRG today that it would halt selling dollars to four top Kurdish banks and stop all foreign currency transfers to the Kurdish zone. Yet Barzani shows no signs of cracking.
Many Iraqi Kurdish officials blame the United States for Iraqi intransigence. They insist Washingtons noisy campaign against the referendum has emboldened their enemies and deepened instability and that Washington stands to lose as well. The United States has several key bases in the Iraqi Kurdish territory and the CIA is known to run a huge regional intelligence-gathering operation out of the region. Moreover, the US-led anti-Islamic State coalition ferries arms and other critical supplies to their Kurdish and Arab allies in Syria via Iraqi Kurdistan.
Iraqi Kurdish officials aired hopes that Baghdad would reopen the airspace to allow the return of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabanis body to his native Sulaimaniyah.
A larger-than-life figure beloved by journalists for his accessibility and sly wit, Talabani died in Berlin today after a long bout of illness. His death is expected to spark further infighting in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the party he founded and led in opposition to Barzanis Kurdistan Democratic Party.
Then again, in death Talabani may become a vehicle for unity among the Kurds and for cooling tensions with Baghdad, Iran, Turkey and the United States. All are expected to send emissaries to his funeral. Anadolu, quoting unnamed sources, said Erdogan had called Talabani's widow Hero today, offering condolences.
October 3, 2017
Iran devoted enormous energy to try to prevent Iraqi Kurds from holding their Sept. 25 independence referendum, accusing the Kurdish leadership of recklessness and endangering the stability of the region. Having failed in that endeavor, officials in Tehran are now at a loss as to what punitive measures they can realistically take to punish the Kurds without causing further instability on their doorstep.
As the pressure mounts on Iraqi Kurds following the plebiscite in which nearly 93% of voters cast ballots in favor of seceding from Iraq, Iran as a historical ally of the Iraqi Kurds appears to be hesitant to take extreme measures against its western neighbor, fearing further instability that could easily spill over into Iran's own Kurdish areas. Nonetheless, Tehran has taken some half measures against the Iraqi Kurds, seemingly mainly for domestic consumption.
Tehran imposed fuel sanctions on Sept. 30, flights from Iran to the two main airports in Iraqi Kurdistan have been suspended and the Iranian armed forces are engaged in joint drills with the Iraqi military on the Iraqi Kurdish border. Iranian officials have also met with their Turkish and Iraqi counterparts to reportedly take some joint measures against the Kurdish administration in northern Iraq.
But Iran cannot afford to alienate the Iraqi Kurds, who are currently an important security, political and trade partner and a historical ally of Tehran. Historically, Iran has had better relations with the Kurds than other countries, said Ebrahim Rahimpour, the Iranian deputy foreign minister for Asian and Pacific Affairs. We hope that they stop at this referendum and demonstration of peoples sentiments. Rahimpour implies that Tehran can live with the referendum if the Kurds do not take further steps toward independence, and he believes that the pace of events is so fast that it is difficult for Tehran to predict what is going to happen.
The Iranian parliaments national security and foreign policy commission held an extraordinary session Sept. 27 behind closed doors to discuss the Kurdistan referendum. Representatives of the Foreign Ministry, Intelligence Ministry, Quds Force were present, as was Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. Iran does not recognize the referendum for Kurdistan independence, and he [Shamkhani] discussed the territorial integrity of Iraq and mentioned measures that should be taken by our country and regionally, said Behrouz Nemati, the spokesman for parliaments presiding board. Nemati also attended the meeting. However, our measures are mostly dialogue oriented there are problems with trade and exporting oil from the Kurdish areas, and we believe it should be resolved through diplomacy, Nemati said.
For decades, Iran has propped up regional alliances and proxy forces to do its bidding outside its borders; Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commanders often boast about the level of security that exists in Iran as one of their biggest achievements. The last thing Iran wants, given the American presence in Iraq, is a security threat from thousands of Iranian Kurdish peshmerga forces stationed on its western border that could be used by the United States and other regional foes against Tehran. The referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan created a wave of demonstrations and celebrations across the Kurdish region in Iran that caused alarm in Tehran, which deployed thousands more troops to keep the area peaceful. Qassemlou Qassemlou, your path will continue, shouted a crowd in the city of Sanandaj in Kurdistan province, referring to the secretary-general of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran who was assassinated by Iranian agents in Vienna in 1989. Iran fought a bloody war against Kurdish peshmerga forces in the 1980s, and Iranian officials realize the potential for unrest in the countrys Kurdish region. Despite arresting a large number of Kurds who participated in the demonstrations, Iranian security services were careful not to kill any protesters. "Two-thirds of the army was bogged down in Kurdistan," said Maj. Gen. Hussein Hassani Sadi on Sept. 24, referring to the nascent Islamic Republics conflict with Kurdish militants in the 1980s.
The regional dynamics and the suspicion with which Iran sees the Turkish role in Iraq and in the region also play crucial roles in the way Iranian officials calculate their policies. Tehran has helped its main ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, to survive six years of civil war despite the best efforts of Turkey, the West and the Sunni Arab world to oust him. On top of Hezbollah in Lebanon, an indispensable regional ally, Iran has three more important relationships: the Houthis of Yemen, the militias in Syria and the Popular Mobilization Units in Iraq most of whom are loyal to Tehran. Iran is in a strong position in the region and does not need to be involved in another conflict.
Despite rhetoric of mutual cooperation against the Kurds by Tehran and Ankara, the two countries have a history of suspicion and betrayal. In the 1980s, Turkey indirectly assisted the Saddam Hussein regime against Iran by allowing large quantities of oil to be exported from Kirkuk to Ceyhan and from there to the international market, allowing Saddam to buy more weapons to fight the Iranians. In the 1990s, Turkey and Iran were in a bitter rivalry during the Kurdish civil war, during which Turkey established several military bases in the Iraqi Kurdish region, increasing its influence with the Massoud Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party, the main ruling party in Iraqi Kurdistan.
As such, any unnecessary economic or security pressure on the Kurds could backfire on Tehran. It would likely alienate the Kurdish public who backed the referendum overwhelmingly and also jeopardize Tehrans influence with its main ally in the Iraqi Kurdish region, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
October 3, 2017
The recurring debate in Iran over reviving the position of prime minister has been resumed. This time, however, the discussion appears to be taking a somewhat more serious turn, with a number of parliamentarians preparing to obtain the backing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to proceed from talk to action.
For a decade after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran had a parliamentary political system. Mehdi Bazargan served as the country's first post-revolutionary prime minister, before his government resigned following Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's endorsement of the US Embassy takeover in November 1979. The last prime minister was Mir Hossein Mousavi, who held the office from 1981 to 1989, concurrent with much of the Iran-Iraq War. Mousavi is currently under house arrest stemming from protests against the disputed 2009 presidential elections.
In 1989, the constitution was amended to abolish the premiership, with the responsibilities of the office divided between the president and first vice president. The move was primarily driven by repeated disputes between the prime minister and president, including tensions over their areas of authority and the appointment of ministers. During the past decade, however, reverting to a parliamentary system has been raised on several occasions.
In 2011, the supreme leader stated, If one day in the distant or near future, which is not likely to happen in the near future, [the need to change] the presidential system to a parliamentary [one] is sensed, that would be no problem. A conservative member of parliament has now announced that lawmakers are preparing a letter to Khamenei, asking for his backing to once again amend the constitution.
On Oct. 1, conservative member of parliament Ezzatollah Yousefian Molla told a news agency, A parliamentary system would have good results, but to do so, we need a constitutional review, so the MPs are thinking of what to do for reviewing the constitution, and [whether] they should send a letter to the supreme leader for [his permission to] review the constitution or [whether] the leader [himself] orders the president to [pursue] the constitutional review.
Following Molla's statement, another member of parliament clarified the thinking in the legislature. There are two views in parliament, Mohammad Javad Jamali Nobandegani told a news site on Oct. 3. Some MPs want the presidential term to be extended, and a number of them seek [to reinstate] a parliamentary system.
He further explained, MPs seek to extend the presidential term to seven years in order to prevent the country from being engulfed by the [issue of] elections and campaigns every four years. Nobandegani added, These lawmakers believe that by extending the [presidential] term, the country wont face electoral tensions and conflicts anymore. Besides, seven years is a good opportunity for the government to take control of the country.
During the current debate over whether the presidency should be abolished, Reformist members of parliament and analysts have mostly kept quiet or have voiced their opposition to such a move. Changing the presidential system is the end to direct voting by the people, and Im opposed to it, wrote Sadegh Zibakalam, a prominent pro-Reform analyst, in the Oct. 3 edition of the daily Ghanoon.
October 2, 2017
On Sept. 24, the United States announced a revised travel ban that, unlike its predecessors, may face fewer legal hurdles. Making America Safe is my No. 1 priority. We will not admit those into our country we cannot safely vet, President Donald Trump tweeted just after his administration released the details of his new proclamation.
Given that 62% of nonimmigrant travelers impacted by what many dub Travel Ban 3.0 are Iranian citizens, this indefinite ban if upheld could have long-term consequences on the Iranian-American community.
Unlike the previous two bans, the new measure which adds Chad, North Korea and Venezuela to the list of blacklisted countries while removing Sudan may be upheld as legal for a number of reasons, as Elie Mystal, editor of Above the Law, has pointed out. First, the ban says the United States requires certain information from countries before giving their citizens visas for travel to the United States, and puts forward that Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Chad, North Korea and Venezuela cannot meet those requirements. Second, it says countries can get off the list if they provide this information. And third, it treats different countries differently.
These parameters, which did not exist in the first two versions of the travel ban, could mean that the ban could potentially be upheld in court. Furthermore, the new ban does not affect those with validly issued green cards, visas or travel documents. It also does not apply to refugees; new rules governing refugees will apparently be announced soon. However, unlike the other two bans, this ban has no end date it only requires periodic reviews.
The first ban, which attempted to prohibit the entry of green card holders and those with valid visas, came under immediate attack by activists and civil rights groups. The second ban, which had a focus on families of US citizens, also faced immediate pushback.
Amy Malek, a scholar of the Iranian diaspora and professor at the College of Charleston, told Al-Monitor, Travel Ban 2.0 placed kinship at the fore, requiring travelers from these countries to possess bona fide relationships with US citizens. In doing so, the Trump administration made bizarre assumptions about who we regard as kin, which relationships are real and therefore which deserve to be preserved through granting rights to travel. She added, In response to community protests and judicial challenges to these interpretations, Travel Ban 3.0 dealt with that pesky kinship problem by imposing a blanket ban on nearly everyone, regardless of any relationships or bona fides.
Although the Trump administration claims that it is no longer a Muslim ban because of the addition of non-Muslim majority countries, Becca Heller, director of the International Refugee Assistance Project, has argued, Of [the newly added] countries, Chad is majority Muslim, travel from North Korea is already basically frozen, and the restrictions on Venezuela only affect government officials on certain visas. As such, the Trump administrations claim that Travel Ban 3.0 doesnt single out Muslims appears far-fetched.
As the bans have disproportionately affected Iranians, the Iranian-American community has organized itself in the past few months with a series of lawsuits, amicus briefs, direct actions and campaigns to reverse the bans. Organizations such as NIAC Action have teamed up with 12 major civil rights groups to oppose the ban. Along with organizations such as the ACLU, Muslim Advocates and Amnesty International, NIAC Action will in coming weeks deliver petitions from constituents demanding Congress take action. The National Iranian American Council has stated, Amending this ban does not change what its intent has been since its inception, which was clearly to ban Muslims. The Trump Administration has simply tried to make the presidents racist proclamation to ban all Muslims more palatable.
If it becomes indefinite which could very much be the case given the absence of diplomatic relations between Iran and the United States Travel Ban 3.0 will have severe consequences for the Iranian American community. Neda Maghbouleh, a professor at the University of Toronto and author of a book on race and Iranian-Americans, told Al-Monitor, One short-term consequence is that Iranian nationals working in America wont even be able to renew their work visas, much less stay on a more permanent basis. This is disastrous for American industries that have long relied on Iranian human capital to grow our economy and maintain a competitive advantage in sectors like biomedical science, tech and engineering.
Al-Monitor also spoke with Mana Kharrazi, the executive director of Iranian Alliances Across Borders. The group filed an amicus brief that was cited in the 9th Circuits ruling deeming the revised travel ban unconstitutional in June. Commenting on the revised travel restrictions, she said, The administrations ban is an attack on our communities and discriminates based on national origin and religion. Barring our families from the United States protects no one and only perpetuates the hatred that has left us vulnerable to violence over the past year. We must challenge this ban and the hatred at its root. We absolutely have a right to exist in the United States and refuse to be pawns in a political agenda that has little to do with safety and security.
The issue of "safety and security is the animating question of the new proclamation. It claims that the new ban will allow the United States to know that the people traveling from the blacklisted countries are who they say they are. But as Amy Malek told Al-Monitor, Diaspora communities often rely on travel and transportation to thrive, whether to maintain social networks, operate transnational businesses or sustain family relationships across borders. And these relationships benefit America in numerous ways, whether cultural, economic, political or social. So to claim this blanket ban benefits all American citizens as the proclamation does ignores the millions of American citizens whose relatives, partners and colleagues are effectively and indefinitely blacklisted by this new proclamation. She added, This is not a minor inconvenience. It is deeply painful, it is callous and it is rooted in anything but a genuine concern for the safety and well-being of this country and all its citizens.
Yet the direst consequences could be for the future of the Iranian-American community. Maghbouleh told Al-Monitor, [The ban] represents a foreclosure of possibilities for the future of Iranian-Americans. Relative to other groups, we havent been in the United States as immigrants for very long only really the last 40 years. But now, because immigration from Iran is banned indefinitely, those of us who are already here either as naturalized citizens or born to our Iranian immigrant parents have to imagine a future where we might as well be the last Iranian-Americans.
October 3, 2017
Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon was wearing a bright white shirt and a red tie as he sat down behind his desk Oct. 2 for a video chat with the public. Throughout the entire conversation, the Kulanu Party chairman attempted to relay the sense that he has been very busy lately. He made sure to show off his past achievements and to present his plans for the future. The questions submitted by the viewers came in as he was talking. It was obvious that someone behind the scenes was sorting through them carefully and picking only the ones that would help the finance minister sell his message to his audience.
In this way, Kahlon expressed a measure of reservation against recent decisions by the Supreme Court, including the decision to overturn the tax he wanted to introduce on people who own a third apartment the flagship piece of legislation in his efforts to reduce housing costs. He also promised that he would resubmit his law to the Knesset in its winter session, which begins Oct. 23.
The last question was about Kahlon's plan to put together a budget for 2019 over the next few months. News of this was first reported by Channel 2 one day earlier, generating considerable buzz in the political arena. After all, proposing a budget this early is such a rare step that it immediately raised questions as to Kahlon's motivations. At the same time, it also had people asking how it would affect Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the future of his fourth government.
In his response, Kahlon confirmed that he may start working on the budget now, sayingt Israel needs a budget for 2019 in order to relay a sense of stability. "There doesnt have to be some conspiracy or anything behind this," he said. "It is something that a finance minister does to signal that we have a stable economy with a bright future ahead of us."
This is, of course, an official and partial answer by someone who is preparing himself for the most extreme scenarios as a result of the criminal investigations into the prime minister's dealings, which could eventually lead to the sudden collapse of this government.
Kulanus chairman realizes that he needs more time so that he can present the public with significant achievements in the areas of housing and reducing the cost of living. Putting together the 2019 budget long before this would normally be done sends a message of stability to the economy and investors, but at the same time, it is also a sophisticated maneuver that will benefit Kahlon politically.
His greatest fear is a quick decision by Netanyahu to advance the next elections as the investigations proceed and the prime minister becomes more likely to face indictment. Should that happen, Netanyahu could claim that he is the victim of a political witch hunt. In fact, many consider this to be a reasonable scenario.
If that happens, Kahlon and other coalition partners who have no interest in going to the polls anytime soon could find themselves facing a snap election. Kahlon still suffers from the trauma of his big fight with Netanyahu in April over the prime minister's attempt to shut down the new Public Broadcasting Corporation, threatening to call early elections. Kahlon walked away from that limping and scarred and has been preparing himself for elections ever since. He operates on the assumption that Netanyahu is unpredictable, and that the prime minister could surprise everyone.
The early approval of the 2019 budget would ensure that Kahlon has billions of shekels at his disposal to implement his programs, particularly his "Net Family" one, even during an election year. This is a program intended to benefit young families by increasing their net earnings by hundreds of shekels per month. Furthermore, he also realizes that Netanyahu will give him almost anything he asks for over the next few months while facing the police investigations. Given the relatively harmonious state of the coalition, it should be easy for him to pass a budget.
The result of Kahlon's maneuvering less than three weeks before the Knesset meets for its winter session is that it creates the sense that the coalition is stable. Since Netanyahu benefits from this, Kahlon could be said to have strengthened Netanyahu, at least publicly.
This has another advantage for Kahlon, too. He hopes that the new chairman of the Labor Party, his nemesis Avi Gabbay, will lose popularity over time. As one senior minister told Al-Monitor, the surprising election of Gabbay as head of the Labor Party in July ensured that Kahlon, who was once the weakest link in the coalition, is now its strongest one. Gabbay leads a social-oriented agenda from the opposition; Kahlon is considered the champion of the working class within the government.
Obviously, Netanyahu could announce an election whenever he wants. Nevertheless, senior members of the coalition believe that nothing dramatic will happen to Netanyahu on the legal front before April 2018. The investigations are still underway, and it will take time to decide whether to indict him. What this means is that there is no reason to break the coalition apart now. Therefore, Netanyahu will begin the Knesset's winter session as a strong prime minister with solid support from the public and a stable and functioning coalition, with no major crises on the immediate horizon. As long as the diplomatic process plods along in place, with no major decisions to set the prime minister on a collision course with HaBayit HaYehudi, Netanyahu's fourth government could continue to function despite the mountain of investigations he faces.
Netanyahu is benefiting from the fact that none of his coalition partners want elections anytime soon, and their aversion to another round of elections only gets stronger over time. Most of these partners are not particularly fond of Netanyahu in the best of circumstances, but their narrow political interests cause them to hold on to their seats in government as tightly as they can for as long as they can, and that means maintaining the integrity of the coalition.
The chairman of Shas, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, is in a bad situation. His party is losing support, and he is entangled in criminal investigations of his own. In other words, the last thing he needs right now is an election. We have already seen how Kahlon needs more time. Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, the chairman of Yisrael Beitenu, enjoys his job, so he also wants the government to remain in power. As for HaBayit HaYehudi, its leader Naftali Bennett wouldn't dare bring down a right-wing government. Even having Netanyahu in power is not a good enough reason for him to do that.
As far as the opposition is concerned, no good news will come out of the Knesset's winter session. They expected this to be the session in which Netanyahu falls, but that isn't happening at least not yet.
What's worth noting is that this will be the first time that the head of the largest opposition party will not be serving as chairman of the opposition in the Knesset. Gabbay is not a Knesset member, so he will try to present an alternative to Netanyahu from outside the legislature. At the very least, that should be interesting.
October 3, 2017
The Israeli left made no bones about its glee over the empty bleachers at the Sept. 27 jubilee celebration of the liberation of Judea, Samaria, the Jordan Valley and Golan Heights organized by the settlers in the occupied West Bank. The left views the photos of the empty seats as proof of the settlers failure to occupy the hearts and minds of the general Israeli public. The leftists argue that not only did the billions poured by successive Israeli governments into the settlements for 50 years lure fewer than 5% of Israelis to live there about 400,000 according to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics the vast majority avoided the wasteful liberation festival.
Yet the pleasure taken by the left in the seeming failure of the settlers and their patrons is somewhat pathetic. Granted, the right-wing concept of a return to the land of the forefathers has not created a major demographic shift of Israelis moving to the settlements. Nonetheless, the notion has ingrained itself in the minds of broad swathes of the Israeli public and of tens of thousands of visitors from around the world. It happens daily in Jerusalems Old City and throughout the West Bank.
This occupation is alive and very well, for example, at the site of Biyar Aqueduct that lies within walking distance of the failed jubilee ceremony in the Etzion settlement bloc that was organized by Culture Minister Miri Regev. Every year, some 100,000 women, children and men visit the Biyar Aqueduct that was built some 2,000 years ago to supply water to Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple. The aqueduct epitomizes the importance of the entire area as the source of life for Jewish Jerusalem in its golden age. The website of the Kfar Etzion Field School that operates the site reads, Various researchers date the Biyar Aqueduct to different times over a 200-year period that began with King Alexander Yannai [of the Hasmonean period in the first century B.C.], through King Herod and even the Roman era. Despite this uncertainty, the aqueduct is presented to visitors as a relic of the early Roman era, also known as the days of the Second Temple. According to official reporting by the field school to the nongovernmental organization registrar, the aqueduct tours brought in more than 16 million Israeli shekels ($4.5 million) in 2014.
The Biyar Aqueduct is an example of a 'tourism settlement' creating a tourist site on ancient relics and marketing the place as an Israeli heritage site, archaeologist Yonathan Mizrachi told Al-Monitor. Mizrachi heads the Emek Shaveh center that seeks to prevent the use of ancient relics as a tool in national conflict or a value justifying harm to weak groups. Such use is made by the operators of the City of David site below the walls of Jerusalems Old City, on the land of the Palestinian village of Silwan. Almost every Israeli high school student and soldier is brought to visit the site, becoming an advocate of an Israeli presence there. Silwans Muslim past and the link of its residents to the place is presented as random and negligible, if at all.
At the jubilee event, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, There will be no more uprooting of communities in the Land of Israel. We will uproot neither Jews nor Arabs. Constraints imposed by his hard-line coalition partners will prevent him from evacuating Jewish outposts in the West Bank, but the Palestinians arent counting on his declaration to thwart the uprooting of their homes and schools in the Jordan Valley and Hebron Hills. The Netanyahu government has been pulling them out by their historic roots for years.
We have restored our historic continuity, Netanyahu boasted in his speech, referring to the 1967 Israeli conquest of the Etzion bloc and other areas of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. What was in these lands when we did not control them? the prime minister asked. A foreign army, terror activity, mine fields, he offered as a reply. Is that really all that was there up to June 1967? Is there really historic continuity in the Land of Israel? What about 350 years of Roman rule and more than 300 years of rule by the Byzantine Empire? And how did 400 years of Arab rule (638-1099) slip the mind of Netanyahu, the son of a noted historian, Benzion Netanyahu?
There is clear evidence at the Biyar Aqueduct as there is at other sites of the presence of the sons of the Judean Kingdom or of Jews at various periods, Mizrachi conceded. The problem is that these sites are being used as propaganda tools to establish the right of Jews to those lands, and the multicultural aspect of thousands of years of history is sidelined or even wiped out of the whole story. Israelis talk a lot about the first and second temples in Jerusalem, Mizrachi added, but they dont tell you that the land continued to develop also under the Romans and Byzantines, and that Emperor Saladin not only conquered the land, but also orchestrated demographic shifts there.
The director of the small organization, consisting of four employees and some 10 volunteers, brought up the 2010 government resolution to turn Shiloh into a central tourism and heritage site in the Samaria region of the West Bank, at significant investment. Although excavations have unearthed churches and decorated mosaics from the Byzantine period, Mizrachi noted, clear attempts are being made through archaeological research to prove the biblical tale of Shilohs importance as an ancient center of Jewish worship. A private settlers organization that runs the site has established a park at the site entirely dedicated to the story of the shrine tent built by the Israelites. The site attracts tens of thousands of devoted Christians, mostly evangelists from the United States, Europe and South Korea.
Israeli law on archaeological sites resembles that of other countries around the world. When development and construction works are to be executed near ancient sites, the state must run salvage excavations" to preserve the findings. A new study conducted by Emek Shaveh, based on documents obtained from the Israeli militarys civil administration authorities in the West Bank, refutes the accepted assumption that archaeological digs are largely conducted for research purposes. The study found that during a period of seven years (2007-2014), 90% of the salvage excavation requests submitted by the state were designed to enable construction of or within settlements, and only a small part in Palestinian villages. These findings demonstrate once again Israels discriminatory approach against West Bank Palestinians; most of the infrastructure work conducted prior to salvage excavations were designed to strengthen the settlements through the building of fences and developing infrastructure. Of note, the 1995 Oslo II Accord between Israel and the Palestinians stipulates that responsibility for archaeology throughout the West Bank would be handed over to the Palestinian Authority.
How can one blame those among the Palestinians who demand the right of return to their ancestors lands, when they base their claim on the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan that created the State of Israel? Israel uses slanted archaeology to steal the past of the Palestinian people. Israel is ruled by a politician Netanyahu who relies on the story of David and Goliath, the Hasmonean wars against the ancient Greeks and of Bar Kohba against the Romans to shatter any vestige of hope by the two people for a better future. The Jewish nation is deeply rooted within the Land of Israel; a land that has room enough also for the roots of the Palestinian people.
October 3, 2017
Israel facilitated the entry of Palestinian Authority (PA) Cabinet ministers into Gaza on Oct. 2 to attend a reconciliation meeting between Fatah and Hamas. It took Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a day to respond to the event. Speaking at a Likud meeting in the West Bank settlement of Maale Adumim, Netanyahu said, We expect everyone who talks about a peace process to recognize the State of Israel and, of course, to recognize a Jewish state. He added, Whoever wants to make such a reconciliation, our understanding is very clear: Recognize the State of Israel, disband the Hamas military arm, sever the connection with Iran, which calls for our destruction.
Contrary to past statements by Netanyahu opposing Palestinian reconciliation, his props this time did not include threats against Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas or warnings of sanctions. Most of all, his choice of words differed in expression from that in April 2014, when Hamas and Fatah announced the establishment of a national unity government. Abbas would rather have unity with Hamas than peace with Israel, Netanyahu had tweeted.
Netanyahu's foreign minister at the time, Avigdor Liberman, concurred, saying that Abbas had to decide whether he wanted to make peace with Israel or with Hamas. Liberman described the signing of the unity agreement as tantamount to a signature on the end of negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. This time around, at least for the moment, Liberman is keeping quiet. In fact, it was the Defense Ministry, which he now heads, that was responsible for the Palestinian delegation getting into Gaza for talks.
Indeed, Israeli military authorities oversaw the arrangements allowing the 350 Palestinians from the West Bank to cross quickly and efficiently through the Erez crossing into Gaza. The delegation included PA Cabinet members, advisers, officials and security teams. It went over like a well-coordinated military operation, an Israeli military source told Al-Monitor, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Thus, on Oct. 3, a new Palestinian unity government convened in Gaza for a special session, and the previously estranged sides ceremoniously announced that the decadelong rift between them had ended and that a new chapter in their relationship had begun. As reported in Al-Monitor, however, true reconciliation is still far off.
Despite the discernible difficulties clear to the leaders on both sides, a sense of heady optimism nonetheless prevails. On the evening prior to the festive meeting, news broadcasters in Gaza and the West Bank announced that this would be the last night of division, as both sides had chosen to restore the unity of the Palestinian people for the sake of the national interest.
So why didnt Netanyahu threaten Abbas with sanctions or condemn him for an alliance with those who aspire to destroy Israel? Why did Liberman order Defense Ministry officials to arrange for the efficient entry of the Palestinian delegation into Gaza? Why didnt Liberman condemn Abbas in his usual manner?
This time is different, a top Fatah official explained to Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity. Israeli threats against the Palestinian Authority, sanctions or even just [verbal] attacks on the PA and Mahmoud Abbas would, in fact, constitute direct threats against Egypt and its president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is sponsoring the reconciliation talks.
According to the Fatah source, Egypt notified the United States and Israel on the progress of the rapprochement, making it clear that a Palestinian unity government is not only in Egypt's interest, but has positive implications for Israel and the Palestinians as well. Egypt regards such an agreement as vital to a regional peace deal, in which it hopes to play a major role. From Cairo's perspective, the Palestinian split between the West Bank and Gaza is an obstacle that must be removed for a diplomatic breakthrough on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The United States appears to share this view. President Donald Trumps Middle East envoy, Jason Greenblatt, who visited Israel and the West Bank at the end of September, updated Netanyahu on the American position on the reconciliation and the significance of such a move for a US peace blueprint soon to be unveiled.
Trump had promised Abbas at their brief, Sept. 20 meeting in New York to present the principles of his blueprint within a few weeks. Yet it now seems clear that he will not do so until the fate of the internal Palestinian negotiations, due to continue in Cairo next week, becomes clearer. That means that as far as the Trump administration is concerned, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only be resolved under a regional umbrella, with Egypt playing a central role.
Should the Palestinians actually reconcile, it remains unclear what the Americans might consider a good agreement. Meanwhile, one cannot ignore that the Americans, like the Israelis, have not issued an official response to the talks in Gaza, even with Hamas still on the Department of State's list of foreign terrorist organizations.
As noted previously in Al-Monitor, Palestinian intelligence chief Majid Faraj enjoys a warm relationship with the Trump administration. CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Greenblatt see him as a moderating, calming influence that provides stability to Abbas regime and serves the interests of the United States and Israels security. Faraj is a pivotal participant in the Gaza talks. He is among those engaging with Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar. The core issue on which everything depends is whether Hamas is willing to hand Abbas security control of Gaza. Israel would regard such an agreement by Hamas as a positive development, and the United States would see it as removing a major obstacle to launching Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. That is why Israel and the United State have decided to lay low, at least until they see whether Sisis plan withstands the test of reality.
Meanwhile Netanyahu, while careful not to threaten Abbas, is thinking several steps ahead. His words have been intended first and foremost for American ears. He is already trying to block whatever diplomatic initiative the Trump administration might present in the near future.
October 3, 2017
During the Moammar Gadhafi era in Libya, the regime was intolerable of any opposition, political parties were illegal and free press did not exist. Many Libyans who opposed the regime left the country and lived abroad. Many settled in the United States and Europe, mostly as political refugees. As the years passed, many of them gained the citizenships of their host countries.
However, in the late 1990s, as the country was opening up and relations with the West were improving, many such individuals returned to Libya except the high-profile opposition leaders who were afraid to come back to Libya. After the regime was overthrown with NATO help in October 2011, most of the opposition leaders came back to the country and held high-ranking positions, including prime minister, speaker of parliament and even directors of the security apparatus in the new Libya.
However, no one seemed to pay attention to the fact that Libyas Law No. 24 of 2010 stating that any Libyan who gains another citizenship without written permission from the minister of interior at the time automatically loses his Libyan citizenship and his right to hold public office, either elected or otherwise. The law is still applicable and has not yet been annulled.
In the euphoria of deposing the regime and the high hope of freedoms in the new Libya of 2011-12, no one seemed to care about the law. The Constitutional Assembly was elected on Feb. 20, 2014, to draft a new constitution, and many former exiles were elected to its chamber. One of them is Libyan-American Ali al-Tarhouni who became the head of the new body.
Of the members of the new body, Daw al-Mansouri, a lawyer by profession, questioned the legality of Tarhounis membership and quietly started considering his options. Mansouri noticed that Tarhouni is indirectly backed by Islamists in the Constitutional Assembly helping him dominate the discussions, get elected to head the new body on April 20, 2014, and have the final say on the internal working procedures within the 60-member assembly. Mansouri tried to have more members join him in taking the case to court, but no one seemed interested, either out of fear or believing the case would be inadmissible.
Mansouri told Al-Monitor, Right after Tarhouni became chairman of the assembly, I started to question his membership in the assembly and how he got elected in the first place. Once I was sure, I decided to press ahead with the case even without the support of other members.
He said, I became even more determined to have Tarhounis election invalidated as I watched him increasingly dominating the discussions trying to impose his own opinions despite the fact that we were required to vote on any proposed articles to be drafted and included in the new constitution. The Constitutional Assembly was required to pass any draft of the constitution by simple majority of 35 members.
And indeed Mansouri complained to the court in eastern Libya in January 2016, and the case was postponed three times. But Tarhounis membership was suspended pending the outcome of the trial. When asked why so late, Mansouri said, We had many complications and interruptions including the war of 2014, so practically we did not do much during the intervening period.
On Sept. 20, Libyas High Court in Tripoli issued its final verdict that indeed Tarhouni should not have been a member in the first place since he is a dual citizen of Libya and the United States. Tarhounis defense team failed to present the required documents set out in law No. 24, such as a written permission from the relevant authorities in Libya allowing him to have another citizenship and invalidating his Libyan citizenship once he became a US citizen. He is required to go through another legal procedure to reclaim his original Libyan citizenship and renounce his American one in order to be elected.
Asked by Al-Monitor what proof he had to present to court, Mansouri said, It was a video recording of Tarhouni speaking in Seattle, the United States, where he lived and worked for many years teaching at the University of Washington before returning to Libya in March 2011.
However, the case, underreported in the local media, made history in the judiciary system in the new Libya, and is likely to have wide implications, since there are many other former and current officials who should not have been appointed or elected in some positions as they have dual citizenship.
The list includes the former speaker of the first elected General National Congress (GNC), Mohamed Yusuf al-Magariaf, and at least four others including former Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, former GNC member Abdulrahman Swehli and former Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa A.G. Abushagur.
Al-Monitor asked Mansouri what can be done now with such individuals and if they can be prosecuted for forgery. He said, Indeed they can be prosecuted even if they are no longer in their positions as per the law. They at least have to return the salaries and any other benefits they were paid while working. They also have to answer in court as to how they got elected while they were not eligible. Asked if their work in the relevant bodies is no longer legal, Mansour said, No, this is very unlikely since they were not a majority.
In light of the new dialogue started in Tunis Sept. 26, to try to solve the political crisis, a group of Libyan activists took to the internet Sept. 29 to petition Ghassan Salame, the United Nations envoy to Libya, leading the talks, to make sure he is aware of the applicable Libyan laws as not to accept the nomination of any Libyan with dual citizenship to any position.
One of the leading activists is Fowzi Omaar who first started the petition on his Facebook page. Al-Monitor tracked Omaar down in Tripoli and asked him what he expects from his petition. He said, I am expecting to alert Salame about the applicable Libyan laws as to make sure [he will] not break them by accepting the appointment of any person with dual citizenship.
When told that such a law was passed under Gadhafi and many would dispute it, Omaar said, As long as they are still valid and have not been repealed or amended, everyone must respect them.
By visiting Omaars Facebook page, it appears that hundreds of Libyans are supporting his efforts. He said, I expect thousands of Libyans to sign the petition. On Oct. 2, Omaar sent a written message confirming to Al-Monitor that his petition was indeed delivered to Salames office in Tunis. He also noted that he is still urging more Libyans to start their own petition to the UN envoy about the same issue.
Omaar added, [I] think more Libyans will come forward and petition the UN envoy now that I opened the way for them.
It remains to be seen if the laws will be upheld while not repealed, or if they will be broken again just like in so many other situations. It would be a bad start at a time Libyans are seeking the rule of law and a new country where the judiciary is respected.
October 2, 2017
WASHINGTON Former Israeli National Security Adviser Uzi Arad is urging Washington to build on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal rather than abandon or undermine it.
My position is in support of preserving the agreement and strengthening the agreement, Arad said on a call Monday hosted by the liberal Jewish-American group J Street, ahead of a week of events in Washington urging members of Congress and the Donald Trump administration to work with allies to address what comes after certain provisions in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) expire in a decade.
Doing away with the agreement is no real option, said Arad, who served as national security adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during 2009-2011. It simply removes from existence something that had been established, that presented certain assets and certain things that are tangible and replacing that [with] nothing.
Arads presentations this week in Washington come ahead of an Oct. 15 quarterly deadline for Trump to certify to Congress that Iran is complying with the nuclear deal. Trump hinted at diplomatic meetings in New York last month that he is unlikely to do so. If Trump declines to certify, Congress has 60 days to decide if it should vote to reimpose US sanctions suspended under the deal in exchange for Irans rollback of its nuclear program.
The Trump White House, asked about Arads contention that building on the deal was better than abandoning it, said it considers the deal negotiated by six world powers and Iran during the Barack Obama administration as deeply flawed.
This administration believes strongly that the deal is bad for the US, a White House official, speaking not for attribution, told Al-Monitor on Monday. In particular, the sunset clauses, inadequate inspections provisions and lack of coverage of the full array of Irans malign activities make the deal fundamentally flawed.
The Trump administration is fully committed to addressing the totality of Iranian threats and malign activities and seeks to bring about a change in the Iranian regimes behavior, a State Department official, speaking not for attribution, told Al-Monitor.
The JCPOA was expected to contribute to regional and international peace and security, and Irans regime is doing everything in its power to undermine peace and security, the State Department official added.
But the former Netanyahu national security adviser, a two-decade veteran of Mossad, said that the 2015 nuclear accord had clear tangible benefits for Israeli and international security and that Iran, to date, had honored its strict terms.
Iran has indeed done away with those things that it committed itself to do away with, said Arad, who is now a professor at Israels Technion University and fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies think tank. He said he was speaking for himself and not on behalf of the Israeli government.
He said, It reduced inventories, it removed some of the centrifuges, it blocked the plutonium route. It undertook all kinds of restraints, quantitative and qualitative restraints, on its nuclear program. In doing so, it stopped the progression. It stopped the advance toward nuclear weapons. That is tangible, and that is good.
The agreement also established a legal edifice of yardsticks, goals, purposes, obligations that are very useful to uphold, Arad said. Now, if you take that away, you are in a void.
Arad also said that while the agreement may have room for improvement, he saw no serious alternative US strategy at all for what to do to prevent Iran from pursuing nuclear weapons capability if Washington abandons the deal.
Near as I can tell, there is no serious contingency plan what to do in service of the goal not to have nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran through the abrogation of the agreement, said Arad. So it is not a full-fledged option.
Washingtons European allies have urged the Trump administration to keep the JCPOA and said it cannot be renegotiated. But they have proposed that if the United States honors the deal, they would be willing to work with the Trump administration to try to address other concerns it has about Iran, including Irans support for military proxy groups in the region and its testing of ballistic missiles.
Arad said Washington needed to keep consensus with its European allies to most effectively use the time provided by the JCPOA to address longer-term threats.
Improve the verification, improve implementation, clarify ambiguities, Arad argued. Do it, strengthen it and [do] not take it away, because in its absence you will be simply clueless as to what to do and you may end up losing in the process.
October 2, 2017
Encounters between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tend to leave Middle East watchers pondering the implications of their discussions for the region. The recent meeting in Ankara between the "friends," as they referred to one another at a Sept. 28 press conference, was no different in that respect.
On the surface, the pragmatic meeting wasnt anything extraordinary; no concrete agreements were announced. The parties reiterated their commitment to de-escalation zones that help create conditions to end the fratricidal war in Syria. They also discussed the Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum, as well as Russian-Turkish trade and energy cooperation. The confidential character of the negotiations in parallel with a meeting of Russian and Turkish security and military services and the recent statement from Erdogan that Turkey will be deploying its own forces in Idlib all indicate the Syrian agenda dominated Putin's visit to Ankara.
Remarkably, before the visit, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Turkey is working alongside Russia and Iran to set up a new de-escalation zone in Afrin, a Syrian town populated mostly by ethnic Kurds. On the same day, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu criticized Russian airstrikes in Idlib that he said killed civilians as well as militants of the moderate opposition forces and could damage the credibility of peace negotiations in Astana, Kazakhstan.
As Al-Monitor previously reported, the guarantor states of the Astana agreements Russia, Turkey and Iran finally on Sept. 14-15 charted key parameters of the four Syrian de-escalation zones. Moscow has been deploying Russian military police on the border of Hama and Idlib provinces.
Yet since the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham coalition of Islamist factions attacked Russian forces Sept. 19 in the Idlib zone, the situation in northwest Syria has deteriorated. Russias chiefs of general staff accused US intelligence services of initiating a large-scale offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra forces in western Syria. Moscow claims the Americans, seeking to disrupt the Syrian army's advance in the east, passed on sensitive information about the location of Russian military police on the southern side of the Euphrates in Deir ez-Zor. Subsequently, the Russians delivered a series of strikes in the Idlib zone, which includes parts of Aleppo, Hama and Latakia provinces.
Moscow said it delivered strikes only to suppress Hayat Tahrir al-Sham forces, which continue to attack Russian military police. On Sept. 28, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov went even further, saying, Throughout the week, all strikes by Russian aircraft in Idlib province have been zeroing in on the equipment, reserves and groups of Jabhat al-Nusra militants who tried to carry out surprise attacks to set free terrorists from the Akerbat pocket in eastern Hama.
Given that the Akerbat pocket is known for the presence of Islamic State (IS) forces rather than Jabhat al-Nusra, the statement seemed to imply that Jabhat al-Nusra was trying to save IS.
The very idea that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham would come to the rescue of its archrival IS is a strange one. And just looking at a Syrian situation map makes it clear Konashenkov's statement was purely populist. The Akerbat pocket is far from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham positions. Militants have been operating hundreds of miles away in northern Hama, while some IS members and their families were evacuated from the Akerbat pocket to rebel-held Idlib under a deal with the Syrian regime. Besides, the locations of the police deployment cannot be secret, by default. Similarly, any foreign forces within reach of radical groups are always a desirable target. This is especially true given the word that Russia and Turkey have been coordinating their efforts to further weaken Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's potential in the Idlib zone.
In the past few months, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has been launching more offensives against other opposition forces that opted to participate in the Astana negotiations. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham objective has been to secure a stronger presence on the ground and replace local administrative authorities with people loyal to the radical group. Yet Hayat Tahrir al-Sham unilateral actions against Faylaq al-Sham, Ahrar al-Sham and other groups, as well as the possibility that Turkey potentially would create a buffer zone in Idlib, triggered a Hayat Tahrir al-Sham internal crisis. Additional defections of such factions as Nureddin Zengi Brigade and Jaish al-Ahrar, and cleric Abdullah al-Muhaysini put Hayat Tahrir al-Sham on the verge of collapse.
Under these circumstances, the only efficient way for the group to save itself was to initiate a massive offensive on pro-government forces to provoke them into retaliation and thus attract other opposition forces to its side. And that's what happened: Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched an offensive to undo the progress made at Astana. Russian intelligence services could not have missed that intent. Deploying Russian military police in Hama and Idlib was arguably an accurate but hasty decision. Moscow moved to deploy its monitoring force in a dangerous zone, probably putting too much trust into Syrian government forces. President Bashar al-Assad's regime launched its own offensive on the Ain Tarma and Jobar fronts, right inside the Eastern Ghouta de-escalation zone.
In other words, the situation took a dangerous turn and indeed needed a serious conversation at the top level. Following the Putin-Erdogan meeting, Russian air forces continued delivering strikes on Idlib while Turkish troops sent reinforcements to Hatay province bordering Idlib. However, if Moscow and Ankara are to save the cease-fire and the Astana agreements, it is time for them to come to terms with reality by shaping a buffer zone in Idlib, supporting the opposition and targeting Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
In its attempts to help Damascus and Tehran control more territory in eastern Syria and curb the advance of the US-supported Syrian Democratic Forces, Russia found itself in a difficult situation. On the one hand, weakening Hayat Tahrir al-Sham demands the concentration of forces and coordinatiion with allies in Idlib. Ankara will probably transfer some of the opposition forces it supports from northern Aleppo to the border with Idlib. To prevent clashes between Kurdish and pro-Turkish forces, another de-escalation zone would be needed in Kurdish Afrin. On the other hand, Moscow would need to continue its fight against IS, which has demonstrated its strong potential to resist and counterattack.
Current developments require the clearly definition of priorities and a decisive response to emerging challenges; successful IS actions at al-Sukhna and the group's advance toward Palmyra, both in Homs province, have showcased how vulnerable the regime is in those directions. Opposition forces' rising activity in southern Syria also threatens the Astana agreements. Shabab al-Sunna, a group affiliated with the Free Syrian Armys Southern Front, operates in Daraa province and said it would launch operations against the regime should Damascus and Moscow continue their attacks on the opposition in the country's northwest.
Russia currently is operating from a position of power. But its carrot-and-stick approach is undermining the hard-won trust of regional players. Alexander Lavrentiev, Putins special envoy for Syria, said Moscow does not approve of opposition attempts to create the Syrian National Army. The opposition has been worried that the de-escalation zones arent really designed to create stability in Syria, but rather are about weakening and taming the opposition, using a pretext of providing humanitarian aid to restore Assads control over the territories.
October 3, 2017
ZURICH Uncertainty over what US President Donald Trump will do with the Iran nuclear deal hung over a conference here on Europe-Iran business that showcased both progress as well as continuing internal Iranian obstacles to foreign trade and investment.
European diplomats have put forward a tough and united front against any US reimposition of nuclear-related sanctions at a time when the International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly confirmed Iranian compliance with the 2015 agreement. But European executives appear less confident about their ability to shield Iran deals from a potential resumption of US penalties if Trump decides not to certify that Iran remains in compliance with the deal later this month.
We should be able to continue to work, Philippe Delleur, a senior vice president of the French train manufacturer Alstom, said in response to a question from Al-Monitor about the impact of a possible return of US sanctions.
At the same time, Delleur conceded that any such US action would negatively affect long-term financing for investments such as a recent Alstom contract to build railway and subway cars in Iran.
The situation will not improve for sure, Delleur said.
Because of unilateral US sanctions that were not lifted by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) sanctions that impede most US business in Iran European companies have been the chief beneficiaries of the agreement. According to Masoud Khansari, president of the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, Iranian trade with European Union members doubled in the first half of 2017 compared with the same period last year.
The next four years will be the most suitable time for development of economic relations between Europe and Iran, Khansari told about 400 people gathered in Zurich at the fourth Europe-Iran Forum.
An Iranpoll.com survey commissioned by the website Bourse & Bazaar showed strong Iranian support for foreign investment in Iran and positive attitudes toward foreign products. German goods topped the list of those that found favor with Iranians in the poll conducted in August, with 69% of Iranians seeing German wares in a positive light. (While attitudes toward the United States were extremely negative, 44% of those polled had a favorable view of US products.)
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, the founder of the Europe-Iran Forum, said the poll demonstrated an emerging vision for the future of Iran that is open, innovative, productive and prosperous.
Iranian trade with European Union members doubled in the first half of 2017 compared with the same period last year.
In recent months, the French oil giant Total has signed a $5 billion contract with Iran to develop and produce natural gas. German, Swedish, Italian and Swiss companies have also returned to the Iranian market since the JCPOA was implemented in January 2016.
But Iranian officials have been disappointed that more major deals have yet to materialize.
Mehdi Karbasian, a deputy minister and chairman of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade, told the conference that Irans goal is to attract $50 billion in investment from abroad over the next five years a target that will be especially hard to reach if US sanctions return.
So far, no major European banks have come back to Iran since the nuclear deal. Some small- and medium-sized institutions as well as the export credit agencies of Denmark, Austria and Italy, however, are providing limited credit, as are banks in China and Japan.
Much of the discussion at the conference, in a five-star hotel overlooking the Swiss financial capital, focused on steps Iran could take to become more attractive to foreign and local investors whether or not the Trump administration remains within the JCPOA. The Iranian banking sector has made strides in improving its conformance with international standards against money laundering and terrorism financing but is still struggling with antiquated reporting structures and billions of dollars in nonperforming loans.
Parviz Aghili, the chairman of Irans privately owned Middle East Bank, estimated that as much as 20% of bank loans in Iran were nonperforming. He said the government could not afford the $180 billion to $200 billion it would cost to restructure the banking sector in one go, and would instead move in phases over the next six years to give time for failing banks to increase their capital, merge with other financial institutions or close.
According to Mahdi Seifollahi, the chairman of financial data firm Pouya Finance, Iranian banks are improving their reporting standards, updating software and providing monthly activity reports. The more frequently they provide data, the more transparent and reliable they get, he said.
Ulrich von Zanthier, director for financial services at Dutch auditing giant KPMG, said Iranian banks should disclose their ownership structure to make it easier for foreign financial institutions to do the due diligence necessary before forming correspondent relationships. Already, he said, There is improvement. I think we will get there.
Other impediments to foreign interaction with the Iranian economy include myriad regulations and a labor force that is highly educated but lacks advanced management skills. The government has also been slow to privatize industries such as the pharmaceutical sector, where 40% of the market is still government-owned, according to Haleh Hamedifar, the chairwoman of CinnaGen, a local drug manufacturer.
Sharif Nezam-Mafi, who chairs the Iran-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, said labor costs 30% more in Iran than in India in part because of government regulations. He added that corruption remains a major challenge.
Having attended all four Europe-Iran forums since 2014, Nezam-Mafi said he keeps hearing about Irans potential for foreign investors. When will it become a reality? he asked rhetorically, answering, When the government and private sector make the right decisions.
Aseyeh Hatami, the founder and managing director of IranTalent.com, which seeks to connect educated Iranians with job opportunities, acknowledged what she called a disconnect between foreign and Iranian business styles. She said that the more Iran is exposed to Western business practices, the more the gap will close.
If the walls around Iran come down, if we have that international exposure, I believe Iran can grow a lot, she said.
That depends, of course, in part on the nuclear deal surviving any new challenges from Washington.
Birmingham Bucket List
Think you've done it all in Birmingham? Think again. A new book, "100 Things to Do in Birmingham Before You Die," begs to differ. Written by Alabama author and journalist Verna Gates, the book is perfect for Birmingham natives looking to explore new parts of the Magic City, as well as out of towners discovering Birmingham for the first time. As a contract press trip coordinator for the Alabama Department of Tourism, Gates knows her way around the state, including all its hidden gems. In her new book about Birmingham, she takes readers from a legendary juke joint and a famed movie cafe to a Civil War battle site and a gas station barbecue stop. Intrigued? Grab a copy at local bookstores or online at reedypress.com.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celebrate Halloween Around the City
Birmingham knows how to party, and this month the focus is on all things spooky and scary. Three awesome events are lined up for Halloween Weekend. The Greater Birmingham Humane Society Young Professionals Board is hosting Howls & Growls at Old Car Heaven on Saturday, October 28. The event will feature a show from Neon Electric, carnival games, food trucks, and a costume contest. Tickets include beer and wine and can be purchased via gbhs.org. Also on Saturday, Roots & Revelry in the Thomas Jefferson Tower is hosting another Halloween bash, Peaches & Scream, which will feature multiple rooms boasting different themes, as well as DJs, live acts, a costume contest, dance floors, Halloween-themed cocktails, and a VIP area with more specialty cocktails and a chef-inspired buffet. The event benefits Cahaba Riverkeeper, and tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite. The fun will continue on Sunday, October 29 with the Second Annual Zombie Run at Railroad Park from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The run begins at 7 p.m. and the event benefits HGOL Kids, a free performing arts program for children.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The men of Aviate wearing pink in support of the cause.
Real Men Wear Pink
If you happen to stop into Slice, Sky Castle, or Sol's in October, be on the lookout for owner Jason Bajalieh, and make sure he's wearing pink. Same goes for Van Sykes of Bob Sykes BBQ, George McMillan of FoodBar, and Haller McGee of The Yard at the Elyton Hotel. And if you see James Spann on the news, he had better be wearing pink too. These men, along with 20 other local male "celebrities" (like the crew of Aviate, the Barons' manager, and local brew masters) are participating in the American Cancer Society's Real Men Wear Pink campaign. As part of the awareness campaign, they will wear pink every day in October and work to raise money through an online fundraising contest. At the wrap-up party on October 26, the participant who raised the most money for the cause will be named the "Pink Man of the Year." Way to go, Birmingham men!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ruffner Turns 40
The city's original greenspace is celebrating a huge milestone this month. Ruffner Mountain was founded in October of 1977, when a small group of individuals realized that the land was being threatened by a developer's plans to build an apartment complex on it. This year, the nonprofit and nature preserve turns 40! Since its beginnings, the area has grown from a few acres to more than 1,000 acres, and it is now one of the largest urban land preserves in the country. Celebrate the park this month by heading over for a hike or run on any of the park's 14 miles of trails, and don't forget to stop into the nature center while you're there!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hot Cake from Daylight Donuts
Hot and fresh donuts are at the top of our to-do list this month. Every Friday, you can head over to Daylight Donuts' Acton Road location for their Hot Cake special. From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Daylight offers fresh, made-to-order cake donuts, served with ice cream and toppings. There are multiple flavors, but past favorites include the Ice Cream Sandwich, Peanut Butter Oreo, Cinnabomb, Donut Cobbler, Apple Pie, and S'mores. They've even tested out savory creations like their Hoo-Dawg, a jalapeno cheddar sausage dipped in sweet donut batter, fried, and covered in glaze. Now that's indulgent. For more information about Daylight Donuts, visit magiccitydough.com.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magic City Fashion Week
Fashion Week in Birmingham is back--and this time with a bit of a different mission. A departure from Birmingham Fashion Week, Magic City Fashion Week will be held during Magic City Classic, October 24-28. Founder Daniel K. Grier says the event's goal is to fill a void in the Birmingham creative community and "allow emerging talent to express themselves artistically through fashion, bring social change, and promote diversity, while educating the community at large." Magic City Fashion Week has partnered with Birmingham AIDS Outreach for its inaugural multi-day event. For more information about MCFW, including how to apply to be a featured designer or how to volunteer, visit magiccityfashionweek.com.
This story appears in Birmingham magazine's October 2017 issue. Subscribe today!
Farm Burger, a Georgia-based, fast-casual restaurant chain that prides itself on serving grass-fed beef hamburgers and using fresh produce from local farmers, will open its second Alabama location next week in the new The Waites development on Birmingham's Southside.
The restaurant, located at 707 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. North, will open Monday, Oct. 9. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Founded in Decatur, Ga., in 2010 by organic farmer and rancher Jason Mann and restaurateur George Frangos, Farm Burger opened its first Alabama location in Huntsville in the Shops at Merchants Walk development last year.
"The Farm Burger family has been humbled by the warm welcome we've received in Alabama," Frangos said in a media release today. "We're thrilled to connect with our Birmingham neighbors and to plant roots in The Waites, a community gathering place for food and drink."
The chef-driven menu features burgers made from 100% grass-fed beef that's dry-aged, ground fresh and cooked to order, according to the release. Dishes also include burgers made from antibiotic-free chicken, pasture-raised pork, and vegetables, as well as seasonal salads, hand-cut fries and a variety of daily specials.
Beverages include milkshakes, floats, and a curated and changing list of local craft beers and small-production wines.
Working with local farmers and purveyors, the Birmingham location of Farm Burger will feature ice cream from La Michoacana, goat cheese from Stone Hollow Farmstead, hot sauce from Helena Pepper Company, apples from Crocker Farms, and fresh produce from Snow's Bend Farm and Owls Hollow Farm, according to today's release.
The restaurant will also serve local beers from TrimTab Brewing Co., Avondale Brewing Company. Good People Brewing Company, Cahaba Brewing Co, and Ghost Train Brewing Co.
The 2,200-square-foot restaurant will have interior seating for more than 50 diners, with covered outdoor patio seating that will accommodate an additional 20 guests.
In addition to Birmingham and Huntsville, Farm Burger has four locations in Georgia, two in North Carolina, two in Tennessee, and two in California.
The original location in Decatur, Ga., has been featured on Food & Wine magazine's list of the Best Burgers in the U.S.
Birmingham-based Taco Mama, a fast-casual Mexican restaurant concept, was the first restaurant to move into in The Waites, opening in September.
The residential and retail development also will include Smoothie King, Which Wich Superior Sandwiches, and Roll Up, a sushi restaurant.
Officials in Eufaula recently decided to erect a 10-foot-tall statue of a bass to draw visitors downtown. The project was announced in September by Mayor Jack Tibbs and Ann Sparks, director of Main Street Eufaula. The fish should be completed by Thanksgiving, according to the Eufaula Tribune.
Don't Edit
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
At some point, Eufaula residents will have the chance to submit names for the fish on the Main Street Eufaula Inc. Facebook page. The giant fish adds to a menagerie of over-sized animals across the state. We've listed 13 below. Which ones did we miss? Email kkazek@al.com.
READ MORE:Take a road trip to south Alabama's over-sized attractions
READ MORE:Take a road trip to north Alabama's over-sized attractions
Don't Edit
(Source: CraneWorks)
The Big Dog, CraneWorks, Birmingham
Don't Edit
(Source: Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce)
Crappie, Bass and Bream, Weiss Lake Lodge, Centre
Don't Edit
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Haunted Chicken House, Heflin
Nothing says Halloween like a chicken on a hearse. A larger chicken on the sign promotes the Hollis Haunted Chicken House held each Halloween by the local fire department.
Don't Edit
Don't Edit
(AL.com file/Lawrence Speckler)
El Camino Chicken, Irvington
Don't Edit
(Source: Souvenir City Facebook page)
Giant Shark, Souvenir City, Gulf Shores
Don't Edit
(Source: DiscoverAlabamaBeaches.com)
The Purple Octopus, Gulf Shores
Don't Edit
(Source: SanRoc Cay Facebook page)
Blue Marlin, SanRoc Cay Marina, Orange Beach
Don't Edit
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Big Red, Kentuck Arts Center, Northport
Don't Edit
Don't Edit
(Source: Ronald Godwin)
Car-Bumper Rooster, Brundidge
Built by artist Larry Godwin, the iconic rooster was moved from the spot on the roadside where it had been for 50 years and taken to the studio of Ronald Godwin, Larry's brother, at 522 N. Main St., in Brundidge for repair.
Don't Edit
(Source: Pike County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen)
Pike County Bull, Troy
Built by artists Larry and Ronald Godwin
Don't Edit
(Source: Alabama Farmers Market Facebook page)
Giant Cow, State Farmers Market, Montgomery
Don't Edit
(AL.com File Photo)
Penny the Dog Sign, Regions Field, Birmingham
Don't Edit
Kelly Kazek | kkazek@al.com
Wacky Elephant, Roanoke
This crude elephant-shaped building on Main Street in Roanoke was once a gas station.
Don't Edit
Skeletal remains found in Aruba are not those of Natalee Holloway, who vanished 12 years ago while on a graduation trip with her Mountain Brook classmates.
Her father, Dave Holloway, and private investigator T.J. Ward in August said an 18-month investigation led them to bone fragments that were undergoing DNA testing to determine if they belonged to Natalee Holloway. Tests on the fragments came back negative for a possible match to Holloway, forensic scientist Jason Kolowski told the Oxygen cable network, NBC's Today reported on Tuesday.
The DNA bone sample was ruled out as Holloway after it failed to match to her mother, Kolowski said.
"Out of the four individual bone samples only one was found to be human," said Kolowski, who led the testing and interpretation of the results for the six-part Oxygen series, "The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway," that aired in August.
Dave Holloway and Ward in August 19 launched a new series on the Oxygen network called, "The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway." The showed documented Dave Holloway's journey for justice and described the discovered bone fragments his most credible lead in over 12 years.
Natalie Holloway disappeared May 30, 2005 while in Aruba with 130-plus of her graduated classmates.
For several days during that 2005 graduation trip, the teens - of legal drinking age in Aruba - sunned and snorkeled during the day, and at night donned their sundresses for dinner and partying at Carlos' N Charlie's, which at the time was located in downtown Oranjestad, a decent cab ride from the high-rise district. The group often ended up at Excelsior Casino, which was, and still is, connected to the Holiday Inn where the Mountain Brook group stayed.
On their last night, Natalee and her friends met Joran van der Sloot, who lived with his family in the nearby Montana neighborhood and attended the Aruba International School. She was last seen about 1 a.m. getting into a gray Honda with van der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers as they left Carlo 'N Charlie's.
Natalee was scheduled to fly home on May 30 but failed to show up when the group met in the lobby to leave for their flight. Van der Sloot and Surinamese brothers Deepak and Satish Kalpoe, reportedly the last people to see Natalee alive, were arrested multiple times in her disappearance, but were always released without being charged. The Kalpoes continue to live and work in Aruba. Van der Sloot is serving a 28-year sentence in Stephanie Flores' death. He also faces charges in Alabama for extorting $25,000 from Holloway.
Both of Natalee's parents have continued their hard-fought battle for justice in the disappearance of their daughter, who in 2011 was declared dead by a Jefferson County judge. Just three months ago, Beth Holloway, as well as television news personality Nancy Grace, appeared on ABC's Dr. Oz show where Holloway talked about "her personal health struggle and never-ending battle for justice."
In 2015, Dave Holloway returned to Aruba yet another time, chasing a lead after a man named Jurrien De Jong told Holloway and Inside Edition that he saw Joran van der Sloot chase her into a small building under construction. De Jong said he never went to the police because he was involved in illegal activities at the time. He says he has come forward now because of a recent TV report where van der Sloot claims he was part of an undercover operation in which Holloway was buried at sea. Prosecutors in Aruba have dismissed De Jong's claims, saying his claims couldn't be true because the building to which he referred had not been built at that time.
Even before his trek back to Aruba that time, along with private investigator TJ Ward and a cadaver dog, Holloway said he was reluctant to get up his hopes. "I don't know how many times I've buried Natalee,'' he told AL.com, "and I don't want to go through that again."
He said then that in his heart, he thinks he knows what happened. He is certain van der Sloot paid a bartender in Aruba to drug Natalee with GHB. He is sure van der Sloot took her home, killed her and, with the help of his influential father, hired South American drug runners to remove Natalee's body from the island, because "they couldn't afford to find a body on the island."
On the Today show in August, Dave Holloway said an informant known as "Gabriel" put Ward and Holloway in contact with a man they claim had direct knowledge of Natalee's disappearance. "We have a person who states he was directly involved with Joran van der Sloot in disposing of Natalee's remains,'' Holloway said. "I thought, you know, there may be something to this."
The scientist told Today that they still don't know if the remains belong to a male or female.
It's not the double-digit advantage he frequently enjoyed in polling against Luther Strange but Republican Roy Moore still has a solid lead on Democrat Doug Jones in the early stages of Alabama's Senate general election campaign.
According to a poll released Tuesday by JMC Analytics and Polling, Moore garnered 48 percent support from the 500 poll participants. Jones received 40 percent of the vote. The landline phone poll, conducted Saturday and Sunday, has a margin of error of 4.4 percent.
The poll also included a question that perhaps indicated the race could get tighter. Poll participants were asked if they would prefer for a Democrat or a Republican and 49 percent said Republican while 45 percent said Democrat.
According to the poll summary, "There are three main takeaways from this poll: (1) Roy Moore starts off with a comfortable lead, but he is not at or above 50 percent in the ballot test, (2) the slim margin by which respondents prefer a generic Republican candidate (in a state Donald Trump carried 62-34% last year) should be of some concern to Republicans both in Alabama and nationally, (3) while an absolute majority of voters believe that Roy Moore is qualified to be a U.S. Senator, it is a slim 50 percent majority."
Former Vice President Joe Biden is visiting Birmingham today to headline a rally for Jones.
The poll found that softening support for President Trump could be a troubling sign for Moore. Only 51 percent of poll participants said they approve of Trump's job performance while 41 percent disapproved and 8 percent were undecided.
And while 65 percent of evangelicals - considered the backbone of Moore's base - approve of Trump, 8 percent are undecided, according to the poll.
"The ballot tests show Roy Moore in decent shape, but he still faces a competitive race, particularly since respondents are only narrowly inclined to support a 'generic' Republican candidate," the poll summary said.
This is the second Senate poll conducted since Moore defeated Strange in the Sept. 26 GOP primary runoff. That poll, by Decision Desk HQ, had Moore leading by six points.
Alabama Senate poll 10.3.17 by pgattis7719 on Scribd
The Atlanta City Council unanimously passed legislation this week that decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said he will sign the legislation, which doesn't legalize the drug but lessens penalties associated with it. Under the old law, people found with an ounce or less of pot faced a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail. Now, violators would face a fine of $75 and no jail time.
City Councilman Kwanza Hall, who sponsored the measure, said the vote passed 15-0.
"Reforming the racist marijuana laws on the book in Atlanta has been just one in a number of reforms that I have fought for," Hall told Atlanta's FOX 5 News.
Hall said between 2014 and 2016, 92 percent of those arrested for marijuana possession within Atlanta city limits were black.
The measure had the backing of the Atlanta Police Department, who said the new law would be handled with a citation similar to a traffic ticket. The change only applies within the Atlanta city limits; Georgia state law still requires jail time.
In recent years, Kansas City, Dallas, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Nashville have passed legislation changing penalties for residents who possess, grow or share certain amounts of marijuana.
By Louis Jacobson for PolitiFact
The defeat of Sen. Luther Strange, R-Ala., in a Sept. 26 runoff election was a blow for President Donald Trump, who had endorsed Strange over his Republican rival Roy Moore. Strange's loss even led Trump to delete several of his pro-Strange tweets shortly after the election.
But Trump didn't drop the subject, tweeting a few days later, "In analyzing the Alabama Primary race, FAKE NEWS always fails to mention that the candidate I endorsed went up MANY points after endorsement!"
In analyzing the Alabama Primary race,FAKE NEWS always fails to mention that the candidate I endorsed went up MANY points after endorsement! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2017
When we took a closer look, we found weak support for Trump's claim.
The White House pointed us to a news release from Emerson College's polling unit, which conducted several polls of the Alabama contest.
The news release announcing the results of the Emerson poll conducted Sept. 21-23 included the following analysis: "Moore still leads Strange 50 percent to 40 percent, but the gap has narrowed. Strange trailed Moore by 14 points two weeks ago in Emerson's previous Alabama poll ... President Trump's ardent support of Luther Strange in the recent weeks is the likely cause of the gap closing." (Trump's rally in support of Strange was held on the evening of Sept. 22, meaning a portion of the survey occurred after that event.)
The lines from the news release don't provide as much support as Trump seems to think they do.
For starters, there's some question whether a four-point gain merits the label "MANY" -- or whether it's even mathematically significant, given that the poll had a five-point margin of error.
There are also questions about the timing. The Sept. 22 rally for Strange wasn't actually the unveiling of Trump's endorsement -- it had been public for weeks. Trump officially endorsed Strange on Aug. 8, a point Trump glossed over in his tweet. In other words, voters who had been paying attention during either the Aug. 15 primary (which included three major Republican candidates) and the Sept. 26 runoff (which included just Moore and Strange) would have known that Strange was Trump's endorsed candidate.
Finally, focusing solely on the Emerson poll leaves out a lot of other polling data that showed little movement toward Strange after either Trump's formal endorsement or his rally.
Here's a rundown of polls from the RealClearPolitics.com archive:
These 11 polls show little convincing evidence that Trump's official endorsement or his rally moved the needle for Strange.
One Emerson poll, taken just after Trump's official endorsement from Aug. 10 to Aug. 12, showed Strange up by three points. That was 11 points better than his eight-point deficit in the last pre-endorsement poll.
However, in context, that Emerson poll looks like an outlier. To believe that Strange was really up by three points at that stage of the contest would require dismissing two polls by the Republican firm the Trafalgar Group that bookended the Emerson poll by two days on each side. One had Moore ahead by 12, while the other had Moore ahead by 15.
As for polls after the rally, those undertaken at least partially afterward showed high and expanding leads for Moore.
Indeed, if you look at the actual ballots cast -- the only vote that really counts -- Moore ended up outpacing Strange by an even wider margin in the runoff.
"Moore's edge over Strange grew from six points in the first round to nine in the second, so the actual votes suggest that Trump did not help Strange close the gap on Moore," said Kyle Kondik, an analyst at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics.
Kondik also pointed to analysis of data from the polling firm 0ptimus by the Republican firm Firehouse Strategies. The analysis found that even as knowledge of Trump's endorsement of Strange became better known among the electorate, Moore's margin grew, from seven points on Sept. 13 to 10 points on Sept. 24, two days before the election.
"We can concretely say that Donald Trump's endorsement and active campaigning for Sen. Strange had absolutely no impact on the ballot," Firehouse Strategies concluded.
Trump tweeted that in the recent Alabama Senate runoff, "the candidate I endorsed (Luther Strange) went up MANY points after endorsement!"
Trump can point to one poll that showed Strange narrowing Moore's lead by four points after his rally. But other polling data doesn't back this up, and his tweet glosses over the fact that he had announced his endorsement weeks earlier and that the increase in that one poll is so modest as to be within the margin of error. We rate his statement Mostly False.
Las Vegas shooting suspect Stephen Paddock
Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock legally purchased firearms at two Nevada gun shops in the last year, according to the stores.
Paddock, 64, purchased a rifle and a shotgun from New Frontier Armory in North Las Vegas and Guns and Guitars in Mesquite, Nevada, officials said. Paddock passed FBI background checks before the purchases.
It's not known if Paddock used the weapons in Sunday's night's massacre outside Mandalay Bay Casino and Hotel. Paddock opened fire around 10 p.m. Sunday night as 22,000 people were gathered for the Route 91 Harvest Festival concert. Police said 59 people were killed and more than 500 were injured in the attack, making it the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Paddock killed himself as police reached his 32nd floor room. Police said the Mesquite, Nevada resident had no criminal record. ISIS initially claimed responsibility for the massacre but investigators said there is no indication Paddock had ties Islamic militant groups.
"Right now, we believe it's a sole actor, a lone-wolf-type actor," said Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo.
The motive behind the attack remains unknown, police said.
Here's the latest on the Las Vegas shootings:
Names of victims released
We're now learning the names of some of the shooting victims. Among those killed in the attack were West Virginia grandmother Denise Burditus; Adrian Murfitt, a commercial fisherman from Alaska; Sonny Melton, a registered nurse from Paris, Tennessee; Danae Gibbs, a recent graduate of Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
Paddock shot at officers outside hotel room
Paddock shot at SWAT team members who arrived at his hotel door, officials said Monday evening.
SWAT searched Mandalay Bay floor-by-floor before encountering Paddock's room. When they arrived, police said the gunman shot at law enforcement officers through the door before turning the gun on himself. A casino security guard was injured in the exchange.
Twenty-two rifles and a handgun were found in the Las Vegas strip room. Police said some of the weapons appear to have been altered.
Eighteen additional firearms, explosives and several thousand rounds of ammunition were found in Paddock's home.
Go Fund Me tops $2 million
A GoFundMe page established by Clark County Commission Chair Steve Sisolak surpassed its initial $1 million goal, raising $2.2 million as of Monday night. The effort has a new goal, $2.5 million, with proceeds going to provide relief and financial support to the victims and their families.
County declares state of emergency
Clark County, Nevada, home to Las Vegas, has declared a state of emergency. The declaration allows the county to become eligible for emergency assistance funding to assist with recovery efforts following the shooting.
Recovery efforts continue
Las Vegas police said efforts will soon be underway to help people recover items left at the scene of the shootings.
"Regarding personal belongings left at the scene, we'll make arrangements after the scene is processed for people to retrieve their items," police said.
Meanwhile, several hotels on the Las Vegas strip are offering free rooms to those arriving to check on loved ones while the Las Vegas Airport has special arrangements in place to allow those who lost their identification to fly home.
World mourns
World leaders have reached out to President Trump to offer condolences on the attack, the White House said.
Flags were lowered to half staff on Monday in honor of the Las Vegas victims and a memorial was held in the city Monday night. President Donald Trump is expected to visit Las Vegas Wednesday.
The Empire State Building darkened its lights in honor of the victims with an orange halo added to draw awareness of the problem of gun violence.
Tonight our lights darken for the victims & those affected by the Las Vegas attack, w/an orange halo effect shining a light on gun violence. pic.twitter.com/96gpsrQDaD Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) October 2, 2017
The Eiffel Tower also dimmed its lights in honor of the Las Vegas victims.
The lights of the Eiffel Tower in Paris are switched off in tribute to the victims of the attacks in Las Vegas and Marseille pic.twitter.com/SYWaTwgWbn AFP news agency (@AFP) October 2, 2017
Israel also showed its support.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday told Puerto Rico officials they should feel "proud" they haven't lost thousands of lives like in "a real catastrophe like Katrina," while adding that the devastated island territory has thrown the nation's budget "a little out of whack."
Trump's remarks came as he touched down in San Juan amid harsh criticism of the administration's slow response to the natural disaster and after he praised himself earlier in the day for the "great job" and "A-plus" performance he said the administration deserved for its response to Hurricane Maria.
This is Trump's first visit to Puerto Rico since the storm ravaged the island nearly two weeks ago,
"Every death is a horror, but if you look at a real catastrophe like Katrina, and you at the tremendous - hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people that died, and you look at what happened here, with really a storm that was just totally overpowering, nobody's ever seen anything like this," Trump said, before turning to a local official to ask how many people had died in storm. "What is your death count as of this moment? 17? 16 people certified, 16 people versus in the thousands."
Trump then praised officials in the room over the death toll.
"You can be very proud of all of your people, all of our people working together," he said.
The president also seemed to fault the small island for imperiling the United States's budget by requiring hurricane relief funds, saying, "I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but you've thrown our budget a little out of whack.
Before Trump's impromptu remarks, the president's visit was intended to be highly scripted, including a briefing on relief efforts, a meeting with senior military personnel - as well as with Govs. Ricardo Rossello of Puerto Rico and Kenneth Mapp of the U.S. Virgin Islands - and an opportunity to visit with people impacted by the storm and the Navy and Marine Corps.
The president, who was accompanied by the first lady, is not expected to stray far from San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital and largest city, where recovery is much farther along than much of the rest of the territory.
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who has been deeply critical of the government's relief efforts and whom Trump has criticized on Twitter, also joined Trump for his first briefing on the island. On Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Cruz had been invited to participate in Trump's visit, but the mayor's name did not appear on the president's public schedule and it was not clear until Tuesday morning that Trump would encounter Cruz.
Trump's mixed reviews for his response so far, however, did not stop him from lavishing praise on himself and his administration. As the president, clad in a black windbreaker and khakis, departed the White House, he said Cruz has "come back a long way," before returning to one his favorite topics - himself and his performance.
"I think it's now acknowledged what a great job we've done, and people are looking at that," he said. "And in Texas and in Florida, we get an A-plus. And I'll tell you what, I think we've done just as good in Puerto Rico, and it's actually a much tougher situation. But now the roads are cleared, communications is starting to come back. We need their truck drivers to start driving trucks."
He also thanked Rossello for positive comments he had made about the administration's work in Puerto Rico, saying, "He has said we have done an incredible job, and that's the truth."
Trump's response to Maria offers a sharp contrast with his actions in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which ravaged Southeast Texas. Trump visited Texas twice in the week after Harvey's landfall, first in his role as commander in chief, checking in on relief efforts, and then as a "consoler in chief," offering hugs and prayers.
Though Trump and his administration initially offered a flurry of action as Maria tore through Puerto Rico, the president then effectively went dark, decamping for a long weekend at his private club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
The president at points also seemed to the blame Puerto Ricans themselves for their plight, lashing out at the mayor of San Juan - after she pleaded on cable television for the federal government to "save us from dying" - for her "poor leadership ability" and writing on Twitter that the island's citizens "want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort."
Trump's visit comes as he is facing yet another tragedy not of his own making: a shooting at a country music concert in Las Vegas that left at least 59 people dead and hundreds more injured. The mass shooting is the deadliest attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001, and Trump is scheduled to visit Las Vegas on Wednesday.
A little more than a day after the deadly mass massacre in Las Vegas, details are emerging about Marilou Danley, the girlfriend of shooter Stephen Paddock.
Police said Paddock used Danley's identification to check in to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. On Sunday night, Paddock opened fire from the window of his 32nd floor room during a country music concert, killing 59 and injuring more than 500 in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
Shortly after Paddock - who killed himself as police arrived at his door - was named as the suspect, Danley, 62, was identified as a person of interest. Her status changed several times during the day, until police said she was in the Philippines at the time of the shooting and was not considered a suspect. She will be questioned upon her return to the U.S., police said.
Danley is an Australian citizen who moved to Nevada 20 years ago. She is a mother and grandmother who reportedly worked as a high-staked dealer in Las Vegas casinos. Danley and Paddock shared a home in Mesquite, Nevada.
An associate of Danley's said they could not believe she had anything to do with the shooting.
"She had nothing to do with this psycho," the person said. "The poor lady, she is in the Philippines visiting family."
Police said Paddock wired $100,000 to an account in Danley's home country of the Philippines in the week before the shooting. It's not clear who or what the money was for.
Among the questions police are expected to pose to Danley is how Paddock obtained his arsenal of weapons. Paddock had more than 20 firearms in his hotel with another 19 weapons, thousands of rounds of ammunition and explosives at his home.
Paddock's motive remains unknown. ISIS initially claimed responsibility for the shooting but the FBI said there is no evidence to back up those claims.
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. Jon Reed, a former resident of Alabama asks: Why aren't all local governments in Alabama regularly audited by the state?
I completely understand what you're going through right now, people. Like me, you saw the word "audit" and got really, really sleepy. It's not a sexy topic, and it turned out to be surprisingly awful to answer.
But here's the thing, audits are extremely important. They can be a crucial last line of defense that guards against corruption and misspending, or the mechanism that catches it. Audits ensure that your hard-earned money is being tracked and spent on the right thing, or at least that's how it's supposed to work.
Remember the Jefferson County bankruptcy? Well, multiple audits of the county's sewer project revealed rampant mismanagement. It was audits like this that ensured officials were charged with corruption and bribery.
And do you recall when Greene County was $3 million in debt? The county's finances were placed under review after two state audits found rampant mismanagement, according to an Associated Press story from 1997.
Without audits, there would be no accountability.
So, the next thing you need to know is that question asker Reed is a former employee of AL.com and now covers state government in Ohio. In a follow up interview, Reed said that his question was prompted from his time covering Fairfield, a suburb of Birmingham.
"The people who didn't like the mayor were always calling for an audit, but the city couldn't afford one and I believe the mayor/city council would have had to request one," said Reed in an email. "Which is like the chickens asking for the fox to guard the henhouse."
"That's where a lot of the corruption and government malfeasance happens and there's an easy way for the state to put eyes on it and encourage best practices," he added.
By comparison, Reed said, that in Ohio, the state auditor's completes financial audits or contracts them out for the smaller townships and villages every two years.
You can tweet at Reed here:
Tweet to @JonDReed
So what are the rules on auditing in Alabama?
I tried to speak with the Chief Examiner at the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts for an explanation. I called probably 15 times within 10 days and left numerous messages. My conclusion was that the department is about as useful as an accordion player on a deer hunt. I was assured that the Chief Examiner and his assistant did receive my calls. No answer.
Fortunately for all of us, part of the answer we were looking for appears on the department's website.
It says that the Examiner of Public Accounts has the authority to "examine and audit the books, accounts and records of all state and county offices, officers, bureaus, boards, commissions, corporations, departments and agencies, according to its statutes."
No mention of when and how often. Also, what about cities and towns?
With the Chief Examiner incommunicado, I had to find someone else to help. I started looking up audit reports for Mobile City and Mobile County. I discovered in my research that the City of Mobile is audited by Smith, Dukes & Buckalew LLP in Daphne, Baldwin County, under a contract. So does that mean that cities in Alabama have to hire independent auditors?
Yes and also no. Mark Chapman, an auditor with Smith, Dukes, & Buckalew LLP, kindly gave me an explanation.
"My understanding is that they [Examiner of Public Accounts] audit all counties, and they have the authority to do the cities as well, but most cities have other reasons to do audits, and often the public examiner can't get to them for two to three years anyway," said Chapman. "Cities have other people to satisfy, they have bond companies, banks who are saying they need an audit within six months so they have to pay out of pocket."
"They just don't have the resources to audit every single town and city," Chapman said of the Examiner of Public Accounts.
So basically, all cities and towns do audit themselves if they need to satisfy lenders, whether it be a bank, the federal government, or the conditions of a bond issue.
For example, Chapman explained that if a city or town in Alabama spends more than $750,000 of federal money they must be audited under U.S. law. The auditor's job is to ensure that federal money has been spent in the way the municipality said it would spend it. Those audits are done regardless of the size of the town or city.
However, as you might imagine, a small town with a few hundred people might never end up spending that amount of federal money. Does it get audited by the state? It depends on the size.
Chapman said that he and his firm rarely audit such small municipalities. He said the cut off for audits was either 500 or 1000 people. So if your city has under 500 or 1000 people and took no federal money, no loans, and no bond issue, it may not be getting audited. Furthermore, a lack of resources within the Examiner of Public Accounts might also mean larger towns and cities that haven't taken money from the federal government or a lender may not be audited for up to two or three years at a time.
Does that mean there are small towns and cities going unaudited?
"To my mind, I would probably say that a vast majority of towns and cities are being audited," said Chapman. "Just in Mobile County, to my knowledge, just about every city and town - all with a couple of thousand all have audits. I bet there is probably ten municipal audits in that county alone. Same goes for Baldwin County.
"Silverhill that just has a stop light is probably not being audited," added Chapman.
_
Vote here.
A Bay Minette man is now behind bars after making threats that piggy-back the devastating Monday mass shooting attacks in Las Vegas, law enforcement officers say.
Bay Minette Police Department and Baldwin County Sheriff's Department officers say they received numerous threats regarding posts made on Monday from a Facebook page linked to 23-year-old Joel Logan Gilliam. In the posts, Gilliam made direct references to the shooting at a Las Vegas country music festival in which a gunman shot from his overlooking hotel room into the crowd below, police say. The posts directly threatened violence against citizens in Bay Minette, according to a release by officers.
Officers were able to obtain a warrant for making a terroristic threat, a Class C Felony. Gilliam was arrested at his home on the 300 block of West Railroad Street in Bay Minette. As officers searched the suspects residence, they found no weapons, police say.
In a release by the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, authorities speak to the suspect's demeanor when apprehended by police:
"Gilliam told deputies that he was bored and wanted to see how people would react to his Facebook posts. Gilliam showed no remorse in the interview and continually stated the posts were a joke."
Gilliam is currently being held at the Baldwin County Sheriff's Corrections Center without bond, as he awaits a pending judicial hearing.
The alt-right has been hit by a wave of cancellations since a deadly rally in August, Author Shane Burley explains.
In the wake of a white supremacist rally that turned deadly in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August, the far-right movement in the United States has been plagued by a wave of disavowals, cancellations and counter-protests.
On August 12, hundreds of white supremacists and neo-Nazis from travelled to Charlottesville for Unite the Right, a demonstration called to protest against the citys decision to remove a statue of Robert E Lee, the Confederacys foremost military leader during the US Civil War (1861-1865).
Jason Kessler, a white supremacist activist and former journalist, organised the event.
Unite the Right participants descended on Charlottesville and clashed with community members, anti-racist activists and anti-fascists.
James Alex Fields, a 20-year-old Ohio resident who travelled to Charlottesville, was charged with second-degree murder and other charges after he allegedly ploughed his car into an anti-racist march, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring dozens more.
The Traditionalist Worker Party, the League of the South, Identity Evropa, Vanguard America, the National Socialist Movement and other organisations affiliated with the so-called alt-right were among the groups in attendance.
The alt-right is a loosely knit group of far-right populists, white supremacists, white nationalists and neo-Nazis, among others, who advocate an exclusively white ethnostate in North America.
After Unite the Right, US President Donald Trump outraged critics when he denounced the alt-right and its anti-fascist opponents, claiming that the two sides were moral equivalents.
Despite the presidents comments that there were some very fine people on both sides, prominent alt-right activists, groups and affiliates had already been under heavy public scrutiny.
Politicians across the country denounced the alt-right, several activists were prevented from speaking on university campuses and they were booted from a number of website hosting services and social media platforms.
Meanwhile, comparably moderate nationalist groups and pro-Trump figures often described as the alt-light, distanced themselves from the alt-right.
READ MORE: Campuses, cities reject far right after Charlottesville
Al Jazeera spoke to Shane Burley, author of the upcoming book Fascism Today: What It Is and How to End It, about the long-term consequences of the Charlottesville rally and what it will mean for the alt-rights ability to continue holding large demonstrations.
Al Jazeera: More than one month has passed since the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. What kind of impact has that event had on the alt-right and broader far right?
Shane Burley: It was the biggest failure theyve had in the last several years. I dont want to overstate it, but I honestly dont think it can be toned down the level to which they [failed].
In the week after Charlottesville, there was an effort to basically go after every one of their outreach tools. It attacked them so specifically as a group. We havent been able to see fully what effect its had on them because its still too early; but its going to limit their outreach so effectively. Its hard to see how they could maintain themselves as an ever-increasing movement.
Al Jazeera: What is the alt-rights primary means of outreach, and how has it changed since Charlottesville?
Burley: The alt-right really survives on a few online platforms. They survive on social media by being on the same platforms as mainstream journalists and political commentators. They also survive by using desktop publishing and podcasts. All of that has allowed them to reach their base very effectively and also be available to the outside public. But thats not happening any more.
Twitter went through and shuttered many of the main alt-right figures accounts. SoundCloud has been dropping alt-right podcasts. SoundCloud has been doing that for a while, but theyve really gone after these podcasts aggressively [since Charlottesville]. PayPal was a major one; it pulled most of these websites from their services. A lot of the more long-standing far-right websites were pulled [offline]. MailChimp dropped them. Patreon dropped them.
READ MORE: How US neo-Nazis burn crosses from behind a keyboard
There was such an effective effort to drop all of the mediums they use to get any type of success. They had been able to create a financial infrastructure through crowdfunding, but they cant do that any more. They were able to manage very professional looking websites, but they cant do that any more.
The problem now is that we dont know what it will be like in six months or a year from now, when they arent really able to do any outreach at all.
Al Jazeera: In the lead-up to Charlottesville, many commentators argued that the alt-right was attempting to build a broader street presence by holding joint rallies with more mainstream Trump supporters. How has that changed since Charlottesville?
Burley: Fascist groups always need a crossover point that bridges them with the mainstream right. There were always different groups such as the alt-light and the paleo-conservatives which they could use for that bridge. But the reality is that these people in the alt-light were never going to stand up for white nationalism and open racialism.
That always put them at odds because at some point, comparably moderate movements were going to be pressed to make a statement about whats going on and they always were going to choose the moderates.
Militia organisations (armed civilian groups who claim to protect the Constitution) have been on the front line of that. They just dont want to be associated with groups [on the alt-right]. Theyve had some success in recruiting people of colour, so they want to keep that going.
OPINION: No, Antifa is not the moral equivalent of neo-Nazis
All these groups those associated with [far-right news outlets] Breitbart and Rebel Media were forced to move away from folks like [white supremacist activist] Richard Spencer because hes talking about open fascist politics.
With Unite the Right, what you ended up seeing was the best coalescence of racialist groups. Now theyve been completely pushed aside from those people [on the alt-light].
People on the alt-light also have careers. With someone like Richard Spencer, this is their thing they dont have those institutions backing them.
Al Jazeera: The alt-right became a household name in the US largely due to its vocal support of Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign. However, the group has openly criticised many of the presidents policies. How do you describe the groups view of the Trump administration now?
Burley: Their position towards Trump is essentially the same as their position on the alt-light. Thats because Trump is essentially an alt-light figure. This is a contention between white nationalism and civic nationalism. Trumpian populism is different than the kind of elitist fascist vision [the alt-right] advocate, so those approaches were never going to completely line up.
Trump did more so in [the alt-rights] favour than I thought he would do so this fast. He really did prioritise racial issues [such as launching the Muslim ban, targeting affirmative action] but he did much of it unsuccessfully. Theyre unhappy about the DACA measures, threats against North Korea and bombing of [Syrian President] Bashar al-Assad. But they did see it for what it is. They didnt expect him to push a white nationalist agenda. Hes not going to do that, and I dont think they were ever blind to that.
They get caught by their own internal narratives. There could be a point when they say Trump has been taken over by Jews and is capitulating to multiculturalism.
OPINION: Car-ramming The signature move of the American fascist
Al Jazeera: We havent seen them in the streets since Charlottesville. Should we expect to see another alt-right show of force in the future?
Burley: I think theyll continue. Theyve experienced many moments when they were in decline and then ramped back up. Since the [November] elections, theyve been on a downward spiral in many ways because theyre dealing with internal conflicts and theyre bad at organising.
It took a long time for the world to catch up to what the alt-right means. Its only now that people are coming around to understand that alt-right means fascist politics. Its going to be tough for openly alt-right figures to hold crossover events like free speech rallies. But theyve been able to cultivate a large enough base to ensure that theyre not going to disappear.
*This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Follow Patrick Strickland on Twitter: @P_Strickland_
Recent weeks have seen a sharp surge in the number of refugees and migrants reaching Greek islands.
When Arash Hampay set out from his native Iran, he envisioned Europe as a safe haven from the torture and interrogations he had endured in his homeland.
Before leaving Tehran, Hampay, a 32-year-old activist and community organiser, had been imprisoned for several months for allegedly forming an illegal political group. He insists that he was targeted for his political activism and had no choice but to flee the country.
Yet, he found a different reality when he landed on Greek shores after taking a dinghy from Turkey across the Aegean Sea in September 2016.
I have not experienced my human rights being respected here in Greece, he told Al Jazeera, citing poor living conditions in refugee camps and residences, police discrimination, being barred from employment and institutional deprivation.
Although Greek authorities eventually granted Hampay asylum, his brother, who travelled with him from Iran, was denied. While his appeal remains under consideration, Hampays brother is not allowed to leave Lesbos.
In the meantime, Hampay is waiting with his brother on the island. Here they deal with us as prisoners and hostages, he said.
His sentiments are common among refugees and migrants stuck on Greeces eastern Aegean Islands. And with aid groups observing a sharp surge in the number of arrivals, tensions are boiling over.
Nearly 200 refugees and migrants are reaching Greek shores each day, putting the arrival rate at the highest since March 2016, according to the UK-based charity Save the Children.
Slow asylum processes mean people are stuck on the islands indefinitely, and families with children are having to live in makeshift shelters with water shortages, poor sanitation and insufficient toilets, Save the Children said in a recent press release. Rats and insects have infested living areas, and improvised electrical wiring poses danger to children.
Since the beginning of August, the group estimates, more than 6,000 people have arrived.
Addressing the Greek parliament last week, Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas cited a noticeable increase in refugee arrivals.
The minister insisted that the uptick is not at a level to create the sense that the deal between the European Union and Turkey for stricter inspections and hampering [refugee] flows is collapsing.
Unacceptable
Elinor Raikes, the International Rescue Committees regional director for Europe and North Africa, points to the March 2015 European Union-Turkey agreement to stem the flow of refugees to Europe as one of the main reasons behind declining living conditions.
As part of that agreement, the Greek government is meant to send refugees who arrived after March 20, 2016, back to Turkey for asylum process. From Turkey, successful applicants should be relocated in Europe.
That agreement led to tens of thousands of refugees and migrants being bottlenecked in Greece.
Since the agreement was made, the Greek government has barred travel from the islands to the mainland for asylum seekers whose applications have yet to be accepted, although exceptions are made for emergencies.
As a result of the so-called geographical restriction, some of the most vulnerable cases, including those suffering from PTSD, survivors of torture, and pregnant women, are being forced to wait in overcrowded, ill-equipped hot spots, in some cases even in tents, for months at a time, to have their asylum claims heard, Raikes told Al Jazeera.
Not only is this unacceptable, it also adds to the backlog.
READ MORE: Why some refugees in Greece are being driven to suicide
She added: Every effort must be made to allow vulnerable cases to travel immediately to the mainland to apply for asylum there. Political considerations cannot get in the way of peoples safety and wellbeing.
The United Nations refugee agency, known as the UNHCR, says most refugee sites have become more efficient since the initial outbreak of the refugee crisis in 2015.
As of September 30, the UNHCR had recorded the arrival of 136,423 refugees and migrants to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. Of that total, nearly 20,000 had made it to Greece, while the rest had travelled from Libya to Italy.
Since the start of 2017, at least 2,681 people have gone missing or died at sea, according to the UNHCR.
Overcrowding and self-harm
Although the number of arrivals pales in comparison the peak months in 2015, when around 10,000 refugees and migrants arrived each day, the surge has resulted in worsening living conditions on Greek islands.
On the eastern Aegean Islands, and particularly in the hotspots, the situation has once again become alarming and the hosting capacity has been overwhelmed, said Boris Cheshirkov, UNHCRs Associate Communications Officer on the Greek islands.
Explaining that the vast majority of arrivals since the spring of 2017 are fleeing the ongoing bloodshed in Iraq and Syria, Cheshirkov explained that more than 4,800 people made the treacherous journey from Turkey in September.
On Samos Island, some 2,000 asylum seekers are crammed in a refugee centre designed to accommodate only 700 people.
On nearby Lesbos Island, more than 5,000 people are currently living in an area equipped for only 2,000, and the declining humanitarian conditions have had tragic consequences. Pregnant women, people with disabilities and families are enduring the deteriorating conditions, Cheshirkov added.
Tensions are rising and the risk of violence, including sexual violence, is increasing Conditions and prolonged stay for some is affecting peoples mental health, he continued, adding that reports of incidents of self-harm are routine.
READ MORE: Refugees in Greece We are living in a prison here
Overcrowding, a lack of resources and slow transfers of asylum seekers to mainland Greece have exacerbated the poor living conditions.
Critics and activists say the humanitarian situation has only grown worse since the government took over aid services in August after the European emergency funding for refugees ended.
Progress made in reception facilities must be maintained and reinforced, but overall conditions need considerable improvement, Cheshirkov said.
Waiting for a Greek court to decide his brothers fate back in Lesbos, Hampay recalled a humiliating incident in which a police officer recently detained him and a fellow asylum seeker while he arbitrarily checked their documents.
I see this as fascistic behaviour because it only targets refugees, he said.
The island is relaxing and beautiful [for Greeks and tourists], but it is torture and prison for us refugees.
Follow Patrick Strickland on Twitter: @P_Strickland_
The royal decree came on a Tuesday during the month of Muharram, while many of the worlds Muslims were mourning. Announced simultaneously on Saudi state television and via a live media event in Washington, DC, King Salmans directive granted Saudi women, eternal passengers until now, the freedom to drive.
They would be able to apply for and obtain drivers licenses, and when they had them, they could drive around the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia without the presence of a male guardian. The news, eagerly disseminated via Twitter, engendered great jubilation just about everywhere. This is a huge step for us, one Saudi woman breathlessly exclaimed; the lifting of the ban was not just about driving, she gushed, it was a metaphor for Saudi women taking control of their own lives. Western women lavished their congratulations, their public praise underscoring a covert recognition of their own advanced freedoms; their luck at not being born in Saudi Arabia.
READ MORE: Saudi women driving ban lifted Euphoria and sarcasm
It is no surprise that the driving decree was greeted with such profuse praise. The world loves simple solutions and here was a particularly appealing one, basic and binary, black and white, easy to applaud. Now that Saudi women could drive it suggested; a constricted society, proudly patriarchal until now, had been transformed into the venue for a feminist victory.
But simple solutions are often deceitful ones, using how things may appear to cover up how things actually are. The Saudis did just that this past Tuesday, utilising the simplicity of the driving-as-freedom metaphor as a front to distract from the real complications of faith and gender and long-denied equality. The proof is in the pronouncement itself, its glib grant of the freedom to drive without a male guardian covering up its smug silence on the larger issue of guardian-free travel itself. The detail is just the sort to be overlooked by all those unfamiliar with the whims and fiats of the Kingdom, an oversight the architects of this Tuesdays ban-lifting spectacle were counting on. The grant of an almost freedom thus stood in for a promise of actual change or any real recognition of equality.
A real advance in the project of empowering Muslim women and recognising their right to equality can never come from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The reason is simple: championing as it does literalist and de-contextualised readings of Islamic holy texts, the Kingdom and its clerics will never support the teachings of Muslim feminists who are pushing for just that. These women, who include scholars such as Dr Amina Wadud and Dr Asma Barlas among others, have used textual analysis of Muslim religious sources to argue that the Holy Quran enshrines gender equality as a central tenet of faith. Barlas, author of Believing Women in Islam, shows how only six out of six thousand verses in the Holy Quran have been used by male scholars to impose male-dominated readings on Muslim women. It is just these sorts of male-dominated readings, intent as they are on discounting the patriarchal context of the men who first produced them, that are the mainstay of the Saudi understanding of gender, their insistence that gender equality is antithetical rather than inherent to Islam.
READ MORE: Saudi Arabia should stop bloody execution spree
Saudi intransigence towards Muslim feminism and the project of recognising gender equality could be ignored were it not for the fact that the Kingdom and its scholars claim the provenance of defining true Islam for the rest of the Muslim world. It is on just this basis that they insisted the driving ban (and all other restrictions on womens autonomy and leadership) was grounded in Islamic teachings. Driving may be off the list of forbidden acts for females, but everything else remains on it.
The intrigues of strategic manoeuvring should not detract from the truth that the Kingdom's orientation towards the position of women within Islam is diametrically opposed to those who are pushing for a gender-egalitarian understanding of Islam. by
The lifting of the Saudi driving ban is not motivated out of concern for womens rights but rather strategic interest. The story proceeds thus; for as long as it served their purposes, the Al Saud monarchs of old refused to budge in their insistence that women could not be permitted to drive. Then came the pressing prerogatives of the present moment; the lifting of the driving ban now had the potential to be just the feel-good smokescreen that could detract from more noxious issues such as the suppression of dissent within the Kingdom and the slaughter of Yemeni civilians just beyond it.
In the interest of rescuing brand Saudi Arabia, a shred of misogyny was thus sacrificed; that the lifting of the ban was telecast not only in the Kingdom but also via a live media event in DC explains all the rest
The intrigues of strategic manoeuvring, however, should not detract from the truth that the Kingdoms orientation towards the position of women within Islam is diametrically opposed to those who are pushing for a gender-egalitarian understanding of Islam. In still insisting that women can never lead, must beg guardians for permission to travel, to open a bank account, to enroll in university, must be subservient to husbands, to fathers and even to sons, Saudi clerics deny outright any possibility of equality between the sexes, discarding the precept as a foreign imposition.
Viewed under this overarching lens, the lifting of the driving ban is best understood as an allowance of convenience, instituted not because it is likely to have wide and far-reaching implications, but precisely because it will have few or none. The reality of Saudi Arabia substantiates this reading; a majority of Saudi women (none of the kingdoms millions of migrant workers are included in this designation) are able and willing to afford chauffeurs, and driving for many will be a matter of sport or spectacle, an opportunity to have his and hers editions of fancy new cars. Jaguar and Cadillac know this and have already begun advertising to them.
The precept that the lifting of Saudi Arabias driving ban suggests a new and different future for Muslim women disregards the work of Muslim feminists who have actually been working towards this goal. Jubilation at the lifting of an arbitrary edict, an example of how the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has used Islam to cover up its misogyny, is to recognise the legitimacy of the use of faith as a cover-up for laws and edicts that have nothing at all to do with it. Muslim women can do better than that; Muslim women are doing better than that. As long as the rights of millions of Muslim women remain subject to the whims of male monarchs, driving around is at best a fake freedom.
Rafia Zakaria is an attorney and author of The Upstairs Wife: An Intimate History of Pakistan; and Veil.
The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
At first glance, a legislator, a circus performer and an NGO worker might not appear to have much in common. But all three Palestinians are former or current political prisoners who have been subjected to an obscure legal procedure called administrative detention, which allows Israel to imprison people without charge or trial for an indefinite amount of time.
Israeli authorities have been using this procedure for more than half a century, basing it on secret evidence. The Palestinian Prisoners Society, a detainee support group, noted a sharp rise in administrative detentions in August, with more Palestinians held without trial than during any other month this year. The rise, to 84 detentions, came amid increased tensions in the occupied West Bank after the stabbing of three Israeli settlers by a Palestinian on July 21.
As of September, there were 449 administrative detainees being held in prisons inside Israel, almost all of them Palestinian, according to data provided to rights group Hamoked by the Israel Prison Service.
Administrative detention is the worst of all possible worlds because all the evidence is secret, Sari Bashi, the Israel/Palestine advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, told Al Jazeera. We would expect administrative detention to be the rarest as opposed to being standard practice. There are about 500 people in administrative detention. Thats not an exceptional number.
READ MORE: Israeli prison like being inside a grave
Human rights activist Salah Hamouri, a Palestinian-French dual citizen, was among those arrested in August in a predawn raid at his home in the occupied East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Kufr Aqab. No reason was given for the arrest, his family said.
Hamouri, 32, was previously released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel, after spending seven years in prison. The deal was also backed by France. Israel alleged that Hamouri was part of a plot hatched by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) to assassinate Ovadia Yosef, the founder of the ultraorthodox Shas party, who routinely incited against Palestinians.
Hamouri was taken to al-Muskubyeh (the so-called Russian Compound) interrogation centre in Jerusalem, where he was held for several days without access to a lawyer. He was later told he was in violation of his parole and that he would have to serve out the remainder of his sentence from 2005, which was three months.
His wife, Elsa Lefort, said the Israeli prosecution appealed this decision, asking to hold him indefinitely, and the court sentenced him to six months in administrative detention.
The Israelis broke their deal with Hamas, but also with the French government, Lefort told Al Jazeera from France, where she has been living since Israel banned her from Jerusalem for 10 years in 2016. I was pregnant at the time [when I was denied entry to Jerusalem]. I had come in to see Salah and I was placed in detention for three days. The court was told I was a danger to Israel. I was deported and my son was born in France. Hes never been to Palestine.
Hamouris case has attracted the attention of French politicians and international human rights groups. Hamouri has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights. We cannot allow for his voice to be silenced, Patrick Le Hyaric, a French member of the European Parliament, told fellow legislators during a recent session.
Amnesty International has also spoken out against Hamouris detention, calling it arbitrary.
For the last 50 years, Israeli authorities have been using administrative detention as a substitute for criminal proceedings in cases where theres not enough evidence, to target different people, Magdalena Mughrabi, the groups deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, told Al Jazeera. We do believe that some of the people in administrative detention could be potentially prisoners of conscience or targeted for exercising their right to speak.
READ MORE: Palestinian circus performer jailed for no reason
Many activists, journalists and political figures who challenge Israels military rule have found themselves in administrative detention. That has included several people affiliated with the PFLP, a political party that Israel deems a terrorist group.
People can be detained indefinitely and its hard to find rhyme or reason for who authorities place in administrative detention, Bashi said. Israeli authorities accuse many people of activism in groups that they consider illegal, including PFLP and Hamas. Part of the problem is we dont know the reasons.
Khitam al-Saafin, chairwoman of the Union of Palestinian Womens Committee, was recently released from administrative detention after being held for three months. She was arrested on July 2 in Beitunia, near Ramallah, on the same day as politician Khalida Jarrar. The Israeli army said at the time that both women were detained for their leading roles in the PFLP. Jarrar remains in detention.
Meanwhile, Palestinian circus trainer and tightrope walker Mohammed Abu Sakha, 26, was released this summer after spending two years in administrative detention, accused of being active in the PFLP.
While in prison, Abu Sakha joined a mass hunger strike that lasted more than 40 days to protest open-ended incarceration and demand better prison conditions. His case caught the attention of European diplomats in Jerusalem, who voiced concerns about Israels extensive use of administrative detention and said that detainees should be informed about the charges underlying any detention, must be granted access to legal assistance, and be subject to a fair trial.
In the coming weeks, Lefort hopes the French government will lobby Israel on her husbands behalf and work to secure his release, as it did in the case of French reporter Loup Bureau, who was recently imprisoned in Turkey on terror charges. We are asking for the same treatment. Just because Salahs in a jail in Israel doesnt mean he cant be afforded the same treatment.
Despite concerns over recent secret arms deal with North Korea and human rights abuses, US aid to Egypt seen continuing.
Egyptian businessmen ordered more than 30,000 rocket-propelled grenades from US rival North Korea in a secret deal last year, the Washington Post reported on Sunday. The United Nations described it as the largest seizure of ammunition in the history of sanctions against the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.
The UN revealed that the business executives sought to buy weapons for the Egyptian military. The report prompted US criticism, while the Egyptian embassy in Washington pointed to Egypts willingness to cooperate with UN officials in finding and destroying the contraband.
The Post reported that the North Korea incident was among a number of factors that led US President Donald Trumps administration to freeze nearly $300m in military aid to Egypt in August.
Egypt also remains unaccountable for human rights violations.
Over the past several years, there have been many concerns over human rights abuses, including suppressing freedom of speech and the implementation of laws that limit the operations of civil society groups.
Does Egypts human rights record really matter?
The US has not taken any substantial punitive measures against Egypt, even as organisations such as Human Rights Watch describe Egypts current human rights crisis as the worst in the countrys modern history.
Egypt will likely continue to receive assistance regardless of legal provisions it might be violating, said James Gelvin, a professor of Middle East history at the University of California, noting that human rights-based restrictions are almost routinely ignored when committed by a government the US wishes to support.
Along with Israel and Afghanistan, Egypt is one of the three biggest recipients of US funding and weapons.
How much aid does the US provide to Egypt?
Since 1979, Egypt has been receiving uninterrupted aid at an average of $1.6bn a year, the bulk of which goes to the military.
Military support has come in the form of arms distribution and military training services. A biennial series of joint military exercises led by Egyptian and US troops in Egypt commenced in 1980.
Referred to as Operation Bright Star, the coalition training is designed to strengthen ties between the two countrys forces and to assist the United States in solidifying its strategic alliances in the Middle East.
In August, the US cut tens of millions in aid from Egypt, citing the countrys failure to make progress on human rights and democratic norms but experts described these cuts as largely symbolic.
Why does Egypt get US aid?
For a country to become an eligible recipient of US aid, it must align itself with American interests and foreign policy, analysts say.
In the case of Egypt, US aid granted since the signing of the 1978 Camp David Accords was untouchable compensation for maintaining peace with Israel.This deal is considered a cornerstone of US-Egyptian relations.
Robert Springborg, a Middle East expert and non-resident fellow at the Italian Institute of International Affairs, told Al Jazeera that US economic support was intended to stabilise Anwar Sadats [former Egyptian president] government and succeeding ones.
How does the US benefit?
The primary benefit is the cessation of hostilities against Israel by Egypt and other Arab states that could not wage war against Israel in the absence of Egyptian participation, Springborg said.
In addition to Egyptian support for American counterterrorism and counterinsurgency campaigns, Springborg says the US also enjoys marginal benefits, including access to Egyptian airspace and the prioritisation of US naval vessels through the Suez Canal.
The high amount of military aid, in particular, has also helped to create jobs and to reduce unemployment in the US. More than 1.3 million Americans work in manufacturing weaponry for defence companies, and more than three million others support the industry indirectly.
The US is among the worlds top five arms producers and distributors, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
The United States does not give money to Egypt for military equipment; it gives the Egyptian military a list of equipment the American government will purchase on its behalf in the United States, Gelvin told Al Jazeera.
What about economic aid?
Economic assistance, or American investments in Egypt, are a relatively small part of the package, analysts say.
Economic aid now stands at less than $200m annually, compared with more than $1bn from the early 1980s through the early 2000s, Springborg said.
Egypts domestic stability is important to the US, and so there is a sustained interest in its local economy. If the Egyptian economy collapses, it will render the region unstable, Gelvin said. And since the Egyptian military controls up to 60 percent of the Egyptian economy, it is unlikely that it will relinquish economic control to other institutions or factions in Egypt.
According to Gelvin, this was part of the Camp David package: Since the army was not going to fight its main enemy of 30 years, it had to have some reason for being, and being so large.
Aid stream for Egypt continuing despite violations
There are both political and legal conditions that must be met by countries on the US foreign aid list.
In 2012, US Congress made aid to Egypt conditional on the secretary of state certifying that the country was supporting human rights and democratic values. This came in response to an Egyptian crackdown on American NGO workers.
The amendment also required the secretary of state to ensure that Egypt was upholding its commitments to the Egypt-Israel peace treaty.
Yet these provisions have not affected the aid stream to Egypt, a country infamous for its human rights abuses.
In 2012, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton waived the certification requirements after the Obama administration claimed that there was no way of ensuring such provisions were met.
In 2013, a military takeover that led to the removal of Egypts first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, struck concern among top White House officials, but they fell short of calling it a coup, which would have prohibited them from providing Egypt with military equipment.
Activists fear the new law will create a permanent emergency situation in the country.
The French parliament on Tuesday approved a controversial anti-terror bill, which activists say will create a permanent emergency situation in the country.
MAJOR ATTACKS SINCE 2015, WHEN EMERGENCY LAW WAS IMPOSED: January 7, 2016: A man wielding a meat cleaver and carrying an ISIL emblem was shot dead as he tried to attack a police station in Paris. June 13, 2016: Larossi Abballa, 25, killed a police officer and his partner, Jessica Schneider at their home in Magnanville, west of Paris. Abballa was killed by a police SWAT team, but he had already claimed the murders on social media in the name of the ISIL group. July 14, 2016: A truck ploughed through a crowd on Nices Promenade des Anglais after a Bastille Day fireworks display, killing 84 people and injuring over 330. The driver, Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, 31, is shot dead by security forces. ISIL claimed responsibility. July 26, 2016: Attackers slit the throat of a priest in a hostage-taking at his church in the Normandy town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray. February 3, 2017: A man armed with a machete in each hand attacked four soldiers on patrol at Pariss Louvre Museum, shouting Allah Akbar. The attacker, a 29-year-old Egyptian, was seriously injured. March 18, 2017: A 39-year-old man was killed at Pariss Orly airport after attacking a soldier. The attacker shouted: I am ready to die for Allah, according to the Paris prosecutor, Francois Molins. April 19, 2017: Police arrested two Frenchmen in their twenties in Marseille on suspicion of planning an attack, with bomb-making materials and guns found in searches. April 21, 2017: A known terror suspect shoots dead a French policeman and wounds two others on the Champs Elysees, before being killed in return fire, in an assault claimed by the ISIL. September 15, 2017: A man wielding a knife attacked a soldier in a Paris metro station. October 1, 2017: Two people, including one woman, are dead following a knife attack at the main train station in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille, according to the French interior ministry.
The bill, approved by 415 votes to 127 and 19 abstentions grants police exceptional powers.
On Sunday, a knifeman used multiple aliases before killing two women at the main train station in Marseille in an attack claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).
Investigators said the attacker, a Tunisian, had gone by eight different names during various brushes with the law, including for shoplifting and illegal weapons possession.
READ MORE: Is French secularism feeding Islamophobia?
Since the Paris attacks in 2015, France has repeatedly extended the nation-wide state of emergency, the longest state of emergency since the Algerian War of the 1960s.
In July, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to lift the order and transfer certain exception emergency policing powers into permanent law.
This, according to human rights advocates, will not only harm the rights to liberty, security, freedom of assembly and freedom of religion across the country, but will also risk creating a permanent emergency situation.
The anti-terrorism law will give the state only extraordinary powers of something that we dont even have a proper definition of. This law will dismantle France, Yasser Louati, a leading French human rights and civil rights activist, told Al Jazeera.
READ MORE: Far-right feasts on Frances unchecked Islamophobia
Louati stressed that the state of emergency for the past two years has not changed anything in the country and has proven to be ineffective and insufficient.
This law has instead, incited fear among people, especially the Muslim community, he said.
Muslims are actually the ones who are the victims of terrorism in the country. They are equally being killed in terrorist attacks and then later, specifically targetted by the laws, adding that the state has adopted an ideological position on fighting terrorism.
All [the emergency laws] measures target Muslims in the country, mosques, and the businesses owned by Muslim, its a secret to no one.
What is the new anti-terror law?
The exceptional measures under the new anti-terrorism law will allow the police to conduct house raid and searches without a warrant or judicial oversight, including at night.
It also gives extra powers to officials to place people under house arrest without the normal judicial process.
The bill also allows for restrictions on gatherings and closures of places of worship.
The necessary control exerted by the judges to prevent abuses of individual rights are considerably weakened, leaving more discretionary powers to the police and administration, Pierre Bocquillon, a lecturer of politics at Britains University of East Anglia, told Al Jazeera, said explaining the anti-terrorism law.
By weakening the judiciary and empowering the executive, this represents a threat to the rule of law.
PEOPLE AND POWER: Backlash: Frances New Hard Line on Terror (25:01)
Bocquillon explained that such measures can be adopted on civilians based on mere suspicions and stressed that it will fuel discriminations and are a threat for individual rights.
Although in principle the law doesnt target particularly ethnic minorities and Muslims, in practice in the current context of suspicion and rampant Islamophobia, these groups tend to be the primary targets, he said.
There is also the risk that these measures will be used for other purposes, not just terrorism, but also as against protesters and social movements.
At the moment, thousands of Sentinelle special force are deployed to patrol the streets across the country to guard vulnerable sites such as stations, tourist attractions and places of worship.
Operation Sentinelle is the armys first wide-scale peacetime military operation on mainland France.
It was launched after the killings at Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris in January 2015. But the armys presence were increased to 10,000 troops across the nation, with about 6,500 of them in the Paris area.
This new law leans towards creating a society based on suspicion, explains RimSarah Alouane, a researcher in Public Law at the University Toulouse Capitole.
We are witnessing the emergence of a policy definition of public threats that is putting at stake the basic principles of French criminal law. For example, this bill will impose measures on a person not to punish him for a crime he has committed, but to prevent those that he may possibly commit, she said.
This could affect anyone: most likely minorities, but also political/social activists whose views might be deemed suspicious by public authorities.
Has the state of emergency functioned?
Sundays attack was the tenth major attack since the state of emergency was imposed, Yasser Louati asks: why do attacks still happen in state of emergency which has been imposed for more than two years?
Can we ask the state, why are we still facing such attacks in the country? if a two-year state of emergency cannot stop such attacks, how will the permanent anti-terrorism bill stop it? he said.
However, Gerard Collomb, the new interior minister, told reporters in July that seven terror plots were foiled since the start of 2017.
In 2016, at least 17 attacks were thwarted in France and the former French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said it was absolutely necessary to extend the state of emergency.
Amnesty International says at least 17 people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters.
The death toll from the ongoing unrest in Cameroons English-speaking region has risen to 17, as the government tries to quell a separatist movement, a rights group said.
Security forces opened fire on Sunday on protesters calling for the independence of the region of about eight million people.
In order to avoid further bloodshed, the security forces must cease unnecessary and excessive use of force, and protesters should be peaceful if they want to make their voices heard. The government should investigate these killings, Ilaria Allegrozzi, Amnesty Internationals Lake Chad region researcher, said in a statement on Monday.
READ MORE: Cameroon shuts down internet in English-speaking areas
Internet was blocked in the region for the third day on Tuesday the second time in less than a year. Earlier this year, the internet was blocked for three months following similar unrest. Electricity was also cut in the area.
The reported unlawful killing of several people in the Anglophone regions by the security forces coupled with the blocks on Facebook and WhatsApp represent an extremely worrying escalation of the governments ongoing campaign to silence any form of dissent in the West and South-West regions of Cameroon, Allegrozzi said.
Analysts have called on the United Nations and the regional bloc, ECOWAS, to intervene in the crisis.
We have seen a government that is not responsive to the demands of the Anglophone, Hans de Marie Heungoup, Cameroon analyst at International Crisis Group, told Al Jazeera on Monday.
There is a need to strengthen and better coordinate the response of the international community since the beginning of this crisis in October 2016. It is time for the international community to act in a very strong way to avoid irreversible deterioration of the situation on the ground, Heungoup said.
Late on Monday, the UN urged Yaounde to investigate the death of protesters and to show restraint.
The Secretary-General takes note of the calls by the authorities for dialogue and encourages representatives of the Anglophone community to seize the opportunity in their quest for solutions to the communitys grievances, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general said.
But some Cameroonians said a government-led dialogue would not solve the unrest in the region.
The government cannot mediate on this crisis when they are the first people responsible for this escalation. They cannot mediate on the crisis they caused, Albert Nchinda, a Cameroonian political blogger, told Al Jazeera.
READ MORE: Cameroon teachers, lawyers strike in battle for English
President Paul Biya, who has been in power for 35 years, condemned the latest unrest and called for calm.
It is not forbidden to voice any concerns in the Republic. However, nothing great can be achieved by using verbal excesses, street violence, and defying authority, Biya wrote Sunday on his official Facebook.
Cameroons English-speaking minority say they are being marginalised by the French-speaking majority. Dissent in the two Anglophone regions the northwest and southwest parts of the country has been growing over the past year, with protests taking place intermittently.
Rights groups probe police brutality claims with about 900 civilians injured in referendum, allegedly by Spanish forces.
Human rights groups are investigating claims that Spanish police used excessive force to crack down on participants in Catalonias referendum on secession.
At least 893 civilians and 431 police officers were injured in Sundays clashes, according to regional and national authorities.
Human Rights Watch, a New York-based NGO, told Al Jazeera on Tuesday that it has sent a representative to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, to examine allegations it has received of police brutality.
There are some serious allegations of excessive use of force by police against people who were assembling peacefully to express their views on the referendum, said Kartik Raj, a researcher with HRW.
Videos filmed on voting day appear to show Spanish security forces using a heavy-handed approach as they mobilised.
Some officers are shown wielding truncheons as others shot rubber bullets.
Reports said force was used under orders from Madrid to shut down polling stations and seize ballot boxes.
The pictures and videos we have received so far indicate instances in which the police used force where they werent facing imminent danger or physical threat, Raj said, speaking from Barcelona. It appears there are cases that could have been handled altogether different and more peacefully. Our job, along with others, is now to investigate and verify.|
More than two million people, or 90 percent of those who cast a ballot, voted Yes to Catalonia breaking away from Spain.
Several of the more than five million people who were eligible to vote said they were prevented from casting their ballots.
Others who objected to Catalan secession abstained.
In June, about 40 percent of voters said they would vote Yes to independence, according to the Centre for Opinion Studies, the Catalan governments polling body.
Spain defends police action
READ MORE: Yes wins Catalonia independence vote marred by chaos
The national government has defended Sundays police action as proportional, with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy thanking officials on Monday for acting with firmness and serenity in upholding the rule of law.
Rajoy had pledged to do everything in his power to prevent the October 1 vote from taking place following a judicial ruling last month a day after the plebiscite was announced by the countrys constitutional court ordering its suspension.
Spains 1978 constitution decrees that the country is indivisible, and grants the national government exclusive power to hold referendums.
Witnesses of Sundays referendum, however, said police had acted indiscriminately in targeting both those who supported and opposed independence.
The police didnt beat just people who were going to vote Yes, they forced and kicked at everybody, old people included, Pau Subira Zurita, 22, told Al Jazeera from Barcelona.
READ MORE: Catalonia referendum What happens next?
Human rights observers on the ground on Sunday confirmed there had been a number of incidents of unwarranted police aggression, according to IRIDIA, a Catalonian centre for the defence of human rights.
Anais Franquesa Griso, a human rights lawyer with IRIDIA, said the centres 70 observers on Sunday reported several instances of the excessive use of force by security forces.
Police officers were not acting in self-defence, we are completely sure of that, she told Al Jazeera.
We have reports of peaceful protesters, including children and very elderly people, being injured.
The centre is working with other organisations, including HRW, to collect testimony from those who claim they were injured or had their rights infringed upon, on Sunday and in the period leading up to the referendum from September 20 onwards.
We will be collecting information until October 7, and will then send a report to a number of international human rights organisations to inform them of what has been happening here, Griso said.
Its a critical moment, and [Sunday] was a critical attack on democracy and human rights.
Meanwhile, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, the UNs senior human rights official, on Monday said he was very disturbed by Sundays violent scenes.
With hundreds of people reported injured, I urge the Spanish authorities to ensure thorough, independent and impartial investigation into all acts of violence, he said in a statement.
The concerns over human rights came as a large number of Catalans and regional institutions observed a general strike on Tuesday in condemnation of the alleged police violence. The strike had been called for by Catalan trade unions.
Pre-dawn attack occurs at paramilitary camp outside a regional airport in Kashmirs main city of Srinagar.
At least one suspected rebel has been killed and three soldiers have been wounded in Indian-administered Kashmir after fighters stormed a paramilitary base, according to police.
The attackers assaulted the heavily-guarded camp outside a regional airport in the areas main city of Srinagar in the early hours of Tuesday, hurling grenades and spraying automatic gunfire.
We have neutralised one of the attackers. Two are remaining, Muneer Ahmed Khan, inspector general of police, told AFP news agency, adding two security personnel had suffered wounds.
READ MORE: Kashmir victim Life since pellet guns blinded me
The camp houses a battalion of Indias Border Security Force and only barbed wire separates it from the Srinagar airport, which is controlled and run by the Indian Air Force.
It has previously been a notorious interrogation centre where suspected rebels and their sympathisers would be detained, questioned and allegedly tortured.
Officials said the airport, which is on a plateau and encircled by military and paramilitary camps, was safe.
Residents in the neighbourhood said they heard dozens of blasts and intermittent gunfire was still ongoing.
Besides being a highly guarded security zone because of the location of the strategic airport, many top former bureaucrats, police officials and politicians have residences in the area.
Reinforcements of counterinsurgency police and paramilitary commandos rushed to the scene and armoured vehicles dotted the entire road leading to the airport.
No anti-India rebel group immediately commented on the fighting.
India and Pakistan each administer a portion of Kashmir, but both claim the territory in its entirety. Most people in the Indian-controlled portion favour independence or a merger with Pakistan.
Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the rebel uprising and a subsequent Indian military crackdown.
Rebel groups have largely been suppressed by Indian forces in recent years. However, public opposition to Indian rule remains deep and is now principally expressed through street protests marked by youths hurling stones at government forces.
Pre-dawn raid at Indian paramilitary camp leaves at least three attackers and one soldier dead, Kashmiri officials say.
Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir At least three suspected fighters and one Indian soldier have been killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir after an assault on a paramilitary base, according to local government officials.
The attack began in the early hours of Tuesday when three fighters raided the heavily guarded Border Security Force (BSF) camp outside a regional airport in Humhama, 17km from Kashmirs main city, Srinagar.
The operation against the fighters continued into the afternoon as hundreds of police, paramilitary and army personnel surrounded the area.
Munir Khan, Kashmir police chief, told Al Jazeera that the operation ended later on Tuesday when all three attackers were neutralised. He said one BSF soldier died and three others were wounded.
READ MORE: Kashmir victim Life since pellet guns blinded me
Flights to and from Srinagar International Airport were initially suspended after the attack, but resumed later on Tuesday.
The flights are continuing and one flight has just landed in the airport from Delhi, Khan said.
Locals residing close to the airport said they had been woken up by the sound of heavy gunfire.
Initially, we thought it is the usual airdrop that happens around the army camps here, Qazi Anjum, who lives 100 metres away from the airport, told Al Jazeera.
But it continued intensely for a long time, after which we panicked and came to know that it is an attack.
Anti-India sentiments
Khan, the police chief, said Jaish-e-Mohammad, a Pakistan-based armed group, had taken responsibility for Tuesdays attack.
Armed groups have been fighting for decades for the Indian-administered portion to become independent or merge with Pakistan.
Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the fighting and the ensuing Indian military crackdown.
Anti-India sentiment runs deep among Kashmirs mostly Muslim population and most support the separatists cause against Indian rule.
India has accused Pakistan of arming and training the fighters, which Pakistan denies.
The latest attack comes amid a major offensive by the Indian army in south Kashmir districts.
More than 130 fighters have been killed by the military this year, according to officials.
In August, suicide attackers stormed a heavily guarded police installation in the southern part of Indian-administered Kashmir, killing four policemen and four paramilitary personnel.
Last year, fighters attacked an Indian army base near the frontier town of Uri, killing 18 soldiers.
Refugees escape inter-ethnic clashes and fighting between DRC security forces and militia groups, says UNHCR.
More than 3,000 people have fled to Zambia in the past month to escape escalating violence in Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo), according to the United Nations.
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said in a statement on Tuesday that unrest in parts of southeastern Congo has driven more than 3,360 refugees into northern Zambia since 30 August the largest influx of its kind in the past five years.
READ MORE: Displaced and desperate IDPs flee violence in DRC
People are escaping inter-ethnic clashes, as well as fighting between Congolese security forces and militia groups, Andrej Mahecic, UNHCR spokesman, told reporters in Geneva.
Those arriving in Zambia described escaping extreme brutality, with civilians being killed, women raped, property looted, and houses set alight, he said.
Most are children
The majority of those fleeing come from the northern Katanga and Tanganyika regions.
In recent years, these areas have been the scene of multiple deadly clashes between the Pygmies and Bantus from the ethnic Luba group.
A full 60 percent of those arriving in Zambia are children, including many showing signs of malnutrition, the UNHCR said.
Malaria, respiratory problems, dysentery and skin infections are common among the refugees, who are in urgent need of protection and life-saving support, it added.
Many of the new refugees had already been displaced inside Congo by the violence before crossing the border.
The lack of roads and the long distances make it difficult to monitor the situation and provide them with assistance, said Mahecic.
The approaching rainy season is expected to worsen the plight of those on the move, he warned.
The new arrivals, who bring the number of Congo refugees and asylum seekers in Zambia to around 27,300, are mostly being taken to the Kenani transit centre in the Nchelenge district, 90km from the border.
But Mahecic said some were opting to remain close to the border, waiting for their families to join them.
UNHCR was helping the Zambian government and the Zambian Red Cross distribute hot meals and basic items like tents, plastic sheeting, mosquito nets, and hygiene kits.
Aid workers were also providing psycho-social support to survivors of sexual violence.
Due to overcrowding, UNHCR said it had begun work on a second transit facility and was helping develop a more permanent settlement for the refugees.
Myanmar and Bangladesh have agreed on a repatriation deal for half a million Rohingya civilians who reportedly fled military atrocities in Rakhine state. The UN has described the crisis as the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency.
Myanmar and Bangladesh have agreed on a repatriation deal for half a million Rohingya civilians who reportedly fled military atrocities in Rakhine state.
The UN has described the crisis as the worlds fastest developing refugee emergency.
But human rights organisations are concerned that the deal may leave Rohingya worse off.
Al Jazeeras Yaara Bou Melhem reports from Yangon, Myanmar.
Protesters set to bring Barcelona to a standstill as part of protest against police violence during Sundays referendum.
Several thousand people have gathered in Barcelona in protest against an alleged excessive use of force by Spanish police during Catalonias referendum on independence this weekend.
Tuesdays protest follows a call by Catalan trade unions for a general strike in Spains northeastern region to condemn police violence, which left almost 900 injured, during Sundays unauthorised vote.
Authorities said up to 50 roads in the region had been blocked as a result of the action, with bus and taxi services also having been affected.
Many businesses across Catalonia have closed for the day, with schools and medical centres also operating at minimal levels, if at all.
READ MORE: Yes wins Catalonia independence vote marred by chaos
Carles Puigdemont, president of Catalonias regional government, has offered his support to protesters.
I am convinced this strike will be widely followed, he said on Tuesday.
A number of protests are scheduled to take place outside of polling stations where outbreaks of violence occurred between state officials and civilians participating in the referendum.
In Barcelona, the regions capital, public transport is expected to remain suspended for most of Tuesday.
Severe disruption
Port operations have also been severely disrupted, according to union officials.
Union spokespeople have said the widespread protest will vigorously condemn the police response to Sundays poll, in which 90 percent of voters backed independence from Spain.
Mariano Rajoy, Spains prime minister, defended police actions which included the use of truncheons and shooting of rubber bullets and praised officers for their firmness and serenity in upholding the rule of law.
The central government in Madrid said the vote, which had a 42 percent level of turnout, is illegal and contravenes the Spanish constitution.
Al Jazeeras Laurence Lee, reporting from Barcelona, said: Many people are saying that the mandate, as they see it, of the referendum needs to be accepted and mirrored by the Catalan parliament. And they want their independence this week.
If the Madrid government thought it was going to be able to crush the referendum and crush the Catalans on Sunday in the way it did with the police, then they misjudged it badly.
Spains 1978 constitution decrees that the country is indivisible, and grants the national government exclusive power to hold referendums.
Catalonias leaders appear intent on declaring independence from Spain in the coming days. Following the vote, Puigdemont said Catalonia had won the right to an independent state.
Such a declaration, though lacking legal force, would present a historic constitutional challenge to Rajoy who has accused supporters of independence of trying to blackmail the whole nation.
A UN investigation has revealed that the Egyptian government violated an international embargo on trading weapons with North Korea.
A UN investigation has revealed that the Egyptian government violated an international embargo on trading weapons with North Korea.
UN and US experts say North Korea has built a vast network of overseas clients to evade international sanctions and sell cheap weapons to a long list of clients across the world.
Al Jazeeras Hashem Ahelbarra explains.
Foreign ministers visit comes after restoration of full diplomatic ties with Qatar and against backdrop of GCC crisis.
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Irans foreign minister, has met Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for talks on relations and strengthening cooperation between the two countries after almost four months of a blockade against Qatar.
The visit is Zarifs first to Doha since four Arab countries Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar on 5 June and imposed a land, air and sea blockade.
During the meeting, they reviewed relations of cooperation between the two countries in various fields as well as exchanged views on the current situation in the region, a statement from Qatar News Agency said, referring to Tuesdays talks.
Zarifs trip comes after Qatar restored full diplomatic relations with Iran in August.
READ MORE: Qatar-Gulf rift The Iran factor
In January 2016, Qatar had pulled its ambassador from Tehran over attacks on Saudi Arabias diplomatic mission there, after the kingdom executed a Shia religious scholar.
Iranian state media published images of Zarif at the Doha meeting and quoted him as saying: None of the regional crises have a military solution.
All sides should give priority to regional initiations for restoring collective stability and security.
Zarif on Monday met Omani officials, including Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who has ruled Oman since 1970 and has served as an interlocutor between the West and Iran.
Kuwait has tried unsuccessfully to mediate the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) crisis, as has the US, which has a major military base in Qatar.
On June 22, the Saudi bloc issued a 13-point list of demands, including the shutdown of Al Jazeera, limiting ties with Iran and expelling Turkish troops stationed in the country, as a prerequisite to lift the sanctions.
The quartet accuses Qatar of supporting extremism and fostering ties with Iran. Qatar has rejected the allegations as well as the demands, and the quartet now consider the list null and void.
Survey on Iran
Against this backdrop, a new academic survey published this week suggests that the average citizens in the Arab members of the GCC do not see Iran as an existential threat in the same way some of their leaders do.
Face-to-face surveys of over 4,000 GCC citizens conducted in recent months found that with the exception of Bahrain, the spread of violent organisations like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group represented their biggest worry, said Justin Gengler, a senior researcher at the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University.
READ MORE: Qatar-GCC crisis: All the latest updates
Gengler said the survey, funded by the Qatar National Research Fund before the Gulf crisis began and conducted along with researchers from the University of Michigan, was conducted in every GCC country except the UAE.
Gengler first published his results on Monday in the prestigious Foreign Affairs magazine. The margin of error was below four percent among the surveys in each country.
Asked about the results, Gengler told the Associated Press news agency, Iran offered a convenient foe for Arab Gulf states struggling with internal problems and low global oil prices.
Political differences
Leaders in the Arab Gulf countries, those in Saudi Arabia and the UAE especially, view Iran with suspicion after its recent advances on the battlefields of Iraq and Syria.
They also worry about Irans nuclear programme and the 2015 deal that Iran struck with world powers over it.
Late last month, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatars foreign minister, said the quartets blockade was pushing Qatar into closer economic ties with Iran despite political differences.
They said Qatar was now closer to Iran. By their measures they are pushing Qatar to Iran, he said in comments in Paris.
Is that their objective, to push one country, a GCC member state towards Iran? This is not a wise objective.
Kurdish politician held office from 2005 to 2014 following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein by a US-led invasion.
Jalal Talabani, former president of Iraq and Kurdish politician, has died in Germany aged 84.
He was Iraqs president from 2005 to 2014 and a key figure in the Kurdish region of Iraq, where voters last week overwhelmingly backed independence in a controversial referendum.
Our leader died in Germany, an official with Talabanis Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) said on Tuesday.
A family member said Talabanis health had taken a turn for the worse and he been transported to Germany, along with his wife and two children, before the referendum.
Zana Said, an Iraqi Kurdish politician, paid tribute to Talabani as the only president whose death saddens Arabs, Kurds and all other ethnicities.
Q&A: Iraqi President Jalal Talabani
Iraqs head of state plays a largely ceremonial role and is elected by members of parliament.
Talabani was one of the longest-serving figures in contemporary Iraqi Kurdish politics, but for much of the past 40 years, he opposed successive governments in Baghdad.
Among Kurds, he was widely referred to as mam (uncle) Jalal.
Talabanis death, following a decades-old struggle for Kurdish statehood, came after Iraqs Kurds voted 92.7 percent to split from Iraq in the September 25 referendum.
The vote, rejected by the Iraqi central government as illegal, has put a deep strain on ties between the Kurds and central Iraqi authorities, who have cut off international flights to the region and threatened further action.
Political career
Talabani was an avuncular politician and a skilled negotiator, who spent years building bridges between the countrys divided factions, despite his efforts for Kurdish independence.
Born in 1933 in the mountain village of Kalkan, he studied law at Baghdad University.
In 1956, while still a student he went into hiding to evade arrest for his political role as founder and secretary-general of the Kurdistan Student Union.
After graduating from law school in 1959, he was called to serve in the Iraqi army where he commanded a tank unit.
When the Kurds sought independence and rose against the Iraqi government in 1961, Talabani led battles at home in Iraq, as well as diplomatic missions to Europe and elsewhere in the Middle East to drum up support for his people.
Joining the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of Mullah Mustafa Barzani, father of Masoud Barzani, current president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Talabani took to the hills in a first uprising against the Iraqi government in 1961.
However, abandoned by their Iranian, US and Israeli allies, Mustafa Barzanis forces were routed by Iraqi leader Saddam Husseins army, and the Kurdish revolt collapsed in 1975.
Talabani split from the KDP to form the PUK in an attempt to redefine the Kurdish political movement.
The PUK suffered badly when Saddams generals used chemical weapons against the Kurds in 1988.
Talabani fled northern Iraq to seek asylum in Iran, from where he continued to lead an armed resistance against Saddam.
Talabanis political career took a fresh turn after the 1991 Gulf War and the subsequent Kurdish uprising against the Iraqi government.
The establishment of a no-fly zone and a safe haven for Kurds above the 36th parallel by Britain, France and the US, after Iraqs defeat in Kuwait, marked the beginning of a short-lived honeymoon with the KDP.
Elections were held in the Iraqi Kurdish regions, and a PUK-KDP joint administration was established in 1992.
However, the underlying tension between the two parties spilled over into armed confrontation, dubbed the fratricide war, in 1994.
Peace agreement
Shortly after violence broke out, the KDP under Masoud Barzani called on Saddams forces to help in routing the PUK. Talabani again fled to Iran.
However, their four-year conflict ended in 1998 with Talabani and Barzani signing a peace agreement in Washington, DC, after concerted efforts by the US and, to a lesser extent, Britain to defuse tensions between them.
The peace accord was further strengthened on October 4, 2002, when the regional parliament reconvened in a session attended by MPs of both the PUK and KDP.
Talabani became president in April 2005 after the first post-Saddam election in Iraq and continued in the post until 2014.
In August 2008, Talabani underwent successful heart surgery in the US, then in 2012, he was flown to Germany after suffering a stroke, casting doubt over his ability to ever return to Iraq.
He did go back in July 2014, with Iraq in crisis after the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group had taken control of big expanses of the country.
Last week, a secession referendum was held in the Kurdish region in defiance of the government in Baghdad, as well as neighbouring Iran and Turkey.
Iran has massed its tanks along its border with the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq.
Last week, a secession referendum was held in the Kurdish region in defiance of the government in Baghdad, as well as neighbouring Iran and Turkey.
The tensions following the vote have also had an impact on trade in predominantly Kurdish areas along the Iraq-Turkey border.
Al Jazeeras Hoda Abdel-Hamid reports from the Ibrahim Khalil Crossing along the border of Turkey and Iraq.
Despite monthly demolitions, residents of al-Araqib say they will never leave their ancestral land in the Negev.
Israeli forces have destroyed a village in the countrys southern Negev region for the 119th time.
Residents of al-Araqib village said that armed forces and riot police stormed into the village with bulldozers at 7:15am on Tuesday, razing its remaining buildings to the ground.
They stormed in and destroyed everything, every single building, every single home, village leader Siyah al-Touri told Al Jazeera.
The village, home to around 220 people, was first demolished on July 27, 2010. Since then, displaced residents have sought help from local activists to rebuild.
Were now living in makeshift homes, thanks to the states racist and criminal policies, al-Touri said.
They want to forcibly move us and do not comprehend that we are citizens of the state. They dont recognise us, and if they did, they would have granted us our rights.
Israeli authorities regularly carry out demolition orders in the Negev, arguing that these villages lack building permits, but residents say it is impossible to obtain a permit to build legally. Al-Araqib is one of some 40 unrecognised Bedouin villages in southern Israel that are under existential threat.
No matter what, we will remain on our ancestors lands, al-Touri said. Our cemetery has been here since 1914, and we have six water wells that we arent even allowed to drink from.
The last time al-Araqib underwent a demolition order was on September 14. Demolition orders against the village are executed on a monthly basis.
An estimated 200,000 Bedouins live in Israel, centred mainly in the countrys southern region. They are often denied state services, including water, electricity and educational facilities.
Israel plans to relocate the residents of unrecognised villages to planned townships. The process of replacing Bedouin villages with Jewish-only towns is under way, with villages such as Umm al-Hiran being slated for demolition.
A lawyer representing al-Araqibs residents said that they had rejected a court order stating that they did not have ownership of the land and that it was lent to them by the state.
FEATURE: How Israeli citizens are becoming stateless
We called for the immediate halt to demolition orders, lawyer Sahbi Ibn Thuri told Al Jazeera. But the state refused to recognise the tribes ownership of the village, claiming that the land was lent to them by the state back in the 1950s.
Following the establishment of the state of Israel, Palestinian Bedouin villages and towns were declared closed military zones. At the time, many were unable to leave their towns without permits and were unaware that their lands had become property of the state.
People like the residents of al-Araqib only realise their land had been confiscated when the police arrive with bulldozers to destroy their homes, Thuri said. The state claims these lands belong to them, but in reality, this is not the case. These people have inhabited the land way before the state ever existed.
According to Thuri, the state will not grant the residents ownership of the village, even if they prove that they are the rightful owners. The state also compiled a criminal file on al-Touri, claiming that he has trespassed on public land.
At best, theyll [al-Araqib residents] be provided with compensation in the form of an alternative piece of land, Thuri said. But that, they have completely refused.
Rami Hamdallah leads session a day after a Fatah delegation arrived in Gaza Strip for talks with Hamas officials.
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has chaired a unity cabinet meeting in Gaza as part of national reconciliation efforts between his Fatah party and Hamas.
We are here to turn the page on division, restore the national project to its correct direction and establish the (Palestinian) state, said Hamdallah, in his opening remarks on Tuesday.
An Egyptian security delegation is monitoring the reconciliation process.
It was the first meeting of the cabinet in Gaza since November 2014, although Hamdallah visited a year later without his ministers.
Upon his arrival in the Gaza Strip on Monday, Hamdallah announced that several committees have been established to handle issues such as border crossings and Palestinian Authority (PA) employees in the Strip.
The reconciliation will last
Last month, Hamas announced it had agreed to demands by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Fatah party to dissolve what is seen as a rival administration in Gaza. It also said it was ready for elections and negotiations towards forming a unity government.
Hopes are that reconciliation will end a decade of bitter feuding between Hamas and Fatah and a parallel entrenchment of territorial divisions between Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Hazem Qassem, Hamas spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that the reconciliation efforts reflected peoples wishes.
Hamas demanded that the peoples grievances be addressed in the meeting, he said. This time, both parties are serious about making the reconciliation project/unity government last.
Qassem pointed out that Hamas decision to dissolve its administrative government was a strategic step that they will uphold.
Usamah Qawasmeh, Fatah spokesperson, said the group expected that this time, the reconciliation will last.
Qawasmeh told Al Jazeera: The project requires patience and perseverance, and were surrounded with a hopeful atmosphere. This time, and in accordance with Palestinian law, were not going to back down and we will continue to only move forward.
Huge differences
Yet, most analysts expect the reconciliation process to fail, as previous attempts have.
While administrative control will be handed over, the Hamas government will retain authority over security, a factor that political analysts say is likely to result in the failure of the unity government.
Both sides are cautious and moving cautiously towards each other, Mohammed Daraghmen, a political analyst based in Ramallah, told Al Jazeera.
There are still huge political, security and administrative differences that are unsolved, he added.
I think Gazans need to wait a long time until they see significant changes happening on the ground.
READ MORE: Is Hamas, Fatah rapprochement a win-win deal?
Hamas has been the de-facto ruler in the Gaza Strip since 2007 after the party defeated Abbas long-dominant Fatah party in parliamentary elections.
Hamas then pushed Fatah out of Gaza in a bloody conflict, when the latter refused to recognise the result of the vote. Hamas and Fatah have ruled the Gaza Strip and the West Bank respectively ever since, and multiple attempts at reconciliation have since failed for several reasons.
The latest attempt in 2014 was thwarted when Israel launched a 51-day war against Gaza.
Hamas control over security and its nature as an armed resistance movement have also constituted an obstacle for the PA, which cooperates with Israel on security-related matters, as laid out in the Oslo Accords, signed in 1993 and 1995 between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel.
Top court asks the government and the Rohingya petitioners to present arguments on October 13 in the case.
Indias Supreme Court has heard arguments from the government and the two Rohingya, who have petitioned against the governments plan to deport the persecuted refugees.
The apex court on Tuesday fixed October 13 as the next trial date and asked both the parties to desist from emotional arguments.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked both the parties to compile all documents and international conventions for assisting the court, according to the timesofindia.com.
Government lawyer Tushar Mehta told the court during the hearing that Rohingya refugees will cause wages to decrease, adding to its earlier arguments that the Rohingya were a security threat.
READ MORE: Rohingya in India fear deportation to Myanmar
Ravi Nair of the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre told Al Jazeera that the Modi government suffers from Islamophobia and it sees in every Muslim a potential terrorist.
It is not following the main thrust of the fundamental rights chapter of the Indian constitution. Article 21 of the Indian constitution clearly says that right to life is available to both nationals and non-nationals, he said.
Out of the estimated 40,000 Rohingya refugees, more than 16,000 are registered with the United Nations refugee agency, but the government has said that even those registered with UNHCR would not be spared from deportation.
The lawyer representing the Rohingya, Prashant Bhushan, has denounced the plan. This is clearly a case of religious discrimination and an attempt to arouse an anti-Muslim feeling, Bhushan said.
Modis government has been criticised by activists for not speaking out against Myanmars recent military offensive against the Rohingya, and right-wing groups in India have begun vilifying Rohingya living there.
The Rohingya are denied citizenship in Buddhist-majority Myanmar and regarded as illegal immigrants, despite claiming roots that date back centuries.
Arijit Sen, a researcher with Amnesty International, has termed the Modi governments stand a mix of paranoia and xenophobia.
It is an approach that welcomes Hindu refugees from Indias neighbouring countries, but shuts the door on Rohingya, who are predominantly Muslim, in the name of national security, he wrote in an Al Jazeera article.
But this move goes against Indias international legal obligations, and also its constitutional guarantees of human rights.
OPINION: Is India contributing to the Rohingya catastrophe?
Indias opposition leader and former Foreign Minister Shashi Tharoor has criticised the governments stand on the Rohingya.
India has thousands of years old tradition of giving shelter to those seeking refuge, which it should not jettison, Tharoor, the former UN undersecretary-general, was quoted as saying by the UNI news agency.
More than half a million Rohingya have fled their homes in Myanmar and taken shelter in squalid refugee camps in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district near the border since August 25.
Myanmars military launched what it called clearing operations against the Rohingya ethnic community after an army base came under deadly attack.
Hundreds of Rohingya have since been killed, women have been gang-raped and vast swaths of Rohingya villages have been burned down in apparent revenge attacks, backed by Buddhist mobs.
I do not know what the government is thinking when it is talking of deportation, Nair said.
If refugees are sent back forcibly, they will certainly face torture and might face possible death. Clearly, this is a violation of the article 21. This is the main ground on which the Supreme Court will hear the petition.
As political talks continue over the Rohingya refugee crisis, pressure is increasing on surrounding countries to accept them. While many in Indonesia have shown support, Rohingya refugees have been stateless and stuck there for years.
As political talks continue over the Rohingya refugee crisis, pressure is increasing on surrounding countries to accept them.
While many in Indonesia have shown support, Rohingya refugees have been stateless and stuck there for years.
Local governments consider the Rohingya as illegal immigrants.
Theyre not allowed to leave the city, nor work or educate their children a situation very similar to what they have been facing in Myanmar.
Al Jazeeras Step Vaessen reports from Medan, Indonesia .
King Felipe VIs televised warning comes two days after banned Catalonia referendum marred by police violence.
Spains King Felipe VI has voiced his opposition to Catalan leaders bid for secession, urging the state authorities to defend what he calls constitutional order.
Felipe abandoned his previously measured tone on Tuesday, saying that it is the responsibility of the legitimate state powers to ensure constitutional order.
He issued the warning in a televised address two days after Catalans held a banned referendum marred by police violence.
He spoke after hundreds of thousands of Catalans rallied in anger at violence by police against voters during a banned referendum on independence for their region on Sunday.
READ MORE: General strike brings Catalonia to a grinding halt
Catalan regional leaders held the vote in defiance of the national government which labels it illegal.
With their irresponsible conduct they could put at risk the economic and social stability of Catalonia and all of Spain, Felipe said of the Catalan leadership.
They have placed themselves totally outside the law and democracy.
It is the responsibility of the legitimate state powers to ensure constitutional order.
Plea for harmony
Felipe repeated his earlier calls for harmony between Spaniards, but it was a delicate balancing act for the Spanish sovereign after Sundays violence.
Police unions and political experts say Spains government risks losing control of the northeastern region.
It is considered Spains worst political crisis since an attempted military coup in 1981, which was defused by Felipes father, King Juan Carlos I.
Crowds in Barcelona on Tuesday screamed for national security forces to get out of the region, branding them occupation forces and raising their middle fingers at a police helicopter circling overhead.
City police put the number of demonstrators at 700,000.
The government of Catalonia is pushing the population to the abyss and inciting rebellion in the streets, Juan Ignacio Zoido, Spains interior minister, said on Tuesday.
He said his government would take all measures necessary to stop acts of harassment.
Pictures of police beating unarmed Catalan voters with batons and dragging some by the hair during Sundays ballots drew international criticism.
Carles Puigdemont, Catalans regional leader, said nearly 900 people had received medical attention on Sunday, though local authorities confirmed a total of 92 injured. Four were hospitalised, two in serious condition.
The national government said more than 400 police officers were hurt.
Claims for statehood
A rich industrial region of 7.5 million people, Catalonia accounts for a fifth of Spains economy.
It has its own language and cultural traditions.
Its claims for statehood date back centuries but have surged during recent years of economic crisis.
The Spanish central government blames the Catalan regional authorities for the tensions.
Puigdemont declared on Sunday that Catalonia had won the right to an independent state.
His regional government claimed that 2.26 million people took part in the poll, or just over 42 percent of the electorate, but the vote was held without regular electoral lists or observers.
The regional government said 90 percent of those who voted backed secession, but opinion polls indicate Catalans are split.
Puigdemont has said he will present the results to the regions parliament, where separatist legislators hold a majority.
Its been exactly two years since the UN adopted a resolution calling on Sri Lanka to ensure justice for victims of the civil war. Thousands went missing during the 30-year conflict.
Its been exactly two years since the UN adopted a resolution calling on Sri Lanka to ensure justice for victims of the civil war.
Thousands went missing during the 30-year conflict.
Just before arriving in New York for the UN General Assembly last month, Sri Lankas president announced the setting up of an office to look into the disappearances.
But critics say more needs to be done.
Al Jazeeras Minelle Fernandez reports from Colombo.
Student protests draw anti-riot police, disturbing normal functioning of one of the countrys oldest institutions.
The University of Nairobi has closed following a series of violent clashes between the administration, students and police.
The top Kenyan university, with more than 84,000 people enrolled, announced that students had until 9am on Tuesday to leave their residence halls.
This meant students had less than 12 hours to move out. Many of them refused to leave until they got their fees back.
Students took to social media to complain about the universitys closure, fearful of the consequences on their studies.
At this rate,this will be my Graduation photo when I finally graduate from University of Nairobi Med school. #MbithiMustGo pic.twitter.com/Gxj5ufDDYO _Okech.. (@AdOketch) October 3, 2017
The closure follows the institutions vice-chancellors decision to call anti-riot police to the campus on Thursday, when students were demonstrating for the release of an imprisoned opposition politician.
Police officers clashed with students and dozens were injured, according to local media.
https://twitter.com/Sandrahnk/status/915138547119792128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
On Monday there were new rounds of demonstrations, this time for the resignation of the universitys vice-chancellor, Peter Mbithi.
A few hours later his Twitter account announced the closure of the university, one of the oldest in Kenya.
Leaders of the Kenya Universities Student Organisation (KUSO) condemned the brutality meted out by police and demanded swift investigations of the rogue officers.
How comes the students who organized demos in University of Nairobi have been identified & expelled yet police who attacked them are free? Betty Luke (@bettyowino) October 3, 2017
Freedom of speech and peaceful demonstrations are fundamental and irrevocable rights of every citizen, a member of KUSO wrote on Facebook.
More than 84,000 students attend the University of Nairobi and more than 2,000 people work there.
Winners project observed waves of energy created by violent processes such as colliding black holes for the first time.
US astrophysicists Rainer Weiss, Barry Barish and Kip Thorne have been awarded the Nobel Prize for physics for their pioneering role in the detection of gravitational waves.
Predicted by Albert Einstein more than 100 years ago as part of his theory of general relativity, but only detected in 2015, gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time caused by violent processes, such as colliding black holes or the collapse of stellar cores.
Scientists say the detection of gravitational waves will open a new window on the universe.
READ MORE: Einsteins gravitational waves detected by scientists
This is something completely new and different, opening up unseen worlds, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in a statement announcing the winners of the nine million Swedish krona ($1.1 million) award.
A wealth of discoveries awaits those who succeed in capturing the waves and interpreting their message.
Weiss won half the prize, with Barish and Thorne sharing the other half.
First-ever direct observation
The three scientists cocreated the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) at the prestigious California Institute of Technology, which has taken home 18 Nobels since the prizes were first awarded in 1901.
The first-ever direct observation of gravitational waves was made in September 2015 at LIGO, the result of an event some 1.3 billion light years away.
Since then, the enigmatic ripples have been detected three more times: twice more by LIGO and once by the Virgo detector located at the European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) in Cascina, Italy.
Gravitational waves spread at the speed of light, filling the Universe, as Albert Einstein described in his general theory of relativity. They are always created when a mass accelerates, like when an ice skater pirouettes or a pair of black holes rotate around each other, the Nobel jury said.
Einstein was convinced it would never be possible to measure them. The LIGO projects achievement was using a pair of gigantic laser interferometers to measure a change thousands of times smaller than an atomic nucleus, as the gravitational wave passed the Earth.
Physics is the second of this years crop of Nobel Prizes and comes after Americans Jeffrey Hall, Michael Rosbash and Michael Young were awarded the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine on Monday.
The prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace were first awarded in 1901 in accordance with the will of Swedish business tycoon Alfred Nobel, who bequeathed much of the fortune he generated from his discovery of dynamite.
Among the science prizes, physics has often taken centre stage with laureates including scientific superstars such as Einstein, Niels Bohr and Marie Curie, one of only two women to win a Nobel Prize for physics.
Actor, comedian and former White House employee Kal Penn will speak at UF later this month.
Accent Speakers Bureau is bringing Penn, known for his work in the Harold and Kumar comedy film series and his former role as White House Associate Director of Public Engagement, will be paid $65,000 to speak, Accent chairwoman Shelby Buchanan wrote in an email.
Penn will speak on Oct. 11 in the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, with the show beginning at 8 p.m. and doors opening at 7 p.m. Student can pick up two tickets with a Gator 1 Card on Oct. 10.
This year, we're really interested in finding speakers who have amazing stories to tell who will still appeal to as many students as possible, Buchanan said. Kal's acting experience and time spent in the White House are a unique combination, and we're very excited to hear him share his experiences.
Buchanan said Penn will participate in an hour-long discussion and a student question and answer session.
Dustin Tyson, a UF history junior, said hes excited to hear from Penn as a fellow comedian. Tyson does stand-up comedy at The Midnight and Rockys Piano Bar.
Tyson said hes seen Penns movies and thought they were funny, but isnt sure what to expect at the event.
Some of the people are just actor types and not that funny when you go see them in person, the 21-year-old said.
Penn
Enjoy what you're reading? Get content from The Alligator delivered to your inbox Subscribe Now
PLEASE NOTE!
Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate!
All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited!
(One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!)
The media, having found a successful play to cripple a Republican president, is trying to run the same play against President Trump. They forget that their entire playbook has been thrown at Trump since he announced his candidacy in 2015, without any success.
Hurricane Katrina was thought to be a turning point in the George W Bush presidency. The less than stellar response from the federal government was hung around his neck. Successfully. Despite ineptitude at the state and local levels. The New Orleans mayor at the time, Ray Nagin, is now in federal prison for bribery and fraud.
They tried the Katrina pass play in Houston and Florida after their recent hurricanes, stymied by a strong defense of competent governors and other state and local officials. Relief efforts in Houston and Florida were efficient and competent. The media had to take a knee.
Puerto Rico is different. San Juan Mayor Yulin Cruz is busy bashing President Trump and hurricane relief. Anderson Cooper from CNN, Johnny on the spot, was there to feel her pain and report her criticism of Trump.
How ironic that the mayor was interviewed with a backdrop of pallets of food and water sitting in a warehouse, rather than being distributed.
Anderson didnt ask why supplies that are so desperately needed by the people were being used as a photo prop instead.
He also didnt comment on the fact that nine days after Hurricane Maria hit, Less than half of the 8,000 members of the Puerto Rico National Guard are on duty according to the Washington Post. Or how the Teamsters Union, a branch of the Democrat Party, refused to deliver supplies, instead using the hurricane as contract negotiating leverage.
Interestingly, Mayor Cruz, while speaking to Mr. Cooper, perhaps auditioning for a gig on CNN or MSNBC, was wearing a t-shirt with Help us we are dying written on the front.
The 2017 version of Hands up dont shoot. Amazing that an island with no food, water, electricity or other basic services has a t-shirt shop up and running, printing a shirt for the mayor to wear while being interviewed on CNN. Unless Mr. Cooper brought her the t-shirt to wear specifically for the interview, which would be a new low in media propagandizing.
Also, not likely to be reported on CNN is a phone call from a female police officer in Puerto Rico to a US radio station. She was upset and sharing how the Mayor of San Juan is politicizing the situation and not offering help. She highlighted corruption within government within Puerto Rico and the Municipal authority of San Juan. Sound familiar? Mayor Nagin and New Orleans?
If AG Jeff Sessions is paying attention, maybe these accusations could be investigated by the Department of Justice. Ray Nagins federal prison may have a womens prison with a few extra cells. In fact, Sessions might want to consider building an all Democrat prison given the demand. Blago. Anthony Weiner. Nagin. Senator Menendez. Maybe even Mayor Cruz.
Even two-time failed presidential candidate, Hillary What Happened Clinton chimed in with a tweet. President Trump, Sec. Mattis, and DOD should send the Navy, including the USNS Comfort, to Puerto Rico now. These are American citizens. Is the irony not lost on her that the same tweet, with just a few name changes, could have been sent during the Benghazi massacre which she presided over?
Obviously out of the loop due to her book tour, Mrs. Clinton was unaware that,
The Navy had long been coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and several Marine amphibious ships were operating off the coast.
Washington Post resident #NeverTrump blogger Jennifer Rubin chimed in with, Many Americans think foreign aid is a waste. Puerto Rico shows why its not. Apparently not realizing that Puerto Rico is a US territory, not a foreign country. Not surprising as the Beltway media believes most of the noncoastal America is a foreign country.
Also not mentioned are the Vieques protests in 2001, led by none other than the Reverend Al Sharpton, assisted by Democrats Jesse Jackson, Robert Kennedy, JR, and Luis Gutierrez, which led to Reverend Als arrest and the shuttering of the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. Imagine if, instead, it was developed into a true naval base? And how much easier and more efficient hurricane relief could have been, despite the caterwauling of the San Juan mayor.
If the media had any semblance of honesty and integrity (yes, I know Im dreaming here), we would hear the entire story, not just the Bush is Katrina is Trump narrative. Sure, the federal government can be slow, certainly not as quick as Anderson Cooper getting jetted to wherever he can report on anything potentially damaging to President Trump. But that doesnt let local government and workers off the hook.
The San Juan mayor can complain and blame, wearing a t-shirt with the latest anti-Trump hashtag, while her city languishes. Or she can do her job, as officials in Houston and South Florida did, ignoring CNN and instead shedding the virtue signaling t-shirt, putting on a normal shirt, roll up her sleeves, and serve her constituents and city.
Brian C Joondeph, MD, MPS, a Denver based physician and writer. Follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Between the revelations of Ivanka Trumps husband being female and Dr. Seuss being racist, last week was an amazing week for tabloidy mainstream news. Sadly, the media let the American public down yet again, offering cheap journalism, little context, blatant falsehoods, and inadequate corrections.
Lets start with poor Jared Kushner, son-in-law and senior advisor to President Trump. Wired.com, described by Media Bias Fact Check as a left-of-center media source, reported that Kushner has been registered to vote as a woman since 2009. Using this fact as the basis for their hatchet job, Wired shreds Kushner with accusations ranging from purposeful voter fraud to sheer incompetency, including this doozy:
Is Kushner a woman? Did he just accidentally fill out the form incorrectly? Is he the victim of a malicious voter impersonation scheme? Unfortunately, there's absolutely no way to know for sure, because he has yet to provide WIRED with a comment. But based on his recent history with paperwork, option two seems like a pretty safe bet.
Predictably, the usual media suspects pounced on the scandal as breaking front-page news, including CNN and the Washington Post.
Surprisingly, New York Daily News engaged in rudimentary investigation, bothering to track down Kushners original voter registration. The result? Kushner filled out the registration form correctly: The mistake was due to a data entry error by the New York Board of Elections. (Before we give New York Daily News kudos, note it has yet to update their original unflattering post on the story.)
CNNs rather short piece, which includes two authors plus two contributors, has been updated but still contains specious jabs at Kushner and Trump about inappropriate email use and voter fraud. The Washington Post contains similar nefarious inferences as CNN but manages to go a step further, declaring that maybe Kushner was not responsible for the registration error. Of course, there is no maybe about it, as confirmed by Board of Elections Executive Director Michael Ryan, a Democrat. Furthermore, The Post update is minimally and shoddily edited, with this line duplicated twice within the piece: Democratic opposition research group American Bridge spotted the error, which was first reported by Wired on Wednesday.
At least CNN and The Post offered some semblance of a timely correction. Despite Wired snarkily stating it would be updated with any new information, it took three full days to edit, with the disclaimer that it has been corrected to remove any implication that Kushner was at fault for the error. Unfortunately, the piece still includes cheap shots at Kushner, including conjectures of voter fraud, nepotism, and a chronic inability to correctly fill out boxes.
Meanwhile, First Lady Melania Trump donated ten Dr. Seuss books to an elementary school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, only to have them publicly rejected by librarian Liz Phipps Soeiro, who responded:
And then theres the matter of the books themselves. You may not be aware of this, but Dr. Seuss is a bit of a cliche, a tired and worn ambassador for childrens literature. As First Lady of the United States, you have an incredible platform with world-class resources at your fingertips. Just down the street you have access to a phenomenal childrens librarian: Dr. Carla Hayden, the current Librarian of Congress. I have no doubt Dr. Hayden would have given you some stellar recommendations. Another fact that many people are unaware of is that Dr. Seusss illustrations are steeped in racist propaganda, caricatures, and harmful stereotypes.
Clearly, the story here is Dr. Seuss being racist, and the appropriateness of a sanctimonious, lecture-style letter to a sitting First Lady. However, one would never know this based on the reporting of AOL (via Yahoo). AOL only suggests Mrs. Trump slammed a librarian whose sole motivation was to supply more contemporary books to less advantaged children.
Such cherry-picking, meager reporting is astonishing. No mention of racism. No mention of Soeiro dressing up as The Cat in the Hat on her schools twitter blog to help celebrate Seuss birthday. No mention of the Democrat mayor of Seuss birthplace saying Soeiros "comments stink and are ridiculous." No mention of previous First Ladies reading Dr. Seuss books to children, including Michelle Obama, or if Soeiro would ever dare write Mrs. Obama a similarly toned rejection letter. No mention of Soeiros responsibility to teach her students how to graciously accept gifts, also considering Mrs. Trumps letter was addressed to the students, not their librarian.
And most overlooked of all, despite Soeiro imploring Mrs. Trump to contact Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden for book recommendations, there has been no mention of Hayden being pro-Dr. Seuss! She must be a fan! After all, Hayden wrote the foreword to the Library of Congresss recent release, The Card Catalog: Books, Cards, and Literary Treasure, described as follows:
Packed with engaging facts on literary classics -- from Ulysses to The Cat in the Hat to Shakespeare's First Folio to The Catcher in the Rye -- this package is an ode to the enduring magic and importance of books.
News readers desire unbiased journalism, not lazy reporting containing partisan taunts aimed at bolstering the Trump Resistance. Read cautiously, folks.
Evan Boudreau is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in The Daily Caller. Evan detests social media but can be reached at evanboudreaufeedback@gmail.com.
Within hours of a man carrying out a horrifyingly successful mass shooting in Las Vegas, in which the death toll as of this writing is almost sixty, Democrats are out in public demanding gun control legislation. As disgustingly cynical as this is, it is not in the least bit surprising. Many more will join the chorus in the coming days, while a complicit news media will keep the horror fresh to facilitate the Democrats' exploitation of sadness and pain.
Never wishing to appear to their neo-communist handlers as weaklings inclined to put humanity before politics, or willing to pre-empt the revolution out of respect for human suffering, progressive politicians at America's moment of "fundamental transformation" seem to want to look callous and inhuman, even as they claim to represent the interests of the suffering and downtrodden.
Rahm Emanuel's infamous cat-out-of-the-bag moment "never let a crisis go to waste" has quickly evolved from an awkward instance of progressive self-revelation into the proud mantra of the American left. Leftists are no longer even ashamed at the old accusation of "politicizing a tragedy." Tragedy the bigger, the better is the grease in their wheels. Politicizing hardship has always been their stock in trade, and now, through years of practice, they have trained to the public to regard this extreme cynicism as the norm, so that the accusation no longer carries any meaning.
Democratic congressman Seth Moulton, refusing to participate in the moment of silence for the Las Vegas victims on the House floor, tweets this perfect example of crisis exploitation: "Now is not a moment for silence; it's a time for action." Action, of course, means laws restricting individual liberty and property rights, in defiance of the U.S. Constitution.
The essence of the strategy indicated by this crisis-exploitation mantra always comes in the form of precisely this kind of exhortation: stop thinking and pass laws, right now, precipitously, without a moment to reflect on all those little matters of constitutionality and individual liberty that a thinking population would remember were intended by the Founding Fathers to serve as moral limits on the extension of government power.
A huge storm devastates a populated region? "Stop thinking; pass laws restricting greenhouse gas emissions now!"
Hundreds of people are shot, and a nation is in shock at the inhumanity of the crime? "Stop thinking; pass laws restricting gun ownership now!"
This is how communist revolutions, whether direct and violent or indirect and gradual, must proceed, especially in a nation with explicit structural limits in place to thwart state overreach. Catch the population with their intellectual guard down, at a moment of feeling weak, heartbroken, forlorn, or angry, and pounce on them with demagogic cries of "Forward!" Before they know it, they will have acceded to things no freedom-loving people would ever accept if they were thinking clearly.
The progressive advantage, however and this explains the "ratchet mechanism" of progressivism's advance is that once a society has been forced or hoodwinked into increased social control, the newly restrictive conditions tend to become new psychological and moral norms quickly. Hence, it becomes almost impossible to rescind even the most draconian assaults on the individual, as most people get "comfortable with" (i.e., inured to) living within the smaller range of personal freedom, like sheep herded into smaller and smaller pens.
When it comes to using death, hardship, and bloodshed to achieve their authoritarian aims, the only difference between "democratic" progressives and old-style communist revolutionaries is that the latter promote the death, hardship, and bloodshed directly and openly, whereas the former, in order to keep up the appearance of being respectable public servants, need to exploit the death, hardship, and bloodshed they find along the way. They do this by "never letting a crisis go to waste" i.e., turning any large-scale moment of pain and suffering into a rallying cry for new laws, meaning more power for themselves, of course.
Think, finally, of the psychology behind this crisis-exploitation strategy. If you truly believed that human suffering particularly sudden, unanticipated suffering on a mass scale is not merely pragmatically useful to your aims of greater government authority, but actually necessary to prodding the public toward your aims, what would your attitude have to be toward such suffering?
How, for example, would you have to train yourself to look at instances of violence and destruction if you regarded your political platform as being practically dependent on such instances as tipping points for pushing your desired legislative action? Wouldn't you sort of have to hope for them? Wouldn't you gradually come to feel that these horrors, though "regrettable," were sort of beneficial, in the sense of being necessary conditions for the advancement of your policy agenda? Wouldn't you, in effect, start to find such violence and destruction desirable, at least as means to your ends? And what would such a moral reasoning process do to your character?
Among other things, it might make you cold and calculating regarding legitimate human suffering in a moment of crisis, as Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were during the Benghazi attack. It might make you hatefully nihilistic about the value of other people's lives, as Robert Reich was when he playfully told university students how a properly managed government health care system would simply tell sick old people, "We're going to let you die."
And let me be clear about this. The perspective I am talking about is completely different from saying, "Everyone benefits from suffering" or "What does not kill me makes me stronger." The progressive is saying, rather, "Without other people's suffering, I cannot further my own aims of increased power."
Furthermore, it may well be true that certain kinds of hardship are necessary to move a population to important political action. For example, a civilization long oppressed in conditions of what Tocqueville called soft despotism as we are today may well need the suffering of utter social collapse to shake it out of its submissive slumber.
But to revel in human suffering or at least instinctively appreciate it as the means to promoting soft despotism i.e., as the impetus for enacting oppression through regulation is pure inhumanity. The psyche that could train itself to want or count on such moments of exploitable suffering is truly tyrannical in the literal sense defined by Plato namely, the condition of being ruled by irrational desire. In such a soul, reason has been utterly usurped by power-lust the same condition such souls seek to impose on whole societies.
Daren Jonescu writes about politics, philosophy, education, and the decline of civilization at http://darenjonescu.com.
President Obama's former deputy national security adviser, Ben Rhodes, is all upset that President Trump is booting Cuban diplomats from Washington in retaliation for Cuba's failure to protect U.S. envoys in Havana.
Goal of whoever is behind attacks seems to be sabotaging US-Cuba relations. Would be a shame if they succeed. Cuban people wld suffer most https://t.co/CkEn4fTMqu Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) September 29, 2017
The steps announced by Trump Admin go well beyond what's necessary. Will help worst forces in Cuba / harm US interests and the Cuban people https://t.co/2fEPDhu5ZS Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) September 29, 2017
Lack of visa processing in Havana will separate families. Travel warning will harm Cuban small business owners already reeling from Irma. Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) September 29, 2017
Hurt Cuban small businesses? Cuban people would suffer the most? Harm U.S. interests?
What, exactly, does Rhodes think Cuba has done to American diplomats?
Let's scroll back to what this is about, from the editorial page of the Washington Post:
Twenty-one U.S. diplomats in Cuba have reported being hit with unexplained illnesses, including hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, visual difficulties, headaches, fatigue and cognitive, balance and sleeping difficulties. Some accounts have attributed the illnesses to strange "sonic" attacks that surfaced 10 months ago. Originally described by the State Department as an "incident," they are now being called an "attack," and Post staff writer Carol Morello reports that U.S. officials say specific Americans were targeted, that the assaults are ongoing and that they occurred in at least one case in a Havana hotel.
Contrary to the statements of some anonymous State Department officials, and probably Rhodes himself, who was the architect of the Obama administration's opening of U.S.-Cuba ties, the Post thinks the Castroites are playing dumb and know exactly what they are doing to U.S. diplomatic personnel, given that they are a tightly controlled police state. It wouldn't be the first time.
It begs disbelief that Cuba does not know what is going on. Unfortunately, this kind of deception and denial is all too familiar behavior. The regime took the same "don't blame us" coverup pose when the dissident Oswaldo Paya was killed in a suspicious car wreck five years ago.
Rhodes would have you think the U.S. and Cuba are all in for great relations, the ones he himself set up, and only some dark force would be up for halting that great scenario. Anyone who opposes Cuban relations (read: Republicans, or "worst forces in Cuba") would have to be the guilty one.
He tweets without a scintilla of knowledge about the hatred for Americans that Cubans have been brainwashed into having by the Cuban Communist Party, and their police-state government is completely capable of manifesting that hatred, relations or no relations. These people truly hate us. They hate our success, our freedom, and our beacon to their nationals, ten percent of whom have fled to the U.S., often on tire rafts over the high seas. This hatred for the U.S. has been drummed into Cuba's people as an ideology and is held as doctrine by its party elite since day one. There is no bottom to the malice of the only nation that really tried to set off a nuclear weapon on our soil, which has mercilessly shot down U.S.-based civilian airliners searching for Cuban nationals at sea, which has sent spies to marry into our communities, and whose secret police have urinated into the mouthwash of U.S. envoys in the pre-rapprochement era, all with impunity.
It's likely that impunity that drives the Castroite willingness to launch the harmful attacks the Castroites figured the gringos were so desperate for good relations with them they'd do nothing about any attacks, and they could snicker back on the sidelines at how dumb los yanquis really were as they harmed Americans yet again. What's more, they probably watched Ben Rhodes himself on Benghazi, observing how the State Department and National Security Council under President Obama blissfully sacrificed the lives of four U.S. diplomatic personnel, including a U.S. ambassador, to preserve Rhodes's peachy ''narrative" about al-Qaeda being "on the run" ahead of re-election time. Surely the U.S. would do the same if they attacked Americans with their new sonic wave device...
This shows that even as Rhodes cries crocodile tears about "harm" to "the Cuban people" and "Cuban small business owners," he really does expect the American side to just go on allowing our diplomats to be harmed, taking one for the Obama legacy. Supposedly, it's because he's a humanitarian.
In reality, it's because he wants to preserve the Obama legacy. Instead of admitting that he and his Obama team have been duped by a slimy, corrupt, truly evil communist regime, he wants the Obama legacy of reopening relations to Cuba to be paramount, no matter what the human cost to U.S. diplomats.
By any means necessary, as they say on the left.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) was a guest on ABC's This Week October 1, with George Stephanopoulos. Here is an excerpt from the "This Week" transcript, with Stephanopoulos asking Sanders about his Medicare-for-all views.
STEPHANOPOULOS: You have got more than a dozen Democrats now supporting your Medicare for all plan in the Senate. You're campaigning hard all across the country.
Two quick questions, how do you respond to those who say you're pulling the party too far to the left? And is it fair to say given your activities, you're not ruling out another run for president in 2020?
SANDERS: Well, let me just say that the idea of a Medicare for all, the idea that the United States of America should join every other major country on Earth in guaranteeing health care to every man, woman, and child, this is not a radical idea. In fact, poll after poll shows that a majority of the American people support that idea. People want to know why, as a nation, George, we are spending twice as much per capita on health care as the people of Canada or many of the European countries while our health care outcomes are not necessarily as good. And people also want to know why we pay by far the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs.
So, I don't see this as a radical idea. I see it as an idea that more and more people want. Medicare today is a very popular program. It's the most popular health insurance program in the country. Let's expand to it to everybody over a four year period.
A four-month-long budget impasse in Connecticut is starting to have serious ramifications for education funding for local communities.
At issue is a $3.5-billion budget gap that Democrats can't decide how to close. Until the governor and state lawmakers can agree on a plan, a shortfall in state aid to municipalities is wreaking havoc in towns and cities.
Wall Street Journal:
Dannel Malloy, a Democrat, signed an executive order to keep state operations running. But the order can only provide funding based on the state's current revenue projections. That required cuts to municipal aid in excess of $900 million, most of which fell on education funding. The Malloy administration has said the solution to avoid painful spending reductions is to pass a budget as soon as possible. Some of the cuts can be reversed, but that will require a fully enacted budget. Reaching agreement on how to close a two-year $3.5 billion deficit has been difficult. Republicans lawmakers, along with a few Democrats, passed a budget in September that gave more funding to towns but slashed spending for the University of Connecticut. It also required teachers to pay more for their pensions. Mr. Malloy vetoed that plan last week. The House of Representatives will convene a veto override session Tuesday. Leo Paul, first selectman of the town of Litchfield, said lawmakers should overturn the governor's veto. The governor's executive order would eliminate state education funding this year for Litchfield, which received $1.5 million from the state last year. Mr. Paul said the cuts to municipal funding could force his town to raise taxes by up to 8%. "That is unacceptable," he said. The executive order could reduce school funding for West Hartford by $21 million, or about 7% of the town's budget. Town officials said they have reined in spending to offset potential cuts and want to avoid tapping their reserve fund to keep their AAA bond rating intact. West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor said she wants state lawmakers to pass a budget that supports schools across Connecticut. "We understand the state is in a fiscal crisis," Ms. Cantor said. But "we are going to hurt our young people if we don't invest in them." Mr. Malloy's executive order keeps education funding flat for the municipalities that have the lowest-performing school districts. That means New Haven will get $154.3 million in education funds from the state, which is the same as last year. But the executive order cuts funding for reimbursements of nontaxable property and other payments by $67 million in New Haven.
As the tax base shrinks in blue states like Illinois and Connecticut, the sharing of scarcity becomes public policy. And Democrats are unable to decide which of their precious interest groups will feel the ax.
Asking teachers to pay more for their pensions caused the union to howl in protest. Better that the kids suffer rather than they. As for the rest of the deficit, it will be a question of moving decimal points around, hoping to stave off the day of reckoning when imaginary cuts and accounting tricks will no longer suffice.
Illinois is at that point now. The increase in fees and taxes passed after a two-year budget impasse is driving residents out of the state in droves. Of course, fewer residents means less revenue, so the vicious circle is complete. Without massive budget and pension reforms, and reducing the power of public unions, the state will eventually become a fiscal basket case.
The blue state model is already dead, as Walter Russell Mead said in 2012. States like Connecticut and Illinois are only the harbingers of what's to come.
Even as the president prays that God "bless the souls of the lives that are lost" and "give us the grace of healing" and "provide the grieving families with strength to carry on" in the wake of Las Vegas, Democratic politicians are off to the gun control races.
The off-year Virginia gubernatorial election, which has national import, is likely to be a focus of the renewed anti-gun rhetoric from the left, as noted at washingtonpost.com.
Virginia Democratic candidate for governor Ralph Northam wasted no time in politicizing what the president called "an act of pure evil." Just "hours after" the shootings, the Democratic candidate, speaking at a forum in a northern Virginia suburb, said:
There is a tremendous proliferation of guns throughout this country[.] ... We as a society need to stand up and say its [sic] time to take action, and stop talking.
The Post reports that Northam added that "such actions in Virginia include requiring universal background checks for firearm purchases and reinstating a Virginia law that restricts purchases to one gun per month," a Virginia law that "expired in 2012."
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, a close Clinton ally and presidential hopeful who "embraced his 'F' rating from the NRA when he ran in 2013," has dropped more than $1 million on "his state's Democratic candidates," with the "bulk of the money" going to support the Democrat nominee to replace McAuliffe, Lt. Gov. Northam.
The NRA-endorsed Republican, Ed Gillespie, who is a former Republican National Committee chairman and was a 2014 Senate candidate, trails Northam by 4-5 points in the Real Clear Politics average, in a state that Hillary Clinton won by 5 points.
The Post adds that Virginia is home to the NRA's headquarters along with the 2007 Virginia Tech mass shooting and the June shooting of House majority whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), and that guns "have long been a major factor in political races in Virginia":
After long avoiding gun control, Democrats running for statewide office in Virginia in the aftermath of Virginia Tech and several other mass shootings began calling for tougher laws and found they could still win.
McAuliffe proves the point, as does Democrat senator and Hillary Clinton running mate Tim Kaine, who also carries an NRA "F" rating.
Post reporter Fenit Nirappil points out, however, that Republicans, who control both houses of the Virginia legislature, "remain opposed" to Democrat gun control measures, "calling them an infringement on Second Amendment protections."
The power of the Virginia Republican legislature in a state divided between the liberal northern suburbs and the more conservative rural and military areas was demonstrated when McAuliffe's attorney general announced in December 2015 that "the commonwealth will no longer recognize out-of-state concealed handgun permits, part of a national push to circumvent legislatures opposed to tightening gun laws."
A month later, after the issue "had threatened to poison the remainder of the governor's term in office," McAuliffe "agreed to legislation that says the state must recognize concealed-handgun permits from nearly all states a reversal of Attorney General Mark R. Herring's decision" a month earlier "to sever the reciprocity rights of gun owners in 25 states," in a deal that was backed by the NRA.
On top of the money McAuliffe has poured into the Northam gubernatorial campaign, Michael Bloomberg's gun control group is adding $700,000 to the Northam coffers, and former Democratic Rep. Gabby Giffords's "gun control group" has pledged $150,000 to Northam.
At a Monday D.C. press conference, Giffords's husband, Mark Kelly, didn't hesitate to politicize the Nevada shootings:
Don't let anyone tell you not to talk about politics when we talk about guns.
The NRA will spend "more than $1 million" in support of Gillespie, on "ads airing on broadcast networks in markets around Virginia," according to thehill.com.
Hillary Clinton, meanwhile is "headlining" a New York City fundraiser for the Democrat candidate Northam this Wednesday, according to another washingtonpost.com account. Northam at last count had more than twice as much cash on hand as Gillespie, in a race that has "garnered national attention as a proxy for partisan battles in Washington."
Mrs. Clinton politicized the Las Vegas event Monday morning by demanding we "put politics aside":
We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again.
Mrs. Clinton was ridiculed for another Monday-morning tweet in which she said, "Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get."
Among the responses to Hillary's typically ham-handed silencer comment were:
Ben Shapiro: "Ignorant, irrelevant and exploitative"
Buck Sexton: "She knows nothing about firearms, and even worse, she doesn't care."
Dana Loesch: "Suppressors only reduce by a few decibels, still same decibel level as a jackhammer."
An NRA-ILA post less than two weeks ago quoted a washingtonpost.com article that finds that "a suppressed firearm is as loud as a jackhammer." The article reviews noise reduction ratings for ear plugs and ear muffs used by shooters and concludes that suppressors, also known as silencers, provide "around the same reduction level of typical ear protection gear often used when firing guns."
The NRA-ILA post also cites a politico.com column that quotes the "head of the Fraternal Order of Police," which "claims to be the nation's largest police union," on the House suppressor bill:
With respect to the silencer provision, we have taken a position that we do not object to that provision. The reasoning is because silencers are not and have not been in the recent past a law enforcement problem.
(The "Hearing Protection Act" has nevertheless been put on the back burner in the wake of Las Vegas, according to politico.com.)
The point of this suppressor digression is that, to paraphrase Mr. Sexton above, Hillary Clinton either has no idea what she is talking about or just doesn't care about the facts. What a surprise either way.
With Mrs. Clinton headlining support for the Northam campaign, what could go wrong?
The coda to a sad day in the U.S. was a doozy the unexpected death of rocker Tom Petty, apparently of a heart attack at his home in Malibu.
It's hard to see him go. He came to the fore about when I came of age in the late 1970s, early 1980s, not quite punk, certainly not disco, not heavy metal, just the resurrection of good rock and roll, with evocative, memorable melodies, depicting great highs and lows that imprint on the time when they are heard. To me, his songs evoke San Diego beaches, Los Angeles highways, San Francisco bars, wind-whipped Monterrey cypress trees at the end of Golden Gate Park, the first Silicon Valley nerds, and student all-nighters at the Foghorn, the student newspaper at the University of San Francisco. That's just the dredgings of one person. It's likely everyone has a slew of comparable memories when thinking of Petty's music.
Despite his music's capacity to capture a moment and sustain the emotionism of youth, it wasn't ephemeral. It was well crafted, with high musicianship, fine lyrics, and original melodies that one can notice only if one plays the music again at a much older age. It lasted. It was art. It was classy as a fine wine and could be played at a party without seeming dated. And he kept producing more, all of it as good as his first stuff, so his career didn't really seem to be over. And one reason we are sad is that we wanted more.
Petty himself, unlike many rock musicians, wasn't a jerk, either. I would have forgiven him if he were, but he always came off as a professional music nerd, not an idiot who wanted to change the world by popping off and saying stupid things. Nor did he show bad behavior at airport lounges or hotel rooms, let alone get busted for pot; Petty never made offensive statements to alienate at least half of his music base, something others might take heed of. For that I was glad to read he died rich, with a net worth of $95 million and a nice place in Malibu.
The amazing and gratifying thing here is that so many celebrities, and people from all walks of life, are mourning his passing. It's bigger than his low profile would suggest from Bob Dylan to Sheryl Crow to Gene Stanley to Peter Gabriel, they all owe him a debt of gratitude and there are a lot of them. He spoke to all sides of the political spectrum, and the left and right are mourning him equally. Even Ben Rhodes took a break from his Twitter "narratives" to put in a statement of grief.
All that's left now are his records. It's not nothing. Rest in peace, Tom Petty.
Hate-filled progressives seem to be no longer able to mimic mentally healthy human beings in their reactions to the mass slaughter and maiming of innocents at a country music festival. So anxious are they to display their superiority that they unmask their inhumanity and their eagerness to exploit suffering.
MSNBC sent Chris Hayes to Las Vegas to cover the story, and it appears from his fractured syntax that the stress and possible a lack of sleep were getting to him when he interviewed Danny Tarkanian, who is running for the Senate seat in Nevada on the ballot next year. Video of the entire five-minute segment is embedded below. The highlight was when Hayes lapsed into partial incoherence but managed to get to his agenda item of gun control (rush transcript via Grabien).
... there are Senate Democrats today who were talking about guns. And Chris Murphy who represents Connecticut where Newtown happened and things like that that in the absence of that, that there is [sic] some concrete things that Congress can do to reduce the incidents of gun violence and mass shootings in this country. That something you think is achievable, I guess, is the question before you think it's advisable?
Tarkanian's response shamed Hayes and challenged the logic of passing more laws to control someone who already has broken multiple laws.
Look, I think that any time an activity like this can happen in our country, it's wrong. And something needs to be done to stop it. The bodies aren't even cold yet. And we're going to sit here and politicize this thing? Why don't you wait until there is some time for the people to grieve and get over this, and then you can figure out exactly how did the guy get his guns, how did he get ten guns like that? Did he break the law to get them? Are you going to pass laws that will stop someone from breaking the laws? We don't even know what happened yet. I think the best thing to do is one, focus on the great work people here in Las Vegas did, first with the police officers and the firemen, helping to minimize what the shooter was able to do. The incredible work by all the people in the hospitals and the emergency rooms. You know, the people that are giving blood. It's four hours just to get for you to wait in line to give blood here in Las Vegas. The churches are involved. I'm going to a vigil at 6:00 at my church. We're doing some wonderful things in this community to try to minimize this horrendous act that happened here there is going to be time to politicize this later on. And if there are solutions, to come up with those solutions.
Hayes could not let it drop. Though he offered ritual acknowledgment of the many heroes, he went right to his Trump-hating agenda with a non sequitur reference to a phony charge made by the left on Trump's policy on entrants to the U.S. from terror states:
And I understand and respect what you're going through here. I just want to follow up on that question politicize. Because when a murderer killed dozens of people at the pulse nightclub in Orlando, the president of the United States, the man you support, and whose support you boasted of called for banning a billion people worldwide in the wake of that, and the bodies hadn't even been identified. Isn't that politicizing too?
Tarkanian would have none of it:
I think you love to misquote President Trump. And that's all good and well for your viewership. I'm not going to get into that today when this has been the worst tragedy that happened to my city and you want to start taking potshots at the president. Let's talk what happened here, what our city is going through and what we're trying to do to get through this really, really difficult period of time.
Hayes's response was weak. He had been called out on his own airwaves. It seems that fewer people are willing to let media slanders pass unnoted.
Here is the video:
(ANSA) - Rome, October 3 - Italy's growth prospects for the coming months appear "favourable," Giorgio Alleva, the president of national statistics agency ISTAT, told a joint hearing of the Lower House and Senate's budget committees on the update of government's DEF economic blueprint on Tuesday. Alleva spoke of "signals of improvement in the economy" driven by demand for investment goods and equipment.
He said the expectation was of "growth at a higher pace that that observed in the second quarter of the year". Bank of Italy Deputy Director General Luigi Federico Signorini told the hearing that cutting Italy's public debt of over two trillion euros was necessary and achievable.
He said that a "significant" reduction was "an imperative for Italy" and was "within our reach".
ROME - The masterpieces of 17th-century painter Carlo Bononi - described as having Madonnas who cry real tears and "colors mixed from liquified hearts" - are being brought together for the first time in a large show from October 14 through January 7 in the exhibition spaces of the Palazzo Diamanti in Ferrara.
The show, titled "Carlo Bononi: The Last Dreamer of the Ferrarese School", is a celebration by Bononi's own city of the painter of emotions and feelings, who was also an extraordinary naturalist, a Mannerist in the mind, and among the precursors of the Baroque in his style.
A recent critical study has brought Bononi and his work to the level of other masters such as Guercino, Carracci and Guido Reni.
Organized by the Ferrara Art Foundation and the Ferrara Modern and Contemporary Art Galleries in collaboration with the Ferrara Museums of Ancient Art, the exhibition has two 17th-century art experts as its curators: Giovanni Sassu and Francesca Cappelletti.
They chose works that testify to the depth of an undisputed master, who suddenly fell into the shadows and was forgotten.
The slow but determined critical review progressively brought back to light the unique artist's ability to use painting as a language where emotion and the intimate relationship between the painted figures and their observers were made the focus. In the dramatic years of religious conflicts, earthquakes and plagues, Bonini used light and theatricality to become one of the first Italian Baroque painters, as shown by the decoration in Ferrara's Santa Maria in Vado Church.
Bononi's naturalist side is shown in works such as "Miracle of Soriano" or "Guardian Angel", where it becomes evident that the artist needed to bring religion into everyday life, placing the figures of saints and madonnas in real and concretely recognisable people. Guido Reni, a few months after Bononi's death in 1632, praised him as an "unordinary painter" with "great wisdom in design and in the strength of colour".
One century later, Bononi attracted the attention of travellers on the Grand Tour, from Charles Nicolas Cochin to Goethe, who described Ferrara as "beautiful, large, but flat and unpopulated" and appreciated Bononi's naturalist paintings.
ISTANBUL - Mass arrests in the Turkish public administration are still taking place for suspected ties to Fethullah Gulen, who the government claims is responsible for the July 2016 coup attempt.
In Istanbul, the prosecutor's office issued 112 arrest warrants for current and former city workers accused of having downloaded a messaging app called ByLock, which investigators said was used by "Gulenists" to exchange encrypted information. Turkish news agency Anadolu said at least 67 of those employees have already been arrested.
The Ankara prosecutor's office issued 142 arrest warrants for employees of the Turkish Education Ministry and Turkish Sport Ministry, some of whom are still in service despite purges that have already brought the arrests of more than 50,000 people and the driving out of more than 110,000 civil servants following the failed coup attempt.
BEIRUT - A consortium of NGOs from Italy and other countries is managing an EU-funded scholastic project in Lebanon titled "Back to the Future", which will provide for the opening of 19 educational and community centres for the social and educational integration of Syrian refugee children.
The project is financed by the Madad EU Regional Trust Fund and will allow more than 18,500 children to return to school.
Participating organisations include AVSI, Terre des Hommes Italy, Terre des Hommes Netherlands, and War Child Holland.
It is estimated that there are over 200,000 Syrian refugee children without access to school in Lebanon, a country that hosts more than one million refugees.
Netanyahu blasts Hamas-Fatah reconciliation agreement At the expense of our existence, Israeli PM says
(ANSAmed) - Tel Aviv, October 3 - Israeli Premier Benyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday spoke out against the recent reconciliation agreement between Hamas and al-Fatah. "We expect everyone who talks about a peace process to recognize the State of Israel and, of course, to recognize a Jewish state and we are not prepared to accept bogus reconciliations in which the Palestinian side apparently reconciles at the expense of our existence," Netanyahu said during a meeting of his Likud party in the West Bank settlement of Maale Adumim. "Whoever wants to make such a reconciliation, our understanding is very clear: Recognize the State of Israel, disband the Hamas military arm, sever the connection with Iran," he added. Meanwhile, leader of the right-wing religious Jewish Home party Naftali Bennett has called for an urgent meeting of the Israeli government's defence council, military radio reports. Bennett has already championed economic sanctions against the PNA following its agreement with Hamas. (ANSAmed).
Palestinian Authority govt takes up management of Gaza Mahmoud Abbas tells Hamas illegal weapons won't be tolerated
(ANSAmed) - GAZA, OCTOBER 3 - Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah held the first session of his government in Gaza City on Tuesday, following a more than two-year interruption due to conflicts between Hamas and al-Fatah.
Hamdallah announced his ministers will take over administrative management of the Gaza Strip.
In a warning to the military wing of Hamas, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) said illegal weapons will not be tolerated in the Gaza Strip, just as they aren't tolerated in the West Bank.
"If someone in al-Fatah has an illegal weapon in the West Bank, I arrest him. The same in Gaza," he said.
On Tuesday the head of Egypt's intelligence service, Khaled Fawzi, who had a central role in the reconciliation between Hamas and al-Fatah, will visit Ramallah.
Fawzi will meet with Abu Mazen and then travel to the Gaza Strip.
He will also meet with Israeli officials, according to Israeli Army Radio. In an interview with CBC, Abu Mazen said he called on Hamas to soften its positions after the Palestinian National Authority imposed a 22% cut on financing to the Gaza Strip.
He said he opposes intervention in internal Palestinian matters by any Arab country, "with the exception of Egypt".(ANSAmed).
remaining of
Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading.
The Space Agency delegation, which exhibited and participated in events throughout the 68th IAC held in Adelaide, Australia, was led by . Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency.
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi said: The IAC is the worlds premier event for the space sector and industry, providing an excellent opportunity to showcase the latest trends and developments from the UAEs rapidly developing national space program. The papers presented by our esteemed colleagues further demonstrate to the world that the United Arab Emirates is a major contributor to the global space sector.
Al Falasi continued: Our presence at the 68th IAC bolstered our strategic imperative of working with the international community to strengthen the UAEs role in space affairs. As one of the most significant global space events, it provided excellent opportunities for advancing our relationships with partners around the world, and we made excellent progress in this regard.
Dr. Muthanna Al Mahmoud, Engineering and Design Manager at the UAE Space Agency and Professor Dr. Ingyn Zaw of New York University, Abu Dhabi, co-authored a paper titled The Benefits of a Deep Space Ground Station in the UAE. The paper assessed the benefits and unique advantages of the UAEs geographical location for building a site similar to NASAs deep space network. The authors noted its potential to contribute to future deep space missions as well as international astronomy activities by joining existing long-range networks.
Another paper submitted by Abdulla Shehhi, Trainee Engineer at the UAE Space Agency, provided an aerodynamic analysis of airplanes gliding on Mars. Despite the wide scientific interest in Mars, no man-made object has yet glided in the Martian atmosphere. The research paper used computational fluid dynamics simulations and wind tunnel experimental analyses to propose and modify conceptual designs.
Dr. Fatima Al Aidarous, Space Science Senior Specialist at the UAE Space Agency, submitted a paper titled How holistic interactive experience can inspire the younger generation through voluntary engagement, which discussed means of inspiring youth to engage with fields related to aerospace and space sciences. The paper assessed the effect of immersive or hands-on experiences, such as the Boeing capsule, the Genes in Space competition and the James Webb Space Telescope. Nurturing the next generation of space pioneers is a major focus for the UAE Space Agency as it works towards significant space missions, including the Mars Hope Probe project.
Heyam, Al Blooshi, Design Engineer at the UAE Space Agency, presented her paper assessing the role of the Space Fundamentals Training Program developed by the UAE Space Agency, Lockheed Martin and Mubadala. As well as providing an overview of the program, the paper assesses its role in enhancing international cooperation and knowledge exchange, in addition to highlighting the technical and strategic importance of such courses.
Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, Director General of UAE Space Agency, said: The Agencys participation in last weeks international space event was essential, due to the rapidly changing nature of space science and exploration. We intend to support the space sector in the UAE with the latest international developments, which will be reflected on existing and future projects in accordance with the Agencys strategic plans. Additionally, because the Agency is responsible for numerous scientific and exploratory initiatives, we need to remain informed of all the latest developments in the field of space exploration. Attending the IAC provided us with the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of the most recent innovations and technologies within the sector.
Finally, a number of members of the Emirates Mars Mission team from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, presented their latest research, observations and academic papers at the Congress.
Mariam AlShamsi, Instrument Science Lead, EMM, MBRSC had a presentation titled Emirates Mars Mission 2020: Science Targets and Observations which focusses on science objectives and investigations that will improve the science community understanding of the global circulation in the Martian lower atmosphere and the connections to the upward transport of energy of the escaping atmospheric particles from the upper atmosphere. This will be accomplished using a suite of instruments covering the Infra-Red, visible and ultra-violet ranges. The presentation also highlighted the different observation strategies of the instruments.
Amel Amin, strategic planning senior engineer presented a paper called "Emirates Mars mission 2020: education and outreach challenges and outcomes" in the Space Education and Outreach Symposium. The paper focuses on how the strategic objectives of the mission are met through the education and outreach objectives team. It also highlights the different programs under the project, but focus on the activities and programs conducted for the general public.
Mohsen Al Awadhi, mission system engineer, EMM at MBRSC presented two papers. The fist paper is titled, EMM Mission Overview which describes the missions strategic overview and its scientific objectives, in addition to the spacecraft and the instruments probe. Al Awadhis second paper was titled, EMM Spacecraft Design Overview Description which talks in details about the design of the Spacecraft and probes subsystem.
Khalid AlZarooni, EMIRS Electronics Engineer at EMM, MBRSC presented a paper, titled Emirates Mars Mission instruments design, operations and data, in which it illustrates the three different instruments on board the probe, clarifying each instrument in two approaches scientifically and technically.
If the plan materialises then this will be the largest employment stock option plan by any startup in the country.
Flipkart board has approved a plan to repurchase employee stock option, sources familiar with the development said.
Bengaluru: In a bid to attract and retain its 6,000 employees, the Flipkart board has approved a plan to repurchase employee stock option, sources familiar with the development said.
Companies traditionally use ESOP to compensate, retain, and attract employees. "The overall corpus reserved for buyback of shares from employees is over USD 100 million," said one of the sources to Economic Times.
If the plan materialises then this will be the largest employment stock option plan by any startup in the country.
This development comes after the online retail giant raised about USD 4 billion from Japanese investor Softbank Corporation and the Chinese investor Tencent.
Employees of subsidiaries Myntra and PhonePe will also be a part of the ESOP. The plan is likely to close by December.
ESOPs are contracts between a company and its employees that allow employees to purchase a specific number of the companys shares at a fixed price within a certain period of time. Flipkarts stock options are dolled out over four years. Employees can vest in them every month after the one-year threshold.
Senior executives can make tens of crores, the sources told ET.
The government has since said it would not take any hasty decisions.
New Delhi: Indias ambition to become a smartphone-making powerhouse are foundering over a lack of skilled labour and part suppliers along with a complex tax regime, industry executives say.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has championed a manufacturing drive, under the slogan Make in India, to boost the sluggish economy and create millions of jobs. Among the headline-grabbing details was a plan to eventually make Apple iPhones in India.
Three years on, as executives and bureaucrats crowded into a Delhi convention centre for an inaugural mobile congress last week, India has managed only to assemble phones from imported components.
While contract manufacturers such as iPhone-maker Foxconn and Flextronics Corp have set up base in India, almost none of the higher value chip sets, cameras and other high-end components are made domestically. Plans for Foxconn to build an electronics plant in the state of Maharashtra, which local officials said in 2015 could employ some 50,000 people, have gone quiet.
According to tech research firm Counterpoint, while phones are assembled domestically because of taxes on imported phones, locally made content in those phones is usually restricted to headphones and chargers about 5 per cent of a devices cost.
Rather than feeling that India is a place where I should be making mobile phones, its more like this is the place I need to (assemble) phones because there is lower duty if I import components and assemble here, a senior executive with a Chinese smartphone maker said. He declined to be named for fear of harming business.
Others listed the lack of skilled workers and a sparse network of local component makers. They also cited high-profile tax disputes between India and foreign companies such as Nokia. Nokia eventually suspended mobile handset production at its southern India facility.
The Nokia escapade is in peoples memory when they try to come here, a second industry source told Reuters at the first Indian Mobile Congress in capital New Delhi, which ended on Friday. The GST, which kicked in this year to replace a string of different levies, is also fraught with its own challenges, such as a lengthy tax-refund process that delays payments to suppliers, the source added.
Last week, India rattled investors after publicly musing about possible changes in a $2.6 billion 2015 diesel locomotive contract with GE. The government has since said it would not take any hasty decisions. We needed some push from the government to start manufacturing, said Neeraj Sharma, the India head of Chinese chipmaker Spreadtrum.
It was required, because without that nothing was happening. But India now needs more sophisticated technology such as surface-mounting technology, which places components directly on top of a printed board to build a supply chain, he said.
Dileep, who's been arrested for 85 days, had been denied bail a good four times by the high court.
Mumbai: Malayalam actor Dileep has finally been granted bail in the actress molestation case under strict conditions.
Dileep, whos been incarcerated for 85 days, was granted bail by a bench headed by Justice Sunil Thomas.
The actor was asked to surrender his passport and issue a bond worth rupees one lakh.
The actor, whod been denied bail a good four times, was arrested on July 10.
Dileep, eleventh accused in the case, had been arrested after the police found credible evidence connecting him to the abduction and alleged molestation of a top Malayalam actress.
The Kerala HCs move to grant bail to the actor within days of the SITs official statement submission has come as a shock to many.
The disgraced actors film Ramaleela which released amid widespread condemnation, is meanwhile running to packed houses.
The high court has imposed many restrictions on the actor, severely warning him against trying to influence witnesses or tampering evidence. Main accused Pulsar Suni is still in the custody of the state police.
The incident had occurred on February 17, when the actress was traveling to Kochi from her house in Thrissur. A gang had followed her in a tempo traveler and hit her vehicle from behind when it reached Athani near Nedumbassery.
The gang members then reportedly entered her car by force and assaulted her inside the moving vehicle over the next three hours. They are said to have clicked and recorded invasive and objectionable pictures of the actress. The Special Investigation Team had reported that Dileep was in possession of the explicit content.
35-year-old Chemung belonged to Chilingdin in Nepal and is survived by his wife Nayan Kala Chemjung and a son, the spokesman said.
In the exchange of fire, Naik Mahendra Chemjung was grievously injured and succumbed to injuries. (Representational Image | PTI)
Jammu: An Army jawan was killed, on Tuesday, as Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire by firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, an official said.
"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in the Krishna Ghati sector at around 1250 hours today. Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively," a defence spokesman said.
In the exchange of fire, Naik Mahendra Chemjung was grievously injured and succumbed to injuries, he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, a BSF jawan was killed after a group of three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants stormed a Border Security Force (BSF) camp at Humhama near the Srinagar Airport and the Air Force Station.
Three terrorists were also killed in the firing.
Read: J&K: JeM claims responsibility for terror attack on BSF camp, 3 militants killed
35-year-old Chemung belonged to Chilingdin in Nepal and is survived by his wife Nayan Kala Chemjung and a son, the spokesman said.
"Chemjung was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," he added.
Read, J&K: 3 kids killed, 8 others injured as Pak violates ceasefire in Poonch
On Monday, two minors were killed and 12 civilians injured in cross-border shelling by Pakistan along the LoC in Poonch district.
Five children were among the injured, the youngest being five-year-old Zobia Kousar, who was airlifted to a hospital in Jammu.
The 36-year-old has been charged with sedition and trying to help the Dera Sacha Sauda chief escape after being sent to jail for rape.
Honeypreet alias Priyanka Taneja, went missing after violence broke out in parts of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi on August 25. (Photo: File)
Haryana: Honeypreet Insaan, the adopted daughter of self-styled godman, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was, on Tuesday, arrested along with another woman by the Panchkula police from Zirakpur-Patiala road in Punjab.
"We will produce her in court tomorrow," Panchkula Police Commissioner A S Chawla said.
"We are probing her links to the August 25 violence. We will find out the people who helped her abscond for so long and they will be punished," he added.
Also read: Papa and I are innocent, says Honeypreet; likely to surrender today
Earlier on Tuesday, reports had claimed that she would surrender in court after being on the run for over a month.
Honeypreet alias Priyanka Taneja, went missing after violence broke out in parts of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi on August 25 following Ram Rahim's conviction in two rape cases.
Also read: FIR lodged against Ram Rahim's 'angel' Honeypreet in Panchkula violence case
The 36-year-old has been charged with sedition and trying to help the Dera Sacha Sauda chief escape after being sent to jail for rape.
The Delhi High Court, on September 26, had rejected the transit anticipatory bail plea of Insaan.
For almost 40 days, Haryana Police had been tracking leads on Honeypreet in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
Also read: Ram Rahim sentenced to 20 years in jail for rape, fined Rs 30 lakh in 2 cases
While talking to a news channel, on Monday, Honeypreet downplayed all allegations framed against her claiming that she and her foster father, Gurmeet Singh were innocent.
"I urge people to not believe in these hoax reports. Nothing which is being assumed about me and my father is true," she said.
She also criticised reports of her inciting riots in Sirsa and in other parts of Haryana and Punjab.
"I was in the chopper with papa (Ram Rahim) when he was being taken to jail. We were not even aware of any unrest. My movement was being monitored, how could I have instigated riots?," she had said.
(With agency inputs)
Around 21 farmers participated in the protest which reached its 14th day on Gandhi Jayanti.
The farmers performing 'Samadhi Satyagraha' said, If the government takes our land, they will take away our lives. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)
Jaipur (Rajasthan): In order to get their plight heard, farmers at Ninder village near Jaipur went on a unique strike against the acquisition of their lands by the Jaipur Development Authority for housing projects.
Around 21 farmers participated in the protest which reached its 14th day on Gandhi Jayanti.
The farmers performing 'Samadhi Satyagraha' said, "If the government takes our land, they will take away our lives."
The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) in 2011 had allegedly acquired 1300 acres of land and since then the farmers have been protesting against it in various ways.
A police official said, 'the third terrorist is also believed to have been neutralized but the search operation is going on.'
Jaish-e-Muhammad claimed the responsibility for carrying out attack at BSF camp at Humhama near the Srinagar Airport and Air Force Station. (Photo: PTI)
Srinagar: All the three gunmen were killed by the security forces in their step-by-step- counter assault against a group of three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants who had stormed a Border Security Force (BSF) camp at Humhama near the Srinagar Airport and the Air Force Station at dawn on Tuesday.
BSF confirmed that all the three terrorists involved in attack were killed.
Jaish-e-Muhammad while claiming responsibility for carrying out the attack has said that the members of its Shaheed Afzal Guru squad did it.
Briefing the media after the encounter was over, IGP Kashmir Munir Khan said, "One terrorist was killed initially, two terrorists were killed later during the operation; Total 3 terrorists were killed."
He added, "We are looking for six to seven terrorists and we need to neutralise them very fast."
The IGP said that one ASI was also killed in the encounter.
Munir Khan also requested media to be 'reasonable before running news'.
He said, " Request media to be reasonable before running news, as such attacks will continue to happen as long as Pakistan is our neigbour."
Four others, including a Jammu and Kashmir policeman were injured in the initial militant attack and subsequent encounter.
The gunmen barged into the campus of the BSFs 182 battalion at 4:30 am and took positions in administrative building and JCO Mess.
The police sources said the militants hurled hand grenades and simultaneously opened fire at the sentry posts to sneak inside the camp.
One of the three fidayeen was gunned down at the main gate while two others managed to enter barrack number 07 of the camp and then moved to other buildings, the sources said.
The Armys 53 Rajput Rifles, the BSF, Jammu and Kashmir polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) quickly launched an operation to flush out militants.
The area, where the attack took place falls is an area of central district of Budgam which is considered as most secured.
While the Srinagar Airport and Air Force Station fall in close proximity of the BSF camp, other security forces including SOG and the CRPF too have their important installations and camps in the area.
Given the gravity of the situation, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh called a high-level meeting on Tuesday to review the situation in Jammu and Kashmir in the aftermath of the attack on the BSF camp.
Flight operations at the Srinagar airport has resumed after cancellation of some of the morning flights.
Morning flights were cancelled, However, Air Asia flight from Delhi landed at the airport at 10 am. Also, the passengers scheduled to fly out of Srinagar are being allowed to proceed towards the airport, a police official said.
Earlier, groups of people chanting slogans hurled stones at the Jammu and Kashmir police and CRPF deployment and also forced the shopkeepers to drop their shutters nearby Ompora market but they were chased by the police, witnesses said.
Pakistan has denied the charge of violating ceasefire along the LoC, saying that Indian troops started firing in Poonch-Rawlakote area.
Srinagar: Three minors were killed and about a dozen other civilians were injured, a few of them seriously, when the Pakistani troops pounded civilian areas and forward military posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Poonch district with mortars on Monday.
Later during the day, a BSF jawan was injured in sniper firing incident along the de facto border in neighbouring Rajuri district, officials said.
The critically injured civilians were airlifted to Jammus Government Medical College Hospital whereas the others are being treated at Poonchs district hospital. The officials said that rescue teams sent to worst affected villages of Kerni, Shahpur and Dhigwar started work immediately.
As the shelling caused panic among the border-dwellers and many of them were preparing to leave, the authorities advised them to remain indoors and not to venture out to avoid more casualties.
Poonchs DC Tariq Ahmed Zargar said that a 10-year-old boy Asrar Ahmad of Mohalla Qasba in the Kerni area and a 15-year-old girl Yasmeen Akhtar of Kerma village of Dighwar were killed in the shelling. A third civilian, identified as 16-year-old Tazeem Akhter, succumbed to her injuries later, taking the death toll to three.
A defence spokesman said in Poonch that the Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked heavy firing and shelling in Kerni, Shahpur and Dhigwar sectors of the LoC at around 6. 50 am. The Indian troops guarding the border effectively retaliated, he said. The firing stopped at around 11 am. Several residential houses were damaged and a number of livestock perished in the firing and shelling from across the de facto border, he said.
He said that five children are among the injured, the youngest being five-year-old Zobia Kounsar who was airlifted to Jammu in a helicopter. Eight of the injured were being treated in a local hospital, DC Zargar said. Among them is a man and his three daughters. The police added that most of the casualties occurred in Dighwar sector which was worst hit in the shelling.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, expressed grief and anguish over the killing of three minors and said, It is very unfortunate that these teenagers became victims of fire power when they were yet to understand the nuances of politics. She asked the district administration to ensure specialized treatment to the people injured in the shelling.
Her deputy and BJP leader Nirmal Singh Termed the unprovoked ceasefire violation by the Pakistan troops as coward act. He said, Pakistan is a terrorist state. On one hand, it is showing white flags but on the other, targetting innocent civilians. He added that the Indian troops are giving befitting reply to them
But Pakistan has denied the charge saying that like in past instances of cross-LoC skirmishes, it were the Indian troops who initiated the firing in Poonch-Rawlakote area on Monday. The Pakistani authorities have also said that several people were killed in the Indian firing on their side of the de facto border past week, prompting them to summon Indias Deputy High Commission JP Singh to the Foreign Office is Islamabad to lodge protest.
Flight operations at Srinagar airport were suspended for three hours during the operation.
Srinagar: In a pre-dawn fidayeen attack on Tuesday, three Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militants stormed a Border Security Force (BSF) base near Srinagar Airport, killing a BSF ASI and injuring four others before being shot dead by the security forces in a 10-hour-long encounter.
The heavily armed militants, dressed in combat fatigues, drove to the main entrance of the BSF 182 Battalion base at Humhama in Budgam district at about 4.30 am, possibly from neighbouring Friends (residential) Colony by cutting the fence, police sources said.
They first hurled hand grenades towards the sentry post and then fired from automatic weapons to force their entry into the campus, they said.
One of the attacker was killed when the BSF sentry retaliated, while the other two entered barrack number 7 and then moved to other buildings, they said.
BSF assistant sub-inspector B.K. Yadav, 50, was killed and four others, including a J&K policeman, were injured during the standoff that ended around 2.30 pm with the killing of the remaining two militants, they said.
Flight operations at Srinagar airport were suspended for three hours during the operation.
A CRPF official said during the operation one of the attacker pretended to be a soldier and fired in the same direction as the security forces until he was spotted and killed.
The area where the attack took place falls in the central district of Budgam which is considered most secured. Apart from the civlian airport and Air Force station, bases of other security forces, including the CRPF, are also present in the zone.
Soon after the attack, JeM claimed responsibility. It said its Afzal Guru squad had carried out the attack.
Inspector general of J&K police Munir Ahmed Khan confirmed the JeMs involvement. No doubt, the terrorists were from JeM, he said.
Undoubtedly, the JeM is a threat. Its cadres believe in these kind of acts attacking camps and doing sensational things, he said.
He added that such attacks will continue to take place in J&K, squarely blaming Pakistan for violence and terror. As long as Pakistan is our neighbour such attacks will continue to take place, he said.
Mr Khan said that an alleged aide of the BSF camp attackers who drove them to the area had been identified. Security officials termed their retaliatory operation as the quickest possible end to the terror attack by militants who had planned to engage us for a longer period than it turned out to be.
Had we used the airpower, the operation would have finished much earlier but we decided not to do so to avoid civilian casualties as the BSF base is close to residential areas, said an official. Soon after the attack, the Armys 53 Rajput Rifles, the BSF, J&K polices counter- insurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) collectively launched the operation to flush out the militants. Union home minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review the situation in the attack.
A report said that the Army jawan was killed in a sniper attack from across the de facto border.
Srinagar: An Army jawan was killed on Tuesday as the Pakistani troops continued to pound the Indian forward posts and civilian areas with mortars in different sectors of Line of Control (LoC) in J&Ks Poonch district. However, a report said that the Army jawan was killed in a sniper attack from across the de facto border.
Mn Monday, two minors were killed and 12 others, including women and children, were injured in the alleged Pakistani firing and shelling in Poonchs Dhigwar, Kerni and Shahpur sectors.
In New Delhi, Pakistans deputy high commissioner Syed Haider Shahand was summoned to the ministry of external affairs to lodge a protest against alleged unprovoked ceasefire violation by his Pakistanis troops.
An MEA statement said that India conveyed to Pakistan that such deliberate targeting of civilians was not acceptable and was against humanitarian norms and practices. It added that India also expressed strong concern at continued unprovoked firing by Pakistan forces across the LoC and the International Boundary in violation of the 2003 ceasefire understanding.
BJP means RSS so one who is with the BJP cannot stay away from RSS, a top BJP leader told this newspaper.
Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumars decision to avoid meeting RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat during his visit to Bihar on Wednesday may not go down well with BJP, which is part of the government.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar is scheduled to attend the same event in which Mohan Bhagwat is a chief guest. JD(U) sources said that Nitish Kumar has asked the organisers to keep his programme in the afternoon in order to avoid sharing the stage with RSS chief.
BJP means RSS so one who is with the BJP cannot stay away from RSS, a top BJP leader told this newspaper.
Mohan Bhagwat will be visiting Bihar for the first time after JD(U) returned to NDA fold and formed a government in Bihar. As per the schedule, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will be attending the event in the evening on Wednesday.
The two are expected to participate in a programme that is taking place to mark the 1000th birth anniversary of Ramanuja Acharya, whose teachings had an influence on the Bhakti movement.
Mr Gandhi, who will be in Gujarat from October 9 to October 11, will start with a visit to Santram temple in Nadiad.
New Delhi: In its bid to widen its appeal and make an impact in the forthcoming Assembly elections, a desperate Congress is once again trying to play the soft Hindutva card in the BJP citadel, Gujarat.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who began his three-day tour of Gujarats Saurashtra region on 25 Septmber by visiting the Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka, is all set to continue with his temple run in the second leg of his campaign in the central region of the state.
Mr Gandhi, who will be in Gujarat from October 9 to October 11, will start with a visit to Santram temple in Nadiad. He is also expected to visit the Bhathiji Maharaj temple in Fagvel, Ma Kali temple in Pavagadh, and Dakor temple in Kheda district.
Mr Gandhis tour of temples in the BJP-ruled state is a two-pronged strategy. On one hand it is hoped that the soft Hindutva card will take the sting out of the Italian jibe the BJP is so fond of making, on the other, each of these temple trips is aimed at wooing specific communities.
The Congress hopes that the temple visits will bring back the communities that have shifted their allegiance to the BJP.
In his first visit, Mr Gandhi visited four key temples in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, including Khodal Dham temple in Kagvad village to offer prayers to Khodiyar Mata, the reigning deity of the Leuva Patel community.
Mr Gandhi also visited a temple dedicated to Dasi Jeevan, revered by Dalits and Buddhists.
In his next visit he will be visiting the Pavagadh temple, dedicated to the reigning deity of Patels, and the Bhathiji Maharaj temple, which is revered by the Kshatriyas.
The influential Patel community constitutes almost 13 per cent of the population of Gujarat. As they are unhappy with the BJP, the Congress is going all out to woo them.
The Congress also has its eye on the Kshatriyas vote, especially since Shankarsinh Vaghela, former chief minister of Gujarat and a tall Kshatriya leader, left the Congress.
While playing the Hindutva card, the party is being careful not to alienate the minority vote bank. Local Congress leaders are in constant touch with influential Muslim leaders, sources said.
In his third visit, which is scheduled after Diwali, Mr Rahul Gandhi will be campaigning in north Gujarat and visit Ambaji, Bechraji and Unjha among other places.
A section of leaders in the BJP claimed that with the saffronites accusing the Congress of minority appeasement, Mr Gandhi is trying to negate the charges with his temple run. However, the Congress has been denying the charge of soft Hindutva.
Former finance minister P. Chidambaram said, I dont think you should read political meaning into that. I think there is much else that is happening in his visit to Gujarat. I think we should focus on that.
As Mr Rahul Gandhi leads the campaign in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shahs home turf, leader of the Patidar community, Hardik Patel, continues to give the BJP sleepless nights.
While the Bharatiya Janata Party is desperately trying woo the dalit voter, Mr Patel claimed in a TV interview that his main aim is to defeat the BJP.
The attack on Monday night came ahead of the launch of 'Jan Raksha Yatra' on Tuesday by the saffron party.
The attack took place around 9:30 pm when BJP workers were decorating a part of the National Highway-66 for the 15-day march. (Representational Image)
Kasargod (Kerala): A case was registered, on Tuesday, against CPI (M) workers who attacked three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists in Neeleswaram town in Kasargod district, the police said.
The attack on Monday night came ahead of the launch of 'Jan Raksha Yatra' on Tuesday by the saffron party.
The attack took place around 9:30 pm when BJP workers were decorating a part of the National Highway-66 for the 15-day march, which was launched by BJP chief Amit Shah, on Tuesday.
The three injured BJP workers were being treated at a private hospital in Neeleswaram, the police said.
BJP Kasargod district secretary Sreekanth alleged that nearly 20 CPI(M) workers attacked BJP activists without provocation, while they were decorating a road side at Neeleswaram market.
Flex boards, tubelights and a two-wheeler were also damaged, he said.
CPI(M) cadres, who cannot tolerate the "growing political influence" of the BJP in the state were indulging in such attacks, he alleged.
Around 15,000 BJP cadre are likely to participate in the march, Sreekanth said.
The family of the victim have alleged that the police refused to take action against the accused because of his strong political links.
The children, in a video, appealed to the MEA to help their mother return home. (Photo: AP/Representational)
Jalandhar: After making unsuccessful attempts to get help from police to save their mother, children of one Paramjit Kaur, who was allegedly sold as slave in Saudi Arabia, have now knocked the doors of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to contact the concerned authorities.
39-year-old Kaur from Bilga village had gone to Saudi Arabia on July 13 to work as a domestic help, reported Hindustan Times. She informed her family on August 21 that she has been held captive by her employer.
The children, in a video, appealed to the MEA to help their mother return home. The video was shared by a social activist Rajvinder Sharma, who has been helping the economically weak family.
We are Gorsiya Nihal residents. My mother Paramjit Kaur was sold by an agent Resham Lal Bhatti for Rs 4 lakh in Saudi Arabia. The police have not taken any action yet. We are poor and our mother has been suffering a lot, Kaur's 17-year-old daughter Rajni reportedly said in the video.
I request foreign ministry and the state government to help us get our mother back as soon as possible, she added.
The family and relatives of the victim have alleged that the police refused to take action against the accused travel agent, Resham Lal Bhatti, because of his strong political links.
In an FIR, Kaur's husband Malkeet Ram said that Bhatti had promised to get her a job in Saudi. He told them that his wife also worked there and that the family would get Rs 40,000 once she settles down there.
He also said that after Kaur reached Saudi Arabia, the employer confiscated her passport and did not allow her to leave the house.
According to HT, Bhatti, who is absconding, has been booked under Sections 370 (buying or disposing of any person as a slave), 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The corporator was rescued by a team of police officers that rushed to the area and took him to a nearby hospital for treatment.
: Angry residents of a municipal ward in Vadodara, on Tuesday, tied a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator to a tree and beat him up. (Photo: Youtube Screengrab | hri joshi)
Vadodara: Angry residents of a municipal ward in Vadodara, on Tuesday, tied a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator to a tree and beat him up for "failing" to prevent demolition of their slum in May by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC).
In a video of the incident that went viral, the corporator, with his clothes torn, was seen tied to a tree in Bapod area and pleading to the people gathered around him that he had no knowledge about the civic body's decision to raze the slum.
"This land belongs to the Collector (state government) and he is the one who passes an order. I am a small councillor. I have no idea about the decision taken by the municipal commissioner (regarding demolition)," the corporator, identified as Hasmukh Patel, was heard saying in Gujarati.
Patel represents Bapod (Ward number 5).
The corporator was later rescued by a team of police officers that rushed to the area and took him to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Police have confirmed that Patel was thrashed.
City Police Commissioner Manoj Sashidhar said 66 people were arrested in connection with the case and further investigation is on.
"When Hasmukh Patel was taking a round of his ward, around 20 people protested against him over a demolition carried out some months ago. They took him to a nearby area and tied him to a tree and beat him up," Sashidhar said.
The residents of the slum that was located around Nani Bapod lake under ward number 5 were given alternative houses under a government rehabilitation programme, the commissioner said, adding that the attack was not pre-planned.
Shah also questioned the silence of human rights activists on the issue of political violence allegedly unleashed by CPI (M) workers.
Amit Shah flagged off the Jana Raksha Yatra from Payyannur, a protest march to expose communist atrocities and killing of BJP & RSS karyakartas in Kerala. (Photo: Amit Shah | Twitter)
Payyanur (Kerala): BJP chief Amit Shah on Tuesday announced a 'padyatra' in all state capitals against CPI(M)'s alleged targeting of his party workers and questioned Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the political violence in the state.
Inaugurating the 'Janraksha Yatra' led by Kerala BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharan in Payyanur in the north Kerala town, Shah also questioned the silence of human rights activists on the issue of "political violence" allegedly unleashed by CPI (M) workers against the BJP and RSS workers in the Left-ruled state.
"More than 84 BJP and RSS workers have been killed in the district alone and I want to ask Pinarayi Vijayan, who has killed them in the state. If he does not have answers, then I am saying Chief Minister Vijayan is responsible for the killings," Shah said.
Shah, who met the family members of RSS-BJP workers killed in the political violence in the state, said 11 crore BJP workers were with them to carry forward the mission they had undertaken to build a better society.
He also announced the 'padyatra' campaign against political killings in Kerala in all state capitals from Wednesday till Rajasekharan concludes his 15-day 'padyatra' in Thiruvananthapuram.
"From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Gujarat to Assam, BJP workers will take out padyatra in every state capital to protest against the Marxist violence. The BJP workers will take out protest march towards CPI(M) office in New Delhi and sit in Dharna there", he said.
The BJP chief said more than 120 BJP and RSS workers were killed in the political violence in the state.
"Wherever the Left rules, that state has history of political violence", Shah said.
Noting that Kerala is the land of great saints and social reformers like Adi Shankara, Sreenarayana Guru and Chattambi Swamikal, Shah alleged this land of social reforms has been turned into a state of bloodshed with the rise of the Left.
Questioning the silence of the human rights activists, Shah appealed to "all champions of human rights that there is no colour of violence and please remove this perception that red violence is not violence."
"Violence is violence. More than 120 BJP workers were killed who were working on nationalist agenda. You are silent on these murders . It raises question marks on your allegiance," he said.
This 'Jan Raksha' yatra is a 'satyagraha' against the atrocities and killings by the CPI(M). The Jan Raksha Yatra (people's protection march) from Payyannur will travel through the state before culminating in Thiruvananthapuram on October 17.
Several Union ministers will also participate in the march under the theme of 'All have to live! Against Jihadi-Red Terror'.
As many as 120 BJP workers, 84 in Kannur alone, have been killed in the state since 2001 with 14 of them in the chief minister's home town since he took over the reigns last year, the BJP has alleged.
The CPI(M) has, in turn, accused the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of resorting to violence and denied the involvement of its government and leadership in political killings.
Shah started his visit by offering prayers at Rajarajeswara Temple at Taliparamba, a famous Shiva temple in North Malabar.
After offering prayers, Shah proceeded to Payyannur to launch the 15-day march in the state against the alleged "red terrorism" allegedly unleashed by the Left party against BJP and Sangh parivar workers.
The CPM charged the BJP chief of deliberately inciting violence against its leaders and cadres in Kerala.
New Delhi: With Kerala becoming one of the major target areas of the BJP, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath would be visiting the state on Wednesday. On Tuesday, BJP chief Amit Shah launched his partys Jan Raksha Yatra in the state and the first to take forward the baton will be Yogi Adityanath.
The Uttar Pradesh chief minister will lead the yatra on Wednesday from Kechery to Kannur, the official Twitter account of the Kerala wing of the BJP stated.
In Marxist Kerala, the BJP intends to rely on religion to counter the Reds.
Before launching his yatra, Mr Shah played the Hindutva card by offering prayers at the Rajarajeshwara temple in the northern district of Kannur in the state. Mr Adityanath would take forward the fight against the so-called jihadi red terror.
In a scathing attack, the BJP chief, while launching his yatra, accused Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan of being directly responsible for all political murders in Kerala.
The CPI(M) was quick to react in Delhi. The party charged the BJP chief of deliberately inciting violence against its leaders and cadres in Kerala. Mr Vijayan used a Facebook post to hit back at the BJP.
The Sangh Parivar shouldnt think that they can make inroads into Kerala by false propaganda, Mr Vijayan posted and later making a jibe at Mr Adityanath, the Kerala chief minister tweeted, We invite UP CM Yogi to visit Kerala hospitals to learn how to run hospitals effectively.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury tweeted: Amit Shah should attend to trouble his party is causing to citizens in BJP-ruled states. Dont try and create trouble in Kerala.
Mr Yechury said that data shows that ever since the election results in Kerala in May, the BJP/RSS have started this spree of violence against the CPI(M) cadres.
Amit Shah is deliberately inciting violence against CPI(M) leaders and its workers. We are a recognised national party. We are here not because of Shah, but because of the people. We will not tolerate this, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat said.
She accused the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of manufacturing lies. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is not the victim. In fact, a large number of CPI(M) cadres have been killed by the RSS. It wants to intimidate those who stand up against its terror tactics and communal hatred.
The BJPs Jana Raksha Yatra is expected to travel through Kerala before culminating in Thiruvananthapuram on October 17.
As part of the padayatra, Mr Shah will on October 5 walk past the residence of chief minister Vijayan in Kannur, as a mark of protest against the ruling CPI(M)s political violence.
The BJP is organising the padyatras in all states over the next two weeks, including a march to the CPI(M) headquarters in the national capital.
Sayyed visited the page out of curiosity in July and saw that the page was uploading such pictures.
The Kashi Media page regularly posts pictures of girls with a caption saying they are looking for friends.
Mumbai: The Facebook page Kashi Media continues to exist, complete with pictures of girls captioned, Do you want to friendship? nearly two months after The Asian Age reported about it being under the cyber polices scanner. A Kuwait-based woman had complained to the cyber police mid-July but the complaint seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Shaheen Sayyed, who hails from Kuwait, registered a complaint with the Mumbai police cyber division on July 15 about the said page, which regularly posts pictures of girls adult and minor with a caption saying they are looking for friends and those interested should leave a message in the comments section.
Ms Sayyed visited the page out of curiosity in July and saw that the page was uploading such pictures. She immediately took to Mumbai polices Twitter handle to report the matter, along with a link to the Facebook page. Within minutes, the polices Twitter team replied saying the complaint had been forwarded to the cyber police station and they would take cognisance of it. Unfortunately, the swift move eventually lost pace and the cyber police did not follow the complaint further.
Mumbai police spokesperson Deepak Devraj said, The police will take necessary action, and we will look into why the case has not been pursued further. The Facebook page in question will be scanned for objectionable content.
Meanwhile, Ms Sayyed said, Firstly, I reported the matter out of pure concern as I too have a daughter and sisters at home. I am sure these pictures are posted without the girls consent. Would any 15-year-old post a picture of herself asking people to connect with her for a naughty chat?
One may fault the BJP and the Left parties for many things, but dynastic politics is not one of them.
The family becoming central in a democracy is anathema to its very concept. The defining feature of monarchy is that one gets the highest position by the virtue of family, not talent or toil. But the distinction between monarchy and democracy is now wearing off and a monarchical form of democracy is being practised with the placebo of elections trying to confer legitimacy as the electorate doesnt seem too bothered either.
Amid the raging debate over dynastic politics, Rahul Gandhi is likely to take over as Congress president soon. What he said at the University of California at Berkeley is apposite that dynasty is the hallmark of Indian politics. But there are some happy exceptions. One may fault the BJP and the Left parties for many things, but dynastic politics is not one of them.
In 2005, during the Jharkhand Assembly polls, I interviewed Shibu Soren and asked him about the putra moh that he was accused of, to which he gave an ingenuous reply: Putra moh nahin hoga to aur kaun moh hoga? (If someone doesnt have attachment to his son, what other attachments will they have?) He didnt go into the sophistry that its the people who elect leaders like Farooq Abdullah, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Karunanidhi, Parkash Singh Badal, and many others brazened it out by throwing the ball into the peoples court. Its the same Lalu/Mulayam who earlier used to spit fire against the Nehru-Gandhi clan over dynastic politics.
The genesis of dynastic politics goes back to the freedom movement era when Motilal Nehru was succeeded as Congress president by his son Jawharlal in 1929. The succession was well-orchestrated by Motilal who projected his son for the post when, in 1928, a debate was going on inside the Congress over whether the partys reins should be retained by the old guard or be handed over to young, energetic leaders. Motilal projected his son for the Congress presidency. Initially, Mahatma Gandhi wasnt in favour of Jawaharlal, and instead suggested Motilal should take over. On June 19, 1928, Gandhi wrote to Motilal: Sen Gupta writes to me saying that I should move the Gujarat Provincial Congress Committee to vote for you (Motilal) as the president of the coming Congress... Perhaps it is not yet time for Jawahar to occupy the throne... Sen Gupta suggests Malviyaji as an alternative. Motilal wrote back to Gandhi on July 11, 1928: I am clear that the hero of the hour is Vallabhbhai and the least we can do to appreciate his public service is to offer him the crown. Failing him, I think that under all the circumstances Jawahar would be the next best choice. Our race is fast dying out, and the struggle will sooner or later have to be continued by men of Jawahars type. The sooner they begin the better.
So it was written all over his face that he wanted the top post for his son. However, at the Calcutta Congress (December 1928), he took over as president and was succeeded by Jawaharlal at the Lahore Congress in 1929. The succession was smooth as the foundation work was done by the doting father.
After his election, Jawaharlal was taken around the city in a carriage pulled by Congress workers, and Motilal was one of them to give the support of his shoulder to the carriage. In fact, he groomed his son for the top post in a very calculated way. In those days, Congress leaders moved around with long pieces of cloth spread out to collect funds. When Jawaharlal went on the mission, the mobilisation was huge. The fact was that Motilal deployed his own people with heavy amounts in different parts of the city to be dropped in his sons kitty. It created an impression about Jawaharlals soaring popularity.
Jawaharlal continued the tradition after becoming Prime Minister and gave important positions to his sister and cousins Vijayalakshmi, B.K. Nehru, Ratan Nehru. Then Indira Gandhi was made Congress president in 1959. Mahavir Tyagi protested against it when her name was mooted in a letter to Jawaharlal Nehru dated January 31, 1959, asking him to stop Indira from becoming president, or else he (Nehru) should step down as PM. Nehru replied that her election would be quite appropriate for various reasons. Indira Gandhi went a step further and did away with the system of party elections in the early 1970s, that was revived by P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1992, but it was more to sideline the Nehru-Gandhi family loyalists than to restore internal democracy in the party. Sitaram Kesri was the last elected president, who was ousted unceremoniously in 1998 when Sonia Gandhi took over without an election, and continues as such till this date. Now it has to be seen if Rahul Gandhi prefers an election or comes through the backdoor.
Unfortunately, most political parties in India are functioning like single proprietor firms having one supremo, not subject to any law. The Constitution recognised political parties for the first time in 1985, when the anti-defection law came into force, creating Schedule X. Apart from it, there is no law to regulate them. The Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2002), headed by Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, recommended the enactment of some laws to regulate them. But no action has been taken so far. In the United States and Canada, progressive movements in the first two decades of the last century brought an end to parties high command culture by enacting suitable laws. In the US, party members decide on candidates in every election senatorial, gubernatorial or presidential. If India can also make appropriate laws to end the supremo culture, it will be the death knell for dynastic politics.
Trump tried to offer consolation and called for unity -- an act that has become a grim rite of passage for modern US presidents.
US President Donald Trump said he has directed flags to be flown at half-staff in memory of victims of shooting. (Photo: AP)
Washington: President Donald Trump condemned the massacre of at least 59 Las Vegas concert goers as an "act of pure evil" Monday, but refrained from addressing calls for gun control or the motives for the worst mass shooting in recent US history.
Delivering televised remarks, Trump tried to offer consolation and called for unity -- an act that has become a grim rite of passage for modern US presidents.
Barack Obama wept as he tried to soothe the nation after the 2012 Sandy Hook primary school shooting, George W. Bush told Americans that the "nation grieves" after a similar outrage at Virginia Tech university.
Trump ordered that flags be flown at half-staff until sunset Friday, offered prayers for the victims and announced he would visit Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Later, he led White House staff on the South Lawn for a moment of silence.
"In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one -- and it always has," Trump said.
Police have identified the gunman behind the Sunday night massacre -- which injured more than 500 people -- as a 64-year-old former accountant named Stephen Craig Paddock, who killed himself before a SWAT team breached his 32nd floor hotel room.
Investigators recovered at least 16 guns, including assault rifles, from Paddock's room at the Mandalay Bay, and another 18 firearms along with bomb-making materials at one of his two homes.
Officials have reacted cautiously to an Islamic State group claim that Paddock was a "soldier of the caliphate" but while his motive remained unclear, the shooting instantly rekindled the divisive national debate on gun control.
- 'Right to bear arms' -
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that now was not the time for politics, a tactic frequently used by gun advocates to diffuse public outrage.
"There's a time and place for a political debate, but now is the time to unite as a country," said Sanders.
Trump insisted, "our unity cannot be shattered by evil. Our bonds cannot be broken by violence."
But in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, that unity was difficult to find.
Trump's vanquished election rival Hillary Clinton hit out at the gun manufacturers lobby -- the National Rifle Association -- which has backed a congressional push to make it easier to obtain a gun silencer.
"The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots. Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer," tweeted Clinton, whose Democratic Party has tried in vain to introduce lasting gun control measures.
"Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again."
There have already been over 270 mass shootings in the United States this year alone, according to www.massshootingtracker.org, although the exact definition is contested.
Gun violence accounts for more than 33,000 deaths each year in the United States, and according to the latest Gallup poll, 55 percent of American voters would like to see stricter rules for buying guns.
But the issue is highly sensitive and Trump's own views have changed markedly over his years in public life.
After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, where 20 six and seven-year old children and six adults were mowed down by a disturbed 20-year-old, Trump appeared to favor stricter rules.
Back then, his predecessor Obama -- who often called Sandy Hook the worst moment of his eight year presidency -- called for the deadlock to be broken and for Congress to act.
At that time Trump tweeted: "President Obama spoke for me and every American in his remarks in #Newtown Connecticut."
But since then Trump -- whose White House bid was endorsed by the NRA -- has positioned himself as a defender of the constitutional "right to keep and bear arms."
The NRA donated an estimated $30 million to Trump's campaign in 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
US Senator Chris Murphy, who was the congressman for Sandy Hook, renewed a call for action in the wake of the Las Vegas attack.
"This must stop. It is positively infuriating that my colleagues in Congress are so afraid of the gun industry that they pretend there aren't public policy responses to this epidemic," he said.
Police said the attack was carried out by Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old retired accountant.
A police officer runs along a sidewalk near a shooting near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, Sunday (Photo: AP)
Las Vegas: Investigators have so far found no connection between international terrorist groups and a mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed at least 58 people and injured more than 500, an FBI special agent said on Monday.
The Islamic State group, through its propaganda arm, had earlier claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming the shooter was a recently converted soldier.
Police said the attack was carried out by Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old retired accountant.
As this event unfolds we have determined to this point no connection with an international terrorist group, said Aaron Rouse, the special agent in charge of the Las Vegas office of the FBI.
Meanwhile, the deadly attack on concertgoers in Las Vegas has prompted a debate about security measures at hotels and open-air venues, but little could have been done to prevent Sunday's carnage, experts say.
The challenges lie in part in the difficulty of imposing harsh policies on places and events meant for fun and relaxation, and foiling a perpetrator bent on bloodshed.
"This was an unpreventable incident, period," said Patrick Brosnan, a former NYPD detective who now runs a private security firm called Brosnan Risk Consultants.
Brosnan and several other security experts interviewed by AFP said the shooting at a country music festival that left at least 59 people dead and more than 500 injured underscored the difficulty for law enforcement to stay one step ahead of someone planning such attacks.
The gunman, retired accountant Stephen Paddock, 64, shot at concertgoers from a room on the 32nd floor of the nearby Mandalay Bay hotel before killing himself, police said.
His motive was not immediately known.
"The ironic part of this thing is that security in Vegas is actually very good but with a halfway creative mind and a means to do something in a free country, it causes issues like this," said Tegan Broadwater, president and founder of Tactical Systems Network, a security consultancy firm based in Texas.
He said Paddock probably very easily sneaked his arsenal -- which included at least 16 rifles and ammunition -- into his room given relatively lax security measures at hotels.
"It would actually be very simple for anyone to get into a hotel on any typical day with that kind of armament because hotels don't usually vet the type of baggage that's being brought in," Broadwater told AFP. "You usually pull up to a concierge, you load your bags and you wheel them up to your room."
Any radical changes in security at hotels in Las Vegas -- a gambling hub that attracts some 43 million visitors annually -- are unlikely to be put in place for fear of driving away tourists, the experts said.
"Hotels and casinos have to find a fine balance between security and staying a welcoming place," said Jason Porter, vice president of Pinkerton, a risk management services company.
Brosnan said should hotels in Las Vegas adopt stringent security protocols that include metal detectors and searching guests' luggage, which would likely impact the region's tourism industry which generated nearly $60 billion in economic activity in 2016, according to a study by Las Vegas-based Applied Analysis.
More than 90 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every day, a daily toll of heartbreak and tragedy in communities across the US.
At least 59 people were killed and more than 500 wounded in Las Vegas shooting in US (Photo: AP)
Washington: Indian-American lawmakers have called for changes in the gun control laws in the US, as they condemned the Las Vegas mass shooting, the deadliest in the countrys modern history which claimed nearly 60 lives.
Gun violence is a public health crisis that has claimed thousands of innocent lives and the Congress must do everything it can to address it, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said, hours after a gunman opened fire on a large crowd during a music concert in Las Vegas.
The American people are tired of being outraged, sending thoughts and prayers, seeing men, women and children die because the gun lobby does put profit over people, Jayapal said during her speech on the floor of the US House of Representatives on Monday.
That is not what our founders intended by the right to bear arms, the first-time lawmaker from Washington State said, as she joined several of her Congressional colleagues calling for changes in gun control laws.
With rights come responsibilities: the responsibility to stop gun sales loopholes, to enact protections that make sure our children and those with severe mental illnesses dont have access to guns, to address funding for mental health, and to oppose any efforts to make it easier to purchase silencers, Jayapal said.
The first ever Indian-American women elected to the House of Representatives said 87% of gun owners and 74% of NRA members support those commonsense solutions like criminal background checks.
I have a plea for gun owners across this country: Urge the non-resident aliens (NRA) to represent your views. Show them that you mean business by speaking out or even terminating your NRA membership. Show that you care about your fellow Americans, she said.
She added: Act now. Enough is enough.
The Las Vegas shooting on Sunday night, in which at least 59 people were killed and more than 500 wounded, has rekindled the debate on gun control laws in the US.
Nearly 12,000 Americans have been killed by guns in 273 mass shootings in 2017 so far one incident for each day, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a not-for-profit corporation that tracks gun-related violence in the US.
On an average, more than 90 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every day, a daily toll of heartbreak and tragedy in communities across the US.
Other Indian-American Congressmen too joined Jayapal in condemning the incident.
No community should have to fear going to the movies, a concert, or dropping their child off at school, said Ami Bera, the three-term Congressman from California.
In the wake of this tragedy, I hope well all be able to take the time to look for the helpers and that each of us, in our own way, will seek to help our nation heal, move forward, and work to prevent similar tragedies, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democrat Congressman from 8th district Illinois, said.
We must end this senseless violence, said Congressman Ro Khanna, Democrat Congressman from 17th district California.
In a statement, UNITED SIKHS condemned the senseless act of terror.
Its volunteers have teamed with Gurdwaras, where shelter, hot meals (langar) and other assistance is being offered to all who may need it.
Sikh taxi drivers are volunteering to drive people to their destinations safely, it said
Tillerson said on Saturday during a trip to China that the United States was directly communicating with North Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, celebrates what was said to be the test launch of an intermediate range Hwasong-12 missile at an undisclosed location in North Korea. (Photo: AP)
Washington: The White House on Monday ruled out talks with North Korea except to discuss the fate of Americans held there, again appearing to rebuke Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who said Washington was directly communicating with Pyongyang on its nuclear and missile programs.
Weve been clear that now is not the time to talk, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters, reiterating a tweet from President Donald Trump at the weekend that was seen as undercutting Tillerson.
The only conversations that have taken place were that ... would be on bringing back Americans who have been detained, Sanders said. Beyond that, there will be no conversations with North Korea at this time.
Tillerson said on Saturday during a trip to China that the United States was directly communicating with North Korea on its nuclear and missile programs but that Pyongyang had shown no interest in dialogue.
Trump, who has traded insults and threats with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in recent weeks, later dismissed any prospect of talks with North Korea as a waste of time.
I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful secretary of state, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man, Trump wrote on Twitter, using his sarcastic nickname for Kim.
Save your energy, Rex, well do what has to be done! Trump wrote.
It was not the first time the White House and State Department have seemed at odds on policy issues, but when asked if Trump still had confidence in Tillerson as secretary of state, Sanders said: He does.
A senior administration official said Tillerson misspoke.
I think it was just him misspeaking. He was just acknowledging the fact that we do have channels and we might have reason to talk if North Koreas behavior changes sometime down the road, the official said.
Dialogue With North Korea?
Tillerson said in Beijing that the United States had multiple direct channels of communication with Pyongyang and that it was probing North Korea to see if it was interested in dialogue.
The top US diplomat expressed hope for reducing tensions with North Korea, which is fast advancing toward its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US mainland.
We are probing, so stay tuned, Tillerson told a small group of reporters. We ask: Would you like to talk?' He said the United States had a couple of, three, channels, open to Pyongyang.
Another US official said Tillerson may have overstated the status of US lines of communication with North Korea for the benefit of his Chinese hosts, who have been pushing the Trump administration to do more to lure Pyongyang to the negotiating table.
Trump has vowed to halt North Koreas nuclear ambitions and tensions have escalated in recent months, with Pyongyang conducting its sixth and largest nuclear test on Sept. 3. It has also threatened to test a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific.
The fate of Americans held in North Korea is also a bone of contention. The Trump administration has demanded North Korea release three US citizens it has detained: missionary Kim Dong Chul and academics Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song.
The Trump White House and State Department have taken to divergent stances on other foreign policy issues.
When a dispute over Qatar erupted this year, Trump strongly backed Gulf Arab leaders who accuse Qatar of supporting Iran as well as Islamist militants. Trump accused Qatar of being a high-level funder of terrorism even as the Pentagon and Tillerson cautioned against the military, commercial and humanitarian effects of a boycott imposed by Arab states.
Months into the dispute, Trump adopted a position more in line with that of the State Department.
Asif while speaking in a show on Geo News, made his statement in an attempt to rebut External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj UNGA speech.
Islamabad: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "terrorist, who has the blood of Muslims on his hands."
Asif, who was speaking in a show on Geo News, made his statement in an attempt to rebut External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who recently ripped into Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for supporting and exporting terror.
"Sushma Swaraj has accused us (Pakistan) of exporting terrorism. (However) one terrorist (in India) is the country's prime minister himself. He (Modi) has the blood of Muslims murdered in Gujarat on his hands," Asif made the statement, while talking to Geo News's Hamid Mir.
India is being "ruled by a terrorist party - the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)," Asif further said.
These remarks have come after Sushma Swaraj ripped apart Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and said India has risen despite being the principal destination of Pakistan's nefarious export of terrorism.
"India has risen despite being the principal destination of Pakistan's nefarious export of terrorism. There have been many governments under many parties during 70 years of Indian freedom, for we have been a sustained democracy," Swaraj had said while addressing the 72nd UNGA session in New York.
"Every government has done its bit for India's development. We have marched ahead consistently without pause, in education, health and across the range of human welfare. We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world," she added.
A telegram signed by Card. Parolin to the bishop of Las Vegas. Condolences of South Korean President and Chinese Xi Jinping. 59 people killed and more than 500 injured. The killer is a 64 year old man, very rich, maybe a psychopath. The Islamic State claims the attack, but claim without foundations.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis is "spiritually close" to all those who have been targeted in the "senseless tragedy" of Las Vegas, where the 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock (photo No. 3) committed a massacre killing participants at a concert leaving 59 dead and over 500 wounded. In a telegram sent yesterday to the Bishop of Las Vegas, Msgr. Joseph Anthony Pepe and signed by the Secretary of State card. Pietro Parolin, the Pontiff, "appreciates the efforts of the police and the staff of emergency services," who immediately intervened, and "offers the promise of his prayers for the wounded and all those who are dead, entrusting them to the merciful love of almighty God ".
Among the first in Asia to send telegrams of condolence, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, "representing the Korean people," expressed his "deepest condolences for the tragic and horrible" incident. "Such violence that causes so many innocent victims is to be condemned and cannot be justified by any reason."
"Profound condolences to the victims" and "closeness to the US government and the people" were also expressed in a message sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping as well as sincere solicitude to those wounded
The author of the massacre opened fire on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, overlooking the area where the concert was taking place. The police found 23 types of rifles and machine guns in the hotel room. The killer had 19 weapons and more explosives at his home.
Investigators are still attempting to discover the motives for the massacre, the bloodiest in the recent US history. Although the Islamic State has claimed the assassination, saying that Paddock converted to Islam a few months ago, law enforcement agencies have found no elements linking him to the network of international terrorism.
Paddock was a wealthy resident of Mesquite, 130 miles from where the massacre took place, he loved hunting and gambling. According to his brother, he has never shown signs of wanting to commit suicide. There could be the influence of his father, a bank robber, once among the 10 most wanted men in America, defined as a psychopath. After carrying out the massacre, Paddock committed suicide before the police arrived.
The country has been in mourning for the past year. King Bhumibol was the longest reigning monarch in the world. About 250,000 people will take part in the funeral. Groups of dissidents could cause disruptions.
Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) Two days before the deadline for paying tribute to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the number of Thais paying their respect before the Royal Urn at the Bangkok's Great Palace topped 12 million.
As the year of mourning comes to an end, preparations are underway across the country for the royal funeral (25-29 October) and the cremation ceremony (26 October) of the late sovereign.
King Bhumibol, 88, was the longest reigning monarch in the world. After his death on 13 October 2016, massive public demonstrations of sorrow followed. Many Thais chose to wear black or white for the duration of mourning.
Very popular with ordinary Thais, he was the symbol of national unity and protector of all religions.
The Royal Household Bureau reported today that about 12.5 million mourners visited the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the past 334 days. Thursday is the final day for public viewing.
The deadline had been set for 30 September, but the new king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, ordered postponement because of the great number of visitors and outpouring of devotion. Donations made in the late kings honour now total Bt 870,377,871 (US$ 26 million)
Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered tighter security measures before and during the various ceremonies, after intelligence sources reported that dissident groups might try to cause disruptions. About 250,000 people are expected at the funeral service at Saman Luang Square.
Although vast, the Royal Crematorium will not be able to accommodate everyone who wishes to attend. For this reason, the government has approved the erection of replicas in 85 sites around the country.
by Christopher Sharma
The festival of Dashain is currently underway in the Himalayan nation. The number of people trying to join the retreat outstripped capacity. For the apostolic vicar to Nepal, the Churchs service to the community is reflected in those who decide to follow Jesus as the ideal of life.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) Whilst Hindus celebrate the festival of Dashain, amid protests by animal rights activists opposed to ritual slaughter, more than 100 young Catholics and non-Catholics are taking part in a three-day spiritual retreat in Godavari, 30 km northwest of Kathmandu, until tomorrow.
The Church's service to society is "reflected in the interest shown by non-Catholics in joining our community, said Mgr Paul Simick, apostolic vicar to Nepal. Hundreds of young people visit our churches and follow Jesus as an ideal in their lives."
"We are happy to see this growing interest among young non-Catholics," noted Richard Rai, parish priest of the Assumption Cathedral.
Fears that few people would participate were dissipated quickly by the arrival of large numbers of applicants. "We were forced to turn away people because we could not handle more than a hundred."
"Initially, we were expecting 30-40 participants," said Fr Robin Rai, head of the pastoral centre. "At present, we have more than 100. We are adapting to numbers beyond our means. It is good news that so many people want to join our community and seek conversion."
The clergymen plans to repeat the event for those who could not attend this time.
Regina KC, a young woman who attended the retreat, said she was grateful to God for this opportunity. "We praise Jesus, read the Bible, sing the hymns, and speak to each other on how to reach other friends who are in need but do not know Jesus. I want to be a missionary who in every society spreads the need for Jesus to achieve peace, solidarity and respect."
Ethnic Kachin, Chin and Naga endure suffering. Religious discrimination is in some cases even institutionalised. Christians are seen as the expression of a foreign religion, outside of the nationalist view. For years the military regime has applied stringent discriminatory measures.
Yangon (AsiaNews) The humanitarian crisis that touches Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State is not the only of its kind in Myanmar. Religious freedom and human rights violations by the military, Buddhist nationalist movements and ethnic Burmese affect also other ethnic minorities in other parts of the country.
All these groups share the same suffering, but have not received the same media coverage or attention by the international community as the Rohingya struggling along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.
This is the case of the Kachin (north), Chin (west) and Naga (north-west), ethnic groups with large Christian communities that have been persecuted for decades.
By exploiting the Buddhist roots of the countrys culture, Myanmars military regime has for years discriminated against Christians, seen as the expression of a foreign religion contrary to its "one nation, one race, and one religion" policy.
Many of these measures are still in force and anti-Church bias is strong even though the latter has been present in the country for more than 500 years.
In Myanmar all Christian communities are subject to restrictions on land acquisition for religious purposes. Military bureaucratic procedures prevent the release of permits to communities. Just to have a place to worship, some Christians are forced to use private properties or homes.
In predominantly Buddhist areas, especially in the strongholds of Ma Ba Tha's ultra-nationalist monks, it is almost impossible for Christians to gather together. At the same time, the government spends public money to build pagodas and monasteries, part of its policy of promoting and spreading Buddhism.
In December 2016, a report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom of the (USCIRF) highlighted some of the worst episodes of intimidation and violence against Christians in the Asian country.
These violations include forced transfers, destruction of cemeteries, attacks on places of worship, and the ongoing campaign of forced conversions and brainwashing, which takes place in schools funded by the government in border regions, particularly in areas inhabited by ethnic Chin and Naga. Another common practice is the unjustified grab by local authorities of resource-rich land.
In Kachin areas, violations of religious freedom are intertwined with the ongoing conflict between armed groups and government forces. The military routinely occupies churches and summons entire congregations for mass interrogations and indiscriminate arrests. Very often the faithful and clergymen are considered allies of the rebels and therefore punished.
Myanmars powerful Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) have devastated, damaged, and destroyed many places of worship. With almost total impunity, the former continue to commit serious human rights abuses such as sexual violence inside church compounds and the torture of clergymen, believers and ordinary citizens.
In Kachin, after more than five years of conflict, more than 120,000 people have been forced to flee and live in desperate conditions, waiting to return. As long as the conflict endures, there is no real prospect for internally displaced Kachin to return to a situation of security and dignity.
Religious discrimination is in some cases institutionalised. Kachin, Naga, and Chin Christian public servants and others employed by the government are usually overlooked for promotion in favour of Buddhists.
When Christians hold government positions, they face sanctions if they do not support Buddhist initiatives. In some cases, the authorities take contributions from Christian civil servants salaries for Buddhist activities. In the Chin State, government employees are also forced to work on Sundays, without compensation.
Buddhism, though not officially, is considered Myanmars state religion. The military, whose power is not subject to the control of civil authority, has stressed the religions "special position" and stands as the defender of Burmese culture and tradition.
Over the years, this has led to deep rifts between the countrys various ethno-religious groups. This, in turn, has allowed the Armed Forces to reiterate their power.
With her victory in the November 2015 elections, Myanmars Democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi began a difficult process of pacification and national reconciliation.
by Vladimir Rozanskij
The new orthodox cathedral consecrated in Tashkent. In Samarcanda, the patriarch visited the tomb of the prophet Daniel, worshiped by Christians and Muslims. In the country there are 2239 religious communities of 16 different confessions, with at least 50 Orthodox churches. Lukashenko proposes a new meeting between Pope Francis and Kirill in Minsk.
Moscow (AsiaNews) - On October 1, Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow Kirill (Gundjaev) made an official visit to Uzbekistan to celebrate the 145th anniversary of the establishment of the Orthodox Eparchy of Tashkent, the capital of Central Asia's most populous nation. The Russians have close ties with the Turkish-Mongolian populations of these countries, who from rulers at the time of the Tatars, were dominated by Russians in the 19th century and Soviet times, with Uzbekistan being one of the 15 republics of the USSR.
The Russian minority, almost 2 million out of 27 million people, is the most important in size after the Uzbek people, and alongside ethnicities from other countries. It is an important part of the "Russian world" for which the Moscow Patriarchate is pastorally responsible outside its own borders, and is largely found in the former Soviet republics where an intense Russification policy was conducted . At the official ceremony held in the Turkestan Palace in Tashkent, the head of the Russian Church met with the widow of President Islom Karimov, who led the country from the end of the Soviet Union until his death just a year ago, and his successor Shavkat Mirziyoyev , elected last December after serving as long-time prime minister and Karimovs main right hand man.
The previous day, visiting the historic city of Samarkand, the patriarch knelt before the relics of the prophet Daniel, located in a city mausoleum and revered by Christians and Muslims. According to local tradition, the prophet inspired preacher Kusama ibn Abbas, protagonist of the city's conversion to Islam.
Good relations between Orthodox and Muslims
During the visit, Kirill praised the good relations between the local orthodox and the Muslim majority, inviting the people of the country to safeguard peace in interreligious relationships and to be an example for all. "This capacity for reciprocity is not easy to maintain," said the patriarch during the consecration of the new Tashkent cathedral - "in many countries there are bloody conflicts between religions, which complicate coexistence in society... That is why we must to have particular regard for the social and inter-religious cohesion of a country where religions learn to cooperate with each other. "
According to government data, there are 2239 religious communities in Uzbekistan of 16 different confessions, including some fifty Orthodox churches.
Kirill acknowledged that this favourable condition would not be possible without the active support of the political institutions, guaranteeing equal opportunities for all confessions, orthodox as well as Muslims. This means that the Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian citizens of Uzbekistan not only actively participate in the life of society, but are also exemplary orthodox, showing the evangelical and dialogic face of the Christian faith. At the same time, in front of representatives of the Uzbek institutions, the patriarch pointed out that the Orthodox Church has no pretence of interfering in the political life of any country: "The testimony of faith in our Church - he said has never been an instrument to pressure or spread of our influence among people ... If we compare the orthodox mission to that of some Western confessions, which has often been accompanied by violence, oppression and pursuit of political ends, we have never attempted to affirm our faith on anyone, not even on our own faithful. "
There should be no hidden agendas in the witness of Orthodox faithful, which "would soon be discovered" and would contradict the Gospel. The Russian Church seeks only to assist its faithful, though "it is not a national community, nor a political order or a representative of another state." In it there is room for everyone, the patriarch has said, and it is ready to collaborate with any state and with its institutions. Kirill's words seemed to be addressed also to other countries, in particular the Ukraine, of the "enemy" Poroshenko, with whom there has been an ongoing exchange of accusations of interference that further poisons the conflict between the two Slavic countries Eastern.
Lukashenkos proposal
Meanwhile, just as Kirill visited Central Asia, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, leader of the third "orthodox" nation, said he was following the process of dialogue and collaboration between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic church. Speaking at the plenary of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE), which met recently in Minsk, Lukashenko recalled the 2016 Cuban meeting between Kirill and Francis, hoping it would be possible to repeat such a meeting in a place that is not too distant, maybe in Minsk. In Belarus, the collaboration between Orthodox and Catholics is very fruitful; the Catholic Church has nearly 2 million faithful out of 10 million inhabitants, over half of whom are Orthodox. For the president, Belarus is "the ideal country to discuss the problems of East and West, North and South and all over the planet."
The Holy See did not comment on Lukeshenko's proposal, but some Orthodox representatives agreed with the president. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict has also found space for mediation in the capital of the white Russia, with those "Minsk agreements" that have so far stopped the degeneration of the clashes, and which everyone wishes return to in order to finally reach a lasting peace.
Doan Thi Huong and Siti Aisyah claim they were part of a TV prank. They accuse North Korean agents repatriated following an agreement between Kuala Lumpur and Pyongyang. Tensions between North Korea and the United States remain high. US president discourages Secretary of State from holding talks. North Korea is preparing a new test and celebrations for the autumn festival.
Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews/Agencies) The two women charged with murdering Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, have pleaded not guilty as their trial in Malaysia got under way under tight security.
The two accused, 29-year-old Doan Thi Huong from Vietnam and 25-year-old Siti Aisyah (pictured) were arrested three days after the assassination. The two women were accused of rubbing Kim Jong-nam's face with a highly toxic nerve agent known as Vx agent, which overcame his central nervous system in just 20 minutes.
The two women are the only suspects in Malaysian custody for what South Korean intelligence calls a plot carried out by Pyongyang to assassinate the leader's brother, seen as a dissident.
If convicted, the defendants face the death penalty. They claim they were tricked by North Korean agents who told they were part of a TV prank.
Malaysian police said that four North Koreans involved in the plot left the country on the same day as the assassination. Three others were allowed to return to North Korea following a diplomatic agreement for the repatriation of nine Malaysians detained by Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, tensions between North Korea and the United States remain high. US President Donald Trump said yesterday that he has discouraged US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson from talking to North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme because it was a waste of time.
"I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man," Trump wrote on Twitter, using his nickname for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. "Save your energy Rex, we'll do what has to be done!"
In an apparent bid to ease the tensions, Tillerson said a day earlier that the US maintains channels of communication with Pyongyang and is not in a "dark situation, a blackout. [. . .] We can talk to them. We do talk to them," he told reporters.
As analysts announce a new provocative North Korean atomic test, Pyongyang is getting ready to celebrate Chuseok, Koreas traditional autumn festival, which this year falls on 4 October. However, whilst the holiday will last 10 days in South Korea, in the north it will be a one-day affair.
Since 1945, when the Korean Peninsula was divided after its liberation from Japan, the time-honoured celebration was not observed in the North until it was reinstated it in 1989. During this time, the traditional holiday was denounced as being "in breach of the manners of socialism".
Now Chuseok is one of North Korea's 18 national holidays, but it is observed in a much more modest way, as the communist regime puts more emphasis on the birthdays of North Korean founder Kim Il-sung on 15 April, and his successor Kim Jong-il on 16 February. Two-day holidays are given for those anniversaries.
(Daviles/Bigstock.com) (Daviles/Bigstock.com)
Structural changes to the visa system in Australia are on the horizon with the Government aiming to have well-targeted skilled migration policy that expands opportunities, improves living standards and increases productivity.Immigration Minister Peter Dutton believes that there is rising support for high skilled migration in the country and its system should be an example to the rest of the world that voters will accept immigrants if they believe the system is being run fairly.He indicated that immigration is a major issue, not just in Australia, but also the UK and the United States and said in a speech in London that research shows that taking control of Australia's borders has been a popular move.He told the audience at the offices of think tank the Policy Exchange in London that anti-migration sentiment has had a significant impact on the last three Australian elections, the Brexit referendum in the UK and the election of President Donald Trump in the US last year.He said it also has had an impact on the rise of anti-migration parties in Europe including in last week's German election and he believes that a key driver is 'the very high level of irregular migration across the world today'.He spoke about how support for migration actually remains relatively strong in Australia and indeed has strengthened over recent years and pointed out that a survey last year by the Australian Scanlon Foundation showed broad support for migration of 59% and even higher for skilled and family reunion migration.'I think there are three basic explanations for Australia's situation. The first is that migration is intrinsic to our national identity as much as it is to our economic fortune and is widely seen as such,' said Dutton.'Secondly, that public support cannot be taken for granted. Secure borders are fundamental to a well-managed and truly compassionate migration programme that is capable of securing public backing.'And thirdly, migration policy cannot be set and forget, it must be constantly adjusted. Australian Governments, if not of course all Governments, have a duty to ensure that migration works first and foremost for its citizens, not just the migrants themselves,' he added.He told the audience that around two thirds of Australia's annual planning ceiling of 190,000 permanent places is filled by skilled migrants. 'Properly managed and well-targeted skilled migration expands opportunities, improves living standards, increases productivity and helps our country to reduce the budget deficit, Dutton said.He pointed out that skilled migration makes Australia more internationally competitive and has helped achieve more than 20 years of uninterrupted economic growth. The Migration Council of Australia estimates migration will add $1.6 trillion to Australia's GDP and 16% to workforce participation by 2050.Dutton also pointed out that temporary migration is also increasingly important and Australia's Productivity Commission expects migration to add another 13 million people to the population by 2060.'The Commission advises the gains will depend on having a system that attracts younger migrants who are more skilled. And it advises that we need to get our social, economic, environmental, and I would argue at the top of that list, security policy settings right,' Dutton said.'This is why the Australian Government is adjusting its migration and border policies to counter threats to Australia's security to meet the reasonable expectation of Australians that migrants share and uphold our values and laws and ensuring skilled migration serves our national interest.Foreign workers, including from the United Kingdom, are of course still welcome and able to be employed in Australia where there is a genuine need for their skills. Indeed Australia remains committed to a migration programme that is biased towards skilled migration that meets the needs of Australia and its people,' he added.
Ford has begun coordinating the development of its electrified vehicle initiative by setting up an internal team known as "Team Edison" as it begins rolling out 13 electrified vehicles in the next five years, according to a company spokesperson.
The team will focus on battery-electric vehicles and will be able to help the company move more quickly, according to the company.
Ford is investing $4.5 billion and will introduce the 13 electrified vehicles in various global markets. In the U.S., Ford will offer two hybrid police vehicles, including the Police Responder Hybrid Sedan; the F-150 Hybrid pickup; the Mustang Hybrid; and a fully electric small SUV. Ford will also offer the Transit Custom plug-in hybrid in Europe.
Team Edison will include a new dedicated central team responsible for global profit and loss, strategy, planning, product development, marketing and advanced manufacturing. The team will orchestrate work with existing electrification teams in the regional business units and with engineering teams already working on Ford electrified vehicles, according to the company.
How our readers feel
TBC Media posed the question on Facebook: Do events like the mass shooting at a concert in Las Vegas affect whether or not you go to public events? Here are some answers.
Raymond Paul West: "No, it will not affect whether or not I go out, because, rationally, statistically, the probability of something like this happening to ME is still very small at this point. The real issue for me is the disturbing reality that yet another mass murder means to the concept of "America." Nowhere else in the world does this kind of thing happen so regularly. And given the right events and environment, it could balloon to the point we may all be in danger on a larger scale, a frightening and real possibility."
Angelica Torres: "Whether or not I'd like to admit it, it's something that sits in the back of my mind. I still go out and do things, but with a tinge of paranoia. I know our mindsets are all to combat fear, but it gets harder to feel confident in having a good time when bigger events are becoming targets."
Jennifer Savoeun: "It used to, but I'm at a point in my life where I refuse to allow the cowardly acts of others to control my life. We are all appointed a date with death and though that may come sooner than it should for many, I know what waits for me when my time in this world is over so I will enjoy my time here."
Chandra Beaty: "Personally, you cant live life in fear or youre not living. Be aware of your surroundings the best you can but enjoy life. You never know when your bell will ring to take you home."
Carrie Hinde Eveland: "I don't let it affect whether or not I go anywhere, but it does cross my mind while I'm at the events. I was in the cramped and steep cheap seats for Tim & Faith on Saturday and it crossed my mind that if there was an emergency I'd be in big trouble."
Destiny Hallver: "Hell yeah, it does! I've grown so scared and I'm always in fear... I panic ANYTIME I'm in a crowd of people. My heart starts racing, my palms get sweaty, and I freak out!"
Tarra Huffman-Smith: "It will make me more aware of my surroundings, but I'm going to a concert on Friday. I'm not going to allow the crazies to keep me home."
Raymond Carmichael: "No, I dont get fearful of the society I live in. Trust of humanity is still greater than my fear of death."
Comments have been edited for clarity and grammar
Forethought and planning are obviously critical steps when companies consider new plant construction or renovations to existing facilities. Location, physical size, products, markets, potential for growth and many other factors cram the agenda. Pepperidge Farm was no different in 1987 when it built a new bakery in Lakeland, FL.
The expertise and knowledge Pepperidge gained from that project and the new plant startup in 2003 at Bloomfield, CT, allowed the quick and efficient expansion of the Lakeland bakery during 2008.
When it opened the now 320,000-sq-ft Lakeland plant, Pepperidge ran three cookie lines,a Goldfish-brand cracker line, a bread line producing 1-lb loaf bread, a roll line and a hearth line. But forethought from management anticipated up to nine production lines at the facility. Although cookie production was transferred to other Pepperidge facilities in the mid-1990s, infrastructure for these lines was only decommissioned, not removed. Benefits from this action were the companys later ability to add a Goldfish cracker line and move production of its Distinctive variety crackers in-house from contract packers.
The plant currently runs one line producing Distinctive variety crackers, which are distributed across the country. It is the only Pepperidge plant producing this product. Its single Goldfish cracker line focuses on Flavor Blasted varieties. Together, biscuit operations occupy about one-half of the available production space.
As demographics in Florida changed over the years, so did the demand for fresh bread.It got to the point where we were out of capacity on the original line here in Lakeland, said Gary Tarr, plant manager.
Production was soon supplemented by its sister plant in Aiken, SC.
Pepperidge plants do not complete with one another for territory, technology or people, certainly not in a destructive sense, said Dave Watson, former vice-president of engineering at Pepperidge, now vice-president of engineering international and bakery technology at Campbell Soup Company (Pepperidge Farms parent company).
That is a big deal for Pepperidge Farm, Mr. Watson said. Its a culture to do the right thing for the company. We have a shared mission and a cooperative mandate. The needs of company come first versus needs of any one plant.
Both men noted that although the company has a centralized decision-making structure, the plants work together to deliver their commitments. Plants work with each other. Of course, each has its own goals and budgets, but we make it work, Mr. Tarr said. We never say no to another plants needs.
COLLECTIVE DECISION.
Over time, it became apparent that the Florida bread market was on a long growth ascent, and the Aiken plant had its own market to supply. Volume rose to the point that a second bread line was justified at Lakeland.
As the plan to increase bread capacity went forward, best practices and cooperative mandates were at its core. Lakeland was originally designed to be the most automated bakery in the US. However, the desired technology level was ahead of its time, according to Mr. Watson. It was the first plant built by Pepperidge in 10 years, and it had its share of challenges and went through several modifica- tions throughout its early history to run smoothly.
The Denver, PA, plant was next in succession, followed by Bloomfield, CT. We learned a lot from each of these major projects, and technology advanced to a point that it was much more in line with the bakeries capabilities, Mr. Watson added.
We studied the bread operations at Bloomfield and Denver, compared with the methods used here, Mr. Tarr said. While similar in concept as bread production goes mixing, moulding, proofing, baking we were using high-speed mixing in small batches, while the other plants used horizontal mixing techniques. This plant was in for a major change.
Lakeland was the last Pepperidge plant on the East Coast to use high-speed mixing. When the current project was complete, not only were Peerless horizontal mixers then installed on the plants original bread line but also at Denver as a parallel project. The Lakeland plant still uses two Stephan high-speed mixers for its roll line.
Bread demand and plans for new products prompted the company to go with a double line, which uses two mixers, two dividers, two rounders and two moulders to feed the oven. The new lines annual capacity is 31 million units, and it currently runs 210 lb per minute. Total capital investment for the line was $23 million.
The plant had a Winkler hearth line, but it was removed because of reduced product demand and to help accommodate the new line. The plant now has its original bread line, a roll line and the new bread line.
PLANNING AND EXECUTION.
During the planning stages of the new line, key Lakeland employees were sent to Bloomfield for training. There were high expectations to deliver the new line flawlessly, said Glenn Wright, manager of engineering and maintenance at Lakeland. That included vendor, engineering and project management.
Mr. Wright was involved in the Bloomfield startup, thereby bringing firsthand experience.Its been five years since the Bloomfield installation, he said. We learned a lot about high-speed bakery production lines at Bloomfield, but there have been advances in technology since then. This line is similar, but not identical, to the others.
Maintaining a similar project budget, delivering on time and doing it flawlessly was a challenge, and we, in turn, challenged the vendors, he continued. They all came through to get the project done as directed.
Project planners used experiences from Bloomfield to decide what to do and not to do and minimized risks wherever possible. For example, the original Bloomfield design included extrusion dividing while Lakeland decided to stick with traditional ram-and-knife systems. The plant also postponed installation of a fully automated pan handling system as used at Bloomfield but instead relies on Turkington APV stackers/unstackers. Bloomfield has 11 pan types, while the new line at Lakeland initially has only four.
Bread wrapping is another example of minimizing risk, said Jack Weinstein, corporate project engineer. Bloomfield uses flow wrappers a first in the industry for bread at the time. Here we went with UBE fin-seal, die-fold systems. The Lakeland inner wrap does not include easier opening fin-seal ends, but the die-fold systems are much easier for production.
Bread feeds long-edge-leading, so height and width variation have no negative effects on the procedure. You actually get a tighter, more custom-looking wrap by leading with the girth of the loaf, Mr. Weinstein added. With flow wrapping, there is, by nature of the wrapper, much tighter tolerance required on product variables because the bread has to flow through a fixed-dimension forming box where the wrapping material is formed around the loaf. The former has to be set for the tallest and widest acceptable dimensions, which leaves some loaves with loose inner wraps. It is still sealed and sanitary, just not as tight fitting. All Pepperidge bread items are inner wrapped and bagged.
Reimelt was a key vendor for ingredient handling when the plant was built, so it was a fairly easy decision to bring that supplier in on this project to tie into and expand the current system, according to Mr. Tarr. At Bloomfield, we use a Shick system, but for Lakeland it made sense to stay with the vendor that was already in place.
TILT OUT, RAMP UP.
One of the biggest challenges of the entire Lakeland project was how to complete all the improvements, physical expansion and installations without shutting down production on any of the other lines. Bloomfield, in comparison, was a greenfield project.
In addition to removing the hearth line, an additional 20,000 sq ft were needed to house the new line. Physical expansion required several steps. First, half of the bread side of the plant was isolated with a temporary floor-to-ceiling wall. Once it was in place, the hearth line was removed.
Forethought in the original structural engineering plans included tilt-panel construction for the walls. A 400-ft section of panels was tilted out and moved 45 ft outward from its original position, providing 20,000 sq ft of new space.
Infrastructure and utilities were extended and installed. Epoxy flooring was laid in the new section instead of the dairy brick used in the rest of the facility. Inner walls are a combination of insulated panel and block vs. block and tile found elsewhere in the plant.
Renovations and additions are always a bigger challenge than starting from ground zero, the managers agreed. Each manager was part of two of the three startups Lakeland, Denver or Bloomfield. Mr. Tarr was at Lakeland and Denver for both startups, and Mr. Wright helped open Bloomfield and Lakeland. Both noted that this latest project startup was the smoothest they ever experienced.
On the second day of mixing dough, we were able to run it through the entire line all the way through packaging, Mr. Tarr said. Thats unheard of. We had saleable product within 11 days. The first dough was mixed on June 2, and first-quality product shipped on June 13. Of course, a lot of stuff happened in those 11 days.
The line must be readied from a quality standpoint, Mr. Tarr added. It could have vendors still working or making adjustments to the equipment while we run dough. That product may look fine, but we wouldnt ship it because the quality may have been compromised. It took another two weeks to get fully comfortable with the line and process and get all the kinks worked out.
Full production started June 30. Management ran one shift until July 21 and then added a second shift. The new line requires 16 people to run and typically produces 21 SKUs daily.
DOUBLING UP.
Total bread output from the two lines at Lakeland went from 22 SKUs to 35. In addition to startup and qualifying existing products on the new line, the plant needed to learn 13 new products it had not previously run. All of that was going on during startup and addition of a second shift, Mr. Tarr said. We were fortunate we already had the knowledge and formulas within the Pepperidge Farm family, so we were able to incorporate that knowledge more quickly than other companies might.
New-line startup included Bloomfield supervisors and maintenance employees who all had very specific suggestions on modifications and adjustments. We would have figured it out eventually, recalled Mr. Tarr. But having people with the expertise and experience on hand facilitated a rapid and smooth startup. The sharing between the two plants was extremely valuable, and not every situation or company has this opportunity very often.
BREAD CAPABLE.
Each bread line uses four pan sets. Line No. 1 can run all products but now produces mainly 1-lb loaves as well as some 1.5-lb items and two lidded sandwich breads. Depending on the product running, the line uses either 4- or 5-strap pans.
Line No. 2, the new line, is much bigger with more throughput, thus it runs large-volume items. This includes mainly 1.5-lb products. All pan sets for this line are 6-strap. Both bread lines currently run two shifts, five days per week, so there is significant growth capacity.
Part of the installation included recommissioning silos, ingredient handling and flour brew capacity. The plant has eight 120,000-lb-capacity silos, of which seven are actively used today. Each feeds flour through Great Western Manufacturing in-line sifters as flour makes its way to mixing.
Bread production uses cream yeast, and two yeast tanks accommodate its flour brew formulation needs. Installation of the new bread line required increased capacity from the brew system, and Reimelt, which installed the entire ingredient handling system up to the mixers, modified the existing brew system and increased capacity by 50%.
Some of the improvements were a new 850-gal mix tank and additional fermentation tanks. Brew is stored in two cold-hold brew tanks 1,500 and 2,000 gal. This is sufficient for the two bread lines as well as the roll line. Reimelt installed a new blower system for flour feeds and a new minor and micro ingredient handling system. We also needed new mixers, Mr. Tarr said. The three Stephan mixers we installed for bread in 1987 were only 500-lb capacity. We now use four Peerless 2,500-lb mixers two for each bread line and two Stephans for rolls.
The bread process moves standard patent and wheat flours to day bins from which flour is pulled for use. These vessels are on load cells for more accurate weighment. Adjacent to the day bin area is a bag dump room for minor ingredients.
Additional forethought went into the layout of the new bread line. There is sufficient open space for expansion not only of the lines pan handling system, according to Mr. Wright, but also for down-the-road addition of a sheeting line for Swirl bread production.
Once raw materials are brought to the Peerless mixers, dough is mixed then dumped into a chunker hopper and dough elevator system situated on rails in front of the two mixers. Dough is chunked to the elevator and transported to an overhead conveyor that brings it to two Peerless 90-piece-per-minute dough dividers. These dividers can deliver up to 180 pieces per minute on soft white dough, but the large number of whole-grain bread varieties produced at Lakeland requires operation at reduced speeds to deliver consistent product quality, Mr. Wright said. The dual divider design also provides some redundancy that assures uninterrupted production.
After an intermediate proof, dough is moulded and deposited in the 6-strap pans, oiled using a Mallet pan oiler. A Turkington APV double-spiral continuous proofer moves pans through in about 60 minutes. Most of the new lines products have some treatment or topping applied, and a Burford splitter/topper system treats the panned dough according to product criteria. Pans then enter the 122-ft Turkington APV directgas-fired oven where loaves bake for 25 to 30 minutes at around 400F.
After baking, depanned product enters an I.J. White Multi-Pass dualspiral cooler. The cooling system enclosure incorporates fully insulated metal panel walls and ceiling. This energy efficient design is temperature- and humidity-controlled with filtered air. Product feeds in single file at the top of the first spiral working its way down the 20 tiers then up the second spiral. The single-file loaves then re-enter the first cooling spiral and travel back to the second spiral before exiting single file to slicing.
Once cooled, loaves are sliced on one of three AMF slicers, which feed the UBE overwrappers. All packaging lines are equipped with Safeline metal detectors and Heat and Control checkweighers. Overwrapped loaves feed either of the two Formost GT4 duallane bagging lines, which monitor and control product flow by electric eyes and diverter arms. Each bagger has a 90-loaf-per-minute capacity.
Finished product makes its way to the two Foodbotics robotic basket loading systems, which discharge full baskets to corresponding AMF basket stackers. Stacks of 17 baskets are discharged to waiting employees who move them to appropriate trucks that take the fresh product to distribution centers and depots throughout Florida.
By using loaf counters at strategic locations dividers, the depanner and basket loaders we not only track yield but also pinpoint areas of product loss, Mr. Wright pointed out. This information is used to focus improvement efforts on these areas and quickens our ability to improve operating efficiency.
Process yield improvement is critical to the long-term success of the line, Mr. Wright added. There were the nuts-and-bolts and physical issues related to a smooth startup, but then there are the efforts to continuously improve yield. These efforts continue far beyond the time first-quality product comes off the line.
For Pepperidge Farm and its Lakeland facility, knowledge, experience and dedicated employees are among its most valuable assets.
Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism.
GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here.
A 15-year-old Zephyrhills High School student is accused of forcing a 14-year-old girl into a campus bathroom to perform a sex act, according to the Pasco County Sheriffs Office.
Incident allegedly occurred on Sept. 19
Accused not being charged as adult
Suspect, alleged victim were known to each other
The alleged incident happened on Sept. 19 at the high school located at 6335 12th Street in Zephyrhills. We are not identifying the 15-year-old boy because he was not charged as an adult.
During a non-custodial interview, the teen admitted to guiding the victim into the bathroom against her will, but advised the sexual act was consensual, according to the report.
It didnt happen the way that he was charged with, said David Giles Sr., a family member of the suspect. This was all planned out between him and her. Something come up where the other kids found out about it and it got back to her parents and this is where it all started.
Deputies said another student witnessed the 15-year-old forcibly guide the victim into the bathroom, but did not report it that same day. The suspect was also accused of fondling the same girl in a classroom the next day, on Sept. 20.
The following day, on Sept. 21, the teen was charged with kidnapping and two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation.
The suspect admitted to meeting the victim in the classroom but denied touching her, according to deputies. Students said theyre not sure what to make of the alleged incidents.
Its just kind of unbelievable. You dont really think of it happening in your school, said Sajon Pohren, 17. Also, someone was supposed to witness it and why didnt they report it?
Detectives said the suspect and the victim were personally known to each other. Pasco School District spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said she could not discuss any individual students discipline.
A new plan for the Howard Frankland Bridge calls for more lanes created and a bicycle and pedestrian path.
FDOT introduces new plan for Howard Frankland Bridge
Northbound lanes would be torn down.
New southbound lanes would be built with express lanes in both directions
And it could be in place for drivers by 2024.
Plans for a new bridge have been batted around for several years. The more recent plan failed. But on Monday, the Florida Department of Transportation announced an even bolder plan.
The northbound side of the bridge, which travels from St. Petersburg to Tampa, was built in the early 1960s and will be torn down.
The southbound lanes will be expanded from what is now a 4-lane bridge to an 8-lane bridge. Six lanes for traffic, with two express lanes going in both directions. Plans also include a bike and pedestrian path along the southbound lanes.
FDOT officials also said the construction would leave room for light rail if it ever gets approved - and some lanes could be used for driverless cars in the future.
So what happens with the southbound side?
That span was completed in 1990 and still has life remaining.
Once the northbound side of the bridge is complete, traffic would be flipped, it would be used for people driving from St. Petersburg into Tampa.
The new bridge would then become the southside, bringing traffic from Tampa to St. Petersburg.
The price tag on the new structure would creep near $750 million.
And if the plan moves forward on schedule, construction would begin in 2020.
President Donald Trump visited storm-ravaged Puerto Rico on Tuesday, highlighting its relatively low death toll compared with a real catastrophe like Katrina as he opened a tour of the islands devastation.
Trump pledged an all-out effort to help the island but added: Now I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but youve thrown our budget a little out of whack because weve spent a lot of money on Puerto Rico. And thats fine. Weve saved a lot of lives.
He said his visit was not about me but then praised local officials for offering kind words about the recovery effort and invited one to repeat the nice things shed said earlier. Trump also singled out Gov. Ricardo Rossello for giving us the highest praise.
Every death is a horror, he said, but if you look at a real catastrophe like Katrina and you look at the tremendous, hundreds of and hundreds and hundreds of people that died, and you look at what happened here ... nobodys ever seen anything like this.
Air Force One brought the president, first lady Melania Trump and aides to Puerto Rico late this morning. They were expected to spend more than five hours on the ground, meeting first responders, local officials and some of millions of people whose lives have been upended by a hurricane that, in the president's words, left the island U.S. territory flattened.
The plane descended over a landscape marked by mangled palm trees, metal debris strewn near homes and patches of stripped trees, yet with less devastation evident than farther from San Juan.
The president, who in recent days took to Twitter to exchange barbs with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz about hurricane response timeliness, repeated his praise of the federal recovery operation on Monday.
On Sept. 16, Hurricane Maria swept across Puerto Rico with sustained winds of 64 mph and gusts that reached 118 mph. Heavy rainfall occurred throughout the territory as the strongest storm to hit the island since 1928 roared across the island.
Puerto Rico's 3.4 million residents have mostly been in the dark since the storm and have struggled with getting water, fuel, and supplies throughout the island in the storm's aftermath.
Debris still litters the scene.
"We are going to be seeing all of the first responders, the military, FEMA, and frankly, most importantly, we are going to be seeing the people of Puerto Rico," Trump said in the Oval Office ahead of talks with the Thai prime minister. "It's been amazing what's been done in a very short period of time on Puerto Rico. There's never been a piece of land that we've known that was so devastated."
Trump administration officials suggested Cruz had refused invitations to participate in FEMA briefings, opting instead to appear on television. The mayor, in turn, insisted that she would not be distracted by "small comments, by politics, by petty issues."
The White House said Monday that Trump will visit Las Vegas on Wednesday in the aftermath of the nation's deadliest mass shooting.
Information from CNN and the Associated Press was used in this report.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
A third lawsuit has been filed alleging negligence against Beaumont ISD by the parents of a student who was airlifted to Houston after an April school bus crash that sent two dozen students to hospitals.
The unnamed student "suffered severe and debilitating injuries and his parents, Helen and Ra'mon Mouton, witnessed their son in the hospital shortly after the accident go into a seizure and convlusions, thinking he was dying before their eyes, and washing him be taken via life-flight to Houston," according to the suit filed last week in the Jefferson County District Clerk's Office.
The suit alleges that the bus driver, Michelle Lewis, was texting and falling asleep before the accident, and accuses her of negligence while driving the bus. She was cited by Lumberton Police for failure to control speed.
More than 40 Charlton-Pollard students were on the bus returning from a field trip to Big Thicket when Lewis, 53, hit another vehicle from behind, veered into oncoming traffic and landed in a ditch on the other side of U.S. 69 in Lumberton.
The suit alleges BISD is responsible because Lewis was employed by and working for the district at the time of the crash. "BISD knew, or through the exercise of reasonable care should have known, that Lewis was a reckless and incompetent driver," attorney Mitchell Toups wrote in the suit.
A camera on the bus, which should have recorded the crash, had not worked correctly since 2015, LPD Chief Danny Sullins said in April. Efforts to retrieve footage by the manufacturer were unsuccessful.
The Moutons are seeking between $200,000 and $1 million from the district for past and future pain and suffering, impairment, anguish and future medical care.
In responses to two previous suits related to the crash, filed by parents in July, Beaumont ISD has denied the claims. The district has also argued that it should not be ordered to pay any medical expenses over $100,000 per person under state law and said the "recovery of medical expenses, if any, should be reduced."
While school districts are exempt from most legal claims under governmental immunity, personal injury claims resulting from the use of a motor vehicle are an exception, and the district can legally be found liable under state law.
BISD does not comment on pending litigation.
In April, the district told The Enterprise that parents should use their own insurance for healthcare needs, and spokeswoman Nakisha Burns said the district planned to talk to parents who were asking for financial help with claims.
LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.comTwitter.com/LizTeitz
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
The woman seen in Snapchat videos shooting from a moving car in Houston has been arrested.
Sierra V. Tarbutton, 27, was taken into custody Monday morning by the Harris County Sherriff's department, the Houston Police Department (HPD) tweeted. The other person in the videos was 29-year-old Michael Anthony Cuellar, who remains at large, HPD added.
Tarbutton and Cuellar could be seen smiling in the short videos as they fired about 14 rounds into a neighborhood near the 15800 block of Memorial Drive. The two were identified after police compared the videos to other social media platforms and law enforcement search engines, according to the charging documents at the Harris County District Clerk's office.
WE SPOKE WITH WHO POSTED THE VIDEOS: Unbelievable videos show man, woman shooting guns from a moving car in Houston
Now Playing: One has past with drugs, the other has threatened an officer's daughters, documents show Video: Houston Chronicle
Both of them have had run-ins with the law in the past. Cuellar, a local rapper who goes by the name "Money Mike," is a known drug dealer, according to court documents.
Tarbutton, who has a retaliation against a public servant on her record, previously threatened the life of a police officer's daughters stating, "those are two cute little girls, those are going to be two cute little tombstones," according to court documents. She also reportedly stated she knows cartel members.
These threats were made on Aug. 18, 2015, at 1:55 a.m. after police responded to a car accident call at 3300 West Sam Houston Parkway northbound, the police told Chron.com Monday afternoon. Tarbutton was driving the car involved in the accident and was transported to 61 Riesner St. where she made the threatening remarks.
Cuellar is wanted on a charge of felony criminal mischief and felony deadly conduct. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to call Houston Police Department at 713-884-3131 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
Aerospace manufacturing has a long and proud history in Northern Ireland.
Around 10,000 people here are directly employed in the industry and it is helping to generate 1.3bn a year for the local economy.
Government and industry have forged a successful partnership to help the sector double in size during the next 10 years, creating more high value, long-term jobs.
An aircraft that offers perhaps the greatest potential for the growth of aerospace in Northern Ireland is Bombardier's C Series.
The revolutionary composite wing for this new entrant into the international market is manufactured at state of the art facilities in the company's Belfast factory.
The CS100, with around 110 seats, and the larger CS300 have already found enthusiastic customers in Europe, Asia and North America.
Global orders for new aircraft are at close to record levels, with more than 13,400 currently on the books of manufacturers.
Demand is expected to remain high in the years ahead as the aviation market continues to grow. There is a real opportunity for the C Series to become a significant player and an order from Delta Airlines in the US for 125 C Series aircraft is the model's largest yet.
This is what makes last week's preliminary ruling by the US Department of Commerce to apply tariffs to the C Series in response to a case brought by Boeing extremely disappointing, as well as unsettling for companies and their employees across the aerospace sector in Northern Ireland.
The decision is not final and there is still a long way to go before the end of this process.
A final ruling by the US International Trade Commission is due to be made in February next year.
However, an amicable resolution before this stage is reached would be the best option for Bombardier, for the thousands who work in its Belfast factory, for 800 suppliers in the UK and Ireland, and for the global aerospace sector as a whole.
It has been heartening to hear political leaders in Northern Ireland, Canada and London make clear how seriously they take the threat posed to jobs and growth by this dispute, and show they will defend the interests of Bombardier workers in their engagement with Boeing and the US government.
We now need to see leaders on both sides of the Atlantic working together to find a solution and remove the threat to jobs and growth in Northern Ireland. There is no doubt that any support Bombardier has received in the UK is fully compliant with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, and Boeing has not brought a case through WTO procedures.
All major aircraft manufacturers around the world have received some form of support from governments to help manage the costs and risks associated with researching and designing new aircraft, whether in the UK, Europe, Brazil or the US.
Aerospace is a truly global industry, a low tariff sector built on openness to trade between its major manufacturing nations. To build a complete aircraft, extensive supply chains cross multiple borders as companies in different countries each contribute key components towards the final assembly.
Tariffs destroy trade and reduce the choices available to consumers, preventing them from seeing the benefits of innovation and productivity that are driven by healthy commercial competition.
In the UK aerospace industry we expect all those involved to work hard to reach a resolution as soon as possible and allow the C Series to continue its ascent - flying on wings made in Belfast.
Bombardier's thousands of Belfast workers remain concerned after a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire as they await another major decision on a make-or-break US deal for its C Series jets.
Belfast boss Michael Ryan met Mr Brokenshire, along with Unite trade union members, to discuss the concerns of the workforce.
Last week's US government decision could scupper a multi-billion pound deal with Delta for Bombardier's narrow-bodied C Series jets, and was described as "unsettling for companies and their employees across the aerospace sector in Northern Ireland".
There are fears that the US commerce department's proposed tariff of almost 220% on Bombardier's C Series aircraft could threaten jobs here.
That follows a legal challenge by US rival Boeing, which has now erupted into a transatlantic trade row involving the Prime Minister and US President Donald Trump.
Davy Thompson of Unite said the next big decision for Bombardier will be on Thursday, when it learns whether the US government believes Boeing's claim over aircraft 'dumping' - selling the planes at a cut-price or below cost.
He said the atmosphere among workers "is one of concern" and that Bombardier did not expect to be dealt such a hefty tariff of almost 220%.
Paul Everitt, chief executive of aerospace group ADS, also told the Belfast Telegraph that "there is no doubt that any support Bombardier has received in the UK is fully compliant with World Trade Organisation rules".
Meanwhile, yesterday Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn stepped up the pressure on Theresa May to intervene in the trade dispute.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, he urged her to join with Canadian premier Justin Trudeau in summoning the head of Boeing to an "urgent summit" to demand the US aerospace giant drops its claim against Bombardier.
Following a meeting in Belfast yesterday, Mr Brokenshire said "we will continue to work with the senior management at Bombardier, the trade unions and the workforce as well as with the Canadian and US Governments to find a resolution".
"Bombardier jobs are absolutely vital to the Northern Ireland economy," he added.
"The visit to meet Bombardier NI chief executive Michael Ryan provides assurance on the UK Government's continuing commitment and efforts, to protect jobs and the livelihoods of so many people across Northern Ireland and discuss how we can continue to work together to resolve this very serious issue."
Mr Everitt said the preliminary ruling was "... extremely disappointing, as well as unsettling for companies and their employees".
From left: Gordon Davidson of Ulster Bank with Habintegs Derek Johnston and Darren McKinney
A major housing association has secured over 10m to build new homes in Northern Ireland.
Habinteg Housing Association has said it plans to build hundreds of dwellings after borrowing from Ulster Bank.
It said it's already building homes in Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry, Coalisland and Belfast, with another 200 planned to follow elsewhere.
Chief executive Darren McKinney said: "The long-term financial arrangements between Habinteg and Ulster Bank help underpin our programme of development, which has widespread economic and social benefits.
"Ultimately it will allow us to provide new homes for some of the 37,000 people on the waiting list for social housing in Northern Ireland."
Gordon Davidson, relationship director at Ulster Bank, said: "Habinteg's development programme will create jobs, provide homes and improve local communities, so Ulster Bank is very pleased to support the association's work."
According to the Department for Communities' housing bulletin for January to March, there were 1,699 new dwelling starts over the quarter - up 20.8% on the same quarter a year earlier.
However, there were 184 new starts in the social housing sector, down 13.6% on the same quarter a year earlier.
Sir Kenneth Branagh has called it an "incredible honour" as he is to become the 82nd recipient of the freedom of Belfast.
The request was put forward in April 2017 by the then Lord Mayor of Belfast, Brian Kingston, who asked that Sir Kenneth be recognised for his outstanding achievements and international status in drama and cinema, as an actor, director, producer and screenwriter.
A special meeting was held at City Hall on Monday night ahead of the council's monthly meeting where members unanimously agreed to bestow the honour upon the north Belfast native.
Reacting to the news Sir Kenneth said it was an "incredible honour from his home town".
In a statement he said: Belfast has always given me more than I could ever repay.
It took great care of me til the age of 9. It gave me a profound sense of family, a magnificent landscape to play in, and a Belfast sense of humour that is a constant boisterous reminder to never take yourself too seriously.
It gave me my first professional job, in Graham Reid's Billy Plays. It gave me the sharpest and most generous of audiences at the Opera House and at the Lyric theatre, and at cinemas across the years, who welcomed and supported my films.
Im proud to say that you can take the boy out of Belfast, but you can't take Belfast out of the boy.
He added: This is an incredible honour from my home town and I am humbled to be included in a roll call that includes artists like Van Morrison and Michael Longley and the nurses of the city who were recognised last year.
I used to run home for my lunch when I was at the Grove Primary School in North Belfast. My granny looked after me while my folks were at work. My father a joiner, my mum working in the local chippy. Granny lived in a very small but spotlessly clean house which I particularly remember for the eccentric and temperamental outside loo.
If she and my parents from those humble beginnings had been told that the Freedom of the City could ever come my way, they would have expired with pride. They loved this place and these people, as do I.
I thank Belfast City Council for their generosity, and please know that I will continue to shout aloud to the world at large about the many amazing developments happening in the place I am proud to call home.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nuala McAllister, said: Hailing from north Belfast myself, I am especially delighted to see a fellow north Belfast native receive this very special honour.
The granting of the Freedom of the City is the greatest honour which Belfast City Council can bestow on any person, and Sir Kenneth Branagh is a most worthy recipient.
As someone who has reached the very pinnacle of his career in acting and film, he has never forgotten his Belfast roots and is a fantastic ambassador for the city.
Other recent recipients include Michael Longley, Van Morrision, and Dame Mary Peters.
Details of the official Freedom of the City ceremony for Sir Kenneth will be announced at a later date.
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Alicia Vikander attends the Opening Of The Louis Vuitton Boutique as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Paris Fashion Week has seen a host of famous faces step out to view the latest looks on the catwalk - plus given them the chance to show off their own fashion choices.
Irish actress Ruth Negga, 35, was among those attending the opening of the Louis Vuitton Boutique in the city on Monday, arriving at the event in a multi-texture coat with suede, leather and a leopard print collar over a plain white t-shirt.
Expand Close PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Ruth Negga attends the Opening Of The Louis Vuitton Boutique as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) Getty Images / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Ruth Negga attends the Opening Of The Louis Vuitton Boutique as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
The Limerick star was joined at the event by US actress Michelle Williams who wore a blush pink leather shift dress with a vintage LV mini bucket bag, while Swedish actress Alicia Vikander showed off her leopard print mini-skirt with a cut-out top and a clasp crossbody bag.
Expand Close PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Michelle Williams attends the Opening Of The Louis Vuitton Boutique as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) Getty Images / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Michelle Williams attends the Opening Of The Louis Vuitton Boutique as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Expand Close PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Alicia Vikander attends the Opening Of The Louis Vuitton Boutique as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) Getty Images / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Alicia Vikander attends the Opening Of The Louis Vuitton Boutique as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Elsewhere, some stars have been appearing on the catwalk as opposed to the front row, with Cheryl Tweedy, Dame Helen Mirren and Jane Fonda all walking in the recent L'Oreal Spring/Summer 2018 show.
Expand Close British singer Cheryl Cole takes part in the L'Oreal fashion, which theme is Paris, on the sidelines of the Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2017, on a catwalk set up on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMONCHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp British singer Cheryl Cole takes part in the L'Oreal fashion, which theme is Paris, on the sidelines of the Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2017, on a catwalk set up on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMONCHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
Cheryl, 34, wore a satin dress and tartan jacket, teamed with bright pink and purple lipstick.
Dame Helen, 72, looked every bit in charge as she accessorised with a cane, while Jane, 79, impressed with an animal-print dress and diamond choker.
Expand Close British actress Helen Mirren poses during the L'Oreal fashion show, which theme is Paris, on the sidelines of the Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2017, on a catwalk set up on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMONCHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp British actress Helen Mirren poses during the L'Oreal fashion show, which theme is Paris, on the sidelines of the Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2017, on a catwalk set up on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMONCHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
Expand Close US actress Jane Fonda takes part in the L'Oreal fashion, which theme is Paris, on the sidelines of the Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2017, on a catwalk set up on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMONCHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp US actress Jane Fonda takes part in the L'Oreal fashion, which theme is Paris, on the sidelines of the Paris Fashion Week on October 1, 2017, on a catwalk set up on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMONCHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
Other stars to be spotted at the city's events include Cate Blancett, Salma Hayek, Cindy Crawford, and Pamela Anderson.
Expand Close PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Cate blanchett attends the Opening Of The Louis Vuitton Boutique as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) Getty Images / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Cate blanchett attends the Opening Of The Louis Vuitton Boutique as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Expand Close PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: Cindy Crawford attends the Chanel show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 3, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) Getty Images / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 03: Cindy Crawford attends the Chanel show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2018 on October 3, 2017 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Two Northern Ireland restaurants have retained their Michelin stars in the 2018 guide.
Belfast favourites Ox and Deanes Eipic kept their coveted status for the third year running.
The new guide - considered the foremost authority on the world's greatest dining establishments - was launched in London yesterday.
Judges said the awards recognise the very best dining experiences in Britain and Ireland.
Ox, in Oxford Street, was first awarded a Michelin star in 2016's guide.
For Eipic, owned by Michael Deane and based at Howard Street, it is also the third year it has maintained its Michelin star status. His other restaurant, Deanes at Queen's, retained its Bib Gourmand accolade.
The Bib Gourmand is not a Michelin star, but is awarded by inspectors for their favourite restaurants that they think are value for money.
Mr Deane has won 17 stars over the past 21 years.
He said: "It's a true reflection of the dedication to high standards and the dogged hard work of the team at Deanes."
Deanes at Queen's was one of seven Bib Gourmand recipients in Northern Ireland. The others were Fontana and Noble, both in Holywood; Bar+Grill in James Street South and Home in Wellington Place, both Belfast; The Old Schoolhouse Inn in Newtownards, and Wine & Brine in Moira.
Belfast Telegraph food critic Joris Minne said: "The much anticipated publication of the Michelin Guide each year is a moment about which some of us have mixed feelings.
Expand Close Ox at Oxford Street has retained its Michelin star / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp Ox at Oxford Street has retained its Michelin star
"On the one hand it's marvellous for a restaurant to secure a star, on the other it raises questions as to why them and not a specific other? Two other contenders in Northern Ireland should by now have been recognised by Michelin at this level.
"The same goes for the Bib Gourmand award which is probably more pertinent to Belfast and the north than any other.
"This is because we have developed an international foodie reputation based on that mid-priced range of bistros and brasseries which offer high quality ingredients and cooking, classy environments and excellent service but keep it informal, relaxed and comfortable.
"Yet we can only claim seven Bib Gourmands. I am thrilled for Noble entering the Bib Gourmand chart, but it's a very disappointing broader picture as there are at least half-a-dozen others across the north who deserve to be included."
This year's Michelin Guide lists a total of 350 establishments in the Republic and 74 in Northern Ireland. Speaking at its launch, Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland editor Rebecca Burr said: "I'm confident the demand for good food in Ireland, from tourists and locals alike, will see further development of its culinary landscape over the next few years."
European Parliament Brexit chief Guy Verhofstadt (right) speaks with farmer Arthur Hughes at his farm on the Armagh and Monaghan border. Photo: Getty Images
Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt said Northern Ireland was stuck in a "frozen conflict" and he was shocked at the sight of Belfast's "peace walls".
He was addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg during a debate on a motion on if "sufficient progress" has been made on Brexit talks in order to advance them to discussions on a future trade deal.
A majority of MEPs, 557, voted that there had not been enough progress on the important matters of the Irish border, financial settlements and citizens' rights before talks could be advanced saying there needed to be a "major breakthrough".
Guy Verhofstadt, who is the European Parliament's Brexit negotiator, spoke of his recent visit to Northern Ireland for the first time. He said it struck him that the problems were not over and despite the peace, tensions still remained.
Stressing the importance of the Good Friday Agreement, he said if a border returned, so too would violence.
MEPs heard how he was "shocked" during the visit at seeing the so-called peace walls dividing communities, describing it as having a "frozen conflict".
"There are fences 12 metres high and this is in the 21st Century," he said.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference
He said any solutions will have to respect the integrity surrounding the legal order of the EU and the Good Friday Agreement. He argued that peace should not be damaged by Brexit and the Good Friday agreement should be attached to the final article 50 deal.
He noted that the Common Travel Area will require detailed work, which he said both the EU and the UK were committed to.
Expand Close Guy Verhofstadt demanded a swift start to Brexit negotiations (Yui Mok/PA) / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp Guy Verhofstadt demanded a swift start to Brexit negotiations (Yui Mok/PA)
DUP MEP Diane Dodds said Northern Ireland could not be a "bargaining chip" in the Brexit talks.
"It is not flexible or imaginative to claim that a trade solution can only be found if Northern Ireland remains within the single market or customs union. Northern Irelands brexit solution will be part of the United Kingdoms solution."
UUP MEP Jim Mr Nicholson accused Mr Verhofstadt of taking sides by calling for an international border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
He said Brexit could not be used as an excuse to break up the UK.
"We joined as one country and will leave as one United Kingdom", he told MEPs.
Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson suggested support was growing for Northern Ireland to have special status within the EU.
"It also means being in the single market and the customs union," she said.
The parliament also heard how divisions between Theresa May's own Cabinet ministers were hampering talks. One senior MEP urged the Prime Minister to sack Boris Johnson.
European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker welcomed the "conciliatory" tone of Theresa May's Florence speech in which she said no EU member state would lose out financially as as result of Britain's decision to leave.
Mr Juncker said the negotiations had made "good progress" on the issue of citizens' rights but the "indispensable" role of the European Court of Justice in enforcing them had yet to be agreed.
A fifth round of negotiations is expected to begin on October 9 but it's thought highly unlikely they'll resume before the council summit on October 18.
Juncker welcomed Mrs May's recognition that the UK had to honour its financial obligations but added: "The devil will, as always, be in the detail.
"The taxpayers of the EU27 should not pay for the British decision."
The jury of seven women and five men sitting on the trial at Belfast Crown Court heard that the sexual abuse allegedly happened between 1979 and 1981.
A Belfast man has gone on trial accused of sexually abusing two young girls while he helped to babysit them.
Victor Mark Egerton (51), of Rossmore Park in the south of the city, denies five counts of indecent assault and four charges of gross indecency.
The jury of seven women and five men sitting on the trial at Belfast Crown Court heard that the sexual abuse allegedly happened between 1979 and 1981.
Prosecution counsel Kate McKay said the girls told police that they were in primary school when Egerton came to their east Belfast home with his girlfriend to babysit.
One of the complainants, now aged 44, told police that she was seven-years-old at the time the abuse allegedly started.
She said the family home was cold and when she sat on the sofa at weekends, a blanket was brought down from upstairs to keep her warm while watching television.
The court heard claims that Egerton, who was in his early teens at the time, would use the cover of the blanket to sexually abuse the girls dressed in their night clothes, who sometimes sat either side of him on the sofa.
She told detectives from the PSNI's Child Abuse Unit that she remembered Egerton would at times "send his girlfriend out to the local shop to get himself something''.
The woman said that while Egerton's girlfriend was out of the house he would allegedly carry out acts of indecent assault and gross indecency.
The complainant also alleged the sexual abuse also happened while Egerton's girlfriend was in the kitchen making tea.
Mrs McKay told the jury that the child sex abuse allegations came to light years later when the complainant told her younger sister about what had happened to her.
"She had been keeping this to herself. Her younger sister had also been keeping things to herself about what she said happened to her. A number of years then passed before anyone else was told.''
The younger sister, who is now in her early 40s, told detectives she was aged six at the time Egerton is alleged to have sexually abused her on three separate occasions.
The prosecution lawyer said Egerton was later questioned by detectives about the allegations.
"He was given his chance to give his side to the story,'' Mrs McKay told the jury sitting on the trial with Belfast Recorder Judge David McFarland.
"He said that he did babysit in the house, however, he completely denied that anything of an inappropriate manner took place with the girls.''
At hearing.
Woodside was handed a two-year-three month sentence with half to be spent in jail.
A 34-year old Belfast man who groomed and sexually abused a "vulnerable" teenage girl was sent to prison today.
Belfast Crown Court heard that Johnathan Woodside's offending came to light after the girl's father saw sexually explicit messages between the pair on her Facebook account.
Handing Woodside a sentence of two years and three months, Judge Patricia Smyth told the Highfield Drive man: "You exploited a crush that the complainant developed in order to feed your own sexual preoccupation and fantasies at the time."
Informing him that he will spend half his sentence in prison with the remainder on licence upon his release, the Judge also told Woodside that he "exploited and manipulated" a relationship with her, which he controlled for "sexual gratification."
Woodside pleaded guilty to six offences which he committed over a four-month period from September 2013 to January 2014.
During that time, Woodside persuaded the girl to send him indecent images of her private parts, as well as meeting her following grooming. He also admitting causing a child to engage in sexual activity with him.
The complainant - who has a degree of mental impairment and attended a special school - believed she was Woodside's girlfriend. The court heard she is socially and emotionally immature, and has basic speech, language and learning difficulties.
The sexual abuse occurred in both the complainant's and Woodside's home, and also in the car park at Cave Hill.
Contact between the pair in that four-month period, the court heard, also amounted to over 100 calls and around 30 texts, as well as communication on Facebook and WhatsApp.
Judge Smyth told Woodside there was "no doubt" he was aware of both her age and her vulnerability when he started an "inappropriate relationship" with her.
The Judge also said that while it was clear any sexual activity between Woodside and the girl was fully consensual, and that the girl believed Woodside was her boyfriend, at the time she was 14 and he was 30.
Judge Smyth said that after reading a statement made by the girl, Woodside's offending has had an impact on her - but she also spoke of other traumatic issues that have affected her life.
Telling the court "there is no question these offences are serious", Judge Smyth said she was taking into account Woodside's lack of relevant offending, and the fact the Probation Board has not deemed him to present a risk of harm to the public.
Woodside was sent to jail and was told: "You took advantage of a vulnerable girl for your own sexual gratification."
The Belfast man was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years, and was made the subject of a ten-year Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).
A historical enactment, with participants dressed up as terrorists, has been criticised by the DUPs Gregory Campbell
A historical enactment, with participants dressed up as terrorists, has been criticised by the DUPs Gregory Campbell
Mainstream republicans have dressed up as masked Provisional IRA members and wielded an array of replica weapons on the streets of Londonderry.
The scenes unfolded in the Bogside last weekend as half-a-dozen young republicans appeared wearing combat gear, balaclavas and berets.
Read More
They carried a range of imitation weapons including an Armalite rifle, Kalashnikov, Dragunov sniper rifle and a stick grenade.
They adopted firing positions on the streets as part of a history tour by a republican band that supports Sinn Fein.
East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell last night claimed that the event glorified paramilitary violence.
"I was alarmed when I saw photographs of what had occurred," he said.
"I see them as seeking to glorify and sanitise IRA violence.
"The Provisionals' campaign took a terrible toll on our community and these scenes are not appropriate.
"I believe they will convey to children that it is OK to join a paramilitary group when that is most certainly not the case.
"These images send out a very negative message that is in direct conflict with Sinn Fein's stated political position on a peaceful way forward for Northern Ireland."
Alliance Justice spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA said: Masked men in paramilitary uniforms have no place in modern society, whether a re-enactment or otherwise.
Paramilitary displays are sinister and must be left in the past where they belong. The appearance of firearms, even imitation ones, is always concerning, said Mr Lunn.
If we want to build a united community which is welcoming for everyone, this type of activity should be seen for the unacceptable spectacle it is.
A Sinn Fein spokesman told the Belfast Telegraph that the party was not behind the event, which, he said, was organised by a local republican band.
And he revealed that the PSNI had been warned in advance that the history tour would include "historical re-enactments with period costume and... imitation firearms".
The event, which was a fundraiser for the Spirit of Freedom Republican Flute Band, was held in the Bogside on Saturday to coincide with the anniversary of IRA member Jim Friel, who was a member of a local flute band.
In a statement on social media before the event, Derry republican Micky Kinsella noted Jim Friel's anniversary and named other IRA members who were also in flute bands.
He said: "Connections between the armed struggle and the local flute band scene will be discussed on the tour."
Mr Kinsella explained that the tour would include 17th century sieges, the origins of The Fountain, the 1920 June riots, a 1943 IRA jail escape "and some recent modern IRA operations in the area". He said: "I hope that some band members will dress as armed volunteers etc. to help authenticate some scenes along the way."
Mr Kinsella stated that "historical turning points" would be mentioned on the tour such as the Battle of the Bogside, internment, Bloody Sunday, prison struggles and the peace process.
"It will be an opportunity to learn how events from the past contributed to events of the present day. It will be especially helpful to the young party and band members and to those who have never really been given a proper idea of Irish history at school," he added.
The Sinn Fein spokesman last night said: "The pictures were taken during a history tour organised by the Spirit of Freedom Flute Band.
"The tour covered the history of the area from St Columba, the Siege of Derry right up to and including the period from the 1920s to the recent conflict and peace process.
"The organisers informed the police in advance that the tour would include historical re-enactments with period costume and that imitation firearms, which cannot be fired, would be on display."
Police are investigating serious offences including blackmail, fraud and money laundering.
Two men and two women have been arrested during searches of properties in Co Fermanagh on Monday.
The PSNI are working along with colleagues in the South Eastern Regional Organised Crime Unit, Sussex Police and Lancashire Police in relation to a number of ongoing investigations.
A total of 12 searches at properties in Northern Ireland, Sussex and Lancashire were carried out with five people arrested.
A fifth man arrested in Sussex was questioned and subsequently released.
Police are investigating serious offences including blackmail, fraud and money laundering.
Detective Inspector Andy Hamlin said: This proactive operation against organised criminality was made possible because of the cooperation of multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the United Kingdom.
Five people have been arrested in Northern Ireland and England as part of an organised crime probe.
Five people have been arrested in Northern Ireland and England as part of an organised crime probe.
Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) apprehended suspects in Fermanagh and Sussex during an investigation into blackmail, fraud and money laundering.
A total of 12 properties were searched in Northern Ireland, Sussex and Lancashire.
Two men aged 39 and 54 were arrested along with two women aged 31 and 48, during searches in County Fermanagh on Monday.
A fifth man arrested in Sussex was questioned and subsequently released.
Detective Inspector Andy Hamlin said: "This proactive operation against organised criminality was made possible because of the co-operation of multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the United Kingdom."
Four people arrested over the murder of Carrick ex-UDA chief George Gilmore have been released pending reports to the PPS.
Three women aged 24, 31 and 36 and a 30 year old man were arrested on Tuesday morning and taken to Belfast for questioning.
The PSNI said they were released on Tuesday evening.
Former UDA commander Gilmore died after being hit in the neck, torso and leg when shots were fired into his car on the Woodburn estate on March 13.
He died in hospital the following day.
A deputy head who sat a GSCE exam along with pupils at his school has urged fellow teachers to try out life on the other side of the classroom.
Al McConville, an arts graduate who set himself the task of learning chemistry in a year, suggested the experience of mastering an alien subject could also help parents in empathising with their children's efforts to take in new things.
The senior staff member at Bedales private school in Hampshire is a passionate advocate of a new neuroscience-based approach to learning and took on the challenge to demonstrate its worth.
It clearly worked for him as, after sitting in on classes and taking the exam in the same hall as the students, he emerged with an A*.
"I think it would be a really good idea for other teachers and other parents to get involved in learning something new for themselves alongside their kids, so they can have deep, meaningful conversations about what it is like to struggle with something," said Mr McConville.
"It's not just about talking at them about the learning process, I think it's really desirable for people in schools to be learning new things and be talking about the difficulties of learning those new things."
Mr McConville is a devotee of techniques advocated by US academic Dr Barb Oakley, whose brain training video lessons on how to defeat procrastination and embrace challenging subjects have become one of the world's most popular online courses.
Dr Oakley and Mr McConville, who are now collaborating on a book aimed at adapting her methods for a younger audience, are relating their experiences this week at the annual Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC) in Belfast.
Mr McConville said understanding how your brain works was key to learning something new.
"Unless you understand why and what's going on in your head to make that work, then it's just someone telling you what to do," he said.
"But as soon as a kid understands the processes that are going on physically in their brain, that means that those things lead to the kind of outcomes that they want.
"I think that casts an enormous light on it."
Dr Oakley, an engineering professor at Oakland University Rochester Michigan, says the method she teaches is based on the premise that the brain has two thinking modes - focused/concentrated and resting/diffuse.
Adopting an approach that combines these modes - such as working for a short burst and then walking away and enjoying a treat, like playing some music - maximises an individual's capacity to take things on board, she says.
As his treat, Mr McConville used to recite what he learned to his dog Violet.
Repetition, or "chunking", also helps the brain build up neural pathways, says Dr Oakley.
The more you repeat an equation or phrase in a foreign language, the more likely you will be to locate that pathway under the stress of an exam, she says.
She has helped create a hugely popular Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) with home-made videos, shot in her basement, that explain the science behind how the brain absorbs and retains information.
Her Learning how to Learn course has been taken by two million people from more than 200 countries.
"Neuroscience is making extraordinary new advances and many of these advances provide practical insights so you can learn more effectively," she said.
"People are fascinated by learning and before we have always thought teachers are the ones we should teach about learning but actually students are the ones we want to reach and teach about learning, so I think that's going to be the revolution in new education."
Both academics believe their experience with Learning how to Learn demonstrates the need for schools in the UK to embrace online courses more.
Mr McConville thinks it could be a way to address teacher shortages in key subject areas such as maths and physics - with an online expert presenting certain theory elements and the classroom teacher helping with the associated learning exercises.
Dr Oakley insists that the introduction of more online learning in schools would not be a threat to classroom teachers.
"In the old days, in the 1500s when textbooks first came out, teachers were saying, 'This is horrible, it's going to destroy our profession because people will be able to learn from the books without us'," she said.
"It just didn't happen. And now it's the same with online.
"They are great enhancements, but in no way do they replace teachers - they just allow teachers to play to their strengths in being able to interact more personally with the student."
A Belfast care home says a "full investigation has commenced" after a resident's grandson posted a shocking photo of the meagre Sunday dinner he claimed his grandmother received in the facility.
Robert Cinnamond posted a picture showing what appeared to be two thin slices of corned beef and a small dish of baked beans, which he said were served cold, on social media on Sunday night.
He said that Cregagh Nursing Home, where he claimed the meal was served to the pensioner, should be "ashamed" for serving the paltry dish.
Asking people to share his Facebook post on social media, Robert stated: "People need to see this. This is what my grandmother got for her Sunday dinner. 600 per week. For a woman that's worked all her days and has now ended up in care home to be fed like a dog!
"Not only serving this but the fact it was freezing on arrival!
"There's one thing my grandmother isn't, a dog, nor will (she) be fed like one.
"Am just glad now I was there this evening to see for myself. I am really upset with the care my grandmother is getting."
The Co Antrim home, run by Spa Nursing Homes, states online that it offers a "varied and nutritious menu".
In a statement, Spa Nursing Homes told the Belfast Telegraph that it was "working closely" with the Belfast Trust and the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), and that a "full investigation has commenced after which any points raised will be actioned."
They added: "As a company we take residents' wellbeing very seriously, treating every resident as an individual, incorporating all aspects of care."
Expand Close Dinnertime: Robert Cinnamonds picture / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp Dinnertime: Robert Cinnamonds picture
The Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland, Eddie Lynch said: "I am very alarmed by a photo of what was alleged to be the dinner of a care home resident.
"If this is how any home treats older people within its care then this is wholly unacceptable.
"Aside from the issue of what is a value for money service from any care home charging hundreds of pounds a week, nutrition is key to good health in older people. For older people, just like with anyone else, a decent meal is fundamental to having a good quality of life," he added.
"I will await the investigation findings and have asked the Belfast Trust for an update on the situation."
A Northern Ireland mum-of-three has told how she feared she would never see her children again during Sunday night's terrifying mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Cafe owner Heather McCrudden (49) was eating dinner at Denny's restaurant on the famous Strip during a birthday trip with husband Uel (53) when shots rang out, forcing diners to flee for cover.
Only 40 minutes earlier the McCruddens had been near the location of the shooting, but decided to move further up the Strip as they viewed the attractions.
A gunman opened fire on guests at the Route 91 Music Festival, claiming at least 58 lives and leaving hundreds injured.
Heather and Uel, from Larne in Co Antrim, told the Belfast Telegraph of the mayhem as diners raced to the back of the restaurant and sheltered under tables for protection.
"I think we're still in shock at the minute," Heather said from the couple's hotel, which is located a mile from the Las Vegas Strip.
"We keep thinking 'what if?', as we had been down at the MGM Grand earlier and were going to eat down there before we changed our minds.
"After the shots rang out panic broke out, and everyone ran to the back of the restaurant and got under the tables or took shelter in the bathroom.
"Seeing grown men crying and running towards a bathroom to take cover, that's when the reality hits you.
"At one point I thought I would never see my kids again.
Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close People scramble for shelter at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was hear on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images Las Vegas police stand guard along the streets outside the the Route 91 Harvest country music festival grounds after a active shooter was reported on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images People carry a person at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images A crowd of people at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images People run for cover at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images A man in a wheelchair is taken away from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images People tend to the wounded outside the festival ground after an apparent shooting on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images Las Vegas police stand guard along the streets outside the festival grounds of the Route 91 Harvest on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images People tend to the wounded outside the festival ground after an apparent shooting on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 01: People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 01: (EDITORS NOTE: Image contains graphic content.) People carry a peson at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 01 People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) Getty Images / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp People scramble for shelter at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"At the time we were just going through the motions, and I was thinking: 'What if the gunmen came up the stairs, would you be able to get out of the way, or would you just freeze?' Uel and I took cover under the table with another girl who was having palpitations. All of the hotels and restaurants were in lock-down, so we were in there for a couple of hours.
"The Strip was full of security officers, police, army and sniffer dogs.
"We didn't know if there was more than one shooter - there could have been more."
Her husband, who owns a furniture shop, said the pair initially feared the incident was a terror attack similar to those which have occurred in London and Paris.
"We heard four or five pops of gunfire and everyone jumped up and ran to the back of the cafe - staff, everybody - sprinting down and into the toilet area," he said.
"That wasn't big enough, so we went under the tables. I was thinking: 'Oh my God, this can't be happening!'
"Heather was comforting a wee girl, there was a young lad who was just beside himself, it was absolute mayhem. It was a hairy experience.
"The owner said everywhere was in lockdown, and the police had told him to keep everyone inside. He closed the door and was looking up and down the strip from the balcony.
"We also heard that there was 'activity' in the building right beside ours, which was scary.
"We stayed in there for an hour-and-a-half to two hours. There was no mission that we were going out that door."
After the lockdown ended the couple cautiously made their way back out onto the Strip to hail a taxi to their hotel.
"We weren't able to get a taxi from directly outside as they weren't allowed up that far, so we went to the Venetian and were able to one from there. I've never been so relieved to get into a car in my life," Uel said.
A Co Antrim council has blamed environmental protesters for leaving ratepayers with a legal bill of almost a quarter-of-a-million pounds.
Last June a council-approved search for oil in Woodburn Forest near Carrickfergus ended without success.
The exploratory drilling operation was met with furious resistance from protesters who feared pollution of a nearby reservoir.
A recent High Court challenge against Mid and East Antrim Borough Council's decision to allow the drilling was dismissed, with the judge claiming that as no further developments were due to take place at Woodburn, a judicial review was not in the public interest.
A council spokesman revealed yesterday the legal fees had been 241,000, with "substantial additional cost" for staff working on the queries.
He added: "The level of vitriol directed at individual employees and elected members of the council by some was wholly unacceptable and inappropriate.
"This is a huge spend of public money, which could have been used on other projects."
The council also insisted the decision had been legally sound and environmentally safe.
James Orr, Northern Ireland director of Friends of the Earth, said the council had won its case on "an obscure academic point", and added he remained convinced the drilling operation had not been lawful.
"This happened to be the most significant planning controversy in the history of Northern Ireland, one that wasted millions in taxpayers' money and policing, created lots of community tension and conflict," he said.
"For something like that not to require planning permission is preposterous.
"I think it's a shameful opinion by the council to say that others wasted this money, when in fact they squandered ratepayers' money defending the indefensible."
He added: "It's a bizarre argument for the council to blame others for this money being spent when they hid behind very significant legal costs to protect their reputation rather than protect the environment or the public interests at Woodburn."
A rainbow over Grasmere in the Lake District, as more strong winds and rain sweep across northern parts of the UK
A new band of wind and rain is set to bring more stormy conditions to the north of the UK.
Following a wet and windy start to the week, Tuesday brought a respite for most of the country but forecasters said it would be a short-lived break.
The Met Office said a cold front will bring high winds and rain down through Scotland overnight on Tuesday and into Wednesday.
This will move south into Northern Ireland, northern England and North Wales - bringing prolonged rain to many of these areas, with the heaviest bouts on Wednesday afternoon.
No formal weather warning has yet been issued but forecasters say wind gusts could reach 40mph to 50mph in some places, accompanied by heavy showers.
Met Office meteorologist Emma Sharples: "It's really nothing particularly unusual for this time of the year but it does come after the windy weather we had yesterday.
"The good news is that Thursday and Friday are looking quite a lot better for most people."
Earlier this week, b ookies cut the odds on this being the wettest October on record as the month began with heavy rain and gale-force winds leading to severe weather warnings.
People were urged to keep an eye on the forecast as the weather is being influenced by what is left of tropical systems Lee and Maria in the Atlantic.
Bookmaker Coral even began offering odds of 5-2 for there to be snow in October.
On Tuesday morning, the Environment Agency had three flood alerts in force but all these related to predicted high tides on the east coast of England.
An exhibition marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation has officially opened at Belfast's Linen Hall Library.
The display of memorabilia and literature relating to Martin Luther, open to the public throughout October, is the highlight of a programme of events organised by the Orange Order to commemorate the evangelical milestone.
The exhibition contains a number of historical pieces, including two extremely rare books provided by the library. They are Luther's Divine Discourses, dated 1652, translated from German to English and Luther, a play by John Osborne first performed in Paris in 1961.
The theological display was officially opened by Belfast's High Sheriff, Alderman Tom Haire.
Orange Grand Chaplain, Rev Dr Ron Johnstone, said the purpose of the presentation was to aid a greater understanding of Luther and the legacy of the Reformation.
He said: "One cannot understand the modern benefits enjoyed in Belfast politically, educationally, scientifically, religiously, musically, socially and linguistically without recognising the influence of Luther upon our everyday life."
The Linen Hall Library is open Monday to Friday, from 9.30am to 5.30pm, and on Saturday, from 9.30am to 4pm.
DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill attend the Ulster Fry breakfast at Manchester Town Hall during the Conservative Party conference
Sinn Fein will not be shoe-horned into a power-sharing deal cobbled together by the Government to appease to the DUP, Michelle O'Neill has warned Tories.
Speaking at an event on the fringes of the Conservative Party conference alongside her DUP counterpart, Ms O'Neill said the unionist deal to prop up the Conservatives posed "real challenges".
Arlene Foster insisted the electoral pact with the Tories was "not a distraction" from the negotiations in Belfast.
But despite breaking bread together at the Ulster Fry, the leaders clashed over Britishness.
Ms O'Neill told the event organised by peace charity Champ: "The north isn't British."
"I don't want this to turn into a row but Northern Ireland is British," the DUP leader insisted.
The rare joint appearance saw the two women share a table for breakfast before sitting side by side on the stage in the Great Hall in Manchester's Town Hall.
One Tory activist told the pair he hoped they would become known as the "Chuckle Sisters" - a reference to the Chuckle Brothers tag given to the surprisingly warm relationship Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness developed when they led the power-sharing government.
But the leaders showed no sign of reaching a breakthrough despite both insisting talks had intensified.
Ms O'Neill said: "The British Government should not think that they can cobble together a deal acceptable to the DUP and then shoe-horn Sinn Fein into acquiescing to it.
"That will not happen. The shape of a deal is very clear. The two Governments know this. So do the DUP and the other parties."
Mrs Foster warned that "decision time is soon upon us" as the prospect of a return to direct rule from Westminster loomed large.
The UK Government is warning that it will have to step in to pass a budget for the region's rudderless public services at the end of October.
Ms O'Neill insisted an agreement must be reached on an Irish language Act - the main obstacle in the way of a return to devolved government - but Mrs Foster said any deal must be acceptable to unionists and nationalists.
Asked if she had been too high-handed with Republicans while in office, the DUP leader replied: "Anybody who looks back at their life and doesn't say 'Oh, I should have done that in a different way' would be telling you a lie.
"I don't think I was high-handed but, of course, it's for others to decide if I was or not."
Mrs Foster said "solid progress" had been made but "differences do remain".
"While our electoral strength in the House of Commons is now widely recognised, I have always made it clear that our important role in London will not be a distraction from what we need to do in Belfast," she said.
"It is not a choice for the DUP between influence in London and executive power in Belfast. What is in the best interests of Northern Ireland is operating in tandem and this remains our goal."
Northern Ireland has been without a first and deputy first minister since January and a functioning executive since March. The institutions collapsed when Mr McGuinness resigned over the DUP's handling of a botched renewable heat scheme, laying the blame at Ms Foster's door.
Pressed on whether the DUP leader must stand aside in order for a deal to be reached, Ms O'Neill said until all outstanding issues had been dealt with, they "will never get to position of Arlene standing aside".
The event was cut short because Ms Foster was heading off to a private meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May.
The DUP leader's talks with the Prime Minister are understood to have covered Brexit, the power-sharing situation and the Bombardier trade dispute.
In a sign of the DUP's increased influence at Westminster, a reception hosted by the party at the conference attracted Cabinet ministers including Brexit Secretary David Davis, Chief Whip Gavin Williamson, Tory party chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin and Mrs May's de facto deputy Damian Green.
Mrs Foster told the gathering that the DUP would not accept any solution to the issue of the post-Brexit frontier with the Republic of Ireland that involved a border being effectively drawn in the Irish Sea.
"We really, really believe in the single market - the single market of the United Kingdom," she said.
"That is the one that is most important to us. So all of this talk about a border down the Irish Sea is a complete non-starter to the people and the business community of Northern Ireland."
Max Schrems claims his privacy rights as an EU citizen have been breached through the transfer of his data by Facebook Ireland to US parent company Facebook Inc
Europe's highest court should decide whether to ban how internet giants like Facebook send users' data to the US, a judge in Ireland said.
The case could have huge ramifications on EU trade with the US and centres on whether Europeans enjoy enough protection from American mass surveillance.
Thousands of companies rely on current arrangements to transfer information like credit card payments between countries.
They are essential to firms of all sizes, and upholding them is critical to ensuring the economy can continue to grow without disruption, Facebook said.
Privacy campaigners like Edward Snowden and Max Schrems have highlighted major issues surrounding how information stored by internet companies is used across the Atlantic.
On Tuesday, Ireland's High Court said concerns raised by the Republic's data protection authorities were "well founded".
Ms Justice Caroline Costello said: "Union law guarantees a high level of protection to EU citizens as regards the processing of their personal data within the EU.
"They are entitled to an equivalent high level of protection when their personal data are transferred outside the European Economic Area."
She said she was referring the matter to the European Court of Justice (CJEU), which interprets EU law, for a preliminary ruling.
A previous agreement on data-sharing between Europe and the US, Safe Harbour, was largely overturned by the European Court of Justice.
The US has sought to assuage concerns about its successor, Privacy Shield, by proposing an ombudsman to oversee the deal.
Ms Justice Costello added: "The introduction of the Privacy Shield ombudsperson mechanism in the Privacy Shield decision does not eliminate those well-founded concerns.
"A decision of the CJEU is required to determine whether it amounts to a remedy satisfying the requirements of Article 47 (of the Charter of Fundamental Rights)."
Under US law, companies with Europeans' data can be compelled to hand over information to state agencies for national security purposes.
The judge said EU citizens are entitled to an effective remedy before an independent tribunal if their rights or freedoms are violated.
She added: "These include the rights under Articles 7 and 8 to respect for private and family life and protection of personal data concerning him or her."
The case was heard in Ireland because Facebook has its European headquarters in Dublin.
Austrian lawyer and campaigner Mr Schrems has claimed his privacy rights as an EU citizen have been breached through the transfer of his data by Facebook Ireland to US parent company Facebook Inc.
He said: "US citizens would not be allowed to have such mass surveillance as for European citizens and we have to protect our citizens.
"Europe protects anybody because we see it as a human right, not as a citizens' right."
He said in the long run politicians would have to sort it out.
"So far Europe has just butted out, did not do much, just hoped that it did not come back.
"Today we have heard that it does come back so probably the EU will have to come up with a better solution."
Facebook said the standard contract clauses being scrutinised during legal proceedings provided critical safeguards to ensure Europeans' data is protected once transferred to companies that operate in the US or elsewhere around the globe.
It said they are used by thousands of companies to do business.
Its statement added: "They are essential to companies of all sizes, and upholding them is critical to ensuring the economy can continue to grow without disruption.
"This ruling will have no immediate impact on the people or businesses who use our services.
"However, it is essential that the CJEU now considers the extensive evidence demonstrating the robust protections in place under standard contractual clauses and US law before it makes any decision that may endanger the transfer of data across the Atlantic and around the globe."
A senior Sinn Fein politician has lashed out at former members who he accused of intentionally trying to portray the party as being "autocratic and bullying".
In a bizarre online rant, Dublin's Lord Mayor Micheal MacDonncha accused members involved in recent disputes of trying to establish a "conspiratorial pattern" that has been seized upon by the party's "sworn enemies".
The councillor said Sinn Fein are "overwhelmingly sound people" and that the party, "for all our faults", is on the "right road".
While admitting the party needs to improve its structures of dealing with disputes, the Lord Mayor rounded on some of those who have gone public with their claims of a bullying culture.
Mr MacDonncha wrote on his Facebook page: "Some people in disputes have gone public and others, estranged from the party for various reasons, or simply hostile, have taken these up, regardless of the facts of what are diverse issues and cases, and tried to establish a conspiratorial pattern, using this to characterise Sinn Fein as autocratic and bullying."
Divisions among British ministers are hampering progress in Brexit negotiations, the European Parliaments co-ordinator on the talks has warned.
Addressing the parliament in Strasbourg, Guy Verhofstadt said they would struggle to move to the next phase of negotiations including a free trade deal while ministers in London were fighting among themselves.
There is a lack of clarity, there is even disunity. There are oppositions between Hammond and Fox. There are divisions between Johnson and May, he said.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference
It is difficult to make sufficient progress. It is difficult to make the steps towards the second phase of the negotiations.
Manfred Weber, the leader of the centre-right EPP grouping in the European Parliament and seen as a close ally of German chancellor Angela Merkel, went further, calling on Theresa May to sack Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary.
By reading Johnsons attacks against his own Prime Minister, he shows the British government is trapped by their own party quarrels and political contradictions, he said.
Please sack Johnson because we need a clear answer who is responsible for the British position.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference
The calls came as MEPs as expected backed a motion declaring the negotiations had not made sufficient progress to begin trade talks by 557 votes to 92, with 29 abstentions.
Updating MEPs on the talks, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker welcomed the conciliatory tone of Mrs Mays Florence speech in which she said no EU member state would lose out financially as result of Britains decision to leave.
However, he backed the verdict of the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier that more progress was needed on the issues of citizens rights and the border with Ireland as well as the financial settlement, before they could move to a trade deal.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference
When it comes to Brexit we still cannot talk about the future without any real clarity. We first need to agree on the terms of the divorce and then we see if we can half-lovingly find each other again, he said.
He issued a warning against any attempt by the UK to bypass Mr Barnier and the commission by appealing directly to EU leaders.
For those who think the UK should just go over Michel Barniers head, I remind them that the commission has been appointed by the 27 member states and my choice of Michel Barnier has been welcomed by them, he said.
He acts on their behalf on the basis of a clear negotiating mandate.
Expand Close Michel Barnier (Olivier Matthys/AP) / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp Michel Barnier (Olivier Matthys/AP)
Mr Barnier suggested Mrs Mays offer to fulfil Britains EU budget commitments up to 2020 did not go far enough to convince Brussels that the UK would fully honour its financial obligations.
He was applauded by MEPs as he said: We will never accept for the 27 to pay what was decided on by 28, its as simple as that.
The taxpayers of the 27 dont have to pay for the consequences of the decision that they didnt take. So, no more, no less.
We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference
Commenting on behalf of the Open Britain campaign for remaining in the single market after Brexit, Labour MP Stephen Doughty said: It is an indictment of this Governments division and incompetence that talks on Britains future relationship with the EU may be pushed back and not start for months.
With every fruitless negotiation round that goes by, the time left to negotiate a deal with the EU shrinks, and the likelihood of a hard and destructive Brexit that puts jobs at risk grows.
Police officers outside Marseille's Saint Charles station after a man stabbed two women to death (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
Five people are in custody after being detained by French authorities over an apparent failed bombing attempt in an apartment building in a chic district of Paris.
Police in the capital said a neighbour alerted authorities to suspicious activity in the building in the 16th arrondissement early on Saturday.
A judicial official said an explosive device was found and deactivated and that counter-terrorism prosecutors have opened an investigation.
One of the suspects was under government surveillance for radicalism, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said on Tuesday.
Asked to explain how someone under surveillance could carry out an attempted attack undetected, Mr Collomb said radicals usually have "friends, networks that can carry out the act", people who do no't show outward signs of radicalisation "but are ready to help".
He said the incident shows that the threat against France remains "extremely big".
"Blowing up a building in a chic neighbourhood of Paris - is this not a sign that no-one is safe? This doesn't happen just in suburbs in working-class neighbourhoods," he said.
The incident came on the same weekend as a man who used multiple aliases stabbed to women to death outside Marseille's main railway station. His motives were unclear, though the attack was claimed by the Islamic State group.
Mr Collomb also stressed the importance of a new counter-terrorism law which expected to win parliamentary approval on Tuesday. Critics say it tramples on individual liberties and puts France in a permanent state of emergency.
"We are still in a state of war, even if the Islamic State group has seen military defeats," said the minister.
AP
Kurdish flags in the streets after the polls closed in the controversial Iraq Kurdish referendum (AP)
Kurdish representatives stayed away from a parliament session under way in Baghdad as tensions escalate further between Iraq's central government and the region following its controversial independence referendum.
MP Mohammed al-Karbouli said Kurdish politicians did not show up for Tuesday's session.
The Shiite-dominated legislature rejected the September 25 referendum in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region and areas the Kurds captured battling the Islamic State group since 2014.
The Kurds voted by more than 90% in support of independence.
Parliament has asked for harsh measures in response to the vote, including sending federal troops to retake the contested oil-rich city of Kirkuk, held by Kurdish forces but claimed by Baghdad.
Politicians also dismissed the ethnically mixed Kirkuk province's Kurdish governor who supported the referendum.
AP
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 01 People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 01: (EDITORS NOTE: Image contains graphic content.) People carry a peson at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 01: People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
People tend to the wounded outside the festival ground after an apparent shooting on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Las Vegas police stand guard along the streets outside the festival grounds of the Route 91 Harvest on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
People tend to the wounded outside the festival ground after an apparent shooting on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
A man in a wheelchair is taken away from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
People run for cover at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
A crowd of people at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
People carry a person at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was heard on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
Las Vegas police stand guard along the streets outside the the Route 91 Harvest country music festival grounds after a active shooter was reported on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are reports of an active shooter around the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
People run from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after apparent gun fire was hear on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
People scramble for shelter at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The multi-millionaire gunman responsible for the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history was the son of a bank robber once on the FBI's most wanted list, according to his family.
Stephen Paddock (64) was named by police as the gunman who massacred at least 58 people on the Las Vegas Strip.
Eric Paddock, speaking to CBS News, said he was "not an avid gun guy at all" with "no religious affiliation, no political affiliation", or history of mental illness.
"We have no idea how this happened," the 55-year-old who lives in Orlando, Florida, added to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "It's like an asteroid just fell on top of our family." Eric Paddock also said his brother had made a fortune as a property developer and recently sent his 90-year-old mother a Zimmer frame.
He described his brother as a gambler who played slot machines and video poker on the Strip while living in retirement.
The brother also said that their father was bank robber Benjamin Hoskins Paddock, who was on the FBI's 10 most wanted list until 1977.
Described as an avid gambler, he spent nearly a decade as a fugitive after springing from a Texan prison in 1968, the Arizona Republic reported at the time.
An FBI poster described him as a "psychopath" who should be treated as "armed and very dangerous".
Stephen Paddock lived in Mesquite, Nevada, 80 miles north east of Las Vegas, with 62-year-old Marilou Danley, who had been his partner.
Guns and ammunition were found in a search of Paddock's "nice, clean" home, a Mesquite Police spokesman said.
Eric Paddock, telling reporters his brother had made millions in property, said he was not aware of his brother having any recent financial difficulties and that he had recently sent the walking aid to their mother.
Paddock is believed to have killed himself before a police Swat team burst into his room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, where at least 10 "rifles" were found, Clark County sheriff Joseph Lombardo said.
"We have no investigative information or background associated with this individual that is derogatory," he added. The motive for the attack on the Route 91 Harvest Festival remains unclear, with FBI special agent Aaron Rouse saying Paddock had no connection to an international terrorist organisation.
Expand Close Stephen Paddock and girlfriend Marilou Danley / Facebook
Twitter
Email
Whatsapp Stephen Paddock and girlfriend Marilou Danley
His comment came after Islamic State, which is known to have made false and exaggerated claims in the past, claimed Paddock was a "soldier" who had recently converted to Islam.
Paddock's former brother-in-law Scott Brunoehler also expressed his shock at his involvement.
"He seemed like a normal, good guy. I don't remember anything bad back then at all," the 62-year-old told the LA Times of the man married to his sister until the 1980s.
"I'm still in shock."
A Jewish rights group has urged a Polish state historical institute to sack an official who has published several books by British Holocaust denier David Irving.
The Simon Wiesenthal Centre said the official, Arkadiusz Wingert, published books by Irving between 2009 and 2014.
Mr Wingert is now the deputy director of the publishing office of the Institute of National Remembrance, a state body that investigates crimes in Poland during the Second World War and the subsequent communist era.
"If the (institute) is to maintain any shred of credibility it must end its relationship with Wingert immediately and stop all efforts aimed at undermining the history of the Holocaust in Poland," Mark Weitzman, director of government affairs for the US-based Wiesenthal centre, said in a statement.
The history institute has defended hiring Mr Wingert, arguing that none of the works that Mr Wingert published violated Polish law, which makes Holocaust denial a crime.
It also noted that the Polish editions of Irving's works Mr Wingert had already been published elsewhere first.
Irving is a revisionist historian who has declared that the Auschwitz gas chambers were a hoax.
He has been declared guilty of Holocaust denial by courts in Britain and Austria, where he served a 13-month prison sentence.
AP
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit residents affected by Hurricane in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greets military personnel upon arrival at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMALHECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMALHECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump step off Air Force One upon arrival at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO - OCTOBER 03: President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive on Air Force One at the Muniz Air National Guard Base for a visit after Hurricane Maria hit the island on October 3, 2017 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The President has been criticized by some that say the governmentOs response has been inadequate. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump step off Air Force One upon arrival at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO - OCTOBER 03: President Donald Trump and Melania Trump arrive on Air Force One at the Muniz Air National Guard Base for a visit after Hurricane Maria hit the island on October 3, 2017 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The President has been criticized by some that say the governmentOs response has been inadequate. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet military personnel upon arrival at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO - OCTOBER 03: President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at the Muniz Air National Guard Base for a visit after Hurricane Maria hit the island on October 3, 2017 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The President has been criticized by some that say the governmentOs response has been inadequate. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump shakes hands with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz (L) during briefing on Hurricane Maria relief efforts at a hanger at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a meeting with Governor Ricardo Rossello (light blue shirt) and other officials after stepping off Air Force One upon arrival at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO - OCTOBER 03: US President Donald Trump greets U.S Air Force airmen as he arrives at the Muniz Air National Guard Base as he makes a visit after Hurricane Maria hit the island on October 3, 2017 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The President has been criticized by some that say the government's response has been inadequate. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO - OCTOBER 03: US President Donald Trump greets U.S Air Force airmen as he arrives at the Muniz Air National Guard Base as he makes a visit after Hurricane Maria hit the island on October 3, 2017 in Carolina, Puerto Rico. The President has been criticized by some that say the government's response has been inadequate. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a meeting with Governor Ricardo Rossello (3rd L, light blue shirt) and other officials after stepping off Air Force One upon arrival at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a meeting with Governor Ricardo Rossello (2nd L, light blue shirt) and other officials after stepping off Air Force One upon arrival at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a meeting with Governor Ricardo Rossello (unseen) and other officials after stepping off Air Force One upon arrival at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump attends a meeting with Governor Ricardo Rossello (L)and other officials after stepping off Air Force One upon arrival at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump attend a meeting with Governor Ricardo Rossello (L)and other officials after stepping off Air Force One upon arrival at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. President Donald Trump strenuously defended US efforts to bring relief to storm- battered Puerto Rico, even as one island official said Trump was trying to gloss over "things that are not going well," two weeks after devastating Hurricane Maria left much of the island without electricity, fresh water or sufficient food. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMALHECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. President Donald Trump strenuously defended US efforts to bring relief to storm- battered Puerto Rico, even as one island official said Trump was trying to gloss over "things that are not going well," two weeks after devastating Hurricane Maria left much of the island without electricity, fresh water or sufficient food. / AFP PHOTO / HECTOR RETAMALHECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump make their way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland en route Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit residents affected by Hurricane in Guaynabo, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit residents affected by Hurricane in Guaynabo, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit residents affected by Hurricane in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit residents affected by Hurricane in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit residents affected by Hurricane in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit residents affected by Hurricane in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit residents affected by Hurricane in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit residents affected by Hurricane in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit residents affected by Hurricane in San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave after visiting residents affected by Hurricane in Guaynabo, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump takes part in a food and supply distribution at the Cavalry Chapel in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump (R) take part in a food and suplly distribution at the Cavalry Chapel in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump meet with US Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp (unseen) in the Ward Room aboard the USS Kearsarge, off Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump highlighted Puerto Rico's relatively low death toll compared with "a real catastrophe like Katrina" as he saw for himself the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.
Mr Trump pledged an all-out effort to help the island but added: "Now I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but you've thrown our budget a little out of whack because we've spent a lot of money on Puerto Rico. And that's fine. We've saved a lot of lives."
He said his visit was "not about me" but then praised local officials for offering kind words about the recovery effort and invited one to repeat the "nice things" she had said earlier.
He also singled out Governor Ricardo Rossello for "giving us the highest praise",
"Every death is a horror," he said, "but if you look at a real catastrophe like Katrina and you look at the tremendous, hundreds of and hundreds and hundreds of people that died, and you look at what happened here ... nobody's ever seen anything like this."
The most prominent critic in Puerto Rico, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, attended Mr Trump's first event, in an airport hangar, shaking his hand as he went around a table greeting officials,
Days earlier, she accused the Trump administration of "killing us with the inefficiency," pleading for more effective federal leadership in the crisis.
Air Force One brought the president, first lady Melania Trump and aides to Puerto Rico.
They were expected to spend more than five hours on the ground, meeting first responders, local officials and some of the 3.4 million people whose lives have been devastated by a hurricane that, in the president's words, "flattened" the island.
At least parts of the itinerary were drawn to ensure a friendly reception: Mr Trump was visiting the houses of pre-selected families waiting on their lawns.
He president also handed out flashlights at a church, where 200 people cheered his arrival and crowded around him.
"There's a lot of love in this room, a lot of love," Mr Trump said. "Great people."
Asked by reporters what he had to say to people still without power, food and water, he spoke of the generators brought to the island and said the electrical grid was being fixed.
"Again the job that's been done here is really nothing short of a miracle," he said.
In his first moments on the island, Mr Trump remained focused primarily on drawing praise. "He didn't play politics at all," he said of the governor, making clear that he considers those who have criticised him to be politically driven.
The president had misstated Maria as a Category 5 hurricane; it was Category 4 when it hit Puerto Rico.
"I appreciate your support and I know you appreciate ours," he said. "Our country has really gone all out. It's not only dangerous, it's expensive. But I consider it a great honour."
Before leaving Washington, he said Puerto Ricans who have called the federal response insufficient "have to give us more help."
Large-scale protests against Mr Trump, talked about in advance, failed to materialise by early afternoon, with only a few knots of people gathering around San Juan to decry his criticism of local politicians.
As he headed out from the White House to visit the island, Mr Trump told reporters that "it's now acknowledged what a great job we've done".
The trip is Mr Trump's fourth to areas battered by storms during an unusually violent hurricane season that has also seen parts of Texas, Florida, Louisiana and the US Virgin Islands inundated by floodwaters and hit by high winds.
Nearly two weeks after the Puerto Rico storm, much of the countryside is still struggling to access such basic necessities as food, fresh water and cash.
Mr Trump's visit follows a weekend in which he aggressively pushed back against critics, including Cruz.
Mr Trump responded angrily on Twitter, deriding the "poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help."
"They want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort," he added, scoffing at "politically motivated ingrates" who had criticised the federal work, and insisting that "tremendous progress" was being made.
For many, however, Washington's response is not enough. On Monday, the nonprofit relief group Oxfam announced that it would be taking the rare step of intervening in an American disaster, citing its outrage over what it called a "slow and inadequate response".
Militant positions in the Idlib province of Syria hit by Russian air strikes (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service photo via AP)
Russia's military has said its air strikes in eastern Syria this week killed more than 300 Islamic State militants.
Moscow has been a major backer of Syria's President Bashar Assad, whose government troops have been advancing in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour against IS under the cover of Russian air strikes.
Meanwhile, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces are also marching against the Islamic State, backed by the US-led coalition.
Russia's Defence Ministry said in a statement early on Tuesday that its air strikes just outside Deir el-Zour, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, killed more than 304 IS fighters and injured another 200.
The ministry said the air strikes also hit and destroyed an IS training centre, as well as artillery positions, tanks and ammunition depots belonging to the militants.
AP
Thai police are seeking an international request for the arrest of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is now believed to be in the UK after fleeing to Dubai to evade a prison sentence.
Deputy police commissioner general Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul said on Tuesday that the United Arab Emirates confirmed that Yingluck went from Dubai to the UK.
He said he asked international police body Interpol to issue a red notice, a request to locate and provisionally arrest someone pending extradition.
Yingluck, whose government was ousted in a 2014 coup, was sentenced in absentia to five years' imprisonment on September 27 for negligence in instituting a money-losing rice subsidy programme.
She fled Thailand before the verdict and has called the case against her politically motivated.
AP
Donald Trump is due to meet some of the 3.4 million Puerto Ricans struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria, as criticism of the federal government's sluggish response continues.
The US President is expected to spend more than five hours on the ground, meeting first responders, local officials and some of the residents struggling to recover from a hurricane that, in Mr Trump's, left the island territory "flattened".
Mr Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are scheduled to attend briefings, visit a church, and meet Governor Ricardo Rossello, as well as the governor of the US Virgin Islands.
They will also meet Navy and Marine Corps personnel on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge.
AP
Cuba's foreign minister has said Washington's response to mysterious attacks on its diplomats was "reckless" and "hasty".
Bruno Rodriguez spoke on Tuesday after the US government expelled 15 of Cuba's diplomats to protest against its failure to protect Americans from the unexplained attacks.
He said at a press conference in Havana that his government fulfils all its obligations toward foreign envoys.
On Friday, Washington issued a travel warning for the island and said it was reducing by about 60% its diplomatic staffing at the US embassy in Havana.
The scope of the attacks has continued to grow and the US disclosed on Tuesday that the 22nd victim was confirmed the day before.
In recent weeks the US state department had said there were 21 individuals "medically confirmed" to be affected by attacks that harmed their hearing, cognition, balance and vision, some with diagnoses as serious as brain injury.
"The ministry of foreign affairs strongly protests and condemns this unfounded and unacceptable decision as well as the pretext used to justify it," Mr Rodriguez said.
He did not announce any retaliatory measures.
Cuba has said it allowed US investigative agencies to work on the ground in its country for the first time in more than 50 years as part of the investigation into the attacks on American diplomats.
The foreign affairs ministry was detailing its efforts to help in a lengthy statement responding to the Trump administration's decision to expel the 15 Cuban diplomats.
The ministry said US "specialised agencies" visited Havana three times, in June, August and September. The US has said the FBI is leading the investigation.
Cuba said during the second and third visits, it let the US import special equipment and granted access to all facilities.
It also said new, faster communications channels have been opened between the US embassy in Havana and Cuba's diplomatic security department.
US secretary of state Rex Tillerson had earlier said that kicking out 15 Cuban diplomats would "ensure equity".
He said the decision was made "due to Cuba's failure to take appropriate steps to protect our diplomats".
The unexplained attacks in Havana have allegedly harmed at least 22 American government workers and their family members.
Mr Tillerson said the US is maintaining diplomatic relations and will co-operate with Cuba while the investigation continues.
But he said the move to reduce staffing at the Havana embassy was needed to "minimise the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm".
Washington has given Cuba a list of 15 of its diplomats who must leave the US within seven days although they are not being declared "persona non grata".
That designation would prevent them from ever returning.
AP
The new US ambassador has taken up his post in Moscow
Vladimir Putin called for improved relations between the US and Russia as he welcomed Washington's new ambassador to Moscow.
Jon Huntsman presented his diplomatic credentials to Mr Putin at a ceremony in the Kremlin.
Mr Huntsman arrived in Moscow on Sunday to take over from John Tefft, who left after serving in Russia for three years, a period marred by a deep and rapid deterioration of ties, unseen since the end of the Cold War.
The US-Russia relationship has soured even further in recent months following a series of expulsions of diplomats and closures of diplomatic missions.
In his address to Mr Huntsman, Mr Putin offered Russia's condolences over the deadly shooting attack in Las Vegas and expressed hope for better ties with the US.
"The current level of the ties cannot satisfy us," Mr Putin said.
"We stand for constructive, predictable and mutually beneficial cooperation."
Mr Putin also said both the US and Russia should not meddle in each other's "domestic affairs".
Mr Huntsman, the former Utah governor who once called for Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race, won easy confirmation as US ambassador last week.
He was the nation's top diplomat to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush and ambassador to China under President Barack Obama before returning to the US to run for president in 2012.
Mr Huntsman had an up-and-down relationship with Mr Trump during last year's campaign.
The former governor was slow to endorse any candidate for the Republican nomination, though he did back Mr Trump once he became the presumptive nominee.
But Mr Huntsman then called for Mr Trump to drop out of the presidential race after the release of a 2005 audio in which Mr Trump was captured on a microphone making lewd comments about women.
Although Mr Trump has called Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election a hoax pushed by Democrats to sully his victory at the polls, Mr Huntsman said at his confirmation hearing last week that "there is no question, underline, no question" that Moscow interfered.
He also said he would not hesitate to remind Russian officials that they are accountable for their actions.
Mr Huntsman comes into office with a drastically reduced staff after the Russian foreign ministry ordered the US to cut its embassy and consulate staff in Russia by 755 people, or by two-thirds, heightening tensions between Washington and Moscow after the US Congress approved sanctions against Russia.
In response, the US suspended issuing non-immigrant visas in Moscow for a week in August and stopped issuing visas at its consulates elsewhere in Russia.
AP
It's getting better all the time kind of perhaps According to the latest (deep breath) Northern Ireland Good Relations Indicator Report, this is a less sectarian place than five years ago. Or rather we feel that it is a less sectarian place. Or, to be more strictly accurate, we feel that community relations between Catholics and Protestants are improving
It's getting better all the time kind of perhaps According to the latest (deep breath) Northern Ireland Good Relations Indicator Report, this is a less sectarian place than five years ago. Or rather we feel that it is a less sectarian place. Or, to be more strictly accurate, we feel that community relations between Catholics and Protestants are improving.
The key finding is that 52% of adults and 59% of young people feel things are better on this front. Last year's figures were 47% and 52% respectively. Progress 1 Sectarianism 0. Except
It doesn't really feel like that does it? Or rather it isn't quite the whole picture. In our political sphere there is deadlock - with side-orders of fear and suspicion. Look at the last two election results: in the Stormont poll nationalist voters united behind Sinn Fein to give the RHI/Irish Language Act embroiled DUP a bloody nose and try to snatch the (theoretically useless, remember) idea of being the top party. And at the Westminster election unionist voters turned out in numbers not seen for years to strike back at the nationalist surge.
In both polls the 'centre ground' - to speak rather generously - was effectively thrown into reverse, with both the SDLP and the UUP effectively on political life support machines. The doctors haven't quite given up hope, but the mood music isn't good. A couple of percentage points on the Alliance vote and two Green MLAs does not constitute a revolution in political attitudes.
It wouldn't be too big of a stretch to conclude that attitudes are becoming more deeply entrenched and that we are further away than ever from mutually climbing out of our political/cultural trenches and stumbling hopefully across no-man's land to the loving embrace of the former 'enemy'.
Indeed, it could be that our sectarianism is becoming formalised. Certainly, you get a sense of that from another finding in the report - ironically trumped as being rather positive.
Some 91% said they felt they could be open about expressing their cultural identity in their neighbourhood and 89% felt that about their workplaces. Meanwhile, 76% believed the traditions of both Protestant and Catholic cultures added to the richness of Northern Ireland.
Added? A cynic might say that if we took away the, er, traditions of both Protestant and Catholic cultures, we'd be culturally stripped to the bone.
The strange thing about the survey is that we're all somehow allocated a 'cultural identity' at birth, never to be changed, modified or returned to the shop unused.
Yet who can deny things are getting better here? A bit like 'love', progress is all around us. You can feel it in the air.
Belfast has been transformed beyond recognition. We are a less uptight city.
Look at the thousands who enjoy Culture (note, not Protestant or Catholic) Night. We have a vibrant nightlife. We are on the tourist map. The city has been - whether in terms of architecture or economic infrastructure - recalibrated, rebranded and, to a certain extent, reborn.
But the change is more than buildings. There has been a collective unclenching; not a revolution as such, more a gentle relaxation of muscles kept hyper-taut for decades.
It is both a pleasant but slightly unnerving and disorientating experience.
In our everyday lives, I suspect, fewer of us 'see' ourselves overtly as nationalists or unionists, Protestant or Catholic. We don't greedily hoard the injustices that history has served up. We don't wish to provoke the traditional enemy. We're not that interested in 'victory' anymore.
Open up Facebook and see the plethora of issue politics or wider cultural politics. For every one Orange or Green page, there will be more pages trumpeting a new style of politics and ideas of belonging. True, some of this is the merest gesture politics, but isn't that the point?
Gestures towards a normal 'polity' that is interested in the environment, social policy, hastily adapted US-style culture wars.
Still, you can't help get the feeling much of this is 'add on' attitudes - not 'instead of'. We can ramble on about Trump, Brexit, North Korea. Indeed, at times we now revel in it. We love going for a swim in the sea of normality but we're not keen to venture too far out we don't want to lose sight of those Orange and Green lifebelts.
And that's where we are - divided selves. Yearning for change but refusing to let go (entirely) of the old certainties.
We play little sleights of hand, small tricks on ourselves. As, on the surface, we grow more tolerant, we cordon off and rebrand our past - hence the generally positive culture ratings in the latest report. Sure, isn't it really a bit like Pride? Doesn't it provide a wee bit of local colour? We have a kind of twisted nostalgia for the old days where at least you knew who you were - look at us being buck eejits (conveniently forgetting that being a buck eejit involved causing murder and mayhem).
In other words, it isn't that our new normality is a 'lie' as such, but it is a bit of glad-handing, an act. We are less sectarian, less hate-filled, less bombastic.
But push us into a corner and we're still capable of bearing the fangs, snarling with hatred and less than perfect reason.
And every election we are pushed - or push ourselves? - into a corner. Can't let the other side win - what will happen to 'us'?
Nor should we delude ourselves that it is the working class alone clinging on for dear life to the old shibboleths. In the swish offices, boardrooms, 'club' there will also be those - orthodox to the last - hanging on to the old ways. Business as usual.
I've no statistical evidence but it seems obvious that all those voting for the old politics aren't out there in the dark estates and the mean streets. Nope, they're sitting beside you enjoying an almond slice and a frappachino.
They're pushing their way around Victoria Square wondering if their credit card can take much more of a bashing. They're salsa-ing away at Culture Night.
In other words, they're very much like you.
David Carpenter writes (Comment, September 29) that, in the 1970s, a housing allocation system based on need was introduced in Northern Ireland.
He omits that, long before the 1970s, in 1945, the Housing Trust was established by William Grant, then Minister of Health and Local Government at Stormont, with precisely that mandate.
Local councils, however, were not brought under the scheme and so, whether unionist or nationalist, could continue to allocate housing to applicants and in doing so to their supporters. Nationalists no less than unionists were good at the preferential option.
But under the Housing Trust, chaired by Sir Lucius O'Brien, not only were Housing Trust houses allocated according to need under a points system as required, but also in Belfast housing estates were deliberately integrated: either two-thirds Protestant and one-third Catholic, as in Highfield or, as in the adjoining Ballymurphy and New Barnsley, two-thirds Catholic and one-third Protestant. And relations were such that, later, a new Holy Cross Catholic school could be built without raising any problem (that came later) in a mostly Protestant area of Ardoyne.
All this was to go up in smoke, literally - the Church of Ireland's little Luther Church was set alight on what is now the Upper Whiterock Road. It was burnt down, following the exodus of Protestants from Ballymurphy and New Barnsley at the beginning of the Troubles, as though suggesting don't come back. There was a similar exodus of Catholics from Highfield; each lot, Protestant and Catholic, feeling more secure among their "own".
This was the achievement of those who saw in the then Northern Ireland prime minister, Terence O'Neill, a threat to their brand of "unionism" and their brand of "nationalism".
WA miller
Belfast
Indian police stand near the site of gun battle between suspected militants and government forces in Srinagar, Oct. 3, 2017.
Security forces Tuesday gunned down three suspected suicide bombers with a Pakistan-based terror outfit who allegedly attacked the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters near Indian Kashmirs heavily militarized Srinagar airport, police said.
A BSF official was killed and four soldiers were wounded in the attack in the insurgency-torn Himalayan region that was blamed on Pakistan-based organization Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM).
Police said the attackers lobbed grenades and started shooting after breaching the BSF camp.
Investigators have identified a JeM member who drove the attackers to the camp, a police official said without divulging the suspects identity.
Pakistan-backed JeM group is behind the attack. We know a member of the group drove the attackers to the BSF headquarters, Munir Khan, Indian Kashmirs inspector general of police, told BenarNews, adding that the police had launched a manhunt.
The three militants, who entered the BSF headquarters after cutting through the compounds fence and opened fire, were killed in retaliatory action, Khan said.
The BSFs 182 Battalion that came under attack manages the security at the Srinagar International Airport. However, Khan said the airport was not the target.
JeM claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the Press Trust of India.
An unidentified caller who identified himself as a JeM spokesman said that its operatives carried out the attack, the news agency reported.
The assault came a day after the Indian Army claimed to have killed five unidentified Pakistani militants when it foiled two attempts to infiltrate the Line of Control the de-facto border dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Both sides lay claim to the territory in its entirety.
India blames JeM for attacks on the countrys security forces, including the 2016 assault on an airbase in Punjab that killed seven Indian soldiers.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte meets with troops during his sixth visit to the southern city of Marawi, Oct. 2, 2017.
Communist guerrillas have stepped up attacks against Philippine targets as the military struggles to end a siege by Islamic State-linked (IS) militants in Marawi, President Rodrigo Duterte said while visiting troops in the southern city.
The communist New Peoples Army (NPA) which also operates in parts of the south averaged 12 offensives against the army and agricultural firms in the countryside since he called off peace talks in February, the Philippine president said Monday during his sixth visit to troops deployed to Marawi.
The communist rebels try to collect illegal revolutionary taxes from firms and if those firms refuse to pay, their facilities are burned or attacked by gunmen.
Every day, the countryside has become a battlefield. This cannot continue, Duterte said in a speech to troops, a copy of which was released to the press on Tuesday.
The conflict between the government and communist rebels has been on the back burner since May 23, when IS-backed gunmen laid siege to Marawi, a predominantly Muslim city in the southern island of Mindanao. The government was surprised and has been struggling to contain the enemy side.
Nearly 1,000 fighters and civilians have been killed in the fighting in Marawi.
Army 4th Infantry Division spokesman Capt. Patrick Martinez said the NPA had continued to mount attacks elsewhere, taking advantage of the military concentration in Marawi.
We did not stop hunting them either, Martinez said.
NPA clashes
Martinez said the latest clash occurred on Friday, when soldiers attacked an NPA camp in a remote village in Agusan del Sur province, in northeastern Mindanao.
Two rebels were killed and troops recovered six rifles and explosives from the clash site, he said.
In the central Philippines on Tuesday, two Swedish nationals and their Filipino driver were apparently wounded by crossfire when suspected NPA guerrillas tried to attack a police car in Negros Occidental province, a report by the Associated Press quoted local authorities as saying.
Duterte terminated a ceasefire with the rebels on Feb. 3, following the deaths of several soldiers who were killed in clashes even as peace negotiations were ongoing. He had offered some leniency in exchange for the rebels surrendering and ending their 48-year-old Maoist insurgency, Asias longest running rebellion.
The rebels rejected the peace overture. Early last month, they called Dutertes offer unacceptable.
The line has been drawn to separate, fight and overthrow the U.S.-Duterte regime. Duterte would have a hard time to act convincingly again, said communist party founder Jose Maria Sison, who lives in self-exile in the Netherlands.
A member of the Philippine military stands on the beach at Thitu island (Pag-asa), which hosts a small Filipino town and airstrip used for civilian and military flights in the disputed Spratlys islands in the South China Sea, June 1, 2014.
Chinese vessels are still harassing and intimidating Filipino fishermen near Pag-asa (Thitu), an island claimed by the Philippines in the disputed Spratlys chain in the South China Sea, a Philippine opposition legislator said Tuesday.
At least three Chinese maritime militia boats backed by a navy ship were recently spotted one to five nautical miles from three sandbars that were very near Pag-asa, House of Representatives member Gary Alejano said, citing intelligence sources.
Alejano, an opposition member and an ex-Marine captain, said the sandbars were near Pag-asa and Subi Reef, once a low-tide elevation that was later reclaimed by China.
But a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague had categorized Subi as a low tide elevation feature, meaning it lies below the waters surface, and therefore is not considered an island that could have territorial waters, the lawmaker pointed out.
Chinese forces are employing new tactics, Alejano said. They are harassing our patrolling vessels by continuously sounding their sirens to signify their opposition to our vessels visiting or patrolling the sandbars.
He said his office would release a more detailed account of his allegation on Wednesday.
Representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Manila were not available to comment.
Alejano first made the allegations in August, when he accused China of preparing to invade a sandbar near Pag-asa.
But his allegation was strongly dismissed by the President Rodrigo Dutertes government, widely seen as a pro-Chinese administration that has bent over backwards to appease Beijing and normalize bilateral relations that were frazzled by the arbitration ruling.
The foreign affairs department then said it had quietly inquired about Alejanos claim. It said it had received a satisfactory answer from Beijing, but did not go into details.
Alejanos allegations came shortly after China and the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed to a framework for talks on a code of conduct in the sea region.
Both sides expect to begin negotiations for the code later this year, in time for a leaders annual summit scheduled in November and hosted by Manila.
Pag-asa is part of the contested Spratly island chain that is believed to lie atop vast mineral deposits. Besides the Philippines and China, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan have territorial claims.
Duterte flatly rejected Alejanos claim, even as he said that the Chinese were in the area.
Why should I defend a sandbar and kill the Filipinos because of a sandbar? Duterte said at the time.
Moncks Corner, SC (29461)
Today
Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low near 50F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph..
Tonight
Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low near 50F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
ein Google-Unternehmen
Google-Dienste anzubieten und zu betreiben
Ausfalle zu prufen und Manahmen gegen Spam, Betrug und Missbrauch zu ergreifen
Daten zu Zielgruppeninteraktionen und Websitestatistiken zu erheben. Mit den gewonnenen Informationen mochten wir verstehen, wie unsere Dienste verwendet werden, und die Qualitat dieser Dienste verbessern.
neue Dienste zu entwickeln und zu verbessern
Werbung auszuliefern und ihre Wirkung zu messen
personalisierte Inhalte anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen
personalisierte Werbung anzuzeigen, abhangig von Ihren Einstellungen
Wenn Sie Alle ablehnen auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies nicht fur diese zusatzlichen Zwecke.
Nicht personalisierte Inhalte und Werbung werden u. a. von Inhalten, die Sie sich gerade ansehen, und Ihrem Standort beeinflusst (welche Werbung Sie sehen, basiert auf Ihrem ungefahren Standort). Personalisierte Inhalte und Werbung konnen auch Videoempfehlungen, eine individuelle YouTube-Startseite und individuelle Werbung enthalten, die auf fruheren Aktivitaten wie auf YouTube angesehenen Videos und Suchanfragen auf YouTube beruhen. Sofern relevant, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auerdem, um Inhalte und Werbung altersgerecht zu gestalten.
Wir verwenden Cookies und Daten, umWenn Sie Alle akzeptieren auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auch, umWahlen Sie Weitere Optionen aus, um sich zusatzliche Informationen anzusehen, einschlielich Details zum Verwalten Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellungen. Sie konnen auch jederzeit g.co/privacytools besuchen.
Translations on this website are prepared by a third-party provider. Some portions may be incorrect. Some itemsincluding downloadable files or imagescannot be translated at all. No liability is assumed by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for any errors or omissions. Any user who relies on translated content does so at his/her own risk.
For Immediate Release, October 3, 2017 Contact: Howard Crystal, (202) 809-6926, hcrystal@biologicaldiversity.org Lawsuit Challenges Trump Administration's Refusal to Release Records on Climate Committee Dismissal WASHINGTON The Center for Biological Diversity sued the Trump administration today for refusing to release public records about its sudden termination this summer of a federal climate advisory committee. The expert committee was working in support of the next National Climate Assessment, a congressionally mandated scientific report on global warmings threats to the United States. After axing a panel full of climate experts, the Trump administration is illegally refusing to release public records about what motivated that dangerous decision, said Howard Crystal, a senior attorney at the Centers Climate Law Institute. Kicking these experts to the curb is a ridiculous rejection of scientific reality that will leave us even less prepared for monster hurricanes and other climate change devastation. Todays lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks records about the Trump administrations Aug. 18 announcement that it was disbanding the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment. The 15-person panel, created by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration in 2015, advised the public and private sectors on long-term climate change planning. This included analyzing the effects of current and projected climate change on ecosystems, public health, agriculture, energy production and infrastructure. The administration has not explained whether or how these efforts will continue without the committee. The Center submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for relevant records to the agency on Aug. 31, but the agency failed to provide any response by the mandated deadline. The request seeks records on who was involved in the decision, the factors considered and how the committees unfinished work will now be completed. A 1990 law requires the federal government to issue a National Climate Assessment every four years, but the assessment has only come out three times since the laws passage. In 2006 the Center successfully sued President George W. Bush after his administration repeatedly stalled the release of a previous Assessment. It is unclear how the advisory committees sudden elimination will affect the Fourth Assessment, due in 2018. We need to find out whether the administration nixed the committee as part of a plan to censor or delay the upcoming National Climate Assessment, Crystal said. Well fight in court to prevent any interference with this crucial scientific report.
For Immediate Release, October 3, 2017 Contact: Collette Adkins, Center for Biological Diversity, (651) 955-3821, cadkins@biologicaldiversity.org
Bruce Morrison, Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, (314) 231-4181, bamorrison@greatriverslaw.org Missouri Proposes Ban on Commercial Trapping of Wild Turtles Thousands From State Rivers Have Been Caught, Sold JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. In response to a petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and Great Rivers Environmental Law Center, the Missouri Department of Conservation yesterday proposed a ban on commercial collection of the states wild freshwater turtles following a national trend of ending unsustainable turtle harvesting. Under current law turtle traders can legally collect unlimited numbers of common snapping and softshell turtles to sell domestically or export for Asian food and medicinal markets. Thousands of Missouris turtles have been caught and sold over the past 10 years. Im so glad Missouri is poised to do the right thing for its turtles, said Collette Adkins, a biologist and senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. The science shows for-profit trapping is putting the states turtles at risk. If its finalized, this ban would protect the states turtles from trappers seeking to make a quick buck. Under current regulations in Missouri, holders of a commercial fishing permit may take unlimited numbers of common snappers, spiny softshells and smooth softshells from portions of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers with no closed season. According to the Department, 1,100 river miles are open to commercial turtle collection. Scientists have repeatedly documented that freshwater turtles cannot sustain any significant level of wild collection without leading to population declines. For example, in a 2014 Missouri study researchers found that no commercial collection could be sustained for softshells and common snappers could withstand only minimum rates of juvenile collection and no adult collection. The survival of Missouris wildlife is in the hands of Missouris Department of Conservation, said Bruce Morrison, general counsel for Great Rivers Environmental Law Center. Thankfully the Department appears ready to take this step to protect these animals as a vital part of our States ecosystems. The public has 30 days to submit comments, which will be compiled and presented for consideration by the Missouri Conservation Commission. The state is expected to publish a final rule in February. Background
Millions of turtles classified as wild-caught are exported from the United States every year to supply food and medicinal markets in Asia, where native turtle populations have already been depleted by soaring consumption. Because turtles bioaccumulate toxins from prey and burrow in contaminated sediment, turtle meat is often laced with mercury, PCBs and pesticides, posing a health risk. Adult turtles are also taken from the wild to breed hatchlings for the international pet trade. As part of a campaign to protect turtles in the United States, the Center for Biological Diversity has been petitioning states that allow unrestricted commercial turtle collection to improve regulations. Of the states that share a border with Missouri, only Arkansas still allows unlimited commercial collection of turtles. Just last week the Center and several Arkansas-based environmental organizations petitioned the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to end commercial collection of the states wild turtles. Also in September, Nevada created a statewide ban on the destructive commercial collection of all reptiles and New York halted all commercial terrapin turtle harvesting. Before that, in March, Iowa adopted new regulations setting closed seasons and possession limits for commercial turtle trappers. In 2012 Georgia approved state rules regulating the commercial collection of turtles, and Alabama completely banned commercial collection. And in 2009 Florida responded by banning almost all commercial collection of freshwater turtles from public and private waters.
For Immediate Release, October 3, 2017 Contact: Tierra Curry, (928) 522-3681, tcurry@biologicaldiversity.org Two Southeast Freshwater Fish Proposed for Endangered Species Act Protection Trump Administration Denies Two Different Fish Protection in Fishy Decision WASHINGTON In response to a legal victory by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting two colorful Southeast fish under the Endangered Species Act, but denied protection for two other fish. The trispot darter in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee and the candy darter in Virginia and West Virginia will gain final protection one year from todays proposal. The Service simultaneously denied protection for the holiday darter and the bridled darter, despite status reviews indicating theyre in poor condition. The Trump administration is such an enemy to the environment that were surprised and elated to see even two of these imperiled fish move closer to protection, said Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center. The decision not to propose protection for the holiday darter and the bridled darter sure smells fishy, though, so well carefully review the best available science and consider challenging those determinations in court. There are six surviving populations of the bridled darter, all in poor condition. Of the seven surviving populations of holiday darter, six are ranked as being in poor condition. The Center petitioned for protections for the four fish in 2010, along with hundreds of other imperiled Southeast freshwater species. The rivers of the southeastern United States are a global hotspot of biodiversity that supports more kinds of freshwater mussels, crayfish and fish than any other region. Freshwater species are being lost to extinction at 1,000 times the natural rate. More than 50 species have already been wiped out from the Southeasts waterways. Under the Fish and Wildlife Services work plan, and in accordance with legal victories by the Center, the Service is slated to issue decisions on Endangered Species Act protection for 53 more species this fiscal year, meaning the findings should have been sent to the federal register last week and come out in the next week. The Endangered Species Act has prevented the extinction of 99 percent of the plants and animals under its care, and its protection is the best lifeline to prevent more imperiled species from being lost forever, said Curry. Background
The trispot darter has been lost from 80 percent of its range. It was first identified as needing federal protection in 1982. It grows to about 1.5 inches long and eats midge fly larvae; its eaten, in turn, by black bass and other large fish prized by anglers. It is found in the Coosa River watershed in northern Alabama, northern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee and in the Conasauga River watershed above the confluence with the Coosawattee River in Georgia and Tennessee. The trispot darter was thought to be extinct in Alabama for more than 50 years until it was found in Little Canoe Creek in 2008. It is threatened by sprawl because stormwater runoff from urbanization degrades the water quality it needs to survive. It is also threatened by runoff from logging roads and by dams and drought. Of the four management units where it survives Little Canoe Creek Basin, Ballplay Creek Basin, Conasauga River Basin and Coosawattee River Basin only the Little Canoe Creek trispots are ranked as having moderate resiliency, with the populations in the other three watersheds being ranked in poor condition. The candy darter has been lost from half its range. There are 18 surviving populations, only six of which are considered to be very healthy. It was first identified as in need of federal protection in 1982. It lives in a portion of the Kanawha and New rivers in Virginia and West Virginia and is threatened by pollution, stocked trout and introduced darters, primarily by hybridization with the variegate darter. Candy darters need cool, clean water and eat caddisfly and mayfly larvae. A population is found in the Monongahela National Forest. The candy darter is very brightly colored and 3 inches long. In todays publication the Service states they plan to issue a proposal to designate critical habitat for the candy darter in the near future. The bridled darter is a small fish discovered in 2007, found only in northern Georgia and southeastern Tennessee in the Conasauga and Etowah river watersheds. It is a slender, 3-inch fish with overlapping dark, circular blotches on its sides that form undulating stripes. The darter is very sensitive to water pollution and is threatened by runoff from development, logging and agriculture. Holiday darters are 2 inches long and are found in the Coosa River watershed in Alabama and in the upper Conasauga, upper Coosawattee and upper Etowah watersheds in Georgia and southeastern Tennessee. The tiny fish are threatened by sprawl, dams, natural gas extraction and runoff from logging. Males turn bright red, blue and green during the breeding season. Populations of the holiday darter in different areas may actually be different species, and scientists are studying the different populations and writing new species descriptions.
For Immediate Release, October 3, 2017 Contact: Kristen Monsell, (510) 844-7137, kmonsell@biologicaldiversity.org Lawsuit Targets California's Dungeness Crab Fishery for Harming Endangered Whales, Sea Turtles Wildlife Agency Sued Over Record-breaking Whale Entanglements SAN FRANCISCO The Center for Biological Diversity sued the California Department of Fish and Wildlife today over the commercial Dungeness crab fisherys skyrocketing entanglements of imperiled whales and sea turtles. At least 19 humpback whales, two blue whales and one leatherback sea turtle all protected by the Endangered Species Act were found tangled up in crab gear off the West Coast last year. Entanglements in ropes connected to heavy commercial Dungeness crab traps cause injuries and death as the ropes cut into the whales flesh, sap their strength and lead to drowning. Dungeness crab dinners shouldnt come with a side of whale. These entanglements are heartbreaking, illegal and way too common, said Kristen Monsell, a senior attorney with the Center. California officials cant let this minefield of crab traps continue to slaughter endangered whales and sea turtles. Each entanglement of a humpback whale, blue whale or leatherback sea turtle violates the federal Endangered Species Act. The department is liable for causing these unlawful entanglements because it authorizes and manages operation of the fishery. The lawsuit seeks common-sense reforms to the fishery such as restricting the amount of gear in whale hotspots like Monterey Bay and reducing the amount of rope running through the water. West Coast whale entanglements have broken records each of the past three years. There were 71 reported whale entanglements last year, up from 62 in 2015 and 30 in 2014. Before that, whale entanglement reports averaged fewer than 10 per year. Many of last years entanglements were clustered around the biologically rich Monterey Bay, where migrating whales came to feed. The California commercial Dungeness crab trap fishery entangles more endangered whales and sea turtles than any other U.S. West Coast fishery. Whales can drag fishing gear for hundreds of miles and often die from their entanglement injuries. In one particularly gruesome example, a severed humpback whale tail was found with two sets of Dungeness crab ropes and buoys attached. In another, rope from commercial Dungeness crab gear cut into the tissue of one humpback whale so deeply that the rope was barely visible. Ropes wrapped around humpbacks heads, flippers and tails can tighten as they swim and may never come loose, Monsell said. These tragic entanglements are happening in record-breaking numbers. Thats why weve had to sue to force California officials to finally take their responsibilities seriously. The recovery of humpback whales off California has been hindered by fishing gear entanglements, according to the federal government. One population of endangered humpback whales that feeds off Californias coast numbers just over 400 individuals, meaning any death or injury from entanglement could hurt the entire population. Eliminating entanglement in fishing gear is also the number one action the federal government says is needed to recover critically endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtles.
The digital advertising industry in Kenya has often been accused of being fixated on the future, discussing hypothetical solutions that aren't yet available locally. The most elusive of these marketing solutions is location-based mobile marketing. Location-based advertising hinges around the fact that wherever we go these days we always carry a mobile with us. And most of us quite happily share our location data with the various apps we use. The sales impact connected with a clever location-based mobile ad is every marketer's dirty fantasy.
Think about it. Which ad is more likely to score a sale? A tantalising beer advert thats served up to a consumer walking past a bar, or the same ad that plays to someone already in their pajamas on the couch at home? Its a no-brainer, right? You would think it would be easy - Advertise to a target audience based on where they are - but in reality, its far more complicated and we see limited examples in Kenya.
Thanks to global innovations, a few Kenyan marketers are now leveraging real-time data to better target consumers based on where they go. They are effectively measuring how digital ads drive foot traffic into stores, and even connect the consumer journey from ad exposure to store visit to purchase data. Location-based marketing has the potential of becoming a massive industry. It allows marketers to leverage the consumer obsession with mobile devices to create significant amounts of location data and insights.
One company that has seized the opportunity in Kenya is iProspect. iProspect is a global, media agency that drives digital performance for many of the worlds largest brands. Over the past nine months, their Kenyan offices top priorities have been payments, beacons and coupons. It collects location data thats both explicit and implicit, meaning there are Facebook and Instagram check-ins, but there are also indirect location data such as mentions, photos, and geo-fences on other social networks. In other words, if you make your location known publicly online in Kenya, youre ripe for an iProspect ad. The company aggregates around 63 million location data entries a month, the majority of which are implicit from five million unique users.
Location-based mobile advertising has started working wonders for few early adopters in Kenya. Companies can no longer afford to ignore the power of location data, and marketers that are slow to adopt location intelligence will soon be trounced by their competitors. Better location targeting means less time and money wasted on sending your message to people who literally couldnt care less about it.
For consumers, location-based ads mean less noise and more relevant content. Ads containing offers and promotions for nearby stores and products provide real value for shoppers, transforming an ad from a potential nuisance into something consumers may be grateful to receive.
The Creative Circle, which promotes creativity in advertising and brand communication, met at Black River FC in Rosebank, Johannesburg to judge South Africa's best advertising for the months of June, July and August 2017.
July Print First DDB SA, Commission for Gender Equality He She - Eric July Print First DDB SA, Commission for Gender Equality He She - Ethan July Print First DDB SA, Commission for Gender Equality He She - Steve August Digital & Interactive First King James Group, Sanlam Uk'Shona Kwelanga August Digital & Interactive First King James Group, Sanlam Uk'Shona Kwelanga
The judging panel included 12 creatives from Creative Circle member agencies:
Bridget Johnson (Jury President), Executive Creative Director, Black River FC;
Lapeace Kakaza, Creative Director, TBWA Johannesburg;
Loyiso Twala, Creative Director, FCB Johannesburg;
Gaby De Abreu, Executive Creative Director, Switch;
Kean Hartnady, Graphic Design Head, Grey
Larissa Elliotte, Creative Director, JWT Johannesburg;
Nkululo Masiba, Senior Copy Writer, Y&R Johannesburg;
Judith Mafutsanyana, Group Head, Avatar;
Rethabile Ledwaba, Art Director, M&C Saatchi Abel;
Katlego Phatlane, Head of Promise Luxe, Promise;
Michael Zulu, Senior Creative Director, Ogilvy Johannesburg;
Sarah Colville, Creative Group Head: copy, The Niche Guys.
Categories judged included Outdoor and Out of Home; Print; Radio; Television, Video & Cinema; Digital; Experiential; and Integrated Campaign.
Xolisa Dyeshana, Creative Circle Chairperson & Chief Creative Officer at Joe Public, said that regular judging and acknowledgement helped to maintain high levels of creativity in advertising.
Were very proud of the fact that South Africas advertising industry is rated world-class and our goal is to keep it that way. I think all agency creatives love the acknowledgement of winning awards. It stretches and stimulates them. In fact, it keeps all of us inspired because its always gratifying to see the creative excellence that South Africa is capable of producing.
The Creative Circle represents advertising agencies, and only Creative Circle members are eligible to enter the awards. All monthly winners are shortlisted for the Annual Awards which will take place in March 2018.
All the winners are listed in the table, with links to the winning work.
Entries for September to December 2017 awards will open on 8 January, 2018 and will be judged on 1 February 2018.
June 2017
Category Entry Agency Prize Brand Title View work here Outdoor & Out of Home J. Walter Thompson Johannesburg Second Ford SA Curb Kisser http://bit.ly/2ybUdRy Outdoor & Out of Home Havas Johannesburg Third Samson Party Strong http://bit.ly/2ycTsaY Print DDB South Africa Second Wrigley Lobster, Fish http://bit.ly/2fDjo83 Print FCB Joburg (Pty) Ltd Third Netflorist Same-Day Delivery. Same-Day Forgiveness Married http://bit.ly/2k9vIOu Radio Joe Public Pty Ltd Second Chicken Licken Inja Peace - Lion, Danger, Killer http://bit.ly/2xGLp2M Radio Joe Public Pty Ltd Third Adcock Ingrams Panado dose of... - Breaking Bad, Thrones http://bit.ly/2ydSLOo Television, Video & Cinema FCB Cape Town Second Western Cape Government - Safely Home Boys TVC http://bit.ly/2x0mNFi
July 2017
Category Agency Prize Brand Title View work here Outdoor & Out of Home DDB South Africa Second The South African Scouts Building Future Scouts http://bit.ly/2x07ufG Outdoor & Out of Home NATIVE VML Third Nandos Nandos VS. That other chicken place http://bit.ly/2x0nD51 Print DDB South Africa First Commission for Gender Equality He She - Eric, Ethan, Frasier, Steve http://bit.ly/2fw2Nix Print Joe Public Pty Ltd Third PNET.co.za A Better Job is Waiting - Moss, Cobwebs, Dust http://bit.ly/2fVj8y0 Radio Joe Public Pty Ltd Second Edcon Limited Jet Hand Me Downs - Isikhaftini sika Nu, Isicathulo sika Petunia http://bit.ly/2xKr0f0 Radio Joe Public Pty Ltd Third People Opposing Women Abuse Rape News - Zukiswa, Sibongile http://bit.ly/2ycNyqe Television, Video & Cinema King James Group Second Santam I'd Rather - Forest, Orchestra, Haircut, Car Wash, Birds http://bit.ly/2hBMhSy Television, Video & Cinema Ogilvy & Mather, Cape Town Third Metropolitan I See You http://bit.ly/2xHpKYi
August 2017
Category Agency Prize Brand Title View work here Print Joe Public Pty Ltd Third Adcock Ingram Headaches - Burning, Violent, Exploding http://bit.ly/2fwuHLq Radio FCB Africa (Pty) Ltd First Cell C iGugu - Lebo, Nomsa, Siya http://bit.ly/2ycKuKH Radio Joe Public Pty Ltd Second Adcock Ingram Save Yourself The Drama - Hospital, Mafia http://bit.ly/2k7mP8j Television, Video & Cinema TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris Johannesburg First Joburg Ballet Bite Size Ballet - The Money Fight, G.O.T.7 http://bit.ly/2xKbBeJ Television, Video & Cinema FCB Joburg (Pty) Ltd Second ABSA Rivalry http://bit.ly/2ycDOMy
Combined June August 2017
Digital & Interactive King James Group First Sanlam Uk'Shona Kwelanga http://bit.ly/2k7SEOg Digital & Interactive Ogilvy Johannesburg Second KFC KFC Soundbite Chart http://bit.ly/2xOS9Op Digital & Interactive J. Walter Thompson Cape Town Third SANBS Blood Bag http://bit.ly/2x01ljG Experiential TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris Johannesburg Second Goodbye Malaria Beautiful Pathogens http://bit.ly/2x0wYti Integrated King James Group First Sanlam Uk'Shona Kwelanga http://bit.ly/2xB7GS7 Integrated Ogilvy Johannesburg Second KFC KFC Soundbite Chart http://bit.ly/2fvGmtY Integrated Joe Public Pty Ltd Third Chicken Licken Pharaoh http://bit.ly/2xGsENb
About the Creative Circle
The Creative Circle is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting creativity as a business resource and maintaining high levels of creativity in the South African advertising industry.
Its purpose is to inspire the transformation of product, people and perception through the power of creativity.
The Creative Circle promotes creativity as a business resource, endeavours to raise and maintain high standards of creativity in advertising and provides input into official industry bodies ACA and ASA. The Creative Circle decides on which international and local advertising awards are formally endorsed (currently Creative Circle Monthly Awards, Creative Circle Annual Awards, Cannes, D&AD, One Show and the Loeries). It also nominates judges for awards to ensure fair and unbiased judging and maintain standards and, where appropriate, supports the education of creative talent.
Members are eligible for valuable benefits.
ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire - Ivory Coast, the world's top cocoa grower, on Sunday set its minimum rate for farmers at 700 CFA francs per kilo for the 2017-18 crop, a steep drop over the previous year, due to falling global prices. Although production increased 28.5 percent to a record 2.15 million tonnes in the 2016-17 season, world cocoa prices have fallen by more than a third.
The minimum price guaranteed to farmers was 1,100 CFA francs (1.68 euros, about $1) per kilo at the start of the 2016-17 season.
But the Ivorian government had to lower the price to 700 CFA francs in April due to falling prices in international markets, which was linked to overproduction in relation to demand and aggravated by the weakness of the pound against the euro.
"The price of market quality and well-dried cocoa for the 2017-2018 harvest season is fixed at 700 CFA francs per kilo," Lambert Konan Kouassi, the head of the Coffee and Cocoa Council, said on Sunday.
Cocoa industry vital to the country's economic welfare
Last month, Konan mentioned problems with inventory management and failures of operators to explain the year's difficulties, as well as mutinies in the Ivorian army that scared markets earlier in the year.
The cocoa industry, which accounts for 15 percent of Ivory Coast's GDP and more than 50 percent of export receipts - as well as two-thirds of jobs - is absolutely vital to the country's economic welfare, according to the World Bank.
Price is disappointing
"The price is disappointing," said Cisse Sidikiba, the head of the national cocoa growers' association. "But one mustn't be ungrateful towards the Ivorian state, for two years our prices have been higher than in neighbouring countries," he said, referring to Ghana, the world's number two producer.
"If this price is maintained throughout the 2018-2018 season, I don't think the farmers will have too many problems," said Anderson Koua, the head of a cocoa cooperative in the southern Grand Lahou region.
However, Moussa Kone, the head of the National Farmers' Union for Ivory Coast's Progress said he was "disappointed. "We expected at least 850 CFA francs," he said.
Source: AFP
A delegation of South African companies is currently on a trade and investment mission in Tunisia and Algeria, where they are exploring export markets.
The trade and investment mission, which is led by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), will serve to promote South African products and service offerings, while creating partnerships between the business communities of the respective countries. The trade mission, which got underway on Sunday, will conclude on Thursday.
Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said the mission is aimed at advancing Tunisia, Algeria and South Africas trade and investment relations. Both Tunisia and Algeria feature as strategic partners for South Africa in the North Africa region and are pivotal partners towards advancing integration on the continent.
Minister Davies said the mission will provide South African companies with a platform to introduce their products into the Tunisian and Algerian market.
This mission will serve as a stepping stone in cementing trade relations and encouraging investment with the two nations. Also, it is an ideal platform for South African companies who would like to export value-added products and services and those looking for investment opportunities in the region, said Minister Davies on Sunday.
Algeria has been South Africas largest export trading partner in the North Africa region, having accounted for 43% of South Africas total trade with North Africa in the period 2011 to 2015. The value of trade between the two countries reached over R13.4 billion, from 2011 to 2015. South African exports were estimated at R13 billion while imports from Algeria were R463 million.
The trade mission comprises a trade and investment seminar, business-to-business meetings and site visits in both countries.
Sectors targeted for the mission include energy, construction, agriculture and agro-processing, information and communication technology, infrastructure development, services, pharmaceuticals, clothing and textiles, manufacturing and mining.
Blockchain, the same technology that powers cryptocurrency, creates opportunities to deliver new services in new ways that previously were not possible. It also has the potential to bring transparency, security, accountability and efficiency to existing government services. This is because blockchain allows users to verify the legitimacy and validity of fund transfers without trusting a third-party to maintain account balances or relying on a single user to authorise.
Saurabh Kumar, CEO at In2IT Tech
The decentralised technology is the solution South Africa has been searching for, providing the ability to enable our government to deliver services to its citizen in a manner that is faster, more reliable, secure and transparent. In short, the arrival of blockchain should be welcomed by citizens and the public sector alike, for its potential to prevent financial crime and eliminate the opportunity for corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
While such a system can effectively be used by South African government in many different applications, before this kind of technology can be adopted, leaders first need to understand how blockchain works to see why such technology will be so beneficial.
The potential to stop corruption
As it stands currently, public administration of funds is a mysterious, time-consuming business. When government announces an annual budget, this needs to be spread across different departments, which all have different allocations earmarked for various expenditure. These intra-government transactions are arduous and it takes months to submit documents, get budgets, and have these verified and audited. This situation would be entirely different on blockchain and the allocation of funds would be almost instantaneous, once approved. Since blockchain technology is all validated and auditable and stored in a non-erasable format, it becomes an easier task for government to see and show what they have allocated and spent, and where. This ensures no expenditure is inexplicable and removes the possibility of financial crime. Finally, the citizen will be able to call for accountability in public spending, and know that with blockchain technology in play accountability will be delivered.
The potential to remove silos in government
Public-sector offices tend to generate their own silos of data and information-management protocols which prevents other government departments from viewing them. One of the most important functions our government performs, is the maintenance of a record of trusted information about individuals, organisations, assets, and activities. Local, provincial, and national public service agencies are tasked with maintaining records, that could include, for example, birth and death dates, information about marital status, business licenses, property transfers, health records and even criminal activity. The use, sharing and management of this data can get complicated, especially as certain records exist only in paper form.
Consequently, amendments to official registries require the individual to appear in person at the government institution to apply for such changes, which is inconvenient and time-consuming. So, can blockchain enable a transparent South African government that shares data between departments? Furthermore, does this technology have the ability to guard such data against unauthorised access or manipulation, protecting the citizens right to privacy.
The potential to restore trust in government
Since, blockchain is an encoded digital ledger that is stored on multiple computers in a public or private network, the very nature of blockchain enforces transparency and accountability. As each block in the blockchain cannot be changed or deleted at the whim of a single actor, each amendment or action taken must be verified and managed by multiple stakeholders using automation and shared governance protocols. This eliminates the possibility of any public sector misconduct, as the entire process of managing important public records is visible and auditable.
Such a system has already been successfully piloted in Ghana, and they have begun placing the land registry record on blockchain. Solving a deep-rooted problem of corruption, the land registry is no longer paper-based, nor is it situated solely with one agency, where details could be deleted or changed at whim. Now, if there is a transfer of ownership of land, it is clearly verifiable on the land registry record blockchain has helped to restore the integrity of an important public record.
In addition, blockchain technology can empower faster decision making and roll out of government services to citizens. By issuing citizens their own digital key, situations that require identification to be verified will be made much easier and more secure, preventing identity theft, fraud and any other financial crime. Whether it be filling out government forms, accessing healthcare information, tax returns or land ownership records, having digital identities stored online removes the need for any physical signatures. Applications or amendments could be processed entirely online reducing time spent queueing, for example, at Home Affairs or the vehicle licensing or labour departments.
In short, blockchain is the key weve been waiting for that will help us restore the balance of public power. Government organisations worldwide are exploring the possibilities of using blockchain to improve operations, cognisant that the ability to record transactions on distributed, secure ledgers is a surefire way for the public administration to improve transparency, assure accountability, stamp out corruption and re-establish trust between the people and its government.
From theft to trespassing and illegal hunting, farmers across the globe are subject to crime. What makes it different in South Africa? The extremely brutal farm attacks farmers must contend with.
vasin leenanuruksa via 123RF
Farmers alone can never be held responsible for combating crime, said Agri SA president Johannes Moller. This remains the governments responsibility. Farmers primary task is to produce enough food, a task which requires considerable time from farmers and farmworkers.
Our farmers are already doing a great deal to ensure their own safety and that of their farm workers and loved ones. They are involved with farmer associations to help implement the Rural Safety Strategy and to form farm guards. They also assist with the implementation of security initiatives by using technology.
Moller said Agri SA last year raised the issue of farm attacks and violence with the World Farmers Organisation (WFO). The WFO called on governments worldwide to offer appropriate protection to farming communities, said Moller.
Emphasis on liaison between agricultural organisations and government
During the first International Rural Crime Conference last week, the emphasis was on liaison between agricultural organisations and the government. Agricultural organisations must liaise constantly with policymakers regarding rural crime and must try to influence them to incorporate workable solutions into policy.
Sound crime intelligence needed
Without sound crime intelligence, it will be impossible to prevent crime. The worldwide trend is that crime is not reported to law enforcers. This is also the trend in South Africa, which hampers the police in allocating resources. For example, if the police do not have case numbers to determine what types of crime are committed in specific areas, they are unable to devise plans to make provision for more vehicles and police officers at the grassroots level.
Task team to investigate
Agri SAs discussion with Police minister Fikile Mbalula serves as proof that the organisation will continue to draw governments attention to farm attacks and crime and to search for solutions in this regard. The minister confirmed the importance of farmers and farm workers and undertook to work with agricultural organisations to protect them.
A task team consisting of members of Agri SA and top management of the police will investigate the further implementation of the Rural Safety Strategy and make recommendations to the minister regarding possible improvements. The task team will also look into farm attacks as a strategic focus within the highest security structure of the police.
Six out of nearly two dozen products that were entered in the Automechanika Johannesburg 2017's Innovation Awards, were honoured for their innovative qualities following evaluation by a jury of automotive experts.
Wynter Murdoch (left), convenor of the Innovations Award competition, Philip Lutz, of Monroe, and Konstantin von Vieregge, CEO of Messe Frankfurt SA
The competition was open to any recently introduced automotive products which the manufacturers or distributors deemed worthy of recognition, and the range of entries included anything from sophisticated electronic automotive products, to spare parts, tools and fuel additives.
Gold
The gold certificate went to Bosch's KTS Diagnostic Tester which jury members described as a small, super-efficient device which promoted diagnostic competence and workshop efficiency using simple, quick and easy-to-operate technology.
In their notes, the judges said the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose vehicle problems was integral to professional, high-quality repair work - and the KTS represented an enviable example of a state of the art, technical aid. The unit, which is made in Germany, was introduced to South Africa in April this year.
Silver
The silver certificate went to Monroe's OE Spectrum shock absorber, which made its public debut at the trade fair. In their summation, the jury said: "Today's drivers expect world-class control and steering response, without the harshness associated with many conventional ride control technologies.
"Monroe has responded with a shock absorber for the aftermarket which offers twice the usual number of internal tuning points to promote driving precision, agility and responsiveness. In this sense, the product helps to support road safety. What's more, it's backed by an extended, five-year warranty."
Bronze
The bronze award was won by Qwerty Tyre Solutions' Str8-Lign Wheel Alignment unit - a locally designed and manufactured, portable system which the judges rated highly for the promise it showed in delivering cost-effective benefits for both workshop and in-the-field applications.
Developed in Durban by startup organisation Qwerty, the laser-based system took two years to reach manufacturing stage and, since April, has been undergoing tests with vehicle manufacturers, wheel alignment specialists and industry bodies, among them Toyota Gazoo Racing, Thomas Tyres, SupaQuick and Tune-Tech BMW.
Highly Commended
Highly Commended certificates were awarded to Gondolier, for its Walcom Carbonio 360 Spray Paint Gun; Jackhub, for its electronic vehicle jack; and Wise Cracks, for its Apollo Windscreen Repair Kit.
The repair kit - manufactured in Port Elizabeth - was described by jury members as "very neat in appearance, compact and cleverly thought out." Their view was that it would prove ideal for service providers who travelled from customer to customer while remaining equally handy for use in workshop applications.
The Walcom Spray Gun - which is manufactured in Italy - was perceived to be well-suited to a variety of panel shop applications thanks to its ergonomic design, lightweight and robust construction.
The Jackhub electronic jack - another imported product - was described as likely to find favour among private motorists as well as industry professionals for its simple plug-in and jack-up operational system.
The awards were presented to representatives of each of the winning companies by Konstantin von Vieregge, CEO of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, organisers of Automechanika Johannesburg.
SYDNEY, Australia: The last Australian-made Toyota rolled off the production line on Tuesday, ending more than five decades of manufacturing by the Japanese firm as the once-booming local car-making industry grinds to a halt.
Toyota announced in 2014 that it would stop making vehicles at its unprofitable Australian plants, joining the country's other two large automakers - Ford and US giant General Motors' Holden offshoot.
Ford closed its production line last year and Holden will shutter its only remaining car factory in Adelaide later this month.
All three companies blame the Australian dollar's strength and an increasingly competitive market for the local sector's decline.
"Toyota became the top automobile manufacturer in Australia," Toyota Australia president Dave Buttner told close to 3,000 employees at the closure of the Altona plant in Melbourne Tuesday.
"The vehicles produced here became a byword for quality and reliability not only in Australia but also in the world as the vehicles were exported to other regions like the Middle East."
Some 2,600 workers have lost their jobs, although the company has retained 1,300 for distribution and sales, as well as research and design.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said it was a sad day but pointed to new higher-end manufacturing opportunities as a means to help offset the job losses.
"The investment that we're making in defence, in naval shipbuilding, in particular, is going to deliver thousands of advanced manufacturing jobs," he told reporters.
Australia has been producing cars for almost a century, with the industry employing tens of thousands of workers until its decline over the past decade.
It has struggled with the effects of the high local dollar, squeezing exports and compounding rising production costs.
Source: AFP
Prudential Investment Managers, one of the top three shareholders in PPC, says it opposes a proposed merger between SA's largest cement group and its unlisted South African rival AfriSam.
Prudential, which holds 13%-14% of PPC, said it wanted "other shareholders to think twice" about such a transaction.
It said AfriSam's recent revised offer, which had the backing of Canada's Fairfax Africa Investments, undervalued the group. It believed PPC's share price would double in the next three to four years with the ramp-up of its rest of Africa operations including in Ethiopia, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"The shareholders have been asked to back a short-term gain," Chris Wood, Prudential's head of equity, said on Monday, 2 October. "From this point forward, there will be a material improvement in [PPC's] cash flow."
Fairfax was using PPC's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the year to March 2017 as a basis of reported profits. This was not a fair representation of the group's earnings, Wood said. Critically, though, the Public Investment Corporation, which holds about 15% of PPC shares, has supported the latest AfriSam conditional partial offer.
Fairfax has undertaken to buy R2bn of ordinary shares in PPC at R5.75 a share. The proposed merger ratio is based on a share exchange of 58 PPC shares for 42 AfriSam shares.
This values PPC at a 62% premium based on pro-forma earnings multiples applied to the two businesses, according to AfriSam. This proposal includes a R4bn recapitalisation of AfriSam before any merger.
PPC recently raised R4bn in a rights offer to help bring its rest of Africa plants on stream. It was also spending R1.2bn on a new kiln at its Slurry cement plant in North West province to boost operating efficiencies.
The company also received a nonbinding "communication of interest" from Nigeria's Dangote Cement to buy its entire share capital. PPC's board earlier advised of indicative proposals from two other bidders.
AfriSam and PPC previously said they were looking to create a merged cement producer that could compete in Africa. PPC also reduced its capital expenditure guidance in September for the next two years, to help assuage fears about its liquidity.
The group said it would cut capex between 16% and 35% until 2019, and would focus on bringing its other investments in the rest of Africa into operation, including in Zimbabwe. These new operations would raise group cement production capacity, from 8-million tonnes a year in 2015, to 12.4-million tonnes a year by 2018.
Among its rest of Africa operations, the Zimbabwe and Rwanda assets had continued to deliver high double-digit volume growth, the group said.
Cement market analysts did not respond on Monday to queries whether a merger between PPC and AfriSam would be good, bad or indifferent. But Mish-al Emeran, an equity analyst at Electus Fund Managers, said earlier there would be several hurdles to such as deal, including competition issues. It would "take some time to play out".
Given that PPC was trading well below its replacement value, it was easy to understand why there was interest from other players in African cement markets, Emeran said.
Source: Business Day
The court hearing was originally set on September 29, but the judges didnt come. So it has been rescheduled for October 9, said Major Sai Main, in-charge of the RCSS/SSA liaison office in Keng Tung, Shan State.
The two soldiers Sai Sur Loun and Sai Loun belong to the RCSS/SSA military based in Mong Ping township in eastern Shan State. They were arrested on July 25 by the Mong Hsat-based 527th Light Infantry Battalion in Kain Hain village and were transferred to Kengtung on August 26, according to the Tai Freedom website, which is owned by the RCSS/SSA.
The JMC-S [Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee] meeting will be held either in Nansang or Kholam within a few days. We will discuss this issue at the meeting. As we have signed the NCA [National Ceasfire Agreement], we need to find a solution through negotiation, said RCSS/SSA spokesperson Colonel Sai Ngan.
The RCSS/SSA soldiers were arrested when they entered the village on a motorcycle to buy soap and toothpaste and call their families, according to Tai Freedom. The Tatmadaw has accused them of possessing weapons and collecting taxes from civilians.
The RCSS/SSA also arrested a soldier who deserted a Tatmadaw unit in Mong Kung Township. Although the RCSS/SSA contacted the Tatmadaw to return the detained soldier, they have not yet received a reply, according to the RCSS/SSA. The RCSS returned a Tatmadaw soldier who was captured during clashes around Mong Kung in August.
Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado
Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACION
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard
Completely fried 7-piece garage punk band of theremin-wielding psychopaths half originating from the flat salt bush plains of Deniliquin and the other from the sea-stained Anglesea coastline, brought together through a share house in Melbourne and a mutual love of Pavement, Thee Oh Sees and Nuggets.
They released their debut EP Willoughbys Beach on a limited run of 10 vinyl in October 2011. The first single Black Tooth pricked the ears of Triple Js Dom Alessio, who dubbed the band : a tour de force of reverberated rocknroll.
The band soon gained a devoted and at times visceral Melbourne following selling out several residencies and their debut EP launch at the Tote Hotel. In the following weeks King Gizzard were nominated for Best New Talent at The Ages EG Awards alongside Kimbra, Lanie Lane, Royal Headache and Husky.
Their newest collaborative with the Mild High Club available here:
kinggizzard.bandcamp.com
Sun Dog
Albuquerque desert dogs with guitars, drums, and synths. Influences reaching into the far out and beyond.
New singles from their upcoming album release available here:
sundogtheband.bandcamp.com
$15 advance / $18 door
Presented in conjunction with Townie Productions.
By Ann O'Loughlin
A couple are prepared to leave a Cork property acquired by a fund and return to the Netherlands by the end of March next year, the High Court has heard.
Colm O'Nuanain and Melanie Mook (pictured below at a previous court appearance) have been living in and running a coffee shop/bed and breakfast business from the property in Barrack Street, Cork, for the last four years.
It was bought by Targeted Investment Opportunities (TIO) who sought vacant possession. TIO claimed the couple had not paid rent to them or the previous owners.
Last July, the court heard they were to remain on until this month to allow for negotiations between the fund whereby the couple might buy the property. Ms Mook was also pregnant and she and her partner were in court today with their two-month-old baby.
Mr O'Nuanain told the court they had sought to buy the property and were willing to offer 165,000 for it, but the fund had refused to say how much it would be looking for it.
Counsel for TIO, Nevan Powell, said this was because his client had not got access to the property for its valuer. Once a valuation took place, the couple were free to seek to purchase it.
Mr O'Nuanain said they had allowed access and Mr Powell agreed this was so following an order for an inspection under health and safety grounds.
At the suggestion of Mr Justice Paul Gilligan, he said they would allow the valuer unfettered access but did not want large numbers of people visiting them home to view it once it was put up for sale.
He said they had now decided to return to his partner's native Netherlands as their last option. They were now out of business and unable to find alternative accommodation. They were "up against the wall", he said.
He was prepared to undertake to the court to leave by March 31 and they had their tickets to the Netherlands bought.
The judge adjourned the matter to the end of November to allow TIO take instructions about that proposed undertaking.
The Defence Minister has today increased pay for new recruits in the Defence Forces, begun the commencement of over 300 promotions and discussed a review of the conciliation and arbitration scheme.
Speaking at the Annual Delegate Conference of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, Paul Kehoe said pay was of particular concern for members.
The Government is committed to improving the pay of all public servants through the implementation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The bulk of the pay increases accruing to members of the Defence Forces have been focused on the lower paid this is only right," he said.
The Minister urged the members of PDFORRA to accept the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020.
He said this will allow members to receive the first phase of pay increases of 1% on annualised salaries from 1 January 2018 and to avail of subsequent pay increases, ranging from between 5.75% to 7.25%, over the lifetime of the agreement.
He said the Government is committed to maintaining the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces at 9,500 personnel.
Historically high levels of recruitment are being pursued, over 800 personnel will be taken in by the end of this year. This includes general service recruits, apprentices, cadets and direct entry officers," Mr Kehoe added.
The Minister went on to outline a range of further measures aimed at increasing the attractiveness of a career in the Defence Forces.
Four people have been arrested by detectives investigating the feud murder of a loyalist.
George Gilmore, 44, was shot in the neck as he sat in his car in the Pinewood Avenue area of Carrickfergus on March 13. He died the following day in hospital.
The Government is being urged to ditch plans for tax cuts in the Budget.
Social Justice Ireland says investment in infrastructure, and tackling inequality would be better for the economy.
Ibrahim Halawa's family has said they still do not know when he is coming home.
The 21-year-old from Dublin has been locked up in an Egyptian jail for four years.
Labour Party spokesperson on Housing, Jan OSullivan TD has said that the Government's proposal to provide cheap loans to private developers from Nama does not go far enough.
She added that the State must take a much more active role in financing public housing.
"The Governments plans for Nama should not just be another funding vehicle for private developers. Following sustained market failure to deliver new builds, the State must now take a leading role in the development of affordable housing, and the long term financing of social housing through local authorities.
"The State needs to pick up the slack from where private developers have failed. There are simply not enough homes being built."
Deputy OSullivan first put forward a proposal on repurposing Nama in summer 2016.
"While I am glad to see the Government taking up this idea over a year on, it is simply not enough to funnel money to private developers. The repurposing of Nama should be transformational, not a private finance initiative," she said.
"Including public housing in a new remit for Nama would provide a framework for the construction of social and affordable homes through Nama's remaining land banks. It would also allow the State to tap into the existing expertise and resources already in place at Nama, and negate the need for the setting up of a new quango to deal with the housing crisis.
"What we now need to see from Government is a sense of urgency about ensuring social houses are built, and a national scheme that ensures homes that are built, are affordable."
A record number of 8,101 patients were on trolleys in the past month, according to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
This represents a 7% increase from last year, and a 132% increase from ten years ago.
Sinn Fein will not be shoe-horned into a power-sharing deal cobbled together by the Government to appease to the DUP, Michelle O'Neill has warned Tories.
Speaking at an event on the fringes of the UK Conservative Party conference alongside her DUP counterpart, Ms O'Neill said the unionist deal to prop up the Conservatives posed "real challenges".
Arlene Foster insisted the electoral pact with the Tories was "not a distraction" from the negotiations in Belfast.
But despite breaking bread together at the Ulster Fry, the leaders clashed over Britishness.
Ms O'Neill told the event organised by peace charity Champ: "The north isn't British."
"I don't want this to turn into a row but Northern Ireland is British," the DUP leader insisted.
The rare joint appearance saw the two women share a table for breakfast before sitting side by side on the stage in the Great Hall in Manchester's Town Hall.
DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein's Northern Ireland leader Michelle O'Neill attend the Ulster fry breakfast. Photos: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
One Tory activist told the pair he hoped they would become known as the "Chuckle Sisters" - a reference to the Chuckle Brothers tag given to the surprisingly warm relationship Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness developed when they led the power-sharing government.
But the leaders showed no sign of reaching a breakthrough despite both insisting talks had intensified.
Ms O'Neill said: "The British Government should not think that they can cobble together a deal acceptable to the DUP and then shoe-horn Sinn Fein into acquiescing to it.
"That will not happen. The shape of a deal is very clear. The two Governments know this. So do the DUP and the other parties."
Mrs Foster warned that "decision time is soon upon us" as the prospect of a return to direct rule from Westminster loomed large.
The UK Government is warning that it will have to step in to pass a budget for the region's rudderless public services at the end of October.
Ms O'Neill insisted an agreement must be reached on an Irish language Act - the main obstacle in the way of a return to devolved government - but Mrs Foster said any deal must be acceptable to unionists and nationalists.
Asked if she had been too high-handed with Republicans while in office, the DUP leader replied: "Anybody who looks back at their life and doesn't say 'Oh, I should have done that in a different way' would be telling you a lie.
"I don't think I was high-handed but, of course, it's for others to decide if I was or not."
Mrs Foster said "solid progress" had been made but "differences do remain".
"While our electoral strength in the House of Commons is now widely recognised, I have always made it clear that our important role in London will not be a distraction from what we need to do in Belfast," she said.
"It is not a choice for the DUP between influence in London and executive power in Belfast. What is in the best interests of Northern Ireland is operating in tandem and this remains our goal."
The North has been without a first and deputy first minister since January and a functioning executive since March. The institutions collapsed when Mr McGuinness resigned over the DUP's handling of a botched renewable heat scheme, laying the blame at Ms Foster's door.
Pressed on whether the DUP leader must stand aside in order for a deal to be reached, Ms O'Neill said until all outstanding issues had been dealt with, they "will never get to position of Arlene standing aside".
The event was cut short because Ms Foster was heading off to a private meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May.
Maia Dunphy has taken to Twitter to thank the kind men of the Dublin fire service who came to her rescue when her son Tom fell ill in the middle of the night.
The producer explained that she couldnt get her two-year-olds temperature down so rang the emergency services in a panic.
Boris Johnson is facing calls for his sacking after saying a Libyan city could become the next Dubai once it had cleared the dead bodies away.
A Tory MP said the Foreign Secretary's comments were "100% unacceptable" and insisted he must lose his job.
His Labour counterpart, Emily Thornberry, said the remarks were "unbelievably crass, callous and cruel".
Mr Johnson was made to "move on" after he told Tory activists that investors want to transform the coastal city of Sirte, where dictator Muammar Gaddafi was killed during the 2011 civil war, into a new version of the emirate.
But when he said their only obstacle is to "clear the dead bodies away", the host of the conference fringe event stepped in.
As Mr Johnson continued to speak, Baroness Stroud, a former special adviser to ex-Cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith, said: "Next question."
The Legatum Institute chief executive officer added: "The dead bodies was the move on moment."
Mr Johnson had been asked about his recent visit to the country, which has been wracked by violence since the fall of its former leader.
The Foreign Secretary said: "I look at Libya, it's an incredible country.
"Bone white sands, beautiful sea, Caesar's Palace, obviously, you know, the real one.
"Incredible place. It's got a real potential and brilliant young people who want to do all sorts of tech.
"There's a group of UK business people, actually, some wonderful guys who want to invest in Sirte on the coast, near where Gaddafi was captured and executed as some of you may have seen.
"They have got a brilliant vision to turn Sirte into the next Dubai.
"The only thing they have got to do is clear the dead bodies away," he said before laughing.
Heidi Allen, a Tory MP who represents South Cambridgeshire, tweeted: "100% unacceptable from anyone, let alone foreign sec. Boris must be sacked for this. He does not represent my party."
100% unacceptable from anyone, let alone foreign sec. Boris must be sacked for this. He does not represent my party. https://t.co/v2RHlbjlnB Heidi Allen (@heidiallen75) October 3, 2017
Ms Thornberry said: "It is less than a year since Sirte was finally captured from Daesh by the Libyan Government of National Accord, a battle in which hundreds of government soldiers were killed and thousands of civilians were caught in the crossfire, the second time in five years that the city had seen massive loss of life as a result of the Libyan civil war.
"For Boris Johnson to treat those deaths as a joke - a mere inconvenience before UK business people can turn the city into a beach resort - is unbelievably crass, callous and cruel.
"If these words came from the business people themselves, it would be considered offensive enough, but for them to come from the Foreign Secretary is simply a disgrace.
"There comes a time when the buffoonery needs to stop, because if Boris Johnson thinks the bodies of those brave government soldiers and innocent civilians killed in Sirte are a suitable subject for throwaway humour, he does not belong in the office of Foreign Secretary."
The first names of the victims of the Las Vegas shootings are starting to come through.
Nurse Sonny Melton, 29, who lived in Big Sandy, Tennessee, and worked at a nearby hospital, was the first victim publicly identified. His brother-in-law confirmed to the news station WSMV that he was killed in the gunfire.
His wife Heather said Sonny saved her life, grabbing her when the gunfire started. She said she felt the bullet hit his body, adding that through her shock and grief: I can barely breathe.
She said she wanted everyone to know what a kind man Sonny was.
He saved my life and lost his, she said.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that a 23-year-old British Columbia man, Jordan McIldoon, was also among the dead, according to his parents. Another concertgoer posted on Facebook on Sunday night that McIldoon had died in [her] arms.
We only had one child, McIldoons parents told CBC. We just dont know what to do.
23 yr -old Jordan McIldoon was killed in last nights shooting. His mother says he grew up in an acreage in Maple Ridge BC. #lasvegas pic.twitter.com/rVbF2PkbpW Briar Stewart (@briarstewart) October 2, 2017
The New York Times also reported the death of Lisa Romero-Muniz, who was in Las Vegas with her husband Chris on a wedding anniversary trip.
An aunt of another victim Quinton Robbins confirmed his death on facebook. Kilee Wells Sanders said: " Everyone who met him, loved him...Please pray for his parents and siblings at this time.
"For those who are asking us how you can help. Prayer will be the biggest help. For them and the other victims and families."
Latest News Clawbacks, commissions discussed at FBAA conference Over 700 brokers attend successful Gold Coast event
CBA becomes an official partner of FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Bank's sponsorship boosts its strong support of female sport in Australia
While brokers here may be feeling squeezed by government regulation, this is not a unique trend to Australia but one being experienced by small business owners worldwide, a leading governance and compliance expert has said.Adrian Pay, business development officer and EMEA director of regtech firm Dynamic-GRC, spoke to Australian Broker about the global push by governments and regulators against informal and smaller business setups.Its a shame. Im not exactly sure why this is happening but it seems like down in Australia as well, theyre getting into this global trend.To adapt and affect this movement towards greater regulation in Australia, the broking industry has a good case to work together, Pay said. Industry associations have a huge role to play in helping brokers save time they may otherwise spend keeping up with rapid change on their own, he added.If they can centralise this through the broker associations, then that would be a better way of doing this. You could have a team of five or ten people centrally whose job it is to read through all the rules, deflect a lot of the silly stuff, communicate with brokers, and keep them informed.Pay said the idea of collectivising administrative overhead had been used to great effect in Ireland. There, the national credit union association has established the Credit Union Compliance Centre which fields questions from its members for a single annual fee.If the industry can pull together on that and the individual broker or broker firm pays a few thousand dollars a year, they could have access to that centralised resource which keeps their records and keeps them up-to-date.The industry has reached this influx of heavier regulation because brokers have not been effective in lobbying government against these changes, Pay said.I get the feeling reading through the ACL requirements that the industry didnt get its views across right at the very beginning and thats a shame. If you can organise your industry and lobby, then you can actually influence the rules that are imposed on you. Otherwise, youre just waiting to get hit with more rules.While the ACL requirements were reasonable for brokerages with 100 people in the firm, Pay said they didnt work for very small brokerages or individual brokers.The regulators shouldnt be taking a one-size-fits all approach. I know they take into account whats appropriate but thats their judgement. What they think is appropriate might be more than what a one-man band thinks is appropriate.Thats why its important to get your views across right at the very beginning. Once rules have been published, its quite hard to then go back and argue about them.Although some degree of regulation is necessary, Pay said the entire industry seemed to carry the cost for a few rotten apples.Regulators seem to think that more rules make the rotten apples good apples and it doesnt work that way. For people who are going to be dishonest, you can put in all the rules that you like you can almost train them to be cleverer about their dishonesty but it doesnt make them good people.Fintech can also play a part in helping brokers stay on top of these changes, especially for those still relying on spreadsheets, word documents and emails for items such as breach, training and complaints registers, he said.At the moment, the individual broker may hack something on Excel. That means they have to go and set it up, they have to store it, and there are minimum time requirements for how long youve got to keep that data.A purpose-built technology platform will make it easier for brokers to enter in information and then access it through the cloud without physically installing software or setting up a server in the office.Practical fintech solutions that can be used on-the-go are especially useful for brokers covering wider regional areas which may have been overlooked.I think the regulators dont get outside of Melbourne and Sydney very much, Pay said. They dont really understand. You go to these small places and this is their real lives. Brokers might need to drive out to a farmstead in the middle of nowhere and actually deal face-to-face with people.
How you can help Give A Christmas to Lower Bucks families in need
A 24-year-old man is facing a slew of felony charges for illegal straw purchase of 21 guns at gun stores, almost exclusively in Bucks County. Leonard Truesdale was arraigned on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, on 21 counts each of making false statements on firearm purchase forms, criminal conspiracy to make false statements on firearm purchase forms and selling or transferring...
latest news
October 31, 2022
Buddy TV
In November, there are hundreds of new and returning TV showsit can be overwhelming to try and choose what to watch. That's why we've selected some of the best options...
Gillian Keegan, the Conservative MP for Chichester, cut the ribbon to officially open the newly refurbished Covers Home Ideas on Thursday 28th September.
Mrs Keegan was given a tour of the showroom by Store Manager Richard Murrell who explained how the store had undergone an extensive redevelopment programme to make it easier for customers to navigate. She was also shown the wide number of new products that had been added to the range.
Gillian Keegan MP said: Its important to celebrate successful local businesses. Companies like Covers are important for the economic development of the Chichester area and I was delighted to visit and officially open the refurbished showroom.
Richard Murrell said: Weve worked hard to become one of the leading businesses in the area. Weve built a loyal customer base and encourage the local community to use us for their DIY needs. It was a pleasure to welcome Gillian Keegan MP to give her a tour and show how were heavily investing in Covers Home Ideas for the benefit of people in the area.
How international students in South Jersey celebrate the holidays
South Jersey's international students share how they cope when they can't make it home for the holidays by finding new ways to celebrate the season.
Plagued by poor earnings, Britain's biggest steel plant, located in Port Talbot, is likely to be first in line for job and output cuts after the planned European merger of Thyssenkrupp and Tata Steel, industry sources told Reuters.
Germany's Thyssenkrupp and India's Tata Steel have signed a memorandum of understanding for a 50-50 joint venture which, if approved, would forge Europe's No.2 steelmaker after ArcelorMittal, with sales of around 15 billion euros ($17.70 billion).
The merger was driven chiefly by a need to address chronic overcapacity in Europe's steel market and should conclude late next year. The company will begin reviewing its combined production network from 2020 onwards.
This is expected by industry analysts to include further job cuts in addition to 4,000 already announced along with the deal, leaving open the question where the hammer will fall hardest.
Tata's century-old steelworks in Port Talbot, Wales, employing some 4,000 people directly and up to 16,000 more indirectly in a region with few other major industries, is a prime target for cuts in the event of a steel market downturn after 2020, industry analysts said.
"They'll only invest in the UK operations if they earn money," said Rakesh Arora, managing director at Go-India Advisors in Mumbai, who has been following Tata for decades.
"It's difficult to make a call, but one thing I can tell you for sure, earnings will not be higher than they are now because we're at a cyclical peak in the steel cycle."
According to brokerage Jefferies, Port Talbot will have core earnings (EBITDA) of 12 euros per tonne, a margin of 2 per cent, in the first year of the merger.
This compares with 92.4 euros, or a margin of 14 per cent, at IJmuiden, Tata Steel's other main production site in the Netherlands. Thyssenkrupp's key plant in Duisburg, Germany, will earn 85.4 euros per tonne, at a profit margin of 11 percent.
"It would logically make sense to cut capacity at lower margin sites, which I believe are mainly the Tata assets.
Thyssenkrupp's sites are amongst the best earners in Europe," one of Thyssenkrupp's top-20 shareholders said.
A Tata Steel spokesman said it was the clear intent of both shareholders "to continue with the current asset configuration at all upstream sites including Port Talbot".
Thyssenkrupp declined to comment.
Fears stoked
Concerns resurfaced about Port Talbot's future after the UK government wrote to Tata Steel Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, asking him to commit to relining Port Talbot's blast furnace 5.
That process typically costs over 150 million pounds ($201 million) and gives the furnace about 20 additional years of life.
Chandrasekaran said this was Tata Steel's intent should the funds be available, but he declined to commit.
"As you know, its (blast furnace 5) relining was not included in the memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year (with the unions)," he replied in correspondence posted on a UK government website.
A spokesman for UK union Community said: "Relining blast furnace 5 is something that in the next weeks and months we will continue to push for."
Unlike Port Talbot's blast furnace 5, Thyssenkrupp's Duisburg furnaces will not need relining in the next five years, people familiar with the matter said, because all had been relined or started operations during the past decade.
A source close to Tata's IJmuiden plant said one of its blast furnaces will require relining within the next 3-5 years. Experts, however, say the merged group is still more likely to invest in IJmuiden rather than Port Talbot in a downturn because the Dutch operation is more profitable.
"Thyssenkrupp flagged potential for additional savings beyond 2020 from upstream crude steelmaking and hot rolling capacity adjustments, which we believe are most likely at Port Talbot," Jefferies analyst Seth Rosenfeld said.
Profitable enough?
According to a filing with UK government database House, Tata Steel UK made an operating loss (EBIT) of 449 million pounds in the year ending March 2017. This included a 413 million pound one-off in relation to the British Steel Pension Scheme, which the group has since separated from.
Excluding exceptional items, the business made an operating profit of 106 million pounds, but only after European steel prices rose 66 percent, raising doubts over whether earnings can be sustained during a downturn.
Tata Steel Europe as a whole, which includes Tata Steel UK, posted core profits (EBITDA) of 536 million pounds in the same year, suggesting its British business accounted for just a fraction.
A UK government spokeswoman said: "It's too early to be speculating on the future direction of individual sites. Both Tata Steel and Thyssenkrupp have acknowledged the improved performance at Port Talbot over the past 18 months."
Thyssenkrupp's steel unit is on average more profitable than Tata EU assets - which have burnt about $1 billion of cash a year over the past decade - giving German unions more muscle to extract job and plant guarantees from management at the expense of Tata Steel jobs.
A spurt in funding and large acquisitions in India's consumer internet space over the past year has led to employees of these firms cashing out their stock options and making huge returns.
Last month, ten that transport sand to and coal from Western Coalfields, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), were fined Rs 11.8 crore for rigging bids to win the contracts. The Competition Commission of India order, on a complaint by the Mini Ratna company, also imposed fines on eight officials of these operators. These are among hundreds that dot Nagpur and nearby towns, running on low-technology operations that earn high returns by exploiting shortages.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is likely to take a short-term bridge loan for about one year to fund the acquisition of the governments stake in Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL).
incurred losses of Rs 30.7 crore between August 2016 and March 2017 of FY17, the firm has said in its filing to Registrar of (RoC). The company, however, is not considering this as losses but as operational costs, as it happened before the payments bank started operations in May.
Ola, the countrys largest taxi hailing company, has been mandated to step up its play in the electric mobility segment as part of its latest funding round that would see it raise $2 billion from investors including SoftBank and Tencent.
If diplomacy and persuasion succeed, there could be an historic homecoming, albeit temporarily, of the Bakhshali Manuscript the oldest recorded evidence of the origin of the zero symbol, an Indian invention. A government source disclosed the Indian High Commission in London is making efforts to take the manuscript to India for display. It remains to be seen if the Bodleian Library, owners of the priceless document, grants permission to ship such a precious item all the way to India.
Heavy rain lashed the city of Hyderabad on Monday evening, causing waterlogging, traffic jams and power cuts at several places. At least seven persons have lost their lives in the city and in the adjoining districts in the past 24 hours. The city received 13 cm of rain.
In this file photo Honeypreet Insan is seen with Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh at the promotion of the film MSG - The Warrior Lion Heart in Bengaluru. Photo: PTI
With reports surfacing of Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's 'adopted' daughter likely to surrender before the police today, Panchkula police commissioner AS Chawla clarified that no specific intimation has been received in this regard, adding that all necessary arrangements have been done.
"Whether she wants to surrender or approach courts is a decision she has to take. We have not received any specific information. Based on available leads, our teams have been deployed and arrangements are ongoing. It will be inappropriate to give statements at this time. Whatever is the case, we will proceed as per the law. The moment we have information, we will let you know," he told reporters here.
Reportedly, Priyanka Taneja alias Honeypreet is likely to surrender before a court today after being on the run for over a month.
Insan, has cried foul and downplayed all allegations framed against her.
While talking with a Hindi news channel, Insan said that false news is being spread about her relationship with her adopted father and described bond she shared with the Dera Sacha Sauda chief as "pious".
"I am scared, I cannot believe that people are saying such foul things about me. I am depressed. My father is innocent and so am I. I am sure that one day the real truth will come out in the open. I will urge people not to believe in these hoax reports. Nothing which is being assumed about me and my father is true," she told the news channel.
Honeypreet added that she had slipped into depression post the conviction of Ram Rahim and that it took her a while to muster courage and come out in the open to air her views. She also criticized reports of her inciting riots in Sirsa and in other parts of Haryana and Punjab.
"I cannot believe that I am being dubbed a traitor. We have been making films on patriotism and they are calling us traitors. The allegations are not true. They accuse me of being involved in riots, but do they have any evidence against me. I don't know why my name has been brought into this. I was in the chopper with papa (Ram Rahim) when he was being taken to jail. We were not even aware of any unrest. My movement was being monitored, how could I have instigated riots?," she said.
She also said she was seeking legal opinion on her next step and was likely to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court. On being asked about her image being portrayed as a "villain", a "conspirator", Honeypreet replied, "How are they making me an accused. I was there with my Papa (Ram Rahim) and discharging my duty as a daughter (on August 25)."
"Every daughter remains with her father, I went with him. Have you heard me saying a word where I instigate people. I had gone there (to CBI court in Panchkula) with a hope that my father will return by evening, but when he was held guilty, I went into depression, how could I think about anything else, I was totally devastated," she said.
On being asked where she had been hiding for so many days after she left Rohtak, she said, "..later, I went to Delhi. Now, I will go to Punjab and Haryana High Court".
She said that she has "full faith" in the judiciary and will get justice.
Responding to the allegations levelled by her ex-husband Vishwas Gupta surrounding her relations with Ram Rahim, Honeypreet said, "I cannot understand how anyone can point fingers at pious relations that are there between a father and his daughter. What proof have these people got to level such allegations. All those who are spreading such rumours, please do not believe them."
On being asked about skeletons being buried inside the Dera at Sirsa and the sect chief's exploitation of some female disciples, Honeypreet said, "Did anyone find skeletons. As regards what is being said about my Papa, he is innocent and in times to come you will see this.."
The Haryana Police has been conducting searches at various locations to trace Honeypreet and two other key Dera functionaries.
The Haryana Police had earlier said that a court in Panchkula had issued arrest warrants against Honeypreet Insan, Dera spokesperson Aditya Insan, and Dera's top functionary Pawan Insan in connection with the incidents of Panchkula violence.
Honeypreet, had earlier been booked at Sector 5 police station in Panchkula. The police added her name in FIR number 345 as an accused in connection with the violence.
Her name has been included in the same FIR in which other Dera functionaries Aditya Insan and Surinder Dhiman, among others, had been booked for allegedly inciting violence and arson, the police had said earlier.
Honeypreet is wanted by the police in connection with the violence that broke out in Panchkula in August the day a court there held Ram Rahim guilty on charges of rape.
The Delhi High Court, on 26 September, rejected the transit anticipatory bail plea of Insan.
For almost 40 days, Haryana Police has been tracking leads on Honeypreet in UP, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
award winning actor Prakash Raj on Monday described as "chilling" the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on those "celebrating" the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh, including the ones "followed" by him on Twitter.
While questioning Modi's silence, Raj said that he felt like "returning" his awards to "such actors who are acting as though nothing has happened" but later insisted that he was "not such a fool to give back the awards."
Lankesh, who had strident anti-right wing views, was shot dead from close range by unknown assailants at her home here on the night of September 5.
Raj posted a video statement on Monday night on his Twitter account, saying that he had not said that he "wants to reject the awards".
"I saw on news channels that Prakash Raj has decided to give back the national awards. I am not such a fool to give back the national awards. It has been given for my work, which I am proud of," Raj said in the video statement.
Earlier, at an event here on Sunday, he had said, "When I see such actors who are acting as though nothing has happened, I have been given five national awards, I feel like returning it to them. They are bigger actors than me."
Raj, who described Lankesh as his close friend, said, "Who is celebrating? I am pained at the celebrations of inhuman killing. I have vented out my pain and my anguish at those who are celebrating. I have been trolled..."
He went on to add, "At the same time, my question is, as the prime minister of this country, if such people are being followed by the prime minister and the prime minister is not taking a stand on them or not commenting on them, as a citizen of this country, I am disturbed, hurt. I am afraid of the silence of my prime minister."
Emphasising that he did not belong to any political party and was speaking as a citizen of the country, Raj said, "I am not talking against any party. I am talking to my prime minister. I am saying your silence is chilling. I am hurt by the silence....I have a right to say this."
On Sunday, the actor had said, "...My problem is that -- who killed (her) is not important -- but who is celebrating is clearly seen (on Twitter)."
He had added, "Who is happy can be clearly seen. There may not be proof (regarding the killing), but things can be seen. Today through social media the hidden cruelty is known."
He made the remarks after inaugurating the 11th state conference of the Democratic Youth Federation of India, the youth wing of the CPI(M), here yesterday.
"We have a prime minister amidst us who is sitting with his eyes shut to this," Raj said.
In further comments, he had said, "I'm bigger actor than you, don't try to act in front of me, please respect me as an actor. If you act in front of me as though you know nothing-- am I a fool (to believe it) or are people or today's younger generation fools?"
He has won national awards as best supporting actor for his film 'Iruvar' in Tamil, special jury award for 'Anthapuram' in Telugu, special jury award for various movies in multiple languages, best actor for 'Kanchivaram' in Telugu, and best film for 'Puttakkana Highway' in Kannada.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "terrorist, who has the blood of Muslims on his hands."
Asif, who was speaking in a show on Geo News, made his statement in an attempt to rebut External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who recently ripped into Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for supporting and exporting terror.
"Sushma Swaraj has accused us (Pakistan) of exporting terrorism. (However) one terrorist (in India) is the country's prime minister himself. He (Modi) has the blood of Muslims murdered in Gujarat on his hands," Asif made the statement, while talking to Geo News's Hamid Mir.
India is being "ruled by a terrorist party - the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)," Asif further said.
These remarks have come after Sushma Swaraj ripped apart Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and said India has risen despite being the principal destination of Pakistan's nefarious export of terrorism.
"India has risen despite being the principal destination of Pakistan's nefarious export of terrorism. There have been many governments under many parties during 70 years of Indian freedom, for we have been a sustained democracy," Swaraj had said while addressing the 72nd UNGA session in New York.
"Every government has done its bit for India's development. We have marched ahead consistently without pause, in education, health and across the range of human welfare. We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world," she added.
Beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya was arrested here on Tuesday in a money-laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), before being released on bail by the Westminster Magistrates' Court.
On the back of higher sugarcane acreage this year and record sugarcane payments during 2016-17 crushing season, Uttar Pradesh government has projected sugar production of almost 10 million tonnes (MT) in the coming season.
In November last year, Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) officials moved around in the city in twos or threes to ensure that every household without a personal toilet was enumerated. Nanjubais house was one among 40 all belonging to the Bhil community built on one end of the Sukhniwas road. An official meeting was called with all the residents, details collected from each household and the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan scheme explained.
Amid growing uncertainties in the seafood trade, exporters from India have now a reason to cheer as the country is expected to be the standout performer in 2017 along with Chile.
Securing the nation's airspace could soon become a more challenging task for the Indian Air Force, as it faces delays in inducting additional airborne warning and control aircraft, even as Pakistan is slated to see its own fleet of such aircraft increase by year-end.
After registering a phenomenal 40 per cent growth in the financial year 2016-17, India's are finding it difficult to sustain the momentum in the coming years.
With the Centre making its intent on electric vehicles clear, state governments are swinging into action to lure the new investments that automakers will pump into manufacturing them. Three weeks ago, Karnataka became the first state to roll out an electric vehicle policy to encourage manufacturing, while Telangana, another state with an automobile manufacturing base, is learnt to be working on its policy.
State Bank of India Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya will hang up her boots on Friday on completion of her term. But, there is little clarity on who will succeed her, especially at a time when Indias largest lender is in the midst of a transition the merger of its associate .
British short-haul carrier faced an annual loss in excess of 100 million ($133 million, 113 million euros) when it went bust, chief executive Andrew Swaffield said today.
The airline declared bankruptcy on Monday after failing to secure fresh capital or sell the business, leaving British authorities racing to rescue tens of thousands of customers stranded abroad, while Monarch staff were made redundant.
"Yesterday was a heart-breaking day as 2,000 people lost their jobs and we are all absolutely devastated for the customers and for all of us," Swaffield told BBC Radio 4.
The Civil Aviation Authority regulator launched an emergency repatriation scheme on Monday to fly back 110,000 Monarch customers to Britain at an estimated cost to taxpayers of 60 million.
Monarch has been badly hit by a legacy of weak demand in previously key markets Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt that have each suffered terrorist attacks in recent years.
In turn, the events have sparked fierce competition and oversupply for popular destinations Portugal and Spain.
Consequently, the airline suffered a 25-percent reduction in ticket prices which created a "massive economic challenge" for the group, Swaffield said.
Monarch therefore faced the daunting prospect of a huge loss for the next financial year.
"The figure was well over 100 million" (that the group was projected to lose next year) ... and we could not figure out a way of reducing those losses significantly," Swaffield said.
"We couldn't find a way in the end and we reached the end of the road on Saturday night, made the decision and filed on Monday morning."
He added: "We spoke to a variety of sources, trying to leave no stone unturned, including raising capital to fund trading losses, selling the company and part of the company, and concluded that we had no prospect.
The Russians who posed as Americans on last year tried on quite an array of disguises.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is weighing a new trading operation dedicated to bitcoin and other digital currencies, the first blue-chip Wall Street firm preparing to deal directly in this burgeoning yet controversial market, according to people familiar with the matter.
America has experienced yet another mass shooting, this time at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the strip in Las Vegas, Nevada . It is reportedly the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
As a criminologist, I have reviewed recent research in hopes of debunking some of the common misconceptions I hear creeping into discussions that spring up whenever a mass shooting occurs. Heres some recent scholarship about mass shootings that should help you identify misinformation when you hear it.
Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app.
Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006.
Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more.
Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them.
26 years of website archives.
Editors note: This is a roundup of gun control articles published by scholars from the U.S. and two other countries where deadly mass shootings are far less common.
Stephen Paddock was a high-stakes gambler recognised in the casinos of Nevada. He dabbled in real estate investments in Texas. His last known full-time employment was 30 years ago. He was twice divorced. He had a pilots licence and had owned two single-engine planes.
An honour bestowed on Myanmar leader by the city of Oxford has been withdrawn as a reaction to her perceived inadequate response to the plight of Rohingya Muslims in the country.
The 'Freedom of Oxford' had been granted to the de facto leader of Myanmar in 1997 for her "long struggle for democracy" by the Oxford City Council.
A cross-party motion was unanimously passed by the council yesterday which said it was "no longer appropriate" for her to hold the honour.
Oxford City Council leader Bob Price supported the motion to remove her honour and confirmed it was an "unprecedented step" for the local authority.
The city council will hold a special meeting to confirm that the honour is removed on November 27.
Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, has close links to the city of Oxford, having lived in Park Town with her family and earlierattended St Hugh's College from 1964 until 1967.
The city council's move comes days after her alma mater, St Hugh's, removed her portrait from the main college entrance.
While the exact reasons for the portrait's removal were attributed to a new replacement, there is a wider view that the allegations of ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya Muslims fleeing their homes to Bangladesh is likely to be behind the move.
Nearly 500,000 people belonging to Myanmar's Rohingya minority have been displaced after violence allegedly instigated by the country's military, causing a major humanitarian crisis.
Suu Kyi has been Myanmar's State Counsellor, a position similar to prime minister, since April, 2016.
She spent years under house arrest as a campaigner for democracy while Myanmar was ruled by a military dictatorship.
She became a worldwide icon for freedom before leading her National League for Democracy to victory in open elections in November, 2015.
The UK government has made repeated calls for her take a more firm stance on the violence being suffered by the Rohingyas.
Facing global flak, Myanmar on Monday proposed to take back the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, a media report said.
Kyaw Tint Swe, a Minister in the office of Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, made the proposal during talks with Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali here, Daily Star reported.
At the meeting that lasted for over an hour, both countries also agreed to form a joint working group to resolve the .
ALSO READ: Head of UN food agency says world must step up Rohingya aid
Foreign Minister Ali, briefing media persons later, disclosed about Myanmar's proposal to take back its nationals.
"Talks were held in a peaceful manner," Minister Ali said after the meeting at state guest house Padma. "Myanmar proposed to take back the Rohingyas from Bangladesh."
According to him, both sides decided to form a joint working group soon which will draw up plans for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
Under pressure, Aung San Suu Kyi, in her speech last month, had spoken of taking back the Rohingyas, but said Myanmar would conduct a process of verification.
At Monday's meeting, Bangladesh proposed signing a bilateral agreement for the repatriation process and handed over a draft to the Myanmar delegation, the Minister added.
Asked when the process might start, Ali said: "One meeting cannot solve all the issues. The joint working group has to be formed first. Both sides will propose names. We are moving it fast."
His reply to how long it would take to form the joint panel was: "Very soon."
Ali said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal will visit Myanmar soon, Dhaka Tribune reported.
"The Home Minister will discuss with the Myanmar government regarding border security and border management issue," he said adding that four Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the visit.
ALSO READ: Rohingya crisis a great opportunity for India to set its house in order
Home Minister Khan Kamal, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, state minister for foreign affairs, Foreign Secretary and other high officials attended the meeting.
Over half a million Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh since the start of a military crackdown in the Myanmar border state of Rakhine.
The refugees have claimed that the Myanmar security forces are shooting at civilians, setting fire to their homes and raping Rohingya women.
Europe has had a rocky ride with referendums in recent years: think of Greeces anti-austerity vote in 2015, or the Brexit shock and Italys failed constitutional referendum in December 2016. As the UK found with the 2014 Scottish independence vote, even holding a referendum at all can be highly destabilising to the traditional political order and political party systems.
But something different happened in Catalonia on October 1 2017: a referendum that in practice wasnt a referendum at all. It was considered a referendum by the supporters of Catalan independence, but not their opponents the Spanish government who called it illegal for the EU, or any known government in the world. The reported 42.3% turnout and near-90% vote for independence do not carry any meaningful legitimacy. Even for those who did turn out, anything approaching normal voting was prevented by a heavy and at times violent Spanish police presence.
In a landslide victory, Jagmeet Singh has become the new leader of Canadas New Democratic Party.
Despite predictions that voting could go into multiple rounds and ostensibly drag on until mid-October, Singh won 53.6 per cent of the first-ballot votes on Sunday. He easily beat out his closest rival, Charlie Angus, who garnered only 19.3 per cent.
Among the top eight cities in India, only Chennai reported a rise in net absorption of office space, with a 60 per cent jump for the January to September period.
Supportive global helped the domestic market recoup some of the losses made in the past fortnight. Strong US factory data and the prospect of tax cuts in the worlds largest economy fuelled a rally, as the US climbed to a new record on Monday and the MSCI Asia Pacific added 0.6 per cent on Tuesday. Indias benchmark BSE Sensex gained 214 points, or 0.7 per cent, to close at 31,497; the National Stock Exchanges Nifty 50 gained 71 points, or 0.7 per cent, to close at 9,859.5. The broader also remained positive, with the BSE mid- and small-cap indices gaining 0.8 per cent and 0.5 per cent, respectively.
Tata Motors surged 7% to Rs 428 on BSE in early morning trade after the company reported a strong 25% increase in domestic sales at 53,965 units in September. The company had sold 43,031 units in September 2016. The stock recorded its sharpest intra-day gain since November 8, 2016, when it rose 6.9% in intra-day trade.
Another terrorist was gunned down on Tuesday morning during search operations inside a building inside the Border Security Force (BSF) camp near Srinagar Airport.
So far, two terrorists have been eliminated and three security personnel are injured.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will chair a high level meeting at 11.30 a.m. to review the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
This morning, around 4.30 a.m., a group of terrorists attacked the camp of the 182nd BSF battalion, headquartered near the Srinagar Airport and Air Force Station Gogoland.
The BSF control room said that at least three militants were involved in the attack.
The area close to camp and the Kashmir Valley School has been sealed to allow for the search and security operation to continue smoothly.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont, has called for international mediation to resolve the region's growing crisis with the Spanish Government, saying Europe cannot continue to ignore the issue after around 900 people were injured during the police crackdown on the referendum.
"The European Commission must encourage international mediation. It cannot look the other way any longer," The Guardian quoted Puigdemont, as saying.
Reportedly, around 900 were injured on Sunday as the riot police raided polling stations and fired rubber bullets. Regional officials said more than 800 people were injured.
The Catalan government has claimed victory in a contested referendum on independence from Spain.
Of around 2.2 million ballots counted, about 90 per cent were in favour of independence. Catalonia has 5.3 million total eligible voters.
Declining to intervene in what it has described as an internal Spanish matter, the European Commission urged both sides to "move very swiftly from confrontation to dialogue".
"Violence can never be an instrument in politics. We trust the leadership of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to manage this difficult process in full respect of the Spanish Constitution and of the fundamental rights of citizens enshrined therein," the commission said, in a statement.
Catalonia's separatist government had pushed forward with the vote despite opposition from Madrid and a ruling from the country's top court declaring it illegal.
The vote risks plunging the country into one of its worst political crises since the end of Gen. Francisco Franco's dictatorship in 1975. Catalonia has its own regional government, with considerable powers over healthcare, education and tax collection.
The region has, however, long complained that its revenues subsidise other parts of Spain.
Catalan nationalists have always argued that the region is a separate nation with its own history, culture and language, and that it should have increased fiscal independence.
In 2006, the Spanish government backed Catalonia's calls for greater powers. But, four years later, that status was rescinded by the Constitutional Court, which ruled that while Catalan is a "nationality," Catalonia is not a nation itself.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The exhibition-cum-sale of exquisite silk handloom fabrics that enables an interface between weavers and consumers commences today.
Silk Fab exhibition is an initiative of the office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India through National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC) Ltd. to provide direct access to the handloom weavers to market their products to consumers in various cities of India.
The participants are from various State Government Bodies/Apex Societies, Primary Handloom Weavers Co-operative Societies and Handloom Agencies. 110 agencies belonging to 15 states are participating.
The handloom sector of India employs 65 lac persons directly or indirectly which is next only to agricultural sector in the country. The art of handloom weaving has traditional values attached to it and each region has exquisite varieties. The uniqueness of silk products such as Pochampalli, Paithani, Kanjivaram, Banarasi, Jamdani, Baluchari, and Ikkat, to name a few attracts customers across the globe with exclusive weaves, designs and traditional motifs.
Through these exhibitions, handloom agencies not only market their products at reasonable rates but also get to know customers' choice with regard to colour, design and weaving for future improvement of the product.
Government of India has launched the "Handloom Mark" scheme for handloom products and "Silk Mark" for genuinity of silk products, to encourage and give a distinct identity to the products, apart from highlighting the uniqueness of the products. It also serves a guarantee for the buyer that the product being purchased is genuinely handwoven.
All the exhibitors at the Silk Fab have been encouraged to display the 'Handloom Mark' and 'Silk Mark' tag on the products and thus aim to improve the earnings of the handloom weaver community.
The exhibition will be open to public from 11 am to 8 pm for fourteen days upto October 16, 2017. Exhibition includes State Government Agencies/Apex Bodies, Primary Handloom Weavers Co-operative Societies, and the agencies working under the recently started Integrated Handloom Development Scheme. The Primary Handloom Weavers Co-operative Societies are recommended by their respective State Governments.
Silk Products drawn from some of the exotic locations of India are on display and sale at the exhibition.
A brief list is given below :-
Andhra Pradesh Gadwal, Pochampally, Dharmavaram
Assam Muga Silk
Bihar Tassar, Kantha, Madhubani Prints
Chhattisgarh Tribal work, Kosa Silk
Delhi Printed Silk Sarees
Jammu & Kashmir Printed Silk Sarees, Dress Material
Jharkhand Kantha, Kosa Silk
Karnataka Chintamani, Kasuti Work, Karnataka Silk
Madhya Pradesh Chanderi, Maheshwari
Maharashtra Paithani, Pune Saree
Odisha Bomkai, Sambalpur
Rajasthan Bandhej
Uttar Pradesh Tanchoi, Jamdani, Jamawar (Banarasi)
West Bengal Baluchari, Kantha, Tangail.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla on Tuesday said Washington's response to mysterious attacks on its diplomats has been "irresponsible" and "hasty."
"In the meeting that, at the proposal of the Cuban side, was held with the United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, the minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, warned him against the adoption of hasty decisions that were not supported by evidence; urged him not to politicise a matter of this nature and once again required the effective cooperation from the US authorities to clarify facts and conclude the investigation," Cuba's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
This statement comes after the United States President Donald Trump has expelled 15 Cuban diplomats in response to the mysterious 'sonic attacks' targeting the U.S. embassy staff in Havana.
The statement released by the U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asserted that "decision was made due to Cuba's failure to take appropriate steps to protect our diplomats in accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention. This order will ensure equity in our respective diplomatic operations."
However, terming the expulsion as "unwarranted act" the statement by Cuban Ministry said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly protests and condemns this unfounded and unacceptable decision as well as the pretext used to justify it, for it has been asserted that the Cuban Government did not take the appropriate measures to prevent the occurrence of the alleged incidents."
"It is the second time, after May 23, 2017, that the State Department orders two Cuban diplomats in Washington to abandon the country; that the US Government reacts in a hasty, inappropriate and unthinking way, without having evidence of the occurrence of the adduced facts, for which Cuba has no responsibility whatsoever and before the conclusion of the investigation that is still in progress," the statement added.
On September 29, Tillerson had announced the decision to significantly downscale the diplomatic staff of the US embassy in Havana and withdraw all their relatives, claiming that there had been "attacks" perpetrated against the U.S. Government officials in Cuba which have harmed their health.
At least 22 people have been injured, with intelligence officials especially targeted. Symptoms include mild traumatic brain injury, permanent hearing loss, severe headaches, loss of balance and brain swelling.
Meanwhile, Cuba has also allowed the U.S. investigative agencies to work on the ground in its country for the first time in more than 50 years as part of the investigation into attacks on American diplomats.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday attached assets worth Rs 32.175 crore of Satna based Kamal Sponge and Steel Power Limited (KSSPL), in connection with its probe in a coal block allocation case under Prevention of Money Laundering Act,2002.
The assets attached are in the form of balance in bank accounts and immovable assets, that is, land, plant and machinery, and power plant.
The ED initiated investigation in the case on the basis of an FIR registered by CBI against KSSPL, its directors and promoters, and others.
On October 13, 2014 the CBI had filed a closure report before the Special CBI Judge, at Delhi's Patiala House Court but the court did not accept it then and took cognizance of the offence against the company and Director Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia, and others.
According to the ED, Thesgora-B/Rudrapuri Coal Block was allocated jointly to the said company and Rewti Cements Pvt Ltd on November 21, 2008 by the Ministry of Coal. While submitting application of allotment of coal block, KSSPL had mis-represented their net worth and production capacity, in order to embellish its claim on favorable recommendation for allocation of Coal Block.
The Supreme Court vide judgment dated August 25, 2014 had ordered cancellation of allotment of coal blocks including the one allotted to KSSPL.
After applying for allocation of coal block, the company received share application money amounting to Rs 86.469 crore during the period from 2007-08 to 2010-2011 from different companies/individuals, out of which they refunded Rs. 17.67 crore to some investors. The share application money so received was used by the said company for re-payment of term loan and other loans.
The company issued shares of face value of Rs. 100/- per share at par as well as at a premium of Rs. 900/- and issued shares for Rs 32.175 cores and did not allot shares for the remaining amount. The company received high premium because it had very high probability of getting coal block after misrepresenting the net worth and production capacity, which were relevant criteria for allocation of coal Block.
During the year 2007-08 to 2009-10, the company had issued shares at the premium of Rs 900/- per share whereas the trend of earning per share was not only insignificant but also decreasing. Further, the shares issued at the premium of Rs. 900/- per share to 33 different investors were further purchased by a different company at value of mere Rs 25/- per share.
Thus, the company has gained pecuniary undue benefit of Rs. 32,17,50,000 as share application money and share premium which is the part of the proceeds of crime derived as a result of criminal activity relating to the Schedule Offence.
Further investigation is in progress.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former employees of Kingfisher, company owned by Liquor baron Vijay Mallya, on Wednesday slammed the British judiciary for releasing the Fugitive baron on bail, just hours after his release.
Branding the move by the British judiciary as "ridiculous," Anirudh Balal, former employee of Kingfisher, told ANI, "It is a very ridiculous move by the British judiciary. This is the second time. Last time in April and yesterday he was arrested and immediately given a bail shows that the Brit judiciary or the government doesn't seem to be very serious about people who commit crimes and then go and take shelter in those countries as a safe haven."
He also said that the British government needs to send out a strong message by not encouraging people like Mallya to reside in their country.
Balal added that Mallya will not have a way out if the British judiciary and the Indian government maintain pressure on him.
Vijay Mallya was granted bail within hours after he was arrested in London on Tuesday, on a fresh charge of money laundering brought by the Indian government.
This was the second time that the same incident in 2017; earlier on April 18, he was arrested and released by the British police.
Mallya was granted bail and released on a bond of 60,000 pounds and will appear in court for next hearing on November 20, 2017. His actual extradition hearing is scheduled on December 4.
The charge was supplementary to the fraud charges already in place and alleges that the funds Mallya fraudulently obtained through loans to Kingfisher Airlines was channeled to his Force India Formula One team, in which he has taken a very active role while he awaits extradition to India.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Tuesday asserted that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing journalist Gauri Lankesh muder case has received 'some information and clues' but cannot reveal them at this point of time.
Reddy said, "We constituted the SIT to probe this case and they have received information and clues, which I cannot reveal at this moment."
The SIT is working towards finding the evidence and is probing the case from all the angles, the minister added.
A SIT comprising of 19 officers, headed by IGP Intelligence B.K. Singh, was formed to probe Gauri Lankesh's murder.
Lankesh was shot dead on September 5 at her residence in Bengaluru's Rajarajeshwari Nagar by some unidentified assailants at around 8-8:30 p.m.
Four rounds were fired at the 55-year-old journalist with a 7.65mm country-made pistol.
As per the reports, three bullets were pumped into her body.
Lankesh was the editor of the Gauri Lankesh Patrike, a tabloid described as an "anti-establishment" publication.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Honeypreet Insan, who is being questioned by the Panchkula Police, has revealed that while absconding, she was living with another Dera Sacha Sauda follower in Bathinda District, said Panchkula Police Commissioner A S Chawla.
"The lady who was travelling today has confirmed that Honeypreet Insan was living with her for the last many days in a remote location at Bathinda district, where she has land and a house too, which is where Honeypreet was staying," A S Chawla told media.
This comes from an earlier revelation by the Panchkula Police that jailed Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram rahim Singh's 'adopted' daughter Honeypreet Insan was travelling from Guru Sar Modia where Haryana Police had conducted raids as well.
"The other lady's name is Sukhdeep and is also a follower of the Dera," said Chawla.
He further said that they have deputed senior lady police officers from Haryana for this investigation, adding that Honeypreet Insan's questioning is still going on.
The Police Commissioner asserted that Honeypreet is not revealing a lot of details.
"She is not giving many details yet which is why the interrogation is taking a lot of time."
He also said that the interrogation will continuously proceed, where they will take her in remand after she is presented in the court tomorrow at 2 p.m.
Chawla also said that Honeypreet will soon be arrested.
He also asserted that they are verifying the facts that have come to the Police, adding that, "We will have to take her to the locations for confirmation."
Honeypreet was wanted by the police in connection with the violence that broke out in Panchkula in August, the day a court there declared Ram Rahim guilty of rape.
The Delhi High Court, on 26 September, rejected the transit anticipatory bail plea of Insan.
For almost 40 days, Haryana Police has been tracking leads on Honeypreet in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, on Tuesday alleged that "false cases" are being framed against him.
Singh's comments came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a jibe at him and said that the state is being ruled under the Government that is "on bail."
"I am being framed through false cases and there are three agencies pursuing the same case which are income tax, Enforcement Department and Central Bureau of Investigation," said Virbhadra Singh.
He asked whether anybody has heard that three big agencies pursue the same case.
"I will be going to the people's court and they will decide everything," said Singh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election campaign in Bilaspur said that whole family of Chief Minister Singh is "on bail," also asking the people of the state to throw out the Congress government which is "on bail".
"A few Congress members came to meet me, I asked him that the Chief Minister's family is on bail, why don't you change it," Prime Minister Modi asserted during a speech.
BJP has kicked off its election campaign for 68-member Himachal assembly elections. The Himachal assembly is likely to go to polls in November.
Prime Minister Modi was addressing the "Abhar rally" of the BJP after participating in the foundation ceremonies of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Kothipura in Bilaspur district and IIIT in Haroli constituency in Una.
Chief minister Virbhadra Singh is facing money laundering and disproportionate assets case.
The CBI had filed a chargesheet against Singh, his wife and seven others for allegedly accumulating assets of over Rs. 10 crore disproportionate to his known sources of income in March this year.
A Delhi Court had on July 7 allowed the Enforcement Directorate more time to file a supplementary charge-sheet against Singh, his wife and other accused in the case.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Condolences from all across the continue to pour in after the mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed at least 59 people and injured hundreds.
The gunman, identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, opened fire on concertgoers enjoying a country music festival in Las Vegas from the 32nd floor of a hotel late Sunday.
Also, the attack is being considered as the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, tweeted her condolence after the Las Vegas shooting.
"The UK's thoughts are with the victims and the emergency services responding to the appalling attack in Las Vegas," she wrote.
In Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron offered words of comfort.
"Emotional thoughts for our American partners and friends who have had to suffer the violence of our times in Las Vegas a few hours ago," he tweeted Monday.
The Eiffel Tower, the French capital's most iconic landmark, went dark at midnight "in homage to the victims of the attacks in Marseille and Las Vegas."
Le Monde, a leading French newspaper, observed that the United States, "with 85 arms per 100 inhabitants, is also the Western country where the proportion of deaths by gunshots is the highest."
Russia's state-run, 24-hour news channels also covered the attack.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev took to Facebook to express his condolences. "I am shocked by the tragedy in Las Vegas," he wrote in Russian and in English. The crime is striking in its violence and cynicism. Russia shares the sorrow of those who lost their relatives and friends. We pass our sympathy and support to them and wish a speedy recovery to the injured."
"I condemn in the strongest terms possible today's terror attack in Las Vegas, NV," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Twitter.
"I sincerely hope that such attacks won't happen in the future. On behalf of the Turkish people, I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims and all Americans."
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called it a "heinous attack."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: "Words fail this morning. The friendship & support of Canadians is with the victims in Las Vegas & the people of the US."
Benjamin Netanyahu?, the Israeli prime minister, also offered words of solace.
Enrique Pena Nieto, the president of Mexico, called the shooting "tragic."
Pope Francis said he was "deeply saddened" and called the shooting a "senseless tragedy."
Monday's attack has prompted a debate on social media about whether the United States should adopt stricter gun-control laws.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jalal Talabani,the Kurdish leader and the first president of Iraq under its postwar Constitution, has passed away in hospital in Berlin, Germany, at the age of 83.
Talabani had suffered a stroke in 2012 and was moved to a hospital in Berlin where he remained in coma. He was the first non-Arab president of Iraq, although Abdul Karim Qasim was of partial Kurdish heritage.
Talabani served as the sixth President of Iraq from 2005 to 2014, as well as the President of the Governing Council of Iraq (39th Prime Minister of Iraq).
Talabani, a law school graduate, was a key figure in the transitional governing council that drafted the new Iraqi constitution after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003, and was later voted into what was supposed to be a largely ceremonial position of president of Iraq by the country's newly constituted parliament in 2005, Guardian reported.
He survived decades of guerrilla warfare and bitter infighting, first taking up arms against the central government and then a fractious civil war between Kurdish factions in the 1990s, where he led the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). He also survived brutal purges and chemical attacks aimed at Iraq's Kurds by Saddam Hussein.
Former US President George W. Bush's administration saw Talabani as an important ally. Talabani tried to steer a divided nation through years of civil war and insurgency led by al-Qaida in Iraq, the precursor to Islamic State (Isis), and the conflagration initiated by the American occupation. Isis would later re-emerge with a vengeance, conquering large swaths of Iraq in 2014.
His death came days after a landmark referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, where voters overwhelmingly backed calls for the region's independence from Baghdad.
Talabani was long an ardent campaigner for a sovereign Kurdish state in northern Iraq, where his political beginnings were rooted.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After being in limelight infamously for decades-old sexual assault case, director Roman Polanski finally commented on the sexual assault case which continues to dominate any discussion of the 84-year-old Oscar-winning director.
During an interview at the Zurich International Film Festival, where he is promoting his latest movie 'Based on a True Story,' opened about the case that lingered for almost 30 years.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar-winning director said, "As you know, Samantha Geimer has been asking for over 30 years for this thing to end. But, I'm sorry the judges who dealt with it the last 40 years were corrupted, one covering for the other. So I don't maybe one of them will [eventually] stop doing it."
Polanski's attorney, Harland Braun has suggested the L.A. court sentence Polanski in absentia to 334 days in custody, which is equal to the time he's already served over the years in detention in U.S. and Switzerland, where he spent nearly a year under house arrest before the Swiss courts rejected the U.S. extradition request and set him free.
"As far as what I did: It's over. I pleaded guilty. "I went to jail. I came back to the United States to do it, people forget about that, or don't even know. I then was locked up here [in Zurich] after this festival. So in the sum, I did about four or five times more than what was promised to me," noted Polanski.
The controversy over the decades-old case was reignited earlier this year after Polanski agreed to serve as president of the Cesars, France's equivalent to the Oscars.
The director eventually withdrew after vocal protests by women's groups.
For the unversed, on March 11, 1977, Polanski, at the time the toast of Hollywood as the director of 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'Chinatown', was arrested and charged with drugging and raping then-13-year-old Samantha Gailey (now Samantha Geimer).
As a part of a plea bargain, Polanski pled guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, underwent psychiatric evaluation and spent 42 days in jail.
Polanski also shared that it was "unfortunate" that the case has affected how his films are viewed.
It should be noted that Roman Polanski's new movie 'Based on a True Story' which stars Eva Green and Emmanuelle Seigner in pivotal roles was screened at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Army jawan on Tuesday lost his life in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in Jammu and Kashmir's Bhimber Gali village.
The jawan has been identified as Naik Mahendra Chemjung.
Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in KG sector. Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively.
However, in the exchange of fire, Naik Mahendra Chemjung was grievously injured and succumbed to his injuries.
Naik Mahendra Chemjung aged 35 years, belonged to Chilingdin, Nepal and is survived by his wife Smt Nayan Kala Chemjung and one son.
Earlier in the day, a Border Security Force (BSF) Camp near Srinagar airport was attacked by three terrorists.
The terrorists were gunned down by the security forces during an encounter by the 182nd Battalion of the BSF located near the Airport and Air Force Station Gogoland.
Inspector General (IG) of Police, Kashmir, Munir Khan on Tuesday confirmed that three gunned down terrorists during an encounter belonged to terror outfit- Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
While, one BSF personnel also succumbed to his injuries post encounter. Some security personnel were also injured.
The area close to camp and the Kashmir Valley School were sealed to allow for the search and security operation to continue smoothly.
According to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Srinagar Airport has been shut down due to encounter which has now ended.
No flights are operating till the security clearance and the airport is under the CRPF security.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Border Security Force (BSF) Camp near Srinagar airport that was attacked on morning was heavily damaged by three terrorists.
The terrorists were gunned down by the security forces during an encounter at a camp manned by the 182nd Battalion of the BSF located near the Airport and Air Force Station Gogoland.
Inspector General (IG) of Police, Kashmir, Munir Khan on Tuesday confirmed that three gunned down terrorists during an encounter belonged to terror outfit- Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
One BSF personnel also succumbed to his injuries post encounter.
Some security personnel were also injured.
The area close to camp and the Kashmir Valley School were sealed to allow for the search and security operation to continue smoothly.
According to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Srinagar Airport has been shut down due to encounter which has now ended.
No flights are operating till the security clearance and the airport is under the CRPF security.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah on Tuesday said party's ambitious 'Janaraksha Yatra' is to create awareness against political murders.
He said the yatra was started from Kannur because most murders took place here only.
While speaking to ANI, Amit Shah said, "Yatra is to invoke awareness. Thirteen BJP workers have been brutally murdered in a short span of time. If we don't bring awareness now, they won't stop. We have chosen Kannur because most murders took place here. The yatra will continue till October 17 in Delhi and all other state capitals. Then we'll take out huge 'Jan Sampark Abhiyan' in Kerala."
"This movement is non-political. We wanted to stand with our workers and their families and make situation where there's no further political violence," he added.
The saffron party's 15-day padayatra will span across 154 km, covering 11 districts of Kerala. It will be BJP's first major public demonstration in Kerala as it attempts to make inroads into the state's electoral politics.
Earlier in the day, BJP president lashed out at Kerala's Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) and blamed the party for supporting political violence in the state as he flagged off the Janaraksha Yatra in Payyannur.
Addressing the gathering here, Shah said, "End of the CPI-M will herald the end of political violence. Wherever CPI-M ruled - be it Kerala, West Bengal or Tripura - political violence followed. Also, more than 120 workers of the BJP had succumbed to death in Kerala due to political violence."
He further blamed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the killings of his party's workers".
Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam, MPs Suresh Gopi and Richard Hey, former Karnataka Education Minister C T Ravi, BJP Puducherry president V Swaminathan, and many other BJP leaders and workers joined the foot march.
Shah is on a three-day visit to the state, led the march after paying floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Here we are again - in the aftermath of another terrible, inexplicably shocking and painful tragedy. This time - in Las Vegas. Which happens to be my hometown," the late-night host's voice shook as he began Monday's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'.
He delivered a touching monologue about the mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed at least 59 people and injured hundreds.
"Of course, we pray for the victims - and for their families and friends and we wonder 'why' even though there's probably no way to ever know 'why' a human being would do something like this to other human beings who were at a concert having fun listening to music," Kimmel continued.
"As a result of that this morning, we have children that are without parents and fathers that are without sons, mothers without daughters. We lost two police officers, we lost a nurse from Tennessee, a special ed teacher from a local school here in Manhattan Beach [California]," the father of four also said in his monologue, later noting the shootings in Orlando, Newtown, Aurora and San Bernadino as well as Lawrence, Kansas.
"It's the kind of thing that makes you want to throw up. Or give up," Kimmel said.
"It's too much to even process. All these devastated families who now have to live with this pain forever because one person with a violent and insane voice in his head managed to stockpile a collection of high-powered rifles - and used them to shoot people."
'Late Night' host Seth Meyers also began his show by sending his condolences to the families of the victims, and commending first responders and heroic residents who "risked their lives to save stranger."
"It always seems like the worst displays of humanity in this country are immediately followed by the best, and then sadly, that is followed by no action at all. And then it repeats itself," Meyers said, before sending a pointed message to Congress.
"I would just like to say - are there no steps we can take as a nation to prevent gun violence? Or is this just how it is, and how it's going to continue to be?"
He questioned Congress members' reasoning for repeatedly insisting "now is not the time" to talk about gun violence, adding, "What you really mean is, there is never a time to talk about it."
Meyers ended his message with a plea for transparency: "If you're not willing to do anything, just be honest and tell us. ... If it's going to be thoughts and prayers from here on out, the least you can do is be honest about that.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Oscar-winning actor JK Simmons, who will be next seen in November's 'Justice League', feels really elated to work with superstar Ben Affleck in DC Extended Universe.
According to Contactmusic.com, Simmons feel really excited to work with fellow actor Affleck and is really looking forward to work in future movies in DCEU.
During an interview, when asked whether he enjoyed and was excited to work with Affleck, he said, "Oh absolutely, yeah. And I worked with Ben a couple of years ago on The Accountant and I met him years before that. So yes, I'm excited to work with him and hope to work with him on the other side of the camera at some point, as well."
Adding, "He's obviously a talented filmmaker in addition to being the movie star that he is and the good actor that he is, which I think will continue to develop as we see Batman and Commissioner Gordon not be spring chickens and we get into some interesting stories about these weathered kinds of guys."
Simmons also indicated that while he is hopeful there will be more 'Justice League' films in the future, Commissioner Gordon's role in the upcoming Justice League is just the briefest of introductions to the character.
"Commissioner Gordon, my incarnation of Commissioner Gordon, in the first Justice League movie of what we hope will be a handful is a kind of don't blink or you'll miss it introduction of the character. I didn't spend all that much time. We shot it here in London, which was great, it's always fun to be here, but I still haven't seen the finished thing put together," noted Simmons.
Helmed by Joss Whedon, 'Justice League' stars Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher and Henry Cavill in pivotal roles.
The flick is scheduled to release on November 17.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday granted bail to Malayalam Actor Dileep in connection with molestation and abduction case of a South Indian film actress.
This was the fifth time when Dileep had moved a court seeking bail.
Earlier Dileep's bail plea was rejected twice by the Kerala High Court and Angamaly magistrate court.
Dileep has been accused of hatching a plot to abduct and assault the Malayalam actress in a moving car through 'prime accused' Pulsar Suni and his associates.
The actress, who has worked in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films, was kidnapped and molested in a moving car while she was on her way from Thrissur to Kochi on the night of February 17 this year.
Dileep was arrested on July 10 because of his alleged involvement in the molestation case.
On July 11, Dileep was expelled from the primary membership of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) after being arrested.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Continuing with the crackdown on drug activities, the Calangute Police on Tuesday arrested a Kerala native over the possession of narcotic drugs heroin and cannabis.
The arrested has been identified as Abdul Hasenar Sawaz, 23, who is a resident of Manjeshwaram, Kerala.
Police nabbed the accused red-handed and seized cannabis weighing 270 gram worth Rs. 30,000 and worth heroin worth Rs. 10,000 in the international market.
Officials were intimated about a Kerala native visiting to sell drugs at the Calangute parking area. Accordingly a raiding team was directed which reached to the spot.
The raid continued two hours, the officials said.
A further investigation is in progress.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The police recovered "in excess of" 18 additional firearms, explosives and several thousand rounds of ammo at the home of the rescued in Mesquite, the Las Vegas Sheriff has said, in connection with a shooting spree last night in Las Vegas that left more than 50 people killed.
Sheriff Joe Lombardo said investigators are focussed on four main crime scenes right now: The room at Mandalay Bay hotel from where the gunman shot, the concert event location, the shooter's house in Mesquite, Nevada, and the SWAT teams are standing by at a home in northern Nevada, the CNN repotrs.
Some electronic devices were also retrieved which the department is evaluating, he added.
The death toll and injury count has also climbed, according to Sheriff Joe Lombardo. At least 59 are dead, and 527 injured.
Meanwhile, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders grew emotional, earlier in the day, on Monday as she spoke about those, who were killed in Las Vegas, but dismissed questions about gun rights as too political in the wake of the tragedy.
Sanders choked up reflecting on how those men and women, who lost their lives, will be remembered.
"The Gospel of John reminds us that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for a friend. And the memory of those who displayed the ultimate expression of love against an unimagined act of hate will never fade. Their examples will serve as an eternal reminder that the American spirit cannot and will not ever be broken. In the days ahead, we will grieve as a nation, we will honour the memory of those lost as a nation and we will come together united as one nation, under God, indivisible," she added.
Sanders further told reporters that having a debate on gun control is "not the place that we're in at this moment."
Earlier, President Donald Trump used a brief address from the White House to call for unity in the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, calling it an "act of pure evil."
"We cannot fathom their pain, we cannot imagine their loss," Trump said of those who lost loved ones in the massacre.
"There's a time and place for a political debate, but now is the time to unite as a country," Sanders said. "There's currently an open and ongoing law enforcement investigation, a motive is yet to be determined and it would be premature for us to discuss policy when we don't fully know all the facts or what took place last night."
Here's what happened:
-At least 59 people were killed and more than 500 hurt in a shooting last night. Witnesses said it lasted 15 minutes.
-The gunman, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, is dead. He was not known to the authorities.
-It happened during a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. The shooter fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel.
-A gun store in Mesquite sold firearms to the gunman. The shooter, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, lived in a retirement community for people aged 55 and over in Mesquite, Nevada.
- Police found 10 rifles inside Paddock's hotel room, Las Vegas Police Department Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said on Monday.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Investigators probing the Las Vegas massacre have searched gunman Stephen Paddock 's home and recovered 42 firearms, an assortment of explosives and several thousand rounds of ammunition from his Las Vegas hotel room and his Mesquite home.
The Las Vegas mass shooting is the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, claiming the lives of 59 people and injuring 527 others.
Investigators believe Paddock, who fired into a crowd of thousands during a country music festival from a Las Vegas hotel suite, used bump-stock for the attack as it modifies a semi-automatic weapon to fire at an automatic rate, The Guardian reports.
There is still no known motive behind the attack or any known links between Paddock and other terror organisations.
Authorities said he acted alone, but the attacker's girlfriend Marilou Danley will be interviewed after she returns from Tokyo.
Describing the shooting as "an act of pure evil", United States President Donald Trump said he would visit Las Vegas on Wednesday and will meet with the first responders to the attack. President Trump has ordered for American flags at the White House and at public buildings nationwide to be flown at half mast.
Sheriff Joe Lombardo said investigators are focused on four main crime scenes right now: The room at Mandalay Bay hotel from where the gunman shot, the concert event location, the shooter's house in Mesquite, Nevada, and a home in northern Nevada, the CNN reports.
Some electronic devices have also been retrieved and are being evaluated, he added.
A North Las Vegas gun store sold a shotgun and a rifle to Paddock in spring. All state and federal requirements, including a FBI background check, were met,CNN quoted David Famiglietti, president of New Frontier Armory, as saying. He said that neither of the weapons "leaving our store are capable of what we've seen and heard in the video without modification.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh recently launched 'Imphal Evenings', a weekend plaza on Kanglapat Road amidst much fanfare and glittering lights.
The idea behind the plaza is to give recreational space to the people of the state with an aim to live healthy lives with their families and be exposed to its culture and night life.
The plaza will be opened on every Saturdays and Sundays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. without any entry fee on the stretch from Khoyathong junction to Raj Bhawan junction (eastern half of NH-2).
On the first day, a huge crowd turned up at the plaza and all the stalls enjoyed brisk business.
Chief Minister Biren Singh and MAHUD Minister Th. Shyamkumar graced the launching function as chief guest and president respectively.
Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar, PHE Minister L. Dikho and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Ksh. Bhabananda also attended the function as guests of honour.
Chief Minister Singh said the new initiative had been introduced to present an opportunity to the people to spend some quality time with their families and friends together.
"Manipur is being portrayed as a trouble-torn state, and most of the people of other states and countries generally have a wrong notion about Manipur that nobody ventures outside after dusk in the state," he added.
He said that the new government has tried to show to the world that Manipur is no more a trouble-torn place and it can also have a night life.
He also hoped the plaza would be able to give jobs to many unemployed youths.
Seeking suggestions from the public, the chief minister said the government would put in effort to make the plaza better and more beautiful.
He added that every type of intoxicant is strictly banned at the plaza.
In his presidential speech, MAHUD Minister Th. Shyamkumar said the brain behind the plaza is Chief Minister Biren Singh.
He described the chief minister as a far-sighted and dynamic leader and as a person who never turns down any good endeavour.
He also sought suggestions from the public to make the plaza better and successful.
The government has earmarked space for 102 stalls at the plaza. However, the government has received only 92 applications so far.
On launch day today, only 56 parties turned up to open stalls at the plaza. About 40 stalls have been reserved for indigenous food items, 25 for fast food items, 15 branded restaurants and 30 for general stalls.
One police booth each at Khoyathong and Raj Bhavan junctions and two booths at Kangla western gate were opened to monitor security and guide the visitors.
For safety measures, there were booths for medical and Manipur Fire Service personnel. Apart from this, every stall has been instructed to mandatorily keep a fire extinguisher each.
Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) also deputed 30 volunteers at the plaza to assist the visitors, stall owners and police.
Manipur Police Department also deputed 30 plains cloth personnel to assist the crowd and ensure security.
Four points have been reserved for the talented persons who wish to present/showcase their skills at the plaza free of cost.
Mobile toilets are kept at two places for the convenience of the public. On the other hand, 10 bio-toilets have been procured to install at the plaza.
The food stalls were instructed to sell only fresh and healthy edible items approved by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) and State Food Safety Authority.
State Food Safety personnel will regularly monitor the quality of the food items sold at the plaza.
In addition to stalls, boating facility was provided at Kangla moat.
The main task of managing the plaza has been entrusted to Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) Department, and Manipur Urban Development Agency (MUDA).
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mumbai residents Faisal Yusuf Banaraswala and Abdul Rehman Qureshi on Tuesday filed a petition in the Bombay High Court seeking a Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation into the stampede at Elphistone Station that occurred on Friday, killing 23 people.
The petitioners state that according to a complained submitted, the police is required to "investigate the crime" keeping in view the possibility of soft terror attack by terrorists.
According to petitioners, the circulation of rumors of the Foot Over Bridge (FOB) collapsing that led to the stampede could be a trick played for soft terror attack.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) also demands that Centre and State government pay a compensation of not less than Rs 20 lakhs to the family of the victims.
Additionally, the PIL requests the court to direct the government to end physical and policy bottlenecks, and install facilities in the railway stations that can abate the unfortunate incident in future.
The PIL also requests the court to direct state government to take proper care of the admitted injured victims in the hospital.
23 people were killed and over 39 seriously got injured in a rush-hour stampede at Mumbai's Elphinstone railway station's foot over bridge on September 29.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has called for the restoration of the people's right to govern.
He was addressing a meeting of the party's general council which elected him as president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
"You know the reason for my disqualification," said Nawaz, adding that PML-N is still the country's biggest political party.
"If there was nothing in the Panama Papers, then people should have been told this. They should have informed the people of the truth, that Nawaz Sharif did not misuse any public funds," Geo News quoted Sharif, as saying.
He said all countries in the keep changing their policies with time, and those who ignore the changing dynamics and stick to the old practice of time passing them by.
Sharif said he was disqualified despite being elected by the people thrice not because of any corruption or malpractice but for not taking a salary from his son.
"I'm warning you, if we don't try to change things then even Pakistan will not forgive us." God helps those who help themselves, he added.
Expressing confidence that his party will show better results in the 2018 elections, he said that the people will give their decision regarding his 'eligibility' then.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif was re-elected as president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday.
PML-N leader Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry submitted Sharif's papers for party president in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while no one other candidate from the party contested the election, the Dawn reported.
The development comes after Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain ratified the Elections Bill 2017 which paved the way for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to become Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president.
The Election Bill 2017, commonly known as Electoral Reforms Bill which was already been approved by the Senate, was subsequently signed into law by President Mamnoon Hussain late Monday night.
A controversial clause in the bill allows disqualified politicians to hold a public office or to lead a political party, Geo News reported.
The opposition members in the National Assembly protested the passing of the bill and tore copies of it after it was presented by Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
Members of the opposition also chanted slogans against Nawaz Sharif.
The Assembly also rejected the amendment to the bill presented by the Jamaat-e-Islami.
While addressing the National Assembly, Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rasheed had spoken against the bill.
"You are risking the country's democracy over one person," he said, adding "You have attacked the Supreme Court with a rocket launcher."
Nawaz Sharif does not even want to see his brother (Shehbaz Sharif) as a party leader, he remarked.
"You can start digging the grave of democracy with your majority," he said while referring to the PML-N parliamentarians.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the clause 203 of the bill is against the spirit of the country's Constitution.
Sharif had relinquished the position of PML-N chief after his ouster from power under the July 28 verdict of the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.
The Representation of Peoples Act 1976 bars anyone who is ineligible to become a member of parliament from holding office in a political party.
Ever since the Supreme Court's verdict, the PML-N has been run by its acting president Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, a senator from Balochistan.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif left for a three-day visit to United States on Tuesday.
Asif will meet U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to resume bilateral talks and discuss ways to remove tensions that cropped up after President Donald Trump's August 21 speech.
He will also reportedly meet US National Security Adviser Lt Gen HR McMaster during the trip.
The Minister will address a gathering at the US Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington on US-Pakistan relations on October 5.
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence met Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi last week and suggested sending a U.S. delegation to Islamabad for talks aimed at removing tensions.
Islamabad accepted the U.S. proposal but asked for a high-level meeting in Washington to defuse the tensions. Washington accepted the Pakistani argument and invited Asif for a meeting with Secretary Tillerson on Oct 4.
President Trump had blamed Pakistan for maintaining alleged safe havens for terrorists, threatened economic and military sanctions against Islamabad and announced a larger role for India in Afghanistan, ignoring Pakistan's concerns.
Annoyed by the U.S. President's speech, both opposition and ruling parties unanimously adopted a resolution in Pakistan Parliament, urging the government to reconsider its relations with the United States. Some opposition parties also asked the government to downgrade its ties with U.S. and further strengthen its strong relations with China.
Asif, during speech earlier this week at the Asia Society in New York, acknowledged that jihadi elements particularly Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hafiz Saeed had become a liability for Pakistan.
Asif said that during the Afghan war (1979-89), the U.S. and its allies encouraged such elements from across the to come to the region to fight the Soviet Union. Instead of staying in the region after the war to clear up the mess, they left abruptly, leaving Pakistan alone to deal with the extremists, he added.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has ratified the Elections Bill 2017 which was passed by the National Assembly on Monday and paved the way for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to become Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president.
The Election Bill, 2017, commonly known as Electoral Reforms Bill which was already been approved by the Senate, was subsequently signed into law by President Mamnoon Hussain late Monday night.
A controversial clause in the bill allows disqualified politicians to hold a public office or to lead a political party, Geo News reported.
The opposition members in the National Assembly protested the passing of the bill and tore copies of it after it was presented by Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
Members of the opposition also chanted slogans against Nawaz Sharif.
The Assembly also rejected the amendment to the bill presented by the Jamaat-e-Islami.
While addressing the National Assembly, Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rasheed had spoken against the bill.
"You are risking the country's democracy over one person," he said, adding "You have attacked the Supreme Court with a rocket launcher."
Nawaz Sharif does not even want to see his brother (Shehbaz Sharif) as a party leader, he remarked.
"You can start digging the grave of democracy with your majority," he said while referring to the PML-N parliamentarians.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the clause 203 of the bill is against the spirit of the country's Constitution.
Sharif had relinquished the position of PML-N chief after his ouster from power under the July 28 verdict of the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.
The Representation of Peoples Act 1976 bars anyone who is ineligible to become a member of parliament from holding office in a political party.
Ever since the Supreme Court's verdict, the PML-N has been run by its acting president Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, a senator from Balochistan.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has pledged to end a decade-long split between the Islamist Hamas Movement of Gaza and his West Bank-based government during a cabinet meeting in Gaza, which was held for the first time since 2014.
"We are here to turn the page on division, restore the national project to its correct direction and establish the Palestinian state," he said.
"We will undertake our responsibilities in administrating the affairs of all sectors of the southern provinces in consensus and complete partnership with the Palestinian factions and forces," jerusaleum Post quoted Hamdallah as saying during the cabinet meeting.
The latest development is a major step towards reconciliation with Hamas and simulateously ending the territorial division between the West Bank and Gaza.
"I urge everyone without exception to embrace the leadership, reconciliation and national unity and to put our national interest above factional and party considerations and interests," he added.
Hamdallah also called on Palestinians to unify around the Palestinian leadership and overcome factional differences.
He emphasized that reconciliation would encourage the international community to fund rebuilding Gaza as USD 5.4 billion has been pledged by the international community pledged to reconstruct the Strip in the aftermath of Operation Protective Edge in 2014.
The cabinet meeting was held at the official Gaza residence of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in the cabinet office.
Hamas ousted the PA from Gaza after bloody street fighting in 2007, but finally agreed last month to its return, under pressure from the territory's powerful neighbour Egypt.
Egyptian Intelligence Minister Khaled Fawzy will arrrive in Gaza to meet with PA officials and Hamas leader Ismail Haniya on Thursday.
Rcently,Interpol, the international police organization, has voted to admit Palestine as a full member, thereby advancing the latter's goal of statehood.
This development is a diplomatic blow to Israel, which has been opposing Palestine moves to join international bodies.
About 75 countries voted in favor, with 24 voting against and 34 abstaining in a secret vote held during 86th Interpol General Assembly on Sept. 26-29 in Beijing. "The State of Palestine and the Solomon Islands are now INTERPOL member countries," Interpol said on Twitter.
The Palestinian bid was part of a series of efforts to push for membership of international institutions and thereby advance the goal of statehood.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah on Tuesday held Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan directly responsible for killing of party and Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) workers in the state.
"Look at the West Bengal's and Tripura's situation, the communists ruled here long. Peaceful Kerala is turning violent and the communist ideology is spreading here. More than 120 BJP and RSS workers have been murdered in Kerala so far. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is directly responsible for it. So we are taking out this 'Janaraksha Yatra' against the political violence in the state," Shah said
Ahead of Shah's campaign in Kannur against alleged killing of party and RSS workers in Kerala; three BJP workers were allegedly attacked by Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI (M) workers in Kerala's Kasaragod district.
As per reports, the three BJP workers have sustained injuries in the attack.
A case has also been registered in this regard.
Shah's yatra in the district against the political violence in the state is scheduled from today to October 17.
Shah has launched a 15-day rally in Kerala to target the state's CPI (M) government with the BJP accusing the Left party of being on a "killing spree" against its party workers.
The BJP president alleged nearly 120 BJP workers, 84 in Kannur alone, were killed in Kerala since 2001 with 14 of them in Chief Minister Vijayan's home town since he took the reins last year.
Shah also offered prayers at the famous Rajarajeswara Temple in Kannur before kicking off the yatra which is aimed at increasing the party's footprint in Kerala.
Several Union ministers are likely to participate in the rally under the theme of "All have to live!! Against Jihadi-Red Terror".
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Tuesday said the era of political killings has started in the state after caste and communal violence.
Her comments came after a BSP leader was murdered in Allahabad in the wee hours of Tuesday.
After many incidents of communal violence in the state, there has been a rise in political murders which resulted in the murder of Rajesh Yadav.
"Rajesh Yadav was an active BSP worker and recently he also fought the general elections from Gyanpur seat in Bhadohi. His murder has raised a serious question on the law and order situation of the state," Mayawati said in a statement.
To take the stock of the situation, Mayawati has sent a three member delegation consisting of Ramachar Rajbhar, state president; Lalji Varma, leader of the legislative Party and senior leader Ambika Choudhary to the Bhadohi district in the Mirzapur division to console the family and assure them of justice.
The former CM has also demanded to the government of the state, to arrest the culprits and to give them strictest of punishment.
BSP leader Rajesh Yadav was gunned down on early Tuesday morning outside the Tarachand Hostel of Allahabad University.
"Apart from the murder of Rajesh Yadav, incidents of violence and tension have erupted in more than a dozen districts of Uttar Pradesh during Moharram and Dussehra. This shows the failure of the Yogi Adityanath's government in tackling the law and order situation in the state" she said.
The BSP supremo further alleged that "especially in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled states, incidents of communal violence by fanatics have take place under the protection of the state government. This has resulted in atmosphere of caste, communal, and political tension in the society".
She went on to say, "It is the result of this that yesterday a dalit boy was murdered in Gujarat. This is also a result of the failure of the Gujarat government in giving strict punishment to the culprits that these violent incidents against dalits in the state are not stopping".
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Press Secretary to President Ram Nath Kovind said India is expecting a couple of agreements on fostering and promoting economic relations with Djibouti.
"One of the agreements expected tomorrow is to institute formal foreign office level talks, through which, Indian diplomats will regularly visit Djibouti and their diplomats will visit New Delhi to meet MEA officials," he said here on Tuesday.
"We are also expecting a couple of agreements on fostering and promoting economic relations," added Press Secretary Ashok Malik.
Emphasising on the strategical importance of Djibouti, Malik further said, "Djibouti is a strategically important country. Our economic relations with them are growing."
India doesn't have a formal embassy in Djibouti yet, Indian ambassador in Ethiopia is currently accredited to Djibouti as well.
Malik also mentioned that Djibouti played an important role in rescuing 5000 Indian nationals from war torn Yemen in 2015.
"Djibouti helped India to rescue 5000 Indians from Yemen; they gave us one airstrip to use. Relations between both the nations have gone deep since then," Malik said.
Malik said that the purpose of coming here is not only agreements, but also taking the relations forward with Djibouti.
President Ramnath Kovind has arrived here on Tuesday.
He is on a four-day state visit to Djibouti and Ethiopia.
This visit is Kovind's maiden foreign trip as President and strategically very important as the country is very close to Gulf of Athens in Indian Ocean.
The visit also marks the first by an Indian President ever to Djibouti and will be the second to Ethiopia after then President V V Giri's trip in 1972.
Indian government's focus on Africa has enhanced since the third Indo-African Summit in Delhi in 2015, which saw participation of more than 40 heads of states and governments from Africa.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Ramnath Kovind arrived in Djibouti on Tuesday.
He is on a four-day state visit to Djibouti and Ethiopia
This will be Kovind's maiden foreign trip as President.
"The President is looking forward to the visit. He recognises that Africa and Indian Ocean region are central to Indian foreign policy. That is why this region was chosen as his first foreign visit," the President's Press Secretary Ashok Malik said.
The visit will be the first by an Indian President to Ethiopia after then President V V Giri's trip in 1972.
President Kovind will attend a business event and an interaction with the Indian community.
"Ethiopia is the largest recipient of concession by India. We have given USD 1 Billion concession to Ethiopia in three sugar projects," said Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
Indian government's focus on Africa has enhanced since the third Indo-African Summit in Delhi in 2015 which saw participation of more than 40 heads of states and governments from Africa.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United States Donald Trump has expelled 15 Cuban diplomats in response to the mysterious 'sonic attacks' targeting US embassy staff in Havana.
"The decision was made due to Cuba's failure to take appropriate steps to protect our diplomats in accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention. This order will ensure equity in our respective diplomatic operations," the statement said released by the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson .
On September 29, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Havana, as well as all family members.
"Until the Government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel to minimize the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm."
"We continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, and will continue to cooperate with Cuba as we pursue the investigation into these attacks," the Department of State statement added.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has called on Cuba's government to figure out who is behind the attacks using sonic weapon on American and Canadian diplomats serving in Havana.
Cuba's government, for its part, has said it is not responsible and that it would never allow such weapons to be used against diplomats within its borders. Cuban officials pledged to investigate the incidents.
Last week, Tillerson announced that America was sharply reducing the number of staff at its embassy in Havana after at least 22 diplomats and their family members fell ill to mysterious illnesses.
At least 22 people have been injured, with intelligence officials especially targeted. Symptoms include "mild traumatic brain injury, permanent hearing loss, loss of balance, severe headaches, and brain swelling," The New York Times reports.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday begins his visit to Puerto Rico wreaked by Hurricane Maria before making his way to Las Vegas, the site of the deadliest shooting in U.S. history. With most of the power transmission grid destroyed, more than 95% of population are without regular electricity service. Only 10.7% of the island's cell phone towers are working.
President Trump has criticised the mayor of the Island's capital over the sluggish response to the disaster relief efforts.
Puerto Ricans are frustrated as they are still struggling with basic necessities two weeks after they were hit by the worst hurricane in 90 years.
CNN reported that millions in the US commonwealth remain without regular electricity service, and many have limited access to gas, cash and running water. At least 16 people died there as a result of the storm, the government has said.
"We are going to be seeing all of the first responders, the military, FEMA, and frankly, most importantly, we are going to be seeing the people of Puerto Rico," Trump said in the Oval Office.
President Donald Trump will show solidarity with survivors and demonstrate how his government intends to help them recover.
President Donald Trump lambasted a mayor who criticized Washington's response."We need to do a lot more in order for us to get out of the emergency," Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello said in San Juan. "But the other thing that's also true is that the administration has answered and has complied with our petitions in an expedited manner."
"Such poor leadership ability by the mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help," Trump tweeted on Saturday morning. "They want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort.
.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will challenge the Elections Bill 2017 in the Supreme Court on grounds that it allows deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif to take charge of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
The opposition party termed the election bill "an illegal and above-the-Constitution act of the current regime" and also decided to initiate yet another 'public mobilisation campaign' against it.
"Under the mass mobilisation plan, which is similar to one the party took on after the Panamagate scandal unearthed, the PTI will hold 13 public rallies in different cities of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh during the next month," The Express Tribune quoted a senior party leader, as saying.
According to the report, this was decided during a meeting of the senior party leadership held at Khan's residence in Bani Gala.
Khan announced that he would to tour the country and inform the people about the conspiracies the Sharifs have been hatching to weaken democracy.
Khan said the PTI would oppose the Election Bill at every available forum and dubbed dubbed it as the Election Bill 'save the corruption' legislation.
He also reiterated his demand for early general elections and said that it is the only viable option to steer the country out of prevailing crises.
Earlier, Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain ratified the Elections Bill 2017 which was passed by the National Assembly on Monday and paved the way for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to become Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president.
The Election Bill, 2017, commonly known as Electoral Reforms Bill which was already been approved by the Senate, was subsequently signed into law by President Mamnoon Hussain late Monday night.
A controversial clause in the bill allows disqualified politicians to hold a public office or to lead a political party, Geo News reported.
The opposition members in the National Assembly protested the passing of the bill and tore copies of it after it was presented by Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
Members of the opposition also chanted slogans against Nawaz Sharif.
The Assembly also rejected the amendment to the bill presented by the Jamaat-e-Islami.
While addressing the National Assembly, Awami Muslim League Chief Sheikh Rasheed had spoken against the bill.
"You are risking the country's democracy over one person," he said, adding "You have attacked the Supreme Court with a rocket launcher."
Nawaz Sharif does not even want to see his brother (Shehbaz Sharif) as a party leader, he remarked.
"You can start digging the grave of democracy with your majority," he said while referring to the PML-N parliamentarians.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the clause 203 of the bill is against the spirit of the country's Constitution.
Sharif had relinquished the position of PML-N chief after his ouster from power under the July 28 verdict of the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.
The Representation of Peoples Act 1976 bars anyone who is ineligible to become a member of parliament from holding office in a political party.
Ever since the Supreme Court's verdict, the PML-N has been run by its acting president Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Nasar, a senator from Balochistan.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
'The Heartbreakers' frontman Tom Petty, 66, has died after suffering cardiac arrest.
Petty's manager says he passed at his home in Malibu, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
The music legend was found unconscious and rushed to UCLA Santa Monica Hospital, where he was placed on a life support machine.
Petty rose to fame when he formed 'The Heartbreakers' in 1976. Last week, the band wrapped their 40th anniversary tour at the Hollywood Bowl.
The legendary rocker - who was born in Florida and has sold more than 80 million records worldwide - tweeted just days ago thanking his fans for their support over the past 40 years.
He is best known for hits like 'Free Fallin', 'Learning To Fly', 'Don't Come Around Here No More' and 'American Girl'.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Days after Banaras Hindu University (BHU) students, staged heated protests over an alleged incident of sexual harassment on campus, leading to a police lathicharge, the varsity reopened on Tuesday.
"We are expecting a peaceful environment in future. Now we can fully concentrate on our studies. The security has been tightened and CCTVs have been installed to avoid any unwelcome situation," a BHU student told ANI.
The protests outside the BHU campus triggered when a first-year female student of BHU alleged that she was molested by three bike-borne men outside the campus.
A clash broke out between students and police on September 23 outside the BHU campus after police lathi-charged the students, who were protesting against alleged molestation of a girl.
An FIR was also lodged against 1,000 BHU students and several were asked to vacate hostels.
The Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police (DG) Uttar Pradesh and the BHU Vice-Chancellor seeking a detailed report on the matter and submits his response within four weeks.
The NHRC, in its statement, said, "Suo motu cognisance taken in the subsequent use of unwarranted manhandling and thrashing of agitating students, mostly women, by UP police."
However, the BHU administration had assured that an action would be taken against those found guilty as soon as the concerned committee probing the recent incident of molestation comes with its report.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After suspected fidayeen attacked the Border Security Force (BSF) 182nd Battalion camp near the Srinagar Airport in the early hours of Tuesday, Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir dubbed the act as cowardly.
While calling for strengthening of security around the camps, Ahir asserted that terrorist will have to pay for dastardly act.
"Either say Pakistani or terrorist they are only cowards. The attack on BSF camp has become a challenge for us. Our security forces are retaliating. We will have to be more vigilant, security around the camps has to be strengthened," Ahir said.
"Terrorist will have to pay for the dastardly act," he added.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh asserted that the operation to neutralise holed up terrorist is being conducted in a planned and coordinated manner.
"Two terrorists holed up in an administrative building and JCO Mess. The operation is still underway. The senior officers are monitoring it. We assure that soon the operation will be over. The operation is going on in a much planned manner. There is a proper coordination between JKP, Indian Army, CRPF, and BSF," Singh told ANI.
A Border Security Force (BSF) personnel succumbed to his injuries post an encounter with militants at a camp manned by the 182nd battalion of the BSF located near Srinagar Airport and Air Force Station Gogoland on Tuesday morning.
So far, two terrorists have been eliminated and some security personnel are injured.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will chair a high level meeting at 11.30 a.m. to review the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The BSF control room had said that at least three militants were involved in the attack.
The area close to camp and the Kashmir Valley School has been sealed to allow for the search and security operation to continue smoothly.
According to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Srinagar Airport has been shut down due to ongoing encounter.
No flights are operating till the security clearance and the airport is under the CRPF security.
The encounter is still underway. Further details are awaited.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jammu and Kashmir, Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid on Tuesday denied any security lapse in the terror attack on a Border Security Force (BSF) camp near Srinagar airport.
The BSF Camp near Srinagar airport was attacked by three terrorists earlier in the day.
While speaking to media here, Vaid said, "Srinagar terror attack was not a security lapse. As long as terrorists are present, there is always a possibility of an attack. As long as our neighbour Pakistan remains hostile these things will continue".
Earlier in the day, the terrorists were gunned down by the security forces during an encounter at a camp manned by the 182nd Battalion of the BSF located near the Airport and Air Force Station Gogoland.
Inspector General (IG) of Police, Kashmir, Munir Khan confirmed that three gunned down terrorists during an encounter belonged to terror outfit- Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
One BSF personnel also succumbed to his injuries post encounter. Some security personnel were also injured.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Independent Jammu and Kashmir MLA Engineer Rashid was questioned on Tuesday by the Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a case related to the terror funding activities in Kashmir.
After the questioning, Rashid left the NIA headquarters.
The NIA in the recent past has arrested many separatist leaders and businessmen in the regard.
Earlier on September 6, the investigation agency conducted searches at around 27 locations in Srinagar and Delhi.
Last month, the NIA arrested seven Kashmiri separatists - Altaf Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Mehraj Kalwal, Shahid-ul-Islam, Naeem Khan and Bitta Karate for allegedly funding terror activities in the Kashmir Valley.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Hakan Cavusoglu, has announced that the country will provide university scholarship to 53 Rohingya Muslim students.
The students from Myanmar's troubled western Rakhine state will study communication, law, politics and human rights at Turkish universities, the Anadolu Agency news quoted Cavusoglu, as saying.
He further said that the Rohingya students are currently studying in Turkish universities.
Cavusoglu reaffirmed Turkey's support to Rohingya Muslims by providing them food and health facilities.
"We will set up mobile health clinics [in the refugee camps]," he said.
Nearly half a million Rohingyas have fled to Bangladesh due to violence in the Rakhine state that has claimed lives of at least more than 100 people and displaced several others.
Bangladesh is currently sheltering 5,07,000 Rohingya refugees in the country.
The Myanmar troops launched a crackdown in the Rakhine state in response to attacks on three border posts last year that killed nine police officers, since then many Rohingya Muslims have tried to move into Bangladesh illegally.
The Rohingyas are not recognised by Myanmar as its citizens and are called Bengali by them.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The United States Defence Secretary James Mattis openly contradicted the United States President Donald Trump's position on the Iran nuclear deal while testifying in front of Congress, by backing the nuclear deal with Iran and saying it is in the interests of national security to maintain it.
During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, Mattis was asked whether he believed it was currently in the US national security interest to remain in the agreement.
After a significant pause, he replied, "Yes, senator, I do."
Mattis's remarks comes after U.S. President Trump has been hinting for months that he is ready to take steps to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal as a crucial October deadline approaches that could decide the fate of the agreement.
Under the relevant legislation, the administration has to certify whether Iran is in material breach of the agreement, or if the deal is not serving the national interest.
In a statement in August, Trump said Iran is "not in compliance with the agreement and they certainly are not in the spirit of the agreement in compliance," and in September he called the agreement an "embarrassment" during a speech to the United Nations.
At the same hearing, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. James Dunford said, Iran "is not in material breach of" the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and affirmed that its implementation has "delayed the development of a nuclear capability by Iran."
Last week, Dunford said the U.S. should uphold the agreement, in the absence of a clear Iranian breach, or risk losing credibility when it came to signing future agreements.
Trump has repeatedly lambasted the JCPOA - one of the most important foreign policy legacies of his predecessor, Barack Obama - most recently at the U.N. general assembly last month.
"Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States and I don't think you have heard the last of it, believe me," Trump said, raising expectations that he would not endorse the agreement.
Under the U.S. law, Trump has until October 15 to certify that Iran is complying with the nuclear deal. If he declines to certify Iran, then Congress will have the option to re-impose sanctions on Iran, which would effectively end the deal.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Liquor baron Vijay Mallya has been arrested in London on Tuesday in connection with an ongoing case.
Mallya will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court at 2:00 PM (London time).
Mallya is wanted in India over economic offences.
In a June hearing at the London court, in a major setback to India, the court had expressed that New Delhi had not provided evidence to Mallya yet, who is battling a slew of cases in India over his default case involving Rs. 9,000 crore worth loans to a clutch of public sector banks.
The 61-year-old liquor baron has been out on bail since his arrest in April in London.
At least 53 persons, including Mallya, face prosecution complaints from the Directorate of Enforcement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and they are absconding, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said in July.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, the nodal ministry for Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in Criminal Matters, had conveyed that the India-U.K. MLAT in criminal matters does not cover the subject to bring back persons under investigation.
However, the CBI had submitted extradition request in respect of Mallya regarding the case under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for his extradition from the U.K.
The extradition request was sent to the U.K. for their consideration under bilateral extradition treaty.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After having granted speedy bail, fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya said 'many allegations are extraordinary' as he came out of the Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on Tuesday on a fresh charge of money laundering brought by the Indian government.
"Many allegations are extraordinary and you will hear it in the next hearing, no doubt. Whatever, I will say, I will say in court and do not have to repeat to media," Mallya said.
The fresh charge was supplementary to the fraud charges already in place and alleges that the funds Mallya fraudulently obtained through loans to Kingfisher Airlines was channelled to his Force India Formula One team in which he has taken a very active role while he awaits extradition to India.
He was granted bail and released on a bond of 60,000 and will appear in court for next hearing on November 20, 2017.
While interacting with mediapersons, Tycoon Mallya said "You were there, you heard it all, I have nothing to hide."
When the 61-year-old tycoon was produced in Westminster Magistrates' Court for bail proceedings, he looked relaxed and amiable in court
When asked that the noose is tightening around him and eventually he will be extradited to India where he will have to face the law of the land, Mallya remarked that "That judge has to decide."
When asked what will happen to him for the actual extradition hearing is scheduled on December 04, Mallya said, "The court will decide. I cannot sometimes understand your pre-emptive questions. December is too long away, so wait."
The bail which he received within minutes proved that Mallya's arrest was more of procedural.
This is the second time that fugitive liquor baron was arrested in London.
The defence agreed to review the evidence and will prepare its response before the actual extradition hearing on December 04.
The charge of money laundering was already included in the original fraud allegations made by the government but the charge that the funds were channelled to Force India is merely a new detail.
The Indian Government had made an extradition request in February to Britain to send back the businessman to face trial and since then the Indian Government officials have been pursuing the case of his extradition. The issue was raised on several occasions with the UK Government authorities in London.
The CBI had submitted extradition request in respect of Mallya regarding the case under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for his extradition from the U.K.
The extradition request was sent to the U.K. for their consideration under bilateral extradition treaty.
The UK Police had earlier arrested the liquor baron on April 18, 2017 on separate charges of fraud but he was released on the bail.
Mallaya, who has been staying in the UK for over a year now, is accused of defaulting on loans worth Rs. 9,000 crore to a group of public sector banks in India.
In a June 2017 hearing at the London court, in a major setback to India, the court had expressed that New Delhi had not provided evidence to Mallya yet.
Mallaya is among 53 persons, who are facing prosecution complaints from the Directorate of Enforcement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, and they are absconding, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said in July.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Indian Congress on Tuesday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, Amit Shah, saying that they don't need glasses to see the lack of development in Gujarat.
Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Salman Khurshid said, "I don't know how many glasses is going to take off from the people of this country. We don't need glasses to see that there is no development. He has a blindfold and he can't see the reality."
He went on to suggest that the BJP president uses these 'Jumlas' to make political points and that the people can see through it now.
"Periodically he picks on these jumlas to continue making these political points. People can see through this now and now the blindfolds will be removed by the people themselves," he said.
Congress leader Sandeep Dixit lashed out at the BJP president, expressing surprise at the nature of his comments.
"I am surprised that the president of a party is of this level today. You can't expect anything else from . We know what kind of a person he is," he said.
He also said that Shah needs to remove the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the 'chaddi' chashma to see the 60 years of development in the country.
Earlier on Sunday, Shah launched a fresh salvo on Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi saying that the latter needs to wear Gujarati spectacles to see the development of Gujarat and not the one made in Italy.
China's move up the value chain and the relocation of low-end manufacturing to cheaper countries will continue to create opportunities and support strong economic growth in some of Asia's "frontier" emerging markets. The countries best-placed to take advantage over the next few decades will be those offering workable business environments and relative macroeconomic and political stability to complement low wages, strong demographics and geographical advantages, says Fitch Ratings.
China's rising wages, higher land costs and real exchange-rate appreciation over the past decade have reflected policy efforts to rebalance the economy and raise living standards, but they have also reduced low-end manufacturing competitiveness. The average Chinese manufacturing wage is now higher than in Asia's other major emerging economies (see chart). Finding cheap labour in China is only likely to become harder, with urbanisation rates already high and the working-age population set to shrink by 0.4% a year on average over 2015-2035.
A significant drop in China's low-end manufacturing over the coming decades would leave a large gap for lower-cost countries to exploit. China's global share of exports of clothing, footwear and furniture is still almost 40%, up from 34% in 2010, and only peaked in 2014, according to UN Comtrade.
However, the decline now appears to be gathering momentum - China's exports of these labour-intensive goods fell by 10% in US dollar terms in 2016.
Bangladesh and Vietnam already have strong footholds in these sectors - together they accounted for 8% of global clothing, footwear and furniture exports in 2015, up from 3% in 2010. This established scale could be an advantage. Bangladesh, for example, has a ready-made garments industry that accounts for over 80% of its exports, and has the capacity to meet large orders swiftly. Vietnam looks well-positioned to expand its basic electronics manufacturing further through the relocation of factories from China. In both countries the manufacturing sector is a key driver of the high and stable GDP growth rates that act as a rating strength. It is also an important source of export revenue, which supports external finances.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maruti Suzuki India said its total sales rose 9.3% to 1.63 lakh units in September 2017 over September 2016. The announcement was made on Sunday, 1 October 2017.
Tata Motors said its sales performance for September 2017 were at 53,965 units resulting in 25% growth over September 2016 for the domestic passenger and commercial vehicle business. The announcement was made on Sunday, 1 October 2017.
Bajaj Auto said its total sales rose 14% to 4.28 lakh units in September 2017 over September 2016. The announcement was made on Monday, 2 October 2017.
Eicher Motors said its total Royal Enfield sales rose 22% to 70,431 units in September 2017 over September 2016. The announcement was made on Sunday, 1 October 2017.
Hindustan Unilever (HUL) said it signed an agreement for divestment of its 50% shareholding in Kimberly-Clark Lever (KCL) in favour of Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KCC), USA. This decision is in line with the company's objective to focus on its core business. Accordingly, KCL shall cease to be a joint venture of the company. The company shall work with KCC to ensure a smooth transition for the business. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 29 September 2017.
Power Grid Corporation of India said it entered into a term loan agreement for Rs 3270 crore with ICICI Bank on 29 September 2017 for the purpose of funding of capital expenditure for expansion, renovation and setting of various on-going and new transmission projects in Powergrid and in identified special purpose vehicles (SPVs) of Powergrid. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 29 September 2017.
Phoenix Mills said it acquired further 6.07% stake in Offbeat Developers (ODPL) for Rs 34 crore. Subsequently, the shareholding of the company in ODPL has increased from 93.93% to 100% and ODPL has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 29 September 2017.
Jindal Poly Films said that its Netherlands unit completed acquisition of Apeldoorn Flexible Packaging Holding for 86.90 million euros. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 29 September 2017.
Punjab Chemicals said it sold its Argentina unit through its subsidiaries. The announcement was made after market hours on Friday, 29 September 2017.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On 02 October 2017
Bluechip Stockspin announced the resignation of Gautam K. Virhadiya, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer of the company on 02 October 2017.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Central Water Commission (CWC) has signed MoUs with IIT Roorkee and MNNIT Allahabad to support dam rehabilitation efforts of various implementing agencies and CWC.
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has taken on board selected premier academic and research institutes, for capacity building in the areas of dam safety through World Bank assisted Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). The scope includes strengthening the testing laboratories, enhancing analytical capabilities, exposure visits to best global institutions and on ground exposure to dam safety concerns to the faculty of these institutions.
CWC has already signed MoUs with IIT Madras, IISc Bangaluru, NIT Calicut and NIT Raurkela for supporting these institutes for the procurement of specified equipment and software for enhancing their testing and modeling capabilities. Last month, CWC facilitated the signing of MoUs by Madhya Pradesh Water Resources Department (MPWRD) and UJVN Limited (UJVNL), Uttarakhand with the Earthquake Engineering Department of IIT Roorkee for assisting MPWRD and UJVNL in the activities related to establishment of seismic instruments, certification of these installations, generation of post seismic event report having an intensity greater than 4.0 on Richter Scale and sharing of these reports with State and Central Agencies, data collection, processing, monitoring, analysis, interpretation, integration of the State Dam Seismological Network (SDSN) with Indian Dam Seismological Network (IDSN) being maintained by National Agencies to exchange the information and help to strengthen the existing seismological network for a strong national perspective plan, and conducting training programmes for the dam owning personnel.
DRIP is assisting rehabilitation of 225 dams in seven States which are experiencing different levels of distress.
Owners of these dams require technical support for the investigation of dam conditions and supporting rehabilitation efforts. The Government of India has decided to enhance the capability of selected premier academic institutes in dam safety areas so that they, in turn, carry out field investigations and material testing, and provide training and consulting services to the dam owners in their dam rehabilitation efforts. In addition to rehabilitation of dams, Project also has component of institutional strengthening wherein capacity building of all partners agencies as well as few selected premier academic institutions of country are being strengthened in dam safety areas by imparting trainings to operational efficiencies of these owner agencies, exposure visits to best global institutions and on ground exposure to the dam safety concerns to the faculty of these institutions. It is a holistic effort of the Government of India to equip our national institutions to develop capability and expertise at par with global institutions in the coming times to ensure self-reliance.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The recent gas price increase would lead to an increase in revenue for domestic gas producers by around INR13 billion during 2HFY18, estimates India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). The government of India has increased domestic natural gas price by around 17% to USD2.89/mmbtu for October 2017-March 2018. Prior to this, the gas prices have been downward revised by about 50% since the implementation of the gas pricing formula in October 2014.
This is the first upward price revision after five consecutive domestic gas price reductions and has been driven by an increase in the average gas prices prevalent at the reference hubs over July 2016 - June 2017. The average Henry Hub gas prices increased by 19% to USD3/mmbtu for the current reference period of July 2016- June 2017 compared to USD2.52/mmbtu for the previous reference period of January-December 2016.
Although producers have been benefiting from lower rig and vessel rentals for renewed contracts due to soft crude prices, the operating cost remains close to realisations from its sale. Hence, this increment would bolster domestic producing companies' margins. The public sector units namely Oil India Limited and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, which contribute around 80% to the total domestic production, would be the largest beneficiaries of the price increase.
Ind-Ra believes this would result in around INR13 billion higher revenue for Indian domestic producers during 2HFY18. In the mid-stream segment, Gail (India) Limited's ('IND AAA'/Stable) marketing segment could see about INR15 billion higher trading revenue from the sale of domestic gases during 2HFY18.
However, compressed natural gas (CNG) and piped natural gas (PNG domestic) end-consumers of city gas distribution (CGD) entities could bear the burden of price increase, as it is usually passed on to the customers. The revised price means CGD entities would entail INR1.05 higher cost per scm on gas procurement. The non-subsidised and subsidised LPG prices are around 33% and 9%, respectively, costlier than the domestic PNG in Delhi. Similarly, CNG is around 60% more competitive than petrol and around 50% than diesel. Given the significant competitiveness of CNG and PNG (domestic), CGD entities could raise the prices of these fuels by INR1/kg-1.4/kg and INR0.8/scm-1/scm, respectively, for customers. Considering that the pricing power lies with CGD entities, the quantum of the burden passed on to the consumers could vary across CGD entities depending on the capex and investments surplus targeted by them.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The President on 02.10.2017, in exercise of the powers conferred by article 340 of the Constitution appointed a Commission to examine the sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes. This decision, taken on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, reinforces, in the spirit of his teachings, the Government's efforts to achieve greater social justice and inclusion for all, and specifically members of the Other Backward Classes. Sub categorization of the OBCs will ensure that the more backward among the OBC communities can also access the benefits of reservation for educational institutions and government jobs.
The composition of the Commission is as follows:
(i) Chairperson -Justice (Retd.) G.
Rohini,
(ii) Member -Dr. J. K. Bajaj
(iii) Member(Ex-officio)-Director, Anthropological Survey of India,
(iv) Member (Ex-officio)-Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India
(v)Secretary of the Commission-Joint Secretary, Department of SJ&E, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
The terms of reference of the Commission are as under
(i) to examine the extent of inequitable distribution of benefits of reservation among the castes or communities included in the broad category of Other Backward Classes with reference to such classes included in the Central List;
(ii) to work out the mechanism, criteria, norms and parameters in a scientific approach for sub-categorisation within such Other Backward Classes; and
(iii) to take up the exercise of identifying the respective castes or communities or sub-castes or synonyms in the Central List of Other Backward Classes and classifying them into their respective sub-categories.
The Commission is required to present their Report to the President within a period of twelve weeks of assumption of charge by the Chairperson of the Commission.
On receipt of the Report of the Commission, the Central Government will consider ways and means for equitable distribution of the benefits of the reservation in Central Government jobs and admission in Central Government Institutions amongst all strata of the Other Backward Classes.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Reliance Communications slumped 6.25% to Rs 18 at 10:35 IST on BSE after the company's board of directors have called off merger of RCom's mobile businesses with Aircel.
The announcement was made on Sunday, 1 October 2017. The market remained closed on Monday, 2 October 2017, on account of holiday.
Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 233.12 points, or 0.75% to 31,516.84. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 163.92 points, or 1.06% to 15,599.93.
On the BSE, 24.71 lakh shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 30.62 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 18.85 in intraday trade. The stock had hit a low of Rs 17.45 so far during the day, which is also a record low for the stock. The stock had hit a 52-week high of Rs 48.45 on 10 October 2016.
The board of directors of Reliance Communications (RCom) at a meeting held on Sunday, 1 October 2017, reviewed the ongoing strategic transformation programme, and considered alternate plans for debt reduction.
RCom and Aircel had signed binding agreements in September 2016 for the merger of RCom's mobile businesses with Aircel. Legal and regulatory uncertainties, and various interventions by vested interests, have caused inordinate delays in receipt of relevant approvals for the proposed transaction.
Unprecedented competitive intensity in the Indian telecom sector, together with fresh policy directives adversely impacting bank financing for this sector, have also seriously affected industry dynamics. As a result of the various factors aforesaid, the merger agreement has lapsed and the board approved the same.
Separately, the board decided that RCom will evaluate an alternate plan for its mobile business, through optimization of its spectrum portfolio and adoption of a 4G focused mobile strategy.
RCom already has the unique advantage of capital light access to India's most extensive world class nationwide 4G mobile network through spectrum sharing and ICR (intra circle roaming) agreements with Reliance Jio.
The combination of the mobile business of Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL) into RCom is also expected to be completed this month. The addition of SSTL's valuable spectrum holdings in the 800-850 MHz band will strengthen RCom's spectrum portfolio by 30 Mhz, and extend the company's spectrum validity period in 8 important circles in the country till the year 2033 i.e. for another 16 years.
The company has valuable spectrum across 800/900/1800/2100 Mhz spectrum bands aggregating 200 Mhz, valued at over Rs 19000 crore for the balance of validity period, based on last auction pricing. The company will evaluate opportunities for monetization of the same through trading and sharing arrangements.
The company has made good progress in its monetization plans for prime real estate assets, including at Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge City, Navi Mumbai admeasuring nearly 125 acres, with development rights of potentially over 17 million square feet and prime property near Connaught Place, New Delhi admeasuring nearly 4 acres.
Indications of interest from leading developers, and independent third party valuations, have established significantly higher present value monetization potential of Rs 10000 crore for the DAKC Complex alone. The company is engaged with leading global and domestic players, and expects to finalize developments agreements through an open and transparent process over the next few months.
The company will continue to implement its plans for monetization of its tower and fiber assets, as already announced.
The company continues to be under a standstill period till December 2018 and expects to complete the strategic debt restructuring (SDR) process as per applicable guidelines. Shareholders of the company at the Annual General Meeting held on 26 September 2017 have already approved issuance of equity shares to lenders by conversion of loans.
The company will also focus on domestic and overseas stable, capital light B2B businesses which have sustained and predictable revenues and profits, with immense growth potential.
Separately, company said on Monday, 2 October 2017 that at a meeting held on that day, it expanded its board by inducting its senior executives as additional directors of the company. Punit Garg, President, Telecom Business has been elevated to the board as Executive Director. Manikantan V., the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company has also been elevated to the board as director and CFO.
On consolidated basis, RCom reported net loss of Rs 1221 crore in Q1 June 2017 compared with net profit of Rs 54 crore in Q1 June 2016. Net sales fell 33.6% to Rs 3494 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q1 June 2016.
RCom is an integrated telecommunications service provider.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tata Motors rose 4.42% to Rs 419 at 10:24 IST on BSE on reports the company won a government contract worth Rs 1120 crore for supplying 10,000 electric cars.
Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 169.30 points, or 0.54% to 31,453.02.
On the BSE, 3.49 lakh shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 52.60 lakh shares in the past two weeks. The stock had hit a high of Rs 428.25 and a low of Rs 418.50 so far during the day.
According to reports, the vehicles will be procured by state-owned Energy Efficiency Services (EESL) at a per-unit price of Rs 11.20 lakh and will lay the foundation for the government's ambitious plan for a mass shift to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. These e-cars will be procured in two phases; 500 will be supplied in November 2017 and the remaining 9,500 cars in the second phase, for which dates have not been declared yet.
Meanwhile, Tata Motors on Sunday, 1 October 2017, announced strong second-quarter growth driven by robust results for the third consecutive month. The sales performance for September 2017 were at 53,965 units resulting in 25% growth over last year for the domestic passenger and commercial vehicle business. This is at the back of growing festive demand across segments, increased positive customer sentiments, introduction of new products and strong customer engagement initiatives.
Tata Motors overall commercial vehicles sales in September 2017, in the domestic market were at 36,679 units, higher by 29% over September 2016. In September 2017, Tata Motors passenger vehicles, recorded sales of 17,286 units, growth of 18%, over September 2016.
The company's sales from exports was at 3887 units in September 2017, a decline of 27%, due to continued drop in TIV in Sri Lanka (by 54%) and Nepal (by 47%).
Tata Motors' consolidated net profit rose 41.6% to Rs 3199.93 crore on 10.02% decline in net sales to Rs 58493.37 crore in Q1 June 2017 over Q1 June 2016.
Tata Motors is a leading global automobile manufacturer of cars, utility vehicles, buses, trucks and defence vehicles. The company has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa, and Indonesia through a strong global network of 76 subsidiary and associate companies, including Jaguar Land Rover in the UK and Tata Daewoo in South Korea.
Powered by Capital Market - Live News
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Army Commanders Conference will be held here from October 9 to 15 wherein top Army brass will discuss a slew of security, administrative and logistic issues, including the recent stand-off with China in the Doklam Sector in Sikkim.
It will be the first such conference of any of the three armed forces to be attended and addressed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
According to informed sources, the 75-day-long stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam, that began on June 16, and the preparedness along the border with China in general, as well as the situation on the western border with Pakistan will be on the conference agenda.
Speeding up defence procurement, pace of modernisation in the Army, pushing the 'Make in India' programme and indigenous procurement, as well as issues related to the 7th Pay Commission are also likely to figure in the discussions.
This is the second edition of biennial Army Commanders' Conference this year, with the first one held in April.
--IANS
ao/tsb/dg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Dalit student was brutally stabbed here on Tuesday evening, allegedly by two upper caste boys for signing a police complaint as a witness to the thrashing of his cousin last week for sporting a moustache, his family said. Police are probing the matter.
Class 11 student Digant Maheria, who turned 17 on Monday, was rushed to the Gandhinagar Civil Hospital for treatment with multiple stab wounds and has got 15 stitches on his back. Superintendent of Police Virendrasinh Yadav visited the boy and personally got details of the incident from him and his family.
According to Maheria's family, he was returning from his PPR Shah High School in Limbodara village, 15 km from Gandhinagar, at 5 p.m. after an examination when he was attacked by unidentified motorcyclists, who had covered half their faces with black scarves.
"He must have gone hardly 200 metres from the school up to a fork, one of the roads leads to our home, when he was accosted by two motorcycle-borne boys," his uncle Kirit Maheria told IANS.
"They asked him if he had filed a police case (in the attack on his cousin Piyush Parmar, 24, for keeping a moustache), and when he said yes, they pushed him and asked him why."
The two then attacked Maheria, stabbing him repeatedly before fleeing the spot.
On the earlier incident, Satish Maheria, who stays in the same village, told IANS, that Digant Maheria was with Parmar when three people from the Rajput community came and told the latter that Dalits had no business to sport a moustache like Rajputs. After an argument on the topic, the trio beat him up, he said.
Meanwhile, a police complaint has been lodged about Tuesday's attack with the Kalol police station, under whose jurisdiction the village falls, in Gandhinagar.
Maheria's father works as daily wager in agricultural fields.
--IANS
desai/him/vd
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Virtually launching the election campaign in Himachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the entire Congress party, including its President Sonia Gandhi, Vice President Rahul Gandhi and others were "out on bail" on corruption charges against them and called the Virbhadra Singh cabinet as "government on bail".
Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation of a Rs 1,350 crore 750-bed AIIMS hospital in Bilaspur, a unit of SAIL steel plant and an IIIT building in the state, he said, "Everything here is on bail. The party (Congress) is on bail, the government is on bail."
"This is a 'zamanati sarkar'. When some people of Congress came to meet me, I told them the Chief Minister and his entire family is out on bail, and why don't you change the Chief Minister," Modi said referring to Virbhadra Singh, who is facing cases of disproportionate property and is out on bail.
"Then the Congress people replied saying that our entire party is on bail, our (Congress) President is facing corruption charges."
Taking a dig at the Congress leadership, Modi went on to add, "Sonia Gandhi is out on bail in the Herald case, similarly 'yuvraaj' (prince) is out on bail in the Herald case. Everything is on bail -- the party, its leaders and its government are out on bail."
"Now tell me, don't do we need to oust this government which is out on bail?" he asked the crowd which cheered with slogans of "Jai Shri Ram".
Highlighting the corruption during the Congress-led UPA government, Modi said, "Before 2014 everyday newspapers were filled with stories of corruption. But in the last three years there is no stain of corruption on our government," Modi said.
"Earlier, people used to ask how much money was lost in scams like coal, 2G, land, water, air etc., how much amount was lost. But now people ask how much money has come to India?" he said.
He also slammed the earlier Himachal and central governments for delaying projects in the state, and said, "The Rs 70 crore project of a steel plant was delayed for over seven years."
"If one has to understand how the government works then one must go into a case of Kangra steel plant. Here one department used to pass the buck to another, and that to yet another... as every department was having a Prime Minister," he said.
"How did the government function earlier? One government used to run through remote control," he said in an apparent jibe at the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh.
He also said that his government has approved work on 13 projects worth Rs 15,000 crore in the state which will not only bring employment but also boost the tourism sector in the state.
In his 40-minute address, Modi also talked about 'One Rank, One Pension' related to the Indian armed forces.
"I had announced during the Mandi rally that we will give One Rank, One Pension. We have disbursed three installments that has benefitted ex-servicemen. Close to Rs 8,500 crore has been distributed and the fourth installment would be released soon," he said.
Modi said "the BJP would fulfill the dreams of Himachalis" once it comes to power in the state.
Grazing livestock are linked to climate change. They can boost the sequestration of carbon in some locally specific circumstances. At the global level, they are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, directly linked to global warming. The conclusion: Eat less meat and dairy products.
These startling findings were made public on Tuesday after two years of a collaboration study by researchers led by Tara Garnett of the Food Climate Research Network at the University of Oxford. Cecile Godde at Australia's national science agency, the CSIRO, is one of the authors.
The study, which aims to help minimise carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through grazing actions, holds relevance for India too as it supports one of world's largest populations of grass-fed livestock, ranks number one in milk production.
The report, "Grazed and Confused?", says grass-fed livestock are not a climate solution. They are, in fact, net contributors to the climate problem, as are all livestock.
The cattle emit gases such as nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane, a particularly potent greenhouse gas, and contribute the majority share of total agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.
Rising animal production and consumption, whatever the farming system and animal type, is causing greenhouse gas release and contributing to changes in land use.
Ultimately, if high-consuming individuals and countries want to do something positive for the climate, maintaining their current consumption levels but simply switching to grass-fed beef is not a solution.
"Eating less meat, of all types, is (a solution)," advocates report lead author Garnett.
Published just ahead of the Bonn UN Climate Change Conference, the report places emphasis on the need to consider animal production and meat consumption if the world aims to keep a global average temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius.
"When thinking about different livestock production systems, there are many important aspects to consider: people's livelihoods and jobs, animal welfare, biodiversity, nutrition and food security and more," Garnett said.
"Grazing systems and grass-fed beef may offer benefits in these respects, benefits that will vary by context. But when it comes to climate change, people shouldn't assume that their grass-fed steak is a climate change-free lunch. It isn't," she added.
The 127-page report estimates the livestock sector as a whole is responsible for 14.5 per cent of global human-related global greenhouse emissions, making the increasing demand for meat and dairy foods extremely problematic "if we are to limit global warming to below the internationally agreed goal of 2-degrees".
However, both consumers and policymakers have a much looser grasp on the differences in climate impact among different types of livestock.
"The big question that needs answering is whether farmed animals fit in a sustainable food system, and if so, which farming systems and species are to be preferred," said environmental and agricultural scientist Godde.
"Of course, there are many dimensions to sustainability and this report only considers one of them -- the climate question. But the climate question alone is important to explore and in doing so, this report takes us a step further towards understanding what a sustainable food system looks like," she said.
The report concludes that although there can be other benefits to grazing livestock -- solving climate change isn't one of them!
(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
--IANS
vg/vm
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Large numbers of Catalans on Tuesday observed a general strike to condemn police violence during a banned weekend referendum on independence, as Madrid comes under growing international pressure to resolve its worst political crisis in decades.
Protesters blocked major roads in Catalonia and there was little public transport. At least 24 protesters' roadblocks were reported across Catalonia, causing big traffic jams. Barcelona port was at a standstill, union sources were quoted as saying by the BBC.
Many small businesses were shut for the day. Schools, universities and medical services were also closed or operating at a minimum level. The strike was called in protest against "the grave violation of rights and freedoms" during Sunday's ballot which was declared illegal by the Madrid government.
Almost 900 people were hurt as Spanish police tried to prevent voting. Police officers were seen firing rubber bullets, storming into polling stations and pulling women by their hair.
Thirty three police officers were also injured in Sunday's clashes, Catalan medical officials said. However, over 2.2 million people reportedly voted in spite of this.
The Catalan government said the vote in support of independence was nearly 90 per cent, but official results have not yet been released. Turnout was relatively low at a reported 42 per cent.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy held emergency talks after Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont declared on Sunday that Catalonia had "won the right to an independent state".
Puigdemont said he wanted a new understanding with the central government in Madrid, but the Spanish government warned it could suspend the autonomy of the wealthy north-eastern region.
"An attack on democracy without precedent in recent times calls for a united response," said Javier Pacheco, the secretary general in Catalonia of the Comisiones Obreras union. "We have called on all sectors to take part."
Barcelona's public universities were expected to join the strike, as was the contemporary art museum and the Sagrada Familia, the basilica designed by Antoni Gaudi and one of the city's most popular tourist sites, the Guardian reported.
FC Barcelona said it would take part in the strike, adding that it would close its headquarters and that none of its professional or youth teams would train.
UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said he was "very disturbed" by the referendum unrest while EU president Donald Tusk urged Madrid to avoid further violence.
The European Parliament will hold a special debate on Wednesday on the issue.
--IANS
soni/bg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With a focus on women entrepreneurs, the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) will be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and advisor to the US President Ivanka Trump at Hyderabad on November 28, it was announced here on Tuesday.
The three-day summit -- with the theme "Women first, prosperity for all" -- would this year focus on the tremendous potential women bring to entrepreneurship, the Niti Aayog said in a statement.
A high-level delegation of the US government, led by Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, met officials at the Niti Aayog here to plan the summit, which is an annual gathering of emerging entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from around the world.
The summit "will create an environment that empowers innovators, particularly women, to take their ideas to the next level", the statement said.
"Women represent tremendous promise for economic growth and prosperity -- but in both developing and developed countries, they also face tremendous barriers to building businesses," it added.
The summit is expected to be attended by over 1,600 delegates, including entrepreneurs and investors and CEOs of major knowledge-based industries from across the world.
Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said it is a unique opportunity for Indian startups and innovators to interact and network with the finest entrepreneurs of the world.
"We need to harness technology to solve some of the most pressing problems in healthcare delivery, education, energy, safe drinking water and agriculture, among others, for the benefit of communities at large.
"Innovation and entrepreneurship will play a decisive role towards this end. I am sure this will be a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to interact with the best," he said.
Jennifer Arangio, Senior Director at the National Security Council at the White House, said the event would highlight the Trump administration's commitment to the principle that "when women are economically empowered, communities and countries thrive".
"Hosting GES in India is a signature of the broad and enduring partnership between our two countries. We thank our co-host, the Indian government, for their support, energy and hospitality, and look forward to a high-impact summit that brings together ground-breaking US entrepreneurs and investors with their counterparts from around the world," she said.
Niti Aayog and the US Embassy are planning a series of "Road to GES" events in collaboration with different agencies to generate enthusiasm and attract the attention of different stakeholders, the statement said.
--IANS
vv/him/dg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Honeypreet Insan, the "adopted daughter" of convicted Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, on Tuesday rejected allegations of physical relations with him and asked people not to believe "false" stories being spread about them.
However, her estranged husband, Vishwas Gupta asserted that Honeypreet and Ram Rahim had "illicit relations" after she deserted him in 2009. He accused her of being a "liar" and of shedding "crocodile tears" to evoke sympathy.
Honeypreet alias Priyanka Taneja told India Today, "There is a pious relation between my father and me. It is a pious relation of a daughter with her father. Don't believe what is spread about me."
Projecting herself and Ram Rahim as innocent, Honeypreet asked why police registered a case against her as she was not even involved in any criminal case nor in the riots that broke out in Panchkula after the arrest of the Dera chief.
"I am not a criminal. Nor was I present in the riots nor spoke anything. I went with my father when he was convicted by court," she said.
Honeypreet said she would move the higher courts against the conviction of Ram Rahim. "He is innocent. He has not harmed even an insect. Truth will prevail and the world will see this. I'm pained and shocked. How can the world do this to us? We are great patriots and we love India. My father has been framed under charges of treason. Everything ended after he went to jail," said Honeypreet.
Asked why she was absconding, Honeypreet said: "I could not understand what I should do...First of all, I went somewhere else, then moved to Delhi and later Haryana and Punjab."
Reacting to her statements, her former husband said the Dera management supported her while she was in hiding during the last one month. "If she was pious, why was she absconding," he asked.
Referring to her pleas of innocence about her and Ram Rahim, Gupta wondered "which thief will accept that he has stolen something".
After being on the run for over a month, Honeypreet walked into the Mohali police station on Tuesday afternoon and was taken into custody by Haryana Police.
She went into hiding soon after large-scale violence broke out in different parts of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi on August 25 following Ram Rahim's conviction in two rape cases. She and other top Dera members were booked for inciting violence.
The Delhi High Court last week dismissed her transit anticipatory bail application.
There had been reports that Honeypreet had fled to Nepal following Ram Rahim's sentencing.
--IANS
rak-vsc/rn
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is aggressively upgrading infrastructure on its eastern theatre to boost strategic deployment of advanced assets close to the Chinese border.
"The infrastructure development is taking place at a very, very rapid pace in the eastern front. We are inducting a number of new platforms in term of weapons, radar systems, networking systems," Air Marshal Anil Khosla, who heads the Shillong-based Eastern Air Command, told IANS.
"We are getting Rafale aircraft, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters and Apache attack helicopters. Recently, we have inaugurated a new C-130 J squadron complex in the Eastern Air Command," he said on the sidelines of the Air Fest at the Shillong Advanced Landing Ground here.
Noting that Eastern Air Command is growing from strength to strength, Khosla said, "We are getting ready to absorb the new technology and in another few years, may be two-three years or five years, it will be a very, very potent force (Eastern Air Command)."
"As I said, the delivery has already started. The radars are already coming in. We already have C-130 and we have operationalised a lot of helicopters units such as Mi-17 and Mi-17 V5, ALH, and in future we will get Chinooks, Apache, Rafale. So for all this, infrastructure is required," he said.
He said that six advance landing grounds have been made operational in Arunachal Pradesh, and added that the advance landing ground at Tawang is being upgraded as well as another at Vijaynagar.
"A lot of infrastructure is coming in our airfields to house the new (radar and networking) systems. We are trying to improve the operating surfaces further so that all these fighters and heavy transport aircraft can land and take off," the Air Marshal said.
"We are trying to make bases for housing our new radars which will be coming in. In addition, we are trying to upgrade our ranges to 'air to ground' ranges which are very important for the training of people," he said.
However, Khosla said the Indian Air Force capability building was not aimed with any particular country in mind
"It is a capability building of our own as over the years we have improved in the country economically. It is all-round capability building and development in the civil field as well as in the military field. So it is not aimed at any particular country. We are building up our capability and Air Force is becoming a potent and formidable force, and it is towards that," he added.
(Raymond Kharmujai can be contacted at rrkharmujai@gmail.com)
--IANS
rrk/rn/vm
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jammu and Kashmir independent legislator Engineer Rashid on Tuesday appeared before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) here in connection with its ongoing probe into a terror funding case.
NIA officials said that Rashid, who represents the North Kashmir's Langate assembly constituency, arrived at the agency headquarters at around 10.30 a.m.
He was summoned on September 28.
The agency is investigating the alleged terror funding case involving separatist leaders, local businessmen and others.
It is for the first time that an MLA from the state had been summoned by the NIA.
So far, 10 people have been arrested by the NIA.
--IANS
aks/ksk/vm
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India on Tuesday summoned Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah and issued him a demarche over the killing of three children in yet another ceasefire violation from the Pakistani side on Monday.
"Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah was summoned today and a strong protest was lodged at the death of three Indian minor children in unprovoked ceasefire violation by the Pakistan forces in the Poonch sector on October 2," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
"It was conveyed that such deliberate targeting of civilians was not acceptable and was against humanitarian norms and practices," it added.
According to the statement, India also expressed strong concern over the continued unprovoked firing by Pakistan forces across the Line of Control and the international boundary in violation of the 2003 ceasefire understanding.
"Five hundred and three such violations have been carried out by Pakistan forces so far during 2017," the statement said.
The Border Security Force (BSF) launched Operation Arjun following intermittent firing and ceasefire violations from across the border in Jammu region, following which Pakistani forces spoke to the Indian side and sought peace along the border.
In a media interaction here last month, BSF Director Generel K.K. Sharma said the Pakistani forces initiated firing around August 24-25 during which a BSF trooper lost his life.
"We retaliated by firing both flat trajectory and area weapons," he said referring to Operation Arjun.
He said the violations went on and another trooper was killed by a sniper while a woman also lost her life and several BSF troopers and civilians were also injured.
The BSF guards the international border with Pakistan south of the Chenab while on the north, along the Line of Control (LoC), it works under the operational control of the Indian Army.
--IANS
ab/vd
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US Senate has approved the nomination of Indian American Ajit Varadaraj Pai for a second term as the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairman.
Pai, whose term was to end later this year, was reappointed on Monday for a five-year term after getting a majority of 52-41, with most of the Democrats voting against him as they complained that Pai will undermine net neutrality.
Pai has served as a Commissioner at the FCC since 2012. President Donald Trump had earlier nominated him for another term as Republicans aim at further accelerating their ambitious tech agenda, the American Bazaar online reported.
The FCC is the federal authority regulating cellphone spectrum and services, radio, television, phone, internet and satellite and cable. It also has a major role in controlling the content of television and radio.
Pai was appointed by the new administration as the Chairman of FCC in the wake of Tom Wheeler demitting the office earlier this year. His tenure with the FCC as commissioner received a one-year extension in July 2016, giving him an opportunity to become the FCC Chairman.
Pai, during the beginning of his tenure as FCC Chairman, faced criticism as he said he wanted to end net neutrality, which prevents internet service providers from giving special preferences to certain web sites or accept payment from a web service to give it priority or better access.
After getting re-elected, Pai said he was "deeply grateful to the US Senate and to President (Donald) Trump".
Democratic Senator Ron Wyden warned that Pai "will do an enormous amount of damage to one of the foundational principles of the internet -- net neutrality".
Republican Senator Shelley Moore Capito said: "He truly understands the need to bring more rural communities online and has shown a real commitment to closing the digital divide in America."
Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi said: "He (Pai) is working to establish the light-touch regulatory framework that allowed the internet to become the marvel of the modern age."
Pai was born on January 10, 1973, in Buffalo, New York, to Konkani immigrants from India. He attended Harvard University in 1994 and the University of Chicago in 1997.
--IANS
soni/dg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian and US officials met here on Tuesday in the run up to the November 28-30 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad that will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ivanka Trump, President Donald Trump's daughter and advisor.
According to an official statement, Indian and US officials met at NITI Aayog office here to plan the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit which is themed around "Women First, Prosperity for All".
The summit is expected to be attended by over 1,600 delegates, including entrepreneurs and investors, CEOs of major knowledge-based industries, representing the full measure of entrepreneurial talent from diverse backgrounds across the world.
The participants from 160 countries will represent a diverse range of geographies, industries, business size and scalability.
"Investors and representatives from organizations that support entrepreneurs will be hand-picked to catalyze investment, networking and mentoring. There will be special emphasis on empowering young and women entrepreneurs and the role they play in making communities more prosperous and secure through enterprise," the statement said.
NITI Aayog is taking the lead in organising the summit.
Amitabh Kant, CEO NITI Aayog, said it was a unique opportunity for Indian startups and innovators to interact and network with the finest entrepreneurs of the world.
"We need to harness technology to solve some of the most pressing problems in healthcare delivery, education, energy, safe drinking water and agriculture, among others for the benefit of communities at large. Innovation and entrepreneurship will play a decisive role towards this end. I am sure this will be a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to interact with the best," Kant said.
Jennifer Arangio, Senior Director at the US National Security Council, was quoted in the statement as saying the US was proud to partner with India for this year's GES.
"Uniting under the theme Women First, Prosperity for All, the summit will highlight the Trump administration's commitment to the principle that when women are economically empowered, communities and countries thrive."
Arangio said hosting the summit in India was a signature of the "broad and enduring partnership between our two countries".
NITI Aayog and the US Embassy here are planning a series of 'Road to GES' events in collaboration with different agencies to attract the attention of different stakeholders.
As part of the summit, there will be a virtual exhibition of India's innovative prowess in collaboration with the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. It is also proposed to showcase India's heritage, social entrepreneurship and craftsmanship in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Culture.
--IANS
vv-sar/rn
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The death toll from the mass shooting at a Las Vegas country music concert has increased to 59, while 527 others were injured, police said.
Clark county Sheriff Joe Lombardo confirmed the latest casualty figures at a press conference on Monday night, reports Efe news
Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire with automatic weapons on some 22,000 people at the Route 91 Harvest concert from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Sunday at around 10.30 p.m.
Paddock killed himself as special response team officers broke into the hotel room, police said.
Lombardo told the media that the investigation is concentrated on four locations: the hotel room; the concert venue; Paddock's home in Mesquite, Nevada, and another property in northern Nevada that also belonged to the shooter.
Besides the 10 guns found in the hotel room, police discovered 18 firearms, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition at the residence in Mesquite, a town 128 km north of Las Vegas.
Paddock also had ammonium nitrate, which can be used to make bombs, in his vehicle, the sheriff said.
Regarding the motive for the deadliest mass shooting in US history, Lombardo said that he could not "get into the mind of a psychopath".
Paddock had not been flagged by any local, state or federal agency as a potential threat, the sheriff said.
The gunman's roommate, Marilou Danley, was initially identified by police as a person of interest in the case, but authorities later said they did not believe she was involved in the shooting.
Lombardo said his office had learned that Danley is abroad, "apparently in Tokyo".
President Donald Trump discussed the massacre during a brief address delivered at the White House, saying "it was an act of pure evil".
Trump said that he plans to travel to Las Vegas on Wednesday to meet with law enforcement personnel and relatives of the victims.
Paddock's brother, Eric, told US media outlets at his home in Central Florida that the shooting came as a complete surprise to him.
"I don't understand. It doesn't make sense," Eric Paddock said.
Stephen Paddock lived in Melbourne, a city on Florida's east-central Space Coast, until 2015, officials said.
"There's nothing I can say. My brother did this. It's like he shot us. I couldn't be more dumbfounded," Eric Paddock said.
Eric Paddock said he had not heard from his brother since last month, when Stephen texted him to see how the family had fared with hurricane Irma.
Hesaid that his and Stephen's father was Benjamin Hoskins Paddock, a career criminal and convicted bank robber.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, meanwhile, said it could not find any links between Paddock and foreign terrorist organisations.
"We have determined, to this point, no connection with an international terrorist group," an FBI spokesman said in a press conference in Las Vegas.
"As this investigation continues, we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that this is factually, thoroughly and absolutely investigated, to be able to bring comfort and peace back to this community."
Earlier on Monday, the Islamic State (IS) terror group claimed responsibility.
IS said in a statement, whose authenticity has not been verified, that the gunman was "a soldier of the Islamic State".
Sheriff Lombardo said that it would take time to identify all of the victims.
--IANS
ksk
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Malayalam superstar Dileep, arrested for alleged involvement in the kidnapping of an actress, was on Tuesday granted bail by the Kerala High Court. The actor later left Aluva sub-jail here to loud cheers from hundreds of his fans.
The bail conditions include surrendering his passport, furnishing a bond of Rs 1 lakh, a pledge to stay away from witnesses in the case and to keep away from the media.
This is the third time Dileep approached the High Court for bail. He had also sought bail earlier twice from the trial court.
The court order on his bail was brought to Aluva sub-jail, where Dileep has been housed, by his brother.
In stark contrast to being hooted by angry crowds who had gathered to see Dileep following his arrest on July 10, on Tuesday hundreds of fans gathered to cheer the star. His fans, including women, began collecting soon after he was granted bail by the Kerala High Court around 2 p.m. They were seen distributing sweets and chanting slogans in his favour.
Dileep was arrested for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy behind the kidnapping of a popular actress in February this year.
Dressed in a white shirt and a fully grown beard, Dileep stood on the running board of the car and waved to his fans, and also stood with folded hands as the car drove away to his home where his mother, actress wife Kavya Madhavan, his daughter and close relatives were waiting to receive him.
The police was present in large numbers in the jail and also at the two homes of the actor near here.
Ernakulam rural Superintendent of Police A.V. George, who was one of the key officials in the probe team, told the media that the charge sheet in the case would be filed soon.
The arguments on the bail plea got over last Friday.
Actor Mahesh, who had been defending Dileep all through, expressed happiness.
"Every time a bail plea was moved, we hoped against hope that he would get bail. Finally, the prayers of his fans have been answered," he said.
The abduction of the popular actress took place in February when she was on way from Thrissur to Kochi.
She was taken around in her vehicle forcefully and allegedly molested for about two hours before being dumped near an actor-director's home.
The key accused -- Pulsar Suni and his accomplices involved in the actual abduction -- were arrested a week later. After detailed questioning, police unearthed a conspiracy angle in the abduction and arrested Dileep.
--IANS
sg/rn
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fugitive Indian businessman Vijay Mallya was on Tuesday arrested in London in a money laundering case, CBI sources said.
CBI sources said that Mallya was arrested in the case pending against him.
Mallya is wanted in India for his Kingfisher Airlines defaulting on loans worth nearly Rs 9,000 crore. He fled to Britain in March last.
The flamboyant businessman, known for his lavish lifestyle, was arrested by the Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant on April 18. He was, however, released on conditional bail immediately after he provided a bail bond of 650,000 pounds.
The Indian government had given additional papers to Britain for extradition of the fugitive businessman after a British court had observed in June that Indian investigation agencies had delayed evidence against him.
--IANS
rak-ps/vd
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
While India launched its third Wildlife Action Plan on Monday with the focus on reducing human-animal conflict, a man was killed by a tiger in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), making him the 17th victim this year, one of the highest tolls in any national park.
The tiger, identified as a sub-adult male, did not prey on 45-year-old Bablu Sardar ruling out the tiger being a man-eater.
Sardar, who hailed from Neuria village near Mahof range of the tiger reserve, died on Sunday night, officials told IANS on Tuesday.
Though the villagers claim that the man was killed by the tiger near a sugarcane field, where he went to chop grass, a probe has found that the victim ventured 2.5 km inside the forest area.
The tiger must have seen the human intervention as a territorial threat and attacked him, officials said.
This, however, aggrandises the problems of the forest officials, who now count on taking offensive measures to stop people from entering the protected forest areas -- most such incursions leaving people dead.
According to records, 33 people were killed by tigers in 2013-14, while 28 were killed in 2014-15 throughout the country.
In Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, all the 17 incidents had happened in different areas of the forest with at least four different tigers involved, one of which was declared a man-eater in February this year and sent to Lucknow zoo, after it killed five persons.
Most of the cases involved humans entering the forest areas either to collect timber or other forest produce, forest officials said.
However with a narrow geography, and with fringe and buffer close to the town, tigers often venture into the town and village areas with one tiger turning up near the district court while it was in session in July this year.
"Yes, this is the 17th incident this year and a matter of concern but these incidents must not be connected as they are different cases and happen for different reasons," Conservator of Forests V.K. Singh of Pilibhit district told IANS.
Singh added that the tiger attacks occurred as people had been venturing inside the forest area for collecting forest produce.
"This tiger had been living in isolation, as it was earlier ousted by a dominant male from a different range. It's over protective of this new range that it has formed. It's thus very important to stop people from entering the forest region around Mahof range," Singh said.
He added that after the person was killed inside the forest, people dragged the body out and kept it near a sugarcane field in order to show that he was killed outside the forest and they could ask for compensation.
"His shirt and timber collection was found about 2.5 km inside the forest area, which also happens to be the area of this sub-adult male," said Singh.
"Sugarcane-Tigers" -- a common term used in the forests of Terai region is a major cause of the human-wildlife conflict in the region as tigers see sugarcane fields as natural grasslands.
The forest officials said that due to excessive human intervention, the tigers, especially near the fringe areas, are getting increasingly restive leading to conflict.
"We are going to take offensive measures against the villagers who enter the forests. Pilibhit has enough prey-base for the feline and thus tigers don't venture out. But people often go inside and become victims. We have to check that and take strong measures to stop it," the forest official told IANS.
Man-animal conflict cases are on the rise in the Terai region, including areas of Pilibhit, Lakhimpur-Kheri and Bahraich districts, mostly due to encroachment and settlements in and around the forest areas.
--IANS
kd/him/bg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Australian investigators on Tuesday released their final report on the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, saying the inability to bring closure for victims families was a "great tragedy" and "almost inconceivable" in the modern age.
It has now been three-and-a-half years since MH370 and its 239 passengers and crew disappeared en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on March 8, 2014, reports the Guardian.
The report was released by the the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the agency that coordinated the largest and most expensive underwater search in history.
"It remains a great tragedy and we wish that we could have brought complete closure to the bereaved," ATSB chief commissioner, Greg Hood, said.
"I hope, however, that they can take some solace in the fact that we did all we could do to find answers."
The report found the reasons for the loss of MH370 could not be established with any certainty until it was found.
"It is almost inconceivable and certainly societally unacceptable in the modern aviation era with 10 million passengers boarding commercial aircraft every day, for a large commercial aircraft to be missing and for the world not to know with certainty what became of the aircraft and those on board."
The operation to find MH370 was suspended in January after 1,046 days, the Guardian reported.
The suspension followed an unsuccessful underwater search 2,800km off the coast of Western Australia, which used a deep-sea sonar search over 120,000 sq.km.
Following the underwater search, a re-analysis of satellite imagery had narrowed the plane's likely resting place to an area of less than 25,000 sq.km, the ATSB said.
The location of the Boeing 777 has become one of aviation's greatest mysteries, unable to be solved by a multinational effort involving ships and aircraft from countries including India, China, the US and Australia.
MH370 veered off course and continued to fly for seven hours but sent no automatic transmissions after the first 38 minutes of flight.
The plane's last known position was recorded at the northern tip of Sumatra.
--IANS
ksk
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Brigadier (Retd) B.D. Mishra was on Tuesday sworn in as Governor of Arunachal Pradesh by Gauhati High Court Chief Justice Ajit Singh at the Raj Bhavan here.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Union Minister of State (Home) Kiren Rijiju, Assembly Speaker T.N. Thongdok, the council of ministers, members of the state assembly, Chief Secretary Shakuntala Gamlin, government, army and para-military officials were present when Mishra was administered the oath of office.
Mishra a war veteran, who served the Indian Army in three major wars in 1962, 1965 and 1971, took charge as full-fledged Governor of the state.
He took over from Nagaland Governor Padmanabha Balakrishna Acharya, who was holding additional charge of Arunachal Pradesh after V. Shanmuganathan, who was then holding additional charge of the state, resigned on January 26 following charges of inappropriate behaviour against him.
Shanmuganathan's resignation came after nearly 100 employees of the Raj Bhavan in Shillong had sent a five-page letter to the Prime Minister's Office and Rashtrapati Bhavan, demanding recall of the Governor for what they alleged was "turning the Raj Bhavan into a Young Ladies Club".
The swearing-in ceremony was followed by State Guard of Honour presented by Arunachal Pradesh Police at Raj Bhavan.
Earlier, on his arrival at Itanagar, a state reception was accorded to Mishra at Raj Bhavan helipad. A Guard of Honour by Arunachal Pradesh Police was presented to the Governor-designate.
Mishra retired from the Indian Army on July 31, 1995 as Brigadier, after a 34-year career.
Mishra was the Commander of NSG (Black Cat Commandos) Counter Hijack Task Force that successfully rescued all 124 passengers and crew members of a hijacked Indian Airlines flight that was forced to land at the Raja Sansi Airfield in Amritsar in 1993.
Mishra also fought in the 1962 war against China and the 1971 war against Pakistan. He also played an instrumental role in tackling the Naga insurgency movement in 1963-1964 in Nagaland.
He fought against the militant group LTTE, as the Leading Brigade Commander of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Jaffna in 1987-88.
Mishra, who holds an MA from Allahabad University, an M.Sc from Madras University and a Ph.D from Jiwaji University, Gwalior, also taught at the College of Combat at MHOW Cantonment and at Defence Services Staff College at Wellington Cantonment.
--IANS
rrk/rn
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Mizoram government has asked central security forces to tighten vigil along India's border with neighbouring Myanmar and Bangladesh to prevent influx of illegal immigrants, especially Rohingyas, a Minister said on Tuesday.
The mountainous, northeastern state of Mizoram has a 510-km border with Mynamar and 318 km with Bangladesh, guarded by Assam Rifles and the Border Security Force, respectively.
"After a central government advisory, our government asked both forces to increase security along the Myanmar and Bangladesh borders. Accordingly, additional troopers have been deployed," Mizoram Home Minister R. Lalzirliana said.
"The state's own security personnel posted near border villages have also been directed to remain on high alert in view of refugee influx from Myanmar to Bangladesh."
The Minister said it was, however, unlikely that the Rohingyas would enter Mizoram since Rakhine province in Myanmar from where they have fled is quite far from the Indian state.
Around 170 refugees from Myanmar's Arakan, who entered Mizoram last month and took shelter in Lawngtlai district in southern Mizoram, returned to their homes in early September.
These refugees had fled Arakan due to recent clashes between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Liberation Army, a militant outfit.
A Mizoram Home Department official said Home Ministry's Special Secretary (Internal Security) Rina Mittal and Joint Secretary (North-East) Satyender Garg last month visited Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur.
--IANS
sc/tsb/dg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modi government of putting internal security in peril due to "inaction and lack of direction" and said it should come out with a road map to deal with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
In a statement, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala said there had been a spike in violence in Jammu and Kashmir with terrorists seeking to attack security installations.
"Under the watch of the BJP Government, 253 personnel of our brave security forces have been martyred and 124 civilians have died in 102 major terror attacks in last 40 months," he said.
Referring to Tuesday's attack at a Border Security Force camp by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed in which three militants and a trooper were killed, Surjewala said the attack took place near the "maximum security" Srinagar Airport Zone.
"It is another grim reminder of breach in the security protocol. Empty phrases, chest thumping and indulgence in TV studio warfare by the BJP government have only created a superficial and false discourse The reality is that an unprecedented security situation is being witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir, whereby terrorists from across the border have repeatedly attacked our security installations and apparatus.
"Inaction, lack of direction and policy paralysis reflect the compromise of our national security. After 40 months, our internal security situation stands gravely in peril. A series of major terror attacks on our security establishments validate the seriousness of the situation," he said.
Listing some of the terror strikes in the past two years - the July 2015 attack at the Dinanagar police station in Punjab, the January 2016 attack on the Pathankot Air Force Base Station in Pathankot, the September 2016 attack at Army camp in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri, Surjwala warned India's security is "imperilled by terrorism".
"The days of lip service and strong condemnation are over. It is high time that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government lay down a road map to deal with Pakistani-sponsored terrorism and to prevent repeated terror attacks on our security forces and civilians."
--IANS
ps/vd
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made a comeback on Tuesday as head of Pakistan's ruling PML-N through a controversial legal reform, more than two months after he was disqualified from holding office by the country's apex court on charges of corruption in the Panama Papers case.
He was elected unopposed a day after the National Assembly dropped a clause from the "Election Act 2017" which prohibited disqualified Members of Parliament from becoming leaders of political parties.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz used its majority in Parliament to pass the reform amid protests from opposition members who tore copies of the bill and said they will challenge the reform in court, Dawn online reported.
Sharif's party later amended its constitution to implement the new law immediately.
The country's Supreme Court had disqualified Sharif on July 28 for not declaring income from an overseas company owned by his son.
"I have been removed from power repeatedly but you keep bringing me back," Sharif told his cheering supporters at the Convention Centre in Islamabad after being re-elected as PML-N chief.
"I love you too," the three-time Prime Minister said in response to raucous chants of "I love you" by his supporters.
Sharif also accused the Supreme Court of subverting the will of the Pakistani people. "If there was nothing in the Panama (Papers) then people should have been told this... that Nawaz Sharif did not misuse any public funds."
"Despite being elected by the people thrice, I was disqualified. Not because of any corruption or malpractice but for not taking a salary from my son," said the ousted premier.
"I believe the only way to consolidate democracy is to respect the mandate given by the people," he said. "The use of the law to change the mandate of people must end."
Sharif promised his supporters that his party will fare even better in the 2018 elections, adding that the people will give their decision regarding (his) "eligibility" then.
Earlier in the morning, PML-N leader Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry submitted Sharif's papers for party President in the Election Commission while none other candidate from the party contested the election.
The formal announcement was made at the party's General Council meeting here by the PML-N's chief election commissioner Chaudhry Jaffar Iqbal.
The meeting was attended by all senior PML-N leaders including Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
Addressing the crowd, Abbasi termed the occasion as a "historic day". The Premier said he was proud to be among the few people who witnessed the moment Sharif took his place as party Chairman for the first time.
Abbasi presented an "open challenge to all the dictators and PPP" to compare the development work carried out by them with that of the PML-N.
Sharif, his children -- Hassan, Hussain, Maryam -- and son-in-law Captain Safdar are facing investigations related to ownership of properties in London and the firms Azizia Steel as well as another 16 offshore companies.
--IANS
soni/dg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will inaugurate the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) Regional Conference on Environment here on Saturday to discuss various burning issues concerning the protection and conservation of the environment, an official said on Monday.
The NGT meet will see participation of delegates from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Daman and Diu, ministers, judges from the Supreme Court and High Courts, lawyers, green activists, academicians and students from all over India, said organisers NGT's Subhash Karhale and Asim Sarode.
The meet will focus on the need for environmental awareness among all stakeholders pertaining to various emerging issues and understanding the importance of sustainable development in compliance with environmental laws, said Sarode, who is also Vice President, NGT Bar West Zone, Pune.
It will also provide a new dimension to the environmental jurisprudence from a scientific and legal perspective in finding effective solutions to ecological issues, he added.
Besides Fadnavis, the inaugural will have NGT Chairperson (retired) Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar, Supreme Court Justice M.B. Lokur, Justice U.D. Salvi and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud.
The conference will comprise three technical sessions to be presided over by eminent personalities like Justice Abhay Oka of Bombay High Court, Justice P.P. Bhatt of Gujarat High Court and Justice P. Jyothimani, Judicial Member, NGT (SZB) Chennai.
The participants in the technical sessions include top IAS officers, judges, environmental activists, lawyers, academicians from IIT, NEERI, and pollution control board officials who will discuss issues pertaining to Ecology and Environment, Sustainable Development in Coastal Area, and Challenges in Waste Management, among other related topics.
The valedictory session on Sunday at the Dhanvantri Auditorium, in Wanowrie, will see top speakers like Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Supreme Court Justice A.M. Khanvilkar attending.
--IANS
qn/him/dg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif left for a three-day tour of the US on Tuesday, where he is expected to meet US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to resume bilateral talks and work out ways to dispel tensions that cropped up after US President Donald Trump's announcement of a new policy for Afghanistan and South Asia.
The Foreign Minister told Geo News on Monday that he would clear Pakistan's position in meetings with US officials. He will also reportedly meet US National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster during the trip.
The visit comes amid tensions following Trump's accusation of Pakistan "being a safe haven for terrorist organisations".
Asif will also be addressing a gathering at the US Institute of Peace in Washington on US-Pakistan relations on October 5, the institute said, pointing out that Trump's speech had not only "unsettled US-Pakistan relations" but also had "serious implications for US interests in Afghanistan, nuclear non-proliferation and stability in the region".
US Vice-President Mike Pence had met Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly earlier this month and suggested sending a US delegation to Islamabad for talks aimed at removing tensions.
While accepting the proposal, Pakistan had asked for a high-level meeting in Washington to defuse the tensions. In response, Washington had invited Asif for a meeting with Tillerson on October 4, the report said.
--IANS
soni/bg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Voters in counties with poor community health may be possible contributors to the surprising results of the 2016 US presidential election, researchers say.
The findings showed that across all counties there was an average 5.4 per cent shift from Mitt Romney in 2012 to Donald Trump in 2016 -- with 88 per cent of the counties shifting towards Trump while 12 per cent shifted away from him.
Counties shifting towards Trump had higher teenage birth rates and age-adjusted mortality, but lower rates of violent crime.
Further, counties shifting towards Trump also appeared to have fewer health care resources, including the number of primary care physicians and income allocated, than did counties shifting away from Trump.
This association between public health and voting patterns was strongest in the West and particularly in the Midwest, where major voting shifts contributed to the Republican victory.
"Even after adjusting for factors such as race, income and education, public health seems to have an additional, independent association with this voting shift towards Trump," said lead author Jason H. Wasfy, assistant professor at the Harvard Medical School.
"I think these results demonstrate that health is a real issue that can affect people's lives and their decisions. We all need to focus on improving public health as a means of improving people's lives."
For the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, the team investigated data covering both the 2016 and 2012 US presidential elections for 3,009 counties, more than 95 per cent of the 3,142 counties or equivalent regions in the US.
They analysed public health factors, including days of poor health, the prevalence of food insecurity, obesity and diabetes, teenage birth rates and the age-adjusted mortality rate.
--IANS
rt/amit/bg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor Anupam Kher along with the team of his forthcoming production venture "Ranchi Diaries" on Tuesday met Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das here.
The team -- including actors Himansh Kohli and Soundarya Sharma and writer-director Sattwik Mohanty -- met Das to thank him for the support that the government extended to the film.
"In the last couple of years, the Jharkhand government has been very forthcoming and supportive of the films that are being made to spread awareness about the cultural heritage and tourism of the state," Anupam said in a statement.
"We are very fortunate to have been given this (support) by the CM. It was a pleasure meeting him today (Tuesday). He also said that they are trying to make the film tax free since the whole film is shot here," he added.
"Ranchi Diaries" follows the story of "Gudiya", played by debutante Soundarya and her friends, Taaha Shah and Himansh , who are out to make it big in a small town (Ranchi). It is Anupam's first production.
The film is releasing on October 13.
--IANS
sug/rb/bg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Actor Ranveer Singh looks fierce and intense in his just unveiled first look as ruler Alauddin Khilji in filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansalis forthcoming film "Padmavati".
Ranveer took to Twitter on Tuesday to share two different avatars of Khilji.
In the first photo, Ranveer can be seen posing topless inside water with long hair and beard.
The second image features the "Befikre" actor donning a warrior costume and posing while looking at the mirror.
Interestingly, both photographs feature a bruise underneath the actor's right eye.
Besides Ranveer, "Padmavati" will feature actress Deepika Padukone in the title role and actor Shahid Kapoor as her husband - MahaRawal Ratan Singh.
"Padmavati", which will release on December 1, tells the story of Alauddin Khilji, the medieval-era Delhi ruler, who fell in love with Rajput queen Padmavati.
The film has been through various ups and down while it was under production.
Earlier this year, activists of Shri Rajput Karni Sena assaulted Bhansali and vandalised the movie's Jaipur set over alleged distortions in the film's script.
Later on, the film's set was moved to Maharashtra. There also an outdoor set of the historic period drama in Kohlapur was burnt down after two dozen unidentified persons torched it in March.
--IANS
sas/nn/vm
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former SAD Minister Sucha Singh Langah, who is facing rape and cheating charges, on Tuesday moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court here, seeking transit anticipatory bail.
The application is likely to come up for hearing on Wednesday.
Langah had presented himself before the Duty Magistrate at the district court here on Monday. The court had then refused his plea and asked him to surrender in Gurdaspur town where the case against him was registered.
The Punjab Police, which had been claiming that it was conducting raids across the state for the past three days, did not reach the district court complex to arrest Langah even though he remained there for several hours.
The former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Minister was booked in Gurdaspur last week on the complaint of a woman employee of the Punjab Police Vigilance Department.
The victim, a widow, claimed that she had been sexually exploited and raped by Langah since 2009 under the threat of death. She also said that she was a classmate of Langah's daughter in college.
Langah had remained underground since the registration of the case and failed to surrender in Gurdaspur or Pathankot as promised. The police had conducted raids at various places in Punjab in order to arrest him.
He was booked under Sections 376 (rape), 384 (extortion), 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code at the Gurdaspur City police station.
Langah, who was a member of the Akali Dal core committee and President of its Gurdaspur district unit, announced his resignation from all party posts and from the membership of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) after the case was registered against him.
SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal, who accepted the resignation with immediate effect, had said that Langah resigned to "submit himself to the process of law".
Meanwhile, Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikh religion, has called a meeting of five Sikh high priests on October 5 to discuss the situation emerging out of the registration of the case against Langah.
Langah has termed the case "political vendetta" and "premeditated" just before the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat bypoll on October 11.
The SAD and its alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have defended Langah, contending that the case was motivated by Punjab's ruling Congress before the crucial bypoll. The Congress has rubbished the charges.
--IANS
vg/amit/dg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rapper Future was slammed by social media users for promoting his Halloween concert in Las Vegas just 12 hours after the massacre in which at least 59 people died and over 500 were injured.
The 33-year-old Grammy nominee, last seen in Australia on Sunday, came under fire after he or someone from his team posted a flier for his October 28 gig at Drai's, Las Vegas, on Twitter and Facebook, reports dailymail.co.uk.
One user wrote: "All the s*** going on in Vegas right now. Take some time from thinking about yourself and promoting a concert in Vegas", and another also shared: "Too early bro".
In one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history, a gunman in a high-rise hotel in Las Vegas opened fire on a huge outdoor concert festival, killing 59 and injuring 527.
Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire with automatic weapons on some 22,000 people at the Route 91 Harvest concert from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Sunday at around 10.30 p.m. Paddock killed himself as special response team officers broke into the hotel room.
Many of America's most influential celebrities like Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Amy Schumer, Billy Eichner, Lena Dunham, Mia Farrow, Ben Platt, Julianne Moore, Jessica Chastain, John Legend and Kim Kardashian West are using their social media platforms to push for change and plead for gun control.
--IANS
sug/nn/vm
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Filmmaker Ram Gopala Varma, popular known as RGV, on Tuesday announced he will be joining hands with actor Akkineni Nagarjuna after two decades for a yet-untitled Telugu "realistic action" film.
The duo had previously worked together in critically-acclaimed Telugu films "Shiva" and "Govinda Govinda".
"I am extremely excited that I am doing a film with Nagarjuna after nearly 25 years but contrary to some uninformed media speculations, this new film is nothing to do with 'Shiva', neither in character nor in story content," Varma posted on his Facebook page.
He went on to add: "It's a very different but an extremely realistic action film set against a story such as neither me nor Nagarjuna has ever done before."
Varma said he hopes he lives up to the expectations.
Nagarjuna gave the "Rangeela" director his directorial break with "Shiva", which is even today considered a game changer in Telugu filmdom.
On the career front, Nagarjuna awaits the release of Telugu horror-comedy "Raju Gari Gadhi 2", while Varma is gearing up for "Lakshmi's NTR", a biopic on actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Nandamuri Taraka Rao (NTR)
--IANS
hp/vd
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sidelined AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala on Tuesday applied for a 15-day parole to the central jail authorities here to meet her ailing husband M. Natarajan in Chennai in Tamil Nadu, a prison official said.
"She (Sasikala) applied today (Tuesday) for 15-day parole to visit Chennai and meet her husband who is seriously ill," Parpanna Agrahara Central Jail Superintendent M. Somashekar told IANS here.
"The decision on parole and its duration will be decided in a couple of days in consultation with authorities concerned," he added.
A confidante of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, 60, is serving a four-year jail term in the prison on the city's outskirts since February 15 after the Supreme Court on February 14 upheld her conviction in a corruption case in September 2015 by a trial court here.
"Her application will be considered on getting the opinion of the state legal and police departments. We will stipulate the number of days Sasikala will be allowed to be on parole and when she should return," the officer said.
Co-convicts Elavarasi and V.N. Sudhakaran, Sasikala's sister in-law and nephew, are also serving their sentence but have not applied for parole.
M. Natarajan, 74, a former bureaucrat in the Tamil Nadu government during Jayalalithaa's earlier tenures, is awaiting a liver transplant in a private hospital in Chennai, about 350km from here.
He has also registered with the Tamil Nadu Organ Sharing waiting list for cadaver liver transplant.
According to AIADMK faction leader T.T.V. Dinakaran, Natarajan is in the Liver Intensive Care Unit of the Gleneagles Global Health City in Chennai.
Though Jayalalithaa was also convicted in the multi-crore disproportionate assets case as the main accused, she passed away on December 5, 2016, at a private hospital in Chennai.
She was also in the same jail here for three weeks from September 26 to October 20, 2015 but was released on conditional bail by the apex court.
--IANS
fb/tsb/bg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sidelined AIADMK leader V.K. Sasikala on Tuesday applied for 15-day parole to jail authorities here to meet her ailing husband M. Natarajan but was later asked to resubmit her application with more details and affidavits.
"She (Sasikala) applied today (Tuesday) for 15-day parole to visit Chennai in Tamil Nadu to meet her seriously ill husband," Parpanna Agrahara Central Jail Superintendent M. Somashekar told IANS here.
"The decision on parole and its duration will be decided in a couple of days in consultation with authorities concerned," he added.
Sasikala's lawyer G. Sukumaran later told IANS here that her application had not been rejected and that the Jail Superintendent (Somashekar) had asked her to resubmit her plea with more details and supporting documents.
The application was not considered as it was not as per the parole rules, Sukumaran said, adding that she was entitled to parole as she had completed six months of simple imprisonment on August 14.
"As she is serving simple imprisonment since February 15, she is entitled to parole as an ordinary prisoner. She has to fulfil certain requirements for parole, for which we will resubmit the application by Wednesday, the lawyer said.
AIADMK's Karnataka unit President Va Pugazendi told IANS that a section of the media was claiming that Sasikala's application was rejected but was silent on the reasons.
"It's a rumour that her application has been rejected. It's not rejected but withheld on technical grounds. The Jail Superintendent has asked her lawyers to resubmit the application with more details and affidavits. It will be done," Pugazendi said.
A confidante of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, Sasikala, 60, is serving a four-year jail term in the prison on the city's outskirts since February 15 after the Supreme Court on February 14 upheld her conviction in a corruption case in September 2015 by a trial court here.
"Her application will be considered on getting the opinion of the state legal and police departments. We will stipulate the number of days Sasikala will be allowed to be on parole and when she should return," the Jail Superintendent earlier said.
Co-convicts Elavarasi and V.N. Sudhakaran, Sasikala's sister in-law and nephew, are also serving their sentence but have not applied for parole.
M. Natarajan, 74, a former bureaucrat in the Tamil Nadu government during Jayalalithaa's earlier tenures, is awaiting a liver transplant in a private hospital in Chennai, about 350km from here.
He has also registered with the Tamil Nadu Organ Sharing waiting list for cadaver liver transplant.
According to AIADMK faction leader T.T.V. Dinakaran, Natarajan is in the Liver Intensive Care Unit of the Gleneagles Global Health City in Chennai.
Though Jayalalithaa was also convicted in the multi-crore disproportionate assets case as the main accused, she passed away on December 5, 2016, at a private hospital in Chennai.
She was also in the same jail here for three weeks from September 26 to October 20, 2015 but was released on conditional bail by the apex court.
--IANS
fb/tsb/dg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ousted Pakistan Prime Minister on Tuesday was re-elected "unopposed" as the president of the ruling PML-N on Tuesday, reclaiming his position as the head of his namesake party.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Tariq Fazal Chaudhry submitted Sharif's papers for party president in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while no other candidate from the party contested the election, reports Dawn news.
The commission will formally announce Sharif as the party president in a meeting of PML-N's general council later in the day.
Sharif is slated to address the meeting, which is being attended by all senior PML-N leaders including Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.
On Monday, opposition lawmakers protested in the National Assembly when Law Minister Zaid Hamid introduced an amendment in the "Election Bill 2017", reports Dawn news.
Earlier a politician could not hold any party position if disqualified by a court.
The law was passed to allow the PML-N to re-elect Sharif as party chief.
Sharif had relinquished the position of PML-N chief after his ouster from power under the July 28 verdict of the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that it will examine all the issues involved in the moves to deport Rohingya refugees back to Myanmar as it urged the rival parties to address the issue on the strength of law shunning emotional arguments.
"No emotional arguments. Go by law and human values and mutual respect," said the bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M.Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y.Chandrachud as amicus curiae Fali Nariuman assailed the government stand on deporting about 40,000 Rohingya refugees who have fled Myanmar to escapee persecution.
Urging both Nariman and Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to address the court on law and human values, the bench said that "we will deal with it including parameters, boundaries and contours of the decision, and the jurisdiction of the top court" to entertain the plea by two Rohingya refugees opposing moves to turn them back to Myanmar.
The court said that it should be "very slow in abdicating its jurisdiction".
"I for one believed that court's should be very slow in abdicating its jurisdiction," said the Chief Justice.
The observation from the bench assumes significance as the Central government on Tuesday once again reiterated its stand that the court should keep off from Rohingya issue as it concerned the matter falling within the domain of the executive.
Stating that the issue was not justiceable, Mehta told the bench that the parameters within which executive decisions are taken include diplomatic considerations, whether country can sustain the burden of such a large number of refugees, law and order situation in the state where they settle, and other factors including drain on country's resources.
Mocking the government's stand that the issued fell within the executive domain and court should not interfere as it was not justiceable, Nariman said that Article 14 (equality before law) and 21 (right to life) was available to all.
"Our constitution is not based on groups rights but on individual rights. It is both for the citizens and non-citizens," he said.
Even as the government tried to link the moves to deport Rohingyas with some of them having links with terror outfits in Pakistan and Bangladesh, the court asked whether the government had an obligation to protect Rohingya children, women and sick who are suffering.
The Central government is describing Rohingyas as illegal immigrants and refusing to treat them as refugees.
A Rohingya petitioner had on Septembeb 23 told the top court that they were not illegal immigrants but refugees who fled Myanmar and came to India for shelter in wake of their persecution on the grounds of their religion and community identity and were entitled to all protection under the international conventions on refugees and treaties.
Addressing the court, Nariman assailed the government's August 8 communication to all the states and union territories asking them identify and deport Rohingyas.
Citing international declarations and conventions to which India is signatory, he wondered whether the August 8 communication over-rides the county's general policy on refugees which lays down the standard operating procedures that needs to be followed by the agencies in dealing with the people who claim to be refugees.
The next hearing is on October 13.
--IANS
pk/vd
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A soldier was killed on Tuesday in sniper fire from across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, police said.
During patrolling, Naik Mohinder Chenjung, deployed at Chera forward post in Mendhar sector of the LoC, was killed by a sniper shot from the Pakistan side at around 1 a.m., a police officer said.
Two civilians were killed and 12 others injured in ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the LoC in Poonch district on Monday.
--IANS
sq/vd/dg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
She grew up during India's fight for freedom under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi and is among the country's foremost writers with feminist concerns. But Nayantara Sahgal, a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family, says that contemporary Indian history is being fantasised, the minorities are under threat and there's a long fight ahead to preserve the "true meaning of India".
"In the BJP-ruled states, history is not just being rewritten. It is being fantasised. The Mughal empire is being ruled out of it. (Jawaharlal) Nehru has been wiped out of it. A fictitious narrative is being created in place of history, just as mythology is being promoted as science.
"The threat to the minorities and attacks on them, especially Muslims, and all others who do not fall in line with the ruling (party's) ideology are destroying India's great achievement of unity in diversity and the democratic freedoms and equality that Indian citizens have enjoyed since independence," Sahgal told IANS in an email interview from Dehradun, where she is settled.
"We, for whom India is a secular, democratic, inclusive republic -- whose citizens have grown up in freedom -- can never settle for less, and the protests against the crushing of dissent and debate are coming from many different groups: Writers, historians, scientists, students, professors and Dalits. One cannot despair of an India that refuses to bow down to any form of dictatorship. But there is a long fight ahead to preserve the true meaning of India," she added.
Sahgal, along with a host of leading literary stalwarts, returned her Sahitya Akademi award in 2015 to protest against rising intolerance in the country. While many joined the silent protests with black gags and bands that rocked the Rabindra Bhavan (which houses the Sahitya Akademi here), there was "an equal music" from the other end of the political spectrum.
Those opposed to these spontaneous protests questioned the motives of the protesting writers, dubbed them as politically motivated by people with "vested interests" and questioned why these writers couldn't show the "social reality" that they are protesting against through their writings.
Two years later, Sahgal is out with her novel "When The Moon Shines By Day" (Speaking Tiger/Rs 399/168 pages). It is a fitting response to the contemporary state of affairs, and is billed as a "dystopian satire" that draws a telling portrait of our times. In this extremely symbolic work of fiction, Sahgal achieves the rare feat of critical imagination and elegantly wraps it around "her deepest concerns".
And, therefore in the novel, a character finds her father's books on medieval history disappearing from bookstores and libraries. Her young domestic help, Abdul, discovers it is safer to be called Morari Lal on the street, but there is no such protection from vigilante fury for his Dalit friend, Suraj. Kamlesh, a diplomat and writer, comes up against official wrath for his anti-war views.
Sahgal said that all writers tell different stories, out of differtent backgrounds and urges, but maintained that her own "background has been political so politics is my natural material".
"Writing, for me, has been a way of expressing my deepest concerns, through both fiction and non-fiction. My novels have been set against the political situations of their times, and have reflected the aspirations and shortcomings of India since independence. In that sense they have been about the making of modern India. Reflecting the times we are living in, my new novel is about the unmaking of modern India," Sahgal explained.
Reflecting on her early days, she recalled that she grew up during India's fight for freedom. Her family was involved in the struggle, and her father, Ranjit Sitaram Pandit, died during his fourth imprisonment under British rule. At independence in 1947, India, Sahgal contended, a deeply religious country of many religions chose to become a secular democratic republic, rejecting a religious identity and making religion a private affair. The constitution guaranteed every Indian the right to freedom of expression, worship and lifestyle.
"This is no longer the case. These freedoms are now under attack and the present government seeks to give India an exclusive Hindu identity, calling it a Hindu rashtra," she lamented.
"When The Moon Shines By Day" is a rather unusual title. She explained that the moon obviously does not shine by day nor does the sun shine by night. "Something is wrong if one is forced to agree with such propositions, or be punished for refusing to agree," she quipped.
Apart from the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1986, Sahgal has also received Britain's Sinclair Prize for fiction in 1985 and the Commonwealth Writers Award (Eurasia) in 1987. She was also a Fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, Washington, from 1981 to 1982.
(Saket Suman can be contacted at saket.s@ians.in)
--IANS
ss/vm/tb
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Suicide attackers of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfit carrying guns and explosives stormed a BSF camp on Tuesday morning near the highly secured Srinagar international airport, triggering a gun battle that left three militants and a trooper dead, officials said.
The officials said an unknown number of militants in military fatigues around 4.30 a.m. broke into the Humhama-based 182 Battalion BSF camp that shares a wall with an air force station and is located in a hilly area.
The audacious attack claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) -- led by Masood Azhar, who is based in Pakistan and is one of the most wanted militants in India -- is being compared to the January 2016 strike at the Pathankot airbase.
Four BSF troopers were also injured in the Srinagar attack and have been hospitalised.
The attackers breached four layers of security in the highly-protected area housing the Srinagar international airport and a posh neighbourhood where many of the state's Who's Who live.
This is the first militant attack in nearly 30 years of militancy that occurred so close to the airport which has always been in the radar of Pakistan-based militants.
Officials said the militants fired indiscriminately and threw grenades at security pickets before entering the BSF camp when it was still dark and the airport was yet to open for the day's operations.
A police spokesman said one the attackers was shot down after the militants barged into the camp while two more were killed in the operation that was still on till early afternoon.
The body of an Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Border Security Force (BSF) was found during search operations.
Flight operations at the airport were disrupted in the morning and the road leading to the airport was sealed. Schools in the vicinity were also ordered to shut for the day.
Police said security personnel sealed all possible escape routes as a major operation jointly carried out by the Army para commandos, BSF, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and state police was launched to flush out all the attackers. Gun shots and explosions were heard hours after the attack.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh immediately called for a high level security meeting in New Delhi later on Tuesday to discuss the overall security situation in the state.
--IANS
sq/sar/rn
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rome, Oct 3 (IANS/AKI) A Tunisian suspected jihadist who stabbed to death two women in the French city of Marseille at the weekend had an Italian wife and lived for a time in Italy's Aprilia town.
Tunisian authorities on Tuesday named as Ahmed Hanachi, an illegal immigrant in France who stabbed to death two 20-year-old cousins at the central train station in Marseille on Sunday reportedly shouting "Allahu akbar".
The attack was claimed by the so-called Islamic State, which said the knifeman was was one of its "soldiers".
The attack, during which Hanachi slit the throat slit of one victim and stabbed the other in the stomach, drew condemnation in France and internationally. Police shot dead Hanachi at the scene.
--IANS/AKI
mr/
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two Kashmiri prisoners were beaten up and injured in a fight between members of two groups lodged in the highly-secured Tihar jail here.
The September 13 brawl over some "trivial issue" in the overcrowded prison has raised safety concerns for Kashmiris in the jail that also houses separatist leaders, arrested on charges of terror funding.
DIG Prisons S.S. Parihar confirmed to IANS that there was a "fight between members of two groups in Jail No.3 and that two Kashmiri prisoners were beaten up", though they were not part of the warring groups.
"It was a trivial issue and a police complaint has been filed," Parihar said.
The two Kashmiri prisoners were identified as Mohammed Shafi and Javaid Ahmed.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of other Kashmiri prisoners, including eight separatist leaders arrested on charges of receiving funds from Pakistan-based terror groups for inciting trouble in Jammu and Kashmir.
The separatist leaders, including Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Shah, are lodged in the high-risk prison, Jail No.4.
But Parihar denied that there were safety concerns for the Kashmiri inmates in the prison. "There have been incidents of fighting between inmates in the past. We cannot say that Kashmiris were specifically targeted."
Fights between inmates in the over-populated Tihar Jail are common and some of them have turned deadly in the past.
At least 17 prisoners were injured in March this year when a clash broke out between two groups.
Last year, an inmate was killed in a fight between two groups in a moving jail van entering the Tihar Jail from Saket court.
In a similar incident in 2015, two inmates were allegedly beaten to death by seven others in a fight that broke out inside a prison van heading from Rohini court to Tihar jail.
Tihar Jail, located in north Delhi, houses nearly 15,000 inmates against the capacity for a little over 8,300.
--IANS
rak-sar/rn
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two militants were killed and four troopers injured after a terror attack on a Border Security Force (BSF) camp near the Srinagar airport on Tuesday, police said.
Militants managed to enter the 182 battalion camp in the city's Humhama area, and launched the suicide attack at 4.30 a.m., according to police sources.
A security operation including Army Para commandos, BSF, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and state police personnel was ongoing to flush out the remaining militants.
Authorities have now allowed passengers into the airport. But so far, no flight has either landed or taken off.
The four injured BSF troopers were shifted to a hospital.
Vehicular traffic has been suspended in the area. The security forces said that they sealed all possible escape routes.
The Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit has claimed responsibility of the attack in one of Srinagar's most secured area.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called for a high level security meeting in New Delhi later on Tuesday to discuss the overall security situation.
--IANS
sq/ksk
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The UN said on Tuesday that it would appeal for $430 million in aid from the international community to respond to the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh, a figure which is more than double what was calculated weeks earlier when the number of refugees was lower.
Six weeks after the UN relief operations started, Mark Lowcock, the UN head for humanitarian affairs said that the conditions in Rohingya camps were terrible and that the UN would make an appeal on October 23 in Geneva.
"We are imminently going to be publishing an update to the UN response plan and will be looking, in order to support the government of Bangladesh and Bangladesh's own institutions, to raise from international community something like &430 million to enable us to scale up the relief operation," Lowcock said in a press conference in the Cox's Bazar district, Efe reported.
"We have a fantastic set of proposals that come from all the response agencies and we are in a stage now where the main constrain we face is finance for those essential programs," he added.
The executive director of UNICEF, Anthony Lake, said that the situation of refugees in Bangladesh was catastrophic for every refugee.
"I have never practically seen, around the world, people who are so traumatized by the experiences that they have suffered. And I mean not only the children but the women who have watched the male members of their family being slaughtered they themselves sometime being raped," Lake said, referring to the crimes faced by the refugees before entering Bangladesh.
According to the UN, more than half a million Rohingyas have arrived in Bangladesh since August 25, fleeing a wave of violence in Myanmar.
UNICEF figures show that more than 60 percent of the refugees are children.
The exodus of Rohingyas began on Aug. 25, when a rebel group of the Muslim minority attacked government posts and the Myanmar army launched a military campaign in response, which has been called a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing," by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
--IANS
ahm/
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will join "Jana Raksha Yatra" or "March for People's Protection" on Wednesday, a day after BJP President Amit Shah launched it on Tuesday from Payyannur in Kannur district, the party said.
"Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-ji to lead the Jan Raksha Yatra tomorrow (Wednesday) from Kechery to Kannur," the Kerala unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said in a tweet.
The march, a show of strength by the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), will pass through 11 of the 14 districts in Kerala and end in Thiruvananthapuram on October 17 when Shah will be present again.
Apart from Yogi, senior union ministers, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh and chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states, will also join and address the Yatra.
The BJP, which has just one member in the 140-seat Kerala Assembly, is highlighting the issue of political killings through this Yatra.
While inaugurating the Yatra, Shah launched a scathing attack on Kerala's ruling LDF, saying Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was to blame for the murders of BJP and RSS workers in the state.
An aggressive Shah said that as many as 120 BJP and RSS workers had been murdered in Kerala since 2001 and asked the CPI-M-led LDF government to let the people know who was responsible for the killings.
The Delhi unit of BJP will also take out a Jana Raksha Yatra in entire Delhi from October 4 to protest the brutal murder of party workers in Kerala which will continue till October 16.
"Besides 'dharna' (sit-in), 'pradarshan' (demonstration) and 'padyatra' (march) by the party leaders a photo exhibition will also be organised to expose the inhuman acts of the leftist parties," Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari told reporters.
This Yatra will start on Wednesday from Delhi BJP office and will be joined by party Vice President Delhi Incharge Shyam Jaju, and Union Minister Jitender Singh and will conclude with a sit-in and demonstration at the CPM office at Bhai Veer Singh Marg in central Delhi.
Tiwari said that the RSS and BJP workers were being selectively murdered in Kerala.
"An atmosphere of terror is being created in order to finish the spirit of nationalism under a conspiracy. When terrorists are killed by the army, then so called custodians of human rights raise hue and cry. But when BJP workers, who are supporters of a nationalistic thinking, are brutally killed, then the silence of these so-called custodians of human rights becomes dangerous for the country," Tiwari said.
--IANS
bns/nir/dg
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Donald Trump's administration reportedly plans to expel a majority of Cubas embassy staff from the US, after American diplomats in Havana were targeted in a mysterious attack that resulted in sudden brain injuries, the media reported.
The State Department could announce the decision to "kick out" the Cuban staff as early as Tuesday, The Hill magazine quoted the Sacramento-based McClatchy daily as saying late Monday.
The move to push out the Cuban diplomats comes after the US decided to pull back its own staff from the island nation after suspicious "health attacks" in Havana left some victims with hearing loss and speech problems.
One source told the daily that the decision was intended be an act of "reciprocity", matching the withdrawal of American staff from the island.
The US has not outright accused Cuba of the attacks and Havana has denied any involvement in the injures.
The State Department has, however, repeatedly pointed to the Vienna Convention and warned that Cuba was responsible for the safety of US diplomats serving in the state.
The US is reportedly still trying to explain the weapon that was used against dozens of diplomats.
The US government first acknowledged the attacks in August, after the State Department expelled two Cuban diplomats from Washington over safety concerns, The Hill magazine reported.
The move came nine months after the injuries were first reported.
The report comes after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Cuban officials to talk about the incidents last week.
--IANS
ksk
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
BJP President Amit Shah on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Kerala's ruling LDF, saying Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was to blame for the murders of BJP and RSS workers in the state.
An aggressive Shah said that as many as 120 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) workers had been murdered in Kerala since 2001 and asked the CPI-M-led LDF government to let the people know who was responsible for the killings. He also said that Communism was shrinking in India and across the world.
"I am asking Chief Minister Vijayan: Who has killed BJP and RSS workers in Kerala. If he does not have answers, then I am saying that Chief Minister Vijayan is himself responsible for the killings," Shah thundered before flagging off the party's "Jana Raksha Yatra" or "March for People's Protection" from Kannur district.
The BJP leader said political violence shoots up in Kerala whenever the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) comes to power.
"We have lost 120 of our cadres following attacks by the Communists. What they fail to realise is with each attack, the BJP gains strength.
"It's time the CPI-M introspects as across the world the Communists have shrunk because of their violence," said Shah, speaking in Hindi.
The march, a show of force by the BJP and the RSS, will pass through 11 of the 14 districts in Kerala and end in Thiruvananthapuram on October 17 when Shah will be present again.
Shah said the march was a non-violent protest against political killings.
"We are starting the march from Kannur because it is the Chief Minister's home district. Kerala was always known as the land of Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali and Chattambi Swami but now it is known as the land where blood is spilled," he said.
Shah, who walked seven kilometers accompanied by hundreds of BJP supporters, many of them carrying the party flag, was also critical of human rights activists whom he accused of raking up issues of intolerance only when it suited them.
"They should not be selective while speaking of intolerance. Such people should speak of intolerance when BJP/RSS workers also lose their lives."
Various BJP Union Ministers are expected to walk with the 'yatra' every day. On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will be the chief attraction.
After a day's visit to Karnataka on Wednesday, Shah will return to Kerala on Thursday and walk 12 km, including past the home of Chief Minister Vijayan in Pinarayi area.
He will address a BJP gathering at Tellichery, considered a Communist stronghold.
Shah also announced that from Wednesday, until October 17, BJP workers will march every day to the AKG Bhavan, the CPI-M headquarters, in New Delhi in protest against the political violence in Kerala.
Later, speaking with the media, Shah said the BJP's ideology is finding greater acceptance in the public while Communism is shrinking in India and internationally.
"Communism is shrinking worldwide including in India where the public has rejected them. It is my ideology that is gaining greater acceptance among the public," Shah said.
Shah wondered as why the champions of human rights were silent on the killings of BJP and RSS workers in Kerala.
"Why is selective opposition to intolerance. Is the killing of BJP workers not violence. Should red violence not be condemned? There is no place for violence in a democratic set up. Why are there no candlelight vigils for slain BJP workers?" Shah said.
On the allegations of BJP/RSS activists killing Leftist workers, Shah said it was the "internal squabbles" of the Left parties that was leading to the killings of Leftist workers.
"Would Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have spared us if the BJP and RSS workers indulged in violence against his party workers?" Shah said.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Vijayan wrote that RSS got a foothold in many states by "spreading terrorism in the name of religion", making communally abrasive comments and by attacks on minorities, while the Left-led secular and democratic political practices in Kerala have strengthened people's confidence to resist all such attacks unleashed by the RSS.
--IANS
mak-sg/rn
(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.)
With reference to the report, Cash is king again (October 2) by Tinesh Bhasin, Sanjay Kumar Singh and Subrata Panda, the preference for cash transactions was interrupted for sometime by the hype and hoopla of demonetisation; now, cash is back in its usual role.
Two leading academics have sought President Ram Nath Kovind's intervention in restoring the "atmosphere of healthy debate in JNU".
Professor Judith Butler of the University of California, Berkeley, and Professor Partha Chatterjee of Columbia University, have sent a letter to the president along with a petition signed by 1,800 people that questions the action by the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration against Professor Nivedita Menon.
The petition has been signed by academics from globally- reputed universities such as Harvard and Columbia, artistes and lawyers among others.
The JNU administration initiated disciplinary action against Menon last month and she was removed from the chairpersonship of the JNU's Centre for Comparative Politics and Political Theory School for allegedly misbehaving and insulting members of a selection committee during a meeting.
"We are concerned about the way Prof Nivedita Menon has had to face repeated attacks from the university administration on her basic right to hold an opinion," read the letter signed by Butler and Chatterjee.
"We are extremely worried that the hostile atmosphere created by the JNU administration will seriously harm Professor Menon's ability to teach, carry out research and pursue intellectual collaborations in a peaceful and productive manner," the letter said, seeking the president's intervention.
It urges Kovind to intervene in the matter and "restore the atmosphere of healthy debate for which JNU has been recognised in the entire academic world."
A copy of the letter was also sent to JNU Chancellor V K Saraswat and the Vice Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar.
The petitioners have appealed to the Vice Chancellor to stop the alleged victimisation of Menon.
"We appeal to the JNU authorities to withdraw the specious charges against Menon and stop this cycle of repeated attacks on her democratic rights," the petition said.
It also demanded that the professor should be reinstated immediately as chairperson of her centre.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Aam Aadmi Party lawmakers today urged the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to refrain from increasing the travel fare, saying do so would violate the law as the DMRC cannot hike the tariff twice within six months.
A delegation of AAP legislators met DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh and said the corporation should find other means to increase its revenue.
The party threatened to stage protests if the DMRC went ahead with its decision to hike the fare.
According to the 2002 Delhi Metro Railway Act, recommendations made by the fare fixation committee have to be binding on the metro administration.
The Delhi government on June 30 conveyed its opposition to the proposed fare increase to the fare fixation committee.
The legislators said the proposed hike in fare was being considered without taking into account the views of the elected government of Delhi and the elected representatives.
"What is disturbing is that the DMRC is violating the law by which it was set up in 2002, through its wrong decision of hiking fare twice within six months," they said in a memorandum to the DMRC.
If the proposed hike comes into effect, the fare will go up by a maximum of Rs 10.
The existing structure is: for travel up to 2 kilometres the DMRC would charge Rs 10. Two-five kilometres costs Rs 15.
Five-12 kilometres costs Rs 20, 12-21 kilometres - Rs 30, 21-32 kilometres - Rs 40 and beyond 32 kms Rs 50 is charged.
From October 10, the charge for travelling up to two kilometres would remain the same. But the tariff structure for travel beyond that distance would change.
For travel between two and five kilometres, the tariff would increase by Rs 5, and it will cost Rs 20.
The subsequent slabs would go up by Rs 10 each, meaning the maximum fare will be Rs 60.
The AAP delegation comprised Sanjeev Jha MLA from Burari, Jarnail Singh from Tilak Nagar, and Manoj Kumar from Kondli.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a relief for Malayalam actor Dileep, behind bars for 85 days in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of a South Indian actress, the Kerala High court today granted him bail but with stringent conditions.
Justice Sunil Thomas said he should not tamper with evidence.
Dileep should surrender his passport, deposit a bail bond of Rs one lakh and two solvent sureties for the like amount besides appear before investigating officers as and when required, the court said.
This was the fifth time that Dileep approached a court for bail.
The court also said he should not influence or threaten the victim or witness by any means including words expressed through print and electronic media.
Since the investigation against Dileep was in the final stages, his further custody was not necessary, the court held.
Four bail pleas filed by Dileep were earlier rejected -- twice each in a magistrate court at Angamaly and the high court.
Dileep has been lodged in the Aluva sub-jail after being arrested in the case on July 10.
The police have claimed that a conspiracy to abduct and assault the actress in a moving car and film the act was hatched by Dileep.
During his 85-day incarceration, he was permitted to come out of the jail only for few hours on September 6 to enable him to perform certain rituals in connection with his father's death anniversary.
Dileep's actress-wife Kavya Madhavan had also been questioned by investigating officers and fearing arrest she had moved the high court for anticipatory bail, last month.
However, after police gave assurance in the court that she will not be arrested, it was dismissed.
Dileep's friend and director Nadirshah had also been extensively questioned by investigating officers.
His anticipatory bail plea is coming up before the high court tomorrow.
Six persons, including key accused Pulsar Suni, were arrested in connection with the actress abduction case.
The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on February 17 night and later escaped in a busy area.
On hearing about the bail, Dileep's fans collected in front of the Aluva sub-jail and distributed sweets.
The fans said they would take out a procession. They also garlanded a huge cut-out of the actor, who is expected to be released later in the day.
Ernakulam Rural SP A V George said the actor will be released immediately.
Following his imprisonment, the release of Dileep's film "Ram Leela" had been held up several times, but it hit theatres last Friday and is running to packed houses across the state.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Pandurang Fundkar has asked the farmers to protect their harvested crop in the wake of a thunderstorm and heavy rainfall warning issued for Marathwada and Konkan region till October 14.
The warning commences from tomorrow morning and will continue till October 14, said the minister.
"The Kharif season crops have been harvested and some farmers have kept it in the field itself. The rabi season sowing is in progress across Maharashtra.
"The heavy rains may damage the harvested crop leading to financial losses to the farmers hence they are advised to shift their produce to safer locations," Fundkar said.
"I have been informed by the higher authorities in India Meteorological Department (IMD) in New Delhi about the possible thunderstorm. Marathwada is a foodgrain bowl of Maharashtra, so I decided to issue a warning for farmers," he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Concerned over rejection of consignment of Indian shrimps due to presence of antibiotics, the Agriculture Ministry today said it will consult other regulatory bodies like FSSAI to frame stringent legal action, including penalty, against violators.
The issue was discussed in a meeting, headed by Animal Husbandry Secretary Devendra Chaudhry, in view of the EU tightening its inspection norms for aquaculture products sent from India.
Earlier, the norm was testing samples from at least 10 per cent of the consignments, which has been enhanced to 50 per cent from October 2016, thereby affecting India's shrimp exports.
"The concerns of stakeholders and possible causes of the problem were discussed in detail during the intense deliberations. It was decided that the issue is a complex one and has to be addressed by various regulatory agencies in the central and state governments," an official statement said.
The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF) under the Agriculture Ministry has mandate for animal disease monitoring and control under the relevant regulations.
Therefore, regulatory bodies -- Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (DGSCO) and the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) -- under the Healthy Ministry will also be consulted for working out a workable regulatory mechanism so that effective enforcement is in place including penal action against violators, it said.
Representatives of coastal states, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Export Inspection Council (EIC), Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA) and other stakeholders were present in the meeting.
India exported a total of 11,34,948 tonnes seafood in 2016-17 as against 9,45,892 tonnes in the previous year. The overall shrimp export was 4,34,484 tonnes in the same period, the statement added.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The All India Akahara Parishad today staged a dharna at Har Ki Pauri in protest against the police's alleged "cluelessness" about the whereabouts of Bada Udaseen Akhara Mahanth Mohandas who went missing 16 days ago.
Mahanth Mohandas went missing on the intervening night of September 15 and 16 while going from Haridwar to Mumbai by the Lokmanya Tilak Express.
The seers had yesterday served a 48-hour ultimatum to the police to find a lead on the missing Mahanth.
Led by Akhara Parishad chief Mahanth Narendra Giri and its general secretary Harigiri, the seers today sat on a token dharna at the famous Ganga ghat here to mount pressure on the police to speed up investigation into the case.
They alleged the police was "clueless" about the Mahanth's whereabouts.
The Akhara Parishad also threatened to begin an indefinite dharna at Har Ki Pauri from Thursday.
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and his Cabinet colleague Madan Kaushik have already met the Akahara Parishad office bearers in Haridwar to assure them of speedy investigations into the case.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Birmingham-based imam on trial to be extradited to Spain where he is wanted on terrorism charges can be sent to the country, a UK court ruled today.
Tarik Chadlioui, accused of being a recruiter for the Islamic State (ISIS) through extremist videos, had claimed he is an "anti-terrorist preacher" in his bid to fight extradition at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London last week.
His lawyers were fighting against his extradition on the grounds that it will be "a clear interference with his right to a family life".
But Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot rejected the claim, saying Chadlioui's family were eligible for state-funded social care benefits and could seek help from his mosque.
"At worst, and I accept it might be a hardship, the oldest two children could go out and get jobs they are 17 and 18 after all," she said.
Chadlioui was one of six people arrested across Europe in June this year as part of a Spanish investigation into support for the terrorist group.
Spanish authorities allege that Chadlioui made three videos for extremist forces in Syria during two visits to Mallorca in 2014 and 2015. The 43-year-old faces a charge of collaboration with, or membership of, an armed group for which the maximum sentence is 20 years' imprisonment.
"He has uploaded thousands of videos to YouTube. This is what he does, he is an anti-terrorist preacher," Malcolm Hawkes, Chadlioui's barrister, had told Westminster Magistrates' Court last week.
Chadlioui, a Moroccan-born Belgian national of Middle Eastern origin, moved to the Sparkhill area of Birmingham in 2015, where he lives with his family comprising eight children.
Spanish authorities believe he is behind radicalising one of the terrorists Omar Mostefai who killed 89 music fans at the Bataclan theatre in Paris in November 2015 before blowing himself up.
He has also been linked with Anjem Choudary, a radical Muslim cleric currently in a UK jail for supporting the ISIS.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A truck carrying tyres worth Rs 25 lakhs was allegedly looted by three armed assailants near Nawla village on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway, the police said today.
The incident took place yesterday under Mansurpur police station here when the armed assailants intercepted the truck from Luksar to Rewari, they said.
According to the police, the miscreants reportedly also took away Rs 16,000 cash from the truck driver.
The manager of the tyre company has lodged a complaint regarding the incident, the police said, adding efforts are on to nab the accused.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Top army commanders will deliberate extensively on the Dokalam standoff and security challenges along the borders with China and Pakistan at a six-day conference beginning October 9.
The commanders will also carry out a review of the evolving security architecture in the region and ways to bolster the Army's operational preparedness to effectively deal with any possible challenge, official sources said.
They said the top commanders are also likely to analyse the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with a focus on bolstering counter-terror operations.
The sources said there will be in-depth discussions on the 73-day face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Dokalam and the current situation in the nearly 4,000-km-long border with China.
The standoff began on June 16 after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road by the Chinese Army on June 16 in Dokalam. On August 28, India's External Affairs Ministry announced that both sides have decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops from the disputed area.
Days after the face-off ended, Army Chief Bipin Rawat had said China has started "flexing its muscles" and warned that the situation in India's northern border could snowball into a larger conflict.
The sources said the top commanders are also likely to discuss the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The conference will be addressed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
The army commanders' conference is an important event in the planning and execution of various key decisions relating to the country's security and strategic interests.
There will be subject-specific deliberations during the last three days of the conference which is also likely to discuss implementation of the modernisation process in the Army.
The conference is also expected to discuss implementation of the ambitious reform process in the Army which was unveiled on August 30.
The government had announced that major reforms will be carried out in the Army to enhance its combat capability which will include redeployment of nearly 57,000 officers and other ranks as well as ensuring better utilisation of resources.
The reform initiatives were recommended by a committee headed by Lt Gen DB Shekatkar (retd) which had a mandate to recommend measures for enhancing of combat capability and rebalancing defence expenditure of the armed forces.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhiites are in for a musical treat, thanks to the upcoming ASEAN-India Music Festival, that begins here on October 6.
Organised by Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Ministry of External Affairs, in collaboration with Seher, the three-day-long festival themed -- "Shared Values, Common Destiny", will mark the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.
According to the organisers, the event seeks to boost cultural influences, exchanges and to build stronger ties between ASEAN states and India, besides fostering a deeper understanding, mutual comprehension and tolerance among these nations with the power of music.
"Music is one such powerful tool that brings people and artists together. We are honored to bring the first ever ASEAN-India Music festival in the capital, where the city can witness 15 top Bands from 11 nations together on one stage," Sanjeev Bhargava, one of the organisers said.
The music festival will witness performances by musicians of 10 bands from member states of ASEAN (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Thailand, Viet Nam).
Indian bands performing at the event include The Raghu Dixit Project, Avial, Papon, Bipul Chettri and the Travelling Band and Shankar Ehsaan & Loy.
The festival will be free for public and will come to an end on October 8.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Researchers at University of Adelaide are planning to provide fresh drinking water in the desert state of Rajasthan using simple and low-cost water purification kits.
Rajasthan is a region of 79.79 million of people and is the sister state of South Australia. Water management significantly limits it's development and is a critical requirement for future growth.
The self-assembly kits make use of sunlight and gravity, some clever design and basic materials to produce up to 10 litres/day of safe drinking water.
The university today launched its first official crowdfunding project to fund the research, which will be needed to design and produce the kits, an official statement said here.
The university aims to raise 30,000 Australian dollars to produce 1000 kits.
A donation of 30 dollars will provide one water purification kit to a family in Rajasthan, which can convert up to 10 litres of contaminated water into fresh drinking and cooking water per hour.
It has been estimated that 680 million people around the world do not have access to fresh drinking water, and approximately 1.5 million people, predominantly children, die from drinking contaminated water every year, project leader Cris Birzer, Senior Lecturer in University's School of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Humanitarian and Development Solutions Initiative at the University, said.
"We want to build on the very simple water treatment kits we developed for use in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, which allow people to make their own water purifiers from materials readily to hand," Birzer said.
"These kits use sunlight to kill pathogens, making the water safe to drink. But in India, the water also contains heavy-metal contaminants and we need to do some onsite pathogen, heavy metal and other toxin assessments to be able to modify the kits for Rajasthan," Birzer said.
The original water purification kits were developed by Birzer, his colleagues and students using glass tubing, metallised plastic and sunlight.
The system makes use of UVA radiation direct from the sunlight to kill pathogens in the water.
A team of researchers, including engineers, microbiologists and anthropologists, will visit Rajasthan to engage with local communities and conduct assessments on local water quality, manufacturing capabilities and supply-chains before returning to Adelaide to develop and implement a customised solution.
"Once we know exactly what heavy metals and other contaminants are present, we'll be able to modify the kit design with, for example, sand filters to remove other contaminants," Birzer said.
For instance, the local Indian plant Moringa can be used to remove arsenic from contaminated water and could be mixed into a sand filter as a simple addition to the system.
"Once we've designed the kits, they will be produced in Rajasthan and distributed to the community through local partners," he said.
"The United Nations has explicitly stated that water is a human right. Here at the University of Adelaide we're trying to make sure those rights are fulfilled, and we want you to help us.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley arrived here today ahead of India and Bangladesh signing the third line of credit (LoC) agreement tomorrow involving USD 4.5 billion to be spent for its infrastructure and social sector development.
"His visit will be marked by the signing of the deal on the USD 4.5 billion line of credit which was announced during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 2017 New Delhi visit," a Bangladesh finance ministry spokesman told reporters.
He said two agreements for the implementation of the third LoC and the 'Joint Interpretative Notes on the Agreement between India and Bangladesh for the Promotion and Protection of Investments' would also be signed in the presence of Jaitley and his Bangladesh counterpart A M A Muhith.
"The two countries are also expected to enter into another deal on investment promotion and protection during the visit," the spokesman said.
A special aircraft carrying Jaitley landed at the Bangladesh Air Force Base this afternoon where Muhith received his counterpart who is accompanied by a group of business leaders and senior officials on the three-day visit.
Officials earlier said Bangladesh would have to purchase 65 to 75 per cent of the services, goods or works from the Indian market with the money to be provided under the third LoC following the precedence of the previous two nearly identical agreements.
India offered Bangladesh the third LoC through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in April in New Delhi in Hasina's presence while officials said several government agencies already undertook 17 development projects to be implemented with the upcoming USD 4.5 billion loan.
Officials, however, said some projects under the first and second LoCs were faced with difficulties in the way of their implementation due to limited tendering system within the Indian market.
They said some projects under the first LoC of USD 862 million faced delay in implementation while the physical works of the 14 projects under the second LoC of USD 2 billion were yet to start.
The two countries signed the first LoC in August 2010 while the second one was inked in March, 2016.
According to the tour schedule, Jaitley would call on the Bangladesh premier and inaugurate along with his counterpart a new scheme for cashless transactions in visa services, run by the State Bank of India on behalf of the Indian High Commission here.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In what turned out to be comedy of errors, the BCCI first named named Rajasthan medium pacer Deepak Chahar in the the Board President's XI squad for the warm-up games against New Zealand only to replace him with cousin brother Rahul, who is a leg-spinner.
The BCCI had yesterday sent a release which had Deepak's name in the BP XI squad, which raised a lot of eyebrows considering he had no performance to merit a place in the squad.
It was later realised that the selectors wanted to pick Rahul, who is a current India U-19 player and also did well during the recent colts tour to England.
However it is understood that they goofed up with the name which led to the clerical error.
"It was inadvertently mentioned that Deepak Chahar would represent the Board Presidents XI team for the warm-up matches against New Zealand ahead of their ODI series against India. Rahul Chahar will feature in the squad that will play two matches at CCI in Mumbai," BCCI today admitted the error in a media release.
In another develoment, Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the one-day series against New Zealand 'A' after sustaining a side strain.
Ankit Bawne, who scored 162 in the second "unofficial Test", will now be a part of the team for the first three matches too after being initially named in the squad for the last two games.
The All-India Senior Selection Committee has also named Deepak Hooda for the last two one-day games.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
: A biopic on music maestro Ilayaraja with the use of digital technology is all set to be made jointly with multi-digital brand "Arre" and "Mindshare".
"The digital first film will be a cinematic recreation of his unique and inspiring story. True to the nature of the medium, Arre is in the process of collaborating with domestic and international talent", a press release issued said today.
"I am looking forward to share my musical journey with all my fans and music lovers on Arre and Facebook", Ilayaraja was quoted as saying in the release.
On the collaboration, Arre founder B Saikumar said, "we at Arre are honoured and humbled to be working closely with the maestro, whose extensive work and influence know no bounds in geography or language".
"The maestro and this film will be the ultimate leveler, bringing together different sets of audiences, united in their common quest for music and love.We are pleased to partner with Facebook to ensure that we take this work to millions across India", he said.
Arre recently launched its music vertical, "Arre Earworm" and also moved into the Tamil market and this film will play across these new verticals apart from Arre and its platforms.
Mindshare, whose specialised content solutions arm Content+ is working with Arre to tell the story using its expertise and understanding of consumers.
"It is exciting to have Illayaraja connect with his fans, and for them to be able to see this unique film on the Facebook platform", Facebook India, Media Partnerships-Head, Saurabh Doshi said.
"Millions of people who are on Facebook will now be able to have the opportunity to get a glimpse into musical journey and his work through this video", he added.
Noting that a generation grew by listening to compositions of Ilaiyaraaja, Mindshare South Asia CEO Prasanth Kumar said a new generation was rediscovering his music via internet and new movies.
"Mindshare is working very closely with Arre in bringing together their expertise to give this unique musical journey the right kind of amplification", he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BJP's Karnataka unit today hit out at actor Prakash Raj for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on those "celebrating" the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh, saying he has shown "political immaturity."
Raj had described as "chilling" the silence ofModi on those "celebrating" the killing of Lankesh, including the ones followed by him on Twitter.
State senior BJP leader and spokesman S Suresh Kumar said, "The actor has shown his political immaturity by making a statement that suits his political ideology. Such allegations were made to win accolades."
While questioning Modi's silence, Raj appeared to suggest on Sunday that he felt like "returning" his awards to "such actors who are acting as though nothing has happened", but later insisted that he was "not such a fool to give back the national awards."
Raj, who has acted in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamilmovies, had been a family friend of Gauri Lankesh, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants here on September 5.
The BJP spokesman also sought to know why the actor preferred to remain silent during the Cauvery agitation by saying that he is only an actor.
"If Raj wants to be active in politics, let him starthis own political party. We do not want him to issue any certificate to Modi," said Kumar.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Delhi BJP would take out a march in the national capital tomorrow against political violence in the Left-ruled Kerala and stage a demonstration in front of the CPI(M) office here, the party said today.
Manoj Tiwari, the president of the Delhi BJP, would lead the march, said a statement issued by the party.
BJP national president Amit Shah, while flagging off a 'Janraksha Yatra' at Kannur in Kerala today, also announced 'padyatra' (foot march) at all the state capitals against the CPI(M)'s alleged targeting of the workers of the saffron party and questioned Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the political violence in the southern state.
The protests, sit-ins and demonstrations would be held across the national capital till October 16, the statement said.
BJP national vice-president Shyam Jaju and Union minister Jitendra Singh would also take part in the protest in front of the CPI(M) office near ITO tomorrow, it added.
The saffron party would also put up a photo exhibition on the violence in Kerala.
Kerala had been witnessing a cycle of violence involving the workers of the CPI(M) and BJP-RSS.
Several political killings on both sides have been reported from the southern state since the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government came to power in May, 2016, with both sides blaming each other for the violence.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The BJP would highlight "failures" of the TRS government in its campaign for the 2019 assembly elections in Telangana, state BJP president K Laxman said here today.
He said the party will build its campaign for the next Lok Sabha as well as the state assembly polls on its improved organisational strength and would also bank on the welfare and development programmes of the Narendra Modi government.
Referring to BJP's national organisational general secretary Ram Lal's recent three-day visit to the state, Laxman quoted him as saying that the party is organisationally stronger in Telangana now in comparison with Haryana and Assam earlier.
BJP captured power in Haryana and Assam though it was considered to be organisationally weak in these two states, Laxman told reporters.
Ram Lal held deliberations with the party leaders at various levels during his visit.
Laxman said the BJP would like to improve its organisational strength right from the booth level.
He said the party is planning to organise a public meeting in Hyderabad in January next year, wherein activists from each polling booth will come to the event on five motorcycles.
He said the BJP aims to increase its state membership from the present 18 lakh to at least 25 lakh by the next year.
BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav will be visiting the state on October 14-15.
BJP president Amit Shah would visit the state in January next year after the conclusion of assembly polls in Gujarat, Laxman said.
Asked about the comments of south Indian actor Prakash Raj, who reportedly questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the killing of Karnataka journalist Gauri Lankesh, Laxman said the actor should know that law and order is a state subject.
BJP Hyderabad unit president and MLC N Ramachandra Rao said the party would soon organise a rally in the city to protest the killing of BJP-ABVP-RSS activists in the Left-ruled Kerala.
The BJP would try to conduct a peaceful protest at the CPI(M)'s office here, he said.
He asked why the intellectuals, who targeted RSS over the killing of a "woman journalist in Karnataka without proof", have "closed their eyes" on the political murders in Kerala.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson assured British Conservatives today that he supports "every syllable" of Prime Minister Theresa May's plans for Brexit.
But unity is in short supply in the UK's fractious, anxious governing party and Johnson's vow of loyalty did not quell suspicions he covets the leadership.
Johnson told delegates to the Conservative annual conference that "the whole country owes (May) a debt for her steadfastness in taking Britain forward, as she will, to a great Brexit deal."
May laid out her plans for Britain's exit from the European Union in a speech last month in Florence "on whose every syllable I can tell you, the whole Cabinet is united," Johnson said.
Johnson has spent weeks giving the opposite impression. He has been accused of undermining the prime minister and advancing his leadership ambitions by laying out his own distinct roadmap for Britain's exit from the European Union.
With EU divorce negotiations proceeding at a snail's pace, Johnson has positioned himself as a champion of a clean-break "hard Brexit." He wants the UK to adopt a low-tax, low-regulation economy outside the EU's single market, says Britain must not pay to get tariff-free trade with the EU and insists that any post-Brexit transition period should not last "a second more" than two years.
Johnson told conference delegates that it was time to stop being negative about Brexit and "treating the referendum result as though it were a plague of boils."
"It is time to be bold, and to seize the opportunities, and there is no country better placed than Britain," he said. Johnson's Brexit stance, tougher than May's stated position, has added to uncertainty for British businesses, who want to know whether they will keep easy access to the EU market and its population of nearly half a billion.
The British Chambers of Commerce warned that business people "are growing impatient with division and disorganization at the heart of the party of government." German politician Manfred Weber, head of the biggest party group in the European Parliament, implored May today to fire Johnson, "because we need a clear answer who is responsible for the British position."
UK finance minister Philip Hammond issued a warning to Johnson, telling broadcaster ITV: "Nobody is unsackable." But May's power to silence Johnson is limited. Earlier this year she called a snap election in hopes of boosting the Conservative majority in Parliament and strengthening her hand in Brexit negotiations. But after a lackluster campaign that saw her dubbed the "Maybot," voters reduced the Conservatives to a minority administration.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Police today recovered bullet- riddled body of a man, who was abducted by unknown gunmen two days ago from Vessu area of south Kashmir's Kulgam district.
Body of Showkat Ahmad Dar (22), a resident of Arwani in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district, was found by police this morning in Vessu area, a police official said.
He said Dar's body had several bullet injuries.
Dar was kidnapped by unknown gunmen from his village on October 1, 2017.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The CBI today asked RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav to appear before it for questioning on October 5 and 6 in an alleged corruption case after both leaders expressed their inability to appear on given dates, the agency sources said.
The sources said Yadav and Tejashwi were earlier called on October 4 and 5.
The CBI wants to question the former railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav for a contract given for the maintenance of two IRCTC hotels in 2006. Tejashwi is also made an accused in the CBI FIR pertaining to alleged corruption in the deal.
It is alleged that Yadav as Railway Minister handed over maintenance of two Railway hotels BNR Ranchi and Puri to Sujata Hotel (a company owned by Vinay and Vijay Kochhar) after receiving a bribe in the form of prime land of three acres through a benami company.
(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 CBI has carried out narco- analysis and lie detector tests on the suspects arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in the Kotkhai area of Himachal Pradesh's Shimla district.
The agency sources said these tests have been recently carried out but refused to tell which suspect underwent which type of test.
The Himachal Pradesh Police had arrested Ashish Chauhan alias Ashu (29), a resident of Sharaal village in Mahasu area of Kotkhai; Rajender Singh alias Raju (32), a driver; Subash Singh Bisht (42) and Deepak alias Deepu (29) and Lok Jung alias Chotu (19), hailing from Nepal, in connection with the case.
The sources said tests have been carried out after getting nod from the competent court in Shimla.
The tests and their results are not admissible in the courts as evidence but the agency uses them to get further evidence and indication if any of the suspects is lying in the matter.
The sleuths persue leads given by the suspects in these tests and if any credible corroborative evidence is found, it is used as prosecution evidence.
In the narco-analysis test, a truth serum is injected on subjects which put them in a kind of hypnotic state during which questions provided by the CBI are asked by the doctors administering the test.
The polygraph test monitors body parameters to find out if the subject is answering correctly or being deceptive.
One of the suspects who was also arrested by the state police, Suraj Singh, was found dead in police custody in which a separate case has been registered by the CBI.
A 16-year-old girl had gone missing after school hours on July 4 from Haliala forest in Kotkhai area of Shimla district.
Her naked body was found in the forest on July 6 and the post-mortem report confirmed rape. The rape case has created furore in the state which goes to polls later this year.
The DGP constituted an SIT headed by an officer of IG rank which arrested six people.
The case was handed over to the CBI by the Himachal Pradesh High Court on July 19 on the state government's plea amid public outburst against the state police. The CBI filed two FIRs on July 22.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress today denounced the Centre over a militant attack on a BSF camp near the Srinagar airport, accusing it of compromising national security.
Party chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged the central government had proved to be a "total failure" and its "utter laxity and misplaced priorities have led to a disquiet border".
He claimed that 253 security personnel and 124 civilians lost their lives in 102 major terror attacks "under the watch" of the BJP government in the last 40 months.
He said the days of "lip service and strong condemnation" were over and asked the Modi government to lay down a roadmap to deal with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
"The attack is evidence of how the Modi government has compromised and toyed with national security. The question is what are Modiji and his government doing? When will we see the 56-inch chest?" Surjewala asked.
The Centre's "empty phrases, chest thumping and TV studio warfare" have only set up a "superficial and false discourse", he said in a statement.
An "unprecedented" situation is being witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir, where terrorists from across the border have repeatedly attacked India's national security apparatus, the Congress leader said.
Earlier in the day, security forces gunned down three Jaish-e-Mohammed militants who stormed a BSF camp near the high-security Srinagar airport. An assistant sub-inspector of the force was also killed in the gunfight.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A CBI court here today ordered that 17 people, named as accused in the multi-million Srijan scam involving an NGO based in Bhagalpur district of Bihar, be kept in judicial custody at the central jail there till October 17.
The order was passed by Judicial Magistrate Kumari Vijaya following a prayer by the probe agency that all the accused produced before the court here be kept at Bhagalpur Central Jail, where they are currently lodged, "because of reasons pertaining to security and ease of investigation".
Those who were produced in the CBI court today included key accused Sarita Jha, manager of Srijan Mahila Sahyog Sansthan; Satish Kumar Jha, an auditor with the NGO; Vanshidhar Jha, who ran his own printing press in Bhagalpur, and a number of other persons including bank officials and personnel posted in the district administration.
The scam, which involves illegal transfer of crores of rupees from the treasury to the NGO, had come to light earlier this year and triggered a political controversy as its founder Manorama Devi is known to be close to a number of political heavyweights in Bihar.
The Nitish Kumar government recommended a CBI probe into the irregularities following which an FIR was lodged by the investigating agency here on August 25.
A controversy had erupted a week ahead of CBI's FIR with the death of Mahesh Mandal, one of the main accused in the case, who was undergoing treatment at a hospital while in judicial custody.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Delhi court has granted bail to a 63-year-old woman accused of terminating an agreement to sell her house to a couple and duping them of Rs 12.5 crore paid as token money.
Additional Sessions Judge Sanjiv Jain gave the relief to the woman on a personal bond of Rs five lakh and two sureties of the like amount, with a direction to neither influence wtinesses, nor leave the country without permission.
The court, while allowing her bail application filed through advocate Rohit Priya Ranjan, also took into consideration that she had joined the investigation and was willing to do so in future.
As per the FIR, the woman had entered into an agreement in 2011 with a couple to sell her property in New Friends Colony here to them for over Rs 63 crore, out of which they had paid Rs 12.5 crore as earnest money to her while Rs 5.4 crore were paid after she secured construction sanctions from South Delhi Municipal Corporation.
It said the property was on mortgage and the woman had to pay Rs 18 crore to State Bank of Patiala to get it released.
From the amount received, she cleared her legal liabilities and obtained NOC from the bank but terminated the agreement and never refunded the earnest money, it alleged.
The woman had claimed in her plea that as per the agreement, she had done her part of the duties but the buyers failed to pay the balance payment on time to get the sale deed executed.
She also claimed that as per the clauses of agreement, it had to get terminated if any party failed to do their part of the job.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Whether a child understands the consequences of an offence he has committed cannot be assessed without considering the "manner" in which it was done, a city court has said.
The court made the observation while upholding a Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) order to try a 16-year-old boy, accused of shooting dead a couple in 2016, as an adult.
The JJB had on March 27 this year held that there was a need for trial of the juvenile appellant as an adult and sent him to a children's court for trial in terms of the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
In the appeal against the JJB's order, the juvenile through his counsel contended that as per Juvenile Justice Model Rules 2016, while making preliminary assessment under the Juvenile Justice Act, a child shall be presumed to be innocent unless proved otherwise, but the Board had completely ignored this principle.
It claimed that the facts and circumstances of the case do not meet the parameters laid down in the JJ Act and the Board fell in error by holding that the boy deserved to be tried as an adult.
The court, however, said "no doubt, the presumption of innocence of the child has to be maintained but for assessing his ability to understand the consequences of the offence and the circumstances in which he allegedly committed the offence, the allegations as per the case of prosecution are required to be looked into.
"The ability of the child to understand the consequences of the offence cannot be assessed dehors the manner in which the alleged offence was committed," Additional Sessions Judge Sanjay Garg said.
The court also said the previous involvement of the child, if any, also renders assistance in reflecting his mental ability and circumstances.
According to the prosecution, the juvenile and his adult accomplice had on November 14, 2016 gone to the house of victims Sanjay Rana and his wife on the pretext of taking a room on rent but shot them dead instead.
The juvenile was apprehended by the police on November 21, 2016 and a country-made pistol with six cartridges were recovered from him, it said.
It said the juvenile committed the offence as the victims had failed to return the money lent to them by his father for purchase of a plot.
Taking note of this, the court said, "Considering the alleged motive behind the commission of the offence and the role attributed to the appellant, the Board rightly came to the conclusion that the appellant should be tried as an adult. The appeal is without merits. The same is accordingly dismissed."
The court also held that the preliminary inquiry conducted by the JJB proved that the boy was above 16 years of age and he had no psychiatric illness or intellectual disability, which meant he was fit to understand the consequences of the offence.
"The offence under Section 302 IPC being punishable with imprisonment for more than seven years, falls within the category of 'heinous offences' as defined in JJ Act. Thus, the Board rightly proceeded to conduct the preliminary assessment under the act," it also said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A fresh petition was today filed in the Supreme Court challenging the deportation of Rohingya children and seeking basic amenities for these refugees in the country.
The plea, filed by Democratic Youth Federation of India, the youth wing of the CPI(M), said that the deportation of these children would be in violation of the provisions of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Referring to the provisions of the convention, the petition said it mandates protection of children, including from the minority community, the disabled and the refugees.
"Union of India is bound to treat all children, including those who do not belong to the Indian nationality, with all rights guaranteed under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989. Being signatory to the Convention, the State is bound to protect the children against all forms of discrimination," the plea said.
It also contended that since the government has given refuge to several other refugees, there was no rationale behind the discrimination against the Rohingyas.
The plea also sought better facilities for the refugees in the shelter camps.
The apex court today posted for hearing a batch pleas for and against the Rohingyas on October 13.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama today expressed sorrow over the Las Vegas gunfire deaths and called for a world based on universal brotherhood.
The Nobel Peace Laureate said such violence came out of a lack of compassion and respect for life.
At least 59 people were killed and over 500 wounded when a gunman shot at concert-goers in the American resort city on Sunday night.
Advocating religious harmony, the Dalai Lama also lauded India as "a land of diverse cultures and religions".
Despite "isolated incidents", all major religious traditions of the world existed peacefully in India which was a matter of great pride, said the Dalai Lama, who began a teaching session at the main Tibetan temple Thekchen Choeling Tsuglagkhang, in Mecleodganj in upper Dharamshala, today.
"If you keep harbouring anger or jealousy towards others, you will be on the losing end, because you will remain mentally disturbed unless you resolve it," he said, denouncing the "myopic worldview of us-vs-them".
He called for faith based on reason and logic rather than blindly following a religion that one was born into.
While following any religion, including Buddhism, practitioners should have full understanding of the methods and concepts of that tradition, he said.
"Desire for happiness is universal to all sentient beings. However, unlike animals, we humans have an inborn faculty of thought. Therefore, we should use this faculty to develop happiness through love and compassion," he added.
The four-day session has been organised at the request of a group of devotees from Taiwan.
Over 5000 followers from 69 countries are attending the teachings which will conclude on October 6.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hours before her arrest today, Honeypreet Insan, who calls herself an adopted daughter of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, claimed that allegations about her role in instigating violence after the sect head's conviction had left her "devastated".
Seeking to defend herself, the 36-year-old said that she was facing serious charges when in her life she had never even killed an ant.
In interviews to two TV channels, Honeypreet also claimed that her "Papa" was innocent. A special CBI court in Panchkula had on August 25 held Ram Rahim Singh guilty of raping two disciples.
Honeypreet also said that she had never left the country after the Dera chief's conviction, trashing reports suggesting she may have gone to Nepal, but said that she visited Delhi.
She also rubbished allegations levelled by ex-husband Vishwas Gupta saying her relationship with the sect head was pious.
"I cannot understand how anyone can point fingers at the pious relations between a father and daughter. Can't a father put his hand lovingly on his daughter's head? Isn't the father-daughter relation sacred? What proof have these people got to level such allegations. All those who are spreading such rumours, please do not believe them," she said.
As regards Gupta, I do not want to talk about him, that chapter was over in 2011, she said.
Honeypreet was arrested today by the Haryana Police from the Zirakpur-Patiala road in Punjab. Priyanka Taneja or Honeypreet as she is widely known, was among 43 people 'wanted' in connection with the probe into the violence after Ram Rahim Singh's conviction that left 41 dead.
Honeypreet said she was seeking legal opinion and is likely to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The woman, against whom a lookout notice and then an arrest warrant was issued, told Aaj Tak and News24 TV channels that allegations levelled against her were not true.
"Was I present with the arsonists (during the mayhem in Panchkula on August 25)? How are they levelling such allegations," she asked.
Honeypreet said she was with Ram Rahim Singh on August 25 discharging her duties as a daughter.
"Every daughter supports her father...I went with him. Have you heard me uttering a word where I instigate people? I had gone there (to CBI court) with a hope that my father will return by the evening. But when he was held guilty, I went into depression. How could I think about anything else? I was devastated," she claimed.
Honeypreet had accompanied Ram Rahim Singh from the Dera headquarters at Sirsa to the special court in Panchkula on August 25. After the Dera chief's conviction, she accompanied him in a chopper to Rohtak where he was lodged in a jail.
She said the authorities never raised objections when she accompanied Ram Rahim Singh in the chopper. "Later, so many things were said about how I accompanied him," she said.
After August 25, Honeypreet had remained untraceable. The woman, however, claimed she was not running away from the law and was only trying to come to terms with Ram Rahim Singh's conviction.
"Try to understand my condition. The woman who used to make patriotic films with her father (Ram Rahim Singh), the woman in whom her father had infused a spirit of patriotism over the years...He goes behind bars, which was unthinkable for me. And then, for her to hear that sedition charges have been slapped...I was devastated.
"I was completely shaken to hear such serious charges when in my life I have not even killed an ant," she said.
For me, when Papa went away (was jailed), my world came crashing down, she said.
"Then some guided me. I went to Delhi...Now, I will go to the Punjab and Haryana High Court," Honeypreet said. She was the lead heroine in the films the sect chief directed, produced and acted in between 2013-2017.
On September 26, the Delhi High Court had dismissed her transit anticipatory bail plea. The court's order was based on the ground that she was evading arrest and hence, not entitled to any discretionary relief.
Asked if she had visited to Nepal after the Dera chief's conviction, she replied in the negative. "No, I did not go there. I remained within the country," she said. To another question, Honeypreet said she had met her lawyer in Delhi.
"I went to his office and signed documents," she said.
Asked where she was hiding for so many days after she left Rohtak, she said, "...later, I went to Delhi..."
Asked about skeletons being buried inside the Dera at Sirsa and the sect chief's exploitation of female disciples, Honeypreet said, "Did anyone find skeletons? As regards what is being said about papa, he is innocent and in times to come you will see this...We will move the High Court and then the Supreme Court. We are confident that we will get justice."
Asked whether she had brought Ram Rahim Singh into movies, Honeypreet said it was a complete lie.
"I did not have any interest in movies. If you had seen my previous interviews, you must have heard that I never wanted to get into it. When first movie was made then I felt that I could work behind the camera. I wanted to be a director," she said.
Honeypreet denied that she used to call the shots in the Dera.
"He (Dera chief) used to hold Satsang. Rest of the work was done by the management as work was divided. I was handling the movie department and direction," she said.
She also said dubbed as wrong suggestions that she was not on good terms with the Dera chief's family.
"We love each other a lot. The amount of love I got was what they gave to their daughters. They love me very much and I also love them," she said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pilots and crew members might soon be required to undergo breath analyser tests at transit airports in case they enter the terminal building during flight duty, according to draft norms issued by the DGCA.
The aviation regulator has proposed changes to the 'Procedure for medical examination of aircraft personnel for alcohol consumption' against the backdrop of more than 500 pilots and cabin crew of Air India coming under its scanner for allegedly skipping the pre-and post-flight alcohol tests this year.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also proposed that repeated violation of breath analyser test norms could result in suspension of the pilot's licence for up to four years, subject to certain conditions.
At present, the quantum of punishment for the violations vary from three months to cancellation of pilot licence or grounding of cabin crew.
"During a flight duty period, if a crew member enters the terminal building at any transit airport, that crew member shall undergo the pre-flight breath analyser examination at that airport before undertaking the flight," as per the draft Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR).
Under current norms, breath analyser or alcohol test is must for crew before and after operating a flight.
"For all scheduled flights originating from India, each flight crew member and cabin crew member shall be subjected to pre-flight breath analyser examination at first departure airport during a flight duty period," the draft CAR said.
In case a crew member operates a flight without undergoing the pre-flight breath analyser examination, the Chief of Operations of the airline concerned has to ensure the "the involved crew member is off-rostered at the first point of landing and same is reported to DGCA...," it added.
About this proposed norm, a DGCA source said that over a period of time, it was felt that the management should also be held responsible if there are lapses.
"Therefore the emphasis is to make the management also accountable, not just the crew," the source said.
An additional crew member who is to travel in the cockpit would also be subject to pre-flight breath analyser test, as per the draft CAR.
The DGCA has suggested suspension of licence or approval of crew member for four years in case the person is tested positive for alcohol in both pre- and post-flight tests.
"If a crew member tested breath analyser positive in pre-flight medical examination in one instance and later tests breath analyser positive in post-flight medical examination in another instance or vice versa, the license/approval of crew member shall be suspended for the period of four years," it noted.
According to the current norms, in case a crew member tests positive in pre-flight breath analyser test, the individual would be suspended for three months. Similar is the quantum if the crew member refuses to undergo or attempts to evade post-flight test.
Now, the draft CAR has proposed linking violation of pre-flight and post-flight violations.
If a crew member tests positive during pre-flight test or evades it and later, in another instance, evades a post-flight test, the individual would face suspension for three years.
The source said the attempt is to ensure more clarity in the rules as very often it was contested that skipping a post-flight has no bearing on evasion of a pre-flight offence.
"This is just to ensure that there is no iota of doubt. Often violators say they misunderstood the rules so we are making them very clear," the source added.
In the case of Air India, the airline and the DGCA held discussions on as many as 132 pilots and 434 cabin crew coming under the lens for allegedly skipped these tests.
While apologising for the lapses, the airline has told the DGCA their actions were based on interpretation of CAR.
"There was no violation of breath analyser test at the last point for all the flights. We have sincerely apologised and assured the DGCA that we will carry out breath analyser tests as per their requirements and as per the clarity given on the CAR," Air India CMD Rajiv Bansal had said last month.
AIADMK (Amma) faction leader T T V Dhinakaran today moved the Madras High Court bench here seeking extension of the deadline set by it for the Election Commission to decide the party's symbol dispute case from October 31 to February 28 next year.
The Court had last month directed the EC to decide which faction enjoyed majority support in the ruling party in Tamil Nadu and allot the symbol to it before October 31.
Dhinkaran, in his impleading petition today, also sought a direction to the EC not to enlarge the scope of the dispute under its adjudication. It said sufficient opportunity should be provided to the contending parties to effectively adduce evidence to back their contentions, file replies and rebuttal in case fresh affidavits are to be submitted.
He contended that on September 21, the EC had sought fresh submissions by the rival factions, duly supported by affidavits, before September 29. There was no need for fresh submissions as already a seven lakh-page affidavit had been submitted to the EC, he said.
Dhinakaran claimed he had the support of 102 MLAs, 37 MPs and 1,912 general council and central executive committee members.
He submitted that the latest EC direction for fresh submission would only enhance the scope of the dispute and the poll panel would not be able to decide the matter before October 31 given the huge volumes of documents presented to it.
Hence he sought extension of the deadline set by the court in its Septemeber 15 order, passed on a petition by Ramkumar Adityan, an AIADMK member and advocate.
Adityan had sought a direction to conduct an election involving the members of the party's general council, executive committtee, MLAs and MPs, totalling about 3,100 people, to decide which camp had the majority.
The petition was filed on August 22, a day after the two factions led by Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his predecessor O Panneerselvam merged, sidelining jailed party chief V K Sasikala and her deputy T T V Dhinakaran.
The Election Commission had no March 23 issued an interim order, freezing the two leaves election symbol of AIADMK.
On September 28, the EC had rejected Dhinakaran's plea to grant 15 days more to submit affidavits in the symbol dispute case and said the hearing would take place on October 6 as scheduled.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Kerala High Court today granted bail to Malayalam actor Dileep, behind bars for 85 days in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of a South Indian actress.
A few hours later, he walked out of the Aluva sub-jail, waving and blowing kisses to his fans, who had gathered in large numbers.
Justice Sunil Thomas imposed stringent conditions while granting bail to 49-year-old Dileep and said he should not tamper with evidence.
Dileep should surrender his passport, deposit a bail bond of Rs one lakh and two solvent sureties for the like amount besides appear before investigating officers as and when required, the court said.
It also said he should not influence or threaten the victim or witness by any means including words expressed through print and electronic media.
In the event of Dileep violating any of the conditions of his bail, the court said it shall be open to the magistrate to take steps in that regard, including cancellation of bail after notice.
Police had a tough time controlling the crowd which had thronged the premises since afternoon soon after hearing about the high court granting him bail.
The fans distributed sweets and flowers and garlanded a huge cut-out of the actor near the sub-jail.
This was the fifth time that Dileep has approached a court for bail.
Four bail pleas filed by Dileep were earlier rejected --twice each in a magistrate court at Angamaly and the high court.
Since the investigation against Dileep was in the final stages, his further custody was not necessary, the court held.
The police have claimed that a conspiracy to abduct and assault the actress in a moving car and film the act was hatched by Dileep.
During his 85-day incarceration, he was permitted to come out of the jail only for few hours on September 6 to enable him to perform certain rituals in connection with his father's death anniversary.
Dileep's actress-wife Kavya Madhavan had also been questioned by investigating officers and fearing arrest she had moved the high court for anticipatory bail, last month.
However, after police gave assurance in the court that she will not be arrested, it was dismissed.
Dileep's friend and director Nadirshah had also been extensively questioned by investigating officers.
His anticipatory bail plea is coming up before the high court tomorrow.
Six persons, including key accused Pulsar Suni, were arrested in connection with the actress abduction case.
The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on February 17 night and later escaped in a busy area.
Following his imprisonment, the release of Dileep's multi-crore film "Ram Leela" had been held up several times, but it hit theatres last Friday and is running to packed houses across the state.
Dileep was given a warm welcome by his mother, wife Kavya, daughter Meenkashi and other members of his family when he reached home.
Many members of the Malayalam film fraternity expressed happiness at the actor being granted bail.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Nawaz Sharif was today re-elected as the president of the ruling PML-N and the ousted Pakistan prime minister immediately demanded that those who disqualified him should respect the people's mandate and democracy.
Sharif, 67, had to step down as the chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after he was disqualified as the prime minister by the Supreme Court on July 28 in the Panama Papers scandal.
Addressing a gathering of party members at the Convention Centre here, Sharif said his supporters kept reelecting him to power despite his ousters from the office.
He said the party members knew the reasons behind his disqualification as prime minister.
The PML-N yesterday took full advantage of its position as the ruling party as President Mamnoon Hussain signed the controversial Election Act 2017 into law hours after it was bulldozed through the National Assembly amid pandemonium on the opposition benches, the Dawn reported.
Under The Representation of Peoples Act 1976, a disqualified person could not hold office of a party.
The law was passed to allow the party to re-elect Sharif as its head, on the eve of a party convention called for the express purpose of electing Sharif to the post.
Sharif in his address to his supporters, thanked the people for repealing the law which barred disqualified politicians from holding office in a party.
He said former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf had reinstated this law after Ayub khan first introduced it.
"I would like to thank the people for throwing this law back at their faces," he said.
Sharif said he had been disqualified for "not receiving salary from his son", but the violation of the Constitution by four dictators during the country's history was declared legal.
"When no justification was found for their unconstitutional steps, the Doctrine of Necessity was invented," he said, adding that he wishes a doctrine of necessity was also created for respect of people's mandate and democracy.
"I am warning you today, if we do not try to change the situation, Pakistan will not forgive us."
Sharif said he has proposed a grand national dialogue to focus on restoring the people's mandate as "only those should govern who the people vote for."
"The people will decide through their vote [in general elections of 2018] who is qualified and who is unqualified," he said.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi termed Sharif's return as party president a "historic day".
The premier said he is proud to be among the few people who witnessed the moment Sharif took his place as the party chairman for the first time.
Earlier, PML-N leader Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry submitted Sharif's papers for party president in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while no one other candidate from the party contested the election.
Minister of State Talal Chaudhry told media that Sharif will remain chief of PML-N. "He will also become Prime Minister of the country. Sharif cannot be removed from politics through conspiracies, he said.
The election of party president is a requirement by Election Commission of Pakistan that already last month issued notice to PML-N for failing to choose permanent successor of Sharif.
Sharifs election has temporarily healed the rifts within the party which appeared on the verge of defections after his ouster.
But Sharifs fate as party president still hangs in balance as Pakistan Awami Tehreek party has challenged the new law in the Lahore High Court, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and other parties have announced to challenge it in the Supreme Court.
Opposition parties allege that the new law was "Sharif- specific" to allow him to return to politics. They also content that the law is against the spirit of the Constitution.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Several thousand people have fled to Zambia in the past month to escape violence in Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN said today.
The UN refugee agency said 3,360 people from DR Congo's conflict-wracked southeast had entered Zambia since August 30, the largest influx of its kind in the past five years.
People "are escaping inter-ethnic clashes, as well as fighting between Congolese security forces and militia groups," UNHCR spokesman Andrej Mahecic told reporters in Geneva.
Those arriving in Zambia described escaping "extreme brutality, with civilians being killed, women raped, property looted and houses set alight," he said.
Most of those fleeing come from the northern Katanga and Tanganyika regions.
In recent years, these have been the scene of multiple deadly clashes between the Pygmies and Bantus from the ethnic Luba group.
A full 60 per cent of those arriving in Zambia are children, including many showing signs of malnutrition, and suffering from malaria, respiratory problems, dysentery and skin infections, Mahecic said.
And many of the new refugees had already been displaced inside DR Congo by the violence before crossing the border.
"The lack of roads and the long distances... make it difficult to monitor the situation and provide them with assistance," he said.
The approaching rainy season is expected to worsen the plight of those on the move, Mahecic warned.
The new arrivals, who bring the number of Congolese refugees and asylum seekers in Zambia to around 27,300, are mostly being taken to the Kenani transit centre in Nchelenge district, 90 kilometres from the border.
But Mahecic said some were opting to remain close to the border, waiting for their families to join them.
UNHCR was helping the Zambian government and the Zambian Red Cross to distribute hot meals and basic items like tents, plastic sheeting, mosquito nets, and hygiene kits.
Aid workers were also providing psycho-social support to survivors of sexual violence.
Due to overcrowding, UNHCR said it had begun work on a second transit facility and was helping develop a more permanent settlement for the refugees.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An alleged drug peddler was arrested along with three kilograms of marijuana in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.
Muneer Ahmad Butt, a resident of Trenkal Kahara in Gandoh area, was arrested after a brief chase when he tried to escape a mobile police check post in the Jawalapur-Bounjwah area, a police spokesman said.
He was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, he said.
The spokesman said said preliminary investigation revealed that he was transporting the narcotic substance, which he had purchased for Rs 1 lakh, for distribution among youth.
"The police is investigating the origin of the contraband and as such many persons involved in this illicit trade are likely to be arrested in the coming days," he said.
He appealed to the youth to stay away from the drug peddlers and help police in tracking them.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The European Union (EU) has announced a 800,000 euro financial assistance to the Nepal which is hit by the worst floods in 15 years that claimed over 160 lives.
The EU is providing 800,000 euro (equivalent to Nepalese rupees 98.5 million) in emergency relief funding to assist the most affected populations, a press release issued by the EU's resident mission in Nepal today.
This allocation is part of a larger regional allocation of 2 million euro in response to floods in South Asia.
"The countries in South Asia are facing some of their worst floods in decades, which are resulting in a large-scale humanitarian situation affecting millions.
"It is especially in these hard times that the EU solidarity makes a difference: our support will reach those most in need and help them recover from the devastating losses they have suffered," said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides.
He said that the EU's support will provide life-saving assistance, prioritising shelter, food assistance, water and sanitation, health and protection to those affected by the floods, while restoring the safety and dignity of the most vulnerable populations.
"The funding will be channelled through the European Commission's European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO)," the release said.
About two million people in Nepal have been hit by the worst floods in 15 years. Around 20,900 families have been temporarily displaced and over 200,000 houses damaged or completely destroyed.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a bid to placate the Patidar community, Gujarat government today announced a commission of inquiry headed by a former High Court judge to probe alleged police atrocities on members of the community during the violent agitation for OBC quota two years ago.
The BJP government also announced allocation of Rs 500 crore to a corporation which would look after various needs of the communities which are outside the purview of reservations, including Patidars (Patels) who have been demanding a quota.
The inquiry commission will be headed by former Gujarat High Court judge K A Punj, said Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja in Gandhinagar today.
"The commission will also have former district judge Mahendra Patel as a member. Patel is currently a member of the State Human Rights Commission. The commission will probe various allegations of excessive use of force by police during the quota agitation in 2015," said Jadeja.
Earlier this week, the government gave nod for formation of a commission (Aayog) as well as a corporation to look after the interests of non-reserved communities after holding a meeting with Patidar leaders including Hardik Patel.
"The corporation will be formed with a paid-up capital of Rs 100 crore. We will also allocate Rs 500 crore to provide cheaper loans to farmers, students and entrepreneurs from non-reserved categories. This will benefit around 58 such castes (in non-reserved category) in the state," the minister said today.
"A separate commission will also be formed to advise government about formulating schemes for the welfare of non-reserved classes. The chairman and vice chairman of the commission will be from these castes," he said.
The government has already started the process of withdrawal of cases lodged against Patidar agitators, he said.
"As promised by us during the meeting, we have already withdrawn 109 out of the total 439 cases. We will take the decision of withdrawing remaining cases after analysing each of them," said Jadeja, adding that the decision had nothing to do with the Assembly polls which are due later this year.
On September 26, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel held a meeting with Hardik Patel and other quota leaders to try and reach a compromise formula, with apparent intention of pacifying them ahead of the elections.
Hardik Patel later said the meeting yielded no results and vowed to continue the agitation for quota.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji, a loyalist of sidelined AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran, was today granted anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court in connection with a cheating case registered against him by the Central Crime Branch.
Granting the relief, Justice N Authinathan directed Balaji to appear before the investigating officer of the CCB here at 9 am daily until further orders.
In his petition, Balaji submitted that he was one the 18 MLAs disqualified by the state assembly speaker.
"The present government perceives that I'm against the government and seeks to wreak vengeance against me," he had alleged.
The CCB has registered a case against Balaji for various offences under the IPC, including cheating and criminal breach of trust, following a court order on a complaint by one Ganesh Kumar who sought registration of an FIR against him.
The complainant had alleged that he paid money to a relative of Balaji, when he was the transport minister, following an assurance of a job in the State Transport Corporation.
Balaji had submitted that he was not a minister from July 29, 2015 and the complaint was given after 23 months. Besides, he did not know the complainant.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The farmers whose names were submitted to the government by the concerned District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) under the loan waiver scheme will receive the disbursal amount in their bank accounts before Diwali, Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Pandurang Phundkar announced today.
He said the government will release the funds to those districts where the DCC Banks have submitted the complete list of eligible farmers.
Some DCC banks which have branches across many districts are yet to send complete lists of the loan waiver beneficiaries to the government.
Responding to a query on the opposition's criticism that farmers are being charged for submitting online farms for the loan waiver scheme, Phundkar said had that been the case, the administration would not have received about 55 lakh applications.
He said the government had never announced a complete loan waiver per se for farmers.
When told that some eligible farmers are being unable to apply due to problems in giving their thumb impressions, the minister said such cases will be considered eligible for the loan waiver in its next phase.
Bowing to protests by farmers, the state government in June had announced a Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver with caveats. Under the scheme, loans up to Rs 1.5 lakh per farmer will be waived.
When asked about recent deaths of farm labourers in Yavatmal district due to spraying of pesticides on cotton crops, Phundkar said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today approved a probe under Additional Chief Secretary (Home).
Expressing regret at the deaths, he conceded that negligence had taken place at multiple levels.
Although the government did not specify the number of deaths, eminent farm activist from Vidarbha, Kishor Tiwari, and the Shiv Sena said the pesticide exposure reported in Yavatmal district has claimed 18 lives so far.
Phundkar said neither the concerned district collector nor the local police are aware of these cases.
Announcing that the government will decide on banning the imported Chinese-make pesticide spray pumps, Phundkar said the cotton crops have grown to the height of almost six feet this year.
"The contract farm labourers have to spray the pesticide from a certain height. However, due to extreme heat conditions the labourers wear only vests and no other protective gear like face masks," he said.
He said the pesticides can get ingested into body even through the skin contact.
"Agriculture department officials are now visiting fields to educate the labourers on wearing protective face masks and body wear," the minister said.
He said the probe will find out whether the Agriculture Assistance Centers which supplied the pesticides had briefed the farmers on the precautions to be taken while spraying the pesticides.
"There are reports are that some hospitals had handed over prescriptions to the relatives of the patients to get medicines from outside chemists and also get blood tests done from outside pathology laboratories. The probe will also find out why the affected patients were sent all the way to Nagpur, when Yavatmal has its own district hospital," Phundkar said, adding that the CM has already announced the compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased and free treatment to those admitted in hospitals.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The father of a seven-year-old boy, who was found dead in a Gurgaon school, today approached the Supreme Court challenging the interim anticipatory bail granted to three Ryan International Group trustees in the case.
Barun Chandra Thakur, father of class-II boy Pradhuman Thakur, assailed the Punjab and Haryana High Court order staying the arrest of Ryan group CEO Ryan Pinto and his parents, Group's founding chairman Augustine Pinto and Managing Director Grace Pinto, in the murder case.
The appeal, filed through advocate Sushil Tekriwal, said the grant of interim protection against their possible arrest was illegal and unconstitutional and should be set aside.
The plea has made the Central Bureau of Investigation, which is currently probing the case, the accused and the Haryana government as a party.
It alleged that the September 28 order of the High Court granting interim bail was passed without hearing either CBI or the complainant's father.
Ryan Pinto and his parents had approached the high court, seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the killing of the class 2 student, who was found with his throat slit in the washroom of a school run by their group on September 8.
School bus conductor Ashok Kumar was arrested in connection with the crime the same day.
On September 25, the High Court had impleaded CBI as a respondent in the petition seeking bail for the three Ryan group trustees.
The Haryana government had recommended a CBI probe in the matter following massive outrage. The premier agency took over the probe on September 22.
The Pintos, who are based in Mumbai, had earlier approached the Bombay High Court as they apprehended arrest in the case after the school was accused of negligence in the death of the seven-year-old.
The Bombay High Court had rejected the transit anticipatory bail applications of the three trustees but granted them interim protection from arrest for a day to enable them to file an appeal.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was freed after being kept in captivity suspectedly by ISIS for 18 months in strife-torn Yemen, called on Governor P Sathasivam at the Raj Bhavan here today.
Uzhunnalil personally expressed his gratitude for the governor's intervention in ensuring his release, a Raj Bhavan release said.
Uzhunnalil's relatives along with former chief minister Oommen Chandy had submitted an appeal to the governor for intervention in the case on May 31, 2017 and governor had forwarded the petition to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the release said.
Earlier in the day, he met Catholic Bishops Conference of India president Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos and church leaders in the state.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Oommen Chandy were among those who attended a public reception accorded to him at the Mar Ivanios College auditoirum.
Uzhunnailil thanked all those who prayed for his release.
The priest belongs to the Congregation of Salesians of Don Bosco and was abducted reportedly during a terrorist attack in Aden and taken to an undisclosed place.
The 59-year-old Catholic priest had returned to Delhi on September 28 after rest and recuperation in the Vatican City.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Following are the northern region highlights at 1700 hrs:
DES1 JK-SHOT
Srinagar:Militants shoot a cop dead in Awantipora area of Pulwama District in Jammu and Kashmir.
DES3 UP-RAHUL
Amethi (UP): Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will go on a three-day visit to his Amethi constituency from tomorrow.
DES4 RJ-MURDER
Jaipur: A ghastly murder scene unfolds in the city of Alwar where four minor children and an adult are butchered in their sleep by unknown assailants.
DES5 HR-ACCIDENT
Ambala (Har): Four persons are killed after a truck collides head-on with a three wheeler on the Ambala-Hisar Highway.
NRG2 UP-PRISONER SUICIDE
Bareilly (UP): A 45-year-old murder convict, lodged in a central jail here, allegedly commits suicide by hanging himself from a tree.
NRG13 UP-MADRASSAS-WEBSITE
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has for the second time extended by 15 days the September 30 deadline for all the madrassas in the state to register themselves on the government website.
NRG3 UP-RAPE-MINOR
Ballia (UP): A four-year-old girl is allegedly lured with a toffee and raped in a village here by a 28-year-old man.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Bhopal court today awarded two years' rigorous imprisonment to former Congress MLA Kalpana Parulekar in a case of morphing a photograph of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
The court also granted her bail after pronouncing the sentence.
Additional District Judge (ADJ) Arvind Kumar Goyal sentenced Parulekar to rigorous imprisonment for two years and slapped a fine of Rs 12,000 on her for using a morphed picture of Bhagwat to show former state lokayukta PP Naolekar as an RSS worker.
She was convicted under the provisions of the Information Technology Act and different sections of the Indian Penal Code.
According to prosecution, Parulekar had on November 29, 2011, while addressing a media conference inside the Madhya Pradesh assembly premises, criticised Naolekar, the then state Lokayukta, and accused him of links with RSS.
To establish her allegation, she produced a photograph purportedly showing Naolekar in RSS uniform.
The prosecution alleged that the photograph had been created after doctoring Bhagwat's picture clicked on November 18, 2010 in Jharkhand.
After this, a man named Gopal Krishna Dandotiya had lodged a complaint with the Madhya Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) against Parulekar which was later transferred to the CID.
Soon after her conviction, her lawyer moved an application for bail which was granted.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
France's lower house of parliament overwhelmingly approved a new counter-terrorism bill today, making permanent several controversial measures in place under a nearly two-year-old state of emergency.
The law was approved by 415 votes to 127, with 19 abstentions.
It has encountered little resistance from a public traumatised by a string of jihadist attacks, despite criticism that it will undermine civil liberties.
The vote comes just two days after more bloodshed, with a suspected Islamist radical stabbing two 20-year-old women to death in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille.
In Paris, anti-terrorism police are also investigating the discovery of a homemade bomb and a cellphone detonator in the hallway of a building in the wealthy 16th Arrondissement on Saturday.
Petrol had been sprinkled around the canisters, sources close to the inquiry said.
Five people in their early 30s were arrested over the incident, including one who is on France's terror watch list.
The stabbings in Marseille brought to 241 the number of people killed in attacks claimed by or attributed to jihadists in France since January 2015 - many of which have been claimed by the Islamic State group.
The group, which is fast losing territory across the remaining parts of its self-proclaimed caliphate in Iraq and Syria, was quick to claim responsibility for the Marseille assault, which was carried out by a 29-year-old Tunisian.
Interior Minister Gerard Collomb has defended the anti- terror bill as a "lasting response to a lasting threat", but it has come under fire from the French left and human rights groups.
As the parliament session kicked off Tuesday, Collomb noted that the state of emergency did not prevent the Marseille attack. "That means we need to be incessantly vigilant, seeing to it that our intelligence services can intervene well in advance every time," he said.
The new law gives authorities the power to confine suspected jihadist sympathisers to their neighbourhood without the prior approval of a judge, and to throw a wide security cordon around places or events deemed vulnerable to attack.
It also allows the authorities to shut down a mosque or other place of worship if preachers are found to have incited attacks, glorified terrorism or circulated radical "ideas and theories".
Lawyer Emmanuel Daoud, a member of the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), told AFP the law was "an unprecedented degradation of public freedoms and individual liberties".
Yesterday, anti-discrimination group SOS Racisme demonstrated outside parliament against provisions that will allow police to carry out more spot ID checks.
"People who are supposedly foreigners, black or north African will be stigmatised," Thierry Paul Valette, head of another anti-racism group Egalite Nationale, told French daily Liberation.
The law, designed to replace the state of emergency that France has been under since the wave of bombings and shootings at Paris nightspots and France's national stadium in November 2015, is expected to come into force on November 1.
The Senate, France's upper house of parliament, approved it in July after some amendments.
The state of emergency was meant to be temporary but was extended six times in order to protect major sporting and cultural events, as well as this year's presidential and parliamentary elections.
The government says that 12 planned attacks have been foiled so far this year.
The multiple extensions of the state of emergency met with little public opposition, with surveys suggesting that most people back the changes even at the cost of certain civil liberties.
Critics of the new law have been limited largely to leftist politicians and human rights groups, though UN experts also raised objections in a letter to the French government last week.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar and his gang members have been booked in a fresh case of extorting Rs 3 crore from a prominent builder in north Mumbai, the police said today.
This is the third extortion case registered against Kaskar and his gang members after their arrest in connection with a probe into an extortion racket last month, a police official said.
"As per the fresh complaint from a a prominent builder in north Mumbai, Kaskar had threatened and extorted Rs 3 crore from him over a deal of a 38-acre land in the Gorai area," he added.
The complainant alleged that Kaskar had collected the money from him in two instalments.
"We have registered a new complaint of extortion under sections 384 (extortion), 386 (extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt) and 387 (putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt, in order to commit extortion), IPC against Kaskar and his gang at the Thane Nagar police station," a senior police official of the Thane crime branch said.
Kaskar and two of his aides -- Mumtaz Sheikh and Israr Ali Jamil Sayyad -- were arrested on September 18 by the Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of the Thane police, led by "encounter specialist" Pradeep Sharma and his team, in an extortion case of Rs 30 lakh and four flats from a builder.
They had also been booked following another complaint of extortion lodged by a Thane-based jeweller.
Recently, the AEC of the Thane crime branch had arrested Borivali-based businessman Pankaj Gangar in connection with the extortion racket.
Gangar, a close aide of "matka king" Pappu Savla, had been sending Rs 10-15 lakh per month to Dawood's aide Chhota Shakeel, the police had said earlier.
He used to transfer the money to Shakeel through illegal hawala transactions, they had said.
Chhota Shakeel, whose role had also emerged in the extortion racket case, had been declared a wanted accused, the official said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
On the 148th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Embassy of India in Egypt organised commemorative events at Alexandria and Cairo, celebrating the spirit of non-violence.
The events on October 1 and yesterday included a lecture and a caricature exhibition featuring the 'Father of the Nation'.
The Indian envoy here Sanjay Bhattacharyya said that Gandhi continues to be relevant and that his principles inspired people and provided guidance to civilisations across time and boundaries.
"We should always have confidence that the spirit of non- violence is actually very powerful. Gandhi used to say 'if no body else is coming with you please go alone'. Each of us as individuals need to do this individually and then collectively to bring back peach and love to this world," Bhattacharyya told PTI.
This year, the embassy invited well known Gandhi scholar Rajni Bakshi as a speaker for the event.
Bakshi gave two speeches - the first one was in Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Alexandria on Sunday entitled 'After Gandhi: Promise and Peril of Non-Violence'.
She also gave another lecture entitled 'Non-Violence: A Temptation and Challenge' at the Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture in Cairo on the Mahatma's birthday which is also recognised as the International Day of Non-Violence by the UN.
"Gandhi's philosophy is relevant today because people are tired of violence and it is only natural for human to want to live in peace.
Many people are now understanding that non- violence is not just absence of violence but the true non- violence is that when we seek to engage with others to compassion and even if we have a conflict we are willing to have dialogue and try and find common ground," Bakshi said.
"Violence is a reality in our lives but it doesn't have to dominate us," she added.
The event also featured an exhibition on the theme 'Spirit of Gandhi' by the Egyptian Caricature Society in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Cairo.
"This year we have worked again with the Caricature Society which we haven't done the last two years on this theme. We worked on the spirit of Gandhi and we got 73 contributions from artists from 24 countries and we put them into a booklet," Bhattacharyya said.
Goma Farahat, head of the Egyptian Caricature Society, said the group cooperates with the embassy for different events and occasion.
"Each one of the artists who participated in the exhibition painted Gandhi through his own point of view so there are different paintings and styles," Farahat told PTI.
In addition to caricatures by artists from India, Egypt, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Greece, China, Italy, US, Indonesia and other countries, a booklet, entitled 'Spirit of Gandhi', includes two articles, one of them is written in Al-Ahram newspaper in 2002 about Gandhi's visit to Egypt in 1930s and the second article is by artist K G Subramanyan, originally written in 1995, and gives an artist's perspective of Gandhi.
In the run up to Gandhi Jayanti Celebrations, invoking Gandhi's principle of dignity of labour and promoting the spirit of service, the Indian mission also organised an online 'Let's Clean Zamalek' campaign in the district of Zamalek in Cairo, and held 'Shramdaan'.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela is that they were exemplars of the fundamental belief that the drivers of conflict are all amenable to non-violent solutions, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin has said.
At an event held at the UN headquarters in New York to commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence, the top Indian diplomat said the three leaders advocated non-violence to usher social and political changes that were national in nature.
Yet their approach of peaceful, non-violent resolution of differences resonates globally, he said.
"The legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela is that they were exemplars of the fundamental belief that the drivers of conflict are all amenable to non- violent solutions A belief that underpins the activities of the UN," Akbaruddin said.
"The achievements of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela demonstrate that the outcome of non-violent change, achieved through persuasion rather than coercion, are durable," Akbaruddin said at the meeting which was addressed by representatives from several countries in addition to Miroslav Lajcak, President of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly.
The UN General Assembly on June 17, 2007 voted to establish October 2 the birth day of Mahatma Gandhi as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Since then every year October 2 is globally observed as the international day of non-violence.
Referring to the remarks made by other leaders at the UN's commemorative event, Akbaruddin said the discussion are an effort to seek pathways to tackle the situation the world is confronted with.
It is imbued with the hope that the concept of non- violence, which is as old as civilisation, can provide a path forward, he said.
As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills. All I have done is to try experiments in both, on as vast a scale as I could," he said.
Observing that the message of non-violence is therefore needed more today than ever, Lajcak said, "Unfortunately, we are not yet living in the world that Gandhi dreamt of. Many actors still use violence as their tool of choice. Every day there is new evidence of the destruction and human suffering, which result from this choice"
"Intolerance and hate speech are features of our world and International human rights and humanitarian law are constantly violated," Lajcak said.
"Conflicts, violent extremism, and terrorism don't show any signs of decreasing. Even the planet is suffering from aviolence of sorts, due to the harmful impact of human activities," he added.
The Gandhi Memorial centre in a Maryland suburb of Washington DC in cooperation with Embassy of India had a special evening of celebrations to mark the 148th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Early in the morning, the Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, offered flora; tributes to the apostle of peace to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi located in front of the Embassy premises.
In New York, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan joined hands with the Consulate General of India, to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti at the Gandhi Statue in Union Square Park.
The programme included offering of floral tribute and singing of Gandhiji's favourite bhajans by the students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
Gandhi Foundation of US and Indian Consulate in Atlanta celebrated International Day of Non-violence at the historic Gandhi statue.
Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas celebrated Gandhiji's birthday on October 1st at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza in Irving, Dallas, with a large number of people participating in "Gandhi Peace Walk.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Bharti Airtel today said Ghana's communications regulator has approved the merger of Bharti Ghana Ltd and Millicom Ghana Ltd (Tigo), subject to certain conditions.
The approval from the regulatory body -- National Communications Authority -- will pave the way for creation of an entity that will be the second biggest mobile network operator in Ghana. The merger was announced in March this year.
"The National Communications Authority has given approval for the merger between Bharti Ghana (Airtel) and Millicom Ghana (Tigo) to proceed subject to some conditions," an Airtel release said.
The merged entity will have a 3G licence and 2G licence valid until January 2024 and October 2021, respectively.
"The merger approval is also conditioned with an option for government participation," the statement said.
The merged company would have to submit a "network integration plan" outlining how they intend to relinquish, in phases, portion of their total spectrum allocation. The move is aimed at ensuring an equitable distribution and access to radiowaves.
"This, however, will be done in phases on geographical area basis and over a period not exceeding eighteen (18) months to avoid disruptions on the network," Airtel added.
All the numbering resources -- owned by the two companies -- will be held by the merged entity, which has also been asked by the regulator to submit a detailed customer awareness plan around the merger and related changes.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Congress today denounced the government over a militant attack on a BSF camp near the Srinagar airport, accusing it of compromising national security.
Speaking to reporters here, Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged the government had proved a "total failure".
He asked the prime minister when will his administration formulate a policy to deal with terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
"The attack is an evidence of how the Modi government has compromised and toyed with national security. The question is what is Modiji and his government doing? When will we see the 56-inch chest?" Surjewala asked.
Earlier in the day, security forces gunned down three Jaish-e-Mohammed militants who stormed a BSF camp near the high-security Srinagar airport. An assistant sub-inspector of the force was also killed in the gunfight.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US-based investment advisor Greystone, which specialises in identifying and underwriting EB-5 compliant real estate projects, is expecting at least 25-30 Indian millionaires and billionaires to invest in projects being developed there.
The EB-5 program is a US government immigration initiative that provides foreign nationals an opportunity to receive a permanent visa to the US in exchange for a capital investment ranging between USD 500000 to USD 10,00,000 into one or more newly formed commercial enterprises that lead to the creation of jobs in the country.
"There is a large population of millionaires and billionaires that are aspiring for citizenship in the US. Our EB-5 business provides foreign investors access to EB-5 compliant investment opportunities in realty projects," Greystone EB-5 Director Abteen Vaziri told reporters here today.
The company invests in multifamily and healthcare properties through multiple lending platforms.
"We have invested in a project in Holland through this platform where we have an Indian investor. For our second project in the New York City, we plan to raise USD 57.5 million from 115 investors worldwide. Out of these, we have already received commitment from 35 investors and of the balance, we are targeting 30 per cent out of India," he said.
The company is looking at around USD 12 million investment from Indian investors for this project, Vaziri added.
He also said the company was also planning to set up offices here for this purpose.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Madras High Court today adjourned till November 11 hearing of petitions filed by two life convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case seeking premature release after the government submitted that a similar plea was pending before the Supreme Court.
When the petitions by Sri Lankan national B Robert Payas and Jayakumar came up for hearing before a bench comprising Justices Rajiv Shakdher and M Satishkumar, Additional Solicitor General G Rajagopalan told it about the pendency of the matter related to their premature release in the apex court.
Following this, the court adjourned the petitions to November 11.
In their petitions, filed years ago, the duo had sought inclusion of their names in the list of prisoners prepared by the state government for premature release.
At a previous hearing, the Centre had argued against the premature release of both Payas and Jayakumar.
It had cited the apex court's ruling that life sentence meant imprisonment for the entire life of a person.
The government had also referred to the state government's proposal in 2014 to remit the life sentences and release all seven convicts in the case, including the two petitioners, and said it was under challenge in the Supreme Court.
Former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber on May 21, 1991 during an election rally at Sriperumbudur near here.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Madras High Court today declined to restrain Tamil Nadu ministers from making any statements on the hospitalisation of late chief minister Jayalalithaa last year.
Refusing to grant the prayer of a petitioner for interim injection, the first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and M Sundar orally observed that freedom of expression was a fundamental right subject to restrictions and the court cannot pass any blanket order on it.
The bench dismissed the petition which sought a judicial commission of inquiry into the death of Jayalalithaa in view of the state government appointing a retired high court judge to look into the matter.
Petitioner P Muruganandham, an AIADMK worker of Thiruvarur district had also sought an interim direction to restrain the ministers and others from making controversial statements on Jayalalithaa's hospitalisation.
In his petition, filed before the probe panel was set up, he had contended that when the government's motive was to find out the truth, attributing motives to some party leaders by the ministers themselves "will amount to interfering in the functions of the (then) proposed commission of inquiry".
The late AIADMK supremo was admitted to a hospital here on September 22 last year and breathed her last on December 5.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
An Afghan national, arrested for allegedly raping a JNU student here, has been denied bail by the Delhi High Court which said there was every chance of him fleeing from justice.
The high court dismissed the bail application of Sulaiman Ahmadi, who has been staying in India as a refugee for 10 years, considering the serious nature of accusation against him and that there was an apprehension that he may tamper with or win over vital witnesses.
Besides, Justice Vinod Goel looked into the severity of punishment in case of conviction, which can be up to life term, and said there was "every likelihood of the petitioner, an Afghan national, absconding or fleeing from justice".
The court said there was no ground in favour of the man to grant him bail as the material witnesses, including those who were at the spot and to whom the woman had narrated the episode soon after the incident, were yet to be examined.
The bail plea was opposed by the prosecutor who said as the accused was an Afghan national, there were chances of his fleeing from justice if bail was granted.
He said vital witnesses, including the accused's friends who were at the spot, were yet to be examined and one of them had seen the two accused entering into the woman's bedroom where she was sleeping alone.
According to the prosecution, Ahmadi and his friend Tawab Ahmad alias Saleem, also an Afghan national, had allegedly raped a 21-year-old JNU student in South Delhi's Green Park area in January this year.
The court rejected the argument of Ahmadi's counsel that as the forensic samples of the body fluids found on the woman's clothes failed to match with that of the accused, he should be granted bail.
"It is trite that the medical evidence is a corroborative piece of evidence but where medical evidence does not support the otherwise clinching and trustworthy ocular evidence of any material witness, then the testimony of such ocular evidence shall prevail on the medical opinion and not vice versa," the judge said.
The prosecution had said the victim, a second year student of JNU, had gone to a pub in Hauz Khas village with her friend where she had met Saleem. It said he had invited the two women to his house in Green Park for a party.
It had said that when she went to Saleem's house along with her friend, three of his friends, including Ahmadi, were present. Eventually, her friend was dropped off at JNU. The woman told police she returned to Saleem's home and they consumed alcohol.
When the victim woke up in the morning, she saw Ahmadi allegedly forcing himself on her, the police alleged, adding that she later got to know that the two men had allegedly sexually assaulted her when she was not in her senses.
She went back to her hostel in JNU and narrated the incident to her two friends who immediately took her to the police station.
An FIR for the offence of rape and common intention was lodged at the Safdarjung Enclave police station here.
Both the accused were arrested and sent to judicial custody by a trial court which has been recording evidence in the case.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Madras High Court today dismissed as withdrawn a miscellaneous petition seeking discharge of advocate V Suresh as amicus curiae in the alleged multi-crore beach sand mining case.
First bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sunder rejected the petitioner's charge that Suresh had earlier appeared on behalf of a 'henchman' of a rival firm in the case.
The counsels for the petitioner were unable to place any more records except that the amicus curie had written letters to the District Collectors in the matter of beach sand mining, it said.
"If you make submissions against amicus curie you should be very responsible... We have to take that you have no material other than that was filed in the affidavit," the bench said in its order and dismissed the petition as withdrawn.
The court also said just because he was counsel for one of the parties it cannot be said he had conflict of interest.
It said the appointment of Suresh was based on informed conscience of all the counsels and posted to tomorrow batch of petitions, including appeals and review pleas, on alleged illegal beach sand mining.
Petitioner Stephen David, General Manager, Trans World Garnet India Pvt. Ltd had also alleged that Suresh was also the editor of a Magazine- The PUCL Bulletin, published by the People Union for Civil Liberties, in which 'motivated and genetically' engineered articles had been published about mining activities.
The court had earlier suo motu taken up the matter of beach sand mining.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Two-wheeler major Honda continued to fire from all cylinders for the eighth month in a row this fiscal year and inched closer to overthrow the incumbent in retail sales sweep-take, selling 1,052,000 units during the festive sales that began mid-August.
Market leader Hero Motorcorp had claimed yesterday that it sold over 1 million units during the festive period began in mid-August but did not disclose the exact numbers.
"For the first time, our retail sales crossed the 1 million mark in the festive sales till September 30. Our total retail sales stood at 1,052,000 units between the Ganesh Chathurthi in mid-August and September 30. And we've the Dhanteras and the Diwali left," YS Guleria, senior VP for sales & marketing at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India told PTI from New Delhi today.
"This is beyond our expectation and target," he added without quantifying the target.
But when asked whether the company will revise upwards its annual sales target of over 20 per cent, Guleria said "it's too early as everything depends on post-October sales. But I am sure we will maintain this growth momentum."
"Three weeks left for the festive season to get over, we have already crossed 1 million units in retail sales in the ongoing festival season, with a double digit growth over the previous year," a Hero official had told PTI yesterday, refusing to quantify the exact number.
It can be noted that for Hero the 1-million sales has come on the heels of it surpassing 75 million units in cumulative sales since its inception.
Guelria said volume was boosted by a 52 per cent jump in bikes sales which rose to 1,23,600 units from 80,500 units to while its bread and butter scooter sales rose 49 per cent to 2,65,900 from 1,78,600 units during the festive season.
While Honda clocked 52,000 volume on the first day of the Navratra, on the final day it sold over 1 lakh units, boosting the overall Navratra sales over 50 per cent to 3.9 lakh units from 2.6 lakh units last year, Guleria said, adding year-to-date, volume rose 18 per cent for Honda against the industry growth of 10 per cent.
For September, its sales crossed 6 lakh units for the second month in a row selling 6,01,998 units in the month while exports jumped to 32,110 units, Guleria said.
Elaborating on the record sales, he said, "as a trend, we are seeing huge spike in our customer walk-ins and overall retails in every festival, be it Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam or the most recent 50 per cent jump in Navratri. On Dussehra alone, our retails crossed 1 lakh mark for the first time ever."
In September, domestic sales stood at 5,69,888 units against 5,39,404 units last year, while exports continued to glide over 30,000 mark to 32,110 units compared to 29,339 units last year.
This has helped the Japanese major to cross 3 million volume in just six months. Honda sales grew 18 per cent to 3,146,415 units in H1 this year from 2,673,187 units.
"This shows that we alone added a whopping 49 per cent of the incremental volume of the industry, making it the No.1 volume gainer and No.1 market share gainer. On exports too, our exports continue to grow much faster at 34 per cent from 1,36,508 units to 1,82,548 units," Guleria said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The 18th annual Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) was held here to celebrate its accomplishments for being a vital international link for entrepreneurs and to honour outstanding members of the Indian-American community.
The event was attended by many including, Houston's business elites, elected officials, Consul General of India Anupam Ray, Harris County judge Ed Emmett, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Jay Guerrero, Regional Director for US Senator John Cornyn, UH President and Chancellor Renu Khator.
Addressing the event, Consul General Anupam Ray appreciated Indian-American community for opening their homes and wallets in rebuilding the city after Hurricane Harvey.
"Your generosity makes India proud and a community is great if it rises above its suffering. Through your contributions toward Hurricane Harvey relief, you've demonstrated that as a community, you've risen above your sufferings," he said.
Ray said that India-US relations remain on a very high trajectory.
"There is a lot of high-level traffic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been to the US four times in the last three years, US defense secretary James Mattis seek to take the India-US defense ties to the next level during his recent visit. This is indicative of a robust relationship that remains on track to be the defining relationship of the 21st century. Houston is coming into its own as a major centre of India-US relations," Ray said.
"India is likely to buy 800 commercial aircrafts in next decade, we have just bought billion dollar worth of Apache Helicopters and our military needs to procure 400 helicopters. India is focused on updating its infrastructure as well," he said.
"It will soon have a bullet train and about 500 billion dollars will be invested on roads, railways, ports and airports. India is making huge investments in toilets and is committed to bring about a sanitation revolution in India," he added.
Executive Director of IACCGH Jagdip Ahluwalia said, "We would like to remind you that the chamber recognised the US- India partnership in 1999, when we founded it, that time India was not yet the flavor of the future".
"India is staged to be one of our best trading partners and Texas will be doing a lot more business in coming months. Within one month of PM Modi's meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, India purchased over USD 2 Billion of US crude and IACCGH was present at the loading of the crude oil on the first ship that sailed out of Texas in August. The purchase of Apache helicopters is another strategic deal between US andIndia originating from state of Texas," Jagdip said.
Lauding IACCGH's role in driving Houston's economic growth, Harris County judge Ed Emmett and Mayor Sylvester Turner strongly endorsed the diversity that the Indo-American presence in Houston provided while describing the chamber as "dynamic, an engine of opportunity and diversity personified.
Both appreciated the Indian-Americans for their generosity and voluntary aid toward Hurricane Harvey relief.
IACCGH also recognised the outstanding professional and public service achievements of community members.
IACCGH President Allen Richards said the three Indian- Americans were selected for their diverse and exceptional achievements in entrepreneurship, impact in economic growth in Houston and humanitarian Service.
Indian-American Marie Goradia was honored with the "Impact on Humanity Award" for her forceful advocacy for the cause of education of underprivileged children in India via Pratham USA and her support of many deserving causes in healthcare.
Bal Sareen, CEO, BraskInc was honoured for his entrepreneurial success as a leading manufacturer of shell and heat exchangers in Texas.
Swapnil Agarwal, for 'Young Entrepreneur of the Year', as Founder and Managing Principal of Nitya Capital and Karya Property Management, companies that buy and manage properties. During Harvey devastation, Agarwal opened his facilities for the people needing shelter.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India today summoned Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner and issued a demarche over the death of three minors in "unprovoked firing" by Pakistani forces in the Poonch sector.
Pakistani diplomat Syed Haider Shah was summoned to the external affairs ministry by the joint secretary, in-charge of Pakistan, and it was conveyed that "such deliberate targeting of civilians was not acceptable and was against humanitarian norms and practices," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a release.
A strong protest was lodged over the death of three Indian children in "unprovoked ceasefire violation" by the Pakistani forces in the Poonch sector yesterday, it said.
Strong concern was also expressed over the continued unprovoked firing by Pakistani forces across the Line of Control and the International Boundary in violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding.
"503 such violations have been carried out by Pakistan forces so far during 2017," the ministry said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Children in India have less opportunities to play outdoors than their parents had as kids, according to a survey in 10 countries which found that over half of children globally play outside for one hour or less each day.
The study included a 20 minute online quantitative survey with over 12,000 parents who have at least one child aged 5- 12.
In response to the decline in the time that children spend outdoors, a Delhi-based NGO is calling on teachers across India to take at least one lesson outdoors on October 12, this year, as part of the global Outdoor Classroom Day campaign.
"We are calling on teachers, parents and anyone who cares about childhood to get involved in the campaign on October 12th, 2017," said Sudeshna Chatterjee, CEO of Action for Children's Environments (ACE).
"Whether that is by taking a class outdoors, encouraging your child's school to sign up, or helping spread the message far and wide, everyone can do something to make sure children across the country experience the benefits of playing and learning outdoors" said Chatterjee.
The survey was conducted by market research firm Edelman Intelligence, in February and March 2016, across 10 countries - India, US, Brazil, UK, Turkey, Portugal, South Africa, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia.
A total of 1,000 interviews were conducted in the 10 countries except the UK and the US, where 2,000 per market were performed to meet media standards.
Researchers found that in India, 56 per cent of parents believe their child has less opportunities to play than they did as a child, researchers said.
They also found that 56 per cent of children globally play outside for one hour or less each day.
"Children have higher physical energy level and it has to be channelised properly for which outdoor games and activities are very important," Dr Shweta Sharma, Clinical Psychologist at Columbia Asia Hospital, Gurgaon, told PTI.
"Children are also exposed to experimental learning and there is more usage of their brains when they play outdoors," said Sharma, who was not involved in the study.
"When they are confined indoors, their immune system is less developed and parents, schools and NGOs working in the areas of child development must find ways to give as many opportunities as possible to children for outdoor activities," she said.
According to ACE, in 2016, almost half a million children around the world were involved in Outdoor Classroom Day by having their lessons outside (within and outside school premises) and celebrating playtime.
Outdoor learning improves children's health, engages them with learning and leads to a greater understanding of nature, said Chatterjee.
Previous research has found opportunities for spontaneous play may be the only requirement that young children need to increase their physical activity.
(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.)
Security forces foiled a pre-dawn attempt by the Jaish-e-Mohammed to storm a BSF camp near the high-security Srinagar airport today, killing all three militants in an operation that also claimed the life of an ASI of the force, police said.
State Director General of Police S P Vaid said the three terrorists who attacked the BSF camp had been "neutralised".
"We are carrying out search operations inside the premises to rule out the possibility of planting of explosives," he said.
BSF Assistant Sub-Inspector B K Yadav, 50, was killed and three jawans injured when the militants entered the BSF battalion headquarters at Gogoland, adjacent to the airport.
Officials in the know of developments said there was prior intelligence that a Jaish-e-Mohammed operative, identified as 'Noora Trali', had brought in a suicide squad into the city.
Briefing reporters later, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Muneer Khan said the overground network of the terror group had been identified but did not divulge any further information.
Asked specifically whether the Jaish-e-Mohammed was behind the attack, Khan said, "Such type of attacks have been carried out by this group only."
He said the terrorists were dressed in combat fatigues and entered the camp from an area adjacent to a residential colony by cutting the fence.
"The slain terrorists were part of the larger Jaish group that had infiltrated earlier this year," he said.
The IG added that three members of the same group were killed in an attack on district police lines in Pulwama on August 26.
"Six to seven terrorists of this group are still at large. We have identified the overground network which is helping these terrorists move around," he said.
Asked if more attacks were likely, he said "we have to be ready to face such attacks" as long as there is militancy and militants in Kashmir.
According to Khan, all security installations were important and it was the preparedness of the security forces which repulsed the attack without causing any collateral damage.
"We could have used aerial weapons but we did not want to cause any collateral damage. It was a clean operation and a fine example of coordination between various security agencies which enabled us to ensure zero collateral damage," he said.
The old airfield, being manned by the Indian Air Force, is also located in the area.
Civilian air operations, which were suspended for nearly three hours in the morning, resumed at 10 am. "I personally went to the airport and ensured that the public does not face any problems in catching the aircraft," Vaid said.
Piecing together the chain of events, police said militants entered the BSF's 182 battalion headquarters and started firing in all directions.
Three BSF jawans were injured in the beginning of the attack and one militant killed in the retaliatory fire, a police official said. After this, the two remaining militants moved in different directions and took shelter in different buildings before being killed by security forces.
Yadav's body was recovered during the mopping up operations.
The jawan, who joined the border guarding force in 1987, hailed from Bhagalpur in Bihar.
The 182 battalion is entrusted with the security of the runway of the Srinagar airport.
Jaish-e-Mohammad, the Pakistan-based terror outfit militant outfit, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
A caller identifying himself as a spokesman of the outfit told local gathering agencies that Jaish militants had carried out the attack.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar today lashed out at the Centre for its decision to impose the GST on agricultural tools and products, adding that the step had "broken the backbone" of farmers in the state.
Addressing a series of meetings of party workers here, he flayed Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for imposing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on wheat flour, terming the step as "anti-poor".
The Modi government has aggravated the farmers' woes with its "anti-farmer and "anti-poor" policies, he said while accusing the central government of being only interested in "promoting" the interests of the corporates.
Jakhar, the Congress candidate for Gurdaspur Lok Sabha bypoll, also attacked the previous Badal regime for "destroying" the lives of farmers in the state.
For almost a decade, the Akalis failed to approach the central government for a waiver of farm loans, Jakhar alleged, terming the failure of the previous government to ensure due price of the farmer's produce as "unfortunate".
Hailing the Amarinder Singh-led state government for working for the interests of the farmers, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief said the state was working to make agriculture remunerative and bring the farmers out of the agrarian crisis.
Referring to the Sutlej-Yamuna link issue, Jakhar recalled it was Amarinder Singh who brought the Punjab Termination of Water Agreements Act, 2004 -- which abrogated all its river water agreements with neighbouring states -- but was scrapped by the Supreme Court last year.
The PPCC president also took a dig at the Centre for "derailing" the country's economy through demonetisation.
"No one gained from demonetisation...Around 200 lives were lost because of this ill-conceived decision and reports suggest that the impact of demonetisation will continue for three more years," the 63-year-old said, adding the Narendra Modi-Arun Jaitley duo was answerable to the public.
He demanded to know the central government'sstand on the issue of black money and fake currency after the Reserve Bank of India stated that 99 per cent of the scrapped currency came back to the system.
Continuing his tirade against the Centre for failing to fulfill its promise of providing 2 crore jobs every year, he said "an average of just 1.5 lakh jobs per year" has been provided in the past 3 years, at a time 10 lakh youths are entering the workforce every month.
Jakhar called upon the people to vote the Congress to power in Gurdaspur and "discard" BJP's Sarwan Salaria.
The Gurdaspur Lok Sabha by-election is scheduled to be held on October 11.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Japanese delegation today met Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Minister Satish Mahana to take stock of industrial infrastructure of the state, an official release said.
While offering full assistance to the 24-member delegation for any intended investment, the minister said told the visiting group that Japanese technology has a special image and if the Japanese industrialists make the technology available to the state, it will help the units improve their products qualitatively, the release said.
"The government has made an arrangement that the investor is free to establish his industrial unit in any part of the state," Mahana said.
The minister also assured the delegation that whatever investment plan they will present before the government, it will take a sympathetic decision on it.
Dr Sushil Yamamoto (an office bearer of the International Centre for Health and Development), who headed the Japanese delegation informed the minister that main aim of the tour was to collect information related to availability of skilled manpower, power supply, road and rail connectivity, so that industrialists investing in different sectors do not face any problems, the statement issued by the UP government said.
He also said that delegation is studying different sectors like manufacturing, health, rural development, waste management, dairy, animal husbandry, fisheries and food processing, so that industries in these sectors could be established, the UP government statement said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Madras High Court will hear tomorrow a petition challenging the commission of inquiry set up by the Tamil Nadu government to probe the death of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sunder today said they would hear the matter tomorrow when senior counsel K M Vijayan made a special mention for taking up the PIL filed by an AIADMK member.
The state government had on September 25 appointed retired high court judge A Arumugasamy as the one-man commission of inquiry to look into the circumstances leading to Jayalalithaa's hospitalisation in September last and the subsequent treatment.
Petitioner P A Joseph contended that the inquiry commission had been set up without complying with mandatory requirements under Section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952.
He submitted that as per the provisions of the section, the opinion of the government and a resolution passed by the assembly were required for setting up such inquiry panels.
He claimed that the government order (GO) appointing Justice (retd) Arumugasamy as the commission of inquiry was based only on the opinion of government and there was no assembly resolution.
The petitioner said in the present case, the entire state machinery was involved in Jayalalithaa's hospitalisation and treatment till her death on December 5 last year.
He alleged that there would be "bias" and every possibility of "influence and pressure" when it comes to a commission constituted by the state government itself, and claimed the present panel cannot be expected to carry out an independent inquiry.
It would only be proper that the central government step in and constitute an independent inquiry commission as I had prayed in an earlier writ petition, Joseph said.
The petitioner sought a direction from the court to declare the GO appointing Justice Arumugaswamy as illegal, malafide and against the provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Act.
Jayalalithaa was admitted to the Apollo Hospitals here for fever and dehydration on September 22, 2016. After a prolonged treatment, she died on December 5 following a cardiac arrest.
Doubts have been raised over the events leading to Jayalalithaa's hospitalisation and her death by various quarters with opposition parties including the DMK demanding a CBI probe.
Then rebel leader O Panneerselvam, presently deputy chief minister, had also demanded a probe as a pre-condition for merger of factions led by him and Chief Minister K Palaniswami.
Four days ahead of the merger, Palaniswami had on \ August 17 announced that a commission of inquiry would go into the death of Jayalalithaa.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
After facing embarrassment over a notice served to a retired army officer to prove his citizenship, the Assam Police today termed it as a case of "mistaken identity".
Md Azmal Haque, an Assam-based retired Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), had said that a foreigners tribunal sent him a notice last month asking him to prove that he was an Indian citizen and not an illegal Bangladeshi migrant.
The notice had placed him in the D-voter or doubtful- voter category.
Talking to reporters this evening, Assam Director General of Police Mukesh Sahay said following initial inquiry, it "appears that it is a case of mistaken identity due to the close similarity in the names of the JCO and the suspected foreigner on which the notice was intended to be served".
The notice was intended to be served on Md Azmal Haque, son of Maqbool Ali, of village Kalahikas under Boko police station but was served on the retired army JCO Azmal Haque, son of Mokbul Hussain of the same village.
"It clearly shows that the case was registered against a different person and not the retired JCO. Unfortunately, due to the similarity of their names, the notice appears to have been wrongly served on the retired JCO," Sahay said.
Preliminary inquiry suggests that the local police could not serve the notice in the first attempt and brought it back to Boko police station but the retired JCO had it collected through his brother though the border police had suggested that the notice was perhaps not meant for him.
"The chief minister (Sarbananda Sonowal) has directed that the matter should be investigated expeditiously and accountability for lapses, if any, resulting in the wrong service of the notice," Sahay said.
The offices of Director General (Border) and Superintendent of Police of Kamrup (Rural) district have been directed to investigate the matter and submit the findings, fixing the accountability, within a week.
Assam Police has already contacted senior army officials and explained the matter to them and is also in touch with the retired JCO to resolve the matter, the DGP added.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today condoled the death of Border Security Force assistant sub-inspector Braj Kishore Yadav, who was killed when militants tried to storm a BSF camp near Srinagar Airport.
In his message, the chief minister said Jharkhand is proud of Yadav, who sacrificed his life defending the country, an official release said here.
The motive of militants would never be successful, Das said.
The people of Jharkhand are with the family of Yadav, the chief minister said.
May God give peace to his soul, Das prayed.
Security forces foiled a pre-dawn attempt by the Jaish-e-Mohammed to storm a BSF camp near the high-security Srinagar airport today, killing all three militants in an operation that also claimed the life of an ASI of the force, police said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Jammu and Kashmir government today accorded sanction for creation of nearly 3,400 posts in various categories for five medical colleges in the state.
The sanction for creation of these posts was accorded at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here.
The cabinet accorded sanction to the creation of 3,375 posts of various categories for the five medical colleges.
It includes 2,025 posts for medical colleges in Rajouri, Baramulla and Anantnag, and 1,350 posts to be operative in the financial year 2018-19 for medical colleges at Kathua and Doda once they are established by the competent authority, an official spokesman said.
These posts are as per the Medical Council of India (MCI) guidelines of 675 posts per medical college.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had convened a meeting of Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) at New Delhi on January 15 last year and June 5 this year. It had approved medical colleges in Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri, Kathua and Doda, he said.
During 2016-17 and 2017-18 fiscals, Rs 19,203 crore as the central share has been released for execution of these five new medical colleges.
Besides, an amount of Rs 5.70 crore of state share has also been released under Capex Budget during 2016-17 and 2017 -18 for the purpose.
In the first phase, three colleges are likely to be completed during 2018-19, subject to the availability of funds from the Centre, the spokesman said.
The department is planning to start first batch of 100 MBBS seats per medical college by 2019.
Besides, the remaining two medical colleges shall be made functional during the corresponding year, the spokesman said.
With the establishment of these new medical colleges in the state, the health care facilities will come at par with the norms and guidelines of MCI as well as intake capacity for both MBBS and paramedical courses will also increase, he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Independent Jammu and Kashmir MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid, popularly known as Rashid Engineer, today appeared before the Investigation Agency for questioning in connection with a case related to the funding of terror activities in Kashmir, officials said.
Rashid, who is an independent MLA from Langate assembly seat in north Kashmir, is the first mainstream politician to have been summoned by the NIA in the case.
Rashid, who walked into the NIA headquarters with a file and documents, said he had nothing to hide.
"After trial in the media started about my name, I had approached the speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to initiate a probe and find out the truth," he told reporters before entering the NIA office.
The MLA said he had full faith in the justice system.
His name had cropped up during the interrogation of businessman Zahoor Watali, who was arrested by the NIA for allegedly supplying money to terror groups and separatists in the Valley.
The NIA had registered a case on May 30 against separatist and secessionist leaders, including unknown members of the Hurriyat Conference, who have been acting in connivance with active militants of proscribed terrorist organisations Hizbul Mujahideen, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and other outfits and gangs, officials said.
The case was registered for raising, receiving and collecting funds through various illegal means, including hawala, for funding separatist and terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir and for causing disruption in the Valley by way of pelting stones on the security forces, burning schools, damaging public property and waging war against India, the probe agency said in the FIR.
Hafiz Saeed, the Pakistan-based chief of the Jamaat-ud- Dawa, the front of the Lashker-e-Taiba, has been named in the FIR as an accused.
The FIR also names organisations such as the two factions of the Hurriyat, one led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the other Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Dukhtaran-e-Millat, an all-women outfit of separatists.
The NIA has arrested 10 people so far in connection with alleged funding of terror activities case. The list includes Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Ahmed Shah and Watali.
Geelani's close aides Ayaz Akbar, who is also spokesperson of the hardline separatist organisation Tehreek- e-Hurriyat, and Peer Saifullah have been also been arrested.
Others in the list are Shahid-ul-Islam, spokesperson of the moderate Hurriyat Conference, Mehrajuddin Kalwal, Nayeem Khan, Farooq Ahmed Dar alias 'Bitta Karate', photo-journalist Kamran Yusuf and Javed Ahmed Bhat.
A local court today extended till October 16 the judicial remand of Himachal Pradesh IGP Z H Zaidi, DSP Manoj Joshi and six other police personnel in a case of custodial death.
The policemen were arrested on July 29 in connection with the custodial death of Suraj, a Nepalese labourer accused in Kotkhai rape and murder case. After remaining in police custody for ten days, they were remanded in judicial custody.
Zaidi, who was admitted to the IGMC Hospital at Shimla following complaint of chest pain on September 13, was today discharged from the hospital and sent toKanda jail, CBI sources said.
Joshi, who was admitted in the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) on September 28 after suffering from hernia, was today operated upon and would stay in the hospital for few more days, the sources said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former Akali minister Sucha Singh Langah today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking anticipatory bail in a rape case against him.
He was booked by the Gurdaspur Police on September 28 after a woman alleged that the Akali leader had been raping her repeatedly since 2009. The victim had also given a video clip in a pen drive to the police to support her accusations.
Langah's counsel Harpreet Singh Brar today said, "A petition was today filed in the high court to seek transit bail for three days."
Yesterday, Chandigarh district court had rejected his application for surrender in connection with the case. Langah had appeared before the court of the duty magistrate here to surrender.
However, Judge Hirdejeet Singh had declined to accept his plea.
Langah had dubbed the rape case against him as "false" and had accused a Congress MLA of getting him booked.
"It is a false case and I have complete faith in the judicial system and I will bring out the truth pertaining to this case in the court," he had said.
He was booked on charges of rape, extortion, cheating and criminal intimidation. The Punjab Police was conducting raids to trace Langah who was on the run.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sri Lanka's main opposition party, mostly comprising loyalists of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, said today it will stage a protest against the proposed lease of an airport to an Indian company.
The Joint Opposition, a political alliance formed by a right-wing faction of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and several left-wing parties, said they will protest on Friday against the proposed 40-year lease to an Indian company of the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), located in the Mattala town, 18 km from Hambantota.
"We will go to Mattala on October 6 to protest against the deal. We are opposed to selling of state assets by this government," Dullas Alahapperuma, a Joint Opposition parliamentarian told reporters here.
"We tell the government to stop selling state assets. We will protest against the government in the language they understand," Alahappruma said.
In mid August, a Cabinet paper presented by Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva approved the lease of the MRIA to an Indian company for 40 years.
"We stress that the government should not allow our country to be a battle ground of super powers," Alahapperuma said.
An Indian company had made a bid to develop the MRIA, which was built by the Rajapaksa government under massive borrowings from China.
MRIA built at a cost of USD 209 million has been dubbed the world's emptiest international airport due to the fewest number of flights operating from it.
Leasing out MRIA to India comes in the wake of a similar deal to hand over an adjoining sea port at Hambantota to a Chinese company for 99 years.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Las Vegas massacre has triggered a debate on the controversial gun control legislation in the US which has recorded one gun-related incident a day so far this year.
Nearly 12,000 people have been killed in gun violence as 273 mass shootings have occurred so far in the US in 2017, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a not-for-profit corporation that tracks gun-related violence in America.
On an average, more than 90 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every day, a daily toll of heartbreak and tragedy in communities across the US.
At least 59 people were killed and over 500 injured on Sunday night when a gunman opened fire during a music concert in Las Vegas, the deadliest in modern US history.
Experts believe that the incident, which US President Donald Trump termed as an "act of pure evil", is unlikely to bridge the bitter differences between the pro- and anti-gun control law lobbies in the country.
Trump, who ran his campaign against any gun control laws, did not mention it in his two remarks yesterday even as he said it was "a very very sad" day for him.
Responding to questions, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said yesterday that it was a day for reflection and mourning and not to discuss political issues.
But senior Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi shot off a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan over creation of a Standing Committee on gun violence and passage of a common-sense legislation on gun control.
"Congress has a moral duty to address this horrific and heartbreaking epidemic. Charged with the solemn duty to protect and defend the American people, we must respond to these tragedies with courage, unity and decisive action," Congresswoman Pelosi said in the letter.
The Congress, she said, must pass the bipartisan King- Thompson legislation to strengthen the life-saving background checks that keep guns out of the wrong hands. "But this is only a first step," she added.
Introduced in 2015, the King-Thompson bill seeks to expand the existing background check system to cover all commercial firearm sales, including those at gun shows, over the internet or in classified ads while providing reasonable exceptions for family and friend transfers.
"I urge you to create a Select Committee on Gun Violence to study and report back common-sense legislation to help end this crisis. The bipartisan committee would make recommendations to prevent unspeakable tragedies such as the mass shooting in Las Vegas and to restore confidence in the safety of our communities," Pelosi said.
Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal also made a passionate plea for common-sense gun control law, saying gun violence is a public health crisis that has claimed thousands of innocent lives and the Congress must do everything it can to address it.
In her speech on the floor of the US House of Representatives yesterday, Jayapal said the American people were tired of being outraged, sending thoughts and prayers, seeing men, women and children die "because the gun lobby does put profit over people".
"That is not what our founders intended by the 'right to bear arms'," the first-time lawmaker from Washington State said, as she joined several of her Congressional colleagues calling for changes in gun control laws.
"With rights come responsibilities: the responsibility to stop gun sales loopholes, to enact protections that make sure our children and those with severe mental illnesses don't have access to guns, to address funding for mental health, and to oppose any efforts to make it easier to purchase silencers," Jayapal said.
The first ever Indian-American women elected to the House of Representatives said 87 per cent of gun owners and 74 per cent of non-resident aliens (NRA) members support those common-sense solutions like criminal background checks.
Congresswoman Kathy Castor said, "Certainly, we can come together to pass common-sense safety requirements such as background checks and limits on civilian use of military-style weapons and to enforce the laws on the books.
"The sorrow that I and so many around the country feel for the innocent men and women whose lives were cruelly cut short by this heartless act of domestic terrorism is immeasurable".
Congressman Earl Blumenauer said, "From Orlando to Roseburg, OR and now Las Vegas, the carnage has only continued. Thoughts and prayers will not stop future tragedy. Enough is enough. My hope is that sanity will prevail, and Republican leadership in Congress will muster up the courage to act."
The right-wing - and NRA - messaging point that nothing could have been done to prevent the horrific attack in Las Vegas is just wrong, he said.
Over two years ago, he had released a comprehensive plan to deal with gun violence like the public health epidemic that it is, the lawmaker said, adding that the solutions should not be hard.
Congressman Andre Carson said it is time people need to stop hiding behind the false narrative that enacting common sense gun policies somehow limits the rights of law abiding Americans.
"Every day that we fail to act puts more innocent lives at risk. It is long past time to fix our gun laws. Congress has a moral responsibility to act and address the daily tragedy of gun violence in our communities," he said.
Last week, he said, Republicans planned to vote on a bill that would loosen gun laws, instead of strengthening them.
In light of the tragedy in Las Vegas, and the ongoing tragedy of gun violence in America, this could not be more inappropriate. The American people deserve a vote on legislation that will curb gun violence, including reinstating an assault weapons ban and instituting new restrictions on gun trafficking, Carson said.
Congressman Alcee L Hastings said that more than 33,000 people will die from gun violence this year.
"With each new tragedy that occurs, those who stand in the way of legislation to address our country's gun violence epidemic are increasingly culpable for its continuation," he said.
No community should have to fear going to the movies, a concert, or dropping their child off at school, said Ami Bera, the three-term Congressman from California.
"In the wake of this tragedy, I hope we'll all be able to take the time to look for the helpers and that each of us, in our own way, will seek to help our nation heal, move forward, and work to prevent similar tragedies," Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democrat Congressman from 8th district Illinois, said.
"We must end this senseless violence," said Congressman Ro Khanna, Democrat Congressman from 17th district California.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya has been arrested in a second money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate, the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said today.
The 61-year-old businessman, already out on bail on an extradition warrant executed by the Metropolitan Police earlier this year, will be appearing before Westminster Magistrates' Court in London this afternoon where he is expected to be bailed.
"Vijay Mallya has been arrested on money laundering charges and will be appearing in court today," a CPS spokesperson said.
The case is being probed by the ED and the central probe agency has already filed a charge sheet against him and others in a Mumbai court.
The CPS will be arguing the case against Mallya on behalf of the Indian government.
Chief Magistrate Emma Louise Arbuthnot has been hearing Mallya's extradition case at Westminster Magistrates' Court on his previous arrest warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April.
Mallya's trial in that case is scheduled for two weeks, starting December 4.
It remains to be seen if both cases will be clubbed together, which may lead to a delay in the trial date.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya wasarrested here today in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate, before being released on bail by Westminster Magistrates' Court.
The 61-year-old flamboyant businessman, already out on bail on an extradition warrant executed by the Metropolitan Police earlier this year, was released on the same bail conditions as before to appear for his trial on December 4.
Speaking to PTI outside the court room, Mallya said that has "done nothing wrong" and described the allegations against him as "fabricated".
"I deny all allegations that have been made and I will continue to deny them," he said.
"I have not eluded any court. If it is my lawful duty to be here, I'm happy to be here," he said, adding, "I've given enough evidence to prove my case."
The judge, Chief Magistrate Emma Louise Arbuthnot, said that Mallya has been freed on the "same bail conditions as before" which he must abide by.
Earlier, the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is arguingthe case against Mallya on behalf of the Indian government,had confirmed the arrest.
"Vijay Mallya has been arrested on money laundering charges and will be appearing in court today," a CPS spokesperson said.
Sources in New Delhi said the arrest was pursuant to the extradition request made by the Indian government based on money laundering charges against Mallya.
The case is being probed by the ED and the central probe agency has already filed a charge sheet against him and others in a Mumbai court.
Arbuthnot has been hearing Mallya's extradition case at Westminster Magistrates' Court on his previous arrest warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April.
He had been arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant on behalf of the Indian authorities on April 18.
He had attended a central London police station for his arrest and was released on conditional bail a few hours later after providing a bail bond worth 650,000 pounds, assuring the court of abiding by all conditions associated with extradition proceedings, such as the surrender of his passport and a ban on him possessing any travel documents.
Mallya's trial in that case is scheduled for two weeks, starting December 4.
The embattled businessman, who has been based in the UK since he fled India in March last year, is wanted in India for his erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines' default on loans worth nearly Rs 9,000 crore.
It remains to be seen if both cases will be clubbed together, which may lead to a delay in the trial date.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today asked the State Power Development Cooperation to exploit the huge potential of solar energy in the state in view of the straining future power market in the country.
Mehbooba also asked the corporation to come up with a quantifiable data of the losses suffered by the state due to the Indus Water Treaty.
The chief minister said this while chairing the board of directors meeting of the J&K State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) here.
Mehbooba advised the corporation to explore the possibility of setting up of small solar power plants at district levels to meet the power requirement locally.
"This would be in view of the low cost of production in terms of solar power and also keeping in mind the straining power market of the country in future," she said.
The chief minister also asked the corporation to undertake an in-depth study for quantifying the losses suffered to Jammu and Kashmir due to the Indus Water Treaty, using all professional expertise for the purpose.
She also asked it to execute a policy of corporate social responsibility for the welfare and development of its catchment areas.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain today directed officers to explore options of prepaid electricity meters in a bid to extend the government's power subsidy scheme to tenants.
An official said Jain also asked for the simplification of documentation for tenants who had recently complained to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that house-owners were not passing on subsidy benefits to them.
At a meeting with officials of the power department and discoms, the minister directed them to prepare a feasibility report on the options and also an implementation roadmap.
Under the power subsidy scheme, the Delhi government provides a 50 per cent subsidy on electricity tariffs on usage of up to 400 units on domestic electricity connections for all residents of Delhi.
"The minister directed the officials and discoms to explore the options of pre-paid electricity meters and simplification of documentation for allowing tenants to avail of the benefit of electricity subsidy, which is already available to domestic consumers," the official said.
Jain said pre-paid meters would be beneficial for both landlords and tenants, and help all concerned parties in easy billing.
According to the government, if the new system of installing prepaid meters is introduced, tenants will be required to purchase the power they use in advance.
Last month, Kejriwal had written to Jain asking him to ensure that power subsidy was provided to tenants.
In his letter, the chief minister had asked him to prepare a roadmap for the benefit of subsidy to "each and every tenant" residing in the national capital.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba today began a five-day visit to Vietnam with an aim to further boost defence cooperation between the two countries.
Lanba, who is also chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, will meet Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich, Chief of General Staff and Vice Minister of National Defence Van Giang.
He will also hold extensive talks with Rear Admiral Pham Hoai Nam, Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam Navy, the Navy said.
Lanba's visit comes amid increasing assertiveness by China in the resource-rich South China Sea and the issue is likely to be discussed in his talks with Vietnamese leaders.
China's claims over the South China Sea are opposed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. China has been also objecting to India's oil exploration projects in the disputed waters.
India has been calling for resolving the maritime dispute peacefully in accordance with international law.
"The visit aims to consolidate cooperation between the Armed Forces of India and Vietnam and also to explore new avenues of defence cooperation," the Navy statement said.
Lanba will also visit the National Defence Academy of Vietnam, where he will interact with student officers and faculty members and deliver a talk on the 'Importance of Maritime Power'.
Defence cooperation between India and Vietnam has been on an upswing with the primary focus being cooperation in the maritime domain.
India and Vietnam had signed a protocol on defence cooperation in 1994. The partnership was thereafter elevated to strategic level in 2007 and a pact on bilateral boosting defence cooperation was signed in 2009.
The strategic partnership was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2016.
The Indian Navy cooperates with the Vietnam People's Navy on many issues, which include operational interactions and training.
Warships from Indian Navy have been regularly visiting ports at Vietnam, with Indian Naval Ships Satpura and Kadmat recently making port call at Hai Phong from September 23 to 27.
The Vietnamese Navy ship Dinh Tien Hoang, a Gepoard Class Frigate, also visited Visakhapatnam in February 2016, for participation in the 'International Fleet Review - 2016'.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Nepal's Maoist party announced today an alliance with the largest communist bloc, ahead of key elections seen as the final step in the Himalayan nation's post-war transition to a federal democracy.
The two parties, with a third smaller partner, have agreed a tie up for general elections later this year, and plan to unify as a single communist party following the polls.
"We had said before, after the signing of the peace deal, that Nepal should have a single communist party. We are now finishing that incomplete process," Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal said at a press conference announcing the deal.
The Maoists have dominated Nepal's politics for more than 20 years after waging a decade-long insurgency against government forces that claimed more than 16,000 lives.
The civil war ended in a peace deal in 2006 that saw rebel leader Dahal become Nepal's first post-war prime minister.
The 240-year-old Hindu monarchy was abolished two years later beginning the Himalayan nation's transformation to a secular republic.
Three main parties -- the Maoists, the Communist Party Nepal-Union Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), and the Nepali Congress (NC) -- have since monopolised the political sphere, forming varying brittle coalitions with one another.
General elections set for next month will conclude the drawn-out peace process, allowing for the implementation of a new constitution that was agreed in 2015.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today pledged to build "thousands" of new homes in a major West Bank settlement east of Jerusalem, insisting it would one day be part of Israel.
"We shall build here thousands of housing units" and add industrial zones, Netanyahu said during a visit to the Maaleh Adumim settlement of 37,000 people.
"This place will be a part of the state of Israel," he added, speaking in Hebrew.
Netanyahu has repeatedly spoken of major blocs of West Bank settlements being absorbed into Israel in a future peace agreement with the Palestinians.
He did not specify where or when the new building at Maaleh Adumim would take place but settlement watchdog Peace Now has spoken of plans to build in the contentious area known as E1 adjacent to the settlement.
E1 and Maaleh Adumim form an Israeli buffer east of Jerusalem that the Palestinians say would divide the West Bank and badly hurt the possibility of a contiguous Palestinian state.
About 430,000 Israeli settlers live among 2.6 million Palestinians in the West Bank, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six Day War.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A 57-year-old man has moved the Delhi High Court claiming absence of a law for the protection of parents, who are not yet senior citizens, from hostility and violence by their children.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar sought the AAP government's stand on the plea which also wants that the term 'senior citizen' to include parents who have not yet attained that status as they are below 60 years of age.
The court directed that the petitioner be given police protection when he visits his house where he has not been staying as he apprehended threat to his life at the hands of his 34-year-old younger son.
The bench sought a status report from the police by November 27 on the man's allegations against his younger son.
The petitioner, Ghanshyam Singh Rawat, has alleged that his younger son, along with some associates, had severely assaulted him and tried to kill him when he refused to sell his house and give the proceeds to his son.
Rawat claimed that despite lodging a complaint, the police had failed to act against his son.
The petitioner, represented by advocate Ashok Agarwal, also claimed that while he was hospitalised after the assault, his son broke into the house and forcibly occupied it.
In his plea, Rawat has said that he does not want any maintenance from his son, but only wants to live in peace.
He has further claimed that he cannot avail any benefit under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act as it caters only to parents who have attained the status of senior citizen.
The petition has sought striking down of the provision in the Act which creates the distinction between parents who are senior citizens and those who are not.
He said the Act does not contain any provision to meet the needs of persons like him, who do not seek any maintenance from their children but only wish to be allowed to live in peace.
He has also contended that such people need to be protected from hostile and violent children who are only interested in grabbing the properties of their parents and do not care how much suffering they cause.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Indian scientists who contributed to the discovery of the gravitational waves today described the Nobel Physics Prize win for three US astrophysicists as "a dream come true."
US astrophysicists Barry Barish, Kip Thorne and Rainer Weiss were today awarded the Nobel Physics Prize for the discovery of gravitational waves.
Predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago as part of his theory of general relativity but only first detected in 2015, gravitational waves are 'ripples' in the fabric of space-time caused by violent processes in the universe, such as colliding black holes or the collapse of stellar cores.
"It is something which is a dream come true," Professor Bala Iyer, from the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences in Bengaluru, told PTI over phone.
Iyer is the part of IndIGO, the Indian Initiative in Gravitational-wave Observations to set up advanced experimental facilities, with appropriate theoretical and computational support, for a multi-institutional Indian national project in gravitational-wave astronomy.
"The people responsible for the Nobel prize today, they were the visionaries who basically dreamt about making this possible and worked very hard to get this collaboration to this particular point. I am very happy," said Iyer.
"It is a discovery of a phenomena predicted by fundamental physics and which manifests only in an astrophysical source," he said.
Asked about how the achievement will benefit the Indian research scenario, Rajesh Nayak from IISER-Kolkata said that this will encourage the new generation of Indian scientists to get involved with the novel area of research that the detection of gravitational waves has opened up.
"There are a huge number of Indians who are working on different aspects of the gravitational field. Each works based on their interest in the field that we now call 'gravitational wave astronomy'," said Nayak, who was also part of the collaboration.
"Sanjeev Dhurander and Bala Iyer basically started the field. Now many people have joined the team," said Nayak.
Sanjeev Dhurandhar was also among the key scientists involved in the project.
He led a group at The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune that had started work on developing techniques for detection of weak signals which would eventually lead to detection of gravitational waves.
A consortium of scientists, including many from India, was a part of the gravitational waves that were first predicted by Einstein on the basis of his theory of general relativity in 1916.
Until then, scientists had been trying to detect these waves with the help of laser instruments, known together as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO).
The LIGO project operates three gravitational-wave (GW) detectors - two are in the US, and one in Italy.
Recently, scientists made the fourth detection of gravitational waves formed by the collision of two massive black holes located about 1.8 billion light-years away.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The White House has maintained that this is "not the time to talk" to the North Korean, which has been carrying out ballistic missile test and going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions.
"We have been clear that now is not the time to talk," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily conference yesterday.
She was responding to a question if the White House is trying to get back to talks with North Korea.
Sanders said the only conversations that have taken place, or that would be taking place would be on bringing back Americans who have been detained.
Beyond that, there will be no conversations with North Korea at this time, she insisted, observing that the line of communications open with the North Koreans is only for this purpose.
Currently there are three Americans still detained in North Korea.
However, Sanders noted that the US continue to exert diplomatic pressure on North Korea.
"We still strongly support putting diplomatic pressure on North Korea, which we're continuing to do. But now is not the time simply to have conversations with North Korea," she said.
The US has encouraged all of its allies and partners to do more.
The Trump Administration is going to continue to keep all options on the table when it comes to that, Sanders said.
Responding to a question, Sanders said President Donald Trump has full confidence in his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
A day earlier differences appeared in the public domain on the issue of talks with North Korea.
In China, Tillerson had told reporters that the US is in talks with the North Korea.
As a reply to this, Trump asked Tillerson to relax and opposed the idea of talks, which he argued has not yielded results in the past.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Ramon Magsaysay Award winner and Gandhian environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt today strongly advocated steps to expand the green cover to counter climate change.
"The extreme heat conditions we are experiencing now can only be countered by plantation of trees. It is the answer," he said after planting two saplings - Rudraksha and Termanalia -- in a university campus here.
Pointing out that Kalahandi district in Odisha figured among the hottest areas of the country during summer, the 83-year-old social activist known for the Chipko movement said vigorous effort to extend the green cover would recharge the ground water and counter the effect of rising heat.
Bhatt was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1982 for community leadership and was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2005.
Recalling his experience when he visited the areas devastated by the 1999 super cyclone in Odisha, Bhatt said it worried him a lot as a lot of greenery had been wiped out by the natural calamity.
"The city of Bhubaneswar was badly affected in the 300 kmph storm and scores of big trees had got uprooted. But it made me happy when I saw that the city had reclaimed a lot of greenery," he said.
"I am also glad that the area under mangrove vegetation in the Odisha coast, which covered an area of 193 sq km in 1999, has increased to 231 sq km as per the latest Forest Survey Report," the eminent environmentalist said adding the mangroves acted as a buffer against cyclones and need to be protected.
Bhatt was felicitated in the Siksha O Anusandhan (SOA) university during his visit, a university release said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The nuclear accord with Iran is in the interest of the United States, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said today, and indicated President Donald Trump should consider maintaining it.
Mattis's expression of support for the 2015 agreement curbing Iran's nuclear program was in sharp contrast with Trump's blunt assessment that the deal is an "embarrassment."
Asked during a Senate hearing whether he believed it was in the national interest, Mattis replied: "Yes, Senator, I do."
"If we can confirm that Iran is living by the agreement, if we can determine that this is in our best interest, then surely we should stay with it.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Honeypreet Insan, who calls herself the adopted daughter of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, was today arrested by the Haryana Police in connection with the deadly violence which followed the sect head's conviction on August 25.
The arrest came hours after Honeypreet appeared on two private channels interacting with reporters at an undisclosed location, even though the Haryana Police had been looking for her for more than a month.
Priyanka Taneja (36), alias Honeypreet, was arrested from Zirakpur-Patiala road, Haryana Police DGP B S Sandhu said. The scene of her arrest is about 15-18 kms from both Chandigarh and Panchkula.
The Haryana Police had been facing flak for not being able to nab Honeypreet for more than a month.
Honeypreet tops a list of 43 people "wanted" by the state police in connection with the violence following Ram Rahim's conviction in a rape case. At least 41 people died and several were injured in the violence.
Police Commissioner A S Chawla said that another woman - a Dera follower- was accompanying Honeypreet at the time of her arrest. Both of them were being questioned.
"We have deputed senior lady officers for questioning. She has not divulged much, but we are on the job. Initially, she was not cooperating," Chawla told reporters in Panchkula.
Chawla said the woman accompanying Honeypreet "confirmed that Honeypreet was with her for the past several days in Bathinda district of Punjab."
He said the information was being verified. "We will take her there and confirm things."
Honeypreet will be produced before a court in Panchkula tomorrow where the police will seek her remand, he said.
"Her role in the violence will be probed," the officer said.
He said the Punjab Police has been informed about the arrests.
Asked whether the Haryana Police got the information about the accused's movements from their Punjab counterparts, Chawla said, "At this moment, I cannot share what all intelligence inputs we had or who all supported us".
Asked to comment on reports that Honeypreet was in the custody of the Punjab Police before her arrest today by the Haryana Police, Chawla evaded a direct reply.
Mohali SSP Kuldeep Chahal, however, said the reports were "misleading".
On being quizzed about the police station where the Dera chief's adopted daughter will be kept, Chawla said, "All these are part of operational details which I cannot share".
The officer said the priority was to question Honeypreet.
"Who supported whom, who did the wrong, which all places did she hide and who gave her shelter, all these things will come to the fore when we question her at length," he said.
Chawla said the role of Ram Rahim's relative, who is a politician, will also come under the scanner.
The Haryana Police on September 1 issued a lookout notice against Honeypreet and another Ram Rahim aide Aditya Insan following fears that they might "escape from the country".
An arrest warrant was issued against Honeypreet and two key Dera functionaries - Aditya and Pawan Insan, after the Haryana Police moved an application in Panchkula court.
The police had conducted searches at various locations with several teams even travelling across the country, including the Indo-Nepal border, in search of Honeypreet.
Honeypreet, who calls herself "Papa's angel", had accompanied Ram Rahim from the sect headquarters at Sirsa to special CBI court in Panchkula on August 25. After Dera chief's conviction that day, she also accompanied him in a chopper when he was flown to Rohtak jail.
There had been no trace of Honeypreet after August 25.
On September 26, the Delhi High Court had dismissed Honeypreet's transit anticipatory bail plea. The court's order was based on the ground that she had been evading arrest and hence, was not entitled to any discretionary relief.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Honeypreet Insan, adopted daughter of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, was today arrested by the Haryana Police in connection with the violence that followed the sect head's conviction on August 25.
The arrest came hours after Honeypreet appeared on two private television channels interacting with the reporters at some undisclosed location, even as the Haryana police had been looking for her for more than a month.
Priyanka Taneja (36) alias Honeypreet was arrested from Zirakpur-Patiala road, Haryana Police DGP B S Sandhu said.
The Haryana Police had been facing flak from several quarters for not being able to nab Honeypreet for over a month despite having launched a massive hunt to trace her.
Honeypreet tops a list of 43 people "wanted" by the state police in connection with the incidents of violence that left 41 people dead and several injured following Gurmeet Ram Rahim's conviction in a rape case.
Talking to media persons at Panchkula, Police Commissioner A S Chawla said, "She was taken into custody by SIT in-charge (Mukesh Kumar) from Zirakpur-Patiala road in Punjab. She will be questioned in connection with the incidents of violence".
Honeypreet will be produced before a court in Panchkula tomorrow where police will seek her remand, he said.
"Her role in the violence (after Ram Rahim's conviction on August 25) will be probed," the officer said.
Chawla said another woman was accompanying Honeypreet at the time of her arrest.
"Honeypreet was traveling in an Innova SUV and was accompanied by another woman," the police commissioner said.
He said the Punjab Police has been informed about Honeypreet's arrest.
When asked whether the Haryana Police got the information about the accused's movements from their Punjab counterparts, Chawla said, "At this moment, I cannot share what all intelligence inputs we had or who all supported us".
Asked to comment on reports that Honeypreet was in the custody of the Punjab Police before being arrested by the Haryana Police, Chawla evaded a direct reply.
However, commenting on the reports, Mohali SSP Kuldeep Chahal said such reports were "misleading".
On being quizzed about the police station where the Dera chief's adopted daughter will be kept, Chawla said, "All these are part of operational details which I cannot share".
The officer said the priority was to question Honeypreet in connection with the violence which took place after Ram Rahim's conviction on August 25.
"Who supported whom, who did the wrong, which all places did she hide and who gave her shelter, all these things will come to the fore when we question her at length," he said.
To a related question, Chawla said the role of Ram Rahim's relative, who is a politician, will also come under the scanner.
The Haryana Police had on September 1 issued a lookout notice against Honeypreet Insan and another key aide Aditya Insan following apprehensions that they might try to "escape from the country".
An arrest warrant was also issued against Honeypreet and two key Dera functionaries-- Aditya Insan and Pawan Insan, after the Haryana Police moved an application in Panchkula court.
The police had conducted searches at various locations with several teams even travelling across the country, including the Indo-Nepal border, in search of Honeypreet.
Honeypreet, who calls herself "Papa's angel", had accompanied Ram Rahim from the sect headquarters at Sirsa to special CBI court in Panchkula on August 25. After Dera chief's conviction on that day, she also accompanied him in a chopper when he was flown to Rohtak jail.
There had been no trace of Honeypreet after August 25.
On September 26, the Delhi High Court had dismissed Honeypreet's transit anticipatory bail plea. The court's order was based on the ground that she had been evading arrest and hence, was not entitled to any discretionary relief.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Exercising for just an hour every week can prevent the risk of depression, regardless of gender or age, according to a study published today.
Researchers, including those from Black Dog Institute in Australia, found that even small amounts of exercise can protect against depression, with mental health benefits.
The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, analysed 33,908 Norwegian adults, monitoring their levels of exercise and symptoms of depression and anxiety over 11 years.
A healthy cohort of participants was asked at baseline to report the frequency of exercise they participated in and at what intensity: without becoming breathless or sweating, becoming breathless and sweating, or exhausting themselves.
At follow-up stage, they completed a self-report questionnaire to indicate any emerging anxiety or depression.
Researchers also accounted for variables which might impact the association between exercise and common mental illness.
These include socio-economic and demographic factors, substance use, body mass index, new onset physical illness and perceived social support.
The team noted that people who reported doing no exercise at all at baseline had a 44 per cent increased chance of developing depression compared to those who were exercising one to two hours a week.
The international research team found that 12 per cent of cases of depression could have been prevented if participants undertook just one hour of physical activity each week.
"This is the first time we have been able to quantify the preventative potential of physical activity in terms of reducing future levels of depression," said Samuel Harvey, an associate professor at Black Dog Institute.
"These findings are exciting because they show that even relatively small amounts of exercise - from one hour per week - can deliver significant protection against depression," Harvey said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot today alleged only the rich and industrialists benefited from the Vasundhara Raje government, while farmers were committing suicide in the state.
Pilot also criticised the Centre for levying GST on farming equipment.
The Congress leader today kicked off a state-level farmers' rally to demand a blanket crop loan waiver.
The "Kisan Nyaya Padyatra", which will traverse 100 kilometres, will culminate in Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje's constituency of Jhalawar on June 6.
Only the rich and industrialists benefited from the Raje government while a number of farmers ended their lives due to its anti-farmer policies, Pilot alleged.
"The government has made fun of farmers by categorising their equipment under GST slabs," he said.
Pilot accused the Raje government of shaking hands with crop procurement agencies and middlemen just after announcing minimum support price for farmers' produce.
He claimed that around 10 lakh farmers in Rajasthan suffered heavy losses due to natural disasters over the last four years, but none of them were given compensation.
The Congress leader assured that his party would put pressure on the state government for farm loan waiver.
On the occasion, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Rameshawar Dudi said the BJP government in the state had failed on all fronts.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan today appointed Vice Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi as new Chief of Naval Staff to replace Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah who will retire on October 6.
According to a statement by the Prime Minister's House, President Mamnoon Hussain approved the appointment of Abbasi on the advice of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
Abbasi will stand promoted to the rank of Admiral from the date he assumes charge of the office of the Chief of the Naval Staff.
In Pakistan all services chiefs are appointed by the president at the recommendation of the prime minister who has final say in such appointments.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A Pakistani court today rejected a petition by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar against his indictment by anti-corruption court in the Panama Papers scandal.
Dar, 67, had challenged his indictment in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) yesterday for possessing assets beyond his known sources of income.
Dar's counsel Khawaja Harris asked the court that the indictment by the Accountability Court was against the law as it failed to give enough time to the defence lawyer to prepare the case.
The two-judge bench of Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb rejected the petition by observing that the Accountability Court is an independent forum and indictment could not be challenged.
The anti-corruption watchdog National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had on September 8 filed a case against Dar for possessing assets beyond known sources of income following the July 28 verdict of the Supreme Court.
Dar was indicted on September 27 and the Accountability Court announced that it will start his trial on October 4.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a breach of diplomatic propriety, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has branded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist", and said the Indian government was being run by a "a terrorist party".
Asif made the remarks in an appearance on Geo TV's Capital Talk show, in response to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's UN General Assembly (UNGA) speech last month, in which she had accused Pakistan of "producing and exporting terrorism".
"Pakistan Foreign Minister is a political pygmy in a powerless government kowtowing to the terror organisations. These pusillanimous comments reflect Pakistan's frustration with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successful diplomacy in exposing the terror face of Pakistan to the world. That Pakistan is getting desperate is evident from these patently foolish and irresponsible comments," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao told PTI.
Asif made the remarks while talking about Kashmiris who have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir and civilian casualties in cross-border firing along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, the Dawn reported.
"A terrorist is their (India's) prime minister at this time. One whose hands are stained with the blood of the Muslims of Gujarat," the report quoted him as saying.
"A terrorist party is ruling them (India) - the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) is ruling them. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is like its subsidiary organisation," he said.
"But Narendra Modi is an elected 'terrorist'," Hamid Mir, the show's host, reminded Asif.
"The nation that elects a terrorist... what kind of nation is that?" the minister retorted.
Explaining his stance, Asif said, "Look at the language the Indian prime minister is using, the way Muslims are being killed over cow-related issues. And just recently, on Dussehra, they burnt the effigies of Rohingya Muslims four times," he claimed.
"In Dussehra, they burn the effigies of villains... They declared Rohingya Muslims terrorists," he stressed, adding that although India was quick to call others terrorists, "the biggest terrorist (is Modi). Muslims were raped and murdered under his supervision when he was chief minister (of Gujarat). The US had banned him," he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
In a breach of diplomatic propriety, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has branded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist" and said India was being run by "a terrorist party", evoking a sharp reaction from the BJP that dismissed the Pakistani minister as a "political pygmy".
Asif made the remarks in an appearance on Geo TV's Capital Talk show, in response to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's UN General Assembly (UNGA) speech last month, in which she had accused Pakistan of "producing and exporting terrorism".
"Pakistan Foreign Minister is a political pygmy in a powerless government kowtowing to the terror organisations. These pusillanimous comments reflect Pakistan's frustration with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successful diplomacy in exposing the terror face of Pakistan to the world," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao told PTI.
"Pakistan is getting desperate is evident from these patently foolish and irresponsible comments," Rao said.
Asif made the remarks while talking about Kashmiris who have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir and civilian casualties in cross-border firing along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, the Dawn reported.
"A terrorist is their (India's) prime minister at this time. One whose hands are stained with the blood of the Muslims of Gujarat," the report quoted him as saying.
"A terrorist party is ruling them (India) - the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) is ruling them. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is like its subsidiary organisation," he said.
"But Narendra Modi is an elected 'terrorist'," Hamid Mir, the show's host, reminded Asif.
"The nation that elects a terrorist... what kind of nation is that?" the minister retorted.
Explaining his stance, Asif said, "Look at the language the Indian prime minister is using, the way Muslims are being killed over cow-related issues. And just recently, on Dussehra, they burnt the effigies of Rohingya Muslims four times," he claimed.
"In Dussehra, they burn the effigies of villains... They declared Rohingya Muslims terrorists," he stressed, adding that although India was quick to call others terrorists, "the biggest terrorist (is Modi). Muslims were raped and murdered under his supervision when he was chief minister (of Gujarat). The US had banned him," he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif today left for a three-day visit to the US as part of efforts to rebuild bilateral ties frayed after President Donald Trump accused the country of sheltering terror groups.
Trump while announcing his new policy for Afghanistan had also praised India for its development efforts in the war-torn country.
In response, Pakistan had said that Trump through his remarks ignored the efforts in the war against terrorism.
Pakistan also asked the US to postpone a planned trip by its special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Alice Wells to Islamabad.
Asif also delayed a visit to Washington for which he was invited by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
But the relations improved slightly after a meeting between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Vice President Mike Pence on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month, according to an official of the Foreign Office.
"The foreign minister during the current trip will meet Secretary Tillerson and other officials to discuss matters pertaining to regional peace and security," the official said.
Some senior US officials may also visit Pakistan after the thaw in tension as both sides agree that mutual cooperation was vital for peace in Afghanistan, according to the official.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Pakistan today raked up the Kashmir issue again at the UN with its envoy accusing India of spreading terrorism in the Valley, drawing a strong reaction from India which described her diatribe as a "lonely voice from the wilderness".
Pakistan's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Maleeha Lodhi, during a debate of the General Assembly, also alleged that India made a "false claim" of conducting surgical strike across the LoC to provoke conflict with Pakistan.
She warned New Delhi that "any aggression" by it would receive a "matching and effective response".
"This claim, and India's repeated threats to conduct such strikes across the LoC, constitute flagrant violations of the UN Charter's injunction against the use or threat of use of force," Lodhi said during the debate on the Report of the Secretary General on the work of the world body.
Continuing her tirade against India on the Kashmir issue, Lodhi alleged, "To cover up its crimes against the Kashmiri people, and to divert world attention, India resorts to daily violation of the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Kashmir."
Lodhi said the international community represented in the United Nations cannot allow "India impunity to conduct "crimes against humanity" in Kashmir under the "flimsy cover" of combating terrorism.
"The only terrorism in Kashmir is India's state terrorism. State terrorism is, in fact, considered as the gravest form of terrorism by the Non-Aligned Movement, comprising almost two thirds of the General Assemblys membership," she alleged.
Eenam Gambhir, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, exercising the country's right to reply said, "We have heard a lonely voice from the wilderness articulate a narrative of the past."
Pakistan, Gambhir said, has "focused on a topic that has not even been deliberated upon for decades" at the UN.
"An issue which that delegation tries to keep alive by procedural stratagems even while the world has moved on. Yesterday's people reflecting antiquated mindsets of the bygone times are symbolic of what holds us all back," she said.
The Indian delegation does not wish to "waste the precious time of this August Assembly" in engaging further with such distractions, Gambhir said.
Lodhi also said India's claim of carrying out the surgical strike provides Pakistan "sufficient reason" to respond and exercise its right to self-defence.
Lodhi went ahead to warn India, saying it should not "underestimate Pakistan's resolve and capacity to defend itself".
The top Pakistani diplomat said that the UN should not "ignore these open threats to use force" by India.
The international community should take urgent action to ask India to halt its provocations against Pakistan, she said.
During the General Assembly debate last month which was addressed by leaders from more than 100 countries, not a single country supported Pakistan's Kashmir policy.
Unmindful of that, Lodhi reiterated her allegation with regard to non-implementation of the UN Security Council resolution on Kashmir.
In her address to the UN General Assembly last month, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had responded to a similar allegation raised by the Pakistani Prime Minister on Un Security Council resolution.
"Prime Minister Abbasi has recalled old resolutions that have been long overtaken by events. But his memory has conveniently failed him where it matters. He has forgotten that under the Shimla Agreement and the Lahore Declaration India and Pakistan resolved that they would settle all outstanding issues bilaterally," Swaraj had said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Palestinian cabinet met in Gaza today for the first time since 2014 in a further step towards the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority (PA) retaking control of the territory.
In an opening speech, Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah renewed his pledge to end a decade-long split between the Islamist Hamas movement that controls Gaza and his West Bank- based government.
"We are here to turn the page on division, restore the national project to its correct direction and establish the (Palestinian) state," he said.
The session took place at the official Gaza residence of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in the cabinet office, hung with portraits of Abbas and historic Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
It was the first meeting of the cabinet in Gaza since November 2014, although Hamdallah visited a year later without his ministers.
Hamas ousted the PA from Gaza after bloody street fighting in 2007, but finally agreed last month to its return, under pressure from the territory's powerful neighbour Egypt.
A visiting Egyptian official told AFP that his country's intelligence chief, Khaled Fawzi, was expected to meet Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza later on Thursday.
UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov said yesterday that he was "carefully optimistic" about the reconciliation talks.
"If the region stays engaged, if Egypt's role continues and if the political parties themselves continue to show the willingness they are currently showing to work with us on this process, then it can succeed," he told AFP.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Piramal Group firm Piramal Realty today said it will acquire 3.2 acres of land in Mumbai from Nirmal Lifestyles for Rs 153 crore.
This land parcel is located next to its existing housing project 'Piramal Revanta' at Mulund in Mumbai, the company said in a statement.
Piramal group Executive Director Anand Piramal said: "At Piramal Realty, we are committed to enhancing the value proposition for our customers."
This strategic land acquisition would significantly benefit existing and potential customers, he added.
Piramal Realty will invest an estimated Rs 1,800 crore in the Piramal Revanta project.
The company has awarded the construction contract for the project to global construction major Eversendai.
Eversendai is best known for its work on Dubai's Burj Khalifa, Malaysia's Petronas Towers and Qatar's Olympic stadium, the statement said.
Piramal Realty is the real estate development arm of the Piramal Group.
Recently, Goldman Sachs and Warburg Pincus, two international equity partners, have invested about USD 434 million in the company at the entity level.
The Piramal Group has presence in many sectors like pharma, financial services, information management, glass packaging and real estate. It is founded by Ajay Piramal and has a market value in excess of USD 9.5 billion.
Nirmal Lifestyles Ltd is also engaged in real estate business and has projects in Mumbai.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prabhat Dairy is targeting Rs 2,000 crore revenue by the financial year 2019-20, by enhancing its consumer segment to 50 per cent of the total business.
"In FY17, we had posted Rs 1,409.87 crore revenue, with 70 per cent of our business coming from dairy ingredients and 30 per cent from the consumer segment. Going forward, we are planning to increase our consumer business to 50 per cent or Rs 500 crore to take the total revenue to Rs 2,000 crore by FY20," Prabhat Dairy joint managing Director Vivek Nirmal told reporters here.
For this purpose, the company today launched a new corporate identity and a logo and will work towards expanding its presence in the retail category and firm up the scale in institutional business.
"We need to be a vibrant brand and we are working on brand building. With the all-new identity and the logo, Prabhat Dairy will be able to stand out more as a milk expert company, which will help us leverage our whole milk, food portfolio," Nirmal added.
The company is also planning to expand its product portfolio and national footprint to enter into lucrative markets across India.
"We are planning to introduce lassi, fresh cream and butter milk to our product portfolio. We are also working on products like ice cream and milk shakes that we we expect to launch next year," he added.
The company manufactures fresh, dry, frozen, cultured and fermented dairy products, including pasteurised milk, flavoured milk, sweetened condensed milk, ultra-heat treatment (UHT) milk, yogurt, dairy whitener, clarified butter (ghee), ice-cream, milk powder, ingredients for baby foods, lassi and chaas (buttermilk) under the brand 'Prabhat'.
Prabhat Dairy, which has a presence in 26 states and two Union Territories, is planning to strengthen its brand presence in those markets by increasing its retail reach to two lakh stores from the current one lakh.
The company is planing to begin exports to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries, Nirmal said.
"At present, we export cheese and cow ghee to the Gulf countries, Bhutan and Sri Lanka and will ship the same products to the SAARC nations as well," he said.
The company, which procures 10 lakh litres of milk, will add four lakh litres more to support the product and market expansion, Nirmal added.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Ram Nath Kovind today arrived here on the first leg of his four-day visit to Djibouti and Ethiopia, his maiden trip abroad since taking office.
The president, who is the first Indian leader to visit Djibouti, was received by Djiboutian Prime Minister Kamil Mohamed at the airport here.
During his visit to the two African nations, the president is expected to sign agreements on institutionalisation of foreign office consultation and greater economic cooperation with Ethiopia, Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs had said earlier.
Press Secretary to the President Ashok Malik has said that Djibouti is an important Indian Ocean partner country with whom India's bilateral trade stands at USD 284 million in 2016-17.
"The president is looking forward to the visit. He recognises that the Africa and Indian Ocean region are central to Indian foreign policy. That is why this region was chosen as his first foreign visit," Malik said.
India has extended a line of credit of USD 49 million to Djibouti, mainly for constructing a cement plant. It is a strategically located country just off the Gulf of Aden.
Kovind's visit will be the first by an Indian president to Ethiopia after 45 years. The last visit was by President V V Giri in 1972.
India's bilateral trade with Ethiopia in 2016 was nearly USD 1 billion. The country is among the top three foreign investors in Ethiopia with an approved investment of 4 billion dollars.
In both the countries the president will also interact with the members of the Indian community.
The president's visit comes in the backdrop of Chinese PLA troops conducting their first live-fire military drills overseas on their base in strategically-vital Djibouti last month, in a major combat display.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Punjab government today rejected reports that Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's aide Honeypreet Insan was in the custody of the Punjab Police or she was being shielded by the state government.
The Haryana Police arrested Honeypreet, 36, earlier today from Zirakpur-Patiala road in connection with the violence that followed Ram Rahim Singh's conviction on August 25.
A Punjab government spokesperson said the state was not involved in the case beyond supporting the Haryana Police with intelligence and other relevant inputs.
The spokesperson refuted reports on the social media that suggested Honeypreet was in Punjab Police's custody before her arrest. "There was no question of the Punjab Police taking Honeypreet into custody as there was no criminal case registered against her in the state, nor was she in any wanted list," said the spokesperson.
The Punjab government, particularly the police and intelligence departments, were merely providing inputs to the neighbouring state in the interest of justice and to maintain law and order in the region, according to the spokesperson.
Right from the outbreak of the Dera crisis, the Punjab Police had been sharing information on the activities of the followers of Ram Rahim Singh, who was indicted and punished on rape charges.
The Punjab government, said the spokesperson, had been extending all possible help to the neighbouring state, which it will continue to ensure that peace is maintained.
The Punjab government would not try to protect Honeypreet, who has cases registered against her in Haryana, where she has been declared a "wanted criminal", the spokesperson asserted.
The clarification came after a section of the media reported, citing sources, that the adopted daughter of the Dera chief was in the custody of Punjab police saying that the Punjab government machinery was shielding Honeypreet.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Punjab today sought Rs 2,000 crore from the central government for farmers so that they can remove paddy straw without burning it to check pollution and soil damage.
The demand was raised by Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh at a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh.
Farmers in Haryana and Punjab set paddy straw and stubble ablaze every year to prepare ground for the next crop. In the process, they damage soil quality and cause heavy pollution.
"We have about 20 million tonnes of paddy straw. Who will use it? We have demanded that the Centre give Rs 100 per quintal, which comes to roughly Rs 2,000 crore," the Punjab chief minister told reporters after the meeting.
As the central government fixes the minimum support price of paddy, it is its responsibility to address the issue of paddy straw, he said, adding that providing Rs 100 per quintal will help farmers to remove paddy straw without burning it.
"The Agriculture Minister has assured that he will look into the matter. A final call will be taken after agriculture and environment ministries make a recommendation in this regard," he added.
On farmers' debt waiver, the Punjab CM said the state has asked the centre to increase its borrowing capacity so that it can waive the farm debt of 10.25 lakh farmers.
The issue was discussed with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley yesterday. In the meeting, he said, "We have not asked any funds from the centre. We are asking them to allow us to increase our borrowing percentage, which today is 3 per cent and we want 1.5 per cent more. This will give us additional Rs 9,500 crore to meet this requirement."
There are 17 lakh farmers in Punjab. Around 10.25 lakh farmers will be covered under the debt-waiver scheme. Even farmers with less than 5 acres will be covered, he added.
Besides, the state government has asked the Centre to provide deficiency support price for maize and sunflower.
The Punjab CM said a National Post Graduate Horticulture Education and Research Institute will soon come up in Amritsar, for which the state has allocated the land. The institute will be inaugurated soon.
Besides, he added, a water conservation project with central assistance of Rs 7,000 crore has been sanctioned for Punjab to promote micro-irrigation.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today complimented the security forces for successfully eliminating the terrorists involved in an attack on a BSF camp in Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh said he has spoken to the chiefs of the Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force following the suicide attack near the Srinagar airport.
"I have spoken to the DG CRPF and DG BSF. It was a good operation that they have conducted," he told reporters here.
The home minister said one Assistant Sub Inspector of the BSF has martyred and two others were injured but they were out of danger.
A group of militants today launched a suicide attack on a BSF camp near the Srinagar Airport, killing the ASI and leaving four security personnel injured.
Two militants were killed in the gun-battle that is raging near the airport, forcing brief suspension of air traffic and closure of schools in the vicinity.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Reserve Bank of India today opened a branch in the city to make transactions of the state government more convenient.
Inaugurating the RBI's branch here, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said it was an important step which will speed up economic development of the state besides making financial transactions of the government more convenient.
Earlier, the state government had to do financial transactions through the Kanpur branch of the RBI, an official release here said.
RBI's Principal Chief General Manager S Ramaswamy assured the state government of all support in its development endeavours saying a separate branch in the state will ensure smooth disposal of financial works of the state government through better coordination between the treasuries and the banks.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russia's military says its airstrikes in eastern Syria this week killed more than 300 Islamic State militants.
Russia has been a major backer of Syria's President Bashar Assad whose government troops have been advancing in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour against IS under the cover of Russian airstrikes.
Meanwhile, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces are also marching against the Islamic State group, backed by the US-led coalition.
Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement early on Tuesday that its airstrikes just outside Deir el-Zour, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, killed more than 304 IS fighters and left more than 200 wounded.
The ministry says the airstrikes also hit and destroyed an IS training center, as well artillery positions, tanks and ammunition depots belonging to the militants.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has amended its regulations to allow fresh persimmon imports from New Zealand into the United States.
The U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has amended its regulations to allow fresh persimmon imports from New Zealand into the United States.
APHIS said these shipments can be imported safely into the United States by using a systems approach, a series of measures taken by growers, packers, and shippers that, in combination, minimize pest risks prior to importation.
Specifically for New Zealand persimmons, the systems approach requires orchard certification, orchard pest control, post-harvest safeguards, fruit culling, traceback, and sampling. In addition, the fruit must be treated with hot water or undergo modified atmosphere cold storage to kill any leafroller moth larvae.
The persimmon shipments must also be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate stating that they were produced under the systems approach and were inspected and found to be free of quarantine pests.
The final rule, which is published in the Oct. 3 Federal Register, will take effect Nov. 2.
The prison authorities in Karnataka are considering a plea by jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala to release her on parole for 15 days to meet her ailing husband, who is awaiting a liver transplant at a Chennai hospital.
"Yesterday, we received an application from Sasikala, urging us to release her on a 15-day parole. She has said that her husband is unwell and admitted in a hospital in Chennai. Our legal cell is considering the plea," Parappana AgraharaPrison Superintendent P S Ramesh said.
Sasikala's (60) husband M Natarajan (74) is admitted in the liver intensive care unit of a corporate hospital since last month following a kidney and liver failure.
He is awaiting a deceased donor liver transplantation and a kidney transplantation, according to doctors.
Sasikala is in jail here since February after the Supreme Court upheld her conviction by a special court in a disproportionate assets case.
Along with Sasikala, her relatives Ilavarasi and V N Sudhakaran are also serving a four-year jail term.
Sasikala's nephew and sidelined AIADMK leader T T V Dhinakaran had also said in Chennai yesterday that she had applied for a 15-day parole to meet her ailing husband.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Expressing concern over the plight of children of Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi today said resolving the humanitarian crisis is the moral responsibility of the world community and sought the intervention of the UN.
The rights activists was in the city today as part of his countrywide tour to spread awareness about the child protection.
"If any child is being victimised during the current Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, then this is the moral responsibility of the world community to resolve this crisis," he told reporters.
Satyarthi said the United Nations should intervene to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
Stressing the need for "clear and strict" anti-child trafficking laws in India, Satyarthi said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had recently indicated that the government could move towards enacting such law.
Stating that thousands of cases pertaining to harassment of children are pending resolution, he demanded setting up of a special court in every district of the country for time-bound hearing of such cases.
Demanding a total ban on pornography in the country, Satyarthi said the government should take help of IT experts to ensure that minors cannot access such content on Internet.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court today asked the CBI to respond to a plea by Mumbai-based Adarsh cooperative housing society seeking defreezing of its bank accounts, which were frozen during the probe into the 2010 Adarsh scam.
The Adarsh scam had kicked up a political storm leading to the resignation of the then Congress Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ashok Chavan. The 31-storey Adarsh apartments was built at Colaba in posh South Mumbai locality for 1999 Kargil war heroes and war widows.
A bench comprising Justices J Chelameswar and S Abdul Nazeer asked the probe agency to file its response within two weeks after the counsel appearing for the housing society said they needed money for maintenance of the building.
Senior counsel Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the housing society, told the apex court that money in the frozen bank accounts belonged to the cooperative society which has nothing to do with the alleged scam.
She said the Bombay High Court had dismissed their plea seeking defreezing of the bank accounts and said that it would remain frozen till the conclusion of the criminal case trial.
"These bank accounts should be defreezed. The cooperative society is not an accused in the case. These accounts were frozen when the probe had started in the case," Arora said, adding that the cooperative society and its bank accounts have "no direct link" with the alleged crime.
The Bombay High Court had earlier ordered demolition of the apartments and sought initiation of criminal proceedings against politicians and bureaucrats for alleged misuse of powers, holding that the tower was illegally constructed.
It had asked the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest to carry out the demolition at the expense of Adarsh Society.
It had also asked the Centre and Maharashtra government to consider initiating civil and criminal proceedings against bureaucrats, ministers and politicians for misuse and abuse of power to get plots under the scheme, originally meant for Kargil war heroes and war widows.
Later, the top court in July last year had said that the Adarsh apartments would not be demolished for the time being and asked the Centre to secure it after taking its possession from the housing society.
In 2011, the Maharashtra government had set up a two- member judicial commission headed by Justice J A Patil to inquire into the Adarsh scam.
After probing the issue for over two years, it submitted its report in 2013, which found that there had been 25 illegal allotments, including 22 purchases made by proxy.
Later, the CBI, the Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate (ED) also investigated the scam.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court today made clear to the Centre and two Rohingya Muslims, who have challenged any move to deport illegal refugees to Myanmar, to desist from making emotional arguments and personal attacks and asked them to file documents, including international conventions.
The apex court, which fixed a batch pleas for and against the Rohingyas for hearing on October 13, said it will hear arguments only on the points of law as the matter concerned humanitarian cause and humanity which required to be heard with mutual respect.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the Centre and the two Rohingya Muslim refugees, who have filed the petition, to compile all documents and international conventions before the next date of hearing for assisting it.
The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said it will hear in details various aspects of the matter including the Centre's preliminary objection that the issue fell under the domain of the executive and hence was "not justiciable".
At the outset, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, said the rejoinder affidavit of two Rohingya petitioners needed to be replied to and moreover, two fresh petitions were filed during the recent court vacation.
He sought listing of the matters on some other date for a detailed hearing and submitted that the government would not like the matter to be heard in a piecemeal manner as it had wide ramifications.
Senior advocate Fali S Nariman, appearing for Rohingya immigrants Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir, started his submission on a lighter vein, saying "I am the original refugee from Burma" and had migrated from "British Burma to British India".
He assailed the Centre's stand that illegal refugees cannot claim protection of their fundamental rights under the Constitution as it would adversely affect the rights of Indian citizens and that the issue was "not justiciable".
"Humanitarian concern for children, women, the sick outweigh justiciability," Nariman said, adding the objection that the matter was "not justiciable" was very serious as the Constitution protects the rights of non-citizens as well.
"The rights of the persons who happen to be in India deserve constitutional protection," he said, adding that the government was contradicting itself while referring to a past notification on ways to deal with migrants, mostly Hindus and Buddhists, from Pakistan and Bangladesh who had suffered persecution.
He said terrorists from any group should be dealt with as per the law but simultaneously, innocent refugees including women and children need protection.
A terse response of senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan, appearing for the National Human Rights Commission, to the Centre's objections was strongly contested by ASG Mehta who said "one does not need to abuse to counter".
Summing up the arguments advanced by Nariman, the bench said the government cannot "simply paint" everybody as a terrorist and that India is a signatory to various international conventions.
On the issue of non-justiciabilty, the bench observed that the court should be "very slow in abdicating its jurisdiction".
Earlier, the Centre in an affidavit had termed Rohingya refugees as "illegal" immigrants and said some of them were part of a "sinister" design of Pakistan's ISI and terror groups such as the ISIS, whose presence in the country will pose a "serious" national security threat.
The affidavit was submitted in response to a plea filed by the Rohingya immigrants, claiming they had taken refuge in India after escaping from Myanmar due to widespread discrimination, violence and bloodshed against the community there.
Various other petitions, including those by former RSS ideologue and Rashtriya Swabhiman Andolan leader K N Govindacharaya, the West Bengal child rights body and BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, have been filed in the apex court on the issue.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Supreme Court today said it would examine the question whether the Kerala High Court can exercise its power under writ jurisdiction to annul the marriage of a Muslim man with a Hindu woman who had converted to Islam before tying the nuptial knot.
The apex court was apparently not in agreement with the submission that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was asked to probe whether there was any wider pattern, commonly referred to as 'love jihad', in the case and said that the question was can the High Court annul the marriage between two adults.
"Pattern or no pattern, the question is, can the high court annul the marriage by exercising its powers under Article 226 of the Constitution," the bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said and fixed the plea of the Kerala man for hearing on October 9.
The bench also said that a father cannot be seen dictating the personal life of a 24-year-old daughter.
At the outset, senior advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for Shafin Jahan who has sought recall of the order asking the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to probe the case, started his arguments on a high pitch, which led the bench to ask him not to shout.
"This NIA probe shakes the very foundation of this multi-religious country. The order for NIA investigation was not in consonance of the law," Dave said.
"Please do not shout," the bench said, adding that his high pitch made it impossible for the bench to understand the submissions.
"I will shout," Dave replied.
The senior lawyer questioned the apex court order asking the NIA to probe saying that neither the father, nor the state and neither the NIA was in appeal against the High Court order. Rather, it was the man who has challenged the annulment of his marriage.
"State is not in appeal, father is not in appeal, NIA is not in appeal. Your Lordships have gone beyond the jurisdiction and expanded the proceedings by ordering NIA probe," he said.
"This investigation shakes the foundation of this multi- religious country. Two high functionaries of BJP have married members of minority community. Will Your Lordships order NIA probe into it? This order sends terrible signals all over the world," he said.
The bench, which was apparently miffed with the way Dave addressed the court, said it would examine the validity of the High Court order.
"No shouting. Instead of questioning the legal foundation, you are straying here and there," it said.
Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for NIA, opposed the submission of Dave and said the probe agency was not a party but was asked by the court to probe the matter to ascertain wider pattern, if any, to the case.
He said that the order asking NIA to probe was a consent order and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, the then counsel for Jahan, was present at the hearing.
Jahan had on September 20 approached the apex court seeking recall of its order directing the NIA to investigate the controversial case of conversion and marriage of a Hindu woman with him.
The Kerala High Court had annulled the marriage terming it as an instance of 'love jihad', following which he had approached the apex court.
The top court had on August 16 directed the NIA to probe the incident under the supervision of retired apex court judge, Justice R V Raveendran.
Jahan, who had married a Hindu woman in last December, had moved the apex court after the Kerala High Court annulled his marriage, saying it was an insult to the independence of women in the country.
The woman, a Hindu, had converted to Islam and later married Jahan. It was alleged that the woman was recruited by Islamic State's mission in Syria and Jahan was only a stooge.
Ashokan K M, the father of the woman, had alleged that there was a "well-oiled systematic mechanism" for conversion and Islamic radicalisation.
The high court, while declaring the marriage as "null and void", had described the case as an instance of 'love jihad' and ordered the state police to conduct probe into such cases.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Capital markets regulator Sebi has directed Angel Allied India Ltd and its directors to refund investor money that it raised by issuing securities without complying with public issue norms.
Besides, the watchdog has barred the firm and its directors from capital markets for four years from the date of completion of refunds, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in an order.
Angel Allied raised little over Rs 1 crore through issuance of non-convertible redeemable secured debentures to at least 334 persons in 2012-13 and 2013-14, the order said.
Since the securities were issued to over 50 persons, which under the rules made it a public issue. Hence, the companies were required to make a compulsory listing on a recognised stock exchange. Besides, was required to file a prospectus, among others, which it failed to do.
"In view of the violations committed by the company and its directors, to safeguard the interest of the investors who had subscribed to such NCDs ...to safeguard their investments, and to further ensure orderly development of securities market, it also becomes necessary for Sebi to issue appropriate directions against the company and the other noticees," Sebi Whole Time Member Madhbi Puri Buch said.
In an order passed on September 29, Sebi has asked Angel Allied, Sandip Pal, Sekh Nazibulla, Santosh Kumar Mishra and Devid Haslaf to refund the money collected by the firm during their respective period of directorship through the issuance of NCDs along with an interest of 15 per cent per annum.
It has also restrained the firm's directors from associating themselves with any listed public company and any public entity that intends to raise money from the public, or any intermediary registered with the regulator "till the expiry of four years from the date of completion of refunds to investors".
In case, they failed to comply with the directions of refund on expiry of three months period, Sebi would initiate recovery proceedings.
Besides, it would make a reference to the state government or local police to register a civil or criminal case against them for offences of fraud, cheating, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds.
Earlier through an interim order in June 2015, Sebi had prohibited the firm and its directors from the capital markets "till further directions".
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hundreds of BJP leaders and workers set off on a 15-day march against political violence in Kerala which was kicked off by party president Amit Shah here today.
Scores of BJP-RSS workers and the state's ruling CPI-M cadres have been killed in violent clashes over the years, and the saffron party is keen on highlighting these to expand its base in the southern state where it has been a marginal player.
The 'Janraksha Yatra' with the theme "All have to live! Against Jihadi-Red Terror" began from the Gandhi statue here this afternoon where Shah hit out at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the "political killings".
Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam, MPs Suresh Gopi and Richard Hey,former Karnataka EducationMinisterC T Ravi, BJP Puducherry president V Swaminathan, and many other BJP leaders and workers joined the foot march.
Shah, on a three-day visit to the state, led the march after paying floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi.
The 'Janraksha Yatra' (March for Protection of People) that began from Payyanur will pass through several parts of Kerala before concluding in state capital Thiruvananthapuram on October 17.
Today's yatra will conclude in Pilathara, about 8 km from Payyanur.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanadh will join the march tomorrow from Keecheri to Kannur, Vijayan's home town and the hub of the political violence.
Joining the rally, hundreds of BJP workers, mostly from Kannur and Kasargod districts, raised slogans against political violence under the CPI(M)-led LDF government.
BJP has alleged that as many as its 120 workers have been killed, 84 in Kannur alone, since 2001. It has claimed 14 of these killings have taken place since Vijayan took over the reins of the government last year.
The CPI(M) has, in turn, accused the BJP-RSS combine of unleashing violence and denied any role of its government and cadres in it.
Several Union ministers will join the march in different stages, party leaders said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Singapore's newly elected President Halimah Yacob is moving out of her 30-year-old apartment, built under the public housing scheme, for security reasons, according to media reports.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has advised the president that "the security agencies face several challenges in ensuring her security and protection, if she continues to stay in her current home".
"MHA has therefore strongly advised the president to consider moving to another place. This will enable the agencies to ensure her safety and security with greater assurance," it added in a statement.
After being declared President on September 13, Halimah, 63, had continued to live in the Yishun flat, making her Singapore's first head of state to live in public housing while in office.
The sixth-floor apartment was the first property she and her husband, Mohamed Abdullah Alhabshee, 63, bought as newly- weds more than 30 years ago.
They later made it a jumbo flat by combining the four- room unit with a neighbouring five-room flat they bought on the resale market.
The president has described it as a "very nice, comfortable place" and lived there with her family.
She has two sons and three daughters, aged 26 to 36.
Singapore's past presidents had lived in private housing or at the Istana (The Presidential Palace) within the Central Business District.
But Halimah's decision to stay in the apartment had raised questions about security arrangements, according to media reports today.
Ever since her election as the president, police have intensified security measures in the area.
An awning was put up at the foot of the apartment block of the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in the Yishun housing estate, catering to the security and police cars requirements.
More than 80 per cent of Singaporeans live in the state- built and subsidised apartments in HDB estates.
In 1992, the HDB received the United Nations' World Habitat Award for Tampines New Town, a successful public housing project, and its contribution to "innovation and successful human settlements."
The award identifies new outstanding human settlement projects to serve as examples for others to follow.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union minister Smriti Irani today attacked Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for allegedly sympathising with those who raised anti-national slogans at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and asserted that the people of Gujarat would never support his party in the upcoming assembly polls.
Addressing a gathering of tribals as part of the BJP's Gujarat Gaurav Yatra march for honour Irani accused the Congress former governments at the Centre of stalling the Narmada project, under the then chief minister Narendra Modi, "out of its grudge".
"The entire country had witnessed how Rahul Gandhi rushed to extend his support to those who chanted Bharat tere tukde honge (India you will be broken into pieces) in Delhi. Since this is the land of Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi, I want to know if this land (Gujarat) will support Rahul (in the polls)," Irani asked. The crowd responded with a resounding "no".
Gujarat is likely to go to polls in December.
Reacting to Gandhi's charge that no "real development" had taken place in Gujarat under the BJP rule, the Union Minister for Textiles and Information and Broadcasting said the Congress leader remembers the state and its people only when elections are around the corner.
"Though Gujarat had fought for Narmada project, the work could not be completed in 55 years... Railways did not give permission to lay canals in Rajkot and Anand (during the UPA rule).
"The Congress did that out of its grudge against the BJP. It decided on not giving water till the party comes to power in Gujarat," said Irani, in her speech in Gujarati.
The Union minister added that the party wanted to settle scores with Modi.
"People of Gunarat will never forget what the Congress did to them. They did not give water as they wanted to settle their score with Modi. Gujarat will not forget that one son of this soil - Sardar Patel - united this country while their (Congress') son supported those who want to break this country," she said.
Comparing Gandhi's constituency Amethi in Uttar Pradesh to Gujarat to counter the Congress vice president's take on the development in the state, she alleged that farmers there were shot at for demanding urea.
"What is his definition of development? In Amethi, which has been a Congress stronghold for the last 50 years, farmers were shot at when they demanded urea. Gujarat might also remember how bullets were fired on farmers in Congress-ruled Maharashtra for demanding water," she said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A youth was arrested today for allegedly shooting dead his assistant sub-inspector father who objected to his lifestyle and bad company, a senior official said.
The accused Mohit, in his 20s and a resident of the U- block of the posh DLF phase 3 here, was arrested from Jaipur, he said.
On September 18, ASI Naresh Yadav, 46, posted with the Faridabad Police was found dead at his residence with bullet wounds on his body.
"During investigation, the involvement of his son Mohit was suspected as neighbours said the father-son duo often had heated arguments. In the CCTV footage, Mohit was seen terrified and worried before he left the house," Gurgaon Police PRO and ACP Manish Sehgal told PTI.
Neighbours told the police that on the morning of the crime all family members, including Mohit, were at home but after the incident, not a single person was seen, Sehgal said.
Police teams raided the houses of Mohit's relatives in Delhi and NCR, other places and even in Rishikesh in Uttarakhand.
He was finally nabbed him from Jaipur with the help of technical surveillance, the officer added.
"During interrogation, Mohit said he was annoyed with his father and killed him as he opposed his activities. Yadav rebuked him when he came home late and in an inebriated state," Sehgal said.
"His father wanted him to stay away from criminal activity and bad elements," he added.
Mohit will be produced before a court and the police will seek his remand for further interrogation, he added.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition gives Walmart access to Parcels routing algorithm for scheduled, time definite delivery of orders.
Big box retailer Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart) has acquired the last mile delivery startup Parcel to provide scheduled, time-definite delivery for customers in the New York City area.
The deal, for which terms were not disclosed, gives Walmart access to Parcels routing algorithms, fleet of leased vehicles, and employees, the retailer said in a blog post Tuesday.
We plan to leverage Parcel for last mile delivery to customers in New York City including same-day delivery for both general merchandise as well as fresh and frozen groceries from Walmart and Jet, the company said.
Parcel was backed by investors to the tune of $2 million in two different investment rounds between 2014 and 2015. The company, according to a report in Reuters, has six full-time employees and a roster of 45 part-time employees.
Walmart has been steadily building out its e-commerce and last-mile capabilities as it faces down a challenge from e-commerce giant Amazon. It acquired the e-commerce platform Jet.com for $3 billion last year.
SpiceJet today said it has launched daily flight services on Guwahati-Dibrugarh route, making it the 50th destination for the no-frills airline.
"With the new flights SpiceJet will now operate a total of 26 flights in and out of North East and a total of eight flights within the region," the airline said in a release.
The direct flight from Guwahati to Dibrugarh would be operated daily with 78-seater Bombardier Q400 aircraft.
Now, SpiceJet flies to 50 destinations, including 43 domestic and 7 international places, according to the release.
"We thank SpiceJet and especially Ajay Singh for accepting our request and inducting Dibrugarh onto SpiceJet's network with such priority. This means a fresh impetus to trade, tourism and connectivity between northeastern states and adjoining regions," Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal was quoted as saying in the release.
Ajay Singh is the Chairperson and Managing Director (CMD) of the airline.
SpiceJet's Chief Marketing Officer Debojo Maharshi said the north eastern region has a distinctive connectivity constraint on account of its difficult terrain and hence SpiceJet has always remained committed to enhancing connectivity to this region.
The budget airline operates an average of 384 daily flights, with a fleet of 35 Boeing 737NG and 20 Bombardier Q- 400 planes.
(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.)
Chairman Emeritus of the Tata Sons, Ratan Tata is scheduled to visit Tel Aviv later this month to attend a transportation technologies and future business models summit hosted by the Israeli Prime Minister.
The two-day "Prime Minister's Fuel Choices and Smart Mobility Summit" will begin on October 31 in the Israel's capital.
Sources in the automotive and defence sector told the business daily, Globes, that Tata's arrival to Israel for the conference was "very unusual" but probably indicates his group's "great interest" in the Israeli auto-tech industry.
The group-owned Jaguar-Land Rover recently invested tens of millions of dollars in Tata Capital Innovations Fund, the daily reported.
Apart from Tata, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, other ministers of his cabinet and other prominent industry leaders like chairpersons of the SEAT and Lamborghini, both of which are Volkswagen group brands, Ole Harms, chairman of the MOIA smart transportation division founded two years ago by Volkswagen, senior managers at Ford, BMW, Delphi Automotive, and Nvidia.
Investment representatives from Chinese transportation firm Didi and Internet giant Baidu will also be participating in the event among many other potential investors, the report said.
During his earlier visit to Israel in 2013, Tata had signed an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industry (IAI) to jointly develop, manufacture and support a wide range of defence and aerospace products including missiles, Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), radars, electronic warfare systems and home land security systems.
The Tata Group has also invested USD 5 million in Tel Aviv University's (TAU) Technology Innovation Momentum Fund.
As the lead investor in the fund, Tatas have right of first opportunity to negotiate licence agreement on areas that have been defined as start-up field like automotive, point of care for medical devices, cleantech, etc.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Software services major Tech Mahindra today said it has bagged a multi-year contract from Finnish firm Ahlstrom-Munksj.
As part of the multi-million euro deal, about 25 employees of Ahlstrom-Munksj are expected to be transferred to Tech Mahindra as per the agreement, a statement said.
The new agreement builds on an existing contract that was awarded to Tech Mahindra by Ahlstrom three years ago, it added.
No financial details of the deal were disclosed.
Earlier this year, Ahlstrom and Munksj had announced their merger, creating a major fiber-based solutions entity.
Under the new deal that has been announced today, Tech Mahindra will provide end-to-end IT services and solutions including IT user support, infrastructure management and application support.
"Our deep rooted manufacturing strengths and our investments in to the digital technologies backed by focus on Digitalisation, Automation, Verticalisation, Innovation and Disruption (DAVID) would be an immense value to this longer term engagement," Tech Mahindra Head of Continental Europe Rajesh Chandiramani said.
Tech Mahindra has significant presence in Europe, which accounts for around 30 per cent of the company's overall business.
Ahlstrom-Munksj's annual net sales are about 2.15 billion euros and has about 6,000 employees.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three persons have been arrested from a village near the Indo-Bangla border in connection with "trafficking" of Rohingyas, a police official said today.
Acting on a tip-off, sleuths of Assam and Tripura Police and BSF personnel raided the Nabadwip Chandra Nagar village last night and arrested Suman Chowdhury (35), Faruk Chowdhury (32) and Sahajahan Choudhury (38), SP, Sipahijala district, Sudipta Das told reporters.
"On the basis of inputs of the Rohingya refugees, the Assam Police with help from Tripura Police and BSF arrested the three persons involved in trafficking," Das said.
He said six Rohingyas were arrested on August 19 at Karimganj in Assam, and during interrogation, they confessed to have migrated from Myanmar's Rakhine state, and were staying in Bangladesh as refugees.
"They entered India with the help of a trafficking racket by using the sensitive corridor at Nabawip Chandra Nagar," Das said.
(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three Tanzanians, including two women, were arrested today by the Rachakonda Police for allegedly operating a flesh trade racket by procuring women.
The women, aged 23 and 25, were arrested along with their 25-year-old male compatriot after a police team raided a rented house in Hastinapuri area, Special Operation Team Inspector G Naveen Kumar said.
"The trio are organisers and were arranging women for prostitution. Apart from this, the two women themselves were also indulged in prostitution," the inspector said.
He said the women had uploaded their photos online and also given their mobile phone numbers.
Police contacted the women on phone by posing as customers and raided the house.
The women had came to India on a visit visa few months ago, the official said.
The trio were booked under section 370 A (exploitation of a trafficked person) of the IPC and under relevant sections of Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act and Foreigners Act. Further probe is on.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will travel to Washington next week to meet US President Donald Trump just as continental trade talks are expected to heat up, his office announced today.
The prime minister will press Trump on "international security and our vital trade and economic relationship," said a statement.
Trudeau will continue trade talks in Mexico after his Washington stop.
Canadian, Mexican and US trade representatives last week trumpeted strides made in a third round of continental free trade talks in Ottawa, but warned of challenges ahead when negotiations resume on October 11 in Washington.
At the same time, Canada-US trade relations hit a recent low over US dumping accusations levelled against Canada's forestry sector and aerospace firm Bombardier.
"We are making solid headway on bread and butter issues," Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said after five days of negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) last Wednesday.
But, she added, some of the "hardest issues or proposals" have not yet come up for discussion.
Trump ordered a renegotiation of NAFTA and threatened to pull out of the pact if the United States did not get a better deal, calling the existing 1994 accord the worst trade deal ever signed.
He has largely focused on the US-Mexico trade imbalance. But he has also pressured Canada to open up its protected dairy market.
Ottawa and Washington are among the world's closest allies and trading partners, with more than half a trillion (US) dollars worth of goods exchanged annually.
But the US Commerce Department's announcement last week that it would impose a steep countervailing duty on Bombardier's new CSeries jetliners was met with outrage.
Trudeau warned he would call off a US$5.2 billion purchase of 18 Super Hornet fighter jets to partially replace its aging fleet of F-18s if the aircraft's manufacturer Boeing did not drop its anti-dumping lawsuit against Bombardier.
He also drew a line in the sand, saying Ottawa would walk away from the trade talks if Washington insisted on a demand to nix NAFTA dispute resolution tribunals.
Trudeau previously met Trump at the White House in February.
"The United States is Canada's top economic partner, and it's important that we continue to work together to strengthen trade, investment and economic opportunity for people on both sides of our border," Trudeau said.
Immediately following his October 12-13 trip to Washington, Trudeau will head south for his first official visit to Mexico, where he will also discuss trade with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
Trudeau said he looked forward also to meeting with Pena Nieto and Mexican civil society to "deepen relations between our two countries.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Trump Administration views India as a leading power and a true friend, the President's nominee to be America's envoy to India told lawmakers today, asserting that a strong India and a robust US-India relationship were in US' interest.
In his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Kenneth I Juster, nominee to be the US Ambassador to India, said India's international influence was important and has been growing.
"India's role in the Indo-Pacific region and globally will be critical to international security and economic growth over the course of this century," the former top White House official told members of the Senate Committee during his confirmation hearing.
Juster said the Trump Administration will build on the excellent meeting that US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in June this year in seeking to deepen the partnership for the benefit of the people of both countries, and in the interest of shaping a freer, more secure and more prosperous world.
Of the many elements of the effort to expand and enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries and advance common objectives, Juster said one key pillar was to deepen defence and security cooperation, building on the US' recognition of India as a major defence partner.
"Together, our countries seek to ensure freedom of navigation, overflight and commerce, and advance a rules- based, democratic order throughout the Indo-Pacific Region," he said.
Juster said, if confirmed, he would look forward to engaging his counterparts in India to strengthen cooperation on the most pressing challenges to regional security and global peace from North Korea's destabilising pursuit of nuclear weapons to the growing threat that all forms of terrorism pose to people.
"In addition, I will make it a priority to work closely with New Delhi to promote security and stability in Afghanistan, where India already has provided billions of dollars in economic support and is a longstanding partner for peace," he said.
Noting that in the economic sphere, Modi has undertaken important reforms, Juster said the Indian government had liberalised foreign direct investment in several sectors and is working to improve the ease of doing business.
"If confirmed, I look forward to identifying ways that the United States can be a partner in these reform efforts, to the mutual benefit of our business communities and our citizens," he said.
India is 1.3 billion people and its rapidly expanding middle class represent a significant market opportunity for US goods and services, he said.
"I appreciate the imperative to expand free, fair, and balanced trade between the United States and India. We will pursue that goal by working with the Government of India to improve and expedite," Juster said.
In his opening remarks, Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, underscored the importance of India-US relationship.
He said the time had come to match the expectations from this relationship.
Expressing his frustration over the "slow pace" of Indian economic reform and compulsory licensing requirement, Corker said the economic playing field was not even in India.
The top US lawmaker also expressed concern over the rise of Hindu nationalism.
Corker said he was also concerned about the scale of human trafficking in India, particularly the bonded labour.
Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced Juster before the confirmation hearing.
Warner is also Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, the only country specific caucus in the Senate.
Pledging his full support to India-US relationship, Senator Ben Cardin, Ranking Member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also raised the issue of human trafficking in India.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
President Donald Trump arrived in hurricane-devastated Puerto Rico today, hoping to underscore government recovery efforts and repair damage done by his contentious early response to the crisis.
Trump landed at Muniz Air National Guard Base to begin what the White House said would be a five-hour visit with federal responders, troops and survivors.
Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed the US territory, much of the island remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Hyderabad police today arrested two persons, accused of indulging in black magic, for allegedly duping people after collecting money from them on the pretext of solving their problems.
Based on a tip-off, a police team conducted raids at a place in Secunderbad and nabbed the duo, identified as Nawab Malik and his associate Mohd Khalid, a release issued by Hyderabad police said.
The accused, who are natives of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, had come to Hyderabad a few months back and rented the premises.
"They gave advertisements in newspapers and local TV channels, claiming that they can solve all types of problems through black magic through their spiritual powers and started cheating people after collecting amounts from them", it said.
A case was registered.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Science Museum in London has launched a new exhibition celebrating the long tradition of scientific thought in India, from the ancient past to the present day.
The exhibition "Illuminating India: 5000 years of science and innovation', which opens its doors to the public on Wednesday, is among the highlights of the wider UK-India Year of Culture celebration this year.
It looks at India's expertise in observation, calculation and innovation, emphasising the importance of science in India as a way of understanding the world and creating a better society.
"The significance of India's contributions to the history of science, technology, engineering and mathematics cannot be overstated," said Matt Kimberley, head of content for the exhibition at the museum.
"From the birth of the mathematical concept of zero over 1,500 years ago, to the lifesaving medical technologies of today designed on the principles of jugaad, India and its people have played a pivotal role in shaping the global narrative of the history of science," Kimberley said.
Illuminating India tells stories ranging from the earliest feats of civil engineering achieved by the Indus Valley Civilisation 5,000 years ago to the interplanetary expeditions of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the present day.
It traces India's achievements such as the Great Trigonometrical Survey, which established the precise curvature of the earth, and how the country's high mountains with clear skies enabled important advances in astronomy and solar physics.
"It is incredible. The Bakhshali manuscript [an Indian mathematical text written on birch bark that was found in 1881] is on display among some of the most priceless objects that highlight Indian scientific achievements," said Dinesh K Patnaik, India's Deputy High Commissioner to the UK.
He said the Indian High Commission was already working on taking the exhibition to India for Indians to also be able to appreciate the rare objects on display.
The exhibition, which will be on until March next year, celebrates facts such as how the Mughal emperors conserved nature in the 16th century, how 20th century mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan revolutionised mathematics, and how ISRO sent a camera to Mars for less than the cost of the Hollywood film 'Gravity'.
The objects on display are on loan from various organisations, including some that have travelled out of India for the first time.
(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 Union Health Ministry has been declared as the "best department" for its contribution to Swachhta Pakhwada, an inter-ministry initiative organised by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation to promote cleanliness in government offices and health facilities.
The award was presented to the Health Ministry yesterday, on the third anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission, an official release said.
Health Secretary C K Mishra received the award on behalf of the ministry.
The Swachhta Pakhwada, observed from February 1 to 15 this year, saw several ministries and government departments organising activities to promote hygiene in their offices, centrally funded hospitals and public health facilities across 36 states and UTs, the release said.
"More pertinently, in addition to the envisaged activities, some of the key contributions include mass awareness generation initiatives through rallies, street plays and painting competitions etc, leveraging the participation and support of public representatives, NGOs, schoolchildren and the community," it stated.
During the fortnight-long campaign, all hospital/clinics were asked to install separate bins for dry and wet garbage and massive cleaning drives were undertaken in the patient wards and premises.
Doctors, nurses and medical staff along with patients and visitors also took part in the sanitation drive, the release added.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri has decided to review the progress of various urban schemes, including the Clean India and Smart City Missions, once every 15 days to accelerate their implementation, a senior official said.
Puri, who was named the Housing and Urban Affairs minister a month ago in the Cabinet reshuffle, told senior officials of his ministry yesterday that a day-long review with them will be undertaken on every first and third Tuesday of a month, the official added.
"Anything that can be measured can be changed. It implies that if we don't monitor and measure the outcomes, the intended change may not come through," he quoted Puri as saying.
The minister also prioritised the outcomes to be monitored under each mission like the number of Waste-to- Wealth projects made functional and toilets built during the fortnight under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) against the targets.
Similarly, the number of water supply connections provided under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), projects completed in each of the first batch of 20 smart cities, and affordable houses sanctioned and built under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) will be reviewed.
Puri stressed that the progress report should highlight the efforts made by the central and state governments to speed up execution, implementation hurdles resolved during the last fifteen days, and reasons for delay, if any, the official said.
The minister also stated that Rs 5 lakh crore investments has been approved so far under new urban missions.
He also directed finalisation of the National Rental Housing Policy and the Model Tenancy Act soon, besides highlighting the need for the DDA to immediately notify the Land Pooling Policy already cleared by the Ministry, the official said.
Puri referred to his first month in office as "quite eventful", he added.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US today ordered the expulsion of 15 Cuban diplomats in response to Havana's "failure" to take appropriate steps to protect American officials from a series of mysterious health attacks in Cuba.
The decision taken by the State Department comes amid mysterious health attacks on 21 US diplomats in Havana, leaving them with dizziness, concussions, hearing loss and other symptoms.
"The decision was made due to Cuba's failure to take appropriate steps to protect our diplomats in accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention. This order will ensure equity in our respective diplomatic operations," said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Tillerson issued the statement after the State Department informed Cuba that it was ordering the expulsion of 15 of its officials from its embassy in Washington DC.
"Until the Government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel to minimise the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm," Tillerson said.
The cause of the mysterious health attack, which were for the first time reported in August, is still being investigated.
According to some media reports, the attacks were caused through a sonic device. The State Department is yet to find such a device.
The officials have not ruled out the possibility of a third-country behind the attack on its diplomats.
Investigators have been unable to determine who is responsible or what is causing these attacks.
Last month, Tillerson had met his Cuban counterpart Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez Parrilla in Washington. Cuba has denied of having any role in such mysterious attacks and is providing all support to the FBI which is investigating the matter.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The US Senate today confirmed the nomination of Indian-American Ajit Varadaraj Pai to serve as the chairman of the powerful Federal Communications Commission for the second time despite Democratic complaints that he will undermine net neutrality.
The Senate voted on a bitterly divided partisan lines to confirm Pai's nomination for his second five-year term.
The FCC is an independent agency created by Congressional statute to regulate interstate communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US territories.
The vote was 52-41 for 44-year-old Pai, who has served as a commissioner at the FCC since 2012.
He is the first Indian American to hold this post.
Speaking on the Senate floor against Pai, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer alleged that during his tenure as acting FCC Chairman, he has established a clear record of favouring big corporations at the expense of consumers, innovators and small businesses.
Pai, he alleged, supported Congressional attempts to reverse the FCC's 2016 broadband privacy rule, which would have prevented big cable and internet companies from profiting off of personal internet data.
Now, internet service providers no longer have to obtain consumer consent before they sell or share sensitive personal data, he rued.
"Most disturbingly, Pai is currently attempting to dismantle the Open Internet Order, the net neutrality rules under which millions of consumers currently have access to a free and open internet," Schumer alleged.
Pai, however defended his work. "Since January, the Commission has focused on bridging the digital divide, promoting innovation, protecting consumers and public safety, and making the FCC more open and transparent," he said.
Several lawmakers agreed with him.
Pai has focused on the expansion of rural broadband and acceleration of next generation infrastructure deployment.
In defense of Pai, Republican Sen Roger Wicker said he is "working to establish the light-touch regulatory framework that allowed the internet to become the marvel of the modern age, keeping it free and open for consumers, innovators and providers. Internet technology will continue to thrive if we keep the heavy hand of government away from the controls."
Senator John Thune, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, said, "In recent weeks, Pai has worked tirelessly to help ensure communications services are restored to the communities affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria."
In just nine months since becoming Chairman, Pai has also made much-needed reforms to improve transparency at the FCC and to improve the agencys processes, he said.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito said Pai truly understands the need to bring more rural communities online and has shown a real commitment to closing the digital divide in America.
Pai understands communications policy from just about every angle no wonder, given his deep and impressive resume, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
He comprehends the needs of rural communities in states like mine a product of his own rural upbringing, he said.
However, Senator Blumenthal alleged that Pai has taken one step after another that are contrary to the public interest.
He has launched an attack on net neutrality, and is working adamantly toward undoing the open internet order, the lawmaker charged.
Pai forcefully advocated in support of efforts to rescind the FCCs broadband privacy rules a blatant attack on consumer privacy rights, all the more striking in light of recent concerns about privacy, he said.
"Signing up for the internet should not mean that you have to sign away your rights to privacy. Chairman Pai has raised severe doubts about his commitment to the average American consumer, Blumenthal said.
Soon after becoming the president, Trump designated Pai as acting Chairman of Federal Communications.
He had previously served as Commissioner at FCC.
Appointed by his predecessor Barack Obama, Pai was confirmed unanimously by the Senate in May 2012.
Before joining FCC, Pai was a Partner at Jenner & Block, LLP from 2011 until 2012, and Deputy General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, and Special Advisor to the General Counsel at the FCC from 2007 until 2011.
The son of immigrants from India, Pai grew up in Parsons, Kansas.
Pai graduated with honors from Harvard University in 1994 and from the University of Chicago Law School in 1997, where he was an editor of the University of Chicago Law Review and won the Thomas R Mulroy Prize.
In 2010, Pai was one of 55 individuals nationwide chosen for the 2011 Marshall Memorial Fellowship, a leadership development initiative of the German Marshall Fund of the United States.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President Donald Trump and Thai junta leader chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha have reaffirmed theirshared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the disputed South China Sea amidst flexing of muscles by China.
Underlining the importance of a peaceful and stable South China Sea, US President Donald Trump and Thai junta leader chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha have reaffirmedtheirshared commitment to peaceful resolution of the dispute.
The two leaders, who held talks at the White House, in a joint statement, highlighted the importance of a peaceful and stable South China Sea, a vital waterway for global commerce, and freedom of navigation and overflight.
They reaffirmedtheirshared commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes,including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes,in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Welcoming the adoption of the framework of Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), they called for an early conclusion of the COC.
Trump and the Thai leader alsoconcurredon the need for a cooperative approach to ensuring a peaceful, stable and sustainable South China Sea.
Trump and Prayut also expressed grave concern about North Korea's unprecedented number of nuclear and ballistic missile testsover the last year.
They urged all parties concerned,to strictly implement all relevant UN Security Council resolutions with a view to realising a peaceful, stable and denuclearised Korean Peninsula.
They also discussed the current situation in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Describing Prayut's visit as a "great honor," Trump offered a symbolic show of unity with the man behind a 2014 takeover that resulted in Washington cutting aid and cooling relations with one of its oldest alliances.
"We have a very strong relationship right now, as of this moment, and it's getting stronger in the last nine months. We've done a lot of things together, and it is a tremendous, Trump said welcoming his guest to the Oval Office.
Prayut, the first Thai leader to visit the White House since 2005, said the two countries would work together to resolve regional issues of concerns.
"We work, of course, in hand on our security defense cooperation to help ensure that our citizens are safeguarded from terrorism and other threats. Of course, we will work closely in order we solve the regional issue of concern, of course, he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The victims just kept coming. In cars, in ambulances waiting four or five deep, from the walking wounded to the barely alive, they arrived in droves.
"I have no idea who I operated on," said Dr Jay Coates, a trauma surgeon whose hospital took in many of the wounded after a gunman opened fire from his 32nd-floor hotel suite Sunday night on a country music concert below. "They were coming in so fast, we were taking care of bodies. We were just trying to keep people from dying."
It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, with at least 59 killed and 527 injured, some by gunfire, some during the chaotic escape.
University Medical Center of Southern Nevada was one of many hospitals that were overflowing.
"Every bed was full," Coates said. "We had people in the hallways, people outside and more people coming in."
He said the huge, horrifying wounds on his operating table told him this shooting was something different.
"It was very clear that the first patient I took back and operated on that this was a high-powered weapon," Coates said.
"This wasn't a normal street weapon. This was something that did a lot of damage when it entered the body cavity." The gunman, 64-year-old high-stakes gambler and retired accountant Stephen Paddock, killed himself as authorities stormed his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay hotel casino.
He had 23 guns, some with scopes, in the room where he had been staying since Thursday. He knocked out two windows to create sniper's perches he used to rain bullets on the crowd of 22,000 some 500 yards away.
He also had two "bump stocks" that can be used to modify weapons to make them fully automatic, according to two US officials briefed by law enforcement who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still unfolding.
At Paddock's home, authorities found 19 more guns, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Also, several pounds of ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer that can be turned into explosives, were in his car, authorities said.
The FBI discounted the possibility of international terrorism, even after the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. But beyond that, the motive remained a mystery, with Sheriff Joseph Lombardo saying: "I can't get into the mind of a psychopath at this point."
While Paddock appeared to have no criminal history, his father was a bank robber who was on the FBI's most-wanted list in the 1960s.
"I can't even make something up," his brother in Florida, Eric Paddock, said when asked what might have motivated his brother. "There's just nothing.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Embattled liquor baron Vijay Mallya was"re-arrested" today in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of India before being released on a 650,000 pounds bail by a court here.
The 61-year-old flamboyant businessman, already out on bail on an extradition warrant executed by the Metropolitan Police earlier this year, was released on the same bail conditions as before to appear for his extradition hearing on December 4.
Speaking to PTI outside the Westminster Magistrates' Court, Mallya said that he has "done nothing wrong" and described the allegations against him as "fabricated".
The UKs Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is arguingthe case against Mallya on behalf of the Indian authorities, told the court the new charges were "supplemental" to the earlier fraud charges against him.
The new case gives evidence of the destination of the allegedly fraudulently obtained funds, some of which they claim may have landed in the Formula One team - Force India.
"It isessentially aboutthe ultimate destination of the funds... some of which we believe ended up in Force India Formula One," said CPS barrister Mark Summers.
The previous fraud charges relate to Mallya'snow-defunct Kingfisher Airlines owing more than Rs 9,000 crore to various Indian banks.
The UB Group chief has been on self-imposed exile in the UK since he left India on March 2, 2016.
The CPS told the court that the money laundering charges had been filed in India on June 14 and submitted as an evidence affidavit for the extradition case in the UK at the end of September.
This resulted in the CPS technically re-filing its extradition request in court today, which has now "superseded" the previous ongoing case.
Judge,Chief Magistrate Emma Louise Arbuthnot, agreed to formally re-open a fresh case while keeping to the same time- table as set before.
However, she concurred with Mallya's defence team that there should be "nothing coming out of the woodwork" because if further evidence keeps coming in it could put the December 4 trial date at "risk".
The CPS defended the Indian authorities over the issue, saying the new charges are linked to the original case.
However, Ben Watson, arguing on behalf of Mallya, sought the court's direction to ensure "nothing further" would be presented from the Indian side.
"We are very keen to keep the December hearing, something thegovernment of India have pushed for. We can't beserved further evidence like this again...we are doing all we can to meet the timetable," he said.
Mallya's team will now respond to the additional evidence by the end of October with further responses on both sides scheduled for early November in time for a pre-trial hearing on November 20.
The judge was sympathetic to the defence team, saying their request was "quite reasonable".
She then informed Mallya that he is freed on the "same bail conditions as before", which he must abide by afterthe court clerk formally asked Mallya if he consented to be extradited to India on the charges and he responded with "no".
The conditions of his bail includeproviding a bail bond worth 650,000 pounds, assuring the court of abiding by all conditions associated with extradition proceedings, such as the surrender of his passport and a ban on him possessing any travel documents.
He is exempt from appearing before the court now until his trial begins in December.
Arbuthnot has been hearing Mallya's extradition case at Westminster Magistrates' Court on his previous arrest warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April.
She is scheduled to preside over the hearing listed for two weeks starting December 4.
If she rules in favour of extradition at the end of the trial, the UKhome secretary must orderMallyas extradition within two months of the appropriate day.
However, the case can go through a series of appeals before arriving at a conclusion.
Sources in New Delhi said his arrest was pursuant to the extradition request made by the Indian government based on money laundering charges against Mallya.
The ED in a statement said that the process for extradition of Mallya to ensure his presence during the trial of the offence of money laundering has been initiated by it.
"For the purpose, a fresh application for his extradition was routed through the Ministry of External Affairs which has since been filed before the concerned court in London," it said.
"The matter came up for hearing today. In pursuance of same Mallya has been arrested in pursuance of the fresh extradition request. He is already facing extradition proceedings in UK in a criminal case of CBI," the ED said.
The statement added that the agency has attached assets worth Rs 9,890 crore (market value), under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), till now in connection with this case.
India and the UK have an Extradition Treaty, signed in 1992, but so far only one extradition has taken place from the UK to India under the arrangement -- Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel,who was sent back to India last October to face trial in connection with his involvement in the post-Godhra riots of 2002.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The West Bengal Pollution Control Board will hold workshops in schools to raise awareness about sound pollution in the run-up to the Diwali festival.
A WBPCB official said, since children are major users of fire crackers during Diwali, the Board is targeting school students to sensitise them about decibel limits and perils of sound and air pollution.
Students of some schools in Salt Lake have already participated in such workshops before the Durga Puja while more such workshops will be held in other institutions in the city in the coming days.
WBPCB has also handed over sound limiter devices to police to keep a tab on sound pollution, the official said.
An estimated 720 sound limiters, which can measure the sound level at a spot, were handed over to Kolkata Police and Bidhannagar police commissionerates and the cops will monitor sound level on particular festive days, he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
ITC Hotels, one of the largest luxury hotel chains, today opened its premium brand in the 5-star segment, WelcomHotel in the city, designed to cater to business and leisure travellers.
The 103-room hotel is poised to offer curated experiences inspired by local traditions in a relaxed ambience with vibrant interiors, company Vice President-South, Anil Chaddha told reporters here.
Stating that the hotel is in close proximity to the business district and shopping areas, Chaddha said the city is an emerging business hub and houses several key IT companies, world class health care set-up and technical educational institutions.
With 11 ITC properties at present, the brand will also make its presence felt in Guntur, Bhuvaneshwar, Pahalgam and Amritsar in the near future, Chaddha said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Wells Fargo's chief defended the bank's efforts to rectify a massive fake accounts scandal today, but faced tough questioning from senators and at least one call for his ouster.
Chief executive Tim Sloan, who was promoted to the top job in late 2016 after the scandal exploded, again apologized for the debacle, in which the bank opened as many as 3.5 million potentially phony accounts at a time when executives told Wall Street "cross selling" would boost profits.
Sloan reviewed myriad efforts to compensate affected customers, change payment incentives and better train employees.
"Wells Fargo is a better bank today than it was year ago and in a year it will be a better bank than it is today," he pledged.
The session was a follow-up to a hearing last fall in the same committee at which former chief executive John Stumpf endured bruising questions from senators from both parties and a particularly harsh dressing-down from Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren, who accused the CEO of "gutless leadership."
Stumpf stepped down three weeks after the hearing and was replaced by Sloan, a 30-year Wells veteran who served as chief operating officer when the fake accounts scandal broke.
Warren also went hard after Sloan, telling him he "should be fired" for not doing more to investigate and address the problem as signs of the scandal surfaced.
"At best you were incompetent," she said. "At worst you were complicit."
Sloan defended his response, saying the bank took some "incremental"
actions early on, but misunderstood the depth of the problem.
"I have made mistakes, I haven't been perfect," he said. "The reason I'm the right person is because I have made change for 30 years."
While some Republican lawmakers also expressed astonishment at the scandal, their questions were generally fairly polite.
But Senator Sherrod Brown lambasted Wells Fargo for forcing consumers in many cases into arbitration, a behind- closed-door process that can keep corporate malfeasance from courtroom exposure and that critics say often leaves consumers paying.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Following opposition from the residents of the tony Malabar Hill area of south Mumbai to a fire engine being parked inside the Priyadarshini Park, the Bombay High Court today asked the civic body to file an affidavit, stating that it had no other option.
A bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice N M Jamdar said it was difficult to believe that in the entire Malabar Hill, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) could not find a "10-square metre area" outside the park.
The court was hearing a plea filed by the Malabar Hill Citizens' Forum against the BMC's decision to park the fire engine inside the sprawling park by erecting a shed.
Several trees were damaged and the park's entrance was demolished to make way for the fire engine and the parking shed, the petitioners claimed, adding that the gates of the park had to be kept open even at night now for the free movement of the fire engine.
The high court had earlier asked the BMC if it could find another parking place for the fire engine in the area.
Advocate Joaquim Reis, appearing for the BMC, told the court that the fire engine occupied only a 10-square metre area in the park, which was spread over a 65,000-square feet (over 6,000 square metre) area, and that it was parked there for the residents' safety.
"But why are you insisting on staying in the park? In the whole of Malabar Hill, you cannot find any other place? Do not treat it as an ego issue. The corporation should instead create a congenial environment for the citizens," the bench said, adding, "And if you want to stay adamant on your stand, then put it on an affidavit."
"The whole of Malabar Hill area is so crowded because of encroachment by the public. The narrow roads are encroached upon by the residents to park their cars every night. But, no one cares about it. A corporation land is used to park two or three rows of cars. Why does the corporation not do something about it?" the bench asked and directed the BMC to submit the affidavit by October 11.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Goa Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai today said the Lamani community would not be allowed to carry retail sale of fishes in state, echoing similar sentiment of tourism minister Manohar Ajgaonkar, who earlier spoke about banning the community.
The Karnataka-origin Lamani community is into fish retail business and also in other coastal trades like selling tourist items etc, on the beach side.
Sardesai's statement comes in the wake of recent complaints filed by local retail fish traders against the illegal sale of fishes in South Goa's Margao market, allegedly being done by members of the Lamani community.
"Challenge accepted! Will ban retail sale of fish by Lamanis as a start," Sardesai tweeted.
Goa fisheries minister Vinod Palyekar said that the retail sale of fishes cannot be allowed in wholesale markets.
"I stand by our leader Vijai Sardesai in this crackdown against retail trade at wholesale fish markets. We need to streamline the things. Those who are doing the retail trade in wholesale markets will be strictly dealt with," he told PTI.
Earlier, Ajgaonkar stirred a controversy after he announced that the Lamani community would be banned to carry out business in the state.
After receiving flak for his statement, he later retracted his remarks, claiming that he was not pointing out towards any particular community.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Without providing any evidence to support the claim, the Islamic State group has said the gunman in the mass shooting in Las Vegas was "a soldier" from its ranks who had converted to Islam months ago.
Authorities have yet to identify a motive for the shooting, and said initially there was no evidence of any connection to international terrorism.
The extremist group has a history of exaggerated or false claims, including earlier this year, when it claimed an attack on a casino in the Philippines that turned out to have been a botched robbery carried out by a heavily indebted gambling addict.
The group's Aamaq agency released two brief statements hours after the shooting at a country music concert that killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 500. The group later released Spanish language versions of these statements.
In a third statement released hours later, IS name the purported attacker as "Abu Abd el-Bar al-Amriki (the American)," saying he responded to calls by the group's top leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to "target the countries of the Crusader coalition" battling the extremist group in Iraq and Syria.
It added that he caused 600 casualties before he exhausted his supply of ammunition and "martyred" himself. Police have identified the shooter as Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, and have said he killed himself after the shooting. Authorities have not commented on his religious background or said what might have motivated the attack.
Most IS attacks have been carried out by much younger men.
Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said authorities believe it was a "lone wolf" attack, and the US Homeland Security Department said there was no "specific credible threat" involving other public venues in the US.
The extremist organisation has suffered a string of major setbacks in Iraq and Syria, where it has lost much of the territory it once claimed as part of a self-styled Islamic caliphate. However, the group remains active in recruiting followers on social media, and has repeatedly called on its supporters to carry out attacks in Western nations.
The IS group often claims attacks by individuals inspired by its message but with no known links to the group.
Before Sunday, the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history took place in June 2016, when a gunman opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people. The shooter, Omar Mateen, had pledged allegiance to IS and it claimed the attack.
IS claimed the attack on a casino in the Philippines that killed dozens of people, but police later identified the attacker as a Filipino gambling addict who was $80,000 in debt, saying it was a botched robbery that was not terrorism- related.
With the ruling AIADMK facing flak over the spread of dengue in the state which has claimed 23 lives so far, the Tamil Nadu government today said it has undertaken work on "war-footing" to address the issue.
Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar said that a sum of Rs 13.95 crore has been for towards mosquito eradication efforts.
"Work on war-footing has been undertaken by the government to control the spread of dengue. Nilavembu (Anti- Pyretic-- used to treat fever) juice is being provided across 1,500 medical centres and medical colleges," he said.
Further, 2,000 kg of nilavembu powder prepared by the state-run Tamil Nadu Medical Plant Farms and Herbal Medicine Corporation Limited (TAMPCOL) was being used to prepare decoction and this was being provided to the public across all primary health centres, he said.
Further, following the directions of Chief Minister K Palaniswami, who has taken stock of the situation, dengue eradication programmes will be held every Thursday, he said.
The minister urged people to visit their nearest government hospitals at the slightest hint of fever, saying 837 cell counter machines are being established in all the government hospitals for dengue tests.
He also asked the public to ensure that their surroundings are clean.
The government also called for "more cooperation" from the public in its efforts to control the spread of the fever, since "mass breeding of mosquitoes" happen mostly in domestic and semi-domestic areas.
In this calendar year, there have been nearly 75 fever- related deaths in the state, with 23 of them due to dengue, Health department officials said.
Deaths from swine-flu and leptospirosis besides others comprise the rest of the deaths, they said.
"The fact is that of the nearly 10,000 cases of fever, especially dengue, 9,900 people have survived and recovered," the officials said.
There was no need for people to panic, they said, adding, residents should mainly ensure that their surroundings are kept clean.
"Dengue is caused by mass breeding of mosquitoes, mainly in fresh water sources, and therefore containers, drums or other storage devices holding water should remain closed," they said.
The Tamil Nadu government has come under severe criticism following deaths due to dengue in cities including Chennai and Coimbatore, with the opposition targeting it over the spread of the fever.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chinese President Xi Jinping has reshuffled the top leadership of the powerful PLA, packing it with a new set of generals, vastly strenghtening his power base in the world's largest military ahead of the Congress of the ruling Communist party.
The reshuffle comes prior to the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) which will open here from October 18. The meeting is widely expected to confer a second five-year term to Xi as General Secretary.
Two top officials, Gen. Fang Fenghui, head of the Joint Staff Department Central Military Commission (CMC), and Gen. Zhang Yang, head of its Political Work Department have been removed in the latest shake up of the 2.3 million strong PLA, increasing Xi's dominance over the military.
Xi heads the all-powerful CMC the overall high command of the PLA and he is the only civilian in the 11-member body.
The "ousting" of Fang and Zhang is further proof that Xi is "cementing his control over the military", the Hong Kong- based South China Morning Post reported today.
Fang has been replaced by Gen. Li Zuocheng, a decorated veteran of the Sino-Vietnamese war and Admiral Miao Hua, formerly the PLA Navy's political commissar has been appointed as head of the Political Work Department in the place of Gen. Zhang.
Xi promoted Li to full general and Miao to the equivalent naval rank in 2015 and both men are seen as being firmly in his camp, the Post report said.
He heads the Presidency and the military, which makes him far more powerful compared to his predecessor, Hu Jintao.
In his first term, Xi has carried out a massive anti- graft campaign in the party and the military in which thousands of officials from top to bottom were either punished or purged.
"Whatever option will be chosen, the first thing Xi will do is to root out the harmful influence left by the two disgraced CMC vice-chairmen, Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou," the Post quoted an official as saying.
Guo and Xu became the most senior military officers probed for buying and selling military ranks and other forms of corruption in the sweeping anti-graft campaign launched by Xi soon after he became party general secretary in November 2012.
Since then, at least 13,000 military officers involved in corruption have been punished, the Post quoted a report by the PLA Daily, official organ of the Chinese military as saying.
Guo, 75, was sentenced to life imprisonment in July last year and Xu died of cancer at the age of 72 in 2015 while in custody and under investigation for graft.
Since he took over Xi's focus remained on revamping the military. In an unprecedented overhaul, he had announced that PLA would shed three lakh troops, taking their number down to two million.
He has also cut the size of the army to a million and vastly increased the role of the navy and the air force to assist Chinas global push for influence.
He had also scrapped the PLAs four former headquarters
General Staff, General Political, General Logistics and General Armaments and established 15 functional departments to divide their powers.
The PLAs seven military commands were also reshaped into five theatre commands.
Xi will use the party congress to restructure the CMC, the Post quoted officials as saying.
He may either trim the size of the 11-member CMC to just the chairman and four vice-chairmen or induct heads of the five theatre commands into the high power body.
The current CMC comprises one chairman, two vice- chairmen, and eight regular members: the defence minister, the heads of the four former headquarters, and the commanders of the air force, navy and rocket force.
"Rooting out the harmful influence of Guo and Xu is one of the key reasons Xi needs to reform the CMC," Beijing-based military expert Li Jie told the Post.
The structure of the commission also needs to fit the ongoing military overhaul, with thousands of senior officers being laid off, he said.
Shanghai-based political commentator Chen Daoyin said Xi was intent on reforming the CMC to strengthen his hand against those in the party opposed to his new political thinking.
Xi hoped his political ideas would to be in included in the party constitution at the upcoming congress, like those of his predecessors Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, and become part of the partys political guidelines.
"But it seems there are some different voices inside the party against him," Chen told Post.
"The removal Fang and Zhang and reform the CMC could remind his opponents that Xi has absolute dominance in the army, which helped put the Communist Party in power," he said.
By Huw Jones and William Schomberg
LONDON (Reuters) - Brexit poses risks to the ability of British companies to borrow from European banks and to some clearing activity which might have to relocate from London once Britain leaves the EU, the Bank of England said on Tuesday.
Banks from the bloc and other associated countries accounted for around 10 percent of lending to British companies, the BoE's Financial Policy Committee (FPC) said in a summary of its most recent meeting held on Sept. 20.
Currently, those banks can operate as branches but they might have to upgrade to fully fledged subsidiaries after Brexit, a process that could take many months.
"The risk of disruption to wholesale UK banking services appeared to be slightly higher than previously thought, given that a number of EEA (European Economic Area) firms branching into the UK were not sufficiently focused on addressing this issue," the FPC said in a statement.
The BoE's Prudential Regulation Authority was "engaging firms to improve the state of their contingency planning."
PRA Chief Executive Sam Woods told last week that he expected 130 licence applications from branches.
"Firms would need to start seeking authorisations in 2018 Q1," the FPC said.
The FPC also said there was a "substantial risk" of disruption to cross-border clearing operations in financial services, such as derivatives used by companies to hedge themselves against potential financial market swings.
The EU has published a draft law that would require clearing of euro-denominated transactions in some cases to be shifted from London to cities in the bloc after Brexit, a proposal resisted by Britain.
The FPC said clearing houses were examining contingency options "including the potential to relocate some clearing activity from the UK in order to continue to provide services to EU clients."
But this option was not available in segments of the market "where the complexity and cost of any migration was significant".
"In the event of access restrictions to those markets, EU firms would therefore have to move their activity to another CCP (clearing house), which was likely to be difficult to achieve before the point of EU withdrawal," the FPC said.
LCH, a unit of the London Stock Exchange and which dominates clearing in euro-denominated swaps, said it could not comment on any contingency plans.
Banks have said it would be costly and cumbersome to shift their derivatives positions to LCH's Paris unit or to another clearer like Eurex in Frankfurt.
(Reporting by Huw Jones and William Schomberg; Editing by Catherine Evans)
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Marc Jones
LONDON (Reuters) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is to shut five of its seven offices in Russia next year, as the bank pursues a freeze on lending there since the 2014 Ukraine crisis.
The axe will fall on all but its Moscow and St Petersburg branches, highlighting the extent to which Western-led sanctions have shifted the development bank away from what was, for many years, its largest and most profitable markets.
Sources within the London-based EBRD told that the cuts had been on the cards for some time. A bank spokesman confirmed on Tuesday that a decision had now been made.
"We will be closing 5 small regional offices in Yekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Rostov-on-Don, Vladivostok and Samara at the end of first quarter 2018," the EBRD's managing director for communications Jonathan Charles said.
While the move is likely to underscore the poor state of relations between the West and Russia - the EBRD's biggest shareholders are U.S., European and other G7 governments - the closures are likely to affect only a handful of EBRD staff.
The bank had around 160 personnel in its seven offices before the 2014 Ukraine crisis. Back then it had over 5 billion euros in projects in Russia, from Volkswagen car plants to a long list of equity stakes in companies and banks.
Since then work has been reduced to tending to the bank's legacy Russia portfolio or to limited projects where Russian companies invest in other countries alongside the EBRD.
As a result roughly half of those staff have either moved elsewhere in the bank or left it altogether.
"I deeply regret that the EBRD lost Russia, it's largest and most profitable market," Russia's representative at the EBRD in London, Denis Morozov, told .
"It's also very sad that the Bank cannot any more deliver on its mandate and help to change Russia to a better place," adding that it had also lost experience and contacts built up over two decades of work in the country.
The EBRD was created as the Cold War came to end in 1991, specifically to invest in former Soviet-bloc states and help them make the transition to market-based economies.
At the start of 2017 some EBRD officials had privately talked about the possibility of restarting some work with the private sector in Russia.
But these prospects evaporated shortly thereafter when the scandal over contact between members of U.S. President Donald Trump's team and Russian officials during last year's election campaign soured the international mood towards Moscow further.
Moscow then accused the EBRD of becoming a "tool" of western foreign policy in May this year after the governors of the lender to former communist Europe rejected its call to restart lending to Russia.
The EBRD still has a 3 billion euro portfolio of Russian investments but this continues to steadily shrink as firms there pay back their EBRD loans and the bank itself continues the normal process of selling down its equity stakes.
"Should our operational requirements in Russia change, we would be ready to re-examine our infrastructure and staffing requirements," EBRD spokesman Charles said.
(Reporting by Marc Jones; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Electric Co named John Flannery chairman of the board on Monday, three months ahead of schedule, after former CEO Jeff Immelt retired earlier than expected from the chairmanship.
The maker of aircraft engines, locomotives, power plants and other industrial equipment also named Lorenzo Simonelli chairman of Baker Hughes GE, succeeding Immelt. Simonelli is CEO of that business, which GE acquired in July.
Immelt's early departure will free him to go after opportunities outside GE, said a source familiar with the situation. Immelt last month took himself out of the running for the CEO job at ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Inc[UBER.UL].
GE said Immelt had decided that the handover of his CEO job to Flannery had already "proceeded smoothly" and that Flannery was ready to take on the additional duties of chairman.
Immelt handed over the GE CEO role to Flannery on Aug. 1, capping 16 years leading the 125-year-old company. As CEO, he transformed GE's portfolio, focusing it on major industrial products and mapping a strategy to develop a platform for industrial-related software and services.
In the last two years, Immelt came under overt pressure from activist investor Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management, which was among investors who thought GE's financial and stock performance needed to improve.
GE also named W. Geoffrey Beattie as lead independent director at Baker Hughes. Beattie was CEO of the Woodbridge Co, the Thomson family company that controls and financial information provider Thomson Corp .
(Reporting by Alwyn Scott in New York and Ankit Ajmera in Bengaluru; editing by Clive McKeef)
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
"Still thinking about #Bitcoin. No conclusion - not endorsing/rejecting. Know that folks also were sceptical when paper money displaced gold," Blankfein tweeted on Tuesday. (http://bit.ly/2xP543l)
The plan is in early stages and may not proceed, the Wall Street Journal report on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. (http://on.wsj.com/2xMdWq8)
Blankfein's tweet is in sharp contrast to comments made by JPMorgan Chase & Co CEO Jamie Dimon, who called bitcoin a "fraud."
Bitcoin is a digital currency that enables individuals to transfer value to each other and pay for goods and services bypassing banks. The market is fraught with volatility, with bitcoin prices topping nearly $5,000 in early September and then declining sharply after Chinese authorities said they would ban the process of raising funds through launches of token-based digital currencies.
Speaking at a bank investor conference in New York last month, Dimon said, "The currency isn't going to work. You can't have a business where people can invent a currency out of thin air and think that people who are buying it are really smart."
"It is worse than tulips bulbs," Dimon said, referring to a famous market bubble from the 1600s.
Goldman's arch rival Morgan Stanley spoke in favour of the currency, with CEO James Gorman calling it "more than just a fad." (http://on.ft.com/2xMStNS)
Former Fortress Investment Group LLC executive Mike Novogratz is also starting a $500 million hedge fund to invest in digital currencies like bitcoin.
(Reporting by Aparajita Saxena in Bengaluru and Olivia Oran in New York; Editing by Anil D'Silva and Lisa Shumaker)
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's coffee output is likely to rise 12.3 percent from a year ago to 350,400 tonnes in 2017/18 due to an expansion in the area under cultivation, the state-run Coffee Board said on Tuesday.
The South Asian country, which is famous as a tea producer, is also the world's No.6 coffee grower, mainly churning out the robusta beans used to make instant coffee, but also producing some of the more expensive arabica variety.
The country's robusta production is likely to rise 14 percent to 247,300 tonnes in the marketing year that started on Oct. 1, while arabica output could rise 8.5 percent to 103,100 tonnes, the board said.
India, which some say started coffee cultivation in 1670 with seven smuggled beans, exports three-quarters of its production.
Italy, Germany and Belgium are the main buyers of India's crop, paying a premium over global prices.
(Reporting by Rajendra Jadhav; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
(Reuters) - Losses from Hurricane Maria and other recent 2017 natural catastrophes, including Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, the Mexico City earthquakes and other events, have led global insurers and reinsurers to issue profit warnings.
Below are statements from insurers and reinsurers in the wake of the catastrophes (in alphabetical order):
ALLSTATE
Allstate Corp, the second-largest U.S. homeowners' insurer based on premiums collected, estimated pre-tax catastrophe losses of $593 million, net of reinsurance recoveries, for August.
BEAZLEY
Lloyd's of London insurer Beazley said losses from hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and a series of earthquakes in Mexico would reduce its 2017 earnings by about $150 million.
CHUBB
U.S. property and casualty insurer Chubb Ltd estimated after-tax losses of up to $1.28 billion from hurricanes Harvey and Irma. It expects insured losses of about $520 million from Harvey and $640 million to $760 million from Irma after tax.
The world's largest listed property and casualty insurer estimated the maximum net insurance and net reinsurance losses related to Hurricane Maria would be about $200 million after tax for the third quarter.
HANNOVER RE
German reinsurer Hannover Re said it could miss its 2017 profit target because of claims from the natural disasters, its first such warning since the 2008 financial crisis.
HCI GROUP
HCI Group's principal operating subsidiary, Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance, a provider of home insurance in Florida, issued a preliminary estimate indicating its losses related to Hurricane Irma would be $100-$300 million.
HISCOX
Lloyd's of London underwriter Hiscox Ltd estimated it would face net claims totalling about $225 million from Harvey and Irma.
LLOYD'S OF LONDON
Lloyd's of London expects net losses of $4.5 billion from hurricanes Harvey and Irma, which analysts said would eat into the insurer's capital and hit its profitability. Lloyd's 80-plus syndicates have already paid out more than $160 million in claims from Harvey and more than $240 million from Irma.
MAIDEN HOLDINGS
Maiden Holdings Ltd said it expected a net impact from Harvey on its third-quarter results of $6-$18 million and $2-$13 million from Irma.
MAPFRE
Spain's Mapfre SA said the size and frequency of hurricanes in the Caribbean and earthquake in Mexico would imply a net cost of between 150-200 million euros on its attributable result for the year.
MUNICH RE
Germany's Munich Re warned it could miss its profit target this year, the first major reinsurer to flag a hit to earnings from damage caused by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
PROASSURANCE CORPORATION
Proassurance Corp estimated net pretax losses from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria to be about $7.5 million.
QBE INSURANCE GROUP
Australia's biggest insurer, QBE Insurance Group, revealed a $600 million earnings hit on its business from hurricanes in the Atlantic and earthquakes in Mexico.
RLI CORP
Specialty insurer RLI Corp said it expects third-quarter pretax losses of $30-$40 million from Harvey and Irma, net of reinsurance.
RSA INSURANCE
British motor and home insurer RSA said its UK business would see catastrophe losses from the U.S., Caribbean and Mexico, impacting September results in the marine and international portfolios.
SCOR
French reinsurer Scor said hurricanes Harvey and Irma are expected to represent an earnings event rather than a capital event in the third quarter.
TALANX
German insurer Talanx warned it may miss its profit target for 2017 as its reinsurer Hannover Re is being hit by major claims from a series of hurricanes and an earthquake in Mexico.
(Compiled by Noor Zainab Hussain in Bengaluru; Editing by Jason Neely)
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Smartphone maker Mobiles is planning to invest around Rs 2,200 crore in India for a mobile phone manufacturing facility. The proposed investment will be at Greater Noida.
The company has submitted documents related to the proposed project to the Environment Ministry and said that the net amount required for the establishment of the second unit in Uttar Pradesh includes land as well as development costs.
India's ride-hailing company Ola (ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd) raised $2 billion from a clutch of investors. The investors in the new financing round include Japanese telecom giant SoftBank, which is also the largest shareholder in Ola and Chinese internet conglomerate Tencent.
The Bengaluru headquartered start-up also received funding from a venture capital fund jointly run by Tata Sons chairman emeritus Ratan Tata and the University of California's investment arm and several US institutional investors, Bloomberg reported.
Chinese internet giant Tencent has finalised its $400-million investment in ride-hailing service Ola, valuing the company at over $3.8 billion. The paperwork for the transaction has been finalised and the deal is awaiting approval from CCI, another report in The Economic Times said.
"The investment has been completed and the understanding is that a sizeable portion will be allotted towards boosting the electric vehicle segment," it added.
Japan's SoftBank has been looking to consolidate in India's rapidly growing startup ecosystem with investments that include about $1 billion in e-commerce company Snapdeal and $70 million in grocery delivery group Grofers.
In May, the cab-hailing firm had amended its Articles of Association (AoA) giving more rights of its founders and restricting the power of its largest investor SoftBank Group Corp.
According to the amended terms, SoftBank needs the approval of Ola co-founder CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, who is also Ola's chief technology officer to increase its stake.
Ola had earlier said the firm is focusing on building a sustainable business and will turn profitable in two years even as it used the analogy of "Vietnam War" to describe competition with its US-based rival Uber.
"We are the local guerillas. We have the Americans carpet bombing us but we will go into the nooks and corners of the country and we will find those opportunities in niche areas and in large areas," Ola co-founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal said.
"We have significantly improved our bottom-line over the past year or so and we have a very clear path to profitability . Within the next two years, we will be profitable," Aggarwal said.
Ride-hailing company Ola on Monday secured USD 2 billion in new funding from a group of investors, including SoftBank Group Corp and Tencent Holdings Ltd, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. The funding round isn't finished yet and the amount could change, the person said.
The funding is also backed by venture capital fund jointly run by Indian industrialist Ratan Tata, the University of California's investment arm and U.S. institutional investors, Bloomberg said, citing people familiar with the deal.
Japan's SoftBank has been looking to play consolidator in India's flourishing startup ecosystem with investments that include about $1 billion in e-commerce company Snapdeal and $70 million in grocery delivery group Grofers. Ola and SoftBank declined to comment, while Tencent was not immediately available for comment.
Is the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, perhaps the most popular monument of the country, not good enough to feature in UP state's tourism booklet? If the booklet is anything to go by, that might just be the case.
The UP government released the tourism booklet, 'Uttar Pradesh Paryatan - Apaar Sambhavnayen', on World Tourism Day and did not feature Taj Mahal in it. The booklet, however, features the importance of the Ganga Aarti, pictures of CM Yogi Adityanath and tourism minister Rita Bahuguna, and two pages on the Gorakhdham temple. The cover of the booklet also features the Ganga Aarti and pictures of Yogi Adityanath and Rita Bahuguna on the first pages.
After receiving flak from people all over the country, the Yogi government said that the monument was left out of the booklet deliberately. According to a report in India Today , the UP government mentioned that the booklet only highlights the projects that have been undertaken by the government to spruce up India's tourist attractions.
Director General of UP tourism, Avneesh Awasthi, told TOI that there was no question of not including the monument as it is one of India's biggest attractions. Awasthi also mentioned that the booklet was not a collection of UP's tourist attractions but current and upcoming projects that the government is undertaking.
Most of the criticism faced by the Yogi government regarding this booklet is due to a statement the CM had made three months ago. During a rally in Darbhanga, he had criticised the practice of presenting foreign dignitaries with replicas of the Taj Mahal and said that it did not reflect Indian culture. The CM's first state budget - for 2017-2018 - also made no mention of the monument in its special section 'Hamari Sanskritik Virasat'or Our Cultural Heritage.
Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya was arrested on Tuesday in London in connection with a money laundering case, but was granted bail within few minutes. Today's arrest was part of a second money laundering case that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed in a London court. Former liquor baron is accused of transferring a huge chunk of Rs 6,027-crore loan he took for his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines to shell companies in seven countries.
Mallya, who was taken to Westminster Magistrates' Court, was put under procedural arrest, but he did not stay behind bars for long. Mallya was granted bail soon after. More charges are expected to be added at Westminster Magistrates' Court today, UK's Crown Prosecution Service said.
The 61-year-old former tycoon said 'no' to the chief magistrate's query on whether he agreed with his extradition to India. Vijay Mallya's lawyers said that an arrest in a case like this is not out of the ordinary. Hearing on the bail took place at Westminster court in London.
The procedural arrest is expected to strengthen the extradition case against Mallya. Meanwhile, Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stated that they have a watertight case case against Mallya.
Indian authorities have filed two separate charge-sheets in the UK over Mallya's alleged money laundering - one by the Central Bureau of Investigation and the other by the Enforcement Directorate. Mallya's April arrest was in connection with the CBI charge-sheet while today's arrest was in connection with the ED's application.
As the final hearing on Vijay Mallya's extradition is expected in December, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) will be pinning their hopes on the December 4 extradition hearing. The new evidence is likely to build up a stronger case for Mallya's extradition from the United Kingdom.
This was Mallya's second arrest in the UK after he escaped from the country. Mallya owes Indian banks Rs 6,963 crore (Rs Rs 9,091 crore with interest) and is wanted in India for cases relating to foreign exchange violation, debt recovery and embezzlement.
Mallya fled to Britain in March 2016 after being pursued for recovery of Rs 9,091 crore owed to a consortium of 17 Indian banks by his now defunct Kingfisher Airlines. Mallya was earlier arrested and granted bail in London on April 18 by the Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant.
India has been pushing for Mallya's extradition, with even the Prime Minister's Office getting involved. In November last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally explained to visiting British PM Theresa May why it was important that Mallya be returned to India.
Following Prime Minister Modi's visit to the United States earlier this summer, the opportunity for the U.S.-India relationship to flourish has never been greater. I was fortunate to meet with Prime Minister Modi on this trip, along with other business leaders, and again in India just a few weeks ago around the launch of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum. We have reached an inflection point in U.S.-India relations, where both countries can reach even greater heights by working together to accelerate economic growth, job creation, innovation and entrepreneurship, and, most importantly, improve the lives of citizens.
Reflecting on my recent meetings with Prime Minister Modi and the incredible progress that has been made over the past few years, particularly the past 12 months, I could not help to think about how differently things could have played out without such strong government leadership. The Prime Minister has the ability to create a vision, communicate it well while building hope for its future, and eventually execute that vision - once he determines something is good for India, he is truly fearless. While India has long been an important global market, never before has it attracted so much enthusiasm from the American business community. But today, as the fastest growing economy in the world with 1.3 billion consumers, India's potential is impossible to ignore.
India's economic transformation, from slow follower to fast innovator in a matter of several years, can be attributed in large part to Prime Minister Modi's ambitious economic reforms to increase the ease of doing business in India, as well as the unprecedented investments in accelerating India's digital infrastructure. While it's hard to imagine India moving any faster, I believe it's just getting started. By staying the course on these recent fundamental changes to the economy, India will be the second largest economy by 2050.
Rebooting the Indian Economy
Change is never easy, especially when that change involves removing 86 percent of a country's printed currency from circulation. Yet, demonetizing India's monetary system is a critical step towards dismantling the cash-centric black market and getting more of the population on a formal, taxable economic grid. More importantly, it moves India's economy into the 21st century.
The benefits of this decision are already apparent. Prior to demonetization, India used cash for upwards of 95 percent of all payments, and 90 percent of the country's vendors did not have the means to accept anything but cash. Now the citizens of are opening up properly documented bank accounts and embracing card-based and mobile payments in record numbers. The digital transactions industry alone witnessed 55 percent year-over-year growth by volume, compared to 28 percent over the previous five years. As a result, the banking system will improve as India heads towards a cashless society, which will ultimately increase credit access and financial inclusion beyond reducing the "black economy." I commend Prime Minister Modi for having the courage to act swiftly and decisively on an issue that will have a profound impact on India's economic longevity.
Creating a "Good and Simple Tax"
This July, the Indian government formally adopted the Goods and Service Tax (GST) to streamline the country's complicated system of local and national tax levies into one payment. Also referred to as the "Good and Simple Tax" by Prime Minister Modi, the GST will be a game-changer for the Indian economy.
By simplifying the existing tax system, which used to differ by each state, India is poised to better attract foreign investors often deterred by the red tape associated with transporting goods between territories. According to recent remarks by Prime Minister Modi, the abolition of inter-state check posts after the implementation of GST has already reduced time for movement of goods by 30 percent and saved thousands of crores of rupees. And this is just the beginning. Some economic experts even project that the implementation of the GST will increase the Indian GDP by 1 to 2 percent.
Leapfrogging India into the Digital Age
Digital innovation is the single most effective way for countries to maintain competitiveness and create jobs. No leader understands this more than Prime Minister Modi, who has made accelerating India's digital economy a cornerstone of his leadership vision and strategy. Launched in 2015, his Digital India program has committed unprecedented investments to building the country's digital infrastructure. Of all the changes ushered in by Modi, I believe this will play the greatest role in providing jobs to India's rapidly growing workforce, which grows by over 1 million new people each month. And this will not only impact India-collaboration on the digital front has the potential to uplift bilateral trade to new heights.
I believe that the future is brighter than ever in India. Thanks to the government's willingness to embrace tough but essential economic reforms, India will serve as a model for the rest of the world not as an emerging country, but as a developed country that has the power to reinvent itself again and again.
John Chambers, Executive Chairman, Cisco, Chairman, US-India Strategic Partnership Forum
India's ambitions to become a smartphone-making powerhouse are foundering over a lack of skilled labor and part suppliers along with a complex tax regime, industry executives say.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has championed a manufacturing drive, under the slogan 'Make in India', to boost the sluggish economy and create millions of jobs. Among the headline-grabbing details was a plan to eventually make Apple iPhones in India.
Three years on, as executives and bureaucrats crowded into a Delhi convention center for an inaugural mobile congress last week, India has managed only to assemble phones from imported components.
While contract manufacturers such as iPhone-maker Foxconn Technology Co (2354.TW) and Flextronics Corp have set up base in India, one of the world's fastest-growing smartphone markets, almost none of the higher value chip sets, cameras and other high-end components are made domestically.
Plans for Taiwan-based Foxconn to build an electronics plant in the state of Maharashtra, which local officials said in 2015 could employ some 50,000 people, have gone quiet.
According to tech research firm Counterpoint, while phones are assembled domestically because of taxes on imported phones, locally made content in those phones is usually restricted to headphones and chargers - about 5 percent of a device's cost.
"Rather than feeling that India is a place where I should be making mobile phones, it's more like this is the place I need to(assemble) phones because there is lower duty if I import components and assemble here," a senior executive with a Chinese smartphone maker said.
He declined to be named for fear of harming business.
TAX DISPUTES
Others listed the lack of skilled engineers and a sparse network of local component makers. They also cited high-profile tax disputes between India and foreign companies such as Nokia (NOKIA.HE). Nokia eventually suspended mobile handset production at its southern India facility.
"The Nokia escapade is in people's memory when they try to come here," a second industry source told Reuters at the first Indian Mobile Congress in capital New Delhi, which ended on Friday.
India's nationwide sales tax (GST), which kicked in this year to replace a string of different levies, is also fraught with its own challenges, such as a lengthy tax-refund process that delays payments to suppliers, the source added.
Last week, India rattled investors after publicly musing about possible changes in a $2.6 billion 2015 diesel locomotive contract with General Electric (GE.N). The government has since said it would not take any hasty decisions.
"We needed some push from the government to start manufacturing," said Neeraj Sharma, the India head of Chinese chipmaker Spreadtrum. "It was required, because without that nothing was happening."
But India now needs more sophisticated technology - such as surface-mounting technology, which places components directly on top of a printed board - to build a supply chain, he said. Otherwise, firms will not do research in India, Sharma said. "For design to happen, we need strong local players."
PHASED PROGRAM
The government says it has a phased program to manufacture phones, aiming to step up value added locally every year.
"While we have made a start with getting in mobile assembling, we want to move up the value chain," India's telecoms secretary Aruna Sundarajan told reporters. "A lot of investors have shown very significant interest in this area."
The Phased Manufacturing Programme began in 2016 with the manufacture of phone chargers and batteries and envisages the production of higher-end components by 2020.
Sundarajan said the government was also trying to give investors "a reasonable degree of certainty", while also dealing with constant disruption to the industry.
But for smartphone makers used to China's predictability, India may need to do more, executives warn.
A third senior source at a Chinese smartphone maker in India said some Chinese players were rattled by labor unrest, including suspended operations at a facility belonging to smartphone maker Oppo earlier this year, after a foreign employee was reported to have torn a picture of the Indian flag.
Oppo said at the time it regretted the incident.
"Labor laws are lax, there's little effort to build a component ecosystem and logistics, and transport remains a big problem," the third source said.
"No one seems to be investing in skilled labor that will build the phones
70 percent of Abkhazias diplomatic notes do not address its patron state Russia, but are sent to the few other states that have recognized its independence. It is surprising that countries like Nauru or Vanuatu obtain so much sustained attention from Abkhazia. The contested territory is usually perceived to rely solely on Russia. However, by exercising courtesy towards all partner countries, Abkhazia wants to present itself as a polity that is capable of behaving as a real sovereign state within the international community, projecting the image of normalized statehood that the region seeks to attain. Any attempts to thoroughly understand post-Soviet breakaway territories should pay closer attention to their external ties beyond their patron.
BACKGROUND: Abkhazias foreign ministry can behave very well: On the birthday of Nicaraguas Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in February 2017, Abkhazias foreign ministry sent a diplomatic note to extend its kindest wishes to the jubilarian. When Naurus Transport Minister passed away in December 2016, Abkhazias foreign ministry was quick to send a diplomatic note of condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. The Abkhazian diplomatic service is always ready to send its polite notes on independence days, elections, birthdays, and other occasions in a show of diplomatic courtesy. This interaction, of course, is limited to those countries that have so far recognized Abkhazia, i.e. Nauru, Nicaragua, Vanuatu, Venezuela, but also its fellow breakaway regions South Ossetia, Transnistria, and Nagorno-Karabakh and, of course, Russia.
Nothing about this formality is original or new: diplomatic notes, commonly referred to by its French term notes diplomatiques, has been in use for many centuries. They signal that a country pays close attention events in another, and that it shares the others joys and sorrows.
But the Abkhazian case is still noteworthy for at least two reasons. First, it confirms that Abkhazia has further succeeded in its continuous state-building efforts. Analysts often note that Abkhazia possesses all the symbols that reflect the claimed sovereign statehood: a flag, an anthem, a territory, a currency, state awards, etc. The fact that its foreign ministry has also started to operate according to the conventions of sovereign states is simply another expression of this development.
A second observation, however, may be more surprising: a look at the collection of diplomatic notes on the website of Abkhazias Ministry of Foreign Affairs reveals that during the period for which the data is available (November 2016 to August 2017), only 30 percent of the diplomatic notes (13 out of 44) were sent to Russia. This means that Abkhazia conducts 70 percent of its diplomatic interaction with other countries such as Vanuatu or Nauru. These numbers shatter the common assumption that Abkhazia has only one reference point in foreign relations namely its patron state, Russia.
IMPLICATIONS: The fact that Abkhazias diplomacy frequently manages relationships with countries other than Russia has been completely neglected in the (international) scholarship on this topic. Almost all analyses have merely focused on Abkhazias external ties to Russia and the parent state Georgia, often in geopolitical terms that seek to uncover traces of wars and crises.
This focus on Russia certainly has good reasons. Russia is the only great power that has recognized Abkhazias independence, and Russias role in Abkhazias military defense, economy and politics is more than disproportionately large.
Yet Abkhazias foreign policy activities demonstrate that Russia is not the sole reference point in the regions external relations. The government is investing diplomatic resources in order to constantly keep track of the internal happenings in all these tiny Pacific islands and far-away Latin American countries that have recognized it. Abkhazias diplomacy never misses an opportunity to signal a sense of political proximity; that it cares for the other, that it is there for its partners and that it shares the others joys and sorrows. But why does Abkhazia invest so much of its diplomatic capital beyond Russia? There is no reason to believe that Abkhazia could ever, in the foreseeable future, gain significant material benefits from these relationships.
One may nevertheless suspect a strategy behind this diplomatic courtesy; it sends particular signals to the international community and to the Abkhazian domestic audience. Abkhazia projects to the international community that it is capable of greater involvement in a wider web of intergovernmental relations. It demonstrates that Abkhazia has successfully learned to be a good state despite little recognition, which in turn sustains the illusion that it has attained the normalized statehood that its leadership and population longs for. Since these diplomatic relations are limited to those countries that have recognized Abkhazia, they do not cause any status conflicts and thus become externally acceptable to the international community. To its own inhabitants, Abkhazia signals that it has additional friends out there, other than Russia, which the country can rely on for external support, and that it is gradually normalizing its foreign policy behavior. The Abkhaz government hopes that these achievements will increase its internal approval, which is of utmost importance for a country that cannot count on external legitimacy.
Moreover, this finding has strong implications for international relations scholarship focusing on this region. It indicates that there is a need to analytically go beyond the patron states of the contested post-Soviet states. Only by closely following the ties that Abkhazia and other Russia-backed breakaway territories enjoy with countries beyond their patron, one can proceed further to a holistic understanding of these crisis-ridden areas. The Abkhazian notes diplomatiques are only one example; parallel instances may indicate how these regions tap political resources from places other than Russia.
CONCLUSIONS: Post-Soviet breakaway territories are perceived to completely rely on their one and only patron state, Russia. However, Abkhazias diplomatic interactions indicate that this view is misleading. 70 percent of Abkhazias diplomatic notes are sent to countries like Vanuatu, Nauru, Venezuela or Nicaragua in an attempt to manage the territorys international relations to all states that have recognized it. Abkhazias foreign ministry takes these external ties seriously, and it pays close attention to the Latin American countries or Pacific islands internal developments. Its diplomacy is quick to respond to their partners political lives when deemed apt and polite when a natural catastrophe hits Nauru, Abkhazia sends condolences, and when Nicaragua celebrates its Independence Day, Abkhazia sends congratulatory words.
By doing so, Abkhazia seeks to professionalize and internationalize its claimed statehood, and it signals to the domestic audience that the government is capable of sustaining external friendships with a wider web of states. This aspect of going beyond Russia bolsters internal legitimacy, which is particularly significant in the absence of widespread external recognition, and it calls analysts to pay closer attention to the foreign relations of contested states, extending outside their geopolitically imminent surroundings.
AUTHORS BIO: Andreas Pacher is Editor-in-Chief of Nouvelle Europe. He has published on various aspects of Eastern European diplomacy. He received his academic education at the University of Vienna (Austria), at SciencesPo (Paris) and at Fudan University (Shanghai).
Image source: By kremlin.ru accessed on 10.2. 2017
There was an assassination attempt against Artashes Sargsyan, Chairman of the Union of Armenians of Zaporizhia Oblast (province) of Ukraine, in Zaporizhia town.
October 3, 2017, 09:15 Assassination attempt carried out against head of Ukraine provincial union of Armenians
STEPANAKERT, OCTOBER 3, ARTSAKHPRESS: Rudolf Hakobyan, vice chairman of this organization, informed about the aforementioned, according to the local ForPost news agency.
Sargsyan was shot at when he came out of his car, reported Obozrevatel (Reviewer) news agency. His bodyguard, however, managed to cover him, but he himself sustained gunshot wounds.
The bodyguard was rushed to hospital, and he is in the intensive care unit.
We dont know what this assassination attempt can be linked to, said Hakobyan. The members of our organization dont carry out any illegal activity. Its apparent that someone in the city is against us.
New York will provide more aid to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico this week.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that medical personnel and $500,000 worth of supplies will be transported to assist Puerto Rican hospitals, most of which have been operating on backup generators since Hurricane Maria made landfall two weeks ago.
The supplies that will be provided to Puerto Rico include antibiotics, bandages, IV catheters, syringes and vaccines. Several organizations, including the Greater New York Hospital Association, 1199SEIU, Afya Foundation and the New York State Nurses Associations partnered on the package.
Cuomo also revealed that more than 100 doctors and 200 nurses are prepared to travel to Puerto Rico to assist at hospitals.
The state has already provided significant support to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the storm. More than 60 National Guard soldiers have been deployed to the island and another 125 National Guard engineers are expected to travel there this week to help with the rebuilding of vital infrastructure, such as bridges and roads.
Seventy employees from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are in Puerto Rico to assist with the reopening of airports and shipping ports. The New York Power Authority sent engineers to help restore power and 50 state troopers are there to boost the law enforcement effort.
"The response by this state has been overwhelming," Cuomo said. "We're doing everything we can."
Cuomo visited Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria made landfall and launched a relief campaign to support the recovery. The campaign includes a collection drive to gather supplies batteries, flashlights, cases of water for Puerto Rico.
AUBURN If you stroll by U.S. Rep. John Katko's Genesee Street office, you will notice that the lights are off and a sign informs constituents that they can call the congressman's main district office in Syracuse for assistance.
The lack of activity at the Auburn location will be temporary.
Katko's office said Tuesday that Christina Cornell, who worked as a constituent service representative at the Auburn office, left her job over the summer. Since her departure, the position has been vacant and the office hasn't operated at full capacity.
While Katko, R-Camillus, seeks a full-time aide for the office, his Cayuga County location has been staffed a couple days a week by other employees, including district director Trish Dellonte, an Auburn resident.
Maintaining an Auburn office was a top priority for Katko when he first ran for Congress in 2014 and after he was sworn in as the county's federal representative in 2015.
The office at 71 Genesee St. is housed in a building owned by Riccardo Galbato, an Auburn attorney. Congressional records show Katko pays $625 a month to rent the space.
When Cornell was on Katko's staff, she worked at the office four days a week. There were periods when the office would be closed if she represented Katko at a local event or if she was staffing the congressman's satellite office in Wayne County.
Erin O'Connor, Katko's spokesperson, said the congressman remains committed to serving his constituents in Cayuga County and the 24th Congressional District.
"Rep. Katko's Auburn office remains regularly staffed and there has been no disruption to constituent casework, which is handed through our Syracuse district office," O'Connor said. "As always, we encourage NY-24 constituents who are having difficulties dealing with federal agencies to contact our office at (315) 423-5657 for assistance."
Katko's district includes part of Oswego County and all of Cayuga, Onondaga and Wayne counties. He has offices full-time or satellite in each of the district's four counties.
St. Joseph School will host The Great Pumpkin 5K Run Oct. 28 to raise funds for the Auburn Catholic school.
The event will include a Mini Pumpkin Run for ages 10 and younger at 9 a.m. to dress in pumpkin colors or a costume, and receive a treat at the finish line. The 5K will start at 9:45 a.m., and adult runners also have the option to race as a pumpkin or carry one.
The Mini Pumpkin is free. The Great Pumpkin is $35 for individuals and $30 per person on teams of three or more. The races take place at Everest Park, 5343 North Road, Owasco.
T-shirts for the Mini Pumpkin Run are $10 if registration is received by Oct. 20. T-shirts and treats are guaranteed to Great Pumpkin runners if registration is received by Oct. 20 as well.
Packet pickup is 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, at St. Joseph School, 89 E. Genesee St., Auburn, and at Everest Park from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.
Checks should be made payable to St. Joseph School, with "The Great Pumpkin Run" in the memo, and sent to the school to the attention of The Great Pumpkin Run Committee.
For more information, email smlavey@hotmail.com or visit sjsauburn.org.
| BY Ricki Green |
303 MullenLowe has launched a graduate program in Sydney with the goal of luring top university graduates nationally into the advertising industry, and training them from the ground up.
Says Tony Dunseath, managing partner and client services director at 303 MullenLowe: Were looking for 2017 graduates across all disciplines to join our industry as full- time, paid employees in November 2017.
Shortlisted applicants will participate in a full-day workshop where theyll be introduced to 303 MullenLowes integrated model, with advertising, data, technology and media buying located under one roof to deliver brands an unfair share of attention.
Says Dunseath: As an industry, we need to encourage more people to choose a career in advertising and support their growth from the outset. This program will help us identify creative thinkers who have a genuine interest in and affinity with advertising people who will grow with the agency and enjoy a long future with 303 MullenLowe.
Top-performing applicants will be offered full-time, paid positions in the agencys account management, media and planning departments starting in November 2017, and will rotate between different business units throughout their first 12 months.
According to the MFAs 2016 industry census, only 48% of media agency employees have less than four years experience. Meanwhile, only 8% of the Australian digital workforce is under 25, which suggests many agencies are not focussed on supporting young graduates with on-the-job training, according to AIMIA.
| BY Ricki Green |
Carat Sydney has welcomed Jacqui Purcell to the team in the role of head of ecosystem planning as part of an increased emphasis on bolstering the agencys integrated communications planning capabilities.
Purcell departs full service agency, 303 MullenLowe, after two years as general manager of media for its Sydney office. She brings with her over 12 years agency experience, including having held client leadership roles at both Mindshare and Starcom previously.
Carat Sydney managing director, Dan Sinfield, described Purcells experience across the full spectrum of the communications planning process as integral to her appointment.
Says Sinfield: Jacqui is a well-respected leader and an extremely knowledgeable planner. Here passion for the meeting point between data and strategy made her the perfect fit for the evolving needs of our clients.
Says Purcell: Im looking forward to joining such a transformational agency. Carats focus on the total media ecosystem and growing expertise from a data perspective creates the opportunity to do some really great, innovative work Im excited to get started.
Purcells appointment is the latest in a number of recent hires aimed at diversifying the agencys expertise, including the appointment of Brendon Cropper to the newly created role of chief data and experience officer earlier in the year.
| BY Lynchy |
Y&R has appointed Rey Tiempo as the new Chief Creative Officer of Y&R Philippines.
A copywriter by discipline, Tiempo (pictured) has more than 15 years industry experience, having worked on and produced effective and award-winning campaigns for the biggest local, regional and global brands, ranging from automotive, retail, food and beverage, to electronics, beauty, wellness and various advocacies. Having ranked as the Philippines number 1 Creative Director, Tiempo is consistently named among the regions hottest creatives.
Tiempo has spent the last 3 years as ECD at Dentsu Philippines/Jayme Syfu, helping reinvigorate the agencys creative reputation, winning at Cannes and Campaign Agency of the Year, and growing clients businesses and the agencys revenue by almost 40%. His aim is to reject the boundaries traditionally imposed on advertising, and has embarked on a mission to inspire clients and fellow agency folks in bringing back the feeling of wonder to tech.
Tiempo said, I am brimming with excitement to be part of a network that lives by the words Resist the Usual, which has always been my sole guiding principle in life. These are thrilling times to be in advertising, and especially in Y&R, as we ditch discipline distinctions for truly integrated creative solutions for our clients.
| BY Lynchy |
As technology continues to revolutionize our daily lives and elevates the experiences we have, the practice of brand marketing and communications will inevitably transform with it. The implications of the deeper integration between technology and mankind were the driving themes of PHD Singapores annual conference this year, which took place on September 29 at the regional LinkedIn APAC offices for an audience of over 100 of the media networks clients and partners. Attendees also received their own copy of MERGE: The Closing Gap Between Technology and Us, the latest instalment in PHDs ongoing global thought-leadership series that explores the emerging forces that will redefine the practice of marketing.
Chris Stephenson, Head of Strategy for PHD APA (pictured on stage), opened the conversation by presenting the five stages of MERGE, before revealing the nine areas of technological innovation that will forever alter the way we process data and information and interact with our world. Were in a truly exciting time to be alive for our industry, Stephenson told audiences. Weve never had so much to do, and were the generation that gets to do it.
Moon Ribas, a cyborg who has a seismic sensor implanted in her elbow to produce art based on the Earths movement, shared her experience as one of the first manifestations of Merge, elaborating further on her talk with Stephenson on the Masters Stage of Creativity at Spikes 2017 the previous day. Were living in an exciting time where we get the chance to evolve in our very own lifetime, commented Ribas.
Claire Taylor, PHDs Head of Planning for APAC, and Vitaliy Nechaev, director of 360-video production company, Vostok VR, also joined in a panel discussion to add additional perspectives on how the agency and media will evolve alongside technological advancements to ultimately create deeper and more engaging consumer experiences for brands. The big challenge is recognizing whats pushing the boundaries for our clients organizations and make sure were going beyond that to drive experiences to the next level, added Taylor, while Nechaev added: We will be able to tell the story of people and brands in a completely different dimension; one that builds better affinity.
"We have a plant whisperer service, so if your plant looks like it's gone a bit off, just send us a photo of the plant and we can diagnose the symptoms and come back to you and say, 'we recommend this, this and this'," she said.
The Auburn Police Department will host another Coffee with a Cop event to give residents an opportunity to meet officers and address any concerns.
This summer, Auburn Police Chief Shawn Butler said he introduced the idea to build a more positive, trusting relationship with the community. He said the event lets citizens sit down with police in a casual, neutral setting, which provides both parties a chance to get to know one another.
The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Play Space in downtown Auburn. Butler said the venue at 63 Genesee St. is perfect for families, as it will allow parents to meet with the officers while children can explore and play.
"Join your neighbors and police officers for coffee and conversation," Butler said in a press release. "No agenda or speeches, just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know the officers in your neighborhood."
"As we watched, another one came out of the scrub towards the two snakes that were entangled and then it sort of joined in as well and they sort of started spinning around, nipping at each other.
Nash's announcement in April seems like an attempt to clothe the Joyce push for the bush with a veil of policy and political respectability. It's not all that convincing and, if it is implemented, it will please a few and disappoint many more. Rather than starting at what may best suit the needs of government agencies, Nash is requiring her ministerial colleagues to "actively justify" why all or part of their empires are unsuitable for decentralisation. Thus, she puts the cart before the horse. She's also asking ministers to report to cabinet in August about bits suitable for decentralisation although robust "business cases" based on the Finance Minister's "template" are not due until December. The cart again seems to be before the horse.
THIS WEEK IN CAPE BRETON: Raising the peace flag, reviewing future plans for Centre 200 and more
SYDNEY During a time of conflict around the world and with racial tensions on the rise in many parts, its clear there are those who want to find a bright, positive light wherever they can. Over the next several days, the YMCA of Cape Breton will ...
An Onondaga County man was charged with felony driving while intoxicated Saturday, roughly one year after his last drunk driving conviction, New York State Police said.
David A. Crane, of Mottville, was arrested at around 10:45 p.m. Saturday after troopers initiated a traffic stop on Seymour Street. Police said the 30-year-old had failed to use his turn signal and did not have a front license plate on his vehicle.
Upon further investigation, police said Crane registered a .11 percent blood alcohol content. He was charged with felony DWI and felony operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of at least .08 of 1 percent due to a previous drunk driving conviction from August 2016 in the city of Syracuse.
Crane was also charged with several traffic infractions, including drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle on a highway, unsafe turn and failing to signal and a license plate violation. He was released to a third party and ordered to appear in Auburn City Court at 9:30 a.m. Friday.
Cayuga Community College and Wells College will be cementing a presidential scholarship agreement this week, CCC announced Tuesday.
The agreement grants recipients of CCC's presidential scholarships guaranteed admission to the private college in Aurora and a minimum scholarship of $22,000 annually for up to four years. Wells President Jonathan Gibralter and CCC President Brian Durant will sign the agreement at CCC on Thursday, according to a press release.
Tuition and fees for Wells College is $39,600 for the 2017-18 academic year, excluding room and board. Cayuga County resident tuition for CCC is $2,272 per semester.
The Cayuga Presidential Scholars program is available to Cayuga County and Oswego County graduates who were in the top 20 percent of their class. Eligibility is also open to students from Tyburn Academy and Union Springs Academy and to Skaneateles, Jordan-Elbridge and Red Creek school district students.
For full-tuition scholarships, students have to be enrolled full time at CCC and must have a 3.0 grade point average every semester to be eligible, the press release said. Scholars who wish to be considered for the transfer program must have a 3.5 cumulative grade point average and have completed at least two full-time semesters in liberal arts and sciences courses at CCC.
The Presidential Scholars transfer program is a perfect opportunity to provide an accessible, affordable pathway for students to continue their educational pursuits at a nationally recognized four-year institution, Durant said in the release. Its a way to keep our best students engaged with and connected to the communities that are right here in our own backyard."
Both institutions will be promoting the program to potential and current students.
We want to make it as easy and seamless as possible for Cayuga students to continue their studies at Wells College, Gibralter said in the release. I look forward to opening our doors to Cayuga Presidential Scholars driven, motivated students who already have a proven track record of academic achievement, service-based learning and peer leadership. They will fit in beautifully at Wells."
City
Jonelle T. Murphy, 21, 38 Holley St., Auburn, was charged Sept. 30 with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Sean A. Holt, 40, Cookville, Texas, was charged Oct. 1 with second-degree obstructing governmental administration and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Steven M. Simmons, 31, 7028 Owasco Rd., Auburn, was charged Sept. 30 with driving while intoxicated.
Kenneth C. Shelton, 61, 114 Norris Ave., Auburn, was charged Oct. 1 with third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
State
Susan L. Dewey, 56, Jordan, was charged Sept. 29 with second-degree criminal trespass.
John S. Gadsby, 52, New York, was charged Sept. 29 with second-degree criminal contempt.
Robert S. Henry, 60, Auburn, was charged Sept. 29 with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of at least .08 of 1 percent.
Tabitha L. Logan, 32, Ira, was charged Sept. 30 with driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of at least .08 of 1 percent.
David A. Crane, 30, Mottville, was charged Sept. 30 with felony driving while intoxicated with a previous conviction within 10 years and felony operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of at least .08 of 1 percent.
Dylan E. Canavan, 21, Moravia, was charged Sept. 30 with third-degree rape and first-degree unlawful dealing of sex and drugs to a child.
Thomson V. Khan, 20, Ithaca, was charged Sept. 30 with fifth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.
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.
Divers discovered a massive piece of the Space Shuttle Challenger at the bottom of the ocean, the first Gen Z member of Congress has been elec
Amazon Prime Video has released new pictures from the upcoming season of The Grand Tour.
Set to hit the streaming service later this year, the second season will see Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond visit more locations than last year including stops in Colorado, Croatia, Dubai, Mozambique, New York, Spain, and Switzerland. In total, the hosts have spent more than 100 days in four different continents.
Amazon is keeping details under wraps but confirmed the trio will explore the mountain ranges of Colorado, get stuck in the mud in Mozambique, and cause havoc in Dubai. The photos also reveal the hosts will check out the Ariel Nomad, torture a Mercedes station wagon, and spend some time in a number of different Jaguars.
Besides teasing the upcoming season, the company announced a new book called The Grand Tour Guide to the World. Set to be released on October 31st, the book bills itself as an indispensable guide with an abundance of information, most of which is probably wrong and possibly dangerous.
The book costs $29.99 and includes exclusive interviews with the presenters as well as an overview of places where the show has visited. Theres also sections dedicated to the worlds fastest police cars and the greatest automakers.
Photo Gallery
Theres no better way to accurately capture the speed of a hypercar than by pitting it against a regular supercar and watching it pull away without even breaking a sweat.
Deliveries of the Bugatti Chiron recently kicked off in the United States and YouTuber effspot decided to see how the French hypercar compares to his Jaguar F-Type SVR, an extremely potent car in its own right.
The two hit a particularly stunning coastal road in California and yes, the Chiron made the F-Type SVR look like a Prius.
Obviously, the Chiron is far superior off the line, thanks in part due to its all-wheel drive system. However, it isnt necessarily the Bugattis standing start pace that boggles the mind, it is the way that it accelerates up the road from a 30 or 40 mph roll, walking all over the 575 hp Jaguar.
VIDEO
Tesla may be the Elon Musk venture with which were most familiar, but the electric car company isnt his only undertaking. Heck, its not even his only transportation project.
The PayPal founder is also boring underground to get us from one place to another at record speeds and rocketing off to space with SpaceX. Its the confluence of those two that has caught our attention this time.
Musk wants to use the BFR rocket developed for launching off of our planet to transport us around it. The idea would be to load passengers into one of the Big Fn Rockets (off-shore from major coastal cities), blast off into low orbit, circumnavigate the globe at 17,000 miles per hour, and descend again on the other side of the planet.
Take for example a 7,392-mile trip from New York to Shanghai. By jet, it would usually take about 15 hours. Via rocket ship, just 39 minutes. London to Dubai in the same. Sydney to Johannesburg: 37 minutes. LA to Toronto: 24. Most long-distance trips would take less than half an hour, but the rocket would take under an hour to get anywhere on earth from anywhere else.
Enticing, isnt it? Its still probably a ways off, to say the least, by which time the enormous safety concerns would hopefully be worked out. But maybe our kids (and Musks) will know in their lifetime what its like to traverse the globe by rocket.
Video
Jika Anda mencari situs web sbobet88 login yang andal dan aman untuk bermain poker online, permainan kasino, dan bentuk perjudian lainnya, Anda telah datang ke tempat yang tepat. Situs web kami menampilkan daftar lengkap permainan, opsi pembayaran, dan lainnya untuk memastikan Anda bersenang-senang saat bermain.
Agen Judi
judi adalah salah satu permainan poker online yang paling populer. Ribuan orang dari seluruh dunia telah bergabung dengan kasino online ini untuk bermain poker demi uang. Ini juga sangat mudah digunakan; yang Anda butuhkan hanyalah komputer atau smartphone dengan koneksi internet. Anda juga memerlukan koneksi wifi yang berfungsi.
adalah situs poker top di Indonesia karena berbagai macam permainan dan layanan pelanggan yang sangat baik. Sangat mudah untuk memahami mengapa begitu banyak orang menikmati bermain poker online dan menikmati kesenangan dan hadiah dari permainan. Ini juga nyaman untuk bermain dari rumah, sehingga Anda dapat bermain kapan saja.
tersedia di beberapa zona waktu, sehingga Anda dapat bermain kapan saja sesuai keinginan Anda. Anda bisa bermain saat pagi, siang, dan malam hari. Jika Anda merasa lesu, Anda selalu dapat bermain selama periode waktu yang kurang populer seperti jam 1 5 pagi.
Gim ini mudah dimainkan dan memiliki RTP tinggi. Ini memiliki banyak tema dan kompatibel di berbagai platform. Ia juga menawarkan permainan seperti Lucky Lion, Queens of Glory, dan Bubbles Bonanza. Flow Gaming juga menyediakan slot video dan permainan jackpot dengan RTP tinggi.
Selain itu, seorang petaruh harus mengamati tangan pemain lain sebelum mengambil keputusan. Ini akan membantunya membuat keputusan yang tepat untuk langkah selanjutnya. Selain itu, seorang pemain poker harus mempelajari dasar-dasar perjudian dan memahami konsekuensi dari kemenangan. Sebuah permainan kesempatan hanya sebagus pemainnya.
Saat memilih situs kasino, pastikan untuk memeriksa reputasinya. Beberapa situs memiliki reputasi buruk, sementara yang lain memiliki reputasi baik. Penting untuk membaca syarat dan ketentuan dan memilih situs terbaik berdasarkan detail ini.
Sebuah terpercaya Indonesia dapat menawarkan berbagai macam permainan dan deposit minimum yang rendah. Ini juga memiliki jackpot besar.
Situs Judi
Situs Judi adalah kasino online berlisensi yang menawarkan berbagai macam permainan dan menawarkan jaminan keamanan 100%. Permainan di situs ini sangat populer dan menawarkan jackpot besar setiap hari.
Beragam permainan judi online bisa Anda temukan di , antara lain mesin slot, baccarat, dan poker. Situs ini juga menawarkan berbagai permainan arcade dan togel. Situs ini juga menawarkan fitur putaran gratis bagi pemain untuk memenangkan uang gratis.
menawarkan berbagai macam metode pembayaran. Anda dapat menyetor menggunakan sebagian besar kartu kredit dan operator seluler utama dan bermain dengan uang sungguhan. Anda juga dapat menggunakan e-money untuk deposit.
adalah kasino online yang aman dan ramah pengguna. Situs ini tersedia dalam berbagai bahasa dan didukung oleh penyedia internasional yang andal. Terdapat pilihan live chat 24 jam yang dapat diakses melalui perangkat mobile Anda.
menawarkan keamanan dan privasi yang luar biasa. Informasi pribadi dan uang Anda 100% dilindungi. Situs web ini juga menawarkan berbagai permainan dan menggunakan dompet elektronik yang aman untuk pembayaran.
Anda harus memilih permainan yang Anda sukai untuk dimainkan. Dalam hal ini, permainan slot adalah pilihan yang paling cocok. Jackpotnya sangat besar! Jadi, bermainlah dengan cerdas dan menangkan yang besar! Jadi, nikmati permainan pilihan Anda dengan bantuan kasino online Indonesia.
di Indonesia adalah salah satu situs pembayaran online terbaik. Ini juga menawarkan berbagai macam permainan dan bonus. Selain pembayaran, ia juga menawarkan informasi lengkap tentang permainan slot.
juga menawarkan berbagai metode deposit. Anda dapat melakukan setoran melalui transfer bank, telepon, atau mata uang digital. Situs ini juga tersedia di Indonesia dan Asia.
adalah kasino online hebat yang menawarkan berbagai macam permainan slot. Selain itu, ia menawarkan bonus pendaftaran gratis. Dan, semua gimnya aman dan mudah diakses. Baik Anda seorang veteran atau baru memulai, adalah tempat terbaik untuk bermain.
An upscale brand demands upscale showrooms. And thats just what Genesis has in store (so to speak).
Though spun off from the Hyundai brand two years ago, Genesis models (like the $68,000 G90) are still sold out of the same dealerships as $14k Accents.
Thats all set to change, however, by the end of this decade. Speaking with Autonews, the brands US general manager Erwin Raphael outlined the need for separate dealerships.
The reality is, many, many luxury customers tell us they love our products, theyre amazing, but Im not going into a Hyundai store to buy it, said Raphael. Its really hard to have the two cultures cohabitating.
So the brand is currently writing the playbook that will see it establish stand-alone Genesis dealers across the country. That will mean a reduction in quantity, but an increase in quality.
Currently any of Hyundais 835 dealers across the United States can sell Genesis models, though selling the larger G90 has required a showroom-within-a-showroom (in which only 352 dealers have invested).
Though he didnt outline an exact figure, Raphael said that the number of dealers selling Genesis models will be substantially reduced. The brand is currently scouting locations in individual markets to build fresh showrooms (rather than renovating existing ones).
The process is earmarked to wrap up by the end of 2020, by which time Genesis vehicles will be sold only out of dedicated showrooms, and no longer out of Hyundai locations.
Photo Gallery
Skoda is inching towards making a performance-focused version of the Karoq and is expected to fit it with an electrified powertrain.
Speaking to Auto Express at last months Frankfurt Motor Show, Skoda research and development boss Christian Strube said the Karoq would be perfect for a vRS-badged model.
Im fighting for it. Just as I was fighting for the Kodiaq vRS. Sometimes Im successful, and sometimes Im not. But yes, we are in discussions about it. It would fit absolutely perfectly to this car, I believe. Even more than Kodiaq, I would say, because its compact, its agile. It would be perfect, he said.
Strube went on to say it would also be interesting to discuss whether it is a pure petrol or it is something else, indicating that the Czech automaker is indeed pondering electrification.
The British publication believes that Skoda will probably choose between two options. The first would be a plug-in hybrid system while the second would be a simpler mild-hybrid with a 48-volt power supply and a small battery aimed primarily at adding a little bit of extra power.
PHOTO GALLERY
Ubers Travis Kalanick may no longer by the chief executive of the ride-hailing service but he is continuing to flex his muscles at the firm, recently appointing two new board members.
In a statement, Kalanick revealed that Xerox chief executive Ursula Burns and former Merrill Lynch chief executive John Thain will join Uber as directors in a move which the rest of Ubers board says was a surprise.
I am appointing these seats now in light of a recent board proposal to dramatically restructure the board and significantly alter the companys voting rights. It is therefore essential that the full board be in place for proper deliberation to occur, especially with such experienced board members as Ursula and John, Kalanick said.
The appointment of these two board members comes not long after Uber shareholder, Benchmark Capital, filed a lawsuit to get Kalanick off the board and to force him to relinquish his ability to appoint two new members. This lawsuit was ultimately pushed into arbitration and the outcomes arent public knowledge.
It is reported that Benchmark Capital or other Uber investors may attempt to block Kalanicks appointments by pleading with a Delaware judge to issue a status-quo order.
PHOTO GALLERY
Before Gutierrez ran VIEW, she was herself a researcher in film studies, including at Stanford University and the State University of New York. Both as an academic and in her conference curation, Gutierrez has been conscious of the changing role of women in animation, cg, and vfx.
Women in this industry are often in less visible, supporting roles, Gutierrez told Cartoon Brew. But I am seeing more women rising to supervisory levels, to positions that invite more public recognition. In the past they were less likely than men to study science and technology, which obviously posed a problem for a sector that is largely tech-driven, but many universities are now encouraging women to move in that direction, and this is producing an impact.
Gutierrez says she feels it is important to make sure the powerful, creative women in this industry are included at events like VIEW. A look through the program reveals several notable films and projects being presented on by the women leading them.
Production designer Noelle Triaureau is headlining two sessions on Sony Pictures Animations Smurfs: The Lost Village. The first is a workshop on color symbolism and design, and the second is a broader making-of session, in which shell be joined by visual effects supervisor Mike Ford. Triaureau previously worked at Sony on films including Surfs Up, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Hotel Transylvania.
Director Cinzia Angelini is also anchoring two talks at VIEW. She is behind the cg animated short Mila, a film about the impact of war thats also notable for being an online collaborative effort between around 350 artists from 35 countries. Angelini is delivering a talk on the film and a workshop at VIEW about how to become a story artist.
Regular VIEW attendee Kim White, who is a director of photography at Pixar, will be showcasing the lighting work on Cars 3 at the conference. White has been at Pixar since 1997, which means shes worked on everything from A Bugs Life to Inside Out, and of course this latest Cars incarnation; this film took full advantage of RenderMans new RIS ray tracing properties.
Vicki Dobbs Beck is the executive in charge at Industrial Light & Magics immersive, vr, ar, and mixed reality division ILMxLAB. A lot has been happening with ILMxLAB, especially related to Lucasfilm and Disneys Star Wars properties. Dobbs Beck will be looking at just some of these projects the division has shown off so far, and shes also part of a Future of Storytelling panel with visual effects supervisors and other immersive studio heads.
Maureen Fan is the CEO and co-founder of Baobab Studios, a vr studio that has quickly made its name in bringing traditional animation concepts to immersive worlds. Their projects include Invasion!, Asteroids!, and Rainbow Crow. Fans talk at VIEW is entitled A Girl Crying on a Park Bench and will deal with the empathy that vr films might be able to provide that games and traditional narrative films cant.
Elaina Scott is the animation supervisor on The CWs Supergirl, and her role at Encore Hollywood also involves animation on The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow. Shes presenting a workshop about previs animation and another talk specifically on the challenges of episodic television with Supergirl.
Simone Kraus is the CEO and animation supervisor at Trixter, a visual effects studio in Germany that has made its name of late by working on some crucial scenes in several Marvel films. One of the most recent is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Kraus will be part of the keynote on this film at VIEW.
These are just some of the women presenting at VIEW for the full list of speakers head to the VIEW website. In addition to more women working in the industry and presenting on their work each year at VIEW, the number of women attending the conference has also increased, according to Gutierrez.
As with any conference targeting computer graphics, visual effects, and animation, the men outnumber the women in the audience, but Im seeing more and more female students and young professionals attending VIEW Conference each year, which is wonderful. We are getting closer to a 50-50 balance.
And of course, its not just VIEW where women in visual effects, animation, and computer graphics have been finding more recognition. Other events such as SIGGRAPH, Spark Animation, and FMX have featured female presenters and held special panels to highlight the expanded roles that women play. A number of groups such as Women in Animation and Women in Visual Effects have also been highlighting and advocating female representation.
Gutierrez hopes this recognition will increase even further. There is a huge need for a women-centered viewpoint in the industry, starting with storytelling, and this means that there are more opportunities for young women than one may perceive from outside.
For details on attending this years VIEW, go to VIEWConference.it.
Photo: O'Keefe Ranch Family Daze in the Corn Maze begin at O'Keefe Ranch on Saturday.
Historic O'Keefe Ranch invites the public to attend 'Family Daze in the Corn Maze' starting Oct. 7th, featuring a new, two-acre corn maze to explore.
The OKeefe Ranch is a place for everyone. Family Daze is suitable for young children and grandparents too, said Glen Taylor, general manager. Its not terrifying like Field of Screams. The corn maze has scary props but there are no live actors in our daytime events, we keep that element for Field of Screams.
Family Daze is intended to give everyone another chance to visit the ranch, have some outdoor fun, share the space with family and friends and enjoy the harvest season.
The Balmoral school house and general store will also be decorated for the occasion, while pony and tractor rides are on offer along with other activities.
Family Daze in the Corn Maze takes place every Saturday and Sunday in October, except Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 per person or $30 for a family of five.
The corn maze is an annual fundraising event at the OKeefe Ranch.
There is good and bad news in a report on life in the North Okanagan, with room for improvement in a number of areas, including air quality, mental health, wages and housing.
The Community Foundation of the North Okanagan has issued its 2017 Vital Signs report, capturing trends on quality of life and the health of communities in the region.
By providing a snapshot of the North Okanagan in 10 issue areas, Vital Signs offers a unique and accessible way for community members, businesses, and organizations to learn more about the place we call home, Leanne Hammond, executive director, and Janice Mori, president of the board, said a joint statement. This report shines a light on our successes as well as identifies the areas in which we have far to go. Our hope is that you find the report both a source of information as well as a call to action.
Air quality in the region's largest city, Vernon, has been rated as poor.
The report stated: In 2014, there was an average concenration of 7.2 particulate matter (PM) micrograms per cubic meter in Vernon, one of the highest concentrations of PM in any city in British Columbia.
However, water quality appears to be improving.
The report said there were 38 water quality alerts issued throughout the region in 2016; 30 boil water notices and eight water quality advisories.
This is an improvement over 2006 and 2011, which saw 46 water quality alerts, respectively.
Safety and crime figures were different in each area of the region, with the most populous area (Vernon) experiencing the most crime.
The good news is that the overall crime rate has steadily declined in the last two decades, though crime severity rates have risen since 2015.
In terms of health, the North Okanagan is generally on par with the rest of the Valley and with the province, though there are exceptions, including higher than average prevalence of depression and mood and anxiety disorders.
Figures show 33 per cent of North Okanagan and Interior Health clients suffer from mood and anxiety disorders, higher than the provincial average of 30 per cent.
The median home price in the North Okanagan remained lower than the Okanagan, but there is a housing shortage, suggested the report.
There are gaps in the local housing market. Renters spend a greater proportion of their income on housing compared to homeowners. More units are needed to meet the demand for core housing, missing middle and market rentals.
While poverty rates in the region are similar to the provincial averages, there are still far too many children, families and individuals living in poverty.
As well, wages and employment rates are lower than the provincial averages, while unemployment is higher. But the region is resilient, with many business permits issued and significant investments in industrial, commercial, and institutional construction.
The report has issued 10 ways people can take action and has called for more leadership and volunteerism.
Photo: Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative A public session on the rail trail will be held in Coldstream Tuesday, beginning at 4 p.m.
The northern end of the Okanagan Rail Trail could be completed this year, according to Bob Fleming, the chair of the North Okanagan Regional District board.
Last week, it was announced that construction was set to begin on just over half of the 48.5-kilometre trail, including 12 km within Coldstream and Electoral Area B.
At first, rock scaling was supposed to take place but now it appears that rock scaling and construction will be underway at the same time, said Fleming.
The Electoral Area B representative said he believed about 13.5 km lay within the North Okanagan region and he was hopeful that all of the work to get it ready for hikers and bikers would be wrapped up this fall.
I'll have to check that but it appears to be the case.
As weather permits, crews will build approximately 26 km of the trail with compacted crushed aggregate between now and the end of November, with five km being completed in Lake Country and nine in Kelowna. The balance will be completed in the spring.
"Construction is underway," proclaimed the Okanagan Rail Trail fundraising website. It showed approximately 31 kilometres had been funded through donations.
Members of the public have a chance to view the latest plans at three information sessions, including today, Oct. 3 at Coldstream Municipal hall, Oct. 4 at the George Elliot community complex in Lake Country and Oct. 5 at Parkinson Rec Centre in Kelowna. All three are scheduled to run from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
with files from Wayne Moore
Photo: The Canadian Press Swo Wo Gabriel, of the Squamish First Nation, sings and plays a drum before First Nations and environmental groups speak about a federal court hearing about the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday October 2, 2017. The hearing which began Monday consolidates numerous lawsuits filed by seven First Nations applicants, the cities of Burnaby and Vancouver, the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and the Living Oceans Society, which claim the National Energy BoardOs approval process was flawed and First Nations werenOt adequately consulted. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canada's decision to approve an expansion for the Trans Mountain pipeline was a "one-way street" that ignored the economic and title rights of Indigenous people, a lawyer said Monday in the Federal Court of Appeal.
Elin Sigurdson outlined arguments against the $7.4-billion project approved last November but now challenged by First Nations, two environmental groups and the cities of Vancouver and Burnaby.
Indigenous groups were required to go to tremendous lengths to ensure all the necessary information about their rights was before the National Energy Board process, Sigurdson said.
"Yet in return, despite their assurances of genuine engagement on Indigenous rights concerns on the post NEB phase of the review, Canada never performed the work that would assist them to understand the rights at issue or the impact on (First Nations), nor did the Crown provide responsive feedback," said Sigurdson, who represents the Upper Nicola Band.
Trans Mountain, a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Canada, aims to double an existing Edmonton-to-Burnaby, B.C., pipeline with an additional 987 kilometres of pipeline in new and existing corridors, build a pump station, new docks and a storage facility.
The project, that would triple the pipeline's capacity and increase tanker traffic seven fold, risks the marine environment and threatens human health, Sigurdson.
Given those risks, the Canadian government's approval of the project should have been subject to strenuous and careful scrutiny, she said.
"Canada never had the discussions nor did the work necessary to comprehend substantive concerns that remain outstanding."
Scott Smith, a lawyer for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, said Monday that because the NEB didn't assess the effects of marine shipping from the project, his client's rights were violated and the lives of endangered southern resident killer whales would be jeopardized.
He said an additional 348 tankers would annually ply Burrard Inlet, the heart of the nation's territory, on their way to deliver diluted bitumen to markets with the catastrophic risk of spills that "Canada inexplicably refused to even consider."
The Tsleil-Waututh, or "People of the Inlet," are dependent on the area for sustenance, spirituality, economy and transportation, he said.
Both the British Columbia and Alberta governments are interveners in the court action, on opposing sides of the argument. B.C. Premier John Horgan said during the election campaign this spring that "every tool in the toolbox" would be used to stop the expansion.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley announced in May that her province had been granted intervener status, saying the pipeline network is safe and her government would continue to stand up for Alberta to get shovels in the ground.
Kinder Morgan has made progress on the pipeline expansion and said last month it had selected or reached agreements with six firms experienced in building pipelines and major infrastructure.
The hearing is expected to last about two weeks.
Photo: Contributed The IIO has been called to investigate the death of a woman who died after being arrested by RCMP in Quesnel.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has been called in to investigate the death of a woman who was arrested by Quesnel RCMP early Sunday morning. Police are calling the unnamed victim's death a murder and two people have been arrested.
On Oct. 1st at approximately 4:20 a.m., RCMP officers were called to the 800 block of Front Street for a reported assault on a male and female.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined the female victim of the alleged assault was breaching a court imposed condition and was arrested by police, said an RCMP press release.
The female was transported to the local detachment where she was examined by Emergency Health Services and subsequently transported to a local hospital, and then a larger area hospital for further assessment, said Cpl. Janelle Shoihet, RCMP spokesperson. This morning, October 2nd, the female was pronounced deceased.
Two probes are underway.
The Quesnel General Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate the now homicide of the female, and have arrested two people in relation to this incident.
A separate IIO BC investigation will review the actions of the officers who were called to the initial assault and the arrest of the woman to see if there is any connection to her death.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the IIO BC at 1-855-446-8477.
Photo: GoFundMe
Friends and family are rallying around a young Armstrong girl diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
Matt and Carolyn Krawzcyk have spent the last two weeks at Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver with their daughter Halle, 8.
The youngster was diagnosed with chordoma after doctors found a tumor in her C1 vertebrae.
Because of the tumour's location, they can't perform surgery, and the family will have to travel to Boston for a procedure called proton beam radiation.
The family anticipates their stay at Ronald McDonald House could be as long as six months, with an additional nine to 10 weeks in Boston.
Meanwhile, Carolyn has been off of work for over a month, and Matt has been flying back and forth between Armstrong and Vancouver, a GoFundMe page started for the family states.
"Let's join together to help our friends cover their expenses so they can concentrate on what's most important Halle's health and the four of them being together as a family," the page says.
The campaign has already raised more than $21,000.
Photo: Braden Matejka
A Lake Country man who was grazed by a mass shooter's bullet in Las Vegas says four strangers saved his life.
Braden Matejka and his girlfriend Amanda were attending the Route 91 country music festival.
During the concert, they heard what they thought were fire crackers going off, Matejka says in a heart-wrenching Facebook post.
I saw someone in front of me get shot through the chest, I grabbed Amanda and said get the f*** down now, he recalls.
The couple ran to a tent, ducking for cover, but the gunman started peppering the tent, so they grabbed tables and flipped them over for cover.
The flurry of bullets killed 59 people, three Canadians, and injured 527, making it the deadliest mass shooting in U.S history.
When the bullets didnt stop coming down on us and hitting the tables, it was time to make a run for it, he recalls.
Matejka said he started sprinting, but fell to the ground, hitting his face.
It felt as if someone hit me with a sledge hammer in the back of the head, he said. I got up and yelled for Amanda, saying 'Ive been shot.'
A man ripped his own shirt off and tied it around Matejkas head while another stranger waved down a car.
A kind young lady drove like a bat out of hell to the closest hospital, he recalls. I was rushed into the OR and had my skull looked at.
Matejka and his girlfriend are staying in the hospital until at least Tuesday.
He described the event as the most terrifying thing he has ever experienced.
I would like to say thank you to every one of my friends and family members who have shown so much love and compassion for me, he said.
Photo: Twitter
Lane Merrifield has been named Business Leader of 2017 by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.
It's the top honour given out through the chambers business excellence award program.
Merrifield received the 2017 award for his outstanding contributions to the business community in the Central Okanagan.
The local entrepreneur is best known as the founder of Club Penguin, the online virtual world for kids that Disney bought in 2007 for $350 million.
For more on Merrifield, and why he was selected for the award, check out the full story on Castanet's sister business news website, Okanagan Edge.
Photo: Contributed Mel Arnold
Mel Arnold has thieves in his sights.
In particular, the North Okanagan-Shuswap MP is targeting anyone who steals firefighting equipment.
The Conservative MP introduced a private member's bill that would amend the Criminal Code of Canada in relation to such offenses.
Bill C-365, proposes a new offence for theft of firefighting equipment that causes danger to life. Arnolds bill also proposes to establish mischief related to firefighting equipment as an aggravating circumstance while the third component of the bill proposes a sentencing objective for theft of firefighting equipment.
This past summer, I was shocked by reports of firefighting equipment being vandalized and stolen from wildfire service camps, said Arnold. After researching the Criminal Code, it was apparent that the code has a gap when it comes to denunciation and deterrence specific to these types of offences and so I have introduced this bill in recognition of firefighters and the safety that they provide our communities.
Currently, vandalism or tampering of firefighting equipment can be prosecuted under the Criminal Codes existing mischief prohibitions, but Arnold wants much stiffer penalties.
The bills proposed offence for theft of firefighting equipment causing danger to life would deliver the same maximum penalty, 25 years behind bars, the Criminal Code currently contains for mischief causing actual danger to life.
The new law would give judges the ability to impose harsher sentences at their discretion based on aggravating circumstances.
The aggravating circumstance and sentencing objective would provide a sentencing judge the basis to deliver a heavier sentence than would otherwise be applied for simple mischief or theft.
Whether the offence occurs at a fire hall, in an apartment building or at a wildfire site, tampering or theft of firefighting equipment can quickly cause danger to life and it is time the Criminal Code reflects the gravity of such offences, said Arnold.
Photo: NKS Photography
The wildfire burning in Okanagan Mountain Park now stands at six hectares in size.
Fire information officer Justine Hunse, with the BC Wildfire Service, says growth in the fire was expected, but it remains within anticipated boundaries.
"It's doing what we expected it to do," said Hunse. "and we are OK with continuing a modified response."
She said the growth was relatively slow given wind conditions overnight, and the fire is currently burning at Rank 1, which describes a smouldering ground fire.
"That's an indication of how much conditions have changed since the middle of the summer," she added.
Hunse said smoke will continue to be visible from across Okanagan Lake, and the fire is expected to continue growing until it self-extinguishes, either by running out of fuel or because of precipitation.
"We are continuing to monitor it," she said.
Photo: Darren Handschuh A typical September has an average temperature of 13.7C, but this year was almost three degrees warmer at 16.3C.
If September seemed hotter and drying than usual in the North Okanagan, that's because it was.
Statistics from Environment Canada show last month was not normal for the region.
A typical September has an average temperature of 13.7C, but this year was almost three degrees warmer at 16.3C.
There was also less rainfall than normal with a typical September having a soggy 37 mm of the wet stuff, but September 2017 came in at a mere nine mm.
And it could stay dry for a while. Meteorologist Doug Lundquist said October is traditionally a dry month.
But as far as temperature goes, we can say that there is a very high likelihood that it will remain above average overall, he said Thats what our computer models say and the sea surface temperature agrees with that.
The waters off the coast are warm, so that usually means we have a warm upcoming month or two,
Photo: CTV
Flags have been lowered at Okanagan College's Kelowna campus in memory of a B.C. man killed in Las Vegas.
Jordan McIldoon, 23, of Maple Ridge, was a heavy mechanical apprenticeship student at the college.
McIldoon was among 59 people slain in Sunday night's massacre.
He first came to Okanagan College in 2013, went on to complete level three of his apprenticeship in 2016 and was registered to attend level four this fall.
"We are shocked and saddened by the news of Jordan's death," Steve Moores, dean of trades and apprenticeship wrote in an email to college staff that was shared with Castanet.
"He was an excellent student with a very promising career ahead of him."
McIldoon's death made international headlines after a Las Vegas woman stayed with him for hours, speaking with his mother and girlfriend, ensuring he wasn't left alone, until emergency personnel arrived.
Photo: The Canadian Press
About half the asylum claims heard so far from those who've crossed the Canada-U.S. border since July have been rejected, the Immigration and Refugee Board said Tuesday.
But the actual number of cases the board has heard since then is a mere fraction of the 8,000 or so claims that have been filed to date.
Shereen Benzvy Miller, the head of the IRB's refugee protection division, told a House of Commons immigration committee hearing that 240 have already been finalized, and a further 373 had been scheduled as of earlier this week, with the rate of rejection around 50 per cent.
That's in line with the historical acceptance rate for claims by Haitian nationals in past years; the vast majority of the asylum seekers who have arrived in Quebec in particular since the summer are Haitian.
In August, the board set up a dedicated team of 17 members to hear asylum claims solely from the border crossers. The fate of those who crossed before July remains unclear, as those claims were just part of the board's general caseload and aren't specifically tracked.
The dedicated team is aiming to hear about 1,500 cases between now and the end of November. After that, claims from the border crossers will go back to being part of the regular workflow.
It's a case load that has overwhelmed the board, Miller told the committee Tuesday.
The board is funded to hear at most 24,000 cases a year and at present, is anticipating more than 40,000 to be filed in all of 2017.
There are currently 40,000 cases in the backlog as well, she said. Wait times for a hearing are currently about 16 months with nowhere to go but up, she added.
Photo: Twitter Tory leader Andrew Scheer
A new poll conducted by Ekos Research and commissioned for The Canadian Press suggests the Liberals find themselves statistically tied with a resurgent Conservative Opposition.
The New Democrats reeling from a disappointing 2015 campaign and lengthy leadership race remain a distant third, driving home the political challenge confronting newly elected NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.
Ekos president Frank Graves says the numbers suggest the Liberals have finally come back to earth after enjoying a massive lead in public support after the 2015 election an advantage they managed to maintain for more than a year.
The Ekos-Canadian Press poll, which puts the Liberals at 34 per cent, the Conservatives at 33 per cent and the NDP at 15 per cent, surveyed 4,839 people during the last two weeks of September, and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 1.4 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Graves says he believes the Liberals will be watching the Conservative numbers closely, as well as the NDP, which is likely to be targeting many of the progressive voters who supported Justin Trudeau's party in 2015.
He also says the poll suggests that the Liberal government's controversial tax reforms criticized by opposition parties as well as many doctors, farmers and small business owners are not having a significant impact among Liberal or potential Liberal voters.
Photo: The Canadian Press
UPDATE: 7:24 p.m.
Authorities in the United States say a Somali refugee accused of attacking a police officer and running down four pedestrians in Edmonton was ordered removed from the country in 2011 by an immigration judge.
Abdulahi Hasan Sharif made his first court appearance Tuesday on 11 charges, including five of attempted murder, that were laid after a driver hit an Edmonton police officer with a speeding car, stabbed him and then mowed down pedestrians with a cube van during a downtown police chase.
Tactical officers forced the van on its side and arrested a suspect after using a stun grenade and a Taser.
His case was put over until Nov. 14 to give him time to find a lawyer, but it could be called back sooner if Sharif can hire legal counsel before then.
Meanwhile, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Tuesday that Sharif was transferred into its custody at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego on July 15, 2011, by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
It says Sharif was ordered removed to Somalia on Sept. 22, 2011, and he waived his right to appeal the decision.
About two months later, he was released on an order of supervision by the department in San Diego "due to a lack of likelihood of his removal in the reasonably foreseeable future."
He failed to report on his scheduled date of Jan. 24, 2012, and efforts to find him were not successful, the department said in a statement.
Sharif's name is spelled Abdullahi Hassan Sharif in the United States.
An official with Immigration and Customs Enforcement who spoke on the condition of anonymity told The Canadian Press they have no reason to believe it is not the same man.
Both a U.S. and Canadian government official told The Associated Press it is the same man.
The U.S. official said slightly different spellings are not uncommon. She also agreed to discuss the matter only if not quoted by name, because she was not authorized to discuss certain details of the case.
A spokesman for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said Sharif entered Canada from the United States through a regular port of entry in 2012 and was granted refugee status later that year.
"As minister Goodale has stated, there was no information that would have raised any red flags when he entered Canada. Due to privacy laws we cannot disclose further details of this case," Scott Bardsley said in an emailed statement.
"According to U.S. authorities, he was not detained for criminal activity."
Bardsley said generally, individuals who are inadmissible, including for serious crimes, would be ineligible to make an asylum claim in Canada.
"Being detained for immigration purposes in another country would not prevent someone from being able to make an asylum claim in Canada," he said.
Sharif, 30, appeared on closed-circuit TV in a courtroom in Edmonton and followed the proceedings with the help of an interpreter. The accused spoke briefly with a lawyer who stepped forward to help.
Edmonton police have raised the possibility of terrorism charges against Sharif because there was an Islamic State flag in his car and he was investigated two years ago for espousing extremist views.
The RCMP has said the investigation is complex and no terrorism charges have been laid.
Mahamad Accord, a member of Edmonton's Somali community, said he will do what he can to help Sharif apply for legal aid if he can't afford to hire his own lawyer.
"As you know Canadians everyone has the right to a fair trial," Accord said outside court.
He said there has been lots of hearsay about Sharif, but no first-hand information.
Ahmed Ali, a man who described himself as a spokesman for the city's Somali community, said Sharif will get help with an interpreter, but wouldn't comment about helping him get a lawyer.
Ali also declined to answer questions about Sharif's background or whether Somalis are facing any backlash over the attacks.
"I would be lying if I told you that members of our community are feeling threatened, scared or concerned, because the EPS (Edmonton Police Service) has been doing a fantastic job, and so have the RCMP," he said outside court.
Sharif also faces charges of dangerous driving, criminal flight causing bodily harm and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Police have said they believe the suspect acted alone and without conspirators.
Const. Mike Chernyk was handling crowd control at a Canadian Football League game Saturday night when he was hit by a car that rammed through a barrier and sent him flying. The driver got out, pulled out a large knife and began stabbing Chernyk.
The constable was treated in hospital and released.
As of Monday, two of the pedestrians remained in hospital, one with a fractured skull.
RCMP have said Sharif was checked thoroughly in 2015 after police received a report that he may have been radicalized, but investigators determined that he did not pose a threat.
Photo: The Canadian Press Calla Medig is shown in a photo from her Facebook profile page.
A model with two young sons and a restaurant staffer about to be promoted to manager are among the Canadians confirmed dead in a mass shooting at a country music show in Las Vegas.
Tara Roe Smith, who was 34 and lived in Okotoks, Alta., was there with her husband, Zach, and another couple for a weekend getaway, said her aunt, Val Rodgers.
"They were there just to have a good time and to enjoy a concert."
Rodgers said Roe Smith died when a gunman opened fire on the crowd from the window of a hotel on Sunday night. Nearly 60 people were killed and hundreds were injured.
"She was a beautiful soul," Rodgers said from her home in Brandon, Man., Tuesday. "She was a wonderful mother and our family is going to miss her dearly."
Roe Smith worked with Calgary modelling agency Sophia Models International for 10 years, said owner Bill Giofu.
"She was always a friendly face when she came in to see us at the agency, a very caring spirit," he said. "We are deeply saddened and shocked and pray for everyone affected by this tragedy in Vegas."
Roe Smith also worked as an educational assistant at the Foothills School Division.
"It has been a challenging time for our division yet we continue to stand together and support one another," John Bailey, superintendent of schools, said in a statement. "We have put our crisis response team in place and they will remain as long as is needed to assist students and staff."
Lyndsay Perham's childhood friend, Calla Medig, was also at the Route 91 Music Festival when she was shot. Going to Las Vegas for the festival had become an annual tradition for the country music fan, Perham said.
"She was a very loyal friend. We always had fun together," said Perham, who grew up with Medig in the Rocky Mountain town of Jasper, Alta. "We had a very tight-knit group of girls and we just did everything together growing up."
Medig, 28, was with her best friend when she was shot, Perham said. The friend managed to get Medig to a hospital, where she died.
"We're going to miss her and we'll just have to try and get through it together, but I don't know if we'll be able to."
Medig had taken time off from her job at a Moxie's restaurant in west Edmonton to attend the festival said her boss, Scott Collingwood.
When news broke about the shooting Sunday, Collingwood said he immediately called Medig, but it went right to voice mail. She didn't answer texts or Facebook messages, he said.
On Monday, he called her roommate, who went to Vegas with Medig, and got the terrible news.
"She was a little bit of everything around here. She was kind of a rock and, as of Thursday, she would have been our newest manager," Collingwood said. "A lot of us around here have super heavy hearts and we already miss her."
Photo: Facebook Matthew Foerster returns to court next spring for his second trial on a charge of killing an Armstrong teenager.
A second trial for the man accused of killing an Armstrong teenager takes place next spring.
In 2014, Matthew Foerster, 30, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder in the slaying of 18-year-old Taylor Van Diest on Halloween night 2011.
However, his lawyers filed an appeal of the decision five months after his conviction, and in March 2017, the B.C. Court of Appeal upheld the appeal and ordered a new trial.
New trial dates were confirmed in Kelowna Supreme Court on Monday.
Legal proceedings will begin with a voir dire on Apr. 3, 2018 as evidence is reviewed, with four weeks set aside for pretrial matters, said Dan McLaughlin of the Criminal Justice Branch.
Jury selection is May 28, 2018 with the trial to follow, said McLaughlin.
The trial is expected to last between three and four weeks, he said.
with files from Nicholas Johansen
This website is intended for U.S. visitors only.
Sign up for our newsletter
One little pop, and then it was full-on fire.
That is how Flagstaff resident and Marshall Elementary School teacher Janelle Reasor described the scene in Las Vegas on Sunday as a gunman fired a barrage of bullets from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel-Casino, killing at least 58 people and injuring hundreds more in the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
The gunman was identified as Stephen Craig Paddock, a 64-year-old retiree from Mesquite, Nevada, who had as many as 10 guns with him, including rifles.
Reasor, who attended the three-day Route 91 Harvest Music Festival with a friend and Reasors mother, described the chaotic and confusing scene, stating that when the first shots were fired, no one could understand what was happening.
We heard a few shots and I thought a transformer just blew and my mother was saying it looked like there was smoke, Reasor said. And then the music stopped but the shooting didnt.
The crowd had very little cover in the open 15-acre concert venue and Reasor and her mother were forced to drop to the ground, lying there until the gunfire briefly stopped.
It was hard not to get trampled, Reasor said. Everyone would scream down and we would drop and play dead until the gunshots stopped and then we would get down again until we were able to take refuge behind a car.
The situation was made more terrifying because Reasor did not know where the shots were coming from and she was worried about her friend, who separated from Reasor to move up closer to the stage.
Everyone in Reasors group avoided physical harm, but the trauma of the shooting has been hard to process.
We cant even process it, we are just numb right now, Reasor said. We are very lucky because so many people didnt make it.
Reasor said she could not believe a person would harm people simply trying to enjoy music.
I am in shock. These are country people, Reasor said. Everyone was there to be happy and have a good time. I cant understand why someone would do this.
ELIMINATE THE THREAT
Flagstaff has never experienced a mass shooting close to the scale of Las Vegas, but law enforcement and public safety officials still have a plan in the event of a mass shooting or another mass casualty incident.
Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll said that his office and a team of multiple law enforcement agencies such as Flagstaff Police Department and Arizona Department of Public Safety would use all of their resources to neutralize any threat to the public.
A mass shooting is going to elevate a higher response from all law enforcement agencies in the area, Driscoll said. But in any dangerous situation, from a traffic accident to a mass shooting, our goal is always to (first) eliminate the threat.
Driscoll said his officers conduct active-shooter training once a month as well as training for the countys SWAT team, which is made up of officers from the sheriffs office and the police department.
The sheriffs office also regularly conducts training for schools and private entities as a way to give the public better situational awareness if an active shooter is in the area. Driscoll said 1,500 people have participated in the program.
The county has active-shooter training planned for Williams School District later this month and is in talks with Flagstaff Unified School District to practice what it would take to reunite students with parents after a shooting event. All county employees are required to take active shooter training as well, according to Coconino County Department of Emergency Management.
However, Driscoll said that law enforcement in Coconino County has limited resources and that even a large police force such as the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was not prepared for Sundays shooting.
As far as preparedness, no one is prepared, Las Vegas was not prepared, Driscoll said. The key is utilizing your training and responding to the threat.
MASS CASUALTY PLANS
However, law enforcement officers are not the only public safety officials involved with helping the public after a large-scale emergency.
Coconino County has its own emergency operations plan for mass casualties, similar to plans it has developed for wildfire preparedness and winter storm preparedness, said Todd Whitney, director of the countys Department of Emergency Management.
In an incident like that, the countys emergency management department would serve in a coordinating role, setting up an emergency operations center at the police station or in a designated room at the NACET Accelerator, Whitney said. That setup could happen within an hour of an event taking place and the center could include representatives from agencies like the health department, and power providers, he said.
The emergency operations center has an online meeting room as well that can be set up in just minutes, Whitney said. All of the responders from various levels of government can then post updates and see the current status of the incident.
In the operations command center, the emergency management department would support emergency responders, coordinate transportation away from the scene for those who are unharmed, help arrange for critical incident counselors and coordinate with the Red Cross and United Way, Whitney said. It would also work with the health departments emergency preparedness team, which would be tasked with coordinating any surge in people needing medical care and the transport of people to hospitals elsewhere, if thats necessary, Whitney said.
If the countys resources are maxed out, local agencies have mutual aid agreements with other jurisdictions that would lend a hand if needed, he said.
The Coconino County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help locating a missing woman who was last seen Sunday in the Gray Mountain area west of Cameron, officials said.
Irene Tom is described as a 71-year-old Native American woman, five feet, two inches tall, and weighs 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. Tom was last seen wearing a black sweater, tan pants and possibly a light jacket. She did not have any extra food or water with her, CCSO spokeswoman Erika Wiltenmuth said in a press release.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Coconino County Sheriffs Office at 928-7744523 or at 1-800-338-7888 or Silent Witness at 928-774-6111.
At the Senate education committee hearing on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Chairman Lamar Alexander said that Tennessee, Louisiana, and New Mexico have taken the most advantage of the flexibility we offered under the law in creating innovative state plans.
He said, When President Obama signed our bill fixing No Child Left Behind, he called it a Christmas miracle. I said that I hoped we were unleashing a new era of innovation and excellence in student achievement one that recognizes that the path to higher standards, better teaching and real accountability is classroom by classroom, and state by state and not through Washington, D.C.
ESSA put states back in the drivers seat for decisions on how to help their students.Governor Haslam said last October, We are on a long journey. Weve done the hard work of raising expectations, investing more in education and letting our teachers and students show us what they can do, and again and again, our students and teachers are stepping up to the challenge.Senator Alexander on Tuesday said, In my opinion, Tennessee has once again stepped up to that challenge.The Every Student Succeeds Act is a historic piece of legislation because it represented that we can reach a bipartisan consensus on a topic of considerable differences elementary and secondary education. That consensus was: Continue the laws important measurements of academic progress of students but restore to states what to do about that progress.Despite a new law, a new administration, and Congress overturning an Obama-era accountability provision that did exactly what Congress told the department not to do, this has been a smooth process for states. As the department continues approving state plans, I look forward to seeing ways other states are taking advantage of the freedom to innovate under ESSA.The chief state school officers from Tennessee, Louisiana, and New Mexico testified at Tuesday mornings hearing. These three states are among the first of 14 states -- 15 including the District of Columbia -- that have had their Title I plans approved by the U.S. Department of Education.Senator Alexander offered examples of the innovative approaches these three states are taking, saying: For example, Tennessees plan includes a Ready Graduate Indicator, which demonstrates students readiness for more than just college after high school. If youre a student whos planning to join the military or workforce after graduation, this indicator shows the state youre prepared. Louisiana has developed a career education initiative and a diverse course program, which means school districts will be able to offer students more career and technical preparation, advanced coursework, and dual enrollment. After listening to teachers, school districts and parents, New Mexico has included robust student services in their plan. If youre a parent of a child who needs early education programs or extra math help, this means theyll be able to access those services.The Senate education committee unanimously passed the legislation to fix No Child Left Behind in April 2015. In December 2015, ESSA was passed by Congress and signed into law. Alexander was the lead Republican sponsor. ESSA ends federal interference in state standards and ends the federal mandates on states to adopt the Common Core State Standards.
Alexanders full prepared remarks are here.
A partnership with TenneSEA (Tennessee Student Environmental Alliance) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), will give fifth graders at Red Bank Elementary a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about science.
TDEC presented TenneSEA with a check for $78,500 today for its efforts to restore the Mountain Creek Watershed. The project includes developing an award program for watershed friendly homes and businesses, installing Green Infrastructure at a home and church, and working with partners to plan protection for the upper reaches of the Mountain Creek Watershed. The ultimate goal is a cleaner Mountain Creek and a more involved public who takes even better care of it. Education is essential in the process, both within the communities and through the schools.
TenneSEA is the local arm of Caribbean SEA, a Chattanooga-based environmental organization that collaborates with communities to teach children about their connection with nature and empower them to become environmental leaders who make changes from within. They are a grassroots organization working within communities to help improve the water. Their goal is to start with education and proceed to taking positive action for the watershed.
TenneSEA focuses on watershed and stormwater education and installation of Green Infrastructure as well as utilizing water monitoring volunteers, the community based Stream Team members, to keep watch on the quality of the streams. TenneSEA provides resources for educators, students in grades K-12, and also collaborates with universities. Caribbean SEA Executive Director Mary Beth Sutton loves working with the students at Red Bank. After helping connect the teachers and students to the creek, the students now call it their creek and are passionate about taking care of it.
The Red Bank Elementary School Stream Team is playing an integral role in the process. The fifth grade students had to apply for a position on the stream when they were fourth graders. While they have spent part of their time learning more about Mountain Creek, part of their job is battling stream bank erosion. The Stream Team learned the engineering design process with TenneSEA educators and have been challenged to imagine solutions to the stream bank erosion next to the school. As Ms. Sutton said, Our Stream Team will present their ideas for stabilizing the stream bank to our TenneSEA team and our community volunteers from Propex, Wright Brothers and Chattanooga Engineering Group. Then they will learn how to take engineering design into action! We plan to have the stream bank stabilized before the end of the school year.
Red Bank Elementary Principal Haley Brown is thrilled her students have the opportunity to take on such a worth-while cause, right in their own backyard. At RBES, we strive to facilitate real-world learning for our students on a daily basis and to give them experiences that will allow them to find something in their life that they are passionate about. This project accomplishes both of these goals. Our STREAM Team students are committed to solving this real-world problem because it involves their creek and they are excited about the opportunity to present their solutions, said Ms. Brown.
TDEC Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shari Meghreblian said this effort is just one example of the good work being done to improve this watershed and others across Tennessee. We were very impressed with the Tennessee Student Alliances proposal to create a program that would award homeowners and business owners for their efforts to improve the Mountain Creek Watershed. Getting others involved expands our reach and helps improve watersheds across Tennessee, said Dr. Meghreblian.
The project is slated for two years, with a program launch for the award system slated for late fall or winter. Integrating the creativity and intelligence of our young people with the actions led by community volunteers makes for a great way to solve our communitys problems.
Getting through the workday on little sleep is a point of pride for some. But skimping on shuteye could be shortening your life and making you a less than stellar employee, according to Matthew Walker, founder and director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley.
"Underslept employees tend to create fewer novel solutions to problems, they're less productive in their work and they take on easier challenges at work," said Walker, author of "Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams," out Tuesday.
Advertisement
Operating on short sleep anything less than seven hours impairs a host of brain and bodily functions, said Walker, who is also a professor of neuroscience and psychology. It increases your risk for heart attack, cancer and stroke, compromises your immune system and makes you emotionally irrational, less charismatic and more prone to lying.
We spoke to the sleep scientist about what's keeping us from getting to bed and how we can make the most of our slumber.
Advertisement
Q: What do you say to people who sacrifice sleep to work?
I often ask the question in return, "Is the reason you've still got so much to do because you haven't gotten enough sleep and so you're inefficient while you're working?" We know that efficiency and effectiveness are increased when you're getting sufficient sleep and it will take you longer to do the same thing on an underslept brain, which means you end up having to stay awake longer. So goes the vicious cycle.
Q: How much sleep should we be getting?
The recommendation is seven to nine hours for all adults. The reason that there's a range is that it's a little bit like calories. Based on everyone's unique physiology, that amount will vary from one person to the next.
And the same is true for sleep, although there are somewhat hard boundaries on the lower end. Once you get less than seven hours of sleep, you can measure marked impairments in both brain and body health. And those people who claim they can survive on six hours of sleep or less, unfortunately, are deluding themselves and their health.
Q: How does someone know if they're getting enough sleep?
If you were not to set an alarm clock, would you sleep past it? If the answer is yes, then there is clearly more sleep that is needed.
Do you tend to sleep in during the weekends? That usually signals that you're trying to sleep off a debt you've accumulated during the week. By the way, it doesn't work like that. It doesn't work like the bank. You can't accumulate a debt and then pay it off at a later point in time.
Advertisement
And if you feel like you need caffeine in the morning, then you're probably self-medicating your state of sleep deprivation.
Q: What happens when you drink caffeine late in the day?
The gross demonstration of caffeine is that it prevents you from falling asleep. The slightly more nefarious aspect of caffeine is that maybe you can fall asleep, but we know that the depth of deep sleep you're getting if caffeine is still in your system is severely less. So those people who say, "I can fall asleep just fine," it still doesn't mean they're safe and clear from the reaching arm of caffeine into their sleep.
Q: How about that post-work cocktail or nightly wine habit?
There is a misunderstanding that alcohol helps you fall asleep. Alcohol is a sedative. Sedation is not sleep it doesn't come with the same restorative benefits. If you consume alcohol six to eight hours before bed, the first thing that alcohol is very good at doing is blocking your REM sleep, your dream sleep. Dream sleep has a whole collection of functions for the brain and the body.
It also fragments your sleep. You will wake up many more times a night than if you weren't drinking. Those awakenings tend to be quite brief and many people don't commit them to memory. So they wake up the next morning and feel unrefreshed and not particularly chipper. And they never connect the dots, which is perhaps it was the glass of red wine I had before bed and it was the multiple awakenings that I had throughout the night that makes me feel this sluggish and underslept the next day.
Advertisement
Q: So how do we get our body ready for sleep?
An hour before bed, you really should stop using screens. We are a dark-deprived society and LED screens, even light inside of a room, can block your rising levels of melatonin and sort of push the onset of sleep later in time. So if you start to create dim lights and dim the screens, those things will help. If you have to work, use the software that desaturates the light. But really, you should probably stop.
Q: What do you use to help you sleep?
I've got some earplugs and I've got a face mask. When I travel, I definitely do that. When I'm at home, I have blackout curtains. So, hokey as it sounds, I do practice what I preach.
Q-and-A's are edited for length and clarity.
kwiginton@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @keriphoto
Pastries are displayed April 24, 2018, in the new McDonald's restaurant on the ground floor of the new corporate headquarters in Chicago's Fulton Market district. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
With six months to finish the job, construction on McDonald's new $250 million headquarters on Chicago's Near West Side is moving forward at a blistering pace.
The building's concrete frame was completed last month, and McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook and other employees attended a "topping-off" ceremony to mark the occasion. Now the 608,000-square-foot structure is being wrapped with exterior walls and windows, and is being insulated so that work can continue through the winter and the building can be ready for occupancy in the spring.
Advertisement
The building, located in the West Town neighborhood in an area alternatively known as the West Loop and Fulton Market, is expected to be completely enclosed by December, according to Paul Turilli, a vice president for Sterling Bay who's overseeing the project.
The nine-story building, on the site of Oprah Winfrey's former Harpo Studios, is being erected using a "top-down" construction method, meaning the building came out of the ground at the same time as the underground space was being excavated to make room for future parking.
Advertisement
"The top down doesn't happen all that often in the city," Turilli said. "It's tricky, but it's a great schedule saver."
Turilli said the building will be ready for McDonald's employees to move in next spring, but would not give a specific date that work should finish.
"It will be spring, not summer, for sure," he said.
McDonald's has previously estimated that it will bring about 2,000 employees to the new headquarters.
Details on the interior are scarce. It's still not clear how the office space and other McDonald's must-haves like test kitchens and its "Hamburger University" training center will be laid out. McDonald's declined to give details, but spokeswoman Terri Hickey said, "We are excited about the progress to date on the construction of our new Chicago headquarters."
McDonald's still plans to open a restaurant on the ground floor of the headquarters building.
sbomkamp@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @SamWillTravel
Advertisement
RELATED
[ Oak Brook to bid for Amazon headquarters at McDonald's site ]
[ 19-story hotel planned next to McDonald's future West Loop HQ ]
[ COLUMN: McDonald's returning to Chicago because 20 miles away risks being out of it ]
PHOENIX -- The Arizona Democratic Party goes to federal court today in a bid to overturn a ban on "ballot harvesting" and ensure that ballots cast in the wrong precinct are counted anyway.
Attorney Bruce Spiva contends the Republican-controlled Legislature acted illegally last year in making it a felony for an individual to take anyone else's early ballot to a polling place. Spiva said he will present evidence that the measure will cause undue harm to minorities and other groups.
But Sara Agne, attorney for the Arizona Republican Party, who is defending the law, will argue that lawmakers were entitled to put procedures in place designed to prevent fraud.
Spiva could have an uphill battle.
U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Rayes last year refused to stop the state from enforcing the law while its legal merits are being debated. He concluded there was no "quantitative evidence" to show minorities were more likely to be harmed than anyone else.
The full 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which heard arguments last year in San Francisco, thought otherwise and agreed to enjoin enforcement. But that decision was stayed by the U.S. Supreme Court with the justices concluding they did not want to make such a radical change so close to last year's election.
In the meantime, the appellate court sent the case back to Rayes to take a closer look. Rayes now has set aside 10 days to hear evidence.
The law criminalizes what had been a practice by civic and political groups of going out to see if people who had requested early ballots had remembered to return them by mail. If they had not, group members would offer to take it to the polling place themselves.
Now, such action could result in a presumptive one-year prison term and potential $150,000 fine.
There are exceptions. The law does not apply to family members, those living in the same household or certain caregivers who provide assistance to voters in various institutions.
The legislation is based on claims of fraud -- or at least the potential for that.
Rep. Don Shooter, R-Yuma, a member of the Senate in 2016, said there are "a lot of shenanigans ... down in my neck of the woods."
"I've been told the way they do it is they collect the ballots early, they put them in a microwave with a bowl of water, steam then open, take the ballots," he said during debate.
"If they like the way it's voted they put them back in," Shooter continued. "If they don't like the way it's voted, they lose the ballot."
But Shooter, who said he passed the tip on to state election officials, acknowledged nothing ever came of it.
Spiva told Capitol Media Services he intends to prove otherwise.
"There's no evidence of fraud in the legislative record," he said. "And there's no evidence anywhere."
But Republicans contend they do not need proof of actual fraud to justify the law. Agne said the statute is justified because it helps protect against election fraud.
"It's in the state's interest to have that chain of custody information," she told the appellate court during last year's hearing. "That's one of the reasons the state has implemented this sensible election regulation."
Agne also said a majority of other states have similar laws, though only a handful make it a felony like Arizona.
The lack of any actual evidence was not only an issue in court. It also came up when the measure was first debated in the House.
Rep. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, who is now House speaker, said it is irrelevant whether there is fraud or not.
"What is indisputable is that many people believe it's happening," he said in voting for the measure. "And I think that matters."
Spiva has one other argument. He said the evidence will show the Arizona law has a disproportionate impact on minorities, meaning it runs afoul of federal voting rights laws.
His other legal challenge is to a law that governs what happens when people show up at polling places on Election Day and their names are not on the list of those registered to vote there.
If the would-be voter is simply at the wrong place, poll workers can -- but are not required to -- direct them to where they need to go. Voters who insist they are registered and entitled to vote there are given a "provisional ballot."
After other ballots are counted, county election officials go through their records to see if that person was entitled to vote at that place. If not, the ballot is not counted.
Spiva contends this law disproportionately affects minorities. So he wants Rayes to rule that counties must count any vote that the person was entitled to make had he or she gone to the proper polling place.
So, for example, a voter who should have been in Tempe but ended up in Glendale would not have votes counted for city elections or school boards. But under Spiva's argument, that person's vote would be counted for statewide offices like governor and U.S. senator.
WASHINGTON If you've been pondering how you as a homeowner or buyer might fare under the new Republican tax overhaul plan, here are a few points to consider.
Although the tax proposal got fattened up a little over the summer moving from a White House "outline" of barely one page to a "framework" now consisting of nine pages there's been minimal meat added to the bones regarding housing.
Advertisement
Yes, the mortgage interest deduction will still be preserved, but with the doubling of the standard deduction to $12,000 (single tax filers) and $24,000 (joint filers), many current itemizers taking the mortgage write-off are likely to opt for the standard deduction.
That may sound fine to you there are undeniable attractions to the idea of simplifying the tax code by allowing taxpayers to take a single, large deduction instead of itemizing multiple smaller ones but it may not be a net benefit for you, depending on the final details. If, as expected, you lose the current personal exemption of $4,050 plus you've got kids, a spouse, a house and other key deductions are eliminated, you could end up paying more in federal taxes, not less.
Advertisement
If most people take the standard deduction, the homeownership stimulant effects of the mortgage interest write-off could be diminished and have an impact on home prices. A study by auditing and consulting firm PwC, also known as PricewaterhouseCoopers, earlier this year found that reducing the number of taxpayers who claim the mortgage deduction along with eliminating local tax write-offs and factoring in lower marginal tax rates could lower the investment value of homes and depress prices by an average of 10.2 percent.
The study was commissioned by the National Association of Realtors hardly a disinterested party in the tax debate. But some academic studies also have concluded that there is a tax-subsidy component built into home values that would be depressed if tax incentives such as the mortgage interest deduction were cut or removed. Last year a study by a Federal Reserve economist estimated that totally eliminating the mortgage interest deduction would cause the average household in the country to lose 10.9 percent of its home value.
The lack of detail in the Republican tax framework makes it difficult for anyone especially homeowners to calculate what the changes would mean for their personal federal tax bill. The framework offers to collapse the current seven marginal tax brackets into just three 12 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent but does not provide income cutoff points associated with each bracket. So you can't be sure where you end up.
The framework is also coy about just which deductions currently taken by millions of individuals no longer would be permitted. It only identifies two personal deductions that would survive the cuts charitable contributions and mortgage interest. This leads to the inevitable conclusion that one of the biggest and most politically sensitive write-offs, state and local taxes, would not survive.
In fact, the elimination of that deduction appears to be an essential element in the plan, because it would help defray the gushing revenue losses elsewhere in what President Donald Trump has described as his administration's "giant, beautiful, massive, the biggest ever in our country, tax cut."
State and local tax write-offs are an important part of the financial calculus for many home purchasers and owners. Their elimination would add an estimated $1.3 trillion to federal tax revenues over the next 10 years. State and local deductions are most heavily claimed in areas with higher-than-average property and income tax rates, such as Washington, D.C.; Maryland; New York; New Jersey; New England; Virginia; California; and Illinois, among others. They are a big deal to local governments and they are certain to be fought for passionately by congressional members from the states most affected, including Republicans.
So where's this all going and how fast? Think about the acrimony of the health care debate, add in legions of well-funded and politically powerful lobbies each protecting their industries' most prized tax code subsidies real estate high on the list plus a short legislative calendar left this year, and you are easily into next year, which happens to be a congressional election year, when all bets are off.
Retiring Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., summed up the prospects aptly: "Tax reform is going to make health care look like a piece of cake." Whether you like whatever cake eventually pops out of the oven is an entirely different story.
Advertisement
kenharney@earthlink.net
[ Related: Government cracks down on home refinancing scheme targeting veterans ]
[ How to protect yourself against lasting damage from Equifax theft ]
[ Wells Fargo accused of unwarranted 'rate lock' fees ]
Watch our latest Real Estate videos.
Chicago chefs like Sarah Grueneberg and television personality Andrew Zimmern will get together this weekend for the Taste Talks food conference. (Taste Talks)
Taste Talks, a three-day conference of panel discussions, chef dinners and food demos, returns to Chicago for its fourth year this weekend, featuring special guest Andrew Zimmern, host of "Bizarre Foods." Running Oct. 6-8, the talks move to a new venue, Revival Food Hall in the Loop.
The culinary conclave opens with a cocktail party Friday night at the Ace Hotel. Expect food, drinks and a live musical performance by alternative hip-hop artist Serengeti.
Advertisement
Saturday starts with brunch at Revival, before a full day of talks and demos dissecting this year's theme, "The Future of Taste."
Three concurrent events kick off the day.
Advertisement
"Chefs Give Back: Solidarity Through Soup" brings together Bruce Sherman (North Pond) and Matthias Merges (Billy Sunday, Old Irving Brewing, Gideon Sweet) to discuss chefs supporting immigrant communities, moderated by this reporter.
"Knife Skills: A Live Demo" features Spiaggia's Joe Flamm and Town Cutler handmade knives. "Fire, Smoke and Meat: Traditions in BBQ" features John Manion (La Sirena Clandestina, El Che Bar) and Diana Davila (Mi Tocaya Antojeria) discussing barbecue from the American South to South America.
While events will be held throughout the day from wine to Instagramable plating Saturday will be capped by Zimmern and former Tribune reporter and current food editor of The Onion's A.V. Club Kevin Pang. The duo will discuss the cultural appropriation of food cultures, as well as hunger relief efforts.
Conference highlights also include cooking demos by Next's Jenner Tomaska, exploring "provocative technique," and El Ideas' Phillip Foss, making his signature dish French fries and ice cream," plus the talk "High Time: The Present and Future of Cannabis Cuisine," with HotChocolate's Mindy Segal and journalist Lee V. Gaines.
Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >
Saturday closes with a "Fam-to-Table" event, inspired by the staff meal ubiquitous in the restaurant industry. Hosted at Fulton Market Kitchen with chef Chris Curren and pastry chef Becca Zuckerman, guest chefs Manion and City Mouse's Pat Sheerin will collaborate on the menu, with cocktails by bartender Liz Pearce (Beatnik, The Drifter).
Sunday's afternoon "All-Star Cookout" in Palmer Square offers two sessions with food and cocktails from a dozen chef pairings, including a collaboration between Zimmern and Oriole's Noah Sandoval. Other highlights include Fat Rice's Abe Conlon partnering with rapper Serengeti, Honey's Justin Furman and Tyrone Redic with alternative indie band Meat Wave, and Seoul Taco's David Choi with hip-hop soul band The O'Mys.
Sunday finally wraps with a closing night party at Ukrainian Village's Sportsman's Club.
Taste Talks drew over 2,000 attendees in Chicago last year, according to organizers. Based in Brooklyn, the group hosted its fifth symposium last month and will move on to Los Angeles and Miami next.
Advertisement
Please note that tickets are available only in advance online. $49-$299. www.chicago.tastetalks.com
lchu@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @louisachu
[ Lula chef Jason Hammel to lead 3rd annual Taste Talks Chicago ]
[ Bang Bang breakfast bar, Paul McGee drink demo among many reasons to hit Taste Talks ]
[ Taste Talks Chicago returns this weekend; don't miss the All-Star BBQ ]
I took one bite of the breaded steak sandwich ($9.99) at CaPo's on Grand in West Town and knew something was different. Instead of a hulking piece of greasy fried beef completely saturated in tomato sauce, the beef maintained its crackly coating and sported a satisfyingly smoky aroma. My mind raced. How do you grill a breaded steak?
The answer: by not frying it in the first place. "It's a Sicilian recipe," say's CaPo's owner John Campanelli. "An old lady told it to me. She marinates steak in olive oil, tosses it in seasoned breadcrumbs and then finishes it on the grill. No flour or egg, so it stays crisp, and it's never fried." The sandwich is labeled Tina's breaded steak sandwich in her honor.
Advertisement
CaPo's version couldn't be more different from the crowd-pleasing breaded steak sandwich at Ricobene's, which I do like but consider more of a hilarious gut bomb, worth experiencing once a year or so. But CaPo's manages to do something with the breaded steak sandwich I never thought possible: make it taste like a balanced, reasonable sandwich. A fresh and vibrant red tomato sauce livens each bite, and you can add spicy giardiniera for a kick. I simply didn't know a breaded steak sandwich could taste this good.
As you may have guessed, this isn't Campanelli's first restaurant. In the 1990s, he owned LaBella Pasteria in Oak Park and Madison's near the United Center. But until a few years ago, you were more likely to find him working the pits in the Chicago Board of Trade. "Electronics forced me out," admits Campanelli. "Still having kids in college, I had to think of something to do." After hunting for a space, he settled on a massive storefront along Grand Avenue, just down the street from the Italian deli and grocery Bari.
Advertisement
Capo's fries are crispy and fried to order. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
At first, CaPo's looks like an unassuming hot dog stand, which was Campanelli's original intention. The shop still serves a worthy minimalist-style Chicago hot dog ($2.99), featuring a natural casing dog from Vienna Beef topped with only onions, mustard, relish and hot peppers. Each dog arrives wrapped up tight with fantastic fresh-cut fries, just like at Gene & Jude's, one of Campanelli's favorite hot dog stands.
Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >
But you get the sense that Campanelli is still figuring out exactly what he wants to do with CaPo's. He keeps adding dishes to the menu, and these days he's far more excited about the sandwich options.
CaPo's makes its Italian beef from scratch, and it's one of the best in the area. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
Personally, I'm stuck on the Italian beef ($6.49), which he roasts and slices in-house. Instead of dry and tough, the slices stay impressively juicy and meaty. The gravy (or jus) showcases a complex spice profile, the exact contents of which remain a secret. It's easily the best Italian beef in the area, and after trying it twice, I think it's a contender for among the best in the city. Which is kind of funny, because it's still not on the main menu. "I didn't plan to serve one, but so many people came in and asked for it," says Campanelli. "We had to add it."
CaPo's recently added a breaded pork-tenderloin sandwich to the lineup, hoping that it would catch on. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
Last time I visited, Campanelli had added another sandwich to the menu, a breaded pork-tenderloin sandwich ($7.99), and decided to plaster the windows with hand-stenciled posters proclaiming CaPo's, "Home of the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich." Unlike the steak, this one is fried, but it impressively retains its crunch even when drizzled with tomato sauce.
So CaPo's might have a bit of an identity crisis right now, but instead of a lack of good options, Campanelli just seems unsure of which great idea to run with. Perhaps a new sign without a hot dog would clue people into the more rewarding Chicago-style sandwiches on the menu. Regardless, right now CaPo's is quietly beating some established Chicago stands at their own game.
CaPo's on Grand, 1147 W. Grand Ave., 312-846-1023, www.caposongrand.com
nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @nickdk
[ Chicago's best Italian food: 31 days of pasta, pizza, antipasti, gelato and more ]
[ Craving: Italian ]
[ Chicago's best pizzas ]
Festival goers fill Zilker Park with the Austin skyline as a backdrop at the 2014 Austin City Limits music festival in Austin, Texas. (Ashley Landis / EPA)
The Austin City Limits music festival is offering refunds to anyone uncomfortable with attending following the mass shooting at a country music concert in Las Vegas.
Spokeswoman Sandee Fenton said in an email Tuesday that the three-day outdoor festival will give refunds to fans "who no longer wish to attend." The festival opens Friday and packs Austin, Texas' downtown with about 75,000 people each day.
Advertisement
The offer comes a few days after a gunman opened fire at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas.
Austin City Limits, one of the largest music festivals in the United States, is produced by Austin-based C3 Presents, which also puts on Lollapalooza in Chicago. It's headlined this year by Jay Z and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Advertisement
Austin Interim Police Chief Brian Manley says there will be a high presence of law enforcement at the festival.
RELATED STORIES:
Las Vegas shooting has promoters less confident about fans' safety
Vegas hospitals respond to deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history that left 59 killed, 500-plus wounded
Jason Aldean issues rallying cry for unity after gunfire erupts during his set in Las Vegas
'Survival mode' kicked in after Las Vegas shooting, Chicago-area tourists say
Las Vegas gunman was high-stakes gambler who stayed at casino hotels for months at a time
Country guitarist changes mind on gun control after Las Vegas shooting
Advertisement
Jimmy Kimmel and other late-night comics decry Las Vegas killings, call for gun control
Watch the latest movie trailers.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Somehow, Tom Petty found time to produce memorable collaborations with these artists while also fronting the Heartbreakers for 40 years.
Tom Petty wrote dozens of classic songs ("Free Fallin," "American Girl," "Refugee," and on and on). Here are a few deeper cuts that endure:
"Fooled Again (I Don't Like It)," from "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers" (1976): The eeriest, nastiest track on the band's debut.
Advertisement
"I Need to Know," from "You're Gonna Get It" (1978): Petty was initially pegged as a new-wave artist by tastemakers who didn't know what to make of him, and this song embodies the fast, terse, almost slapdash urgency of the form with the guitar interplay of Petty and Mike Campbell.
"Louisiana Rain," from "Damn the Torpedoes" (1979): This sounds like a battered, bruised, bluesy outtake from the Rolling Stones' "Beggars Banquet" with Petty channeling Keith Richards.
Advertisement
"A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)," from "Hard Promises" (1981): Released as a single, it faltered because Petty's songwriting handoff to Steve Nicks, "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around," eclipsed it on radio programmers' play lists. It contains one of Petty's most devastated performances, with nuanced contributions from guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench.
"The Best of Everything," from "Southern Accents" (1985): With horn-inflected production by the Band's Robbie Robertson and backing vocals from Richard Manuel, this is among the outliers in the Petty canon bigger production, but a moving coda to one of his most personal albums.
"Love is a Long Road," from "Full Moon Fever" (1989): Amid an album brimming with Petty classics, this "motorcycle song" with music by Mike Campbell and Petty's lyrics is an oft-overlooked gem.
"Don't Fade on Me," from "Wildflowers" (1994): One of Petty's best and most underrated albums with Rick Rubin production, coming off recent work with Johnny Cash, focused on intimacy and stripped-down production. Petty has never sounded more vulnerable than he does on this acoustic track.
"Come on Down to My House," from "Playback" boxed set (1995): The Heartbreakers at their most corrosive, as if going toe-to-toe with Nirvana circa "In Utero."
"Ways to Be Wicked," from "Playback" boxed set (1995): An outtake handed to Maria McKee and Lone Justice for the band's stellar 1985 country-punk debut album. Petty's caustic version brims with sex, wickedness and hurt.
"Swingin'," from "Echo" (1999): Petty in love hangover mode from his divorce delivers this tribute to the female counterpart of his classic "I Won't Back Down."
greg@gregkot.com
Advertisement
Twitter @gregkot
RELATED STORIES:
Tom Petty, Heartbreakers frontman who sang 'Breakdown,' 'Free Fallin' and other hits, dies at 66
Tom Petty used the Confederate flag onstage in the '80s -- then he took a stand against it
The heartbreaking Instagram dispatches Tom Petty's daughter sent as the rock star clung to life
Photos: Tom Petty through the years
Advertisement
Tom Petty brings a master class to Wrigley on 40th anniversary tour
Watch the latest movie trailers.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
"Reimagining classical Indian dance for modern times." I must have written that description a dozen times, about a dozen different works over the past few years.
But pulling apart a thousands-of-years-old movement tradition embedded in classical Indian bharatanatyam has proved to be elusive. I write again and again about this or that work "reimagining" or "recontextualizing" bharatanatyam, but as a relatively uneducated viewer of Indian dance, I find the finished products of those efforts still, by and large, look pretty much like classical bharatanatyam.
Advertisement
It's a big request for any dancer to undo her training, but one the average student of modern or contemporary dance knows quite well. The path from dancer to choreographer brings many pleasant surprises, and many more existential crises, as she learns that all those rules she learned, well, are meant to be broken by choreographic devices.
One could date ballet's reimagining to more than a century ago, with Isadora Duncan's barefoot dancing and the German expressionist movement that propelled modern dance into being. It's a process Pranita Nayar (formerly Pranita Jain) calls "unwinding," but Nayar has never studied modern dance. While I found myself again repeating that catchphrase about recontextualizing Indian dance for modern times leading up to the premiere of her newest evening-length work named after this process, "Unwinding" is actually accomplishing a deconstruction of bharatanatyam like no other I've seen.
Advertisement
"My audience is not from a thousand years ago, so what are we preserving? For whom am I preserving it?" said Nayar during a studio visit rehearsing for the upcoming one-night-only performance of "Unwinding" at the Studebaker Theater. Nayar has studied the bharatanatyam for decades, frequently traveling to India from the United States, her home since 1985. She moved to Illinois to study dance ethnography at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, specifically researching the transformation of traditional bharatanatyam temple dancers, who were associated with prostitution, into the concert dance form it is today. "The bharatanatyam of today is only about 100 years old," she said.
Still, the way Nayar is dismantling the form feels like a radical act, an "unwinding" of centuries of tradition, layers upon layers of meaning which are tightly tied to the cultural fabric and spirituality of the people of India in ways that Western concert dance forms have never been.
"I think it's really novel, what I'm doing. I've never seen this distortion of the body. Bharatanatyam is an interdisciplinary dance form, but I've broken it out," said Nayar, who is entering admittedly scary territory for her and her dancers, many of whom are also classically trained bharatanatyam dancers.
But whatever fear Nayar or her dancers may have wasn't evident in the studio, and playfulness appeared to be central to her process. I visited a rehearsal already in progress, walking in to two amoebalike dancers shrouded by silky saris draped over their entire bodies. They then worked through a section that dissects classical dance passages by body part head and eyes, hands, and feet using fabrics to drape the dancers' bodies and create the effect of floating parts.
Nayar becomes practically giddy with excitement as she witnesses the transformation of deeply ingrained movement patterns from her training. She compartmentalized the interconnected nature of the body, space, time and rhythm, transferring her primary focus from rhythm to space, a lesser consideration in traditional iterations of the form.
"And then there's the mind," she said, which connects to the stories and legends contained within each pattern. Nayar unwinds these by removing the prescribed abhinaya and mudras (facial expressions and hand gestures), softening the edges of the steps, doing them backward or transitioning them onto the floor. A single mudra, a closed palm with splayed fingers representing the water lily, is now the impetus for an entire section of "Unwinding" in which four women portray the individual petals on the lily. As I was leaving rehearsal, Nayar remarked that she wished audiences could see what I saw that is, the actually unwinding process saying that it, more so than the performance, is the "thing."
And it is this that makes Nayar the perfect candidate for the Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist Grant, a $15,000 award given annually to dance-makers and performance artists who are focused on intense research and process over product. "Unwinding's" premiere at the Studebaker marks the end of her yearlong investigation as a 2016 Lab Artist. I asked Nayar if she could go back to creating traditional Indian dances after going through this process. "Physically, I will always be bharatanatyam," she said. "Emotionally and mentally, I've moved beyond that."
Mandala South Asian Performing Arts presents "Unwinding" 7 p.m. Friday, in the Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave.; tickets $25 at mandalaarts.org or www.eventbrite.com
Advertisement
ALSO WORTH NOTING
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre expands its fall series to three weekends in three separate locations. Collaborations are on tap, per usual, with works by Sherry Zunker with co-founder Joe Cerqua, Dan Hesler and Taylor Mitchell, Cerqua with artistic director Wilfredo Rivera, and Rivera with Clarice Assad. Thursday through Sunday at Links Hall, 3111 N. Western Ave., Oct. 13 at Studio5 Performing Arts Center in Evanston, and Oct. 21 at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts; $24$38 at cerquarivera.org
Ensemble Espanol Spanish Dance Theater kicks off the first installment of this season's "Made in Chicago" dance series at the Auditorium Theatre. It's a similar program to last season's excellent series at Skokie's North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, but Angel Rojas' brilliant "Defalla, Fuera de la Caja," is definitely worth seeing again and again. Friday at the Auditorium Theatre, 50E. Congress Parkway; $29-68 at 312-341-2300 or www.auditoriumtheatre.org
Lauren Warnecke is a freelance critic.
ctc-arts@chicagotribune.com
Enjoy someone else's drama A great theater city deserves a great theater critic. Enter Chris Jones. Subscribe now and get 4 weeks of full access for only 99.
[ RELATED: Fall Dance Top 10: A must-see Elevate Dance and a visit from Olympics choreographer Shen Wei ]
[ As spiffy new Links Hall grows, so does its arts residency with Co-MISSIONS ]
[ Shen Wei Dance Arts radically restrained in Chicago debut ]
Watch the latest movie trailers.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Actor Mark Wahlberg and Cardinal Blase Cupich will host a faith night designed to draw young adults into the Catholic church on Oct. 20, 2017. (Niklas Halle'n / AFP/Getty Images, Rob Dicker/For Lake News Sun)
Marky Mark is doing his part for the church.
The Oscar-nominated actor, sometime underwear model and pop music star Mark Wahlberg has been recruited by Cardinal Blase Cupich to host a faith night designed to draw young adults into the Catholic Church.
Advertisement
While the 46-year-old is no longer a spring chicken, he is a committed Catholic and has a compelling story to tell. Convicted as a 16-year-old in an assault on a Vietnamese immigrant he hurled racial epithets at, Wahlberg quit gang life with help from his Boston priest, the Rev. James Flavin, and later apologized for his "horrific acts."
Wahlberg will speak onstage about what his faith means to him at the UIC Pavilion on Oct. 20. The event, titled "(re)ENCOUNTER" comes at a time that "the Church and the world need (young people's) energy, honesty and commitment to community more than ever" Cupich is quoted as saying in a news release.
Advertisement
The actor, who often speaks out about his faith, met with Pope Francis in 2015 and joked that he hoped God had a sense of humor about his movies.
"My Catholic faith has always been a true anchor in my life that supports everything I do; my wish is for all young people to embrace their faith and put it into action," Wahlberg said in a news release.
kjanssen@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @kimjnews
Sorry, gun lovers, your attempts to use Chicago as a prop to bolster your claims that gun control laws do nothing to curb gun violence just dont hold up, says Tribune columnist Dahleen Glanton. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Chicago does not have the strictest gun laws in the country. It's time for gun lovers to stop spreading that lie.
A decade ago that was indeed a title Chicago wore proudly. We were the only major city that still had an ordinance banning residents from keeping a handgun in their home.
Advertisement
The handgun ban made us the primary target of the National Rifle Association and the Second Amendment Foundation, and in 2010 the U.S. Supreme Court forced Chicago to fall into line with the rest of the country.
Since then, the courts have peeled off so many layers of our once stellar gun ordinance that it's barely recognizable. We're still maneuvering to keep gun stores and shooting ranges from opening in the city limits. But the courts have ruled against us on that, too, so we know it's just a matter of time.
Advertisement
Remember that old requirement that gun owners in Chicago register their firearms with the city and obtain a permit? Well, that's gone too.
And thanks to the Illinois General Assembly, which was pressured by the federal courts to pass a concealed carry law in 2013, people can walk the streets of Chicago with a gun attached to their waist and another strapped to their ankle.
Sorry, gun lovers, your attempts to use Chicago as a prop to bolster your claims that gun control laws do nothing to curb gun violence just don't hold up.
New York, in fact, has stricter gun laws on the books than Chicago. And guess what? Its homicide numbers are heading toward historic lows. Los Angeles has some pretty tough gun laws too. Its homicide numbers also pale compared with Chicago's.
Those kinds of details don't fit the conservative, pro-gun narrative, though. To use New York as a talking point, they'd have to admit that strict gun laws might actually have an impact on homicide rates.
We don't make excuses for our ghastly homicide numbers in Chicago. With 762 people killed last year, no one has to remind us that we have a serious gun problem. We own it. And we have to do something about it.
But we are tired of Donald Trump and pro-gun advocates using our city to promote their political agenda.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders dragged Chicago into the fray again on Monday when responding to a reporter's question about gun policy in the aftermath of the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Advertisement
"One of the things that we don't want to do is try to create laws that won't stop these types of things from happening," Sanders said at a news conference. "I think if you look to Chicago where you had over 4,000 victims of gun-related crimes, they have the strictest gun laws in the country and that certainly hasn't helped there."
Sanders should listen to U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., who argues that the problem is Chicago being surrounded by red states that have completely surrendered to the pro-gun lobby.
With no gun stores in Chicago and no background check loopholes for private sales, one thing is clear. The guns being used to kill people on the streets aren't originating in Chicago. They're coming from someplace else.
When politicians and others repeat that ridiculous statement about Chicago's gun laws, it shows how out of touch they are with the problems urban areas face when it comes to gun violence.
When it comes to gun laws, big cities are only as strong as the states that border them. And in Chicago's case, that's Indiana. Thanks to Vice President Mike Pence, the former governor, Indiana has some of the weakest gun laws in the nation.
While Illinois has gone to great lengths to see that background checks are done for all gun purchases, Indiana has done the opposite. To buy a weapon in Illinois, the owner must have a valid firearms owner's identification card, issued by the Illinois State Police.
Advertisement
With no permit or license required to purchase a gun in Indiana, it is incredibly easy for a trafficker to drive across the state line, obtain a gun and use it to commit a homicide on the streets of Chicago.
Those with felony convictions commonly use straw purchases, in which they enlist someone with a clean record to purchase multiple guns and bring them into the city.
Law enforcement officials say 60 percent of the guns confiscated on the streets of Chicago come from Indiana, Wisconsin and Mississippi. The other 40 percent come from suburban Cook County and nearby suburbs.
It's tough, but we can try to sort out the bad apples in our own state and shut them down. But we're helpless when it comes to regulating Indiana, Wisconsin and Mississippi.
Congress could do something, though. Lawmakers could pass legislation requiring universal background checks. That would close federal loopholes on background checks at gun shows and other private sales.
Congress could also limit the number of guns that can be purchased by one person in a period of time. And lawmakers could toughen penalties for straw purchases.
Advertisement
Military-style assault weapons already are banned in the city of Chicago, but in most other places in Illinois and in most other states, they can be purchased as easily as a handgun. If Congress really wanted to stop massacres like the one in Las Vegas from occurring, lawmakers could pass a federal assault weapons ban to replace the one that expired in 2004.
The gun lovers in Washington don't want to talk about these things, though. It's a lot easier to just keep picking on Chicago.
dglanton@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @dahleeng
Windows are broken at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas on Oct. 3, 2017. (John Locher / AP)
Another mass shooting in America. This one, the worst we've ever seen.
For now.
Advertisement
A gunman unleashed a hail of bullets on an outdoor country music concert on the Las Vegas Strip Sunday night, killing at least 59 people and injuring more than 500.
Inside his room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino-hotel, police found 16 rifles, including some fully automatic assault weapons. He apparently used one of the guns to kill himself before a SWAT team burst through the door.
Advertisement
Across the country, Americans are shocked and saddened, even angry that such a tragedy could occur. In the aftermath, there have been calls for unity and peace. The president led a moment of silence on the White House lawn.
We will demand that authorities figure out how such a thing could happen again though we already know the answer. We will stamp our feet and insist that our lawmakers do something to put a stop to this type of carnage. But they will do nothing.
So these mass killings will continue to happen again and again. Because in America, we insist on having the right to bear firearms any kind of firearms. And we will not give up our weapons.
That's why we've been here so many times before. We know the routine by heart.
In the days to come, we will look for someone to blame other than the gunman, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, who according to his brother was "just a guy."
It would be easier to make sense of this tragedy if we could point to strangers in a faraway land. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility, but federal investigators said they have found no link to international terrorist groups.
The thought that such an attack could have been carried out by one of our own is unsettling, not just because it could have occurred in any town or city, making all of us vulnerable. But if this is yet another act of domestic violence, we are also culpable.
As things appear now, this massacre is on us.
Advertisement
The White House says today is not the right time to talk about gun policy. The truth is that there is no better time than when we are in the midst of a gun-related crisis.
At this moment the day after a senseless mass shooting our heads are clear about the need to do something. As each day passes, the issue will become fuzzier and the debate over gun control will retreat to its partisan corners where it will linger until the next crisis arises.
Details of how Paddock accumulated so many weapons authorities found another 18 guns at his home were still being sorted out. Regardless of how we feel about gun laws, the image of a man holed up in a hotel room with 16 rifles makes most of us uncomfortable.
It is the same kind of eerie feeling we got 14 months ago after security guard Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 58 others at a gay nightclub in Orlando.
And before that, when college student Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people in a shooting spree at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. And after Adam Lanza gunned down 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
We have squandered so many opportunities to tighten federal and local gun laws that would keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have them. We have placed no demands on our elected officials to stand up to the powerful gun lobby and do what's best for Americans.
We do nothing because we are too in love with our guns. We are seduced by the power they give us over others. We buy them by the millions, with inadequate oversight or accountability.
Even when guns betray us as they did in Las Vegas, we refuse to see them as the ruthless killers they really are.
Advertisement
A handgun kept for protection by our bedside isn't enough. We need more powerful firearms high-powered rifles that can fire 700 or more rounds per minute.
And then come the tears.
After every mass shooting, our compassion for the injured and the families of the deceased runs high, but it is not nearly as strong as the passion we have for our guns.
When everything is said and done, Americans always choose our guns over human lives.
dglanton@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @dahleeng
Flagstaff public education advocates are going for the money, and more of it.
Some 50 Flagstaff educators, high school students, business leaders and government officials met at an Arizona Town Hall community meeting on Sunday.
The group recommended renewing and expanding Proposition 301 to a full one-cent tax and using the money to help support an increases in teacher pay and other programs. The tax expires in 2020.
We need a source of education funding that is independent of the Legislature, said Nat White, the representative of one of the 10 small focus groups created at the event.
Because Prop. 301 is a voter initiative, it would require a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Arizona Legislature to change it.
Prop. 301 was passed by voters in 2000 and increased the state sales tax by 0.6 percentage points to 5.6 percent. The money from the increase was earmarked for public education. According to Expect More Arizona, the current tax brings in more than $640 million annually, with about $500 million going to K-12 education. About $364 million of that $500 million goes to the Classroom Site Fund, which is distributed to school districts and charter schools to help fund teacher pay, performance incentives and general maintenance and operations.
A number of education support groups, including Expect More Arizona, have recommended renewing the tax. The organization estimates that increasing it to 1 percent would generate an additional $400 million a year, and increasing it to 1.6 percent would bring in an additional $1 billion per year. All state subsidies to K-12 public education, including Prop. 301, total about $4.4 billion a year.
In order to have a strong education system, said one attendee, the state needs good teachers and the facilities to create a learning environment for students. In order to attract good teachers, Arizona needs to increase teacher pay and reduce the workload that teachers carry with more volunteers and teachers aids.
The town hall attendees also recommended a marketing campaign that would educate the public, especially those residents who dont have children, and businesses on the importance of a good education on the workforce in Arizona and the states economy.
In order to make sure that the funds are spent wisely, the group suggested a review of current education funding sources and how the money is spent.
The Flagstaff group also recommended encouraging the public and businesses to volunteer more in the classroom and for schools to hire more teachers aides to reduce the workload on teachers and give them more opportunities for self-improvement.
Schools should also talk with local businesses and citizens about what skills students need to get jobs after graduation and what kind of businesses that the community wants to attract to the area. Businesses can help by providing students with hands-on-experience through internships and apprenticeships.
The group also agreed that the state testing system needed to be reviewed to make sure that it was addressing the whole student and not just proficiency in two subjects. Students need to understand how the standardized tests apply to them in the real world, said Ryan Howington, a high school student who attended the event.
Individually, attendees pledged to talk to their neighbors about the importance of education and what events and programs were going on in the schools in order to generate more interest in schools. Others said they would attend school board meetings, campaign and vote for candidates that supported school funding, work with their student council and school administrators to educate students about the situation and thank one teacher a day for their work or tutor a student in math.
Susan Imel said she would work to get more people registered to vote in order to support initiatives such as Save Our Schools. Save Our Schools gathered enough signatures to put the Arizona Legislatures recent expansion of the states private school voucher program on the ballot.
Ed. Note: This story has been changed from the original.
Chicago police are searching for a man they say knocked people down while demanding their property on at least two occasions Sunday in the Illinois Medical District.
In the first instance, someone was robbed around 6:50 p.m. in the 600 block of South Wood Street, according to a community alert from police.
Advertisement
About 20 minutes later, another person was robbed in the 1800 block of West Harrison Street around 7:10 p.m.
The man is described as black, 20 to 25 years old, with short black hair and weighing about 150 pounds and standing 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-11, according to the alert. He was wearing a white shirt and blue jeans.
Advertisement
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8382.
Jerry Adams, 33, of Uptown, has been charged in federal court with trying to rob an armored truck guard by hitting the guard with a sledgehammer, according to court documents. (Chicago police photo)
A man who authorities say was shot when he tried to rob an armored truck guard by hitting him in the back and neck with a sledgehammer in Little Village has been charged in federal court.
Jerry Adams, 33, of Chicago, was still hospitalized Tueday after the employee of Garda World armored services he tried to rob shot him, according to the FBI.
Advertisement
Adams attacked and tried to rob the guard outside of Azteca Currency Exchange, 4327 W. 26th Street, about 9:25 a.m. Monday, according to an FBI affidavit filed as part of the charges against Adams.
Before the Garda truck arrived Monday, a witness saw a man wearing a yellow and orange safety vest and carrying a hammer, according to the affidavit.
Advertisement
The armored truck got to the currency exchange about 8:25 a.m. and the guard looked through a window and saw Adams wearing a safety vest and carrying a hammer. The guard got out of the truck with about $240,000 to deliver to Azteca, and as the guard walked toward the currency exchange, Adams ran toward him and hit him in the back and neck with the hammer, according to the affidavit.
The guard turned around and saw Adams picking up the sledgehammer from the sidewalk and the guard shot the man, firing four or five rounds, according to the affidavit. Adams then ran to 26 th and Kildare Avenue and south on Kildare, still carrying the hammer.
Within about five minutes, emergency crews were called to 28 th Street and Kostner Avenue, about four blocks from the attempted robbery, according to the affidavit. Officers saw a man wearing a safety vest who was "visibly injured," standing outside a running green Chevy Astro van, according to the affidavit. The man, who later told investigators he was Jerry Adams, told a police officer he had been shot, and officers saw blood on the driver's seat of the van.
A hammer was found inside the van.
Adams was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment, according to police. He was in federal custody but was still hospitalized Tuesday. He was expected to appear in federal court after he is released from the hospital, said FBI spokesman Special Agent Garrett Croon.
The injuries the guard suffered weren't life-threatening, authorities said Monday.
Chicago police investigate a Far South Side shooting in the 400 block of West 102nd Street in the Fernwood neighborhood on Sept. 29, 2017. (Brian Jackson / Chicago Tribune)
An infant girl has died four days after being saved by doctors when her mother and a man were fatally shot on the Far South Side last week, authorities said.
Jenae Lemon was pronounced dead at 2:28 p.m. Monday at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Authorities say the baby was injured when her mother, Charnella Lemon, 20, was shot three times in the chest last Friday.
Advertisement
Lemon was taken in critical condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where doctors saved Janae, police said. Her mother was later pronounced dead there.
Terrence Carter, 33, was also killed in the shooting, which occurred around 7:30 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of West 102nd Place in the Fernwood neighborhood, police said. Carter was dead at the scene.
Advertisement
Lemon and Carter were in a parked car in a vacant lot when they were shot, police said.
Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the shooting may have been domestic-related. No one was in custody Monday night.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, shown in 2016, sent a letter to President Donald Trump with pictures of Chicago children who've been killed. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
When the chief White House spokeswoman again brought up Chicago having a high level of violence despite its having the "strictest gun laws in the country," U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and others were quick to respond.
Kelly, D-Ill., responded Monday on Twitter. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' information, mentioned in the wake of the mass shooting in Las Vegas that left at least 59 dead and more than 500 people wounded, was not only seriously outdated, but: "More than of (Chicago's) crime guns come from outside IL."
Advertisement
Her tweet noted the guns mostly come from Vice President Mike Pence's turf of Indiana and House Speaker Paul Ryan's Wisconsin. U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives statistics have shown that about 60 percent of guns used in Chicago crimes come from outside Illinois.
It was the first in a series of tweets Kelly began by addressing Huckabee Sanders, who in a press briefing Monday afternoon answered a series of questions about policy discussions after the Las Vegas mass shooting.
Advertisement
Sanders at first said she didn't want to create laws that wouldn't stop the problem and she continued: "I think if you look to Chicago, where you had over 4,000 victims of gun-related crimes last year, they have the strictest gun laws in the country. That certainly hasn't helped there, so I think we have to when that time comes for those conversations to take place, then I think we need to look at things that may actually have that real impact."
Chicago is a go-to drum on which President Donald Trump and his administration like to bang. Trump in January claimed that if Chicago didn't "fix the horrible 'carnage' going on ... I will send in the Feds!"
Then in June, Chicago police sent out a news release announcing 20 federal gun agents had been assigned to Chicago to join a newly formed task force aimed at cutting the flow of illegal guns into the city and cracking down on people repeatedly arrested on gun charges.
Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >
Chicago police First Deputy Superintendent Kevin Navarro said the department had been working on arrangements to receive more assistance from federal law enforcement since November, during former President Barack Obama's administration.
Yet hours later, Trump claimed credit for sending in the agents from the ATF. "Crime and killings in Chicago have reached such epidemic proportions that I am sending in Federal help," he tweeted.
Monday, Kelly began her comments on Twitter by writing: "Congress, 50 people went to a concert & didn't come home because of one man with a weapon of war. #AssaultWeaponBan #EnoughIsEnough"
Congress, 50 people went to a concert & didnt come home because of one man with a weapon of war. #AssaultWeaponBan #EnoughIsEnough Robin Kelly (@RepRobinKelly) October 2, 2017
After the White House news briefing, Kelly began by addressing Huckabee Sanders, ending by mentioning Indiana and Wisconsin.
Kelly went on, in subsequent tweets: "In February, @realDonaldTrump made it easier for people with mental illnesses to get guns," with a link to a news story about Trump signing a bill revoking Obama-backed legislation.
Advertisement
In February, @realDonaldTrump made it easier for people with mental illnesses to get guns. https://t.co/PU6xoGmT9X Robin Kelly (@RepRobinKelly) October 2, 2017
As of Monday night, she had just one more tweet on the subject, in which she quoted her own earlier tweet about job creation helping to stem violence in communities such as hers. She ended the tweet by inviting the president to her district, where she could show him.
"Nothing stops a bullet like an opportunity. Let's pass a #jobs bill & spur growth," the congresswoman wrote.
The Chicago Police Department has failed to closely monitor its massive spending on officer overtime a combined $575 million over the last six years or take measures to prevent officers from abusing the system, an investigation by the city's watchdog concluded.
The report from the office of Inspector General Joseph Ferguson found that the lax oversight has allowed officers to use "potentially abusive practices" in piling up overtime usually at time-and-a-half pay. The report released Tuesday said officers sometimes seek out work sure to lead to overtime, such as involving themselves in numerous drunken driving arrests and then going to court frequently for those cases. One officer cited in the report appeared in court nearly two-thirds of the 943 days examined, the inspector general wrote.
Advertisement
Over a recent 2-year period, one undisclosed officer pulled in more than $336,000 in extra pay while accruing overtime on hundreds of occasions, while four officers each took in at least $250,000, according to the report.
The city has spent heavily on police overtime as violence has surged in recent years and the department's ranks have dwindled by hundreds of officers under Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration. The department has overspent its overtime budget in each of the last six years, topping out last year at $146 million, nearly twice its budget.
Advertisement
The report found that the city paid out millions of dollars to officers who did not have proper approval for overtime, and even to officers who approved their own overtime payments. The audit focused on "regular duty" overtime payouts for going to court or staffing special events, among other things and found that the department recorded no specific reason why overtime was necessary in 99 percent of the payouts, despite a policy that officers must give reasons for overtime.
The inspector general criticized the Police Department for tracking the bulk of its overtime through a cumbersome pen-and-paper system that requires the support staff to make entries manually.
Beyond the financial impact of the department's reliance on overtime, the report raised concerns that some officers may be reporting to work fatigued from long hours at a stressful job. In addition to allowing some officers to work frequent overtime, Ferguson noted, officers also do not have to tell the department about second jobs.
(Tribune Graphics)
"CPD's management of overtime speaks directly to how inefficient management can lead to wide scale waste and a culture of abuse," Ferguson said in a statement.
Department officials have acknowledged problems with the overtime system. Superintendent Eddie Johnson, appearing with Ferguson at a news conference Tuesday even though he remains on leave while recuperating from a kidney transplant, said the department is moving to improve its timekeeping system. He also noted the city's plan to hire hundreds more officers in coming months.
"This will help us ensure that we have the coverage we need in our communities to keep them safe while also decreasing our dependency on overtime," he said.
In its official response to Ferguson's report, the department said it will improve overtime tracking by adding an electronic clock-in system this year and an electronic timekeeping system for overtime and other hours worked by mid-2019. Supervisors will also be held accountable for managing overtime, according to First Deputy Superintendent Kevin Navarro, who is heading the department in Johnson's absence.
In the response, Navarro took issue with some of Ferguson's conclusions, commenting that the report largely highlights the potential for abuse but lays out "few specifics" or concrete examples. Navarro also wrote that officers who make lots of drunken driving arrests can serve a valid purpose by teaching other cops how to make good stops and arrests.
Advertisement
The report also did not address if the department's overtime spending led to effective policing, Navarro wrote.
"CPD is confident that the vast majority of its overtime is legitimate, reasonable and necessary," the response stated.
The city relied on overtime as the department's ranks dwindled under Emanuel, continuing a numerical slide that started before he took office in 2011. The department's head count dropped by nearly 600 officers between 2011 and 2016, department records show.
Overtime costs ballooned during those years, from $42.1 million in 2011 to last year's $146 million, nearly twice the budgeted amount of $79.6 million, according to Ferguson's report. And 2017 promises to surpass that. The city budgeted for $84 million in police overtime this year, but Ferguson said spending is projected to reach $169 million.
Last year, with homicides surging to levels not seen in two decades, the Emanuel administration embarked on a hiring binge, with the goal of ramping up to 13,500 officers by 2018. With retirements and new vacancies, that could require more than 2,000 new hires.
As of Sept. 15, officials reported the department had 12,410 officers, still about 150 fewer than it had in 2011.
Advertisement
The department has been in constant flux in the 22 months since Emanuel was forced to release video of a white officer shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times. Under political pressure, Emanuel has pressed changes to policy and training, and more changes would likely come if the city reaches a consent decree a court-enforced agreement for reforms with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who is suing the city to force that measure.
The regular duty overtime that was the subject of Ferguson's audit accounted for about $226 million from the start of 2014 through July 2016. Most of that money $126 million went to rank-and-file officers, while detectives took in $46.3 million and sergeants collected $32.6 million, according to the report.
The Tribune has sought specific records of the department's overtime payouts through the state Freedom of Information Act, but the city has yet to provide those records.
A spokesman for the Fraternal Order of Police, the union that represents rank-and-file officers, could not be reached for comment.
The audit did not closely examine overtime for "voluntary special employment," which includes patrol work for the Chicago Park District and Chicago Housing Authority, among others. While less costly than regular duty overtime, those payouts still totaled a combined $103.6 million in 2014 and 2015, according to the report.
Ferguson's report took special note of "minimum time provisions," union contractual rules that hold that officers must be paid for three hours of work outside of regular hours, even if the work required takes just minutes. The department "inappropriately" applied the provision in numerous cases, the report found, including when officers had to make phone calls during off-hours.
Advertisement
"There were six instances where a member received or placed two calls in the same day and received six hours of overtime pay," the report states.
Ferguson cited "potentially abusive practices" that the report said police brass acknowledged occurring, citing "paper jumping," a practice in which an officer asks to be included on an arrest report despite having little or no involvement and then attends court for the case. He also noted "lingering," or hanging around in court longer than needed, and "trolling," which involves officers volunteering for calls near the end of shifts in order to collect overtime for working late.
In the Police Department response, Navarro pointed out that the inspector general's office gave no specific examples of these practices occurring and noted that policies are in place to prevent such abuse.
Ferguson's report also said the department's timekeeping functions haven't been audited by its inspections unit since 2013. The Police Department responded that "spot check audits" would resume this year.
Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >
The report offers numerous recommendations, including holding supervisors and officers more directly accountable for preventing unnecessary payouts. The department should also limit the number of hours that officers work in a given period, including at other jobs, the report recommended.
Navarro's response emphasized that the department is adopting electronic systems to track overtime and would press supervisors to "more actively" manage employees' overtime. Navarro predicted that the new technology would address many of the problems raised by Ferguson.
Advertisement
Navarro also noted that, while cops don't have to report outside work, the department can block officers from taking on extra jobs that interfere with their police work.
"CPD, like all employers, by necessity must rely to a significant degree on each employee's willingness and ability to report each day fit for duty," Navarro wrote.
Chicago Tribune's Hal Dardick contributed.
dhinkel@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @dhinkel
A 2006 arrest report for Chicago police Officer Patrick Kelly. He was arrested in June 2006 and charged with simple battery after police said he threw a TV remote control at his then-girlfriends brother, leaving a cut above his eye. The charge was later dropped. (Chicago Police Department)
A mysterious shooting in the home of a Chicago police officer was a tragedy that could have been prevented, the attorney for a man shot with the officer's service weapon told a jury Monday as a civil trial over the incident began in U.S. District Court.
"They allowed this loose cannon ticking time bomb to stay on the police force," said Antonio Romanucci, lawyer for Michael LaPorta and his family.
Advertisement
In a case that has spent years in pretrial disputes over evidence, jurors will be asked to consider the events of Jan. 12, 2010, when LaPorta crumpled to the floor of Chicago police Officer Patrick Kelly's dining room with a gunshot wound toward the back of his head. Chicago police classified the shooting as an attempted suicide based largely on the account of Kelly, the only other person in the house at the time.
Romanucci argued the city's liability started before that moment, however. Though Kelly's record included multiple misconduct complaints, a domestic violence allegation and a misdemeanor battery arrest before the shooting, he had never been punished by the Police Department.
Advertisement
"If the right thing had been done before Mikey LaPorta was shot in the head Patrick Kelly never would have been allowed to own a gun," Romanucci said.
LaPorta, Kelly's childhood friend and college roommate, couldn't speak for months after the shooting, but LaPorta's family pushed back against the suicide classification. LaPorta's fingerprints weren't found on the gun, and many others including several Chicago police officers LaPorta had been drinking with that night said he appeared to be in good spirits in the hours before the shooting.
"The facts of this case lend themselves to an Alcoholics Anonymous pamphlet," U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber wrote in a ruling last week.
The trial began after Leinenweber rejected a late motion by lawyers for the city who wanted a delay so they could appeal on the question of whether the city can be held liable for an off-duty incident.
It was a theme lawyers for the city are expected to stick to when their turn to address the 10-member jury comes Tuesday. The city is being defended by an outside law firm. A spokesman for the Chicago Law Department declined to comment on the case Monday.
Even with the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the investigation, police nonetheless took the word of Kelly, who told them LaPorta went into the officer's bedroom and found the gun. A bullet fired from the pistol splintered and ricocheted inside LaPorta's head, leaving the now 37-year-old man dependent on his parents for round-the-clock care.
LaPorta, who was in court Monday and still suffers from a host of medical problems, can no longer walk or read. Kelly, who has repeatedly denied shooting LaPorta, settled a lawsuit with the family in 2012 for $300,000 the maximum payout under Kelly's insurance policy.
But LaPorta's family still has the federal lawsuit against the Police Department that alleges the city should have removed Kelly from the force long before the shooting. They contend Kelly benefited from the so-called code of silence in the department, an unwritten understanding that officers protect each other even to the point of ignoring each other's wrongdoing, and are seeking in excess of $90 million.
Advertisement
Kelly, 36, has been found mentally unfit for duty twice, arrested two times, accused of beating a girlfriend and has been treated for alcohol addiction. In one incident, he repeatedly used a Taser on a pregnant woman, who days later lost her baby and whose subsequent lawsuit was settled this year.
He has been sued six times and has been the subject of more than two dozen investigations into his on- and off-duty conduct, including one in which he was found to have assaulted a female sergeant.
On the night of the shooting, Kelly and LaPorta went to two South Side bars with four Chicago police officers who had worked on the same tactical team as Kelly, according to records.
At one point in the evening, LaPorta told Kelly that he planned to break up with his live-in girlfriend and wanted to move in with Kelly. Kelly said in a deposition that LaPorta, who took Vicodin for chronic pain from a herniated disc, also told him that "sometimes he wanted to go to sleep and never wake up."
Around 3:30 a.m., the pair headed to Kelly's Mount Greenwood home, and that's where their accounts dramatically diverge.
According to LaPorta, Kelly began mistreating his dog shortly after they got home. LaPorta tried to protect the animal, petting the boxer and telling him that he was a good boy. It only made Kelly angrier.
Advertisement
At 4:21 a.m., LaPorta called a cousin to ask if he'd come pick him up. The cousin didn't answer.
According to Kelly, he and LaPorta opened a few Bud Lights after returning to his home. They talked for about five minutes, Kelly said, before LaPorta went into Kelly's bedroom with the dog and returned with his service weapon, a 9 mm Sig Sauer.
As LaPorta put the gun to his temple with his left hand, according to Kelly, he laughed and pulled the trigger. The gun clicked, but it did not fire. With a grin on his face, LaPorta tried again and the bullet shot through his skull, Kelly told investigators.
At 4:35 a.m. Kelly called 911 and said his friend had committed suicide. Five minutes later, he called 911 again, berating the dispatcher because an ambulance had not arrived yet and saying LaPorta was struggling to breathe.
Kelly's phone records indicate that just before and after the shooting he "placed and received calls from friends and acquaintances affiliated with CPD," the judge wrote. LaPorta's telephone records were inventoried as part of the department's investigation into the shooting, but Kelly's were not.
When paramedics arrived, Kelly second-guessed their efforts as they treated LaPorta on the dining room floor. One paramedic, the records show, told investigators that the officer became so belligerent, she thought he was going to hit her.
Advertisement
After LaPorta was loaded into the ambulance, Kelly banged on the door and demanded that he ride with them to the hospital. He ignored orders from his fellow officers to back off, records show.
When Chicago police Sgt. Charmane Kielbasa ordered him to back away, Kelly called her a "North Side skanky cop," "a nobody" and other derogatory words for women. Kielbasa took out her handcuffs to restrain him, and he swung his arms toward her, according to records.
Kelly was at the scene for over an hour before he was taken into custody. After his repeated requests to use the bathroom and wash his hands were denied, he urinated in the corner of the detention room, records show.
A short time later, Kelly's hands were tested for gunshot residue. According to public records, the investigator performing the test voiced disapproval that Kelly had already relieved himself because some suspects urinate on their hands to confound the results.
More than seven hours after he was taken into custody, authorities tested Kelly's blood alcohol content. By that time it was 0.093 percent still legally drunk. The Illinois State Police crime lab later estimated that Kelly's blood alcohol level was anywhere from 0.169 to 0.264, two to three times the legal limit, when the shooting occurred, records show.
"Viewing the facts and the inferences therefrom in the light most favorable to LaPorta, the Court first finds that the aftermath of the LaPorta shooting supports a reasonable inference that CPD officers engaged in the code of silence when interacting with Kelly," Leinenweber wrote in his ruling.
Advertisement
However, Leinenweber ruled last week that LaPorta's attorney must prove that Kelly shot his friend in order for damages to be considered. If the jury finds that LaPorta shot himself, the judge wrote, the city cannot be held liable for his actions, even if Kelly's unsecured gun was used.
LaPorta, who had been given last rites at the hospital after the shooting, was not expected to survive. The bullet entered toward the back, left side of his skull, with a trajectory that experts hired by his lawyers said would mean that he had to have used his left hand to pull the trigger.
LaPorta ate and wrote left-handed, but he was an avid hunter and had always been a right-handed shot.
No fingerprints were found on the gun, according to police records. Gunshot residue was found on the right cuff of LaPorta's shirt, which his attorneys say in court documents suggests that he used his right arm defensively to protect himself when the gun was aimed at his head.
Kelly was taken off the streets earlier this year amid two investigations into his on- and off-duty conduct, according to the Chicago Police Department. He still retains his police powers to carry a gun and make arrests.
The city first acknowledged the reassignment in July, when it asked the City Council to approve a $500,000 settlement in a separate police brutality claim against the veteran patrol officer.
Advertisement
The Police Department formally reopened the LaPorta case in February 2016, records show. The new Civilian Office of Police Accountability also is investigating the shooting, as well as a 2013 incident involving the pregnant woman.
Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >
The city so far has paid about $1.2 million in settlements and jury awards for Kelly-related lawsuits.
Court records indicate LaPorta's lawyers and city attorneys discussed a settlement but did not come close to an agreement.
The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.
sstclair@chicagotribune.com
jcoen@chicagotribune.com
Advertisement
Twitter @StacyStClair
Twitter @JeffCoen
Michael LaPorta's head shows the damage left seven years after a bullet entered the back of his head. LaPorta was shot at Chicago police Officer Patrick Kelly's home in 2010. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
Michael LaPorta cannot hold the Chicago police responsible for a life-changing gunshot wound to his head because he cannot prove that Officer Patrick Kelly pulled the trigger, a city attorney told jurors Tuesday as a civil trial over the incident continued in U.S. District Court.
The high-profile case centers around the early morning hours of Jan. 12, 2010, when LaPorta crumpled to the floor of Kelly's dining room with a gunshot wound toward the back of his head. Chicago police classified the shooting as an attempted suicide based largely on the account of Kelly, LaPorta's childhood friend and the only other person in the house at the time.
Advertisement
The gun used in the shooting was Kelly's service weapon, which Kelly said he had left unsecured.
LaPorta, who also roomed with Kelly in college, couldn't speak for months after the shooting, but his family immediately pushed back against the attempted suicide classification. No fingerprints were found on Kelly's gun or the holster. And others including several Chicago police officers who LaPorta and Kelly had been drinking with that night said LaPorta appeared to be in good spirits in the hours before the shooting.
Advertisement
"Everything they had at that point suggested it was an attempted suicide," said attorney Eileen Rosen, an outside lawyer hired to represent the city in the case.
Now 37, LaPorta suffers from a host of medical problems and can no longer walk or read. Kelly, who has repeatedly denied shooting LaPorta, settled a lawsuit with the family in 2012 for $300,000 the maximum payout under Kelly's insurance policy.
"He has an incredible will to live," his cousin Kyle LaPorta testified Tuesday. "He just won't give up."
LaPorta and his family also are suing the Police Department, alleging the city should have removed Kelly from the force long before the shooting. They contend Kelly benefited from the so-called code of silence in the department, an unwritten understanding that officers protect one another, even to the point of ignoring wrongdoing.
The family has asked the jury to award it in excess of $90 million.
However, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber ruled last week that LaPorta's attorney must prove that Kelly shot his friend for damages to be considered. If the jury finds that LaPorta shot himself, the judge wrote, the city cannot be held liable for his actions, even though Kelly's unsecured gun was used.
In keeping with that ruling, Rosen repeatedly told jurors during her opening statement that LaPorta cannot prove Kelly pulled the trigger. At the same time, Rosen who doesn't have the same burden of proof as LaPorta's attorneys never suggested the evidence would show that LaPorta tried to kill himself.
"I'm confident that you will say that they (LaPorta's lawyers) cannot prove Kelly shot LaPorta," Rosen said.
Advertisement
Kelly, 36, has been found mentally unfit for duty twice, arrested two times, accused of beating a girlfriend and has been treated for alcohol addiction. In one incident, he repeatedly used a Taser on a pregnant woman, who days later lost her baby and whose subsequent lawsuit was settled this year.
He has been sued six times and has been the subject of more than two dozen investigations into his on- and off-duty conduct, including one in which he was found to have assaulted a female sergeant.
LaPorta's attorneys argue the department's code of silence has allowed Kelly to escape any serious punishment. While Mayor Rahm Emanuel has publicly acknowledged the code's existence and enacted reforms aimed at fighting it, city attorneys played down its power to jurors.
Calling the code an "idea" that Chicago police officers will collectively protect one another, Rosen said that people in all professions overlook their co-workers' mistakes and shortcomings.
"Nobody wants to rat out their fellow employee," Rosen said.
An arrest report for Chicago police Officer Patrick Kelly from 2006, when he was charged with simple battery. The charge was later dropped. (Chicago Police Department)
Kelly, who joined the Police Department in 2004, had 19 complaints registered against him before the LaPorta shooting. He was interviewed about only one of those incidents, according to an expert hired by LaPorta's attorneys. The city's handling of those misconduct investigations would have sent a Kelly a clear message, said Lou Reiter, a former deputy police chief for the city of Los Angeles.
Advertisement
"It could be he believes he will be treated differently and not be held accountable either internally or as a normal citizen," Reiter said.
Rosen, however, cautioned jurors not to read too much into the misconduct investigations involving Kelly.
"Just because there is a complaint made" doesn't mean it has merit, she said.
Kelly was taken off the streets this year amid two investigations into his on- and off-duty conduct, according to the Police Department. He still retains his police powers to carry a gun and make arrests.
The city first acknowledged the reassignment in July, when it asked the City Council to approve a $500,000 settlement in a separate police brutality claim against the veteran patrol officer.
The Police Department formally reopened the LaPorta case in February 2016, records show. The new Civilian Office of Police Accountability also is investigating the shooting, as well as a 2013 incident in which he used a Taser on the pregnant woman.
Advertisement
The city so far has paid about $1.2 million in settlements and jury awards for Kelly-related lawsuits.
The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.
jcoen@chicagotribune.com
sstclair@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @jeffcoen
Twitter @stacystclair
Railcars are positioned in Hammond, Ind., to cross over the Calumet River into Chicago. The 2015 heist of over 100 guns, preceded by one in 2014, and another last September from a Chicago rail yard highlight a tragic confluence. (Charles Rex Arbogast / AP)
Growing up on Chicago's South Side, prolific train burglar Andrew Shelton understood firsthand the carnage caused by illegal guns.
When he was just 16, Shelton, a former Gangster Disciples gang member, shot three people and was sentenced to four years in prison, court records show. He survived three separate shootings himself in the 1990s, including a carjacking in which he was shot nine times. And Shelton's father was slain in a drive-by shooting in 2001.
Advertisement
So when Shelton and his burglary crew broke into a freight train one night two years ago and saw box after box of shiny new Ruger firearms stacked in the rail car, he of all people "should have thought twice about throwing gasoline on the fire" of Chicago's gun violence, a federal judge said Tuesday.
Instead, Shelton helped steal more than 100 of the pistols and unloaded them to "fences" for sale on the street. Within days, the weapons were showing up at crime scenes around the city at shootings, stashed under gutters, left on porches and tossed during police chases.
Advertisement
In handing down a 10-year prison sentence Tuesday, U.S. District Judge John Tharp said Shelton and his band of serial train robbers showed "utter, utter indifference to the welfare of the people of this city."
"They showed us all that they just didn't care," Tharp said. "They look at those guns and all they saw were dollar signs."
Andrew Shelton, Elgin Lipscomb and Alexander Peebles are charged in the theft of more than 100 guns from a train stopped in a Norfolk Southern rail yard on Chicago's South Side in April 2015. (Cook County Sheriff's Department)
Shelton, 43, pleaded guilty earlier this year to two counts of unlawful transportation of firearms for his role in the 2015 train yard heist of 104 weapons that were being shipped by rail from the Ruger factory in New Hampshire to a wholesaler in Spokane, Wash.
Shelton was the fourth person to be sentenced out of a total of 11 charged in a heist that highlighted a growing security problem at Chicago's rail yards. Last year, a Chicago man was charged with selling 23 guns stolen from a Chicago train yard to an undercover informant, including six high-powered Smith & Wesson rifles. A 2014 rail car theft of 13 military-style semi-automatic rifles remains unsolved, records show.
In court Tuesday, prosecutors asked for up to 11 years in prison for Shelton, noting that his actions helped fuel the city's ongoing epidemic of gun violence. To date, only 19 of the 104 firearms Shelton helped put on the street have been recovered by law enforcement, prosecutors said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Parente noted that Shelton had been convicted of burglarizing trains six times in the past two decades most involving the theft of merchandise such as shoes, electronics or clothing but never received a sentence of more than three years behind bars. Parente urged the judge to send a message to other would-be robbers that stealing guns will be met with a severe penalty.
"I get a call every few weeks about another gun recovery (by law enforcement) in this case," Parente said. "These aren't sneakers, they aren't computers. It doesn't get more serious."
Shelton's attorney, Gregory Mitchell, asked Tharp for a prison sentence of five years, saying prosecutors were overreaching by trying to draw a direct link between Shelton's "crime of opportunity" and any violence happening in the streets. Mitchell also invoked the mass shooting in Las Vegas on Sunday that killed at least 59 people, saying Shelton was worried that inflamed "passions" over gun violence would affect his sentence.
Advertisement
Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >
"It's unfair, judge," Mitchell said. "Mr. Shelton looked at these (weapons) simply as a commodity."
Before the sentence was handed down, Shelton stood in court in an orange jail jumpsuit and issued a brief apology to his family and the court, saying this latest conviction has finally caused him to want to turn his life around.
"I look at things much different now," Shelton, who is married with 10 children, said in a deep voice as several relatives dabbed tears from their eyes.
Records show Shelton was part of a crew of burglars who used bolt cutters to gain access to rail cars on freight trains parked in the Norfolk Southern rail yard on the South Side. One of the thieves later told investigators they all took the guns back to the basement of a co-defendant, according to a court filing by prosecutors. There, they gleefully ripped open the packages, with one of the crew exclaiming, "Oh man, these mother------- are pretty!" according to the filing.
A railway worker discovered the theft at 7 the next morning after spotting broken locks and bolt cutters lying on the ground. By that time, the thieves were already busy selling them to whoever could move them quickest, according to prosecutors.
jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
Advertisement
Twitter @jmetr22b
Chicago's entrenched gun violence cannot be addressed without smarter gun laws and a deeper examination of the distrust between communities and law enforcement, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said in an address Tuesday in the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
When Chicagoans are told statistics about the magnitude of the city's gun problem, many react with a shrug, Foxx said at a forum on violence at the Union League Club downtown.
Advertisement
"This city is awash in guns, and we seem to accept that as a truth that people cannot change," she said.
That apathy can extend to attitudes toward mass shootings, she said, such as the Sunday night attack in Las Vegas that killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 500.
Advertisement
"Every time something like this happens, there's (a feeling of) 'there's only so much we can do, there's only so far we can go,' " she said. "But when we talk about common sense things like licensing of gun dealers here in this state, there is absolutely something that we can do, and the onus and responsibility is on us to beat that drum as much as we can."
In calling for gun dealers to be licensed at the state level, Foxx noted that many straw gun purchases are made not by sophisticated, large-scale gun-running operations but by individual buyers who legally purchase just a few weapons at a time to sell on the street.
Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >
Drawing on her experience as a prosecutor in the Cook County juvenile system, Foxx said investigators can do more to uncover the source of guns recovered on the street.
"Rarely ... did we ask the question, 'Where did you get this gun?' " she said. "(It's) important we start holding accountable the adults who are putting guns in the hands of our children."
Foxx also reiterated familiar talking points, such as calling for alternatives to incarceration and community involvement on the part of criminal justice and government stakeholders.
"We are all accountable for our criminal justice system failures," she said. "It is those failures that have led people in some neighborhoods to accept violence as a way of life, the natural endpoint of our chronic failure to invest in people through investments in schools, jobs, infrastructure, you name it."
Foxx won election last year as a reform candidate, unseating incumbent Anita Alvarez in the Democratic primary with promises of sweeping change. Her office has called for reforming the cash bond system and moved to de-prioritize certain nonviolent crimes such as shoplifting.
mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
Advertisement
Twitter @crepeau
Daniel Holz, from left, Associate Professor and LIGO member, speaks at the University of Chicago following an announcement on efforts to detect gravitational waves, or ripples in the fabric of spacetime, seen here at the University of Chicago William Eckhardt Research Center in Chicago on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
As the 2017 Nobel Prize in physics was announced in Stockholm Tuesday, Chicago-area scientists celebrated connections to the prestigious award.
Rainer Weiss, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Kip Thorne and Barry Barish, both of the California Institute of Technology, were given the prize for the discovery of ripples in space-time known as gravitational waves.
Advertisement
Here in Chicago, physicist Daniel Holz at the University of Chicago's Enrico Fermi Institute was part of the team of nearly 1,000 scientists who analyzed data for the discovery and made key contributions to the findings, which the awards committee members said "shook the world."
"This has been my life for the last five years, and I've really sort of focused my career on this," Holz said. "The science has been great. It's just awesome all around."
Advertisement
At Fermilab in Batavia, scientists said one of the winners named Tuesday, Barish, was a guiding force there in research continuing today.
In 1973, Barish did one of the first experiments at Fermilab that detected neutrinos, which are subatomic particles, said Joseph Lykken, deputy director of Fermilab, where friends and former colleagues of Barish were planning a private celebration in honor of his award Tuesday.
"It's great to see people like that win," Lykken said. "They're the kind of people that really drive progress forward."
Neutrinos, the most numerous particles in the universe, are also the particles understood the least. In his two years at Fermilab, Barish showed that you could actually make neutrinos and detect them in the laboratory. Before that, you could only get them from the sun or nuclear reactors, Lykken said.
Barish returns to Fermilab every two years or so to advise scientists during meetings and to meet with students.
"He's a real gentleman scientist. He's the kind of person who is always considerate of everybody else, which is not always true of all scientists," Lyyken said.
Barish's work after leaving Chicago was similar to his work with neutrinos in that he sought to build a detector that people doubted could be built. He and his team were the architects of the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) detector, a 2.5-mile set of vacuum tubes with lasers and mirrors that are able to measure the tiny waves, the scientists said.
Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. >
When Holz learned of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration's work nearly a decade ago, it mirrored work he was already doing and applied to be part of the project.
Advertisement
"This is all frontier science, it's cutting-edge and there are no guarantees," Holz said. "But that's the nature of science, and it all worked out. The machines worked and we detected these amazing black holes collisions. Even now, I have to kind of pinch myself. It's hard to believe it's all real."
Lykken said the Nobel-prize winning discovery will allow scientists to better understand black holes, what happens when a star dies and other vexing questions never before answered.
Holz said while he was thrilled about the major recognition given to the discovery in his field, he and his team planned to get back to work on other research after Tuesday's announcement perhaps with a short break for a glass of Champagne.
"The science continues," Holz said. "I'm just really trying to finish some work so I'm going to spend the day holed up in the laboratory."
vortiz@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @vikkiortiz
Water -- without it, life is impossible.
Habitat -- without it, life is impossible.
Pronghorn antelope are uniquely a North American animal existing only in the American West and Mexico. The Sonoran pronghorn subspecies is endangered while other pronghorn populations are doing well. It is often said there are more pronghorn in Wyoming than there are people.
The Sonoran pronghorn, the rare subspecies of pronghorn antelope that inhabits the sandy deserts of Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico, was on the verge of extinction due to the effects of long-term drought and politics.
In 1998 there were 140 Sonoran pronghorn in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. By 2003 that number was 19.
What happened? Drought happened. Fawns were dying because their mothers did not have enough available water to produce milk for them.
Politics happened. Efforts to provide the antelope water was confounded by bureaucracy and anti-hunting groups. Conservationists contended it was not periodic prolonged drought, to which pronghorn have adapted well over the centuries, but the recent degradation of natural grasslands by grazing cattle, along with fencing, that led to the decline. Without taller grasses, newborn fawns lacked cover from predation by coyotes.
While still endangered today, the Sonoran pronghorn is making a comeback today, thanks to the hard work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Antelope Foundation and the Yuma Rod and Gun Club
Using an emergency clause in the Sonoran pronghorn management plan, the above groups obtained permission from the USFWS to construct a permanent water source for the remaining animals.
Additionally, some animals were captured for a breeding program and others were transplanted to other habitats to create additional populations.
Why did it take so long to act while the population plummeted? To be blunt, beyond the complexities of government it was because anti-hunting groups hate manmade water sources. They believe the only reason hunters help wildlife is so they have wildlife to kill. It did not matter that there is no hunting for Sonoran pronghorn. The groups blocked efforts to save the remaining animals at every turn even as the antelope quickly headed to extinction.
Despite the anti-hunter mindset and their fundraising schemes to fight their fight, hunters prevailed.
Today, in southern Arizona there are 160 Sonoran pronghorn roaming their hot and dry habitat and 110 in the captive breeding program. Another 240 roam Northern Mexico. Many drinking from manmade water sources.
Hunter groups continue to aid the Sonoran pronghorn, even though there is no hunting for the Sonoran pronghorn.
This story illustrates a lot of issues but the key item is that wildlife management today works like it has for decades and is even more necessary today with climate change and manmade changes to the habitats of our wildlife.
Debris is carried over to a dumpster as the gutting of the former El Cubano continues on west Fulton Market St. in the Fulton Market district in Chicago on April 3, 2017. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
Chicago residents and workers caught illegally tossing trash on public or private property would face far steeper maximum fines under a proposal from Mayor Rahm Emanuel that aldermen advanced Tuesday.
The fly-dumping crackdown targets people who illegally ditch all manner of waste including construction debris and hazardous materials. It's a big problem in the city's outlying neighborhoods, particularly on the South, West and Southwestsides, aldermen said.
Advertisement
"Sometimes the penalties aren't what they need to be to deter people from fly dumping," said Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, who represents the far West Side, where old tires litter some vacant lots. "It just goes to the quality of living for the residents in our community."
Illegally dumped waste can attract rats, provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes, and pollute land, water and air, said Dr. Julie Morita, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.
Advertisement
Last year, the Streets and Sanitation Department logged some 4,000 fly-dumping incidents, spending $1.5 million to clean up 32,000 tons of waste, said Cole Stallard, deputy commissioner of Streets and Sanitation.
The proposal, to be considered next week by the full City Council, also includes higher fines for maintaining a building that's deemed a health hazard and not cleaning up waste from private property, even if it's fly dumped by others.
Approval of the changes by the Health and Environmental Protection Committee comes as the city departments of Streets and Sanitation and Public Health are setting up cameras at locations of frequent fly-dumping and vandalism in the hopes of catching violators in the act, city officials said.
With 15 high-resolution mobile cameras out on the streets, the city already has taken two fly dumpers to court, city officials said.
The maximum fine for fly dumping now is $3,500. It would rise to a maximum of $30,000 for dumping more than 100 cubic yards of solid waste or more than 100 gallons of liquid waste with even greater fines for dumping more than 500 cubic yards of waste or hazardous liquids. Dumpers also would face potential additional fines of $10,000 for each day it's not cleaned up.
People who maintain buildings that pose a health risk would face fines of up to $5,000, compared with a maximum current fine of $500. And the maximum fine for not removing waste from private property would rise to $5,000 from $1,000.
"We will not allow companies to use our city as a dumping ground," Morita said.
hdardick@chicagotribune.com
Advertisement
Twitter @reporterhal
CBS fired a company executive Monday after she criticized some victims of the Las Vegas mass shooting as "Republican gun toters" who did not deserve sympathy.
Hayley Geftman-Gold, who was a vice president and senior legal counsel at CBS in New York, also wrote on Facebook that she had no hope that Republicans whom she called "Repugs" would ever take action and "do the right thing" if they didn't do anything when children were murdered, an apparent reference to the December 2012 Sandy Hook shooting that left 28 people dead, including 20 children, killed inside their elementary school in Connecticut.
Advertisement
Geftman-Gold made her Facebook comments in the aftermath of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, with at least 59 people killed and more than 500 injured. The shooting attack occurred at the end of a three-day country music festival held over the weekend on the Las Vegas Strip. The event drew a diverse crowd of thousands of music fans out, and police said the audience was more than 22,000-strong when gunshots rang out at about 10 p.m. Sunday.
CBS confirmed to The Washington Post on Monday that Geftman-Gold was dismissed for her "deeply unacceptable" comments on social media.
Advertisement
"This individual, who was with us for approximately one year, violated the standards of our company and is no longer an employee of CBS," the company said in a statement.
"Her views as expressed on social media are deeply unacceptable to all of us at CBS. Our hearts go out to the victims in Las Vegas and their families."
Her posts have since been deleted.
The Daily Caller, a right-leaning outlet, first reported on Geftman-Gold's post Monday morning.
Geftman-Gold, who had been with CBS for a year, said that she "sincerely regrets" her "indefensible" and "shameful" post, and is "deeply sorry for diminishing the significance of every life affected" by the gunman's terrorism, according to Fox News.
A petition addressed to the New York State Bar Association has been posted online condemning Geftman-Gold's "professional misconduct," and had more than 1,000 signatures as of early Monday evening.
As law enforcement continues to gather details on how Stephen Paddock obtained the rifles he used in Sunday's mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip, elected officials are using the incident to again call for stricter gun laws.
Nevada is no stranger to gun law reform efforts and the political battles that ensue.
Last year, voters in the state narrowly passed Question 1, an initiative that required most private buyers and sellers of guns to conduct a background check through a licensed dealer. Millions of dollars from national groups supporting and opposing the law poured into the state.
The initiative, which passed by 50.4% to 49.5%, mandated that private-party gun sales with a few exceptions, such as transfers between family members be subject to a federal background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which is administered by the FBI.
That's where language in the law ran into a roadblock.
In December, the FBI sent a letter to the Nevada Department of Public Safety, noting it would not conduct these checks. In its letter, officials from the agency said that "the recent passage of the Nevada legislation regarding background checks for private sales cannot dictate how federal resources are applied."
The letter prompted the Department of Public Safety to seek guidance from Nevada Atty. Gen. Adam Laxalt.
Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 55 Windows are broken at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas on Oct. 3, 2017. (John Locher / AP)
Two weeks after the initial letter from the FBI, Laxalt, a Republican who opposed Question 1, released an opinion saying that "citizens may not be prosecuted for their inability to comply with the Act unless and until the FBI changes its public position and agrees to conduct the background checks consistent with the Act."
At the time, Laxalt's office also sent out a statement, stressing that "without this central feature [the FBI background check]" the initiative "cannot commence."
To date, the initiative remains in limbo and has not gone into effect.
Under state law, the language of ballot initiatives approved by the electorate cannot be changed by the Legislature for three years.
LAS VEGAS It was a night of music that turned to chaos and horror. There were 22,000 country music fans at the outdoor Las Vegas concert when the shooting started. Police said at least 59 people died and more than 500 were injured when a shooter rained gunfire down on them from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay casino hotel. Here are the accounts of survivors and their loved ones, interviewed by The Associated Press.
'They're shooting at us'
Advertisement
James Cabrera, said he and his wife, Sonia Pena, were at home in La Habra, California, when their 21-year-old daughter Jessica called them from the musical festival shortly after 10 p.m. desperately recounting her horror as gunfire rang out in the background.
"We could hear everything that was going on there, the gunfire, the people yelling," Cabrera said Monday morning as he sat at a slot machine in the Mandalay Bay Hotel. "We knew we had to get there right away."
"She was screaming into the phone," said Cabrera of his daughter. She yelled, 'They're shooting at us, people are falling, I love you!'"
Their hearts racing, the couple jumped in their car and got to Las Vegas as fast as they could, in less than four hours, Cabrera said. "That was the fastest drive in history from California to Vegas," he said.
Later, the couple learned that their daughter and a friend she went with who went with to the festival had escaped unharmed and hid inside a bathroom at the MGM Hotel until morning.
"But the people right next to them who they made friends with were shot," the father said. Cabrera said he knew few other details because his daughter remained too upset to talk about what happened.
The couple said they would stay until they were sure their daughter was calm enough to drive back home.
Cracking noise
Advertisement
"I'm OK, Grandma," Brandon Clack said into his cellphone Monday, seeking to reassure relatives who knew he had planned to attend the country music festival in Las Vegas that was targeted by a gunman the night before.
Clack said he looked forward to the event, buying tickets and booking his hotel months in advance with a group of about 30 people from his Orange County community of La Palma, California, including his girlfriend, his brother, his mother and her boyfriend.
He and his relatives escaped injury, but Clack said he learned later that a young man traveling with his group had been shot and killed.
Clack, a 21-year-old community college student, said he and his 20-year-old girlfriend Leslie Reynoso were sitting up near the front facing the stage when the shooting started, a kind of "cracking noise" off to the right.
"We thought it was some kind of fireworks," Clack said.
But the performers rushed off the stage, "and we could tell it was multiple, multiple rounds. It went on for a long time, like 10 minutes."
As the gunfire kept up, he said, hundreds of people rushed toward the doors. Soon rivers of screaming people were running in horror, searching for safety in the towering hotels around them, Clack said.
"People started running over to the Tropicana, so we decided to run over to the MGM," he said.
Members of the group, including Clack's mother and brother, were staying at a number of hotels near the concert venue.
Clack and Reynoso said they hunkered down with family friends at a room at the MGM for about four hours until authorities declared the situation clear.
Chaos in the dark
Like many people attending the musical festival, 33-year-old Jason Sorenson said he initially thought the shooter's gunfire was the sound of fireworks from another venue nearby.
"We couldn't tell where it was coming from," said Sorenson of Newport Beach, California, who had traveled to Las Vegas with his girlfriend for the event.
But it became clear that someone was firing at the crowd after singer Jason Aldean abruptly dropped his guitar and fled the stage in terror.
"It was horrific, we just starting running and we saw people with blood all over their shirts," he said. "I was bracing himself to be hit by a bullet any second."
Sorenson said the couple had initially been sitting down on the ground in the middle facing the stage. But by coincidence had moved up to a safer VIP area they had access to before the shooting began.
"If we had stayed in the front we would have been in the direct line of fire," said Sorenson.
Between each round of gunfire, he said, the crowd surged, everyone running as far as they could get until a gun was reloaded or replaced with another weapon and the shooting resumed.
"We ran and ducked, ran and ducked until we got as far away as we could," he said.
Sorenson ended up in an elevator with a young woman who had been separated from her fiance. She invited people to stay in her room until the danger had subsided.
"It wasn't clear how it bad it was, however, (until) this morning when we walked through the hotel lobby and saw the news on the TVs saying that more than 50 people had died," said Sorenson.
Moments of kindness
Amid the terror, one couple found moments of kindness, and possibly a guardian angel.
Andrew Akiyoshi, who captured the gunfire on a cellphone video he provided to The Associated Press, attended the concert with friend Loreli Sakach. The couple from Orange County, California, recalled the panic and masses of people fleeing in fear but also the humanity of bystanders.
"We ended up in the MGM, and a couple was nice enough to buy us some drinks," Akiyoshi said.
Then a rumor swept the crowd at the MGM of another shooter. It turned out to be false. But "all of a sudden a mass of people, probably a hundred people are running again," Sakach said.
They sought refuge in a restaurant where "they were kind and gave us tablecloths to wear and food and everybody was so nice and kind."
As they exited one of the hotels, Sakach spotted a penny and picked it up.
"You know, angels must have been looking out over us," said Akiyoshi, whose late father always believed in picking up pennies for good luck.
Sakach said she handed the penny to Akiyoshi, and he said, "Thanks Dad."
U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman, left, walks after presenting credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, during a ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (Pavel Golovkin / AP)
MOSCOW The new U.S. ambassador to Russia presented his diplomatic credentials to President Vladimir Putin at a ceremony Tuesday in the Kremlin, a move that marks the formal start of Jon Huntsman's work in Russia.
Huntsman, who has twice served as a U.S. ambassador, arrived in Moscow on Monday to take over from John Tefft, who left after serving in Russia for three years, a period that was marred by a deep and rapid deterioration of ties, unseen since the end of the Cold War. The U.S.-Russia relationship has soured even further in recent months following a series of expulsions of diplomats and closures of diplomatic missions.
Advertisement
In his address to Huntsman, Putin offered Russia's condolences over Monday's deadly shooting attack in Las Vegas and expressed hope for better ties with the U.S.
"The current level of the ties cannot satisfy us," Putin said. "We stand for constructive, predictable and mutually beneficial cooperation."
Advertisement
Putin also said both the U.S. and Russia should not meddle in each other's "domestic affairs."
Huntsman, the former Utah governor who once called for Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race, won easy confirmation as U.S. ambassador last week. He was the nation's top diplomat to Singapore under President George H.W. Bush and ambassador to China under President Barack Obama before returning to the U.S. to run for president in 2012.
Huntsman had an up-and-down relationship with Trump during last year's campaign. The former governor was slow to endorse any candidate for the Republican nomination, though he did back Trump once he became the presumptive nominee. But Huntsman then called for Trump to drop out of the presidential race after the release of a 2005 audio in which Trump was captured on a microphone making lewd comments about women.
Although Trump has called Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election a hoax pushed by Democrats to sully his victory at the polls, Huntsman said at his confirmation hearing last week that "there is no question, underline, no question" that Moscow interfered. He also said he would not hesitate to remind Russian officials that they are accountable for their actions.
The ambassador said in a statement released after the ceremony that he "looks forward to working to rebuild trust between our two countries and to strengthening the bilateral relationship based on cooperation on common."
Huntsman comes into office with a drastically reduced staff after the Russian Foreign Ministry ordered the U.S. to cut its embassy and consulate staff in Russia by 755 people, or by two-thirds, heightening tensions between Washington and Moscow after U.S. Congress approved sanctions against Russia.
In response, the U.S. suspended issuing nonimmigrant visas in Moscow for a week in August and stopped issuing visas at its consulates elsewhere in Russia.
Relations between Russia and the United States cooled following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, where fighting since 2014 has left 10,000 people dead. Reports of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election put a further damper on hopes for better ties that the Kremlin had pinned on Trump's presidency.
Advertisement
In August, the U.S. adopted a new package of stiff financial sanctions against Russia, aimed at punishing Moscow for interfering in the U.S. election and for its military aggression in Ukraine and Syria, where the Kremlin has backed President Bashar Assad.
Rainer Weiss, Barry C. Barish and Kip S. Thorne have won the 2017 Nobel Prize in physics. The three are members of the LIGO-Virgo detector collaboration that discovered gravitational waves. The prize was awarded "for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves," the committee said in a news release.
"This year's prize is about a discovery that shook the world," said the Nobel committee representative Goran K. Hansson during a conference in Stockholm on Tuesday.
One half of the prize went to Weiss, born in Berlin and now a U.S. citizen, is a physics professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The other half was split by Barish, a Nebraska native, and Thorne, who was born in Utah. Both work at the California Institute of Technology.
"When we first discovered them back in September 2015 many of us didn't believe it," said Weiss, on the phone to the Stockholm conference. It took months for the scientists to convince themselves that had in fact heard gravitational waves, he said.
Who will win a Nobel physics prize is often anyone's guess; the selection process is notoriously secretive. But that does not curb speculation. The detection of black hole gravitational waves has been floated as a contender both this year and last. This year, the predictions came true.
A team of more than a thousand scientists, researchers and technicians, making up the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, discovered the first gravitational ripple in space-time in September 2015. Detectors have sensed three other gravitational waves since then, all from merging black holes. The LIGO team, plus the Italian Virgo detector, announced the most recent cosmic distortion discovery in September.
As The Washington Post reported from the LIGO observatory this year:
"The two observatories in Louisiana and Washington state had to be built in remote, seismically stable locations. The dominant feature of each facility is the pair of 2.5-mile-long beam lines, set perpendicularly. These are tubes in which laser beams pass through an almost perfect vacuum.
" 'We had to correct for the curvature of the Earth,' said Amber Stuver, a LIGO physicist, standing on a bridge overlooking one of the beam line tubes as it receded into the pineywoods - timber land owned primarily by Weyerhaeuser. "From the corner there to the end of the arm, the Earth curves down away a little bit more than four feet."
"A reporter drove a rental car the length of the arm, with Stuver serving as narrator. The beam line is encased in heavy concrete. Stuver said that so few atoms and molecules remain in the vacuum tubes that if you could gather them all up, from the entire 2.5-mile length, and compress them to normal atmospheric pressure, they'd amount to one thimbleful of air.
"Hunting stands are nearby in the woods, but they point away from the beam lines. The scientists met with local hunting clubs, and made one simple request: Don't shoot the observatory."
Aside from his work on LIGO, Thorne is known for his theories about time travel. He was a consultant on the sci-fi movie "Interstellar" and came up with a wormhole plot device that allows astronauts in the film to go back in time.
Barish was not included in some previous awards to the LIGO team, and as Science magazine reported, some experts worried that he would miss a shot at a Nobel Prize. He is credited with reviving the project after early problems and managing the ambitious and unwieldy collaboration. The death in March of Ronald Drever, a LIGO physicist who was included in previous awards, may have cleared the way for Barish to be included; the Nobel can be split only three ways.
LIGO is funded by the National Science Foundation. President Trump proposed a budget cut of 11 percent to the NSF, but Congress has been more supportive of the agency.
The Nobel committee has awarded a prize in physics 111 times since 1901. Last year, three researchers won for their work in the field of topology. Topology, as The Washington Post reported, is the study of state changes more intricate than the pivot from liquid to solid. The 2016 laureates discovered exotic transformations that turn matter into superconductors or frictionless liquids, able to swirl in a never-slowing vortex.
Winners of the Nobel Prize in physics join a rarefied group that counts Albert Einstein, Marie Curie and Niels Bohr as members. More recent laureates include University of Manchester scientists Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, who won the 2010 prize. They performed groundbreaking experiments with graphene, a lattice of carbon a single atom thick. In 2013, Francois Englert and Peter Higgs won for predicting a subatomic particle called the Higgs boson, the existence of which was confirmed by the Large Hadron Collider in 2012.
The Nobel Prize in chemistry will be announced on Wednesday, the literature prize on Thursday and the peace prize on Friday. An award in economics, not one of the original prizes but now conducted in memory of Alfred Nobel, will be announced Monday.
Sharlene Garfield was a foster mom to nine children in the 1970s and '80s. (Family photo)
For decades, Sharlene Garfield welcomed those seeking shelter, sanctuary, or maybe just a smile and a bowl of soup into her family's four-story home in Evanston's historic district.
When her synagogue needed temporary housing for a refugee Laotian family, she opened her door.
Advertisement
When relatives from the former Soviet Union were allowed to finally take leave and come to America, she opened her door.
When her daughter's summer camp group from Michigan all 41 of them needed a place to stay during a trip to Chicago, she opened her door.
Advertisement
The mother of four also served as a foster parent to a steady stream of children during the 1970s and '80s.
"I remember walking through that bright yellow front door and feeling so safe," said Rebecca Phillips, who was only 4 years old when she came to live with the Garfield family for six months before moving in with her adoptive family.
Garfield and Phillips, now 36 and a married mother of three, formed a close bond.
"She taught me the meaning of love," Phillips said. "Before Sharlene, I had never experienced what that felt like. It was the first time I had ever been tucked into bed or had a story read to me.
"She opened her loving arms to me, and I soaked it all up."
Garfield, 76, died Sept. 16, in the home where she had lived with her family since 1970. She had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer 14 years ago.
"For Shar, it was never a question to help those in need," said her husband of 54 years, Don. "Her door was always open, as was her heart. That's just who she was."
The former Sharlene Garfien was the daughter of Russian and Polish immigrant parents and one of three children. She was born and raised on the South Side and graduated from South Shore High School.
Advertisement
As a child, one of her favorite books was "Cheaper by the Dozen," about a couple with 12 children.
"She loved that book and the notion that raising so many kids never got dull," her husband said. "That's the life she envisioned for herself."
Garfield graduated with a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1963. That same year, she married Don Garfield, a fellow student.
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)
The couple initially lived in Champaign, where she was an elementary school teacher. Later they moved to the South Side, and she taught in Chicago Public Schools before becoming a stay-at-home mom.
After moving to Evanston, Garfield and her husband opened their home on Elinor Place to a Laotian refugee couple with three children for several months, and later helped them find employment and housing.
"She'd go to the Asian market every week to find just the right spices and seasonings to make them food that they were accustomed to," her husband said.
Advertisement
While raising her own family, Garfield served as a foster parent to nine other children and was named Foster Parent of the Year by the Jewish Children's Bureau in the mid-1980s.
"I asked her once why she chose to fill the house with all these folks who I had to share the bathroom with," her son Joey recalled in a eulogy he read at her service. "And she said specifically about the foster kids 'I can't focus on the trouble a child was born into, but I can help them get a new, fair start.' "
In 2013, Garfield was recognized by the city of Evanston for her community contributions by having the street she lived on given the honorary designation of "Sharlene Garfield Way."
"More than anyone I've ever known, she had a wonderful way with people," Phillips said. "She made everybody feel wanted."
Other survivors include two sons, James and Craig; a daughter, Elena; a sister, Barbara Garfien; and six grandchildren.
Services were held.
Advertisement
Joan Giangrasse Kates is a freelance reporter.
Heroin nearly killed me. As a matter of fact, it did: For two minutes in 1987 I was pronounced clinically dead from an overdose.
I was in Hollywood, shooting up between snorts of cocaine and shots of booze. It was late December 1987. Motley Crue had just released our record "Girls Girls Girls" and we were about to tour the world. From the outside looking in, I was living the dream. But in reality, I was in the throes of a disease I couldn't control, addicted to heroin.
Advertisement
I remember very little about that night, but I know someone called an ambulance and saved my life. Today I am 16 years sober and a decade into recovery advocacy.
What I've been through doesn't make me a policy expert. But it qualifies me to judge the way the United States is handling its latest addiction crisis: Opioid abuse isn't just making addicts sick, it's making America sick.
Advertisement
The numbers are devastating. The government estimates that 142 people a day die of drug overdoses. ODs are killing more Americans than car crashes and gun homicides combined. Prescription opioids and heroin are the prime contributors to these statistics.
Once hooked on prescription painkillers, many users turn to heroin, often cut with more lethal drugs, because it's cheaper and easier to get than another refill. In 2015 (the most recent year for which we have data), there were more than 30,000 opioid overdose deaths nationwide, and the rate is on the rise. Between 2002 and 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heroin use in the U.S. more than doubled, and heroin deaths more than quadrupled.
Now President Donald Trump wants to slash the 2018 Medicaid budget. He's suggesting deep cuts in funding for treatment, prevention and addiction research. And Attorney General Jeff Sessions wants to fill federal prisons with drug addicts instead of getting them help.
Trump makes a show of concern. He convened a commission in March charged with studying the problem, and he has promised to declare opioid addiction a national emergency, which would free up resources for the battle. But he has failed to file the proper paperwork.
Instead, he found time to do some name-calling ("I won New Hampshire," he told Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto, "because New Hampshire is a drug-infested den.") He lies about the causes of the epidemic, blaming Mexico and China when in fact the responsibility belongs to U.S. drug manufacturers and overzealous doctors pushing prescription painkillers. And then there are those budget cuts.
Americans are dying. Entire towns are being destroyed. Local economies are crippled by addiction. Yet this epidemic can be stopped; it's solvable.
Trump's opioid commission quickly submitted an interim report that spells out the right approach: It emphasizes treatment, education about pain management for doctors, research and data collection, and rational "supply reduction." It spells out policy goals based on facts and science. The president should listen to his own experts. Now.
Congress and the administration must approve a 2018 budget that provides sufficient funding for Medicaid. Of the 2 million Americans in treatment for opioid addiction, approximately 30 percent receive Medicaid. We must not make it harder for the most vulnerable addicts to obtain treatment.
Advertisement
Our representatives must guarantee that, in any health care reform, addiction will not be not classified as a pre-existing condition that could limit an addict's ability to receive lifesaving care for this disease. The latest failed GOP attempt, the Graham-Cassidy bill, would have harmed those affected by the opioid epidemic through coverage cuts and "flexibility" in what can be covered.
Drug manufacturers have to be held accountable for how they market addictive drugs. Many states are trying. In August, South Carolina became the sixth state to sue Purdue Pharma over OxyContin; 41 states have demanded information on the sales practices of opioid makers and distributors. We can better restrain painkiller prescriptions.
Naloxone, a medication that can block the effects of opioids and reverse an overdose in progress, should be widely available, yet outrageously a puritanical debate rages over whether access to such a "safety net" encourages drug use.
If we fail to take these necessary actions we are saying to addicts, "You aren't worth saving." I am here to tell you that all addicts are worth saving.
I am one of the lucky ones. And I know my continuing sobriety is not the result of my actions alone. I have a loving family and an extensive support network. I have Alcoholics Anonymous and the guidance of my sponsors. I have good health insurance. I have the money, time and resources to help me save myself.
So many people don't have access to these resources. No one is a junkie by choice. And no junkie is a lost cause.
Advertisement
So I am speaking out. And so should you. Because another 142 people are going to die today.
Tribune Content Agency
Nikki Sixx is co-founder of the band Motley Crue. An updated, 10-year anniversary edition of his memoir and Sixx:A.M. soundtrack "The Heroin Diaries" will be released this month.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois speaks Oct. 3, 2017, on Capitol Hill with other lawmakers and people from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence about the need for gun control legislation. (Alex Wong / Getty Images)
Columbine High School in Colorado: 13 dead, April 20, 1999.
Virginia Tech: 32 dead, April 16, 2007.
Advertisement
Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.: 26 dead, including 20 first-graders, Dec. 14, 2012.
Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla.: 49 dead, June 12, 2016.
Advertisement
Now Sunday's atrocity in Las Vegas: at least 59 dead, more than 500 injured when a sniper took aim at outdoor concertgoers from his perch in a 32nd-floor hotel suite.
The geography of American slaughter by firearms spans the nation, while the timeline stretches back at least to the 1966 University of Texas bell tower shootings. Just since Sandy Hook, by one count, there have been 29 shootings in the U.S. in which three or more people were killed. You probably remember the Charleston church murders (9 dead), but what about the Roseburg, Ore., spree (also 9 dead)?
After each of these horrors, the question of what can be done? to prevent mass shootings arises. Then it's dispensed with because the country appears hopelessly divided over gun control. That's what happened after Sandy Hook: All those children and teachers murdered in their school, yet Congress refused to adopt any meaningful restrictions on gun ownership. So why would this week's carnage in Las Vegas be the catalyst?
Maybe it won't. Maybe Las Vegas, the worst mass shooting in modern American history, has no impact beyond its place in the roll call of tragedies. But that would be wrong, because the country is long overdue for a serious debate about firearms and murder.
Let that debate begin with an affirmation that America is suffering from a crisis of gun violence. You see it in mass shootings in public spaces across the country, and you see it neighborhoods in Chicago, where the number of homicides this year has surpassed 500. Nothing will outlaw killing, but doing nothing shouldn't be an option.
The obstacle is American gun culture. Three in 10 American adults own a gun, and most of those people say gun ownership is essential to their freedom, according to a recent Pew Research Center study. That belief is supported by law: The Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that the Second Amendment guarantees individuals the right to own guns for self-defense.
It's safe to say repealing the Second Amendment isn't on the horizon even after Las Vegas, in which the gunman reportedly brandished an arsenal of 23 weapons. Gun culture is so deeply entrenched in America that putting broad restrictions on ownership, such as banning assault weapons, won't happen any time soon.
The gun lobby is powerful and most conservatives embrace ownership as a fundamental right. Certainly, voters have rewarded Republicans in Congress who support gun ownership. Republicans put forth no new legislation after Las Vegas but, tellingly, they shelved for now a National Rifle Association-backed bill that would ease regulations on silencers.
Advertisement
Democrats, who may instinctively wish to ban certain weapons or even limit the number of firearms per household, don't have the votes, and they alone won't change the culture. Yet there are steps Congress can take that won't run afoul of the Second Amendment but could reduce the opportunities for a madman with an arsenal to kill with impunity. Among the possibilities:
* Require background checks for every gun purchase, including those at gun shows and transactions between private parties.
* Limit the capacity of magazine clips to, say, 10 rounds. That would force an assailant to frequently reload or switch weapons, buying time for victims to escape and law enforcement to arrive.
* Require gun makers to modify semi-automatic rifles and pistols so they can't be fitted with devices that convert these firearms into machine gun-like weapons.
Perhaps none of these steps would have stopped the Las Vegas gunman, though they may have slowed him down. What's more, tightening federal restrictions on gun ownership and sale could slow the carnage in Chicago. Many weapons used by street gangs are stolen. Others, though, are bought illegally by straw purchasers in nearby states. Expanded background checks could disrupt the flow.
Mass shooters are unhinged. No effort to eradicate all violence will succeed. But if there's a chance to stop some killers, or slow them down until help arrives, the nation should act.
Advertisement
Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.
Gov. Bruce Rauner holds a press conference at the State of Illinois Building in Chicago on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, to announce he has signed an abortion bill that expands abortion coverage for women on Medicaid and state insurance. (Terrence Antonio James, Chicago Tribune)
In the months leading to the March 20 Illinois primary, when incumbents will need majority support in their party, Gov. Bruce Rauner finds himself jilted by much of his 2014 base. His Sept. 28 signature on a controversial abortion bill has undercut his support among former loyalists who hoped that in 2018 he would elevate the GOP from its longstanding minority status in Springfield.
A serious schism now divides Rauner from conservative elements of his own party. Some GOP leaders are pivoting away from him hard and fast. Abortion is one reason, but character truthfulness is another. Not only had Rauner publicly promised to veto the bill, which provides taxpayer funding of elective abortions, he consistently characterized himself as an advocate of an economic, not social, agenda to move the state forward.
Advertisement
So much for that masquerade. Even a Republican who supported abortion rights likely would have vetoed an abortion bill that ended a respectful, decadeslong ban on taxpayer funding. The essential compact in Illinois an understanding we don't think Rauner should have shredded has been that abortion opponents wouldn't try to regulate the procedure out of existence, but tax dollars would fund it only in cases of rape, incest and to protect the life or health of the mother. The bill Rauner signed, though, expands abortion coverage to Medicaid recipients 1 in 4 Illinoisans is a Medicaid beneficiary and includes abortion as a covered procedure under state worker health plans. Taxpayers heavily subsidize both.
Can Rauner recover? Hard to say. Republicans who often chastise majority Democrats in the legislature for dysfunction now find their own party in tumult and not only because of Rauner.
Advertisement
Former Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno unexpectedly resigned this summer. House GOP Leader Jim Durkin is expected to face a Republican primary challenge. And dozens of lawmakers from both parties are retiring, creating an unusually frantic emphasis on winning open seats in both chambers.
The damage to Rauner's re-election chances isn't that conservatives will support the Democratic nominee for governor, whoever emerges. The fear for Rauner is that fellow Republicans try to take him out in the March primary and, if they can't, they disengage: They don't vote for either major-party candidate in the Nov. 6, 2018, general election. They skip the race altogether. Rauner loses.
He unarguably needs those conservatives. They helped elect him in 2014. They liked his economics message and believed his professed disinterest in social issues.
The harshest criticism of Rauner comes from conservatives who've often partnered with him and fought his battles in Springfield. Consider this from Rauner's own floor leader in the House: "In the face of overwhelming evidence of Rauner's inability to competently administer the Illinois government, inability to stand up to Mike Madigan effectively, and inability to keep his word and his commitments, I can no longer support him," said Rep. Peter Breen, R-Lombard, who ousted a longtime incumbent in 2014.
Rep. Jeanne Ives, R-Wheaton, also disassociated herself from Rauner: "The Governor's decision to break his promise and sign taxpayer funded abortion on-demand is a profound and unprecedented betrayal beyond words." See how personal honesty keeps surfacing in these denunciations?
There is serious talk of someone running against Rauner in the primary, which would be a sharp departure from the traditional political playbook. Rauner is an incumbent who can self-fund his campaign. Even if he could be ousted, the result could be a victorious Democrat come November a new governor with a far more liberal ideology than Rauner's.
And Rauner does have some bragging rights. He helped balance a 2014 state budget that Democrats passed before he was elected and which they knew would run out of money. He vetoed a 2015 budget that House Speaker Michael Madigan acknowledged was roughly $4 billion out of balance. In 2016, Rauner and Senate Democrats blocked another phony Madigan budget that was $7 billion out of whack. This year, Rauner vetoed a 32 percent income tax increase but he was overridden, in part by members of his own party.
He signed an overhaul of the school funding formula that included a significant school choice program. He signed into law numerous criminal justice reform bills that give offenders a second chance. And he has advocated for a number of pro-growth, job creation reforms that Democrats largely ignored or flat-out opposed.
Advertisement
In some ways, Rauner has changed business as usual in Springfield, against a process with locked-in, entrenched power. He has said "no," including to unreasonable state workers' union demands.
But Rauner also knew that signing the abortion bill, after publicly declaring he would veto it, invited conservatives to challenge him via the democratic process: Resist, rebel, run.
Petitions to get on the 2018 ballot can be circulated until Dec. 1. Any takers? We'll soon know.
---
Editor's note: An earlier version of this editorial said Peter Breen won his 2014 primary election "with Rauner's help." In fact, Breen did not receive financial support from Rauner.
Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.
Please Donate
In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers.
If you appreciate what I write please make a donation.
Racist PayPal Tries to Close Down My Blog
As you can see from this article PayPal have removed my blog.
I would therefore ask people to make any future donations to the following:
Name of Account: Brighton and Hove Unemployed Workers Centre
Account No: 04094107
Sort Code: 09-01-50
Reference: Web donations
The often quoted National Rifle Association slogan in response to the mass shootings "the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun" proves itself tragically inaccurate.
We all think of ourselves as "good," don't we? I'm sure the retired police officer who shot that texter in the movie theater believed himself a "good" man, even while pulling the trigger. Same with the dude who probably thought he was just "keeping the peace" by firing into the car of young aficionados of loud music. I bet George Zimmerman considered himself a "good" man for pursuing and shooting the be-hooded, ice tea-drinking, Skittles-consuming Trayvon Martin, too. They were all "good" men, until they resorted to using guns to resolve problems that could easily have been resolved in other ways.
Advertisement
According to FBI statistics, firearms are America's weapons of choice for homicides. Apart from what we read in newspapers or see on the evening news, we really don't have much information on who is doing the shooting, largely because the NRA has taken great pains to discourage data gathering on the nature of gun crimes. It seems that the grand guardians of the Second Amendment are scared to death of the First Amendment, perhaps for good reason?
You see, their prime narrative is that we must own guns to protect ourselves from gang-bangers, serial killers and terrorists, not other "good" guys, like the hot-headed in-law, or the neighbor having a really bad day, or the 4-year old, finding a new "toy" in his father's dresser, or the high school kid who has been bullied one too many times, or the young woman who feels she has run out of options. "Good" guys and gals become "bad" when they perform an irrational impulsive act of violence. The availability of a firearm, all too often, makes that act irreversible.
Advertisement
Author and psychologist Philip Zimbardo once said, "I have been primarily interested in how and why ordinary people do unusual things, things that seem alien to their natures. Why do good people sometimes act evil? Why do smart people sometimes do dumb or irrational things?"
We are all "good" until our actions make us otherwise. Reality doesn't fit on bumper stickers.
Richard A. Kosinski, Chicago
Shoot, pray, repeat
As long as legislation is bought and paid for by the gun industry manufacturers, retailers, lobbyists and front groups like the National Rifle Association we'll all continue to be at risk for the next Las Vegas, the next Sandy Hook.
The post-mass shooting sequence is now predictable prayers and sympathy followed by the usual public re-litigation of the Second Amendment, as we've seen time after time.
Bottom line, as far as our legislators are concerned, the rights of gun sellers and their customers take absolute precedence over the rights of the public to be protected from mass slaughter.
To hope for widespread common sense on gun regulation issues in the present climate is pure naivete or, more likely, sheer lunacy.
Advertisement
Patrick O'Hayer, Libertyville
Senseless tragedy
Please, please, please stop reporting the senseless slaughter in Las Vegas as "the deadliest shooting" or "the most people killed" followed by the next number and so on. Do not turn this into a contest so that another evil, demented soul will attempt to get in the limelight with even more victims.
Treat this for what it is: a heartbreaking, senseless murder of so many, the loss of whom will be felt and suffered by so many.
Yes, it is news of the worst possible sort and must be reported as that. But rather than dwell on the statistics, concentrate on what society and we as individuals can do to stop these horrific acts of violence.
I, for one, do not want to be of the mind set "what next"?
Advertisement
Carolyn Bertagnoli, Chicago
As I watched various journalists, police, psychiatrists and other smart people on cable TV try to make sense of the senseless mass shooting Sunday in Las Vegas, an actor in a commercial popped up with a sound bite that sounded downright prophetic:
"How do we get ahead of crazy," he said, "if we don't know how crazy thinks?"
Advertisement
Amen, brother. The TV ad turned out to be a tease for an upcoming Netflix series called "Mindhunter." Set in 1979, according to the advance publicity, the series will center on FBI agents who interview imprisoned serial killers, as one agent puts it, to "know how crazy thinks."
The experts on TV and zillions of us who are watching at home were asking the same question. Everyone was trying to figure out what lunacy drove retired accountant and real estate developer Stephen Paddock, 64, to kill at least 58 people and injure hundreds more at a country music festival.
Advertisement
With all due respect to those who find the word "crazy" to be insensitive, few other words capture the utter senselessness of the slaughter in Las Vegas. Police say he fired away at the crowd of more than 20,000 from his 32nd floor hotel suite before he killed himself as a SWAT team broke into his room.
The horror of the tragedy was only compounded by the lack of any apparent motive for Paddock's sick behavior. He wasn't that we know so far a terrorist, religious fanatic or mental health patient. He was a "multimillionaire" accountant and real estate developer who liked to gamble, said his brother Eric Paddock, and "not an avid gun guy at all." "He's just a guy who lived in Mesquite (a Nevada town 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas) who liked burritos," his brother said.
It is particularly unsettling in our age of instant gratification and short attention spans to lack a quick and easy explanation for a mind-numbing tragedy.
As we have seen with earlier tragedies such as the Sandy Hook massacre of schoolchildren in Connecticut, PolitiFact reports a wave of paranoid theories and false reports that Paddock was a "liberal," an Islamic State agent and other unfounded news flooded the fever swamps of the internet.
At times of great despair, where do we turn for help in making sense of it all? Where do we go in our poverty of reliable information for uplifting calls of sympathy, empathy, unity, courage, safety and reassurance?
For one, we turn to the president. Can President Donald Trump step up to the job? He must. But this is a job for teleprompter Donald, not Twitter Trump.
We all know Twitter Trump. He's the one who responded to a desperate plea from Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz Soto of San Juan, Puerto Rico's largest city, after the island was hit by its worst hurricane in about a century by taking it personally.
"Save us from dying," she said on CNN, to which Trump responded Saturday with a blame-the-victim tweet. He accused her of "poor leadership" and blamed Democrats for telling her to bash Trump. In fact, she did not even mention Trump by name. But Twitter Trump takes these things personally.
Advertisement
Twitter Trump apparently surprised Secretary of State Rex Tillerson over the weekend with a tweet saying Tillerson was wasting his time trying to negotiate with "Little Rocket Man," Trump's nickname for North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. "Save your energy Rex, we'll do what has to be done."
Gee, thanks. As if we didn't have enough to worry about, Twitter Trump pokes his Twitter stick at an erratic nuclear power.
Fortunately, after Twitter Trump's initially awkward tweet of "warmest condolences" to the victims and families in Las Vegas, teleprompter Trump stepped up later in the day with a well-prepared statement.
"In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one, and it always has," he said, reading from the text. "We call upon the bonds that unite us: our faith, our family and our shared values; we call upon the bonds of citizenship, the ties of community and the comfort of our common humanity."
There was more, but you get the idea. The president can sound like a serious statesman when he wants to. In his campaign he ridiculed President Barack Obama and others who use teleprompters. But Trump should try it more often. Or, at least, he should learn to think before he tweets.
Clarence Page, a member of the Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.chicagotribune.com/pagespage.
Advertisement
cpage@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @cptime
Your favorite bar is practically a sacred space. Maybe it's a go-to booth or a time-tested relationship with your favorite barkeep, but whatever it is, there's something comforting about the familiar ceremony of drinking at a place you know and love.
In the last 12 months, three different bars have emerged throughout Chicagoland with a new approach to libations that some traditionalists might find blasphemous: self-serve taprooms, where customers pour their own beverages straight off the tap.
Advertisement
Red Arrow Tap Room (111 E. First St. 630-501-1322) cracked its doors in Elmhurst last fall, and, in 2017, a pair of "PYOB" options have come to the city proper: Tapster in Wicker Park (2027 W. North Ave. 773-661-2182) and Navigator Taproom in Logan Square (2211 N. Milwaukee Ave 773-687-9135).
While each bar offers different details, the essence of each spot is the same: Guests are greeted upon entering, open a tab with a host, then receive a branded card that is used to unlock whatever tap you've selected.
Advertisement
Actually making a selection, however, can be a little daunting at first.
Each bar features walls packed with taps62 at Tapster and 48 at both Navigator and Red Arrowbut also has front-of-house staff who can help newcomers operate the technology, as well as choose a beverage. All three bars offer beer, cider and wine on tap.
"We don't want anyone to feel like an idiot," said Navigator co-owner Erik Swanson. "Because beer can be intimidating, and the wall can be intimidating. We really want people to be comfortable."
Touch-screens embedded above each tap explain the beverages: name, origin, ABV, IBU and a short description about the taste. To pour, insert your card, grab a glass and start pouring from your selected handle. Guests pay by the ounce, so, as you pour, you can observe both the cost of your current pour and your total tab accumulate right in front of your eyes (which can be helpful when you've got a bit of a buzz).
Tapster co-founder Roman Maliszewski and Navigator co-owners Swanson and Tim Enarson all agree: It's the control that is the most important element of this new way to drink, not the self-serving itself.
"Pouring your own is fun, don't get me wrong. It's cool, it's fun, but, like, being able to pay by the ounce and get whatever ounce you want, that's ... the revolution to me," said Maliszewki.
In fact, Maliszewski insists on calling Tapster a "tasting bar" for this reason. Navigator's name also alludes to the idea of "navigating" a world of different beverages. Guests can pour samples until they decide on something to sit and sip, or you can spend the evening with small pours. If you've ever bothered a bartender for several samples or been stuck with an underwhelming $7 pint, you can see the appeal of imbibing this way.
Tapster customers can choose from 62 taps of beer, wine, cocktails, soda, kombucha and coffee drinks. (Carolyn Variano / Chicago Tribune)
Of course, beyond the common concept, these self-serve bars differ in their style and environments.
Advertisement
Tapster offers a diverse array of various beverages. It stocks 32 beers, 8 wines, 12 house-made cocktails, four kombucha beers, three kombuchas, two cold brew coffees and a single soda option on its handles, all of which you can pour yourselfincluding the cocktails, which are crafted by a mixologist on staff.
Neither Red Arrow nor Navigator offer non-alcoholic options on tap, but Red Arrow features draft cocktails, and Navigator has a normal bar in its main area.
All three spots support local libation-makers, though: You won't have a hard time finding breweries like Half Acre, Revolution, Off Color, Haymarket and more on the handles. Tapster sources all its spirits from CH Distillery, and Navigator from KOVAL and FEW.
Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >
Tapster's shotgun-style space is divided into three areas from the front of the house to the back: a traditional bar with table tops, a lounge with chairs and sofa, then a small cafe setup in the back that feels like a different facility.
Navigator and Red Arrow, meanwhile, are taller and more open, closer to the aesthetic of a traditional taproom. To that end, Navigator and Red Arrow also feature several TVs well-situated for game-watching.
Full food menus are available at Navigator and Red Arrow, while Tapster limits its options to sandwiches and quesadillas.
Advertisement
While Maliszewski has "no complaints" about early business, he said the self-serve concept has been a difficult sell for some guests who see it as a way of marginalizing traditional bartenders.
He insists that this new trend of self-serve taps can coexist with traditional watering holes"I love going to bars with a good bartender that I can talk to," he offersand says Tapster has already won over some skeptics.
"I have had people who have left here literally saying, 'I wanted to hate this,' but by the end, they don't."
@lucheezy | adlukach@redeyechicago.com
[ Still thirsty? More of RedEye's bar coverage ]
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of a landmark folk album or check out a show where film meets hip-hop this week.
Thursday, Oct. 5
Advertisement
Four Tet
Smartbar
Advertisement
3730 N. Clark St. 773-549-4140
DJ Kieran Hebden has been making music under the moniker Four Tet since 1999, and he continues his outsider house sound with the release of his latest album "New Energy," which came out last week. As Four Tet, Hebden has been revered for his unconventional use of samples as well as his remixes and collaborations with artists such as Radiohead, The xx, Laurie Anderson, A$AP Rocky and Lana Del Rey. Hebden's ninth album finds him venturing back into his house and trip-hop roots and revamping them for a new era. $20. 10 p.m., 21+. Tickets: smartbarchicago.com
Saturday, Oct. 7
Circuit Des Yeux
Bohemian National Cemetery
5255 N. Pulaski Rd. 773-539-8442
To mark the 50th anniversary of Nico's landmark debut solo album "Chelsea Girl,' The Empty Bottle brings its Beyond the Gate concert series back to the Bohemian National Cemetery. Following the release of her legendary album with The Velvet Underground, German musician, model and Andy Warhol muse Nico created what is known as one of the finest albums in the entire '60s folk repertoire. Local experimental artist Circuit des Yeux will perform the seminal "Chelsea Girl" in full after modern new age multi-instrumentalist legend Laraaji opens the show. $20. 7 p.m. Tickets: emptybottle.com
Sunday, Oct. 8
Advertisement
Denzel Curry, Show Me the Body
Bottom Lounge
1375 W. Lake St. 312-666-6755
California skate crew Illegal Civilization is touring across the country to show off its latest short film, and tagging along are Florida rapper Denzel Curry and New York hardcore band Show Me the Body. Curry made a splash with his 2013 debut album "Nostalgic 64," but it wasn't until his 2016 sophomore release, "Imperial," that he would solidify his place as one of the best up-and-comers in hip-hop. Curry continued his winning streak with the release of his excellent experimental EP "13" in June of this year. Show Me the Body garnered praise for the multitude of genres and ideas it implements into its harsh sound, which the group superbly exemplified on sophomore album "Corpus I." $20. 7 p.m. Tickets: bottomlounge.com
Zola Jesus
Thalia Hall
Advertisement
1807 S. Allport St. 312-526-3851
Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >
Last year, Nika Roza Danilova found herself encircled by demons, and this served as the inspiration for her latest album,"Okovi." Named for the Slavic word for shackles, on this album Danilova confronts the things we find ourselves shackled tolove, illness, life and death. She stops by Thalia Hall accompanied by LA musician John Wiese and Russian solo artist Ivan Zoloto. $20. 7:30 p.m., 17+. Tickets: thaliahallchicago.com
Wednesday, Oct. 11
A$AP Mob
UIC Pavilion
525 S. Racine Ave. 312-413-5700
Advertisement
Led by A$AP Rocky, NYC rap collective A$AP Mob heads to the UIC Pavilion as part of its latest tour in support of "Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy," which dropped in August. All donning the A$AP prefix, among the collective's ranks are rappers Ferg, Ant, Nast and Twelvyy, who released his debut album "12" the same month. In the past few years, the group members have garnered success as individuals, but the second edition of "Cozy Tapes" finds the collective bringing its talents together for another fantastic album. A$AP Mob offshoot Cozy BoysA$AP Snacks and Louas well as Atlanta rapper Key! will join the collective onstage. $20-$39.50. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: uicpavilion.com
Efrain Dorado is a RedEye freelancer.
[ Looking for more to do in Chicago? ]
A somber contingent of local residents gathered at St. James Catholic Church Monday evening to seek solace and pray for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting.
Rev. Matt Foley, pastor at St. James in Arlington Heights, said the prayer service began with a Facebook post Monday morning that invited parishioners and other local residents to the church at 820 N. Arlington Heights Road.
Advertisement
Speaking to dozens of parishioners, some of whom knelt in prayer throughout the special service, Foley noted how roughly 1,810 miles stand between Arlington Heights and Las Vegas.
"It would take about 25 hours to drive there, but it took just a millisecond and a Facebook post to invite you to this prayer service," Foley said. "When we gather together, we close the distance of geography as we offer prayers for those sisters and brothers, mothers, fathers, and friends. This is what we do. This is who we are."
Advertisement
The 90-year-old church has opened its doors many times over the years for special prayer services following tragic national events, including the evening of Sept. 11, 2001.
But Foley said that in the wake of the Orlando night club shooting in 2015, local church leaders developed a response protocol to ensure the church doors would be open to the public and that residents could gather in prayer following tragedies.
"One of the blessings of social media is being able to get the word out like that," Foley said. "We just asked anyone who wanted to gather and join us in prayer, which speaks to the soul and the pain everyone is feeling."
The Las Vegas shooting left 59 people dead and more than 500 injured after a gunman opened fire Sunday night at a country music festival opposite the Mandalay Bay hotel on the Las Vegas Strip.
At St. James on Monday, the prayer service was preceded by the tolling of the bell at sunset. Dozens of parishioners then arrived for the service, which began with silent prayer, followed by the singing of "Amazing Grace."
Foley said residents who are interested in assisting victims of disaster zones also can donate blood during the St. James fall blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday in the parish center cafeteria.
To make an appointment, interested donors can call LifeSource at (877) 543-3768. Walk-ins also are welcome, Foley said.
A group of local residents gathered at St. James Catholic Church in Arlington Heights on Monday to pray for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting. (Karen Ann Cullotta/Pioneer Press )
kcullotta@tribpub.com
Advertisement
Twitter @kcullotta
The ArtBar will be celebrating Susan May Romano, a local supporter of the arts, after her successful battle with breast cancer, during an event at First Fridays in downtown Aurora Friday. ( Jason Arthur )
First Fridays in Aurora this Friday evening will feature music and a number of art openings in downtown Aurora.
Waubonsee Community College opens "Students Ceramic Exhibit," an exhibition of ceramics by students in the Waubonsee Community College Ceramics Club, at the Aurora downtown campus, 18 S. River St., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Advertisement
"Going in Style The Art of Cemeteries," a photo exhibit of tombstones from the Midwest, will be displayed from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St. The exhibit highlights photos by Robb Winder.
The Lounge Bar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will feature "Susan May Romano: A Celebration," a show hosted by The ArtBar that applauds a local woman after her recent battle with breast cancer. "The Dread Show" is the monthly theme at The ArtBar, a pop up art gallery from 6 p.m. to midnight in the cafe.
Advertisement
Other events Friday include:
If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp Ave., opens a solo show with Geo Alderson 7 to 11 p.m.
The Web, 134 W. Downer Place, hosts "Black and White," a show with work by Noah Gabriel and Chris Hodge 6 p.m. until close
Culture Stock, 43 E. Galena Blvd., celebrates the one-year anniversary of Respect the Mic spoken word 8:45 to 10:30 p.m.
Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton St., features "Three Artists in One Space," with Bill Austin, Joe Gagnepain and Michael William Foster. DJ Marco will be spinning music. There will also be artisan pop-up shops 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Repertoire Reservoir Studios, 14 W. Downer Place, upstairs, is open with "Actions Speak Louder than Words" 7 to 10 p.m.
Indie Studio Space, 105 E. Galena Blvd., hosts "Member Showcase: Rod and Michele Kelly, and Franklin Rivera" 5 to 8 p.m.
David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, is open with a "Back to School" mini photo exhibit 6 to 9 p.m.
Advertisement
River's Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 18, hosts Chasing Rain with White Chocolate. Ceramic artists including Amy Song will be displaying and selling pottery 6 to 9 p.m.
Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, continues hosting a handful of area artisans at its monthly Pop Up Shops 6 to 9 p.m.
Gillerson's Grubbery, 33 W. New York St., celebrates its second anniversary with an acoustic show featuring Brad Hides from Alt 101. KC's Kandles and Garlic Breath Garlic set up shop will also be there beginning at 6 p.m.
Family Counseling Service, 70 S. River St., invites First Fridays patrons to "Leaf Your Stress Behind" with massage therapy, art therapy, prizes, Cassie the Therapy Dog, yoga, treats and more 6 to 9 p.m.
The GAR Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, will be open as will the Museum Shop across the street at 20 E. Downer Place 6 to 9 p.m.
SciTech Hands On Museum is open with "Chemistry of Light" demonstations and more 6 to 8 p.m.
Advertisement
A number of downtown businesses are also open with offerings. Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, is open from 6 to 9 p.m. with $5 mini classes, massage and meditation, and The Light of the Heart hosts its annual fundraiser "Art Jam" at Millennium Plaza, 21 S. Stolp Ave., from 5 to 8 p.m.
First Fridays maps are available at all venues. Free trolley rides run from 6 to 10 p.m. For more information, go to www.auroradowntown.org.
Two brothers have been charged in connection with the death of a 36-year-old Aurora man during a fight at his birthday party early Sunday on the city's Near East Side.
Erick Mendez, of the 700 block of East Benton Street, died at a suburban hospital later that night, according to the Aurora Police Department. Court records show he turned 36 on Saturday.
Advertisement
Police said alcohol appeared to be a factor in the fatal fight, which broke out about 12:15 a.m. Sunday at Mendez's birthday party in a relative's yard on the first block of South State Street.
Jose M. Alejandre, 32, of the 3400 block of Fox Hill Road, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery. Raul Colin, 35, of the 600 block of South Spencer Street, is charged with aggravated battery. Police said Alejandre and Colin are brothers. Mendez was friends with Alejandre, who brought Colin with him to the party, said police spokesman Dan Ferrelli.
Advertisement
According to police reports, a verbal argument escalated into a physical fight between Colin and Mendez, starting at the party and carrying on into the street, where Alejandre allegedly shoved Mendez, causing him to fall backward and strike his head on the pavement. Ferrelli said the fight involved "numerous" people. Police did not elaborate on what the argument was about.
The brothers left before officers responding to a 911 call about a disturbance found Mendez lying in the road, unconscious with a head injury, according to a statement police shared via Facebook.
Aurora Fire Department medics took Mendez to an Aurora hospital, from which he was airlifted to another suburban hospital, according to the statement.
Officers found and arrested the brothers about 1:30 a.m. at Alejandre's home, Ferrelli said.
At 8:31 p.m. Sunday, Mendez died at the hospital, police said.
Charges against Alejandre and Colin were filed Tuesday through the Kane County state's attorney's office. Police said both men were transferred to the Kane County Correctional Center jail in St. Charles.
Alejandre's bail was set at $750,000. Court records show he filed a motion Tuesday asking for a bond reduction and has a hearing scheduled Wednesday morning before Kane County Circuit Judge Linda S. Abrahamson.
Colin's bail was set at $250,000, and he's due in court Oct. 12, also before Abrahamson.
Advertisement
Attorneys had not been entered for either brother as of Wednesday afternoon.
Court records show Alejandre has two previousmisdemeanor battery convictionsin Kane County.
hleone@tribpub.com
Twitter @hannahmleone
Clarendon Hills police officers Zach Finfrock (from left), Sgt. Ed Leinweber, Sgt. Paul Dalen (back), Joe Storino and Julia Katsaros were honored by the Village Board. (Chuck Fieldman/Pioneer Press )
The digital signs drivers sometimes see at various locations around Clarendon Hills, showing the speed at which they are traveling, do more than get drivers to slow down.
"Those signs collect data for us," said officer Zach Finfrock. "We're able to get traffic counts from different times of the day, and it also shows locations where people speed most often and where they most often slow down as they approach the signs."
Advertisement
Finfrock said the data is used to find out where and when officers should be sent out for traffic enforcement.
"We can use our resources better by sending officers out for traffic enforcement where they are most needed," he said.
Advertisement
Finfrock said collected data does not include license plate numbers or identification of drivers.
Finfrock coordinated the Police Department's effort, which received a first-place finish for similar-size departments in the Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge. Clarendon Hills also received the Judges Award for top overall recognition.
He said injuries suffered in crashes in Clarendon Hills went from 8 percent of total crashes in 2015 to 6 percent in 2016.
The total number of crashes in the village actually increased to 168 in 2016 from 165 in 2015, but Finfrock said 15 to 20 of the 2016 crashes were the direct result of fender benders in a construction zone, something that wasn't a factor in 2015.
The Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge is a friendly annual competition coordinated by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Committee, according to information from the challenge website.
The challenge rewards creativity, commitment and innovation in traffic safety and is designed to encourage agencies to set comprehensive goals, develop positive traffic safety programs, and share experiences with others.
"The data we collect from the digital signs and use for better enforcement is one piece of the puzzle for us," Finfrock said. "Public information and outreach also are very important, and we do things such as bike rodeos at schools, and social media and website posts.
Finfrock said Clarendon Hills police also have training for officers and internal recognition programs, such as officers giving out citations to people on cellphones while they're driving and safety belt enforcement.
Advertisement
"It's really all about wanting to keep people in the community as safe as possible when they are in a vehicle," he said.
Clarendon Hills has participated in the challenge since 2008, and Finfrock said winning first place for 2016 wouldn't result in officers slowing down their efforts.
"We put a lot of work into this, and we'll continue to work at it because it takes everyone in the department to make it work, and we always are looking for ways to improve safety in the community," he said
"Winning this award means a ton to the officers because it reaffirms that the work we're doing is the right thing."
cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter @chuckwriting
Entrance to the Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 office at Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox on Thursday, April 14, 2016. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune )
An independent financial firm in 2014 presented Lincoln-Way superintendent Scott Tingley with a dire five-year projection showing the district would be more than $8 million in the red and out of cash reserves by summer 2016, records show.
The district kept the firm's findings secret from the public and, that summer, Tingley presented taxpayers with a supposedly balanced budget that records show he subsequently informed board members in private would be about $6 million in the red.
Advertisement
Even though the report charted an imminent and precipitous decline for the district's finances, taxpayers didn't learn the full extent of the district's economic problems until more than a year later, when the Illinois State Board of Education placed Lincoln-Way High School District 210 on its watch list another action predicted in the firm's report.
By then, the district's finances had atrophied and the school board subsequently voted to shutter Lincoln-Way North, a nearly brand new school, as a drastic cost-saving measure.
Advertisement
The findings by PMA Financial, a respected consulting firm, were first presented to the district in April 2014 after Tingley asked the board to commission an outside analysis he said he'd present at a later board meeting.
Instead, the district kept the report from the general public until Monday, releasing it only after the Illinois attorney general ruled in response to a Daily Southtown public records request that it had been improperly withheld.
PMA's report clearly outlined the bad days on Lincoln-Way's horizon. In one chart, PMA projected that the district would be $44 million in the red by 2019.
In response to written questions, Tingley said he shared the PMA report with all the district's board members at the time. Asked who decided to keep the PMA projections secret, and whether he agreed with the decision, Tingley said, "It was deemed that the usage of the document was kept internal."
Tingley said the district withheld the record because it would be used internally "for the purpose of contract negotiations and changes (reductions) to personnel," but has not answered why that remained necessary when the Daily Southtown first sought the requests last August long after the negotiations.
Asked whether the district's financial problems could have been mitigated had the district released that report in 2014 and discussed it candidly in public, Tingley said, "that is speculation."
Tingley noted the district made more than $1 million in cuts during spring 2014 a modest total, compared with the district's multimillion dollar projected deficits and made changes to the teachers contract, resulting in further savings.
In reference to the fiscal 2015 budget, Tingley's statement acknowledged that "a balanced budget was presented ... at a time when the district was facing a deficit" and said the district "used past accounting practices with the creation of that budget."
Advertisement
The statement, however, doesn't address why in July 2014 Tingley presented a supposedly balanced budget after having acknowledged in private correspondence obtained by the Daily Southtown that he expected multimillion dollar annual deficits.
Federal prosecutors last month indicted former Lincoln-Way superintendent Lawrence Wyllie on fraud charges and alleged he hid the district's "true financial health" by misusing millions in bond dollars and presenting the public with false information.
Wyllie, 79, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
Tingley, Wyllie's successor, also has been criticized for his handling of the district's finances. In a February 2014 email exchange with a high-ranking district official, Tingley privately acknowledged that he was expecting multimillion-dollar annual deficits, a copy of the email shows.
Five months later, on July 17, 2014, Tingley publicly unveiled the district's fiscal year 2015 budget, which was purportedly balanced, and told school board members at the time that the district's expenditures would "continue to be conservative as the district remains committed to fiscal responsibility."
Nearly two months later, on Sept. 11, the school board unanimously approved Lincoln-Way's proposed balanced budget. In a Sept. 22, 2014, communication, however, Tingley privately told the board he expected a multimillion-dollar deficit that year, echoing what he'd said in the February email.
Advertisement
The PMA report shows that the district had not been operating in a fiscally conservative or responsible manner. PMA's document details Lincoln-Way's history of overspending by millions dating back to the 2009 fiscal year.
Following North's closure, the district's finances have stabilized but remain precarious. Lincoln-Way officials borrow millions in short-term loans to keep the district running but recently passed a budget they said would produce a surplus, their second in a row, following about a decade of chronic overspending.
gpratt@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @royalpratt
Students, parents, teachers and members of the community stand around the flagpole at Trinity Lutheran school in Tinley Park last week for the Sept. 27 See You at the Pole global day of student prayer. Thousands of students around the nation gathered around flagpoles to pray before the ring of the first bell. (Mary Compton)
Alsip
The Lighthouse Church: 4501 W. 127th St. Pastor Dan Willis and Linda Willis will be honored for 40 years of service at a Founders Day Weekend celebration. A free Gospel Extravaganza will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 10. The Brown Sisters, Janet Sutton and Voices of Acme, Pastor Daniel Smith and New St. Matthew Choir, the Pentecostals of Chicago Reunion choir and other guests will be featured. Throwback attire from 40 years ago is encouraged for the 5 p.m. Nov. 11 services. The celebration will continue at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services Nov. 12. Reservations are required at reneemblissett@yahoo.com.
Advertisement
Chicago
St. Casimir Center Chapel: 2601 W. Marquette Rd. A Mass for the beatification of Venerable Mother Maria Kaupas, founder of the Sisters of St. Casimir, will be at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 7. Rev. Michail Ford, OP, director of the National Shrine of St. Jude, will be the celebrant. Refreshments will be served following the Mass. The public is invited. Information: 773-776-1324.
Advertisement
Chicago Heights
St. Paul Lutheran Church: 10th Street and Ashland Avenue The Sunday School will sponsor Trunks of Treats and a car show from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 29. The event will take place rain or shine and will include food, treats for children and a bake sale. Information: 708-754-4493 or spchurchoffice@yahoo.com.
Evergreen Park
United by Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church: 3240 W. 98th St. A pancake breakfast and bake sale will take place 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 14. Cost is $8 per person or $20 for a family of four. Information: 708-422-6301.
Flossmoor
Infant Jesus of Prague Church: Flossmoor Road and Leavitt Avenue A Mass to receive blessings of the Holy Replica of the Infant Jesus of Prague, celebrated by Father Jerome Moras, OCD, will be Oct. 16. Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Mass, benediction and healing will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Joliet
Cathedral of Saint Raymond Nonnatus: 604 Raynor Ave. The church will host the second concert in the 2017-18 Cathedral Music Series at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 15. Guest organist David Jonies will present an organ recital of works by Guilmant, Handel, Saint-Saens and Widor on the Cathedral's Wicks pipe organ in celebration of the parish centennial. Free parking will be available in the cathedral lots. A freewill offering benefits the Cathedral music program. Information: Contact the Music Office at 815-722-6653, ext. 222, or music@stray mond.net.
Advertisement
New Lenox
St. Jude Church: 241 W. Second Ave. The St. Jude New Lenox Peace & Social Justice Ministry will host Social Justice Day: A Call to Care and Compassion, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 21 at Providence Catholic High School, 1800 W. Lincoln Highway, New Lenox, Door 1. Guest speakers will discuss immigration, human trafficking, refugees and the environment. A freewill offering for admission is suggested. Online registration at www.stjudes.org/justice or call Pam at 815-463-1696.
The Council of Catholic Women Harvest Luncheon & Craft Show will take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26. Crafters wanted. Call Pat at 815-485-3511.
Oak Forest
Gaelic Park: 6119 W. 147th St. A monthly Mass and breakfast will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 8. A traditional Irish breakfast of Irish sausage, scrambled eggs, black and white pudding, bacon, brown bread, Irish soda bread, coffee, tea and orange juice will follow the Mass. The cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children. A Mass and breakfast will be the second Sunday of every month through April 2018. Information: www.chicagogaelicpark.org or call 708-687-9323.
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection: 15050 Central Ave. The Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 7. The event includes vendors, crafters, basket raffles, snacks and refreshments. "RezYouth for Houston" will look after children at a "Tent-O-Fun" for a $5 donation. Children will make craft projects and decorate pumpkins. Information: resurrectionoakforest@gmail.com or call 708-687-2170.
Advertisement
Oak Lawn
Covenant Church: 9230 S. Pulaski Rd. The Pryme Timers ministry will host the 8th Annual Fashion Show to benefit the Crisis Center of South Suburbia at 11 a.m. Oct. 12. The theme is "From the Closet to the Runway." A catered beef stew luncheon will be served. The cost is $7. Reservations are required by Oct. 6. Call Tom Panush or the church office at 708-636-7548. Donations of non-perishable canned food items will be accepted for the Blue Island Salvation Army food pantry.
Orland Park
Christ Lutheran Church: 14700 S. 94th Ave. A special 500th anniversary of the Reformation event will take place at 10 a.m. Oct. 10. Composer and Lutheran musician Carl Schalk will present his booklet, "A Lutheran Catechism: Understanding Church Music in the Lutheran Tradition." The presentation will be followed by a communion service and luncheon. Participants will receive complimentary copies of the booklet. The event is open to the public. Register at 708-349-0431 or Julie@Christlutheranorland.com.
Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
The Presbyterian Church in Orland Park: 13401 Wolf Road Crafter applications for the church arts and crafts fair are available at the church office. The fee is $30 for an 8-by-4-foot table space with two chairs. Additional tables are $5. The event will take place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 11. Bake sale items are also needed. Information or application: 708-448-8142.
Drinking in God's Grace will begin a new Bible study on the Gospel of Mark from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Nov. 14. The program is open to ages 18 and older. The group will meet at Starbucks, 14118 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen. Materials will be provided.
Advertisement
Tinley Park
First Baptist Church of Tinley Park: 7025 W. 179th St. A luncheon and fellowship will be at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 11. Admission is free. Reservations are required. Call 708-532-3536.
Zion Lutheran Church: 17100 69th Ave. A free community dinner will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every first Thursday of the month at Zion Lutheran Church and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every third Thursday of the month beginning Oct. 5 at Faith United Presbyterian Church, 6200 167th St., Tinley Park. The public is invited.
Staff report
What's going on at your church? Let us know at least a week in advance by sending an email to southtownreligion@tribpub.com.
Funeral services for Ken Kaupas, former deputy chief of the Will County sheriff's department, will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Overman-Jones Funeral Home in Plainfield.
Kaupas, a resident of Shorewood, and the 2014 Republican candidate for sheriff, died Saturday. He was 58.
Advertisement
Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home at U.S. 30 and Route 59. Burial will after the funeral Thursday at Risen Lord Cemetery in Oswego.
After earning a masters degree in criminal justice from Western Illinois University, Kaupas joined the Illinois State Police, and served 30 years before retiring in 2009.
Advertisement
He was later appointed deputy chief of special operations for the Will County sheriff's office, serving from 2010 until 2014.
In 2014, when his cousin Sheriff Paul Kaupas retired, Ken Kaupas ran for the seat, losing by 471 votes to then Lt. Mike Kelley. Kaupas declared victory by a slim lead on election night, but two weeks after the election when the provisional and absentee ballots were counted, Kelley was declared the winner.
On Tuesday, the sheriff's department issued a statement saying, "Sheriff Mike Kelley and staff of the Will County Sheriff's Office extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Ken Kaupas. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time."
Kaupas is survived by his wife, Shelly, son, Brady; daughter, Jena Guzman and two grandchildren, Georgia and Forrest Guzman.
slafferty@tribpub.com
Twitter @SusanLaff
A map shows the outline of a site along a stretch of Interstate 80 in Orland Park that the village hopes will be considered by online retailer Amazon for its second North American headquarters. (Village of Orland Park)
Area communities say they are supporting Orland Park's effort to be the location of Amazon's second North American headquarters, but it's unclear whether the village will make the state's list of sites that will be part of a formal proposal to the online retailer.
Suburbs including Homewood and Palos Park have written letters endorsing the 127-acre site west of LaGrange Road and north of Interstate 80. Also adding their support are the Southwest Conference of Mayors and South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association.
Advertisement
Orland Park recently provided more information about the property and its attributes to the state as part of a regional collaboration to win the coveted corporate prize, which could translate into a $5 billion investment and create up to 50,000 jobs.
The 44-page document, which Mayor Keith Pekau outlined at Monday's Village Board meeting, includes information about the location of sewer and water lines on the property, cellphone service coverage and details about quality-of-life topics such as parks and biking/walking paths.
Advertisement
Much of the information was not compiled specifically for Amazon but as part of the village's effort to create an overall development plan for the I-80 corridor.
Pekau admitted the effort is a long shot but that "everyone's a long shot because everyone in the country is vying for this."
The proposal touts the Will County location as being an advantage over Cook County sites because of reduced property taxes, but any formal offer to Amazon would also include a package of additional incentives. Pekau said the village worked with the Will County Center for Economic Development on its information package and that specifics about what incentives it would offer are confidential.
A rendering shows potential commercial development along a stretch of Interstate 80 in Orland Park. The village hopes the property will be considered as a site for online retailer Amazons second North American headquarters. (Village of Orland Park )
In its proposal, the village said it would pay to extend a fiber-optic connection to the site.
According to its request for proposals, Amazon prefers metropolitan areas with more than 1 million people and wants quick access to highways and public transportation, proximity to good universities and to be able to tap a pool of well-educated workers. Amazon also wants a stable and business-friendly environment.
It said the the initial phase would include 500,000 to 1 million square feet of space, and that could be expanded to 8 million square feet over a period of several years. The initial investment in construction could be $300 million to $600 million, but Amazon said its overall investment, including future expansions, could top $5 billion.
Amazon said it is seeking a site of about 100 acres and would agree to retrofit existing space to suit its needs but will give priority to "shovel-ready" greenfield sites. The company said it could hire up to 50,000 employees for the new headquarters over 10 to 15 years.
A spokesman for Gov. Bruce Rauner said officials are still working on the formal proposal for Amazon. "We will make the bid public at the appropriate time, of course," Hud Englehart said in an email Tuesday.
Advertisement
Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
A group of more than 600 leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors are involved in the collaborative effort to attract Amazon to the state. On Tuesday, the office of Will County Executive Larry Walsh said that Walsh had been invited to join that committee.
"Will County is home to five Amazon fulfillment centers, so the company is familiar with the transportation assets and skilled work force in our region," Walsh said in a news release.
Some have suggested that Illinois' political and financial instability could hinder the state's chances of being considered. Pekau said that although "we clearly have work to do from a legislative perspective," the state "has a lot of things going for it."
Amazon has set a deadline of Oct. 19 for proposals and will make an announcement sometime next year about which city it has selected.
The company's headquarters in Seattle encompasses 8.1 million square feet spread among 33 buildings.
mnolan@tribpub.com
Advertisement
Twitter @mnolan_J
One reason why Gov. Bruce Rauner promised to veto HB40 last spring was to prevent a House Republican revolt on the state budget.
The bill deletes a so-called "trigger" provision in current law which states that if the Roe v. Wade case is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, Illinois would automatically revert to outlawing abortions. There's a dispute about whether this is needed, but the more controversial part of the bill would allow state funding of abortions through Medicaid and the state employee group health insurance program.
Advertisement
Everyone knew from the beginning of the two-year budget impasse that the House Republicans were the key to victory for both sides. As long as Rauner could hold them completely together, he could continue the impasse fight with the Democrats. By April, however, mutinous rumblings were growing in that caucus and one way Rauner could placate them was to swear he would veto HB40 if it ever reached his desk.
There are no remaining pro-choice Republicans in the House, and there are certainly no supporters of taxpayer funded abortions in the caucus. Legislative threats were made to the pro-choice governor that there would be holy heck to pay if he signed HB40 into law. They'd abandon him in droves and there would be nothing he could do to stop them from working with the Democrats on a budget solution. So the governor told several House Republicans to their faces that he'd veto the bill.
Advertisement
But then a couple of months later, some of the same House Republicans who'd been demanding an HB40 veto broke with the governor and voted for the tax hike.
That tax vote may have played into the governor's decision to become the first American governor to sign a taxpayer-funded abortion bill into law. He may have simply decided that he wasn't bound to his promise because the House Republicans didn't hold their caucus together.
The trouble is, he made that veto promise to more than just the House Republicans. As Sen. Dan McConchie (R-Hawthorn Woods) pointed out after Rauner signed the bill into law, the governor made a "public commitment" to veto the bill. "His flip-flopping on this issue," McConchie said in a statement, "raises serious questions on whether the Governor's word can be trusted on other matters."
The reason this issue became such a huge crisis in the first place is that Rauner's can't be taken as truth. This started to become apparent on election night, when the governor claimed during his victory speech that he'd spoken to House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton even though he hadn't.
Rauner spent more than two years traveling the state to tell everyone who would listen that he would stop the Democrats from muscling through a Chicago Public Schools "bailout," but then he signed a bill into law that actually gave CPS more money than the Democrats had proposed.
Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
The governor told the Chicago Tribune in the spring of 2015 that a budget crisis would give him the leverage to obtain concessions from Democrats on his pro-business, anti-union agenda, then flat-out blamed the Democrats for the next two years for creating the crisis the governor had wanted.
I mean, the man repeatedly lied about his own grandfather to score political points. The governor has claimed over and over that his "best friend" growing up had immigrated from Sweden the last time was when he bragged about it during a speech to an immigrant rights group when he signed a bill into law restricting what the police can do to undocumented immigrants. In fact, his grandfather was born in the United States. Politifact awarded the claim its harshest rating: "Pants on fire."
The list is just endless with this guy. When Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich publicly calls you out for breaking your promise to veto HB40, you know you have a problem.
Advertisement
Candidate Rauner explicitly promised the pro-choice group Personal PAC in 2014 that he would sign legislation for government-funded abortions. So the question really boiled down to who the governor would wind up lying to.
With a tax hike passed over his veto and an education funding reform plan in place, the calculation could've been that he just doesn't need the House Republicans for much of anything next year.
But the governor's campaign insists that Rauner is running for reelection. If he manages to win, he's going to have to eventually find a way to reestablish his relationships with legislative Republicans. Time will likely heal some of these wounds within his own party, but only if he makes a genuine attempt to reestablish his credibility.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.
Pastor Dave Daubert of Elgin's Zion Lutheran Church spearheaded an effort to bring volumes from the Heritage edition of the St. John's Bible to Elgin. (Gail Borden Public Library)
Two Heritage edition volumes of the critically acclaimed St. John's Bible recently went on display at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin.
"Having the St. John's Bible is an incredible opportunity for people interested in history or interested in art to see something truly remarkable," Zion Lutheran Pastor Dave Daubert said. "You don't have to be religious to be amazed by these books."
Advertisement
The Smithsonian Institute described the project as, "One of the truly extraordinary undertakings of this century." Daubert said a parallel to what the new books look like can be found with the ancient Book of Kells, which is on display at Trinity College Dublin and the Lindisfarne Gospels on display at the British Library in London.
Daubert headed the effort to bring the volumes to Elgin and worked with leaders from Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, Congregation Kneseth Israel and St. Mary Church in the city on the effort. The congregations are picking up the $5,000 tab for having the volumes at the library, Daubert said.
Advertisement
"I got involved because this is a beautiful work of art," Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein said. "Jews think very highly of calligraphy."
According to the website for the project, the St. John's Bible was created under the direction of Welsh artist Donald Jackson in collaboration with scholars and Benedictine monks at St. John's University in Minnesota. It is the only handwritten and illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine Monastery since the advent of the printing press more than 500 years ago, the website states.
Work on the project began in the late 1990s and took almost 13 years to complete. The website states that an international team of calligraphers and artists created the 1,165-page manuscript and its 160 major illuminations. Each folio is two feet tall, three feet wide and has been bound into seven volumes.
The original is going on display at St. John's University in Minnesota in a new gallery there that opens Thursday, while the website states that there are 299 sets of the Heritage edition's seven volumes.
There are Heritage volumes on display all over the world, including at The Vatican, England's St. Martin in the Fields in London as well as at spots in Australia, Canada and Hong Kong, Jim Triggs, Executive Director of the Heritage Program, said.
Daubert said he learned of the St. John's efforts while taking a class this past winter through the Columbia Theological Seminary in North Carolina, where volumes were on display. That inspired Daubert to inquire about bringing Heritage volumes to Elgin.
"I was impressed by Jackson and his team's attention to detail," Daubert said. "And I was impressed by Jackson's durability. He was able to keep his team together for so long. It took six artists seven years each, a combined 42 years, just to complete the calligraphy for the St. John's Bible."
Daubert said the timing of bringing the Heritage volumes to Elgin now works well in that this month marks the 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the birth of the Lutheran church. With Catholic and Jewish congregations involved, it can be seen as a further effort at building new relationships between the faiths, he said.
Advertisement
Triggs said those with the project appreciate the symbolism behind having the book in Elgin.
"What Elgin is doing also ties to a mission of the project, which is to share it with the world," Triggs said.
What is on display in Elgin is not the entire Bible but two of the volumes. According to a release from the library, one is the Pentateuch, which is made up of the first five books of the Old Testament, also known as the Torah. Those books are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The other volume is the New Testament's Gospels and Acts which includes the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
While in Elgin, congregations will be able to use the volumes in their programming. Klein said Kneseth Israel intends to use one volume Oct. 12 in a 6:30 p.m. "Dance with the Torah" celebration at which someone will read from the Book of Genesis in the volume. The congregation also will incorporate a volume into its interfaith Thanksgiving celebration in November, she said.
While the volumes on display at the library are replicas of the originals, Jackson also oversaw their creation. The 100 percent cotton paper is printed with watermarks, according to the website, which makes the pages look like the velum of the original. The leather-bound books are hand-stitched and 24 karat gold leaf and silver foils were added to the art by hand.
One volume at a time will be displayed on the second floor of Elgin's downtown library, and visitors can view additional artwork from the volumes on a nearby high resolution digital kiosk. While the volumes are in Elgin the library will be hosting two special events tied to it.
Advertisement
On Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m., the library will be screening the BBC documentary,"The Illuminator: Bible for the 21st Century." On Nov. 12, from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. there will be an interactive reception in the main lobby, where visitors will be able to turn pages, view their illuminated art, and discuss what they are viewing with trained guides.
Daubert said he, Carol Blohm from Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, and Vicky Winter and Donna Warren from St. Mary went to Minnesota in early September to be trained as docents for the volumes' visit to Elgin.
"I was speechless when I saw the original. I was in awe," Winter said. "What they have done with their work is bring the Bible into today's world and, with their imagery, make it relatable."
"The volumes are expensive, but not priceless," Daubert said. "At the two events, people, as long as they are careful and have washed their hands first, will be allowed to touch and turn the pages. They'll get to see how light plays off the gold leaf imprints. It will be like looking at a gem."
For information about The Saint John's Bible, go to www.gailborden.info/bible. For those interested in a tour, contact Daubert at PastorDave@ZionElginIL.org. The display will be at the library through Jan. 3.
mdanahey@tribpub.com
No excuses: The city's excuse for why we don't have new business like restaurants on the east side of town is there is no room, there is no land. Well, there is land, and it is bordered by Liberty Street, Dundee Avenue and Slade Avenue. There is a whole city block there for somebody to buy. We need a sit-down, order-off-the-menu restaurant like a Cracker Barrel or a Baker's Square or just a good family restaurant. Everything is on Randall Road. You should remember you have a whole east side of town. Have you completely forgotten about all of us people over here?
Hypocrisy: I just wanted to say I feel for the people of Hurricane Harvey and all the rain it dumped down there. It hurt these people badly. I also want to say now Ted Cruz and some of the other politicians in Texas are begging for money, which they should be given. But I want to remind you that when Hurricane Sandy hit New York and the East Coast, these are the same people who dragged their feet and didn't want to give people on the East Coast any money. What hypocrites they are.
Advertisement
Mexico's dilemma: A Hispanic acquaintance says the spike in murders and crime in Mexico coincides with the drug dealers and criminals deported from the United States. They are trying to take over the drug cartels so they can continue living the life they were accustomed to here.
Police response: You had a fine article about the officers in the paper today. But where are they when they are called? We called about a party by the bridge, and the music is so loud, you can hear the music nine houses down. All we ask is for the police officer to ask them to turn it down. Not a one came by. Where are they at? There's a noise ordinance. Why isn't that enforced?
Advertisement
Give me a break: I am reading the front-page article about the Elgin police sergeant who got a 10-day suspension. He refused the sobriety test in Sycamore, and then they let him go for lack of evidence. Don't tell me the police don't look after each other. Give me a break.
Cruel words: Why does President Trump say he is joking every time he makes a statement that is cruel and hurtful? I would like to see if someone can answer that.
Air raid takes new meaning: Aurora's Tuesday 10 a.m. air raid signal seems louder since North Korea's latest nuclear threat. Our world desperately needs intervention, be it Christ or UFOs. While humanity stands by and allows North Korea to take control of the Doomsday clock, we know when that clock strikes high noon, it will be midnight for all.
Punish DACA parents: The president discontinued DACA. I will tell you one way I would allow those students to stay, and it's the only way. The parents say the children should not be punished for their crime. I say OK, let's punish the parents. Let's take every one of those parents and tell them they can never, never, ever become citizens and they are subject to deportation and they have to pay fines for bringing their kids over here. They endangered their kids. So they should never be allowed to become citizens.
Trump squashes DACA: Donald Trump just squashed DACA. Sorry for the "Dreamers," he says. He really loves the "Dreamers," he said. But he always says too bad for the "Dreamers" because I hate Barack Obama. If anyone is surprised, they should not be. What did he tell you he would do? He said he would take back any executive order Barack Obama did. He is true to his promise. I guess the so-called Dreamers will have to go back in hiding again. I guess this is one of those "oh well" moments.
Get a life: This is in reference to the person who doesn't have anything better to do than talk about people who want to spend their money on skinny jeans. If they want to buy a pair of $40 jeans instead of going to Goodwill or wherever, it's their money. Get a life.
Don't throw away blessings: When you see the TV ads requesting financial help for St. Jude's cancer-stricken children or the terribly disabled children at Shriners Hospital, it is hard to feel sympathy for the druggies throwing away the blessing of good health for yet another potent hit.
Questions about forest preserves: The Kane County Forest Preserves bought various farmland throughout the county. Over here in Pingree Grove, they have a forest preserve, but you can't go in it because it is farmland. Do they rent the farm land out? Does it go out for bidding? Or is it all under the table? If they rent to a farmer, what happens to that money? I would like to know what is happening, and can I walk on that field of corn because it is owned by the forest preserve? Why are they buying up land that will only be farmland?
Advertisement
No music selection: I just want to bring this up. It's pretty bad you go into Walmart and a guy like me who likes country music goes looking into the record department and what do you find? Half the shelves are empty. You don't have much to choose from. I remember years ago there use to be a very good record store here in Elgin, and it was located right next to the Crocker Theater on Grove. They had everything there. Country was where it was supposed to be, rock 'n' roll was under rock 'n' roll. Classic was under classic. If they didn't have it, they would look it up and see if they still made it.
Editor's note
Speak Out is a reader-generated column of opinions. If you see something you disagree with or think is incorrect, call us at 312-222-2460 or email couriernews@tribpub.com. Please include "speak out" in the subject line.
A Chicago man identified by Evanston police as being a gang member is facing felony gun charges after police said a loaded handgun was found in a sweatshirt he was wearing but discarded when detectives pursued him, according to an Evanston police news release Sunday.
Evanston police said that Sherwin L. Flowers, of the 2000 block of West Arthur in Chicago, ran away from detectives who were on patrol near the Howard Street area and noticed him walking with another unidentified man, according to the release.
Advertisement
Flowers was on parole for a previous gun charge, according to information from the Illinois Department of Corrections website.
Police said Flowers and the other man were at Jonquil Terrace and Ashland Avenue in Chicago just after midnight Thursday when Evanston police noticed a "large, distinctive bulge" in the sweatshirt Flowers was wearing, near his waistband, according to the release.
Advertisement
When detectives got out of their vehicle to approach the pair, they both ran, police said in the release. Police said they noticed a "black object protruding" from Flowers' waistband.
The other man discarded a loaded Smith and Wesson .45 caliber handgun while he ran away, police said. The gun was recovered but he got away. Further, police said they lost sight of Flowers but recovered the sweatshirt he was allegedly wearing, and a loaded HK .45 caliber handgun was found inside it, according to the release.
Then Friday at around 12:40 a.m., police caught Flowers at Howard Street and Marshfield Avenue. Flowers was arrested and charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon on parole, the release states.
Police said the Illinois Department of Corrections also issued a parole violation warrant for Flowers' arrest.
Bond was set at $50,000 for the gun charge, according to information on the Cook County Sheriff's website.
Flowers is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday in Skokie.
Just weeks after stoking controversy by using Nazi imagery on his Jewish deli's Facebook page, the co-owner of Max's Deli in Highland Park again has ignited outrage this time with a tweet he fired off in response to the Las Vegas shootings.
"Soon as I heard it was country music, I felt relief. White people shooting white people isn't terror ... it's community outreach. #LasVegas," the tweet read.
Advertisement
Greg Morelli, one of the owners of Max's Deli, expressed regret Tuesday for the tweet, which he says he dashed off at about 7 a.m. Monday from his personal Twitter account.
"As a white guy, I was relieved that it wasn't across race lines, or religion lines or (an attack) from outside the country," Morelli said. "When I heard the news, I said, Please God, don't let it be" war.
Advertisement
A since-deleted tweet from Max's Deli co-owner Greg Morelli.
Authorities have said that Stephen Paddock, 64, was responsible for the massacre in Las Vegas, in which at least 59 people were killed and hundreds more injured. Paddock is believed to have taken aim Sunday at a crowded country music concert from the window of his casino hotel room nearby.
Morelli, who described himself as politically "lost" with no allegiances, said his tweet about the deaths was thoughtless.
"It was a dumb joke and it didn't work. I own it. It was stupid," Morelli said.
"It was seven in the morning and I was stressed out and freaked out by the shooting," he added. "I was trying to participate, and all I did was put my foot in my mouth."
Morelli expressed frustration that the death toll from mass shootings in the U.S. keeps rising and nothing meaningful seems to result from the horror.
"How many shootings are we going to let happen in this country without having a conversation about it?" he asked.
Morelli, who said he voted for Hillary Clinton in November but is rooting for President Donald Trump to succeed in office, said he has removed the tweet and issued an apology on Facebook.
"I don't know if you can take down what is out there," he conceded.
Advertisement
He said he's received death threats in text messages from people who seem most concerned the massacre could lead to gun control.
In his Facebook apology for the tweet, Morelli assured gun rights advocates, "I do not want to take your guns. It's up to you to decide what to do with your guns."
In August, the white supremacist and neo-Nazi marches in Charlottesville, Va., inspired Morelli to draw a cartoon of a man wearing a Nazi armband, a T-shirt reading "I'm with Alt-Right," and giving a stiff-armed "Heil Hitler" salute. The man's hairstyle resembled that of the president.
Morelli's posting of the cartoon with the deli's menu on the restaurant's Facebook page drew fierce criticism.
"I have a Jewish deli, I am a Jewish man," Morelli told the Tribune at the time. "I am the first person that's going to get a brick through the window if this plague is not stopped immediately."
He added, "I do not regret assigning symbolism to hatred. I do not regret being trashed on Facebook. That said, it hurt."
Advertisement
Morelli said he doesn't believe the Nazi imagery used in the cartoon caused his business to suffer. But in Monday's tweet, he said he was speaking as a private citizen upset by the shootings, not as a business owner.
"My phones are ringing off the hook," he said of his business and personal phone lines.
Morelli said Tuesday the backlash over the cartoon led to a town hall-style meeting at the delicatessen in late September that included dialogue about assigning symbolism correctly to hate groups.
kberkowitz@pioneerlocal.com
Joseph Slavik and his granddaughter, Maribeth O'Malley, enjoy a welcome home party following a 2016 Honor Flight to Washington. (Barb Leschke )
Joseph Slavik, a 104-year-old World War II veteran from La Grange Park, who was part of the allied invasion of Normandy and finished the war as a medic, died Sept. 29, 2017.
Decades after the war ended, Slavik could still recall harrowing details of his service. He remembered during the Battle of the Bulge taking cover inside the middle building in a row of three. He spent the night listening to bullets flying, shells bursting and buildings crumbling around him.
Advertisement
"I started praying the Rosary before the shooting started," he said in 2016. "The buildings on each side got hit. The building I was praying the Rosary in didn't get hit. It was a miracle."
He also remembered that his feet would get sores because of the amount of walking that he did, and that he often felt ill from eating spoiled food that he found. One day he fell off a truck and injured his spine, which required surgery. During his recovery a doctor asked if he'd like to become a medic.
Advertisement
"No more rifle," Slavik said. "I was into first aid. That was satisfactory for me. It was better than carrying a rifle."
The worst part of the job was giving fellow soldiers their last cigarette and comforting them as they died, he said.
His daughter, Maribeth O'Malley, said her father was well-suited to being a medic because he loved helping people.
"He was such a generous, loving and giving father and grandfather," she said. "He was superman."
After the war ended, Slavik was reunited with his wife, Irene. He was employed as a bus driver for the CTA for 27 years and worked until he was 94 in security at the Arlington Park Race Track.
In recent years, he lived with his granddaughter Maribeth M. O'Malley, in La Grange Park.
"He was my life," she said. "He was my grandfather when I was little and was my father when my own father died when I was 14. Then he became my baby (when he was older)."
She said prayer was a consistent part of Slavik's life.
Advertisement
"He had a heart of gold and he prayed so much. He had seven Rosaries that were worn from silver to gold (from praying)," she said.
Slavik was the fifth in a family of 14 children. Slavik's father died when he was 12 and he dropped out of school and went to work as a special delivery boy for the U.S. Postal Service, according to his family.
As a young man, Slavik earned a pilot's license flying small prop planes. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944 and, though he had hoped to serve in some capacity on a plane, he was assigned to the infantry. He served under Gen. George Patton and was among the allied forces that invaded Normandy.
Slavik was one of 43 veterans who traveled to Washington in 2016 on an Honor Flight sponsored by the Veterans Network Committee of Northern Illinois.
He said that his faith had helped him during hard times throughout his life.
"I will say this much about my life," he said. "I did a lot of praying and it did a lot of good."
Advertisement
amannion@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @triblocalam
A 23-year-old Chicago man was being held in Lake County jail Tuesday in lieu of $250,000 bail on charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm stemming from an altercation last month near Antioch.
Derrius L. Crenshaw, 23, of the 4700 block of South King Drive, was charged in a warrant with aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony, and was arrested by Chicago police on Sept. 24, according to Sgt. Christopher Covelli of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Advertisement
Deputies had responded to a call of shots fired at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 12 in the area of North Addison Lane and Route 173 in Antioch Township, Covelli said. When when they arrived they found evidence of shots fired, but no victims or offenders.
Detectives determined Crenshaw was responsible for shooting at two adults, who told police there was an altercation with the suspect at a business near Routes 173 and 59 and the victims fled to the area of North Addison Lane where Crenshaw followed and opened fire on the victims, but didn't hit anyone, Covelli said.
Advertisement
Crenshaw is scheduled to appear in Lake County Circuit Court Thursday.
fabderholden@tribpub.com
Twitter @abderholden
Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County curator Heather Johnson stands next to part of a multipiece Castle of Dreams, which has a new home in the basement of the forest preserve headquarters in Libertyville. ( Frank Abderholden/News-Sun )
The new Bess Bower Dunn Museum of Lake County is coming together quickly and is still on track to open before the end of the year.
Commissioners of the Lake County Forest Preserve toured the new museum under construction at the forest preserve's Libertyville headquarters on Monday morning. The name change is part of a rebranding effort after the museum was moved from Lakewood Forest Preserve near Wauconda to the district's new home base at 1899 W. Winchester Road.
"Back in April, we showed you the virtual concept, and now you will be able to see select areas and how it related to the concepts," said Andrew Osborne, superintendent of educational facilities for the forest preserve.
Advertisement
Visitors to the museum will enter a gift shop where they can purchase a ticket and get a glimpse of the life-size Dryptosaurus dinosaur, a member of the T-Rex family, that leads the museum's march through chronological time along with a huge rock embedded with 420 million-year-old fossils from when this area was a shallow sea.
The gift shop and vending cafeteria make use of natural light, which can be harmful to museum collectibles, and there will be a wall explaining who Bess Bower Dunn was and why the museum is named after the Waukegan resident who became known as the county's historian.
Advertisement
"Bess Bower Dunn was a pivotal person in saving the history of Lake County. The objects and records she kept help tell the history of the county," said Nan Buckardt, director of education for the district when the name was first picked.
Osborne said that the Dryptosaurus will represent the first time this kind of dinosaur has been artistically "fleshed out," and they are working with a University of Chicago paleontologist to make the scavenger as realistic as possible.
"There's been new science on the face. A lot has changed over eight years," he said, referring to an artist's rendition of the head made years ago.
There is also a "wigwam" that is large enough to hold 30 children for educational classes, and while the frame is made of metal, the ties at each intersection of the poles are fashioned after those used by native Potawatomi. Historians representing the Potawatomi were also brought in for consulting purposes.
Nan Buckardt, director of education for the Lake County Forest Preserve District, explains that the joints for building a wigwam in the new Bess Bower Dunn Museum followed the way native Americans would have tied branches to make the frame. ( Frank Abderholden/News-Sun )
The outside of the wigwam will be covered in a material to look like bark, and the inside has woven grass mats that were crafted in the traditional way, Buckardt said. There will also be an Ice Age dig pit for children to "discover" Mastodon bones.
Another feature of the museum will be trees in each exhibit that will offer visitors a chance to learn more about what's out in the preserves.
Most of the museum's collection has been moved by staff, and Buckardt said this was a great opportunity for personnel to cull the collection of things they might not need.
"We are strategically looking at every item before we move it," she said.
Advertisement
One part of the collection had to do with weaponry, and some of the older artifacts were retained while others were auctioned off. The proceeds were returned to the museum fund, she said.
The collections now have a temperature- and humidity-controlled area, and films and other materials that age quicker have another section that is kept at a cool 55 degrees.
The economics of the move and creation of the new museum also had some good news, according to Mike Tully, chief operations officer. He said the $1.6 million budgeted for building has $42,000 left in the account, and scheduled finishing work is at $35,000, leaving the district $6,600 in the black.
"We're in really good shape," he said, adding that the extra money will be used to "freshen up" the first-floor bathrooms. Another $350,000 was used from the museum grant fund, and there is $15,000 left.
As for exactly when the museum will open to the public, Buckardt said "it's getting closer every week, but we're still looking at the end of the year."
fabderholden@tribpub.com
Advertisement
Some of the 20,000 artifacts for the Bess Bower Dunn Museum are now stored in a new facility in the basement of the Lake County Forest Preserve headquarters in Libertyville. ( Frank Abderholden/News-Sun )
Twitter @abderholden
Terry Wright, of Palatine, looks for some of the names of his fallen classmates during the closing ceremony of a traveling Vietnam War memorial, called The Healing Wall, in Des Plaines. (Brian O'Mahoney / Pioneer Press )
For veteran Mike Lake, the opportunity to welcome a traveling Vietnam War memorial to the northwest suburbs provided a long-awaited chance to pay homage to his best friend.
"There's a saying that goes, 'Vietnam killed me, I just haven't died yet,'" said Lake, commander of the Des Plaines VFW Post 2992.
Advertisement
Over the past weekend, members of the local veterans group successfully brought over a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor veterans of the Vietnam War and give residents a glimpse of the national memorial before the replica headed off to its next destination in Tennessee.
"My best friend served 13 months in Vietnam, and he made it back home, but he never recovered," Lake said. "There was no help for him back then, and he drank himself to death."
Advertisement
After passing through many northwest suburbs, including Barrington, Lake Zurich and Arlington Heights, the exhibit arrived at the Lake Park Pavilion in Des Plaines, where the local VFW Post 2992 organized public viewings and memorial services.
Since Veterans Day in 1996, the half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed to travel to communities throughout the U.S., visiting more than 400 cities and towns throughout the country to date, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund website.
Des Plaines VFW Post 2992 was selected among 64 area veterans organizations that applied for a visit from the traveling exhibit, which is officially titled, "The Healing Wall," Lake said.
Local veterans then raised the required $7,500 donation to make the visit a reality.
Eighteen months later, Lake and a team of veterans organized two memorial ceremonies after the replica arrived in Des Plaines, including an evening event on Friday and a closing ceremony on Sunday afternoon, Lake said.
Arlington Heights Mayor Thomas Hayes, a U.S. Army veteran and West Point graduate, said the traveling wall's visit to the northwest suburbs is especially timely, coinciding with the broadcast of Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's documentary film "The Vietnam War."
"The traveling wall is a great way to remember our Vietnam veterans, who are deserving of our honor for their sacrifice and service," Hayes said.
Arlington Heights resident Greg Padovani, a veteran of the Vietnam War era and chairman of the Arlington Heights Veterans Memorial Committee, was among the volunteers at the Des Plaines event.
Advertisement
Memorial ceremonies in local communities are important not only to veterans, but also to their family and friends, Padovani said.
"We got quite a number of requests from Arlington Heights residents asking us to read the names of their loved ones who served ... fathers, brothers and grandparents," Padovani said, adding, "To see the flyover helicopters at the memorial ceremony at night, it really brings back memories and emotions for everyone."
kcullotta@tribpub.com
Twitter @kcullotta
Isaiah C. Harris, 27, of Chicago, is charged with aggravated DUI and accused of driving at a speed of more than 100 mph. (Naperville Police Department)
A man stomped on his car's accelerator and raced away at a speed of more than 100 mph the minute a traffic light turned from red to green, Naperville police said.
He apparently never saw the marked police squad car that had stopped directly behind him, as both drivers waited for the light to change early Sunday morning, police Cmdr. Lou Cammiso said Monday.
Advertisement
Isaiah C. Harris, 27, of the 4100 block of West Carroll Avenue in Chicago, was charged with aggravated DUI, driving 35 mph or more over the posted limit, driving with a revoked license, illegal transportation of open alcohol, and obstructing identification, according to records on file in DuPage County Circuit Court.
Cammiso said Harris was arrested at 2:19 a.m. Sunday, after an officer on routine patrol noted his silver Nissan Sentra traveling west on West Ogden Avenue from Rickert Drive.
Advertisement
The car stopped for the next red light, at Ogden Avenue's intersection with Fort Hill Drive, with the squad car coming to a stop behind it, Cammiso said Monday. The officer reported that, as the two vehicles "passed Fort Hill Drive, (Harris') vehicle was going over 100 mph, in an area where the speed limit is posted at 40 mph, Cammiso said.
The car stopped for another red light at the intersection of West Ogden Avenue and Route 59, Cammiso said. The officer took Harris into custody, he said.
Cammiso said he did not know the car's exact speed because formal police reports remained incomplete as of Monday.
Harris is to appear Oct. 18 in court in connection with another high-speed driving incident, according to court records. Illinois State Police on Aug. 5, 2016, stopped Harris, and he was charged with driving with a suspended license. He was allegedly traveling at 91 mph on a stretch of Interstate 88 near Downers Grove, records show.
In January 2015, Harris was sentenced to 30 days in DuPage County jail after being convicted of driving with a suspended license in March 2013 in Naperville, according to records.
Harris remained in jail Monday on $35,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 23 for the latest case.
Windows are broken at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas on Oct. 3, 2017. (John Locher / AP)
Moms Demand Action for Gunsense Naperville and Moms Building Bridges will hold a vigil Tuesday in Naperville for victims of Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas that left at least 59 dead and more than 500 wounded.
People are expected to begin gathering at 5:30 p.m. at the Naperville Riverwalk's Free Speech pavilion near the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Webster Street, according to an alert from Moms Building Bridges, an organization of women from diverse cultural, ethnic and faith backgrounds.
Advertisement
The groups advise attendees to "bring flowers and messages of love, peace, and remembrance," according to the Facebook page for the event.
Attendees will mourn the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history that occurred Sunday night when a gunman on the 32nd floor of Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino opened fire on a crowd of more than 22,000 people attending an outdoor country music festival.
Advertisement
ehegarty@tribpub.com
Canine Jack, accompanied by his partner Jon Salmi, reacts to Village Hall applause for him by barking back. (Irv Leavitt/Pioneer Press )
The room full of people gathered at Northbrook Village Hall broke into applause for the Northbrook Police Department's recently-retired police dog.
Canine Jack responded with strenuous barks.
Advertisement
"He always reacts that way to applause," said his partner, Officer Jon Salmi. "That's just his personality."
But during all the noise, Jack did something else: he positioned his body next to his partner, to make sure all those applauding people didn't pull anything on his pal.
Advertisement
That's his training, Salmi said. He's used to being on the "point of the spear," the first officer in, during many dangerous situations, and others where there's too much unknown.
In nine years on the job, police say Jack has found 34 kilos of illegal drugs, uncovered $429,000 in cash, helped search over 300 vehicles, tracked 80 suspects or missing persons and entertained at 50 block parties.
It costs about $14,000 for Northbrook to put a new dog on the street, including the cost of the dog, and initial training for the dog and its partner, according to the department. It's easily worth it, Salmi said.
"There are some people who are not afraid of us, but they don't want to deal with the dog," Salmi said.
He said Jack has saved the lives of lost people and protected officers and citizens.
"If he saved one life, it would be worth it," he said.
Jack is a Belgian malinois, a breed that has some advantages over the typically used German shepherd, Salmi said.
Shepherds are better problem solvers, but malinois are "smaller, much faster, able to work through the heat a little better, and don't have the propensity to hip and back problems that the shepherds do," he said.
Advertisement
Jack has his own physical limitations. He contracted spondylitis fused vertebrae and it wouldn't be fair to make him work, Salmi said, though he dearly loves his job, which he considers a game.
"I wish I could explain the bond that Jack and I have after all these years working together," Salmi said. "There's a very special brotherhood between (police dogs) and handlers."
Jack retired a few months ago, but still lives with Salmi and his family. He has been replaced on the police force by Pongo, a young shepherd handled by Officer Dave Humphries, who came on the job two years ago.
"I really love it," Humphries said. "I want to do it as long as I can."
Pongo, like Jack, will be a law enforcement asset unique on the department, Salmi said.
"A dog is the one tool we have that after we send it, we can recall it," he said. "It's not like a bullet. No matter how much we want to put a bullet back in the barrel, we can't get it back."
Advertisement
ileavitt@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter @IrvLeavitt
The Oak Park Police Department is searching for a man who grabbed a woman inside her garage and stole her car Sept. 29. (Steve Schering/Pioneer Press)
The Oak Park Police Department is searching for a man who grabbed a woman inside her garage and stole her car.
According to police, the incident took place at 6:25 p.m. Sept. 29 inside a garage in the 700 block of North Hayes Avenue. A woman was parking her car inside her garage when the man approached and grabbed her arm in an attempt to steal her purse and keys, police said.
Advertisement
The woman released her purse and keys when she was "otherwise unable to free herself from the offender," police said. The man then kept the keys, entered her car and drove off on eastbound Augusta, leaving the purse behind, police said.
The car was later recovered at 11:55 p.m. in the 1700 block of North Parkside Avenue in Chicago.
Advertisement
According to police, the suspect is described as a black male, 15 to 25 years old, standing 5-foot-10, with a thick build. Police said he was wearing a dark colored sweater during the incident.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Oak Park Police Department at 708-386-3800.
sschering@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter @steveschering
Lisa Pintado-Vertner, an Oak Park parent and member of The Truth About Choice in Education committee, which belongs to political action group Oak Park Call To Action, addresses the crowd gathered Sept. 30 at Lake Theater before a screening of the 2016 documentary A Backpack Full of Cash. (Lee V. Gaines/Pioneer Press )
Organizers of a documentary screening in Oak Park say they're on a mission to educate the community about what they perceive as the negative impact of charter schools on the public education system. They are advocating against the establishment of a proposed charter school in the area.
The Truth About Choice In Education, a committee belonging to the political action group Oak Park Call to Action, hosted a screening in partnership with Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education, a public education advocacy group, of the 2016 documentary "Backpack Full of Cash" at the Lake Theater in downtown Oak Park on Saturday morning. Roughly 200 people attended.
Advertisement
The film, narrated by Matt Damon and directed by teacher and filmmaker Sarah Mondale, focuses on the growth of charter schools and school voucher programs in the United States since the early 2000s. The film emphasizes the impact charter schools have had on Philadelphia's traditional public schools, which have struggled due to budget cuts at the state level, and the film asserts, because public dollars have flowed to an increasing number of privately-run tax-payer funded charter schools in the city.
The film explores the impact standardized testing mandates have had on curriculum and learning in public schools, a widespread school voucher program in New Orleans that provides taxpayer dollars to private religious schools, and a New Jersey school system that serves predominantly low-income students which, once on the brink of collapse, is now an example of successful public schooling.
Advertisement
Oak Park parent Lisa Pintado-Vertner, of the Truth About Choice in Education group, said the purpose was to educate people in the community about charter schools. She said there's an urgency because a River Forest woman is leading an effort to bring a charter school to the area.
Allison Jack, a River Forest parent and director of charter growth and support for the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, is leading a group called WeCan Western Educational Community Action Network to found a charter school that would serve kindergarteners through eighth-graders from River Forest, Oak Park, Forest Park, Maywood, Broadview, Melrose Park, Bellwood and Berwyn. The group hopes to open the school in fall 2019.
The increase in charter schools "is part of a larger push to privatize public education and public money," Pintado-Vertner said.
"It's our tax dollars that go to public schools, which are for everyone. And charter schools are not for everyone," she said. "They don't have the same accountability structures. You can't go to a charter school meeting like a board of education meeting."
Pintado-Vertner said the group hopes to host screenings in other suburbs.
Jack said the intent of the proposed charter school is to create more options for students and parents.
"We think there is a certain kind of kid that does well in traditional schools and another kind of kid that doesn't. We're trying to meet with parents and community members who have ideas about what else can happen to address chronic achievement gaps," she said.
Jackie Matthews, director of media and external communications for the Illinois State Board of Education, previously told the Tribune that charters receive a percentage of per capita tuition charge of the public school for each student enrolled. Per capita tuition is the amount a local school district charges nonresident pupils. The percentage is arrived at through an agreement between the charter school and the district, Matthews previously told the Tribune.
Advertisement
Charters are now required to receive at at least 97 percent of a district's per capita rate for each enrolled student, per the new school funding law. Previously, law required charters be paid at least 75 percent of per capita tuition. Charter schools authorized by local school district receive payment from the district, while those authorized by the state receive payment from the state, according to Matthews.
Oak Park parent Erin Fountain said she joined the WeCan effort earlier this year after meeting Jack at an Oak Park library screening of the 2015 documentary "Most Likely to Succeed," a film that focuses on the shortcomings of traditional education
Fountain, who is African-American, said she's had to advocate on behalf of all four of her children, two of whom graduated from and two are currently enrolled at Oak Park public schools. She said she's in favor of a charter school in the hope that it might better address academic achievement gaps between the district's white and black students. For each of her children, she said she's struggled with report cards and assessments that do not accurately reflect their knowledge or academic potential.
Oak Park resident Susan Jaros said she didn't understand the growing presence of charter schools nationwide until she attended the Sept. 30 screening. She said she's concerned about the increase in charters because "I think public school needs to be a public good and that means it's for everyone and the money is going to follow the student." She said she plans to educate herself about the issue and keep a close eye on developments in Oak Park.
Oak Park parent Jason Wulkowicz, who attended the screening with his 11-year-old daughter, said he believed the film "hit on all the most important points about the problem of privatization of public education."
He said he attended a WeCan meeting and that he didn't receive a satisfactory answer about how the group intended to address the academic achievement gap. A better solution, he said, would be to address the problem in the public schools rather than take funding away from those schools.
Advertisement
Fountain said she's not sure where the proposed charter school will ultimately be located, "but I think it should go in a community that really wants one, and I don't know that Oak Park is that community."
Lee V. Gaines is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. Caitlin Mullen contributed.
Visitors attended the Farmers market in Park Ridge in this photo from June 11, 2016. (Kevin Tanaka/Pioneer Press )
Park Ridge elected officials will now have decision-making authority when it comes to who will be responsible for running the city's Farmers Market.
By a vote of 5-2, the City Council on Monday approved changes to city's Farmers Market ordinance, including the establishment of a seven-member market committee.
Advertisement
"I think the Farmers Market is a great tradition in the city of Park Ridge, and all we're doing is adding greater transparency and accountability to one of the city's great traditions," 6th Ward Ald. Marc Mazzuca said of the modifications.
As a city committee, members will be required to apply for seats and be interviewed by the Mayor's Advisory Board, which consists of four aldermen. The board will then recommend members to the mayor, who will bring the names before the full City Council for approval.
Advertisement
The committee itself will be charged with choosing two "market masters," who will serve a one-year term, according to the ordinance. The market masters, the ordinance reads, will be in charge of the administration of the farmers market, including enforcing its rules and regulations.
Like other city committees, members of the Farmers Market Committee will be subject to term limits and rules under the Illinois Open Meetings Act, aldermen were told.
Additional residents who are not members of the committee can continue to volunteer for the market, said City Manager Joe Gilmore.
Support to the Farmers Market Committee will be provided by the city's Department of Community Preservation and Development, aldermen decided. The majority of the City Council also agreed that the goal of the Farmers Market should be to "operate as a self-sustaining enterprise."
The running of the Farmers Market operation has long been part of the city's municipal code, but management responsibilities previously handled by city staff ended when a designated employee retired in 2012, said Karen Grunschel, who has co-chaired the market with resident Jay Crowley.
Currently, the market is run by a group of volunteers who are not selected by the city.
Gilmore asked the City Council to discuss the organization of the market after determining that its operation had changed from what was required in the city ordinance. For one, he told the council, the market no longer had a designated "market master" running it, even though the ordinance called for one.
Voting against the amendments to the Farmers Market ordinance were 2nd Ward Ald. Nicholas Milissis and 4th Ward Ald. Roger Shubert.
Advertisement
Milissis last month called it "wholly unorthodox" that the Farmers Market is part of the city when other volunteer-based events are not.
"We should be focusing our efforts on undoing something that I think is a mistake instead of enlarging and expanding on it," Milissis said. "This is very different than how we've dealt with anything similar as a city. We're inserting ourselves very much so and in a very heavy-handed way to something that, to me, should be a private initiative."
He pointed out that Taste of Park Ridge, which is now run by volunteers as a separate, nonprofit entity from the city, "has been successful" in this way.
Shubert said he would support a discussion of removing the market from the city's municipal code.
"It's something that should be explored," he said.
Farmers Market Co-Chair Jay Crowley said she supports the establishment of a city committee, but would actually like to see stronger city involvement.
Advertisement
"They need to explore paying someone to do it," Crowley said of the city. "If we leave, who is going to do this? Who is going to dedicate this much time?"
Crowley also voiced opposition to the comments made by Milissis during the council's Sept. 25 discussion, saying the market needs help from the city. Most area Farmers Markets are run by municipalities, she said.
"It's absolutely unimaginable that you could run this as a private venture," Crowley said. "We run with no profit. We take our proceeds from our farmers and vendors and put them back into the market."
This year, rental fees were increased for farmers to make them more in line with other area markets, but Crowley said the cost is approximately $14 per week per vendor.
Crowley said costs covered by the city included rental of portable toilets and rental of parking spaces in a lot owned by AT&T. She estimated the annual cost to the city at between $2,000 and $3,000. Last month, Gilmore gave a similar estimate.
The Farmers Market is held each Saturday, from Memorial Day weekend through the end of October, in the city-owned parking lot at 15 Prairie Ave. This year, the market expanded on to Prairie Avenue, providing space for additional vendors, the co-chairs said.
Advertisement
jjohnson@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune
Kathleen Gabriel, a member of St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Schools administrative staff, addresses a group of students as they get ready to participate in a walkathon on Sept. 29 on the schools Park Ridge campus. (Mary Ploen)
A regular fundraiser held at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic School is reaching beyond the Park Ridge school's walls this year.
The annual St. Paul Walkathon normally raises money for classrooms and educational needs, said Mary Ploen, director of advancement at the school. But this year, pre-kindergarten teacher Robin Gialanella had an idea.
Advertisement
"We generate tens of thousands of dollars for things we need at school [during walkathons]," she said. "It was in the midst of the hurricanes, and the earthquake in Mexico City, that I was eating dinner with my husband [and] was like, 'We are so fortunate to be able to raise that kind of money for our school. It seems wrong that, at this time, when there's so many people who have nothing they have lost their homes, they have no electricity, no food that we don't do something to help these people.' "
As a result, this year's walkathon, which took place Sept. 29, pledged to donate $5,000 to the American Red Cross if students reached a goal of raising at least $45,000. On top of that, the school agreed to donate 10 percent of anything raised above $45,000, Ploen said.
Advertisement
As of Monday morning, the school had raised $54,482 in pledges, with the amount still expected to go up, she said.
"That means we are already able to donate $6,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief," Ploen said.
"It's great people have stepped up to the challenge," said Gialanella.
An all-school assembly to announce the total and present a check to a Red Cross representative is being planned, Ploen added.
The majority of the funds raised will go back to the school, largely for curriculum and technology purchases, she explained. In past years, the walkathon has helped buy Chromebooks, which are used by students in fifth through eighth grades, Ploen said.
This year, donations were accepted through a website set for the walkathon. Ploen said this may have made it easier for students to solicit contributions from family, friends and other people they know.
Teams were established by grade level. The "Pre-K Super Walkers," students in Deneane LoGalbo's pre-kindergarten class, were ranked as the top fundraisers, bringing in $3,520, the walkathon website reported.
"Every kid was excited," Ploen said of the students who participated in the walkathon on the school campus. "It was just a great day."
Advertisement
jjohnson@pioneerlocal.com
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune
The husband of a woman killed in a 2014 car crash offered not only a glimpse into her service-filled life, but also forgiveness to the man who caused her death.
During the sentencing hearing for Joseph Barrera Jr., Lane Fosnaugh delivered a moving message in tribute to his late wife, Janelle Fosnaugh, 52, as he described her years growing up with missionary parents in South Africa and her own lifetime of service as a missionary to impoverished places like Papua New Guinea, Haiti and the Philippines while raising their three daughters.
Advertisement
"She loved to love people. Her love and concern was palpable," Fosnaugh said.
The day before the crash, Fosnaugh said he and his wife had been welcomed to a new church in the area. They'd driven through Valparaiso to house-hunt and prayed that God would bless their transition to a new church. As a missionary, Fosnaugh said his wife had moved 37 times and was not looking forward to packing and moving again.
Advertisement
Her life ended March 31, 2014, in a field in the 2200 block of East 109th Avenue near Winfield. Barrera was driving east on 109th Avenue and crossed into the westbound lane, where he struck the 2003 Honda Civic Janelle Fosnaugh was driving and also struck a second car whose driver had minor injuries. Barrera said he had marijuana in his system and that he was traveling between 55 and 65 mph in the 40 mph zone at the time of the crash.
Fosnaugh described walking up to their mangled 2003 Honda Civic mangled car, which came to rest on its side, and the officer who told him his wife had died.
"I found her shoe, scuffed and bloodstained, near the car," he said.
Fosnaugh wiped away tears, as did many of the 10 family members in attendance at the Wednesday hearing. Then he looked directly at Barrera and said, "Justice has a counter-balance. It's called grace and forgiveness.
"I don't know if you have remorse for killing my wife," he said, adding, "You're forgiven."
"I pray that you will live well. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face shine upon you. May he turn toward you and give you peace," Fosnaugh said.
Barrera, 29, of Lakes of the Four Seasons, stood and faced the Fosnaugh family as he apologized.
"I'm sorry for everything that happened. It was not maliciously done. I'm sorry for hurting your family so much," he said.
Advertisement
Barrera pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in exchange for an eight-year sentence four years in Lake County Community Corrections, followed by four years on probation. Barrera must complete drug treatment and perform 150 hours of community service, which deputy prosecutor Judy Massa said the Fosnaugh family hopes will be in service to others.
After Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Ross Boswell imposed the sentence, she said, "I'm not often at a loss for words, but I think all that needed to be said was said. It certainly was a moving statement."
Afterward, members of Fosnaugh's family spoke amiably with Barrera's wife, children and other family members in the hallway outside court.
Ruth Ann Krause is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Shaun Hague will perform a tribute to Eric Clapton at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso Oct. 14. ( Memorial Opera House/HANDOUT )
Looking for something to do this week? Here are five things to do in Northwest Indiana from Oct. 13-17:
TV time: A Super Groovy Halloween Party with Svengoolie will be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at Chicago Street Theatre in 154 W. Chicago St. Tickets are $40-$60. At Call 219-464-1636 or go to chicagostreet.org/hair/.
Advertisement
Smooth sounds: Graham Nash will perform at 9 p.m. (EDT) Oct. 13 at Four Winds Casino and Resort in New Buffalo, Mich. Tickets are $35-$55. At 11111 Wilson Road. Call 866-494-6371 or go to fourwindscasino.com.
Scary stuff: Monster Comic Con will be held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso. Admission is $10-$15. At 215 E. Division Road. Call 219-0380-4440 or go to portercountyexpo.com.
Advertisement
Forever man: Journeyman A Tribute to Eric Clapton, featuring Shaun Hague, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Memorial Opera House in Valparaiso. Tickets are $30. At 104 Indiana Ave. Call 219-548-9137 or go to tickets.mohlive.com.
Beautiful music: The Milton String Quartet will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Duesenberg Recital Hall in the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts. Tickets are free. At 1709 Chapel Drive. Call 219-464-6950 or go to valpo.edu/center-for-the-arts/.
Do you have something to add to Five Things to Do? Email wweber@tronc.com at least two weeks in advance.
Two Gary house fires, which broke out on the same block hours after a shooting sparked by a controlled drug buy, "appear to be of suspicious nature," according to an official.
Gary firefighters responded at 8:50 p.m. Thursday to a house in the 4100 block of West 22nd Plaza, said Mark Jones, department spokesman and chief of operations.
Advertisement
"Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames," Jones said, as well as "extensive damage" to the structure.
Crews were on the scene for about two hours putting out the fire, he said.
Advertisement
Around midnight, firefighters were called to the same block to a house next door to the one the fire department responded to earlier, Jones said. This fire was contained to the rear bedroom on the east side of the home and caused "moderate damage," he said. Crews stayed on the scene for about an hour and a half, according to Jones.
Earlier that day, a federal multi-agency task force conducted a controlled narcotics purchase on that block just before 1:50 p.m., according to Sgt. Ann Wojas, Indiana State Police spokeswoman.
When officers attempted to stop the suspect, who was identified as Ned Brooks, police said Brooks "proceeded to ram several unmarked police cars in an attempt to elude officers," hitting a man and two officers.
Police said Brooks fled in his vehicle, shooting at officers, and police returned fire, Wojas said.
Brooks got out of his vehicle about a block away and was found dead in the backyard of a house in the 4200 block of West 22nd Place, police said.
An autopsy Saturday found that Brooks died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his right temple, according to state police.
Brooks also had "superficial bullet wound to his right thigh and abdomen" and "a through and through bullet wound to his left thigh," police said Saturday.
"No law enforcement wounds were deemed life threatening," according to police.
Advertisement
Brooks did not live at the residence in the 4100 block of West 22nd Plaza where police investigated Thursday and the fires occurred, Wojas said.
State police continued to investigate the shooting Tuesday, Wojas said, while Gary Fire Department investigates the fires.
Two officers involved in the Thursday incident had injuries that were not life threatening, police said. Those officers were from the Drug Enforcement Administration and Chicago Police Department, Wojas said.
State police did not have a updated condition for the one civilian injured in the shooting. Police said Thursday that the man was airlifted to Christ Medical Center "with critical injuries."
rejacobs@post-trib.com
Twitter @ruthyjacobs
Windows are broken at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas on Oct. 3, 2017. (John Locher / AP)
Jon Gold at first didn't understand why so many people were frantically running through the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on late Sunday night.
"I thought it was just Vegas being Vegas," said Gold, CEO of TradeWinds Services, Inc. in Merrillville, which serves children with disabilities.
Advertisement
He then heard one woman yell, "There's an active shooter out there!"
Gold, who was in Vegas for the weekend, said he immediately hustled back to the safety of his hotel room to watch news accounts of what was happening just a couple of blocks away.
Advertisement
One shooter. Twenty-three guns. At least 59 dead victims and 527 injured in the deadliest shooting attack in modern American history. This bloody carnage at a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip compels us to once again ask, "Why?"
"It was an act of pure evil," President Donald Trump concluded.
Yes, but we are compelled to seek a more comprehensible motive for such senseless massacres. What set off the shooter? Why now? Why there? Why so many weapons stockpiled? Why are we asking the same questions we asked after too many previous attacks?
Oddly enough, or sadly enough, this would be easier to understand if a terrorist group was behind it or affiliated with the killer. But apparently not. The 64-year-old retiree was just another overly armed and troubled man in an overly armed and troubled country.
The human misery continues after another mass shooting in America, this time in another city with another suspect and another crime scene to first analyze and then memorialize. Immediately after the attack, we began asking ourselves the same desperate questions with the same empty answers.
What is our nation going to do about gun control laws? About mental illness treatment? About tighter security at public events? About the millions of prayers that seem to go unheard? About who we are as Americans? As humans?
"The bottom line is that, under current circumstances, repeated incidents of this nature are unavoidable," said former Hobart attorney David Gilyan, who recently moved to Las Vegas. "We had machine guns and tommy guns in the '50s, '60s and '70s, but we didn't have these mass murders."
"The response for blood donors here is overwhelming and our community is overwhelmed by the scope of the destruction," Gilyan told me Monday. "It's a sad, sad day."
Advertisement
Tom Kuehl, a former Valparaiso resident now living in Las Vegas, received a phone alert Sunday night of an active shooter near Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
"It never occurred to me that it was a mass shooting event," he said. "I went to sleep before the details came out."
He awoke at 5 a.m. Monday to texts, emails and Facebook messages from his family and loved ones across the country, asking if he was safe.
"Some of my work team had loved ones at the concert," he said. "Luckily, they were not injured but they are very traumatized by the whole situation."
"Many people here in Las Vegas have offered their homes to people who need a place to stay," Kuehl said. "As you know, an area like this is full of visitors, therefore the loved ones of those injured or deceased will need to make the trip out here with no reservations or accommodations. People have offered their couches to sleep on and free meals to those in need."
Such acts of selfless generosity after these attacks, as well as the heroism witnessed at these mass shootings, offer us a silver lining of solace under the darkest of clouds over our country. Is it enough to comfort us from yet another storm of despair?
Advertisement
Do we focus on our innate fear of another mass shooting, or on our innate hope of mass kindness in their wake? Do we analyze the suspect's motives or sympathize with the victims' loss? It's all about personal perspective.
"It's just insane how everything can change in an instant," said Lisa Calhoun, of Portage, who is in Las Vegas. "We were on the Strip at the Imagine Dragons' concert on Friday."
She and her husband Joe Calhoun are in the process of relocating to Las Vegas after he was named fire chief for nearby North Las Vegas in August.
"In an instant." This aptly sums up how many Americans feel these days about potential peril at any moment. Our lives feel more uncertain, more fragile, more emotionally unstable.
"I feel like I'm reliving Sept. 11, 2001, all over again," said my cousin Cathy Berlien Bender, a longtime Las Vegas resident.
A friend of hers attended that outdoor country music festival Sunday night, and managed to escape the shooting attack unharmed.
Advertisement
"She and others thought it was BB shots going off," she said.
While watching video footage of the attack from one attendee's smart phone, I was captivated by the machine gun staccato assaulting the 22,000 concertgoers.
"It's fireworks!" one concertgoer initially yelled.
Wishful thinking.
Semi-automatic rifles are legal in most states, but fully-automatic, military-style machine guns like what this shooter allegedly used sounded to me like weapons of warfare.
Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >
We are at war, with ourselves. Our country comprises 5 percent of the world's population but 30 percent of its mass shootings, according to NBC News.
Advertisement
We can't reconcile or rationalize this latest shooting by affiliating its horrors with a foreign-born or domestic terrorist group. Police say the shooter had no such affiliations, no criminal record, no social media threats, no notes left behind to explain his actions.
The Islamic State can't take credit for this attack, which would at least offer us a more understandable explanation to define good versus evil. No, once again the bogeyman is us.
"There was nowhere to hide," one concertgoer told media after the attack.
The same can be said for life in our country these days. Most of us will be safe from future attacks and there will be future attacks but none of us are safe from the terror of the possibility.
jdavich@post-tribcom
Twitter@jdavich
Ethan Baehrend, a high school student and entrepreneur, is seen in his home Oct. 2. The River Forest teen and Boy Scout collaborated with the River Forest Public Library to organize a Maker Fest as his final act of service to reach Eagle Scout status. (Diana Baehrend)
After attending a recent maker festival, River Forest teen Ethan Baehrend walked away excitedly with countless ideas.
Baehrend, a junior at Fenwick High School and technology entrepreneur, aspires to provide the same technological motivation for the community this Saturday, at a Maker Fest at the River Forest Public Library.
Advertisement
"I hope that I can leave the same effect of inspiration with people," he said. "There's more to technology than just gaming and playing on a phone."
Baehrend said his interest in technology started at a young age, when he attended iD Tech camps and learned the basics of video-game developing, robotics, coding language and engineering.
Advertisement
"It made me want to learn more, go on my own path with technology," he said. "Technology has always been a nice escape and fun thing to do for me."
In middle school, Baehrend custom-built computers and sold them; later, after buying a 3D printer, he began refurbishing broken ones. He's recently started his own business, Creative 3D Technologies, designing and building 3D printers.
"I enjoyed 3D printers, but I found a lot of flaws with them," he said. "I've always been someone who's interested in upgrading things and improving upon them."
Baehrend, also a Boy Scout working toward the Eagle Scout rank, was the driving force behind Maker Fest, which will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at the library, 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest.
"The idea for this event as an Eagle Scout project initially stemmed off how I would implement technology in the community," he said. "It's been a really great learning experience so far."
Although the library didn't have any permanent space to offer Baehrend for a maker space, staff members were interested in collaborating on a festival highlighting local organizations that offer creative or hands-on opportunities, said Andrea Olvera-Trejo, adult and teen services librarian.
Maker Fest, a free event, will feature 12 Chicago area exhibitors offering demonstrations, prizes and hands-on activities. Organizations involved include 2DKits, which will teach circuitry through soldering; School of Rock, offering a musical petting zoo; Tapster Robotics, Vortex Drones and more.
Olvera-Trejo said the library has long offered maker-type workshops and programs that promote lifelong learning. The Maker Fest event is geared toward ages 10 and up.
Advertisement
"One of our goals was to have organizations and projects that are cross-generational," she said. She added she's enjoyed working with Baehrend on the event.
Also participating in the event: Baehrend's company, Creative 3D Technologies.
"I think we have quite the lineup of people that'll captivate the audience," Baehrend said.
Baehrend said he plans to set up a Kickstarter for his company later this month. Starting the business has been a learning experience, he said, as he's dealt with unhappy customers, legal aspects and other entrepreneurial issues.
"It's been a whole adventure in itself," he said.
For more information on Maker Fest, visit www.riverforestlibrary.org.
Advertisement
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
All votes in the CO-3 election won't be counted until the end of this week
Adam Frisch attending new member orientation in D.C., with the official outcome of the race between him and Boebert unclear
By Dezan Shira & Associates
Editor: Grace Tate
In China, companies seeking to engage in the online retail industry are required to first set up a company and a physical store. For investors not yet fully prepared for setting up a company in China, global sites launched by Chinas local e-commerce platforms might be the best choice to sell to Chinas lucrative market.
Tmall, Chinas largest B2C platform owned by e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd., controls over 50 percent of Chinas B2C market share. In 2013, Tmall launched Tmall Global: a cross-border, online platform that allows international brands and retailers to sell directly to Chinese consumers without having a physical presence in China.
With Tmall Global, orders can be shipped directly from abroad and payments may be settled in the preferred currency. The goods are sent directly to China by consolidated shipment or express mail delivery, and distributed through Tmall bonded warehouses. Tmalls international cross-border dropshipping specialists ensure delivery to Chinese consumers within five to eight work days.
Following the huge success of Tmall Global, JD.com, Chinas second biggest e-commerce company, launched its own global e-commerce platform, JD Worldwide, in 2015. This means Tmall Global is no longer the only option available to foreign online retailers. However, given that JD Worldwide is still at a comparatively earlier stage of development, investors are suggested to take careful consideration of where to start their online business.
In this article, we walk you through the eligibility requirements, application, and set-up procedures for setting up an online shop on Tmall Global.
Registration on Tmall Global requires a one-off security deposit of US$25,000. In addition, there is an annual fee of US$5,000 and a commission fee ranging from 0.5 to five percent, depending on the product category.
After signing up to Tmall Global, the foreign company must open an Alipay account to be able to receive payment. This will attract an additional one percent service fee for each real time transaction.
Basic business requirements
Companies registered outside of mainland China are eligible to participate on Tmall Global. The company must have a retail or trading license in the country of origin, and either own the brand or be an authorized distributor. It must be:
A registered corporate entity outside of mainland China;
Possess retail and trade qualifications overseas;
Be the brand owner or authorized agency or possess the purchase voucher; and
Possess the relevant stock certificates.
Tmall Global targets:
Corporations that have been operating for more than two years with annual sales over US$10 million;
Branded B2C overseas businesses; and
Brand owners or authorized agencies.
RELATED: Chinas e-Commerce Shopping Festivals
Operating process requirements
To comply with Chinese consumer laws, foreign merchants need to offer Chinese language customer support, provide a way to handle customer returns in China, and arrange overseas shipping directly to Chinese consumers. Tmall Global can assist with outsourcing these processes to third party service providers.
Products: Products originally produced or sold overseas must be genuine, complete with a certificate of origin and clear both Chinese international customs and Tmall Global security.
Labeling: Product labels must use Chinese descriptions, international units of measurement, and feature Chinese language customer support.
Logistics: Logistics services must commence within 72 hours via either direct delivery or from a mainland China bonded warehouse. A tracking delivery system is also required.
Service: After sale services must have set locations for handling returns on the Chinese mainland.
Choosing your store
Flagship Store
In order to open a flagship store the products must have the relevant trademark registrations in Hong Kong ( or ). If the merchant is a brand owner, they must provide the trademark registration certificate for their products. If the merchant is an exclusive authorized dealer, they must also provide the letter of authorization for selling the products.
Flagship Store (Marketplace)
To open a marketplace the merchant must have a Class 35 trademark or Service Mark in Hong Kong for the brand. If the merchant is the owner of the service mark, they must also provide a trademark registration certificate. If the merchant is not the owner, they must provide the service mark and evidence of their exclusive authorization to operate a store on the Tmall.hk website using the service mark.
Specialty Store
To open a specialty store, the merchant must have evidence of the product source and invoices for the products purchased. The name of the shop shall not infringe the legitimate rights of others. Specialty store types may sell products of up to two categories.
Authorized Store
To open an authorized store, the products must have trademark registration in Hong Kong. If the merchant is not the owner of the trademark, they must also provide evidence of authorization to operate a store on the Tmall.hk platform.
Entry preparation
Determine needs from third party service providers (TPs)
In March 2015, Tmall announced an invitation-only policy with regard to Tmall Global registration. Until recently, foreign companies were able to sign up on their own via Tmall Global. However, companies must now use authorized Tmall Partners (TPs) with an existing relationship with Tmall to gain invitation to the site. As a result, an industry of Tmall Partners has erupted, with a multitude of large and small players occupying the space. It is crucial for smaller brands, or those newer to the China market, to find a cost-effective and trustworthy Tmall Partner.
Complete negotiations and sign contracts with TPs Determine compatibility and resource requirements Create logistics plan Prepare necessary documents Reserve technical resources Begin Application Programming Interface (API) integration
Store application
Sign Tmall.com/Alipay agreement Open an Alipay account
The foreign company needs to open an Alipay account to be able to receive payment. Alipay works much like Paypal in the west, linking an Alipay merchant account to the companys bank account.
Chinese consumers can pay for products through Alipay in RMB. Alipay then converts the RMB into foreign currency and remits it to the companys foreign bank account, which means there is no need to open a Chinese bank account. Alipay charges a service fee between 1.8 and three percent of the transaction value. The higher the monthly transaction value is, the lower the fee.
Merchants can opt for either settlement by turnover or by period. Settlement by turnover means the money will be sent to the foreign companys account once turnover reaches a certain amount (minimum of US$5,000). Merchants can also choose to settle every week, month, or quarter.
Pre-Investment, Market Entry Strategy Advisory Services from Dezan Shira & Associates
Fees and charges
Deposit
Merchants opening any store type must submit the required $25,000 security deposit to operate via Tmall Global. This one-time fee is used as collateral in the case of any damages or expenses incurred by Tmall Global or any customer as a result of merchants breach of the terms and conditions of the Tmall Global Merchant Service Agreement and other rules and policies of Tmall Global.
Annual fee
An annual fee is payable to Tmall Global yearly for services rendered. This fee is dependent upon the merchants registered primary category. Merchants applying for multiple categories will pay the highest annual fee of the categories they are operating.
Real time transaction fee
Tmall Global charges a commission fee based on the category of the product sold. The commission fee is calculated using the product price and the logistics cost: Commission Fee = {(Product Price) + (Logistics Fee)} * Applicable Commission Rate.
Alipay service fee
Alipay charges a one percent service fee, applied to each transaction via Tmall.hk. The applicable transaction is the total of the product price and logistics fee: Alipay Service Fee = ((Product Price) + (Logistics Fee)) * .01. Technical Service Fees charged by Tmall Global are exclusive of any taxes, duties, or other governmental levies or any financial charges.
The necessity of TP cooperation has complicated the process of setting up a Tmall Global store. Foreign companies looking to establish an online store on Tmall Global would be well advised to invest the necessary time and resources in establishment consultation.
This article was originally published on August 18, 2015 and has been updated with the latest regulatory changes.
About Us China Briefing is published by Asia Briefing, a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. We produce material for foreign investors throughout Asia, including ASEAN, India, Indonesia, Russia, the Silk Road, and Vietnam. For editorial matters please contact us here, and for a complimentary subscription to our products, please click here. Dezan Shira & Associates is a full service practice in China, providing business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax, IT, HR, payroll, and advisory services throughout the China and Asian region. For assistance with China business issues or investments into China, please contact us at china@dezshira.com or visit us at www.dezshira.com
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.
Chinas Investment Landscape: Identifying New Opportunities
Chinas foreign investment landscape has experienced pivotal changes this year. In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we examine how foreign investors can capitalize on Chinas latest FDI reforms. First, we outline new industry liberalizations in both Chinas FTZs and the country at large. We then consider when an FTZ makes sense as an investment location, and what businesses should consider when entering one. Finally, we give an overview of Chinas latest pro-business reforms that streamline a wide range of administrative and regulatory measures.
Dezan Shira & Associates
Flash
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said Monday there has been no shooting on the campus of the University of Southern California (USC).
Reports of shots fired at USC have been deemed a false alarm after police rushed to the campus and conducted systematic search.
"We can confirm there's been no shooting on USC campus. No danger to community," said LAPD in a statement posted on Twitter.
"No evidence of shooting. No injuries reported," according to a statement of the university.
"The University sent a saying to students that we may resume normal activities," Christy Wang, a student of the USC told Xinhua.
"Some students told me that their teacher called the police to report the shooting," said Wang.
"The teacher was emotional in the morning because several of her friends were killed in last night's Las Vegas shooting. She always said there is a gunner coming. She began to cry and urged all of us to squat down in the corner," Wang relayed eyewitness accounts to Xinhua.
Flash
Chinese peacekeepers, serving the United Nations in the South Sudanese capital of Juba, have been honored for their exemplary service in the war-torn nation.
The third Chinese Peacekeeping Battalion with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), received their medals in a ceremony on Monday. It was double joy for the Chinese peacekeepers who on Sunday celebrated China's National Day.
Braving the scorching sun, the soldiers stood proudly in their immaculately polished boots, white gloves and the classic blue berets with the UN insignia in a parade as the UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Moustapha Soumare, pinned the medals on them.
Soumare, according to UNMISS, said the UN mission recognized the "dedication, commitment and professionalism" of the troops.
He noted that 13 members of the contingent were women, highlighting the impact of female officers in peacekeeping.
"The role and contribution of female officers is especially crucial in a place like South Sudan by making uniformed personnel more accessible to the most vulnerable civilians," said Soumare during the ceremony which brought together personnel from different military contingents, UN Police, civilians and dignitaries.
Soumare encouraged troop-contributing countries to further strengthen the participation of women in uniform.
Since the deployment of the battalion in December 2016, the Chinese contingent has carried out missions including patrolling at the Protection of Civilians (POC) site near the UN base, in Juba and along dangerous and damaged roads to reach vulnerable people in the remotest areas.
Commanding Officer Ding Hailong expressed gratitude to the UNMISS for their continued support in helping the Chinese Battalion, also known as CHNBATT, fulfill their mandate. He commended the UN mission for its consolidated efforts towards building durable peace in South Sudan.
Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan He Xiangdong said he was hopeful that the assistance to the people of South Sudan by CHNBATT will contribute towards a positive image of both UN peacekeepers and the Chinese army.
For almost 30 years, China has contributed more than 30,000 UN peacekeepers to 24 different missions.
During the ceremony, a minute's silence was observed in honor of peacekeepers who lost their lives in South Sudan as well as in other peacekeeping missions around the world.
Flash
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) expressed regret on Tuesday that the search for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 had been unsuccessful, saying it wished it could have delivered better news to bereaving friends and families of those missing.
In releasing the ATSB's final report on Tuesday, bureau Chief Commissioner Greg Hood offered his condolences to the family and friends of those 239 passengers and crew who were lost with the flight, an incident he described as "a great tragedy."
"We wish that we could have brought complete closure to the bereaved," Hood said in a media release accompanying the publication of the ATSB's "Operational Search for MH370" report.
"I hope, however, that they can take some solace in the fact that we did all we could do to find answers. Governments from around the world contributed to the search, with extraordinary expertise committed to the task.
"Our deepest sympathies remain with those who lost loved ones on MH370... it remains a great tragedy.
"We share your profound and prolonged grief, and deeply regret that we have not been able to locate the aircraft, nor those 239 souls on board that remain missing."
The flight disappeared in March 2014 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Hood praised the international collaboration involved in the search which became the largest of its kind in aviation history. The initial search zone was 60,000 square kilometers but was doubled in April 2015. The recovery effort was suspended in January 2017, after more than two-and-a-half years.
"This was an unprecedented endeavour and there has been an extraordinary response from the global community," he said.
"There were contributions of expertise and resources from private business and organizations, agencies from different governments, and from private individuals.
"The search inspired dedication from so many. I am proud to have worked with people of such commitment."
The governments of Australia, Malaysia and China agreed that the ATSB was best-suited to lead the search for the plane due to the search taking place in the Southern Indian Ocean off the coast of Western Australia.
"It is almost inconceivable and certainly societally unacceptable in the modern aviation era with 10 million passengers boarding commercial aircraft every day, for a large commercial aircraft to be missing and for the world not to know with certainty what became of the aircraft and those on board," the ATSB's report said.
A man accused in the beating death and dismemberment of another man has admitted to the charges against him.
Patrick Saint Standsoverbull III, 36, pleaded guilty on Monday to two felony counts of evidence tampering and one count of misdemeanor assault in the 2015 death of Jeffrey Hewitt.
The misdemeanor assault charge replaces an earlier charge of aggravated assault, a felony. The amended charge is part of a plea deal. Prosecutors plan to ask for the statutory maximum, which if all three run consecutively could be 20 years and six months.
In the same case, Standsoverbulls sister, Carri Standsoverbull, has pleaded guilty to negligent homicide, aggravated assault by accountability and two counts of tampering with evidence. Her sentencing is set for Oct. 18.
The investigation began in April 2015 when parts of Jeffrey Hewitt's body were found in a coulee near Pryor where they had been set on fire.
Investigators learned that Hewitt had been beaten, likely by several people, and left in Standsoverbull's apartment with severe injuries, court documents state.
Charging documents named at least four others who may have been involved in the beatings.
Multiple witnesses indicated that Hewitt eventually succumbed to his injuries and Carri Standsoverbull sought help to dispose of the body. Still, medical examiners were unable to determine the exact cause of death due to the various types of trauma Hewitt's body sustained.
Multiple witnesses said that Hewitt was still alive in Carri Standsoverbull's apartment for a time after he was assaulted.
After he died, the victim was put in the back of an SUV and taken to a drainage, according to charging documents.
Patrick Standsoverbull told investigators he kicked Hewitt a few times during the beatings. He also said he carried Hewitts body in a suitcase to transport it to the drainage where he, Carri Standsoverbull and another person tried to destroy the body.
Patrick Standsoverbull remains in the Yellowstone County Detention Facility on a $104,000 bond.
Five years ago, Hai Guobao's life was difficult, but not because his family did not work hard.
Generations of the family had farmed mountainous land in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
There, summer is arid, yet rainfall is excessive during autumn harvests. Yields were decided virtually by fate, locals say, after they had invested a whole year's worth of labor.
"We felt satisfied when we had enough to eat, but drought frequently drew us back to poverty," said Hai, who is in his 60s.
Hai's grandchildren did not go to primary school until age 8 because the 8-kilometer round trip to school was too long for younger ones.
"We could never change our lives without the Party's migration policies," he said.
In May 2012, all eight members of Hai's family moved to Minning township in northern Ningxia as part of the region's plan to relocate 350,000 people out of mountains and valleys in Guyuan.
Hai, along with 67 others in his village, spent only 12,800 yuan ($1,925) to build a new house of 54 square meters, excluding a courtyard, thanks to a government subsidy.
Soldiers based nearby also helped to move the family's belongings under the Party's command.
"I felt so happy to find that my new home is connected to electricity and tap water," Hai said.
"The school is only minutes walk away. I'm illiterate, my son is half-literate, but I hope one day my grandchildren can go to college."
In the past two decades, more than 60,000 immigrants settled in Minning, which did not exist 20 years ago.
President Xi Jinping proposed moving people in villages to the new settlement in 1997 when he made a survey trip to Ningxia as deputy Party chief of Fujian province. He was deeply concerned with the way people were living in Guyuan, and the United Nations also defined the situation as unfit.
Minning township is located between the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains, which fend off cold air from Inner Mongolia, and the Yellow River, which is used for irrigation.
In July 2016, Xi revisited Ningxia and called for no one to be left behind regardless of geography or ethnic group as the nation strives to comprehensively build a moderately prosperous society by 2020.
Xi also visited Hai's home. Hai recalled that Xi went into his kitchen to check his access to water and to lift a pot lid to see what they were having for dinner. Xi also checked whether Hai's kang, a traditional brick bed that can be heated from the bottom, worked well.
"I was speechless when seeing him. It was like seeing one of my family members returning after a long period of time," he said. "It was just like a dream."
Hai's eldest son now drives agricultural machines for a vineyard nearby and his other son is a construction worker in the town. The family of eight people earns about 80,000 yuan a year.
"We don't farm now but we eat better than we used to as farmers," Hai said.
According to Minning's government, locals' per capita annual income rose from 500 yuan in 1997 to 10,732 yuan in 2016, surpassing the average for rural residents in the region.
The local economy has also benefitted in recent years from investments from Fujian province and other regions to boost industries and promote modern farming techniques.
Taking the advantage of abundant sunshine, many rooftops are covered with solar panels and locals are helping to grow high-priced raspberries and wine grapes with the help of the dry climate.
A major auto company has also set up a car parts factory to offer more jobs to the migrants. "We will have better development and a better life," Hai said.
Experts see roles for government, industry and individuals in staving off e-risks
For software hackers, personal computers are passe. Mobile phones are the new destination of viruses, worms and other malware. Cybersecurity experts are not amused.
In fact, the China Internet Network Information Center warned that the country needs to be constantly vigilant, given that the number of netizens rose 1.1 percent from 2016 to 751 million at June-end. Of them, 724 million, or 96.3 percent, are mobile phone users.
At a mobile safety summit forum in Beijing this year, Zhang Jian, deputy secretary-general of the Cybersecurity Association of China, said the massive user base and the booming mobile internet would mean smartphones will pose major cybersecurity issues.
Most users' smartphones double up as electronic wallets, thus becoming a leading target for hackers, who will seek payment transfer details, personal data and passwords, Zhang said.
China has already become a world leader in mobile payments. Transaction volumes of third-party mobile payments rose nearly fivefold last year to 58.8 trillion yuan ($8.9 trillion), according to consultancy iResearch.
Shi Xiansheng, deputy secretary-general of the Internet Society of China, said payment traps top cybersecurity threatsthey affected 88.3 percent of mobile internet users last year.
Next were privacy violations (almost 76 percent). The third category included nuisance calls, unsolicited promotional or marketing calls and spam messages (almost 63 percent).
Some users of net-banking facility could lose money directly from their bank accounts if their mobile phones are compromised. Mining of information from smartphones and misuse of it is another threat.
A joint report released in July by Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd and the Data Center of China Internet showed that nearly 97 percent of Android apps had access to users' privacy. Around one-fourth of Android apps even violate users' privacy.
And almost 70 percent third-party iOS apps have access to private information and personal features on iPhones.
Shi said download-happy people need to be wary of apps, particularly image-editing apps, as some of them may invade their e-privacy.
"Of course, people should also be wary of many other types of apps that seek more permissions than required, and go on to collect more information than what they really need," Shi said.
Cyberattacks usually target open operating platforms such as Android as smartphone manufacturers allow downloads and installation of third-party programs and apps.
A report published in May by the Internet Society of China and the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team/Coordination Center of China noted that more than 2 million malicious mobile internet programs were detected last year. And 99.9 percent of them targeted Android devices.
Zhang from the Cybersecurity Association of China said, "Normal apps would be infected with viruses. And some apps themselves are developed as malware."
Gong Wei, chief security officer of Shanghai Lantern Network Technology, said compared with insecure Wi-Fi hotspots, bigger threats came from insecure knockoff apps.
"While hackers can easily obtain personal data over public Wi-Fi hotspots, they can rarely access payment or money transfer details in the encrypted format over public Wi-Fi," Gong said.
"However, hackers can easily access all those data, including personal information and payment data, via insecure apps."
On June 27, China announced an emergency response plan for cybersecurity incidents to prevent and reduce the damage inflicted by them, protect public interest and safeguard national security.
The new plan divides cybersecurity incidents into six categories. Of them, three are key: pernicious procedural incidents, cyberattacks and information security incidents.
The plan also defines four levels of security warning and response systems, according to different threat conditions from "general" to "extremely serious".
Zhang said as mobile operating system vulnerabilities do exist and the critical ones would result in serious cyberattacks via remote access to the device, both the government, enterprises and individual users should prepare better for potential security risks.
There is a need for a better mechanism to manage e-virus infections as well, he said.
Agreed Zhou Yiqing, chairwoman of handset maker Sunshine Group. Smartphone makers need to have a long-term plan to improve their devices to better defend users from potential risks, she said.
Shi said, "When surfing the internet via smartphones, users should be careful to not leave too much personal information on online platforms.
"Users should also not download apps from insecure channels and should look through the user agreement to decide whether or not to give the permissions sought. Otherwise, hackers will be able to access personal data easily."
Huangling village has long been famous for its autumn scenery. Located inside the mountains of Wuyuan county in East China's Jiangxi province, the village has hundreds of ancient residential buildings decorated with harvested fruits. It is a wonderful place to hide oneself in autumn.
The village's history dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In the past decades, the young people of the village used to migrate out to find jobs in cities, causing the village to decline. In 2009, a local cultural company developed the village by rebuilding the residential buildings and building tourist sites. Now the majority of the about 300 villagers of Huangling work inside the village selling artistic pieces to the tourists that come from outside. Now, Huangling is famous for its idyllic lifestyle that attracts tourists nationwide.
Editor's note: The eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays are here. Let's take a look at some of the stunning scenery you may want to see in Karamay, located in the northwestern part of Xinjiang's Junggar Basin.
The picture taken on Sept 23, 2017, shows the unique yardang landscape of Karamay Yardang Ghost Town in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. [Photo by Yu Jie/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Situated about 100 kilometers from Karamay city, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Karamay Yardang Ghost Town is a tourist area famous for its unique landforms and howling wind.
When great winds or sandstorms rise, they roar through the town like howling ghosts, with sand and dust blocking out the sky. Some people believe that the sounds are the reason people call it a ghost town.
In 2005, the site won recognition as "China's Most Beautiful Yardang Landscape" in the Beautiful Places in China competition.
Yellowstone County saw its first sexual intercourse without consent charge filed Monday after major changes to the states rape and sexual assault laws took effect Oct. 1.
Isaac Nolan Blackhorse, 30, appeared on a charge of sexual intercourse without consent in Yellowstone County Justice Court on Monday.
According to charges, Blackhorse raped a 30-year-old woman on Sept. 10. He was arrested on Saturday.
This year, lawmakers changed the definition of consent used in the states rape and sexual assault laws. Prosecutors now must prove that the perpetrator failed to get consent for sexual contact through words or overt actions. Under the old definition, prosecutors had to prove the victim was compelled to submit through the use of force. The new law also clarifies that current or previous dating relationships or manner of dress do not constitute consent.
The penalties for rape under the new consent definition are lighter than they were before the changes, at life imprisonment or no more than 20 years.
If prosecutors can prove physical force was used, as under the old definition, they can now charge aggravated sexual intercourse without consent, which is punishable by 10-100 years.
Blackhorse, the defendant, met up with the woman downtown and asked her to come with him, she told investigators. They had known each other for about a month.
The two went to the apartment of an acquaintance, where Blackhorse tried to get the woman to use meth, a witness said. When the witness told him not to force her, he and the woman went into a different room.
The witness said she heard the woman say, no, dont but was afraid to intervene, she told investigators. Blackhorse later emerged from the room with blood on his shirt. The witness believed he was high on meth.
Judge Pro Tem Craig Martinson set bond at $100,000.
Lawmakers this year made other changes to Montanas criminal laws that could help victims of sexual or domestic violence, including making strangulation of partners or family members a felony; increasing the statute of limitations for various sex crimes from 10 years to 20, in cases where the victim was a minor; and allowing for child sex abuse charges in grooming cases where no contact was made.
Top: Hai Guobao, a resident of Minning village of Yinchuan, the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, recalls President Xi Jinping's visit to his house in July last year. Feng Yongbin / China Daily; Above: Hai's old house and new home, which was built with government help. Provided to China Daily
Home, sweet new home.
Hai Guobao's memories of his old home revolve around poverty and barely making ends meet. That was why he and his family and 60-plus villagers migrated 300 kilometers from Guyuan, an arid and impoverished mountainous area in the Ningxia Hui autonomus region.
Relocation of impoverished populations is one of the measures the government has adopted for its "targeted poverty-alleviation" program. Under the program, people are advised to move from areas that lack conditions that allow them to make a decent living. However, the residents themselves have to approve the measure.
Hai clearly remembers the difficult decision he had to make five years ago. "We Chinese farmers see our ancestral home as the root of our family," he said. "Leaving home is a final resort."
In 1972, Guyuan was recognized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization as one of the places most "unfit for human habitation" on Earth. It was the first area covered by a resettlement program established by the government in the early 1980s.
Hai, a village head widely respected by his villagers, was entrusted to go and see what the villagers' new homes would look like. He recalled what he told his neighbors when he returned: "If you trust me, you have to listen to me this time. Electricity, tap water, jobs... the government has thought it all out for us. It will be a life from our dreams."
Because a great many people helped with the relocation process, Hai had no idea who he should thank specifically until July last year when he received a special guest, President Xi Jinping. It was Xi who kick-started the construction of Hai's new village 20 years ago.
Another unique measure the government uses to fight poverty is a program called "East-West Pairing-off Cooperation for Poverty Reduction", whereby a developed province in the east assists a less-developed region in the west.
As a provincial leader in the eastern province of Fujian, which was paired with Ningxia, Xi was shocked to see the plight of local farmers, and proposed building a new village called Minning (Fujian-Ningxia) village. The past 20 years have seen the resident's per capita incomes rise 20-fold.
It's little wonder that Xi, who has strong feelings about poverty relief, proposed the ambitious goal of lifting every impoverished person out of poverty by 2020, meaning 10 million people being freed from scarcity every year.
Hai said he thanked President Xi for his help, and later put a large photo of Xi with his family in the most prominent place in the living room.
Asked whether he misses his old home, Hai conceded that he did, and said the family visits their old home once a year. There, the infertile farmland has been planted with trees, and the mountains are gradually becoming greener.
First Person | Zhang Ting
My name is Zhang Ting, and I gave birth to my child in Los Angeles two years ago. Most of the Chinese women who travel to LA to give birth stay in local maternity care centers, which include services from maternity nurses, who care for mothers and newborn babies. Usually one maternity nurse is responsible for one mother and her child, or perhaps two.
Such facilities are ubiquitous and inexpensive. It would be unusual for a pregnant woman to bring a maternity nurse from China to LA.
I paid roughly 120,000 yuan ($18,000) to the center for the service, which includes food, accommodation and pickup service for antenatal examinations for two months before delivery and one month after.
In addition, I paid $200 in tips to the maternity nurse every week.
The price is no higher than in Shanghai, where a reliable facility costs nearly 100,000 yuan for a month's stay after delivery.
Some of the maternity nurses here hold tourist visas valid for up to six months and they work as long as they can before returning to China because they can earn more in the US.
Others stay in the country illegally.
The maternity nurse working for me was from Northeast China and has been working as a maternity nurse in LA for 10 years. She abandoned her family and flew to the US with a tourist visa when she was in her early 40s.
She works at local maternity care centers, or for Chinese families taking care of their newborns or young children in their homes if they offer a higher salary. She said she didn't have a home, only a suitcase.
She didn't care that she was living in the US illegally, all she wants to do is earn money until she reaches the age of 60, and then return to her hometown.
Maternity nurses attend a training session in Ji'an, Jiangxi province, in May last year, on how to cook nutritious meals for women who just give birth to a baby. Li Fusun / For China Daily
Caring for mothers and newborn babies in foreign countries offers some women rare chance to travel
Men Anping, a Beijing-based domestic maternity nurse who cares for mothers and newborn babies, has just agreed another job offer to go to Australia for two months.
In May, she stayed in Sydney for a month to care for a Chinese woman and her newborn baby.
For her new contract in January, she will take care of another Chinese woman giving birth in Sydney. This time, the woman intends to spend two months at home rather than one month, which is usual for Chinese women after giving birth.
"Such trips to a foreign country are beyond my expectations. I was born and raised in a rural area, and didn't anticipate that I could leave the countryside and go to Beijing. Now I am going farther, even abroad," said Men, a 48-year-old from Liaoning province in Northeast China.
Nowadays, with the number of Chinese women giving birth overseas rising, many domestic maternity nurses, like Men, are traveling far afield.
The demand for such services has grown considerably over the past five years.
The domestic services company Youfumama, which first began providing outbound services in 2013, said the number of maternity nurses that went overseas that year was three, and the number has risen to 20 so far this year. Shanghai Xinmu International Domestic Service said the demand for domestic helpers around the world has surged by around 30 percent each year in the past five years.
Clients from Beijing and Shanghai account for more than 80 percent of the total and many of those who invite maternity nurses to undertake overseas assignments are those who plan to give birth to their children abroad, said Man Jinglun, operations manager of Youfumama, which is based in Beijing and has businesses in seven Chinese cities.
Man said the pay for an overseas assignment is at least 20 percent higher than an equivalent assignment at home, for which the pay is no lower than 10,000 ($1,500) in major cities.
"The pay is the same no matter where their destination is and the client has to pay for the domestic helper's round trip air tickets and food," said Man. Given the nature of the work, they stay in the clients' homes.
The agencies give instructions to the domestic maternity nurses about dos and don'ts, the weather and the time difference before departure.
China's new manned submersible, Shenhai Yongshi, on board the exploration ship Tansuo-1, returns to port on Tuesday in Sanya, Hainan province, after completing deep-sea testing in which it reached a depth of 4,500 meters. GUO CHENG/XINHUA
China's new manned submersible returned to port in Sanya, Hainan province, on Tuesday after completing its first deep-sea testing in the South China Sea.
The new submersible is called Shenhai Yongshi, meaning deep-sea warrior. It reached a depth of 4,500 meters during tests while on a 50-day expedition trip on board the science exploration ship Tansuo-1.
"It is another great achievement for China in developing deep-sea manned submersibles," said Bai Chunli, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in a congratulatory letter.
"The submersible can be classified as one of the most advanced in the world," he said in the letter. "This means China has become a nation capable of producing and testing its own massive deep-sea submersibles."
Other countries that have developed deep-water technology include the United States, France, Russia and Japan.
Bai said the new submersible will be available for public research, and become "another key instrument in our nation's deep-sea exploration."
In 2002, China began its first deep-sea manned submersible project. In 2010, the Jiaolong, named after a mythical sea dragon, went into service.
In June 2012, it completed its deepest dive, reaching 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench.
The new vessel builds on Jiaolong's success, and is more optimized and cost-efficient, Ye Cong, the new submersible's deputy chief designer, said in August.
While much of Jiaolong's equipment was imported, around 90 percent of the deep-sea warrior and all of its core components were domestically made, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The new device also has five observation windowstwo more than Jiaolong, Ye said. It is also equipped with highly efficient lithium batteries instead of the traditional silver-zinc ones, which can be used 500 times instead of just 50, reducing the cost of each dive, he added.
Hu Zhen, the chief designer of the new submersible, said many extractable resources, as well as key research subjects such as underwater vents, are located around 3,000 meters beneath the surface. Hence a 4,500-meter submersible is enough to explore most of China's waters, including all of the South China Sea.
At the same time, China is aiming to reach the 10,000-meter depth someday, so the deep-sea warrior can serve as a foundation to train future talent and build new, domestically made submersibles capable of deeper depths, he added.
Xinhua contributed to this story.
President Xi Jinping on Tuesday extended congratulations and greetings to faculty, students and alumni of Renmin University of China as the university marks its 80th anniversary.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a congratulatory letter conveyed at an event celebrating the anniversary in Beijing.
"The Party and the country are at a crucial stage at present," Xi said.
"Never before have we had such a pressing need for higher education, and never before have we so required scientific knowledge and talent," Xi said.
The president encouraged RUC to use its 80th anniversary as a new starting point in becoming a world-class university with world-class disciplines.
As the first accredited university set up by the CPC, it has always adhered to the leadership of the Party, the guiding status of Marxism, and the mission to serve the Party and the people, Xi said.
Xi spoke highly of the university's achievements in humanities and social sciences and appreciated its efforts to train talent for the country's revolution, construction and reform. He asked the university to carry on these fine traditions and make new contributions to higher education, China's two centenary goals and achieving the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.
Vice-Premier Liu Yandong read Xi's congratulatory letter at Tuesday's celebration.
RUC can be traced to Shaanbei Public School, founded in 1937 in a CPC revolutionary base in Shaanxi province. It became the North China United University, and then North China University. On Oct 3, 1950, it was restructured and renamed Renmin University of China.
A bronze statue of Confucius was unveiled in Curitiba, Brazil, Sept 30, 2017.[Photo/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
A bronze statue of Confucius was unveiled Saturday in Curitiba, Brazil, Sept 30.
The sculpture, including the base, stands 4.5 meters high, and was created by Wu Weishan, director of the National Art Museum of China in Beijing. It is seated in the square in front of Curitiba's city government buildings. The square is now named China Square.
The statue was commissioned by Curitiba Mayor Rafael Greca, who said at the unveiling ceremony that Confucius' philosophical ideas have greatly influenced him.
The installation of the sculpture coincides with the ongoing Curitiba Biennial, which runs through Feb 25. China is the country of honor this year.
More than 200 works by contemporary Chinese artists and designers are on show, giving a glimpse of the diversity and dynamics of the Chinese art landscape.
Like many scenic spots around the nation, Beijing's Summer Palace is packed on Monday.[Photo by Jiang Dong/China Daily]
Chinese railways set a record in daily passenger traffic as more than 15 million trips were made on National Day on Sunday, the first day of an eight-day holiday, and over 113 million visitors flooded domestic resorts, the rail and tourist authorities said on Monday.
It is the year's longest public holiday as Mid-Autumn Festival happens to coincide with the National Day holiday this year.
Sunday's estimate of 15 million trips was up 4.2 percent from the 14.4 million trips made on National Day last year, according to rail system administrator China Railway Corp.
It said 12 million rail trips were expected on Monday, and 130 million rail trips forecast for the entire holiday travel season.
In addition, 560 million road trips and 15.9 million trips by water are expected, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Over 13 million trips are expected by air, an increase of 14 percent, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The number of daily flights was pegged at nearly 14,800.
Beijing Capital International Airport, China's busiest, expects to see 3.95 million trips during the rush, the airport said.
On Sunday, cars were trapped in kilometers-long traffic jams on expressways and passengers stood in long lines at stations and airports. Large groups of tourists crowded into resorts.
The Wuyi Mountain range is home to some of the country's best tea plantations. Tea has grown in the area for centuries.[Photo by Will Wain-Williams / For China Daily]
Nestled in a remote part of northern Fujian province, close to the borders of Jiangxi and Zhejiang provinces, is the mountain range of Wuyi, with its dramatic scenery and some of China's best tea.
The mountain range is popular among Chinese tourists but little known internationally.
The teas grown here are mostly of the Oolong variety. If you are a tea drinker, you may have come across the name Bohea tea, which is actually derived from how Wuyi is pronounced in the local dialect.
The area has been producing tea for hundreds of years, although initially green tea was produced here and its scope was limited. This all changed in the most unlikely of ways.
Nowadays, black tea is the most commonly drunk tea in the world. But few realize it had its humble beginnings as an accidental creation in these very mountains.
In the village of Tongmu, people had been producing green tea for centuries.
Concertgoers scramble for shelter at the Route 91 country music festival after gunfire breaks out on Sunday in Las Vegas, Nevada. David Becker / Getty Images VIA AFP
BEIJING - President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a condolence message to his US counterpart, Donald Trump, over the mass shooting in Las Vegas in the US state of Nevada.
The shooting caused heavy casualties, Xi said as he extended deep sympathy to the US government and people, profound condolences to the victims, and sincere solicitude to those wounded.
The Chinese president also wished a quick recovery of the injured.
A gunman opened fire on a country music concert in Las Vegas in the US state of Nevada on Sunday night, killing at least 59 people and injuring more than 500 others in the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, police said on Monday.
More than 22,000 people were attending the outdoor music festival when the gunman rained bullets from a high-floor hotel room of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, the police said.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the shooter had converted to Islam months ago, Reuters reported. The group provided no evidence.
The death toll, which police emphasized was preliminary, would make the attack the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, eclipsing last year's massacre of 49 people at an Orlando nightclub.
Thousands of panicked people fled, in some cases trampling one another as law enforcement officers scrambled to locate and stop the gunman. Shocked concertgoers, some with blood on their clothes, wandered the streets.
Police identified the gunman as area resident Stephen Paddock, 64, but said they had no immediate information about his motive.
A pair of cowboy boots is shown in the street outside the concert venue after a mass shooting at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, October 1, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]
LONDON - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he was "horrified" by a shooting incident at an outdoor music festival on the Las Vegas Strip that left at least 50 dead and injured more than 400 wounded.
The attack is the worst mass shooting in the modern history of the United States.
Johnson said the United Kingdom stood ready to help however it could.
"I am horrified by the awful attack at a music festival in Las Vegas this morning (London time)," he said in a statement. "The United Kingdom stands with the American people against this indiscriminate violence. My thoughts are with all those caught up in it."
Here are details of some of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in the past 25 years:
Florida club: 49 killed
A heavily-armed gunman opens fire inside a nightclub in the city of Orlando on June 12 last year and kills 49 people.
The attacker is killed in a shootout with police; he pledges allegiance to the Islamic State group, which later claims responsibility.
Virginia Tech: 32 killed
A 23-year-old student goes on a rampage at Virginia Tech University in the town of Blacksburg in April. He kills 27 students and five teachers before committing suicide.
Sandy Hook: 26 killed
A disturbed 20-year-old kills his mother in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012 before blasting his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School and shooting dead 20 children ages 6 and 7, plus six adults. He commits suicide.
Texas restaurant: 22 dead
In October 1991, a man shoots dead 22 people in a restaurant in the town of Killeen before killing himself.
California office party: 14 dead
A newlywed radicalized couple storm an Christmas office party at a social services center in San Bernardino in December 2015 and gun down 14 people, wounding 22 others. They are shot dead by police.
Fort Hood military base: 13 dead
In November 2009, a US army psychiatrist opens fire at his military base in Killeen, killing 13 people and wounding 42, before being overpowered by police.
New York immigrant center: 13 dead
An immigrant shoots dead 13 people at a civic center in the New York state city of Binghamton in April 2009, before killing himself.
Denver cinema: 12 dead
A young man wearing body armor storms a cinema showing a late-night premiere of a Batman film in Aurora in July 2012, opening fire and releasing tear gas. Twelve people and 70 wounded. He is sentenced to life in prison.
AP - AFP
Montana State University Billings Interim Chancellor Ron Larsen received support from faculty and staff groups, as well as community members, during a forum Monday.
The meeting was held as the first real step in finding a permanent chancellor for the university. Larsen, who took over in February, is the third person in that position since 2010.
Montana State University President Waded Cruzado led the forum. She spoke about the quick appointment of Larsen after former Chancellor Mark Nook left for another university.
"At that moment I could not think of a more important, pressing need than providing the stability that our students needed to provide the environment that our faculty are going to require in order to bring that academic year to fruition," Cruzado said.
The idea of Larsen as permanent chancellor received the support of members of the university staff senate, academic senate and some community members. Much of that support was rooted in a need for stability at the top of the MSUB organizational chart.
"Playing musical chairs with the chancellor doesn't work," said Mary Susan Fishbaugh, dean of the College of Education.
Reno Charette, director of MSUB American Indian Outreach, said that changes in leadership affects the success of the most vulnerable students. Native American students, she said, have below-average retention rates that are negatively affected by changes in leadership.
Charette and others praised Larsen for being responsive and active as chancellor.
"Ron Larsen knows the job," said Mike Schaer, owner of Computers Unlimited. "He knows how to grow a university, which is critical."
Cruzado began the forum with an hour open to university backers and members of the public, followed by an hour with faculty members.
Susan Gilbertz, geography professor and chair of the academic senate, said that support for Larsen is not universal, but it has grown over time.
"And it's solid," she said. "It's strong."
There was discussion at the forum about whether the university should forgo a national search and appoint Larsen. Others countered that if Larsen is the best candidate, he would win such a search.
But most touched on stability. Terry Bouck, superintendent of Billings Public Schools, spoke about commitment and longevity.
Melanie Schwartz, director of marketing for Big Sky Economic Development, said that focus on big projects, like the Yellowstone Allied Health and Science Building, get interrupted by changes to the administration.
"We've been through a lot of change," she said. "And every time you throw some change in there, it distracts from other priorities."
Cruzado indicated that a potential search committee could have 14 members. The university hopes to name a permanent chancellor by July 2018.
By Chang Jun in San Francisco, Zhang Ruinan and Hong Xiao in New York | China Daily USA | Updated: 2017-10-03 11:04
Henry Liu, a Chinese tour guide, was driving his tour bus near the Las Vegas Strip as he headed back to his hotel after a day's work.
When he got closer to the Strip around 10:30 pm local time, he suddenly heard a burst of popping sounds.
"I thought it was fireworks at first, but then I realized it was the sound of gunshots," said Liu, a Shanghai native. "I saw police cars fly past with sirens blaring, and the police were all fully armed."
Scores of people were screaming, running, crying and trying to seek safety, Liu said.
When he finally got back to the hotel, a man knocked on his car door, said that there were two people who were wounded in the mass shooting and they needed to be rushed to the nearby hospital's emergency room.
Liu said the two people were severely wounded, a woman who was shot twice in the chest and a man who was covered in blood with a gunshot to his arm.
A woman who worked at the hotel's reception desk said she was a local resident and provided directions to Liu who had to run several red lights and drive in the opposite direction, getting them to the hospital in seven minutes.
After Liu got back to the hotel, he helped to transport another man who was slightly wounded in the arm to the hospital.
Liu said there were three families in his tourist group who were traveling during the Chinese National Day holiday, with young children.
"It was a very terrifying and horrible experience for them," he said.
Others in the city stepped up to donate blood for the victims.
"I arrived at United Blood Services at around 7:20 this morning," said Fiona Hu, who lives by the Las Vegas Strip. "And when I got there, people were already lined up, I waited for two hours, but still couldn't get in."
"Many volunteers were passing out water, coffee, and snacks while we were waiting," said Hu. "There were so many people, so I had to wait for a parking spot for a long time."
Hu was told it would be better to arrange an appointment online in advance, but when she got home, she found all donation centers had been booked and did not take reservations anymore.
"I'll check if tomorrow I can get an appointment," Hu said. "There are hundreds of people wounded, so I decided to donate my blood - my blood type is O."
She said she heard the music suddenly stopped last night, and noise from helicopters and police cars from her home.
"I thought it was just pistol gunfire at first, but then I heard from my friend that it was a mass shooting," Hu added.
Julie Scott, a spokesperson for United Blood Services, told ABC News that the wait is reportedly between five and six hours for people who are currently in line at any of the three donation sites in and around Las Vegas.
On social media, people posted pictures from blood-donation sites around Las Vegas and other cities in Nevada and shared locations where people could donate.
"I searched the blood center online, and there are many other sites around the city," said Hu.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department provided a list of donation centers on Twitter, and it circulated widely, according to The New York Times.
Sun Chao, manager of Golden Eagle Travel USA, a Chinese travel agency headquartered in New York with a branch in Los Angeles, told China Daily that the travel agency had more than 40 Chinese tourists and guides in Las Vegas on Sunday night when the shooting happened.
The tourists were in Aria Resort & Casino, which is 1.5 miles from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, and Westgate Resort & Casino, about five miles from Mandalay. "They are in a safe situation but are scared," Sun said.
The travel agency will provide tour guides to help ease tourists' concerns.
Sun said Mandalay is one of the popular choices with tour groups from India, and the hotel is near where Chinese tourists regularly stay.
The three tour groups were headed on Monday to the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Houston on Oct 2.
Leo Liu, guide of one of three groups, said traffic in the city returned to normal on Monday morning, so he and his group members were able to make the flight to Houston at noon.
Sun said that on Sunday night, after they watched a show at the MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, the tourists went back to their hotels about an hour before the shooting started.
"Those who have booked tours or are planning to have a tour probably would like to cancel them for safety considerations," Liu said.
Contact writers at xiaohong@chinadailyusa.com
On Sunday, a gunman in a hotel overlooking the Las Vegas Strip opened fire on the crowd at a country music festival, killing at least 59 and injuring at least another 527, making it the deadliest mass shooting incident in US history. Three experts shared their views on the incident with China Daily's Zhang Zhouxiang and Wang Han:
Deep split in US society curbs gun control
Da Wei, director of the International Strategy and Security Research Center, University of International Relations:
Discussions over stricter gun control have been gonging on in the US for a long time, but there is hardly any progress; That's because it is increasingly more difficult for different groups in the US to reach consensus.
Decades years ago, different groups with different interests in the US were discussing and debating with each other in constructive ways, but today they are quarrelling with each other. The result is endless mutual attacks without any attempts to find a solution to the problem.
Especially, the issue of gun control involves conflicts between elites and the ordinary people, between the urban and rural residents, even among different states. With more than 50 killed and more than 500 injured, the price is rather heavy and the US must find ways to mend its disintegrating society.
Lack of serious debate In US about gun control
Gong Honglie, an associate professor of international studies at Nanjing University:
At a press conference, the US police said they did not find any clues linking the shooter and any terrorist organization. There are also suggestions that the suspect had mental problems. Therefore, it is highly possible that the Las Vegas shooting, the most deadly of its kind, is not a terrorist attack or an attack with a political background, but rather an attack launched by someone extremely disturbed who hated society.
Yet for the public, there is no difference between one kind of attack and another. They only care about how to stop such attacks and ensure their safety. That's a common challenge for all modern societies, especially the United States where gun control is rather loose and there are so many organizations and individuals that are out of control. They could learn from China some lessons on the governance of a modern society.
Concerning gun control, US politicians always rush to discuss it only after a major attack happens. When the attacks are no longer in the media spotlight, they drop the issue again. Hope they will change this time, or it will be too late.
Overcome obstacle of National Rifle Association
Zhu Sumei, a professor at the International Politics Department of the University of International Relations:
After the tragedy in Las Vegas, US President Donald Trump expressed his "warmest condolences and sympathies" to the victims and their families. However, in order to prevent such tragedies from happening again, Trump needs to push through gun control. Do not forget that the police had found 17 firearms in the suite of the suspect, an astonishing high number.
For historical and practical reasons, guns are a very serious problem in the United States. As the chief supporter of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, which grants US residents the right to bear arms, the National Rifle Association of America has about 5 million members nationwide, among which there are some quite powerful figures that are mostly Republicans. This group is a biggest obstacle to gun control in the US.
Besides that, many Democrats avoid promoting gun control because they do not want to offend the NRA. That's why former US president Barack Obama tried hard to push it but the bill on gun control still failed to get the approval of the US Congress. In 2015, Obama even openly admitted being depressed about this situation.
In gun control, Europe does a much better job than the US. It is so strict in Europe that terrorists even have few channels to get hold of them, so they have resorted to trucks and knives for their attacks. If the terrorists in Europe had guns, they would have caused much heavier casualties. Time for the US society to face the challenge.
The Yellowstone County commission on Tuesday approved a committee review process to replace a retiring justice of the peace and the county auditor.
Justice of the Peace Pedro Hernandez, who has served for 42 years, and for his wife, Auditor Debby Hernandez, who was elected in 2003 as a Republican, are retiring Nov. 30.
To replace the justice of the peace, the commission appointed County Attorney Scott Twito to head a screening committee to review applications and to make recommendations to the commission.
Twito headed a similar committee when the commission appointed David Carter to replace Larry Herman when he retired.
To review auditor candidates, the commission appointed Chief Deputy County Attorney Dan Schwarz and Human Resources Director Dwight Vigness.
Schwarz said candidates for justice of the peace are not required to be lawyers.
And although the auditor is a partisan job and currently held by a Republican, the commission is not required to fill the position with a Republican, Schwarz said.
The only time when the commission must follow party affiliation for filling vacancies is for the county commission and the state legislature.
Qualifications for both positions are that a person must be at least 18 years old, live in the county and not have a felony record.
The county is in the process of advertising for the posts.
Schwarz recommended the commission wait make appointments until after Nov. 30. New officials would be able to begin almost immediately, he said.
Whoever is appointed would have to run for election to retain the jobs, which are four-year terms expiring at the end of 2018.
When Star Trek: Enterprise was canceled in 2005 for poor ratings and J. J. Abrams introduced his alternate Kelvin timeline for his reboot films four years later, seasoned Trek fans had cause to wonder whether they would ever again see a canonical television episode of their favorite fictional universe. Then, in 2015, came the announcement: CBS, which had acquired the rights to the Star Trek franchise, was creating a new seriesone that would be set not in the Kelvin timeline, but in the original Prime universe.
Fan reaction predictably ran the gamut, from dismissive hostility to skepticism to cautious optimism. But two years later, after changes of theme and of producers, backstage dramas, and aggressive marketing, on Sunday, September 24, fans finally caught their first glimpse of Star Trek: Discovery.
Critical reviews overall have been mainly positive, and I am inclined to concur. In particular, as a Christian I am intrigued by the shows desire to retain a form of Star Trek idealism while acknowledging the challenges posed by human frailty.
Premiering on the CBS network, but from now on airing only on their streaming site CBS All Access, Star Trek: Discovery is a prequel of sorts. It takes place ten years prior to The Original Seriesa century or so before Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager, but a century after Enterprise. The debt to Enterprise is evident, not only in direct allusions but in visual nods like uniforms, aliens, and ship designs, all apparently set to transition into a more Original Series look as the show progresses.
In the premiere, The Vulcan Hello, the USS Shenzhou encounters a seemingly isolated ship belonging to Star Treks favorite warrior race, the Klingons. The crew learns that the ships commander, TKuvma (Chris Obi), plans to unite the warring Klingon houses in shared hostility toward the peace-loving Federation. Our protagonist, Shenzhou first officer Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), has been burned by Klingons before and favors an aggressive approach, leading to a mutinous encounter with her previously supportive captain, Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh).
The second episode, Battle at the Binary Stars, aired only on CBS All Access immediately following the premiere. It picks up where the previous episode left off, presenting the ensuing combat between Klingon forces and ships from the Federations Starfleet.
Those who are aloof to internecine Trekkie debates would probably raise an eyebrow at the amount of lamenting and bickering and pontificating that has led up to this premiere. When Gene Roddenberry developed the first Star Trek series over 50 years ago, he created a fairly coherent secondary world, a future history with its own texture and rules. Four more canonical shows followed after, but with more than 700 episodes and 10 films, some inconsistencies were bound to emerge. Still, the faithfuland particularly some fans of the first two seriescan bristle quickly at perceived continuity errors, and a sleek prequel that makes Captain Kirks original Enterprise look clunky was bound to draw some censure.
From the first shows very inception, however, Roddenberry sought to pull off a tense balancing act. He wanted to write intelligent science fiction, but his first pilot was rejected as too cerebral; he wanted an idealistic vision of a conflict-free future, when conflict is the lifeblood of drama. The result is a curious, if often glorious, instability: a series that was often plenty exciting, but could take on heady philosophical and political themes. It launched a universe with a welcome emphasis on transcending difference that was nonetheless punctuated by occasional character disputes and especially after the third series, Deep Space Ninemuch darker overtones.
Article continues below
Star Trek: Discovery enters into this dynamic with its eyes wide open to the tensions. Indeed, perhaps more intentionally than any of its predecessors, Discovery is precisely about those tensions. In the shows opening scenes, Commander Burnham appears as the gosh-wow explorer, ready for anything, playing off the seasoned and bemused Captain Georgiou. When the Klingons enter the game, however, the roles get reversed: Georgiou favors the Federations principled diplomacy while Burnham advocates for an aggressive, perhaps violent, approach. At the end of the early episodes, its still uncertain which officer was right.
But this is exactly why I have high hopes for Discovery. Roddenberrys original vision for his first Star Trek was a beautiful dream, one that in the naively progressive arc of the 1960s might have even seemed feasible. At the end of the day, however, his utopian dream was impracticable. I have elsewhere noted the extent to which it relied heavily on Enlightenment and modern assumptions about human natureassumptions that cannot fully be squared with the Christian understanding of humanitys fallenness. Despite Star Treks success, Roddenberrys overly optimistic depiction of humanity has long been recognized as inadequate.
As G. K. Chesterton once remarked, the observable fact of sin is practical as potatoes. A stable of solid writers saved the Trek universe from collapsing under its own benevolence, but not without incidentand in Roddenberrys last years, when The Next Generation was at the peak of its fame, those writers sometimes ran afoul of his desire to keep characters conflict-free. The first post-Roddenberry Trek series, Deep Space Nine, was noticeably darker. Discoverys producers, meanwhile, have admitted that they feel free to step outside Roddenberrys box. While part of me hates to see a fictional world depart from its creators design, in reality, even classic Trek was never able to adhere to these guidelines fully, because we cannot help being sinful.
Judging from its early episodes and the comments of its writers, Discovery doesnt attempt to subvert the ethics and ideals of Star Trek so much as it aims to present them in a more realistic framework. Georgiou and Burnham both strive to represent Federation values, but their mission tests them, and in the end they appear to fail: Burnham betrays her captain and friend, and Georgiou cannot avert war. Episode three commences Burnhams involvement with USS Discoverys mysterious, Machiavellian Captain Lorca (Jason Isaacs); and Original Series con artist Harry Mudd (Rainn Wilson) will appear in future storylines, adding further wrinkles of moral complexity to a character caught between her ideals and her brokenness, forced into the dark corners that most pale-bright utopias disregard.
Because ultimately, a utopia is an ideal construct rather than an achievable locationhence its name, meaning no place. While I know that Roddenberrys altruistically secular Federation will never exist, though, I am equally exasperated with the dark and gritty mentality that assumes that because ideals and virtues are never perfectly attainable, we should toss them out the airlock entirely. As a Christian, I live quite (un)comfortably in a realm of already but not yet. I subscribe to a code of ethics that I will never fully live out.
This is precisely Jesus point in the Sermon on the Mount. Against the Pharisees, who could smugly proclaim their scrupulous devotion to the Ten Commandments, Jesus asserts that willing a sin is the moral equivalent of acting it out. [U]nless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, he tells the people, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. They must be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. And I dont buy the exegesis that tries to define down perfect simply to mean mature. The Father isnt maturehe is impeccably sinless. The segment of the Sermon isnt a pep talkits the most depressing discourse a first-century Jewish audience (or a modern one) could hear. The standard is unattainable.
Article continues below
Rather than collapse in despair, though, we remember that in the same sermon, Jesus also promises he hasnt come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. Christ gives us his righteousness, his perfectionand the remainder of our Christian sanctification is our halting, ever-incomplete progress toward that goal that we will never reach in our own strength.
For that reason, I am favorable toward Star Trek: Discoverys own take on Roddenberrys idealism. Star Treks approach to ethics is a mixed bag, as several contributors to the recent book Science Fiction and the Abolition of Man demonstrate. At its worst, Star Trek puts forth a godless humanism without a transcendent eschatology, yoked to a flawed understanding of human nature. Indeed, there is some question about whether religion can even be referenced in the series.
But despite his (in)famous Prime Directive of noninterference, Gene Roddenberry was no moral relativist, and his characters sometimes embody virtues that the Christian viewer can applaud. I can appreciate the picture of shalom toward which the Federation aspires, even as I recognize its shaky positivistic foundation. I can celebrate a character exhibiting loving self-sacrifice even if it falls short of true Christlike charity. Most of all, I can welcome a show that takes human shortcomings seriously without jettisoning every notion of ideals. That is, after all, the very state in which I live.
During her trial at the end of the second episode, Burnham pleads guilty. She claims she was raised to believe that service was my purpose and that she sought to further the noble objectives of this great institution [Starfleet]. But now, she realizes we are at war, and I am the enemy.
These are not the words of a cynical show bent on undermining a vision of human cooperation, exploration, and self-sacrifice. They are, rather, the words of a show aware of just how impossible these ideals are to live out fullyand I have little doubt that however long Burnhams arc is, it will be redemptive as she moves closer to those ideals. For now, anyway, I plan to be there with her, hoping that she and Star Trek: Discovery may live long and prosper.
Geoffrey Reiter is assistant professor of English at the Baptist College of Florida and associate editor for Christ and Pop Culture. He holds a BA in English from Nyack College and a PhD in English from Baylor University, along with an MA in church history from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
The global Christian community is buzzing with excitement about the arrival of Chinese Christians eager to serve on many mission fields around the world. While the Chinese church is still developing its capacity as a sending church, this new phase in world missions holds great promise for China and the worldproviding a moving demonstration of the maturity of the church in China. Throughout the centuries, many different global mission agencies and missionary workers have contributed to the growth of the mainland Chinese church. The endeavors of Western missionaries like Matteo Ricci, Gladys Aylward, Jonathan Goforth, and Timothy Richard have been well documented in biographies and sermon illustrations. Even today, mentions of Hudson Taylor and his China Inland Mission (CIM) continue to inspire Christian men and women to leave home to share the gospel overseas.
While many expatriates contributed to the present moment in Chinese mission sending, this missionary vision of the Chinese church owes as much if not more to the host of Chinese men and women over the last two centuries who have rooted the gospel message within the Chinese soul. These saints who played such an essential role in the establishment of an explicitly Chinese church deserve to be recognized for their service. May their stories inspire new generations of women and men in China and beyond to serve God wherever he may lead.
1. Ding Limei (18711936) A determined evangelist
Evangelist Ding Limei was born into one of the first Christian homes in the province of Shandong. At the age of 13, Ding left home for Dengzhou, (modern Penglai) and enrolled in Tengchow College, which had been founded by the American Presbyterian Mission, North. After graduating, he worked for a few years before returning to study theology for two years at the same school.
Ding was ordained as a pastor in 1898. During the Boxer Uprising in 1900, he was persecuted for his faith and thrown into prison for 40 days where he suffered almost 200 blows by the rod leaving terrible lesions on his skin. After his release, he accepted a position as a Presbyterian minister, resolving to preach the gospel in every province in China, to establish an indigenous Chinese church, and to save the souls of millions of his countrymen. Over the next 20 years he was an active itinerant evangelist, speaking at revivals across the country and leading many Chinese men and women to put their faith in Christ. At the end of his life, Ding focused on theological education, teaching in the North China Theological Seminary and pastoring several congregations. Illness in his later years prevented him from engaging in front line evangelism, but he persisted in praying for the salvation of thousands of countrymen by name, never wavering in his desire to see the people of China won for Christ.
2. Jeanette Li (18991968) Cross-cultural evangelist
Jeannette Li was born in 1899 into a Buddhist household. A childhood illness compelled her family to bring her to a missionary hospital and her subsequent recovery led her to enroll in the missions school. Li was baptized as the first Christian in her family at age 10. At the age of 16, Lee entered an unhappy marriage with a non-believer. After several years her husband married another woman, leaving Li to raise her son as a single mother.
While caring for her son and her ill mother, Li persisted in her studies and eventually found employment teaching in a government schoolan intentional decision she undertook in pursuit of evangelistic opportunities outside the Christian mission school community. Realizing that her true calling was evangelism, she resigned from the school in 1930 and enrolled at the Ginling Bible College in Nanjing to train for ministry. In 1934 she made the first of many trips to Manchuria where she was part of a fruitful cross-cultural outreach in streets, homes, hospitals, and orphanages throughout the region. Her ministry during these years was subject to near constant persecution and harassment from Japanese occupiers. In 1952 Li was imprisoned for 17 months by Communist officials for her faith. Upon her release, Li moved to Guangzhou where she once again volunteered as an evangelist until she was allowed passage to Hong Kong and, eventually, the United States. Throughout all the difficulties in her life, Li continued to share her faith, witnessing to Gods steady provision in times of trouble.
3. Liang Fa (17891855) Chinas first Protestant Christian
Liang Fa embodies the indigenization of Chinese Christianitya process that proceeded with fits and starts, periods of foreign patronage, internal persecution, and tension between Christian and Chinese identities. In his early life, Liang grew up in a village where he participated in local folk religious life. As a young adult, Liang worked as a printer assisting the recently arrived Robert Morrison of the London Missionary Society. His subsequent conversion led to the baptism of many family members and a job as the first ordained Chinese evangelist. By midlife, Liang was participating in most of the institutions of the early Protestant missionary movement (the missionary press, local fellowships, schools, a hospital, etc.) and penned one of the most influential Chinese gospel tracts of the 19th century.
Liang showed a tendency towards iconoclasm and embraced a form of Christianity that was strident in rejecting idolatry. Because of his faith and ministry, Liangs family life became more complicated as he aged, demonstrating several layers of the kinds of conflicts that accompanied becoming a Christian: the real risk in professing faith in Christ, the challenge of participating in religious or ritual life, and tensions over the next generation. Liang Fa is often described as the first fruit or the seed of the indigenous Chinese church.
4. Shi Meiyu (Mary Stone, 18731954) Accomplished missionary doctor
One of the earliest second-generation Christians on the continent, Shi Meiyu was born to a Methodist pastor and a mission school principal. As a child, Shi studied both the Chinese classics and Christian literature before heading to the University of Michigan to study medicine.
One of the first two Chinese women to receive a medical degree from an American university, Shi returned to China in 1896 to serve as a medical missionary with the Womens Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She spent her remaining decades establishing and running multiple hospitals and participating in a wide range of evangelistic work. Shi served on the China Continuation Committee after the Edinburgh World Missionary Conference of 1910, was the first president of the Womens Christian Temperance Union in China, and was one of the organizers of the Bethel Worldwide Evangelistic Band. In 1918 she cofounded the Chinese Missionary Society in order to support and send Chinese Christians to evangelize other Chinese people.
5. Shu Shan (?1900) A courageous Boxer Martyr
Shu Shan and her family were Christians living on the outskirts of Beijing when the Boxer turmoil erupted in the summer of 1900. A grassroots uprising with complicated causes, the Boxer participants called on the spiritual assistance of traditional Chinese mythical heroes to destroy all foreign influences and restore prosperity and security to the common people of North China. Shus husband was a local evangelist in charge of his own mission station just outside Beijing. As news of the coming Boxer violence spread, he fled to the mountains in search of safety, sending his wife and their three children under the age of 10 to live with nearby relatives. As the Boxers closed in on their village, Shu and her children were gradually turned away from all possible places of refuge by friends and family alike, eventually returning to their home to wait for death. Shu and her children were seized by the Boxers because of their Christian faith and then tormented, murdered, and cast into a shallow grave near the ruins of their home. The blood of Shu Shan and the many other Christian martyrs of 1900 inspired a generation of expatriate missionaries and local disciples to take up their crosses and follow Jesus wherever he ledtheir obedience forming the foundation of todays Chinese church.
6. Sung Shangjie (John Sung, 19011944) Chinas John the Baptist
Song was born in Fujian province in 1901, the fourth son of a Methodist pastor. Eager to follow in his fathers footsteps, Song graduated from the local mission school and headed to the United States to study theology. Once there, however, he studied chemistry instead, eventually earning his PhD from Ohio State University in 1926. Shortly afterwards, he repented of his selfishness and endeavored to honor his original call by enrolling at Union Theological Seminary in New York. In 1927 Song reported having a dramatic conversion experience that compelled him to criticize the liberal theology of his professors. This was a troubled time for Song, resulting in a mental breakdown that saw him placed in an insane asylum. An American pastor intervened, and Song was allowed to return to China where he juggled teaching chemistry and Bible during the week with running evangelistic campaigns on the weekends. In 1931 Song accepted the invitation of Shi Meiyu (see above) and left all his other work to join the Bethel Worldwide Evangelistic Band. Sung was soon known throughout Asia as a fiery preacher whose dramatic behavior on stage and moving songs spoke directly to peoples hearts. For the next eight years, his message of judgment, repentance, and healing brought many people in China and throughout the Chinese diaspora to faith in Jesus. The persistent health problems that he claimed kept him humble eventually took his life in 1944.
7. Wang Laiquan (18351901) Hudson Taylors brother in ministry
A painter and interior decorator, Wang was baptized into missionary Hudson Taylors congregation in Ningbo in 1859. Wang agreed to help Taylor with his struggling hospital, working with the understanding that he would receive no salary but only a share of whatever the Lord provided. Wang joined Taylor when he returned to England in 1860 for medical reasons where he helped care for the Taylor children and assisted with the translation of the New Testament into the Ningbo dialect.
After returning to China, Wang began pastoring independent local churches on his own. With no salary from the CIM, Wang used his own money to open a country chapel and supervised a growing number of itinerant local evangelists, eventually becoming a superintendent pastor of a network of self-supported, self-governing churches in the Hangzhou area. Wang cooperated well with CIM expatriate missionaries and on at least one occasion sent money from his churches to support the work of CIM expatriate missionaries.
8. Wu Baoying (18971930) Medical missionary to western China
Born in in 1897 to a Christian family in the western China province of Gansu, Wu was one of the first Chinese medical missionaries in China, personally trained by second generation CIM missionary George King at the Borden Memorial Hospital in Lanzhou. Wu and his wife proved indispensable in the running of the hospital following the recall of all the expatriate missionaries from western China after the anti-Christian and anti-foreign violence of the 1927 Nanjing Incident. Wu and his brother also established a mission hospital in their hometown, where Wu was killed by Hui minority rebels during an ethnic uprising in 1928. His final words, as he died at the age of 33, were The Lord is with us.
9. Xi Shengmo (Pastor Hsi, 18351896) The Overcomer of Demons
The Confucian scholar Xi Zizhi became a Christian following a failed attempt to pass the provincial level exams in Taiyuan, Shanxi. As he exited the examination hall, he received several gospel tracts as well as a list of essay questions on general moral and religious topics devised by British missionaries Timothy Richard and David Hill as a means of opening gospel discussions with Chinese elites. Xi submitted several winning entries in the essay competition, and when he visited the missionaries to collect his monetary prize, Xi was asked by Hill to serve as his secretary and Chinese language tutor. Xi accepted and his new foreign friend soon helped him overcome his opium smoking habit.
Xi became a Christian, changed his name to Xi Shengmo (Xi, the overcomer of demons), and returned to his hometown to convert his traditional Chinese medical dispensary into a church and opium refuge for others seeking to overcome their addictions. He was the first indigenous pastor in Shanxi province, immortalized in Geraldine Taylors biography, Pastor Hsi: Confucian Scholar and Christian. Xi was fiery, and while he did at times get into conflict with foreign missionaries, a long string of CIM missionaries (including many of the famous Cambridge Seven) served effectively under his direction. His opium refuge played an important role in the early development of the indigenous Protestant church in Shanxi.
10. Yu Cidu (Dora Yu, 18731931) An independent revival preacher
Born a preachers daughter in the Hangzhou American Presbyterian Mission compound, Yu Cidu was trained as a medical worker. In 1897 she briefly joined an early cross-cultural mission outreach to Korea. In 1904 Yu gave up medicine for full-time ministry and began preaching at revivals across the country. Yu was one of the earliest preachers to cut financial support from the West, seeking to build up the indigenous Chinese church and completely live by faith. She later founded the Bible Study and Prayer House, (later the Jiangwan Bible School) in Shanghai, as well as a series of winter and summer Bible study classes, and trained many qualified preachers for the Chinese church. Many of those who became Christians through Yus evangelism efforts played important roles in the early 20th century Chinese church revival movement. After hearing her preach at a revival meeting in Fuzhou, Watchman Nee converted to Christianity and dedicated himself to serving God. In 1927 Yu was invited to be the main speaker at the Keswick Convention, the famous annual gathering of evangelical believers committed to spiritual holiness, unity, and global mission, where she implored Western Christians to stop sending missionaries with liberal theology to China.
Andrew T. Kaiser, PhD, has been living and working with his family in China since 1997. In addition to his various online contributions, Andrew is also the author of Voices from the Past: Historical Reflections on Christian Missions in China and The Rushing on of the Purposes of God: Christian Missions in Shanxi since 1876.
G. Wright Doyle is director of Global China Center, editor of the Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity, editor of Builders of The Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders, editor and translator of Wise Man from the East: Lit-sen Chang, and co-editor of the series Studies in Chinese Christianity.
[ This article is also available in and . ]
The morning after hundreds of country music fans were shot at a Las Vegas festival, President Donald Trump called on God to comfort grieving families and victims.
Scripture teaches us the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit, he said, referencing Psalm 34:18. We seek comfort in those words, for we know that God lives in the hearts of those who grieve.
The psalm he quoted ranks among the top verses that Bible readers turn to after mass shootings.
Bible Gateway analyzed search patterns surrounding Sunday nights concert shooting as well as 18 other major incidents of violence over the past decade, including Virginia Tech in 2007, Sandy Hook Elementary in 2012, San Bernardino in 2015, and Orlandos Pulse nightclub in 2016. Among the sites 150 million-plus visitors a year, the four verses that saw distinct spikes in readership around those shootings were:
John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Psalm 34:18: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Romans 12:19: Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for Gods wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.
Psalm 11:5 The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.
Overall, these go-to verses address Gods deliverance from the brokenness of the worlda condition many onlookers feel acutely during times of national tragedy.
Passages from the Psalms in particular regularly appear among the most-searched and most-shared verses in Scripture, and they take on particular significance as Christians look to the biblical text to express laments and frustrations.
Pastor Louie Giglio and Christine Caine shared Psalm 34:18 in response to the Vegas attack, while David Platt ranked it as his top prayer for families and victims. Elsewhere in the Psalms, Beth Moore referenced Psalm 7:9, Kari Jobe, Psalm 9:9; and Anne Graham Lotz, Psalm 23:4.
Several verses associated with the end times also trended on Bible Gateway after the mass shootings.
After a tragic event, some people turn to apocalyptic verses. For example, after the Dallas police shooting in July 2016, the top topics on openbible.info were violence, signs of the end times, and end of the world, said Bible search guru Stephen Smith. (He noted that a Christian website called End Time Headlines was even featured on Facebooks own crisis response page after the attack.)
White evangelicals worry less about being caught up in a mass shooting (38%) than other life-threatening events like a terrorist attack (66%) or a violent crime (61%), according to Pew Research Center data released earlier this year. Along with mainline Protestants and the religiously unaffiliated, evangelicals were less likely than Americans on average to worry about being a victim in a mass shooting.
Pew also found that about a third of white evangelicals favored tighter gun regulations, compared to half of Americans overall. Earlier research by PRRI showed that evangelicals were the only religious group in which a plurality (40%) say that putting more emphasis on God and morality in school and society is the most important thing that could be done to prevent future mass shootings.
Evangelical leaders feel more strongly about gun legislation, according to a survey released by the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) last month. Among denominational heads and ministry presidents (most of whom own a firearm themselves), 55 percent said gun laws should be stricter.
Evangelical leaders have nuanced views on guns, said Leith Anderson, NAE president. They accept the Second Amendment, but also deeply grieve when weapons are used to take innocent lives. Anderson tweeted on Monday to offer prayers and condemn the violence in Las Vegas.
At least 58 people were killed, and more than 500 wounded, in the Vegas shooting. Victims include a 29-year-old graduate of Union University, a Southern Baptist school in Tennessee, who died saving his wife.
In other coverage, CT discussed why prayer is an appropriate initial response to mass violence, as well as three ways to pray for Las Vegas.
More than 40 percent of the worlds countries have an official or preferred state religion, according to a study released today by the Pew Research Center.
Pew surveyed 199 countries to ascertain which were publicly in favor of religionand which religions they favored. Researchers weighed not only constitutions, laws, and policies, but also actions taken for or against religious groups.
The most popular official state religion is Islam, which is named in the constitutions or basic laws of 27 countries. Thats 63 percent of the 43 countries that officially designate a religion.
Many of those countries lie in the Middle East and North Africa. In fact, Lebanon is the only one in the region not to have an official or preferred religion.
In some cases, state religions have roles that are largely ceremonial, Pew researchers stated. But often the distinction comes with tangible advantages in terms of legal or tax status, ownership of real estate or other property, and access to financial support from the state.
Having a declared religious preference also meant those countries tend to more severely regulate religious practice including placing restrictions or bans on minority religious groups.
Two countries have officially named Buddhism (Bhutan and Cambodia), and one Judaism (Israel), as their state religions.
Thirteen countries list Christianity as their state religionnine in Europe (including the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Iceland), two in the Caribbean (Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic), one in Africa (Zambia), and one an island nation of 10,000 in the Pacific Ocean (Tuvalu).
But while Christianity isnt often named in a countrys documents, it is favored by 28 of the 40 countries that show an obvious yet unofficial preferencetypically with legal, financial, or other kinds of practical benefitsfor one religion over another. Most of the countries that unofficially favor Christianity are in Europe and the Americas, such as Catholicism in Liechtenstein, Lutheranism in Denmark, and Anglicanism in the United Kingdom. Five more are in sub-Saharan Africa, and three in the Asia-Pacific region.
Islam isnt the second-most favored; in fact, it isnt really even third by Pews measurements. Four countries are biased toward Buddhism (Burma, Laos, Mongolia, and Sri Lanka), and another five favor multiple religions (Eritrea, Indonesia, Lithuania, Serbia, and Togo).
Typically, the government describes these religions as traditional or part of the countrys historic culture, stated Pew researchers of the multiple religions category. It may also provide these groups with legal or financial benefits, such as waiving the requirement to register as a religious group, providing funding or resources for religious education, or providing government subsidies.
Just three countries favor Islam without naming it as their official religion: Sudan, Syria, and Turkey.
More than half of countries that prefer one religion over another are in the Middle East/North Africa (95% favor a religion) and Europe (50%). Asia (38%), the Americas (29%), and sub-Saharan Africa (15%) are less likely to do so.
While 83 countries show a marked preference for one religion (or multiple religions), 106 profess to be neutral. That doesnt mean they dont take notice of religion. Many declare religious freedom for all. Some, like the United States, grant freedoms or favors like tax exemptions evenhandedly to many religious groups.
Broadly, the countries in this category can be said to maintain a clear separation of church and state, Pew researchers explained. But it is not necessarily the case that these countries avoid any promotion or restriction of religious practice.
For example, France falls into this category but has banned face coverings in public.
Pews final category is the smallestjust 5 percent of the worlds nationsand contains those highly opposed to religion. They exert a very high level of control over religious institutions in their countries or actively take a combative position toward religion in general, researchers stated.
Those countries are almost all in AsiaAzerbaijan, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnamas well as Cuba. Some, especially those in the former USSR, now lean heavily Muslim, but keep such a close eye on mosques and imams that theyre actually hostile to religion, Pew researchers concluded.
Belonging to an official state religion is generally a boon for its followers. While the level of privilege ranges from nominal benefits to mandatory adherence, it usually comes with some sort of special preference combined with regulations or punishments for those who deviate.
The benefits nearly always include financial funding: 98 percent of countries with an official religion and 58 percent of those with a preferred religion hand over money or resources for education, property, or religious activities.
Perhaps not surprisingly, people who live in countries with an official or preferred religion are more likely to believe the government should be funding or promoting religion than those who live in a country without a national religion.
Pew surveyed 18 European countries7 with no faith preference, and 11 with official or preferred faithsand found that those without a national religion were less likely (median of 50%) than their counterparts (median of 68%) to believe government should stay out of religion and vice versa.
The one exception: Poland, which favors the Catholic church but also favors separation of church and state. Three-quarters of the people there say the church has an influence (75%) but that it shouldnt have too muchor anyinfluence (65%).
People who have an official or preferred state religion are also more likely to believe that belonging to that religion is important to truly belong to the nationality (median of 66% vs. median of 43% in countries with no religious preference), though this varies drastically depending on if the person being questioned is a follower of that faith (81%) or not (31%).
Judicial Watch: Court Hearing on Tuesday, October 3 in Taxpayer Lawsuit to Prevent DC Government from Illegally Spending Taxpayer Money through Budget Autonomy Act
Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5172
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch today announced that a hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, in a lawsuit against the Mayor and Chief Financial Officer of the District of Columbia. Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit on behalf of Clarice Feldman, a longtime taxpayer and resident of the District of Columbia, to prevent the DC government from expending taxpayer money from a budget that was not appropriated by Congress and presented to the president for signing. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (Clarice Feldman v. Muriel Bowser and Jeffrey S. DeWitt (No. 1:15-cv-01967)).
Date: Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: Courtroom 17
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
333 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
At issue is the DC government's attempt to dismiss a November 6, 2015, lawsuit. The U.S. House of Representatives filed an amicus curiae brief in March 2016 urging the court to deny the DC government's efforts. In its amicus in support of the Opposition to the Motion to Dismiss the House declared:
The Local Budget Act is a naked and unabashed effort to strip Congress of powers vested in it by Article I of the Constitution, and to circumvent the constitutionally-prescribed legislative process that the District and its supporters previously and repeatedly have acknowledged is the one constitutionally-appropriate way to proceed.
In other words, the Local Budget Act turns the Appropriations Clause upside down, and is inconsistent with Congress's plenary authority over all District appropriations. The only constitutionally permissible manner by which the District may achieve budget autonomy with respect to locally-derived funds is for Congress to convey that authority to the District by way of the normal legislative process and Congress has not yet done that.
In Feldman's Opposition to the Motion to Dismiss, Judicial Watch takes strong issue with the District of Columbia's continued attempts to circumvent federal law, arguing:
Regardless of whether it is sound policy for the District of Columbia to have budget autonomy, [the defendants] cannot ignore the law. Yet, they do. Since October 1, 2015, Defendants have been illegally incurring obligations and expending local taxpayer funds pursuant to the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request Act of 2015 ("FY16 Budget Request") that have not been appropriated by Congress and presented to the President for signing. As a District taxpayer since 1979, Plaintiff challenges Defendants' lawlessness.
Federal law requires that DC's annual budget be approved by a majority or two-thirds vote of the DC Council and have affirmative appropriation passed by both Houses of Congress and presented to the president for signing. In 2013, DC passed the Budget Autonomy Act of 2012, which "purportedly grants the District authority to incur obligations and expend local tax and fee revenue without an appropriation passed by both Houses of Congress and presented to the President for signing." In other words, DC has sought to remove appropriation authority from Congress and grant it to itself.
MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-court-hearing-tuesday-october-3-taxpayer-lawsuit-prevent-dc-government-illegally-spending-taxpayer-money-budget-autonomy-act/
Elder Ricardo Graham, President, Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Responds to Las Vegas Shooting Contact: Kevin Lampe, 312 617-7280
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 2, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- As a church, Seventh-day Adventists reject violence and we are appalled at the tragic loss of life last night in Las Vegas. We grieve with those who have lost family and friends, and add our voice in mourning and sorrow. We stand against anyone who causes death and injury, and are heartbroken for those who are suffering such pain and anguish.
The scriptures condemn those who use violence, saying that "those who love violence, he hates with a passion" (Psalm 11:5 NIV). He says very clearly, "Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right" (Ezekiel 45:9 NIV).
As believers, we are called to stand for what is good and true and right, and most of all to show the love of God in the way we live. We will help those affected in their suffering, and continue to pray for all those who mourn. Instead of returning evil, we stand with all those who wish to do good. "Do not repay anyone evil for evil...Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:17-21 NIV).
We believe that "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18 NIV). May this be true for all those grieving and saddened at this time of loss.
Elder Ricardo Graham, D. Min, president Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
October 2, 2017
Las Vegas is located in the Pacific Union Conference
Share Tweet
home US Iraqi children plead to Trump for help as deadline to provide aid for religious minorities expires
Iraqi children are pleading directly to President Donald Trump for help as the deadline to provide portions of over $1 billion in aid to religious minorities victimized by the Islamic State terror group expires.
Photos obtained by Fox News reportedly show children at camps in Mt. Sinjar and Dohuk holding signs with messages like, "God Bless USA" and "Don't forget us President Trump."
International human rights lawyer Nina Shea said she believes that the images will "strike the conscience to see the real faces of innocent children who need to be rescued."
"When images of the Yazidis fleeing Mt. Sinjar were made public, it galvanized the previous administration to go back with troops, food drops and other aid after our military had already pulled out of Iraq. We saw something similar with President Trump's actions after the chemical attacks in Syria," she added.
Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, a total of $1.3 billion in humanitarian aid had been promised for Christians, Yazidis and persecuted minorities, but none of the money has reportedly reached the refugees. The act had reportedly expired last week at the end of the fiscal year.
According to Shea, the funds have not been released due to a "religion blind" policy, which prevents money from being sent to religious groups despite the statutory mandate to assist these communities. However, an exception was reportedly made for the Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar, who received $32 million in aid.
Officials for USAID have contended that the assertions that the U.S. is not providing support to vulnerable communities in Iraq are false.
"Since FY 2014, the U.S. government has provided nearly $1.7 billion to address the humanitarian needs of Iraqis both inside Iraq and in the region, including vulnerable members of minority communities, like the Yazidis and Christians," an official from the agency said.
The official further noted the aid also includes an additional $264 million that was announced on Sept. 20, as well as $115 million for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Funding Facility for Stabilization. A significant amount of the aid money was provided to minority communities, the official said, adding that the humanitarian assistance is based on need over religious affiliation.
Iraq's Christian population has reportedly fallen from about 1.4 million in 2003 to about 275,000 in late 2016.
The exodus began when the U.S. invaded Iraq, resulting in a wave of sectarian violence against Christian churches, particularly in the Nineveh Plains region, a centuries-old homeland for the country's Chaldean, Syriac and Assyrian Christians.
More Christians fled the region when ISIS conquered northern Iraq in 2014 and launched an organized massacre against the church as well as against other minority religions like Yazidis.
Some Christians have managed to flee to places like Europe and Lebanon, but others who remain in Iraq simply wandered the region avoiding U.N.-operated refugee camps for fear that they would be targeted by Muslim refugees in the camps.
home World ISIS releases new audio message suggesting top leader Baghdadi may still be alive
The Islamic State has released a new audio message that was purportedly delivered by its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, suggesting that he is still alive despite speculations about his demise.
In the undated audio, the ISIS leader urged his followers to keep fighting in Iraq and Syria, and wage attacks against the West.
The 46-minute recording was released on Thursday via the Al-Furqan news organization, according to Reuters. While the exact date of the audio is not known, Baghdadi makes references to recent events including North Korean threats against Japan and the U.S., as well as the recapture two months ago of Mosul by U.S.-backed Iraqi forces.
"The North Koreans have begun threatening America and Japan with nuclear power, and the Americans, Russians and Europeans live terrified in fear of strikes from the mujahedeen," the ISIS leader said.
Baghdadi's last message prior to the new audio was delivered in November 2016, two months after the start of the battle to recapture the city of Mosul from ISIS.
His latest recording, which was filled with conservative religious speech and references to Islamic history, came after several reports that he had been killed.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a U.K.-based monitoring group, had claimed earlier this year that it had received information that Baghdadi had been killed. However, the U.S.-led coalition had noted that there is no evidence of the Baghdadi's death, and top Kurdish intelligence officials asserted that they were "99 percent" sure that the ISIS leader remained alive.
Russia's defense ministry has also reported earlier this year that it might have killed Baghdadi in an air strike that targeted a gathering of IS commanders on the outskirts of Raqqa. But U.S. officials said they could not corroborate the report, and other Western and Iraqi officials have also expressed their skepticism.
Officials have suggested that it could take years to capture or kill Baghdadi, as he is believed to be hiding in a vast swathe of the sparsely-populated desert between Mosul and Raqqa, where attack drones can easily be seen.
A $25 million bounty has been placed on Baghdadi's head by the U.S. government for information leading to his arrest or his whereabouts.
In the audio recording, Baghdadi also called on his followers to attack Western media. "Oh soldiers of Islam in every location, increase blow after blow, and make the media centers of the infidels, from where they wage their intellectual wars, among the targets," he said.
"Continue your Jihad and your blessed operations and do not let the crusaders rest in their homes and enjoy life and stability while your brethren are being shelled and killed," he added.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Breast Cancer support groups in northwest Houston provide emotional and community support to help patients cope.
At the Cy-Fair Cancer Center, a support group meets monthly.
"It helps those currently going through the therapy to have emotional support," said Dr. Ali Mazloom, Medical Director and Radiation Oncologist at the Cy-Fair Cancer Center, which is part of Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital.
The support groups are open to current and former patients and their families.
More Information Support groups What: Cy-Fair Cancer Center, Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Where: 10650 Steepletop Drive, Houston For more information: visit http://www.cyfaircancercenter.com/ What: Care, Share and Be Aware Support Group Where: The Breast Center at Houston Northwest Medical Center When: Meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information:visit http://breastcenterhoustonnorthwest.com/ For information about screenings, symptoms or other resources, log in to http://breastcenterhoustonnorthwest.com/online-resources/ SUPPORT GROUPS What: Cy-Fair Cancer CenterCypress Fairbanks Medical Center Where: 10650 Steepletop Drive, Houston For more information: visit www.cyfaircancercenter.com What: Care, Share and Be Aware Support Group Where: The Breast Center at Houston Northwest Medical Center When: Meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information: visit http://breastcenterhoustonnorthwest.com For information about screenings, symptoms or other resources: log in to http://breastcenterhoustonnorthwest.com/online-resources See More Collapse
"This is a way they share their experiences and then become a support for others," said Dr. Uzma Iqbal, Medical Director and Medical Oncologist at the Cy-Fair Cancer Center.
"It's extremely important for people to network with each other because once a person gets diagnosed with cancer, a lot of things change - different types of insecurities, fears, strengths. It's very important for them to have this outlet," she said.
Iqbal purposefully does not have TVs in her practice to encourage her patients to talk with each other.
"Some patients end up forming life-long relationships," she said.
The Cypress Fairbanks community is tightly knit, Iqbal said.
"The community supports each other," she said.
Northwest Houston area support groups are also an education source.
Cy-Fair Cancer Center brings in different speakers to discuss various issues, including the importance of screenings for all different types of cancers.
"It's not just an emotional supportive group, it's also informative," Mazloom said. "It becomes an educational session for all the patients."
Family members of patients are encouraged to attend.
"Cancer does take a toll on family members, so we highly encourage them to participate as well," he said.
For more than a decade, breast cancer survivors have been meeting monthly at Houston Northwest Medical Center to offer support to one another.
The Care, Share and Be Aware support group for breast cancer survivors and their families started 12 years ago with eight survivors.
The meetings provide a safe environment for survivors to communicate their feelings and a place to bond with other survivors, said Esther Valdez, registered nurse at The Breast Center at Houston Northwest Medical Center.
The support groups are facilitated by health care professionals who are trained by the American Cancer Society.
The Breast Center at Houston Northwest Medical Center also holds an annual gathering for breast cancer survivors and their families.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Survival rates among breast cancer patients have increased, in part due to improvements in breast cancer screenings, treatment and new technologies.
"People are living longer with breast cancer," said Dr. Uzma Iqbal, medical director and medical oncologist at the Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center's Cancer Center.
At northwest Houston hospitals, 3D mammograms are now regular practice, providing a more accurate x-ray detection tool.
Many private insurance providers are now paying for 3D mammograms, which are proven to be significantly more effective.
More Information BASIC TIPS u Regular screenings are the best way to detect and treat breast cancer. u Hospitals recommend that patients begin getting annual 3D mammograms at age 40. u If the patient has other risk factors including a family history of breast cancer or genetic predisposition, then the screenings would start earlier. u Women should conduct monthly self breast exams u Women should have an annual physical from a primary care physician u Breast cancer is not just a disease women get, men also can get breast cancer. See More Collapse
3D mammograms increase detection of breast cancer by 41 percent over 2D mammograms, said Dr. Ainel Sewell, Breast Imaging Radiologist and Medical Director at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital's Breast Care Center. In addition, 3D mammograms reduce false positive results by up to 40 percent, she said.
"3D mammograms are more likely to pick up a breast cancer," Sewell said. "And when we are able to find the breast cancer, we can biopsy it sooner and get treatment sooner. The earlier you find the breast cancer, the smaller it usually is."
Houston Methodist Willowbrook's Breast Care Center offers complimentary genetic counseling to determine if a patient is at high risk for breast cancer.
Regular screenings are the best way to detect and treat breast cancer.
Area hospitals recommend that women begin getting annual 3D mammograms at age 40. If the patient has other risk factors including a family history of breast cancer or genetic predisposition, then the screenings would start earlier.
As preventative care, area hospitals also recommend women have an annual physical exam with a primary care physician and conduct a monthly self breast exam.
"Research shows that early detection may offer the greatest opportunity for full recovery," said Teal Holden, Vice President of Ambulatory Services for Memorial Hermann Health System. "The most effective way to detect breast cancer at an early, curable stage is to have a clinical breast exam each year and an annual screening mammogram starting at age 40."
The MD Anderson Breast Care with Memorial Hermann-Cypress, has digital technology to detect smaller tumors sooner, at earlier stages, Teal said.
"When you screen cancer at an earlier stage, it's not just more curable, the treatments are a lot less toxic," said Dr. Ali Mazloom, Medical Director and Radiation Oncologist at the Cy-Fair Cancer Center. "We screen early, we diagnose precisely and we make a multidisciplinary plan and execute it," said Iqbal of Cy-Fair Cancer Center.
Breast cancer is not just a disease women get, men also can get breast cancer. Men should seek treatment if they feel a lump in their chest well or breast tissue, Sewell said.
Hospitals are also focusing on improving treatments to reduce side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center's Cancer Center is using advanced radiation treatment to treat the specific cancer tissue rather than the entire breast, which reduces the amount of radiation needed and thus reduces the side effects for patients, said Mazloom.
And the new radiation therapy is much quicker-patients who qualify for the treatment receive the therapy twice a day for five days, rather than four to six weeks of radiation treatment. The patients have to be earlier stage cancer.
But even more important than having the new technology, the Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center's Cancer Center has a highly trained medical team, including fellowship trained breast radiologist, said Iqbal.
"Anybody can buy the machine, but the important part are the people reading these images are well trained," Iqbal said. "It's extremely important."
And Cypress Fairbank's Cancer Center offers targeted therapies, tailored to each patient.
"It's not one size fits all," Iqbal said. "Two people can have breast cancer, but be totally different. We have targeted therapies."
"It's so important to have precision diagnosis," she said. "After the imaging, we have trained pathologists that are able to identify and diagnosis this cancer to the molecular level, very precise. It's specific to that woman. It's very important for us to do that."
Northwest Houston area hospitals work to personalize the patient's care, including holding a multidisciplinary meeting prior to a patient's treatment to coordinate care between the entire medical team involved-the radiologist, oncologist, surgeon and any other medical team.
"It's important that all the people involved in their care are present," Iqbal said. "The care planning is very personalized, and it is all very precisely planned."
Iqbal, a Cypress resident, prides herself on offering quality care in her own community.
"It is extremely rewarding to actually treat the community where you live," said Iqbal. "Here we know our patients very well."
Another advancement in breast cancer treatment is the use of computer technology to log the exact location of radiation treatment. Previously, the physicians decided which beam angles to use and pointed the radiation toward the cancer-effected organs.
"But now with the computer systems and technology, you can tell the computer what the target is and then tell the computer what organs to spare, and then the computer comes up with an optimal plan," Mazloom said.
The system is more effective because you can treat the cancer with a higher dose and not harm healthy tissue with the radiation. The treatment reduces the amount of radiation and therefore reduces the side effects to patients.
Health care options continue to grow in northwest Houston, including the expansion of more local detection and treatment options for breast cancer.
"At Tomball Regional Medical Center's Imaging Center, our dedicated team of radiologists, technologists, registered nurses and staff are proud to offer digital mammograms, screening and diagnostics, breast ultrasounds, stereotactic biopsy and bone density testing in a comfortable and caring environment," said Sylvia Saumell, marketing manager with Tomball Regional.
"If you have cancer, it's hard to drive an hour to downtown," said Dr. Mazloom at Cy-Fair Cancer Center.
"A lot of our patients get the same treatments here as they do there. Patients can get the care closer to home."
An appraisal of one floor in the Stillwater Building, which Yellowstone County is considering purchasing for expansion of offices, valued the space at $3.6 million to $3.75 million, a county official said Tuesday.
Chief Deputy County Attorney Dan Schwarz said the appraisal is pretty well within the ballpark of what the county was considering.
Schwarz said he received the 70-page report, conducted by Matt Bender, on Monday. The appraisal, and other lease options, will be on the agenda for the county commissions Thursday discussion meeting.
The county hired Bender, a certified general real estate appraiser, in August for $4,500.
Schwarz said in addition to the Stillwater Building, the owners of the Wells Fargo Building last week also have offered the county office space for rent. The Wells Fargo Building is south of the courthouse.
A third option is renovating the county-owned round building just east of the courthouse. The round building was the sheriffs office, which recently moved into the former Payne West Insurance Building a few blocks to the east.
The Stillwater Building, north of the courthouse across Third Avenue North, is a huge, five-story structure that was the former federal courthouse. Purchased in 2016 by an Alaska company at a foreclosure sale for $3.2 million, the firms general contractor, EEC, has abated asbestos and is looking for tenants.
Stillwaters owner, WC Commercial LLC, is seeking $1.5 million in tax increment financing from the City of Billings to help with renovations. The City Council is expected to vote on the request on Oct. 23.
Depending on the Stillwater appraisal, the county could decide to purchase a floor and own it like a condominium. The county cannot pay more than an appraised value under state law.
The county is planning to relocate its fourth-floor offices and to remodel that floor into new courtroom space and judicial offices. The 2017 Legislature approved two new district court judges for the county. The new judges will begin serving on Jan. 1, 2019.
The countys fourth-floor offices include the commissioners, clerk and recorder and finance.
The county is considering the Stillwater Buildings third floor because the first and fifth floors are more expensive and the third floor would be contiguous to the second and fourth floors if the county decides to expand. The third floor also could be used for a sky bridge from the courthouse.
The third floor has 34,159 square feet of gross space and 30,950 square feet of net space.
Schwarz said the Wells Fargo Building space could accommodate the countys fourth-floor offices but not further expansion. While the Wells Fargo option would cost less, it would be a lease and not a purchase of space, he said.
WASHINGTON -- Total CEO Patrick Pouyanne urged President Donald Trump Monday not to place tariffs on foreign solar panels and imperil the development of renewable energy in the United States.
"I hope the next decision of the U.S. government will not impear the future of SunPower," he said, referring to an American solar company Total is invested in. "If there is a tariff, it will have an impact on the whole solar chain and it will destroy some jobs."
The U.S. International Trade Commission recently ruled that low cost foreign solar panel represented a threat to domestic solar manufacturing, a ruling that would give Trump the option of placing additional tariffs on foreign manufactuers in East Asia and elsewhere.
Solar developers in Texas and elsewhere are fighting such a scenario, arguing it would reduce investment and jobs in what has been a fast growing segment of the American energy sector.
SunPower is headquartered in California but has manufacturing plants in Malaysia and the Philippines.
Pouyanne was in Washington to commemorate the opening of Total's office here, giving the company its first permanent presence in the American capitol.
Speaking to a crowd in the downtown Metropolitan Club, the French CEO said the intent was to give the Paris-based company and its 7,000 American employees greater visibility with policy makers and elected officials.
"It's difficult to speak about energy without speaking about geopolitics," he said. "It's important for us to understand how the world is seen from other places, not just Paris and Europe."
Like European majors BP and Shell, Total has been vocal in the need for oil companies to transition into a future with less demand for oil than currently exists.
That puts the company at odds with Trump, who has made increasing American coal and oil production a cornerstone of his presidential agenda.
The world "doesn't need more energy," Pouyanne said. "There are more people who want to have access to energy. Lets say it like that. It's better."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Michelle Obama shared a heart-warming photo of her wedding day with husband and former president Barack Obama, to celebrate their 25th anniversary.
"Happy 25th-anniversary @barackobama. A quarter of a century later, you're still my best friend & the most extraordinary man I know. I love you," Michelle wrote on her Instagram post.
TRIBUTES: The Obama family just melted hearts with the best Father's Day tweets
Within two hours, the post generated over a million likes and thousands of comments.
Happy 25th anniversary @barackobama. A quarter of a century later, you're still my best friend & the most extraordinary man I know. I love you. A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Oct 3, 2017 at 7:04am PDT
"Happy Silver Jubilee; and many more wonderful years of marital bliss together. You are such great role models," Annaaudreyheath commented.
Other Instagram users used the hashtags #couplegoals and #relationshipgoals to express their admiration for the former first couple's love story.
While they were in the White House, Essence magazine asked celebrities on the red carpet what they cherish most about the Obama's relationship and the video below shows what they said.
Now Playing: Your favorite stars on what the Obamas' marriage has taught them about love. Video: EssenceTime
OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE: Barack Obama is enjoying his vacation from America
While the former president hasn't given a shout out on social media about his anniversary with Michelle, there's no doubt in their love for each other (have you seen the way he looks at her?!)
Check out their most adorable and comforting moments in their relationship through the years in the photos above.
A collection of new neighborhood bars and restaurants is poised to deliver some in-demand dining destinations in Houston.
Although, several recent debuts are offshoots or second locations of already popular establishments, including Sichuan restaurant Pepper Twins, which just unveiled its latest outpost at 3915 Kirby. The owners, sisters Lily Luo and Yunan Yang, opened their first restaurant, Cooking Girl, in Montrose September 2015 to great acclaim.
COMING SOON: Houston's most anticipated bar & restaurant openings, fall/winter 2017
Now Playing: Chronicle critic Alison Cook compiles the best dining the city has to offer. Video: Houston Chronicle
That original location spawned other restaurants, named Pepper Twins, all over the city. (Cooking Girl itself has since been renamed as Pepper Twins.) This Upper Kirby spot is the latest and largest space to open with the siblings' authentic Chinese dishes.
Hit Rice Village dessert spot Cloud 10 Creamery just put down roots at 711 Heights Blvd. This branch features a large patio and several more flavors than the original. Expect the same innovative banana splits and dessert dishes that Houstonians have come to expect from pastry chef Chris Leung, who formerly led the dessert program at Upper Kirby Japanese restaurant Kata Robata.
CLOSED: The latest Houston restaurant closings, September 2017
Another notable expansion is Merchant Houston, which is the New Orleans-based breakfast hotspot's first foray into a new market. Our location, which serves breakfast, lunch, pastries and wine, recently launched at 1707 Post Oak.
Over in West University, Fresco Cafe Italiano at 3277 Southwest Freeway is dishing up house-made pasta tossed in fresh sauces and topped with high-quality meats. There's not much atmosphere to speak of, but it makes up for a lack of decor with tasty, well-executed dishes. And that's what really matters to anyone seeking fresh, classic Italian cuisine.
MIDTOWN ARRIVAL: Houston bar Momo Food + Wine debuts next week in Midtown
Another spot featuring a some consistently good pasta dishes is the high-profile Montrose establishment One Fifth Romance Languages, which is co-owned and led by James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd. The concept here is an innovative one: this space is intended to close every year and re-open showcasing a new focus and featuring a new menu. The second iteration, Romance Languages, is the follow-up to One Fifth Steak and will run through Sept. 1, 2018. Its dishes are informed by French, Italian and Spanish influences.
Shepherd came to prominence in Houston for his work at the now-defunct Washington Corridor restaurant Catalan Food & Wine (where Tex-Mex spot Ula's Washington now operates), which generated fanfare for cuisine similar to what's being served at One Fifth Romance Languages. So this new undertaking promises to impress even the most discerning diner.
A Texas woman says she lost her job after her body-positive photo shoot went viral, reports say.
Stephanie of Overton, Texas stripped down with her fiance Arryn (who asked Buzzfeed not to use their last names) for a boudoir photo shoot that went viral after being posted on Facebook.
ORIGINAL STORY: Viral photos send powerful message about body positivity, love
Stephanie had worked for Austin Bank Texas N.A. as a bank teller for more than a year. Shortly after the photos gained popularity online, the company told her they were "concerned" about how her images would reflect on the company and let her go, the publication reports.
Chron.com has reached out to Austin Bank and has not heard back from the company as of publication.
Stephanie told BuzzFeed, "They said I was topless and it was inappropriate and we're a family-oriented company." Regardless of Stephanie wearing a swimsuit bottom and a strapless top that you wear with backless dresses, Buzzfeed reports.
"As a company, if they feel what I do outside of my job is going to jeopardize their business, that's fine. It's just disheartening to me because I feel like home life and work life are two totally different things. I was a model employee, I was moving up fast. I had a promotion within seven months. This one thing, for me, was the reason I was booted," Stephanie told Buzzfeed.
The shoot was intended to focus on the intimacy and closeness of their relationship, and Stephanie tells Buzzfeed that she is still proud of the photos.
AROUND TOWN: Miss Texas, others share photos of opening of the State Fair of Texas
"I honestly have never felt more attractive," she told HuffPost. "I was so nervous to see the final result. I didn't know what to expect. But when I saw the album, I was shocked. I look so in love and confident. Every person should be able to see themselves in that light. It is really eye-opening."
The photographer of the boudoir photo shoot also mirrored Stephanie's sentiment.
"I just think this whole thing went a lot further than we expected," Bria Terry of Wolf & Rose Photography, who took the boudoir photos, told Chron.com. "And we are all trying to handle it gracefully. I'm still so thankful for all of the positive feedback"
First, it was skin infections that sent people to the doctor in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey flooding the Houston area. Now, it's respiratory problems.
Doctors with Memorial Hermann Health System, Baylor College of Medicine and Kelsey Seybold Clinics said this week they have been seeing more patients, particularly those from areas hit hard by flooding, whose asthma or allergies has flared up lately.
"It's definitely more than I saw in the same period last year," said Dr. Chase Whitehead, a doctor of family medicine at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Memorial City. "Patients are coming in with runny noses and coughs they can't shake. Former asthma patients are coming in with attacks."
Allergies and other respiratory problems following hurricanes are common because of mold and overgrowth of plants that result from the flooding, as well as dust and fibers released from drywall, plaster, flooring and other sources during clean-up efforts. Doctors dubbed respiratory problems "Katrina cough" after that 2005 hurricane.
Whitehead said he treated 10 patients recently who thought they had upper-respiratory infections. Nine turned out to have no infection but an inflammation of the lungs, which he treated with steroids.
Doctors cautioned that it is impossible to know if the reactions are to Harvey-related sources or seasonal allergies, which recently began. But Kelsey-Seybold Clinics reported a 23 percent increase in patients with respiratory issues from August to September, up from 12 percent last year.
"It makes sense that it's storm-related, the way patients starting coming in starting about a week after the storm," said Dr. Eric Sandberg, an allergist at Kelsey-Seybold. "But at this point, it's hard to differentiate -- the drop in humidity typically leads to more pollen activity about now. October is always Houston allergists' busiest time of the year."
One positive: The symptoms haven't been bad enough to warrant more trips to emergency departments. Houston's health department, which tracks such statistics, reports the number of visits to the ER visits for respiratory illness was no greater in September of 2017 than 2016.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Jody Haas didn't worry that breast cancer would kill her, but she hated the thought of losing her hair in chemotherapy.
"That was my biggest burden," said the local voice teacher, whose recent bout with cancer lasted less than a year.
"I found that my hair falling out was the thing that was least understood by my friends. I heard comments like 'It will grow back' and 'It's only hair,' and I just wanted to grab some shears and start cutting their hair off."
Otherwise, said Haas, "The greatest fear I had was being alone."
A Spring resident, Haas is widely known in the Houston area, including Pearland and Bay Area, as an instructor who has bachelor's and master's degrees in music and is certified in the highest level of Somatic Voicework The LoVetri Method, a trademarked, body-based system of vocal training.
For three years, she sang with the Houston Chamber Choir.
Haas grew up outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she was the darling of her small high school.
"I was homecoming queen. I basically did everything: student council, cheerleading, all of the plays. I've always loved people."
But her marriage was on the rocks - she and her husband were separated last fall - when Haas, by accident, discovered a lump in her breast.
"It scared me when I saw my little dog wander outside. I darted after her, and I fell flat on my face on the sidewalk. As I got up, I patted myself and felt this big bump on my chest."
Haas already had a regularly scheduled mammogram appointment; so her doctor added an ultrasound.
"The radiologist could tell. They didn't even have to wait for the biopsy."
Haas was diagnosed with ductal invasive carcinoma, which doctors said would require chemotherapy treatments.
To see whether her cancer, which had already invaded the fatty tissue of her breast, also spread to her lymph nodes, Haas underwent an incision beneath her arm pit.
"That'll jack up your arm," she said.
Fortunately, the cancer had not spread to her lymph nodes. "So, I got off easy," she said.
However, her chemo treatments, coupled with some disabling, pre-existing health problems and living alone, brought Haas to tears.
"I cried so hard. I thought, 'I can't do this. I can't.' "
Some close friends pitched in to help, as well as her estranged husband.
"Fortunately, he is still my friend," she said.
Her last chemo treatment was May 22.
"That's when I rang the bell," she said.
"I don't have anything left to show for my little shift except my short hair," Haas said. "It's important and it's devastating. Everything about me will look normal now except for my hair for months and months and months."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
The body of 19-year-old Shelley Sikes of Texas City has been missing since 1986, she is presumed dead.
One man convicted of kidnapping her will remain in prison for at least 5 more years after his parole was once again denied last week by the Texas Board of Pardons & Paroles.
Gerald Zwarst, 63, was convicted of aggravated kidnapping in Sikes' disappearance in 1988. He was sentenced to life in prison and was first up for parole in June 2007.
NEW CHARGES: Death row inmate accused of trying to kill 2 more people in 1995 case
Each time he's up for parole, Texas City authorities and people close to Sikes' family fight to keep Zwarst in prison.
Sikes' sister, Dana Wild, told the Bay Area Citizen before Zwarst's 2012 parole hearing that every proceeding opens wounds, but her family will not stop fighting to keep Zwarst in prison.
"Even if he gets denied parole this time and gets put up for five more years, I know that in five more years we're going to be doing this again," Wild said. "Every time that the sore begins to heal, then something scratches the surface off and it's bleeding all over again."
John Robert King, also convicted of aggravated kidnapping in the Sikes case and sentenced to life in prison, died in prison in October 2015.
On May 24, 1986, King was driving Zwarst's car when he ran Sikes off the road as she drove home from her job at Gaido's restaurant on the Galveston Seawall.
Sikes' car was found the next day on Interstate 45 near Dickinson, but Sikes was never found.
King confessed that he and Zwarst abducted and murdered Sikes in a 1987 phone call to the El Paso police. Because a body was never found, both men were instead charged with aggravated kidnapping.
Both men were offered deals in exchange for the location of Sikes' body, but neither provided a valid location to investigators.
Zwarst's parole was last denied on Sept. 29 on the grounds that he remains a danger to society.
Jessica Fehr, Don Harris and Joe Raffiani are finalists for succeeding outgoing Judge Russell Fagg in Yellowstone County.
The names were announced Monday after the Judicial Nomination Commission interviewed five candidates. Jacquelyn Hughes and Brent Brooks interviewed but did not move on.
The commission now forwards the three names to Gov. Steve Bullock, who has 30 days to make the nomination.
In public deliberations after the interviews, commission members unanimously agreed to forward both Harris and Raffiani for consideration. Fehr received support from all commission members except one: Lane Larson of Billings.
Whomever Bullock appoints will have to run for election in 2018 to retain the seat. The position pays $132,567 a year.
Brooks received support from one commission member, Janice Bishop, but 'no' votes from everyone else. Commission members said Brooks has not had enough recent courtroom experience, and as the city attorney since 1998, they expected to see more public support for him during the comment period.
Hughes, who received 'yes' votes from Larson and Bishop and 'no' votes from everyone else, had a strong application but needs more experience, commission members said.
Miss Hughes application was very strong, but I think that its somebody thats young and needs some seasoning, Karl Englund, one of the commission members, said.
Two applicants, William Speare and Yvette Lafrentz, applied but did not receive interviews.
Two additional judgeships will be open for election in November 2018, with the judges taking office in January 2019. Thats after the Montana Legislature approved funding for two new judges in response to a major increase in cases in recent years.
Yellowstone County, whose courtrooms are the busiest in the state, could use an additional seven judges, the National Center for State Courts has determined, but lawmakers approved just two.
Judicial Nomination Commission members are District Court Judge John Brown of Bozeman, Janice Bishop of Missoula, Karl Englund of Missoula, Elizabeth Halverson of Billings, Hal Harper of Helena, Lane Larson of Billings and Nancy Zadick of Great Falls.
New York investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners will pay $1.83 billion for the Permian Basin's largest privately owned network of crude oil pipelines.
GIP is buying the Medallion gathering and processing system of pipelines that spans more than 800 miles from The Energy & Minerals Group, which is based out of Houston, and Oklahoma-based Laredo Petroleum.
Medallion Gathering & Processing will keep its name and leadership, operating out of Irving as a GIP subsidiary.
"Combining Medallion's current team and best-in-class service with GIP's financial strength and commitment to operational excellence will be the catalyst for further expansion of Medallion's midstream infrastructure in the Permian Basin and ability to provide an even greater level of service to our producer customers," said Medallion President and CEO Randy Lentz.
Activity in the Permian Basin is booming more than anywhere else on the planet, so there's been a resulting to rush to build out or buy pipeline networks to carry that crude from West Texas to major distribution hubs.
RELATED: 'There is a risk for an overbuild' for Texas pipelines
The Energy & Minerals Group, a private investment firm called EMG, will keep the much smaller Medallion network on the western Delaware Basin portion of the Permian.
EMG owned 51 percent of the Medallion network that's being sold, while Laredo held the other 49 percent.
Raymond James analyst John Freeman said GIP appears to be getting a bargain, because the pipeline network was valued by many on Wall Street at $2.2 billion or more.
Laredo is expected to use much of its proceeds to pay down debt.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Stratton Development and Construction plans to build more warehouses north of Houston.
The Houston industrial developer plans to add six to eight warehouses at the southwest corner of Hardy Toll Road and FM 1960, a few miles west of Bush Intercontinental Airport. The developer bought the 12-acre tract in August for an undisclosed price.
The brick, stucco and metal warehouses will vary in size from 15,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet. Construction is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2018 with openings in the second quarter. The Houston Planning Commission gave preliminary approval for the project last week.
RELATED: Relief efforts put warehouse space to good use
Stratton has built 38 warehouses on about 60 acres in the area since 2012. They range in size from 8,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet. Tenants have bought or leased the warehouses for a variety of industries, including oilfield services, equipment leasing and granite import and export.
Companies are flocking to warehouse space in the north Houston area because of its accessibility to freeways and proximity to energy companies in The Woodlands and near the airport, Stratton CEO Casey Butaud said.
Though the north Houston area saw heavy flooding during Hurricane Harvey, Stratton's warehouses did not flood, Butaud said.
"Cypresswood, one exit north of us was really bad, but where we're at, there was no flooding,"
Butaud said. "We've been getting a ton of calls right after Harvey from people looking to move from flooded areas. We couldn't help. Everything we've developed has been sold or leased out."
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
While some may consider heroes to be law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS workers or other public servants, for San Jacinto County it also includes everyday people who sacrifice their own time and comfort to help their fellow man. Five such volunteers were celebrated on Sept. 29.
Friends and family gathered at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church located in San Jacinto County on FM 945 to celebrate the actions of five local citizens who volunteered to help out during rescue and recovery efforts during Hurricane Harvey.
"They're not firefighters, they're not volunteer firefighters, they're not policemen," said Pct. 3 Constable Sam Houston. "They're just everyday common citizens in our community."
Houston, along with Stan Jolly of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, held an awards ceremony for the five volunteers to commemorate their hard work and for sacrificing much of their time to help those who were less fortunate.
"That means you left your family to do for others," said Jolly.
Jolly introduced the first volunteer, Micah Hudman, and explained how he took an airboat and used it to rescue other citizens.
"I sat there and watched him pick up people," he said.
Hudman also saved a steer from drowning. Jolly commended him for helping the animal as he says he was afraid it might hurt someone due to all of the noise.
"Your actions are an example of true heroism," said Jolly.
Jolly then introduced Justin Syphrett, who also used an airboat to assist the citizens of San Jacinto County.
"You took a chance," said Jolly. "When you sacrifice your own equipment, your own time, it's very important."
Houston introduced Daniel Pete Sampson, whom he describes as a longtime friend. Sampson assisted Houston and his deputies with rescue efforts.
"Even with an oxygen bottle hanging on him he was out there with us," said Houston.
Adam Crawford was the next volunteer presented with a plaque. Houston says Crawford went with him on patrols and assisted in helping folks out of their homes during the flooding.
"Whatever the need is, whatever you have to get done, I call on these gentlemen and they're with me," said Houston discussing the Crawfords as a whole.
The last volunteer honored was Norman Houston, Sam's son. Sam says Norman is also always on patrol with him and helped provide assistance during Hurricane Harvey by assisting in rescues and taking supplies to areas where they were needed.
"I thank him for always being there with me," said Sam.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Texadelphia, the beloved-by-many Tex-Mex-meets-cheesesteak chain, is back in Houston after a two-year absence.
The restaurant announced on Facebook that it's open for business at 8383 Westheimer, in the former home of Potbelly Sandwich Works. Hours are 11 a.m. till 10 p.m.
Around 1 p.m. Tuesday, the restaurant was packed. The phone has been ringing off the hook with to-go orders said general manager Michele Horton.
SO SAD: Restaurants we had to say goodbye to in 2017.
"It's been an overwhelming response," she said.
The original menu remains mostly the same, with a few additional items and updates. Paninis are new, Horton said, and the T-Boone Chickens Salad (crispy chicken tenders, bacon, avocado and croutons) and the Steak & Greens salad (chopped sirloin steak, bell peppers, mushrooms and tortillas strips) have been tweaked.
Branch Sheppard, a Houston attorney, and his wife Haley, bought rights to the new franchise location after negotiating with Dallas-based Quintessence restaurant group, which bought the chain from its Austin-based owner.
"We made a concerted effort to bring the brand back to Houston," said Sheppard told the Chronicle in August. "The departure of Texadelphia (from Houston) left a huge hole in the hearts of many, including myself and my wife."
The All is Well massage and spa is located in a bustling strip shopping center in the shadow of the Katy Mills Mall.
Outside, busy shoppers dash into other businesses then quickly race back to the parking lot to escape the afternoon heat. But it's a different story inside the spa at 1200 Katy Mills Blvd. The atmosphere is serene and still. Soft music slips out of unseen speakers and a slight aroma of oils can be detected.
"This is my passion," said Victoria Lu, who founded the spa and plans to eventually offer franchises.
After a soft opening earlier this summer, the spa had its official grand opening last week. It offers a range of services from hot stone massage to a toxin cleanse. "We have a unique set up here," Lu said. "We combine the western massage culture and the eastern massage culture."
Several private rooms, with names like "Rejoice," "Revive" and "Relax," are available for full body massages. Lu said companies can also hold meetings in the large, central room with its own massage tables.
"They can have their corporate conference at the same time they get their foot massage," she said.
Lu has been in the spa business since 2001. A couple of years ago, while living in Arizona with her family, she had the idea to move somewhere else and start her own company. Her journey eventually led her to Texas and Katy in particular.
"I followed God's directions and moved here," she Lu, a devout Christian. "This was the perfect spot."
She got the idea for the spa name after listening to a sermon by Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen.
"I said, 'That's it.' That's the name God wants me to use," Lu said.
About $600,000 has been spent turning All Is Well into what Lu says is a one of a kind spa in the Katy area.
"We invested a lot. We feel like we made the right decision," Lu said.
She said a combination of economic growth in the area and an educated customer base that would understand her concept of holistic health made Katy the ideal location for her spa.
"When people come in, I see on their face - the pain," she said. "After we help them, they feel better. I love that feeling."
They also offer acupressure massage - no needles are used - to restore blocked energy to tired and sore bodies.
"We use our fingers to stimulate your acupuncture points in the body," Lu said. "Then, the body's energy starts flowing and you will not have pain."
Some of the massages are designed for expectant mothers and athletes, including reflexology - where massaging different sections of the foot can help with other parts of the body.
"We just want the people to feel relaxed," Lu said. "If you do it regularly, it will improve your overall immune system and your overall health."
Prices vary for the different massages at All Is Well. They offer a $59 a month membership which would reduce the cost. Further information is available at www.AllisWellSpa.com
Preliminary enrollment figures show more students attending the University of Houston-Victoria this fall than the previous year.
Figures also indicate a record number of students living in the residence halls. As of Wednesday, UHV has 4,429 students enrolled, an increase of 6.9 percent over final enrollment numbers a year ago.
"It's exciting to see UHV's enrollment growing," UHV President Vic Morgan said. "This increase is a sign of more good things to come as we continue to build a destination university."
In addition to increased enrollment, the university has 621 students living in its residence halls, a 96 percent occupancy rate. That's a 2 percent increase from the occupancy rate a year ago. UHV's fourth residence hall, named after UHV Provost Emeritus Don Smith, is slated to open in 2019.
The university saw growth in undergraduate student enrollment for both new and returning students. UHV has 988 new undergraduates, an increase of 28 percent compared with fall 2016 final enrollment. The university also saw a 3.2 percent increase in undergraduate student retention.
When it comes to attracting new students, UHV has used several tools. In addition to the website redesign, the university's recruiters have traveled to different regions of the state to reach out to students and build relationships. The university also has made connections through encouraging students and their families to visit campus during personal tours, Jaguar Days and open house events.
UHV's new freshman class comes from 55 counties across Texas. In addition, the university has made or renewed several agreements with community colleges in the region, including Lone Star College, Houston Community College, Coastal Bend College and Victoria College.
All three of UHV's academic schools have seen growth in undergraduate enrollment from the previous year's final figures. The School of Arts & Sciences saw a 13.2 percent increase. Undergraduate enrollment in the School of Education, Health Professions & Human Development increased 5.1 percent, and the School of Business Administration grew 1.6 percent.
In addition to enrollment increases, students are enrolled in more credit hours. As of Wednesday, students are taking a total of 40,880 credit hours, a 5.9 percent increase in final figures from the previous fall.
UHV opened in 1973 with about 350 students. The university first exceeded 3,000 students in fall 2008 and then crossed over the 4,000-student mark in fall 2010.
Final fall enrollment figures will be released later in the semester after certification from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Panels on issues facing student veterans will bring together advocates and experts to discuss veterans' health, employment and academic success in higher education this week.
The first-ever All-Texas Veteran Higher Education Symposium will begin Wednesday Oct. 4 with support from chancellors of the University of Texas System and the Texas A&M University System, which has held a military and veteran symposium for years.
The two university systems are hosting the event, which is at Texas A&M University at San Antonio.
One panel will feature student veterans from around the state. A separate panel will address issues affecting female veterans, according to a press release.
"We are proud to join with the UT System to ensure that veterans throughout Texas are well served by our institutions," Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp said in a statement.
Though campuses around the state have programs for student veterans -- including a VetSuccess program at the University of Houston that links the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with UH -- these students face challenges including feelings of isolation and not being able to connect with younger peers.
Recent legislation and work from nonprofit foundations have aimed to address veteran enrollment in higher education and funding veterans' tuition.
President Donald Trump in August signed into law a revamped GI Bill, which allows veterans to use their higher-education benefits for longer than 15 years and gives National Guard members and reservists access to more student aid, Inside Higher Education reported.
And the Posse Foundation for the last five years has tried to recruit more veterans into elite four-year universities by supplementing available funding for tuition money. An analysis last fall from Inside Higher Ed found that 36 highly selective colleges, including Rice University, enrolled just 645 veterans. (Rice, by that analysis, enrolled zero)
Chancellors from the A&M and UT systems said in a press release that their institutions aspire to serve students well.
Military Times ranks the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas A&M University, Texas State University and the University of North Texas as within the top 50 colleges and universities for veterans.
The goal of the forum this week is to bring stronger focus on the different academic paths that student veterans face.
"We know that every aspect of their life going forward will be made better by a high quality education, and UT and A&M institutions are committed to ensuring its student veterans get one," UT System Chancellor William McRaven said in a written statement.
But for public universities in the state, the issue of higher-education benefits for veterans and their dependents has been contentious in state politics.
This week's discussion comes on the heels of a legislative debate over how much money universities should spend on benefits through the Hazlewood Act, which requires campuses to spend millions of dollars annually on tuition for veterans and their families.
Some campus administrators have said that while they are committed to veterans' academic success, the costs are essentially an unfunded mandate from state lawmakers and, because so many people are eligible, the law drives up the cost of higher education for students at large.
A bill introduced last session would have reduced the number of students qualified for receiving the money by requiring veterans to serve four years before receiving benefits, up from 180 days. Also, the benefits would have expired after 15 years.
The bill got out of a House committee but never saw a vote by the full body.
Lindsay Ellis writes about higher education for the Chronicle. You can follow her on Twitter and send her tips at lindsay.ellis@chron.com.
Kimberly Stuart-Noska knew she had to do something when the floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey sent thousands of her fellow Katy residents fleeing for safety.
She was one of the fortunate ones. Stuart-Noska's home in the Firethorne subdivision along FM 1463 stayed dry.
"Our entire community sprang into action. We had donations of everything you can imagine staged at our community center," she said.
But it seemed like someone else was always there ahead of them whenever they wanted to drop off meals for the city's hard-working first responders.
"You'd go there and you're the fifth person coming the street. All of us were basically scurrying around like chickens with our heads cut off," Stuart-Noska said.
Jennifer Skelton also wanted to help out other Katy residents. Like Stuart-Noska, her home along Kingsland and the Grand Parkway did not flood.
The first day, she volunteered at a temporary shelter for flood victims at Cinco Ranch High School.
"But when we went to sign up again, they had all the volunteers they needed for the whole week," Skelton recalled.
That's when they began to think beyond the immediate needs of the flood victims.
Skelton said her daughter, Grace, was concerned that the flood happened just before the much anticipated homecoming season.
"I said, 'Why don't we start collecting dresses for homecoming?' She thought it was a good idea," Skelton said.
Stuart-Noska had the same idea. She wanted to do something to help young women who lost everything in the flood.
"It seems like such a luxury when you're rebuilding your house," Stuart-Noska said.
"But it makes you feel so good inside when you see a girl smiling and picking out a dress," added Stuart-Noska.
Skelton began posting messages on social media about her plan to gather ball gowns for Katy teens who were flood victims.
"Within the first few days I had 100 dresses," she said. "I've been having dresses mailed from all over the country."
The "Weddings by Debbie" salon in Katy donated 20 new dresses to the effort, Skelton said.
The number of donated dresses quickly grew. At one point, they had 600 available for Katy students to pick out.
They have hosted a couple of "pop up shops" - temporary stores where the high school students can pick out a dress for the prom.
One of the girls who picked out a dress was a Katy High School student whose father is a police officer.
"Their house flooded and they didn't know what they were going to do," Skelton said. "This is such a blessing."
Stuart-Noska and Skelton are both mothers of students in the Katy ISD.
They said it is important to provide a sense of normalcy to young people who have been traumatized by the destruction from Hurricane Harvey. Something as simple as going to a homecoming dance can do wonders.
"The girls have been appreciative and the mothers have cried," Stuart-Noska said. "Their mothers told us (their daughters) were considering not going."
The dresses that weren't picked out for homecoming will be kept in storage for the approaching prom season.
"This financial devastation is not going to end in a month," Skelton said.
Stuart-Noska said she was proud of the way the Katy community came together to help the girls have their homecoming experience.
"It has been very emotional and very rewarding," she said. "I wouldn't want to live anywhere else."
Laura Martinez, M.D., and Neel Srikishen, M.D., have joined Houston Methodist Urology Associates' practice in Sugar Land.
Both have been a part of the Houston community for several years and are looking forward to providing excellent urologic care in the Sugar Land and greater Southwest Houston area.
Martinez comes to Sugar Land from Houston Methodist Hospital, where she recently completed a fellowship in continence, pelvic reconstructive surgery and neurourology. Prior to that, she completed her residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She earned her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and her undergraduate degree from Rice University.
Martinez is a member of the American Urological Association; Society of Women in Urology; and Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction. She will begin seeing patients in August.
Srikishen is a general urologist with experience in robotic, laparoscopic, microscopic, transurethral and open urologic surgery, as well as office-based urology. Srikishen joins the Houston Methodist Sugar Land team from Baylor College of Medicine, where he completed his urology residency. While there, he conducted a number of clinical research projects in several areas of urology, including the use of robotic surgical simulators. An alumnus of Rice University and University of Texas-Southwestern Medical School, Srikishen will begin seeing patients in September.
Houston Methodist Urology Associates is a group of physicians dedicated to the treatment of the entire genitourinary tract, including urologic oncology, urinary stones, female urology, infertility, neurourology and transitional urology. Combining clinical expertise with advanced technology, the practice's physicians treat conditions such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections, incontinence, urologic cancers (including kidney, bladder, prostate, testicle and penis) and neurogenic bladder.
Houston Methodist Urology Associates is located on the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital campus, in Medical Office Building 2. To make an appointment, call 281-276-5280. Visit houstonmethodist.org/spg to learn more about the practice. Visit our Facebook page at fb.com/methodistsugarland for the latest news, events and information.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
The attorney for a suspended Houston ISD principal credited with helping to turn around a struggling school is denying allegations that she didn't adhere to the district's decision to relax the student dress code after Hurricane Harvey and that she once threatened a student.
HISD officials revealed this week that Bertie Simmons, the principal of Furr High School, had been "temporarily relieved" of her duties due to a "personnel matter." The district declined to elaborate "out of respect for the privacy of the individuals involved."
Simmons, 83, is nationally known for coming out of retirement in 2000 to lead academic improvement efforts at the high school.
In a letter to Superintendent Richard Carranza, attorney Scott Newar wrote that Simmons was removed and an internal investigation launched after it was alleged she had "failed to adhere to the district's decision to relax student dress code for the first semester and... verbally threatened students with a baseball bat.
Newar denied both allegations. He noted that other HISD schools had been allowed to chose whether or not to relax their dress codes after Harvey and the flooding it generated.
As for the claim that she had threatened students, Newar said Simmons is known for cracking jokes with students.
"During her 17 year tenure as Furr's Principal, Dr. Simmons has routinely albeit playfully - referred misbehaving Furr students to the baseball bat that she keeps in her office. However, not once in her 17 years at Furr has Dr. Simmons ever used or threatened to use that baseball bat or any other object to discipline or harm any student," Newar wrote Carranza. "As you well know, Dr. Simmons is 83 years old and approximately 5 feet tall. Therefore, it defies credulity and common sense that Dr. Simmons could objectively threaten anyone let alone, high school students with a baseball bat."
A phone message left for Simmons was not immediately returned Wednesday.
The investigation into how Simmons handled Furr High School's uniform policy comes after the school went from being called a "drop-out factory" by staff in 2000 to one with a graduation rate that topped 90 percent in 2016. The school also meets the state's academic standards, although student performances in reading and writing have been weak.
Furr High was also plagued by gang activity when Simmons came, according to Chronicle archives and Newar's letter to the superintendent.
Newar wrote that Simmons instituted a strict uniform policy when she came to the school in an effort to deter gangs a policy he credits with reducing violence and instilling discipline in students.
"As a consequence, Dr. Simmons decided not to 'relax' Furr's uniform policy in the first semester of this school year," Newar wrote. "Indeed, Dr. Simmons decided that 'relaxing' the uniform policy would cause an increase in gang activity and, potentially, gang violence."
Newar argued that schools had wiggle room on the question of the student dress code.
He cited Lamar High School, which sent a letter home to parents in September that read, in part: "Uniforms are still required. If you have them, you must wear them."
Hogg Middle School officials told parents, "We believe uniforms serve as a great equalizer and provide students with a sense of normalcy. Hogg M.S. will adhere to our uniform policy this school year with compassion."
A similar letter was sent to parents of Oak Forest Elementary.
Carranza has repeatedly said at press conferences and meetings that the entire district's uniform policy would be relaxed after Harvey and subsequent flooding destroyed the belongings including purchased uniforms of many local students. He recently began his second year as superintendent.
Simmons was placed on leave with pay Sept. 29 and was advised to stay away from the school.
Diana Davila, a Houston ISD trustee who represents neighborhoods around Furr High School, said that Simmons is being treated in accordance with district policy.
"People seem to think we're doing something different with Dr. Simmons, but we're not. It is our standard practice to remove an individual from their work location when they're under investigation," Davila said. "It doesn't mean she'll be relocated or that it's permanent or she'll removed."
Furr High received a $10 million grant from the XQ Project in 2016 that will help pay for social workers, a mentorship coordinator, international travel, a center for new immigrants, a university training site and more. It was one of 10 schools nationwide to receive the grant.
Carranza lauded Simmons at a community meeting in 2016, describing her as a "force of nature" who brought pride to a school that others had written off. At one point, he even referred to the Furr campus as "Bertie Simmons High School."
Simmons has also attracted national media attention in recent years.
She has been profiled by CBS News, NPR and USA Today. Furr High's approaches to reducing out-of-school suspensions and expulsions, as well as improved academic outcomes for students, have been cited by the New York Times and The Economist.
Teachers, students and alumni expressed shock at Simmons' removal on social media and in emails to Houston ISD staff.
Jordan Davis, a 17-year-old senior who came to Furr High from California in the middle of his sophomore year, said Simmons once pulled him aside when she noticed his grades started to slip.
"Ever since I walked in her office, she told me she's going to watch me, she believes in me and her door is always open. She told me at one point 'Don't make me take my earrings off and take you down,'" he remembered, laughing. "But I knew she was joking it was so obvious. I love her with all my heart."
Davis said he would be "devastated" if Simmons were not there at his graduation, waiting to shake his hand as he walked across the stage.
In a passionate email to Carranza, Karen Taylor, a French teacher who worked with Simmons to institute a new English-as-a-second-language program at Furr High, echoed Davis' sentiments.
"What is HISD thinking to suspend someone who is recognized as one of the best principals in the United States? Educators come from all over the country and the world to see her model school," the teacher wrote. "She cares for all aspects of her students' lives and they know it. Three of them even called her during Hurricane Harvey and asked that she rescue them. She just organized a clothing drive to replace some of the clothes her students lost in the flood."
CROW AGENCY The chairman of the Crow Tribe told a gathering of tribal members Monday afternoon that he plans to furlough 70 government workers later this week as the government faces a possible shutdown in the absence of a new annual budget.
Three hours later, however, Chairman A.J. Not Afraid contacted The Billings Gazette to announce that he intends on Tuesday to fully shut down all nonessential tribal operations not fully funded by federal grants.
The abrupt reversal, he said, was spurred by a conversation with another tribal official, who said the tribe's coffers would only allow the government to keep the lights on for about another week.
"He recommended it would be wise if we just do a general government shutdown," Not Afraid told The Gazette. "I thought we could (stay open), but there aren't enough carryover funds to continue operating."
The shutdown won't affect essential tribal services such as law enforcement and security on the Crow Reservation, he said, but regulatory programs, health care services not fully funded by federal grants, and other programs will be temporarily shuttered.
A shutdown of tribal government is within Not Afraid's power, Legislative Branch Attorney Dawn Gray said Monday night. But, she added, the tribe's constitution stipulates that the tribal legislature can't legally pass a budget until 15 days after the administration submits its proposed budget, which didn't happen until last week.
"Legally, our hands are tied by the constitution," Gray said. "The reason why that 15-day notice was there is for the public and so things would be transparent ... Just because they're late, does that mean we have to squash the people's right to the transparency of passing something like that?"
In remarks to more than 150 tribal members gathered at the tribes multipurpose building in Crow Agency on Monday afternoon, Not Afraid said his administration is partially to blame for the latest round of austerity measures, although he accused the tribes Legislative Branch of playing politics with public employees.
Theres truth to what is being said by the legislature, that submittal of the budget was first of all untimely, secondly had no (precise) numbers, Not Afraid said.
Having been elected last year on a platform to bring financial stability to a tribal government that has piled up debt amid declining revenue from coal production in recent years, he emphasized his administration has had to make hard decisions to trim the tribes fiduciary obligations from what he said was a $64 million debt when he took office.
That was my vow running for office, that I would try to retire this debt. And that debt is more than $50 million, he said.
In an interview after the meeting, Not Afraid said he had asked the directors of all executive branch departments to identify a total of 70 employees to be furloughed until the Legislative Branch passes its budget. Those announcements would come Thursday, he said at the time.
That comes on top of earlier reductions in the tribal government workforce that included about 50 employees in the Beautification Department, which performs jobs such as picking up trash, and furloughs for the entire Cultural Resources Department about another dozen employees.
Currently, the Crow Tribe employs about 560 workers, which Not Afraid said is about a third of the number of employees on the government payroll when he took office last year. Speaking later Monday night, he said the more widespread shutdown would temporarily lay off about 240 tribal employees and stop services that offer drug addiction treatment and a program that helps low-income tribal members with their energy bills.
Over the weekend, the administration also announced that elder checks payments made to elderly retirees by the tribe would be on hold pending the approval of the new budget by the Legislative Branch.
Were not trying to hold these payments hostage, Not Afraid told tribal members during the meeting. Its just that by the due process, we cannot expend these funds.
Legislative officials responded the same day with a statement that last weeks submission of the executive branch's proposed budget left them unable to approve it before the fiscal year ended Sept. 30.
The two branches are at odds over the rules that allow a special session to be called to advance a new budget, which Not Afraid contends should allow the legislature to complete its business before the requisite 15 days. Gray, however, said Monday that the 15-day requirement also applies to special sessions.
The legislature plans to hold a special session to vote on Not Afraids budget proposal in the middle of the branchs previously scheduled regular session this month, Gray said.
If we were truly going to have a special session, you should have had that budget submitted by Sept. 14 and we could have had a special session Sept. 30, she said.
The ongoing budget dispute is the latest flare-up between two branches of government that have previously found themselves at odds during Not Afraids tenure.
In July, the Legislative Branch took his administration to court over what it claims was an illegal reservationwide referendum called by Not Afraid, questioning the validity of the tribes 2001 constitution and its federal water rights compact. The case is awaiting a ruling by the tribes Judicial Branch.
Houston police are investigating the death of a man they say was killed by an 89-year-old man that was in his care.
The accused shooter, whose identity is being withheld, shot and killed his 55-year-old caregiver and relative, citing an ongoing pattern of abuse and physical violence.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Nearly 60 Harris County homeowners are suing two state agencies for what they say has been more than two decades of mismanagement of the Lake Conroe Dam, flooding their houses multiple times, including from Hurricane Harvey.
In a lawsuit filed Monday, families from Kingwood, Atascocita and Humble accuse the San Jacinto River Authority and the Texas Water Development Board of "intentionally flooding" their homes with releases from the dam and reservoir dating as far back as 1994. The agencies, the suit alleges, have repeatedly violated the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment, which requires governments provide "just compensation" for any private property taken for public use.
On at least seven occasions, the suit contends, the two agencies have orchestrated "catastrophic floods" that have "turned pristine homes into mold hazards" and "turned family neighborhoods into wasteland" without ever compensating for damages.
Neither agency could be reached for comment Monday night.
Now Playing: An apartment complex parking lot floods in Kingwood, Texas during Tropical Storm Harvey on Sunday, August 27, 2017. (Video: Mr. Hilburn via Twitter) Video: Houston Chronicle
The suit follows a wave of criticism during Harvey of the decision and timing of controlled releases of floodwaters from the dam, a public water supply source. Already the River Authority faces another lawsuit from hundreds of flooded Kingwood residents. Last week it was singled out by Houston Councilman Dave Martin, who represents Kingwood, for "hiding behind lawyers and press releases" in its operations during Harvey and subsequent responses to angry residents.
While the other suits have sought damages specifically related to Harvey, the action filed Monday seeks to compensate homeowners for at least 23 years worth of alleged mismanagement.
In an email Monday, Houston attorney Bradford Laney said he is seeking a "temporary and permanent injunction to make sure checks and balances are put into place" at the two agencies.
"We are fighters," said Laney, who is also a plaintiff in the suit. "And we are not going to rest until the Water Board and SJRA are held accountable for the devastating floods they orchestrated.
"If we have learned anything in the past few months, it is that these entities are incapable of managing their responsibilities without supervision," he said.
Authority responds
The River Authority has previously defended its decision to release record amounts of water from the dam during Harvey, and has called accusations that it was protecting certain people at the expense of others "both false and offensive."
"There is no question that the flows from this event were unprecedented and were highly damaging," the River Authority wrote in a statement last week. "Yes, homes were destroyed by the powerful force of the high flows in the river."
"To imply that Lake Conroe opened its flood gates and then homes were destroyed in the roaring floodwaters is incorrect," the statement continued.
But the suit may face an uphill battle, said Jim Blackburn, an environmental law professor at Rice University.
"It's a very difficult case to win," he said. "Mainly, you're going to have to show that there was intent to flood."
Similar case in 2014
And because the dam is a public water supply, and not meant for flood control, the homeowners will likely have to show that the River Authority's actions were both contrary to its operating agreements, and worsened the flood downstream, Blackburn said.
Similar arguments were made in a 2014 case brought by other Harris County homeowners, who claimed the county did not do enough to prevent floods of new homes built in the White Oak Bayou watershed.
The Texas Supreme Court eventually sided against the homeowners, writing that Harris County "never harbored a desire to cause flooding anywhere" and warning that allowing such litigation could discourage governments from mitigating future floods.
Blackburn, who represented the homeowners in that suit, said the case law it established could be a hurdle for the action filed Monday.
"It's not impossible (to win)," he said. "But it'll be very difficult."
Houston Rockets owner and entrepreneur Tilman Fertitta is working to help the family of an employee killed in Sunday night's mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Fertitta, owner of the Golden Nugget hotel and casino, told Fox News the mass shooting "hit home" for him because one of his employees, who had four children, was one of the victims.
A giraffe is no longer at the State Fair of Texas after a visitor expressed concern about the animal's behavior and posted a video to her Facebook page.
Stephanie Coon, of Fort Worth, recorded the giraffe pacing back and forth in its pen on Sunday, stating it should be taken out of the fair.
A deeper look into the family history of Stephen Paddock, the 64-year-old gunman who police believe murdered at least 59 people on the Las Vegas Strip before killing himself, reveals the alleged shooter may share some disturbing similarities with his father.
Benjamin Hoskins Paddock of Wisconsin was a convicted bank robber pursued by the FBI in 1968 after escaping from federal prison in La Tuna, Texas, near El Paso.
The North Houston VW Club is donating all proceeds from this year's Beetles, Brew and Barbecue show held Sept. 30 in downtown Tomball to Hurricane Harvey Relief.
Live music, brewers offering samples of Houston-area craft beer and vendors selling Texas-style barbecue joined the Volkswagen enthusiasts' and collectors' favorite vehicles.
The most-awaited part of the Route 91 Harvest Festival was hitting its groove when Montanans Michael Goguen and Jamie Stephenson found themselves in the middle of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Jason Aldean was the final act on the final night, Stephenson said in a phone interview from Las Vegas on Monday. The mood went from joyous ecstasy to hearing that rapid-fire sound. At first, we were super-confused as to what that was.
Stephenson and husband Goguen, who founded Whitefishs Two Bear Air helicopter rescue service, could see the Mandalay Bay Resort tower about 400 yards up to their right. At 10:08 p.m, a gunman on the 32nd floor started raining rifle fire into the crowd.
I had seen some drones, and I thought it might be fireworks going off from a drone, Goguen said. But the mood shifted and the lights went out quick and the performers ran from the stage. There was a very long burst of automatic fire. My next thought was, now that we know its gunshots, somebody is actually shooting at people, intentionally causing this kind of panic. He had a shooting position all lined up.
After first running for cover during the gunfire, Goguen and Stephenson ran back to give aid to the wounded and dying. The festivals medical tent transformed into a trauma crisis center. Event security, arriving first responders and dozens of volunteers started helping the nearly 600 victims of the shooting.
It all happened so swiftly, Stephenson said. People were clearly wounded, mortally, critically. Michael was stopping passenger vehicles, picking up people and putting them in cars, just finding random people on (the) way home. Some refused to stop. Others were so gracious. They put five people in one van. Whatever it took, these people stepped up and did the right thing.
Goguen had received his own emergency medical technician certificate last year. While Two Bear Air has gone on at least 15 rescue missions in western Montana since he started it in 2012, nothing prepared him for Sunday night. As of Monday afternoon, the official toll was 59 killed, and more than 500 injured.
The ambulances got there in fast time, but it sure felt like forever, Goguen said. There were a lot of victims with terrible injuries multiple bullet wounds to the head and chest. We were trying to keep airways open, apply direct pressure. Fortunately there was a good set of people with training EMTs, off-duty officers, a core set of people who were helping. The officers were incredibly brave. One officer by me was helping while holding compression on his own neck wound."
Goguen said at least three people died as he was trying to get them to aid. As he was helping load victims into ambulances on a side street, he saw several people whod apparently died where they fell. He realized the shooter had picked a position where the field of fire included one of the main exits from the festival grounds.
You just get so angry at whatever evil drives somebody to do something like this, Goguen said. There were so many people there, having such a positive time, in this atmosphere of happiness and love. To have somebody intentionally wreak such evil and carnage it doesnt inspire fear. It inspires extreme anger.
Neither Stephenson nor Goguen was injured in the incident. Stephenson grew up in Las Vegas and still has many family and friends there.
Vegas will rally, she said. Well get through this. We will not stop living our lives. We will not stop going out. Well figure out ways to unite.
Taking cover
When Becky Anderson first heard the fire-cracker pops of explosives at the Harvest Festival in Las Vegas Sunday night, she was sure someone was lighting off fireworks in the crowd.
"Who would be that dumb?" she said thought in the moment.
It was then the firing started again and didn't stop. Anderson, from Great Falls, was at the music festival with five of her friends standing on the top row of a stand of bleachers. As soon as they realized they were hearing gunfire, they all took cover.
"We just laid down in between the bleacher seats," she said.
Another break in the shooting and Anderson remembers a man yelling at them that this was their chance to get up and run. It felt like they had been laying there for 30 or 45 minutes, Anderson said. It wasn't until Monday that she realized they'd been down between the bleacher for maybe 30 seconds.
Standing up to run, she looked across the festival grounds and saw "blood everywhere" and people who had been shot. She and one friend ran from the bleachers and followed a festival worker, whom they figured would know how to exit the venue.
"It was just crazy," she said.
Every so often, they'd hear more gunfire and drop to the ground for cover. She called those gunshots the most frightening sounds she's ever heard. Gun shots or shrapnel were hitting the metal bleachers, and people all over the grounds were screaming, she said.
"I was pretty sure we were going to die," she said. Still, "I stayed pretty calm because (my friend) was hysterical."
Anderson and her friend ended up at the MGM Grand, where staff were preparing to lock down the hotel. They didn't want to be stuck there, so Anderson and her friend slipped out the front and caught a cab back to their hotel, where they sat up all night watching the news.
"I have not slept yet," she said Monday afternoon. She was set to fly home Tuesday morning.
Anderson isn't sure what she's going home to. She hopes the tragedy and the terror of the shootings haven't changed her, but she knows it has.
"It hasn't sunk in yet," she said.
She loves big music festivals and attends them every year. She knows that will change.
"It'll be a while until I can go to another one," she said.
One floor down
At Mandalay Bay, Toby Schmidt and his fiance were on the casino floor Sunday night when they heard the first gunshots.
Schmidt, a Billings resident, had spent a year as a patrol officer for the Billings Police before starting his work as a computer technician there. He'd had enough active shooter training to know what was happening.
As dozens of police officers "carrying long guns" ran inside and up the stairs, "I knew things were going south," he said.
Schmidt would later learn that his hotel room was just one floor below the shooter.
Festival-goers began to stream into the hotel, coming from the concert grounds across the street and into the lobby. Schmidt said many of them were scraped and bruised; they all look terrified.
As it became clear the shooter was firing from a room at Mandalay Bay, Schmidt, his fiance, and others ran from the hotel and took shelter across the parking lot at the Luxor Resort and Casino. Officials at the Luxor took people and placed them in lockdown in a basement room usually reserved for employees.
"We had multiple people from the festival with us," he said.
Someone near them appeared to be shot, and those around the person were working to stop the bleeding.
"It makes you feel vulnerable," he said.
Law enforcement didn't clear the Luxor until about 5:30, Schmidt said, at which point they were let out of the basement. When they came out, the whole Las Vegas Strip was uncharacteristically quiet.
"It was pretty eerie," he said.
Checking on loved ones
Across town, Dustin Principe, who moved from Billings to Las Vegas a year ago, had spent the night trying to find his friend's mother and sister, who had been at the country music festival when the shooting began.
Principe is a showroom host for Paris Las Vegas and Bally's Hotel and was working Sunday night when the shooting happened. At first no one had any idea it had happened, Principe said.
But then he and his co-workers started receiving texts and messages from loved ones wondering if they were OK. It was long after that rumors of other shooters and hidden bombs began to spread.
"It started to get real panicky," he said.
Principe bolted the showroom before his hotel was placed on lock down, and that's when he got a message from his friend asking if he could pick up the friend's mom and sister.
Everyone was trying to get away from the venue, he said. He eventually found the two women about a mile away at the Tropicana. The mom had shielded the daughter from gunfire and saw the woman in front of her shot and killed. They were all in shock, he said.
"It was surreal," he said.
Principe spent the night checking whether friends and acquaintances were all right and responding to messages from others wondering if he was all right. Monday night's shows have all been canceled, he said.
It's hard to comprehend the scope of the tragedy or communicate the panic and the fear people felt Sunday night, he said.
"This definitely changes the future," he said.
'It was horrifying'
Lexie Andre, who grew up in Missoula and attended both Sentinel High School and Willard Alternative High School before moving to Las Vegas several years ago, said she and her friend were on the Las Vegas Strip during the shooting. One of her friends was at the concert and called Andre for a ride.
We had gone to pick her up, and we saw bodies in the ground covered in sheets and people that had been shot, she said. It was horrifying. It was traumatizing. People were grabbing their arms and legs, bleeding everywhere. It was complete chaos.
Andre said she and her friends were uninjured, but many people around them werent so lucky.
It was like something out of a movie, she said. It didnt even seem real. Even in the car we could hear him shooting. It sounded like fireworks. This guy was relentless.
She said the scariest part was the fact that shooter was above everybody, so there didnt seem to be anywhere to hide or run.
Ive never seen anything like that with bodies on the ground, she said.
Campbell County firefighter Bayelee Burton was returning from the restroom Sunday night when he first heard the popping noise.
It wasn't until the noise started again and the music stopped that the 20-year-old Gillette man realized the noise was more than a cap gun or fireworks. He fell to the ground as the bullets sliced through the crowd of more than 22,000 people at the Jason Aldean concert, the culmination of a three-day country music festival in Las Vegas. The smooth country pop was replaced by the sound of screams.
The shots stopped and Burton crawled forward, looking for shelter from the attack. He froze when they started again and crawled when they stopped, all the while trying to help those around him.
"Stay down," he told them. "Stay calm."
Finally, he paused his escape. Crouched behind a cart used to haul supplies, he took stock of the situation.
People in cowboy boots and hats walked with blood on their skin and clothes. Gates were toppled in the chaos as the crowds attempted to flee the gunman's attack, which killed at least 59 fellow concertgoers and injured more than 520.
He didn't yet know that his father, 50-year-old Clint Burton, had been shot in the leg. For hours, he wouldn't know where the rest of his family his mom, aunt, uncle and three cousins were hiding or if they were alive.
"It was just mad chaos," he said.
Then, Burton went to work.
Burton moved to a nearby gas station, where an injured man had been taken in a wheelbarrow. He stopped to give the man CPR he had just been certified on Wednesday but the man died. He went back into the complex, dodging teams carrying the injured and dead on metal gates and tables, and helped rescue people still hiding behind folding chairs and in portable toilets. He held IV bags in the first aid-tent-turned-makeshift-emergency-room and searched for scant medical supplies.
After a while, he retired to his room in the nearby Excalibur hotel. He connected with the rest of his family, who were on lockdown in a hotel across the street. They were all uninjured, but nobody had heard from his dad.
It wasn't until after midnight that they got a call from the hospital. Clint Burton had been shot in the back of his thigh but was conscious and stable. About 4:30 a.m., the family reunited at the hospital, United Medical Center.
By 6 p.m. Monday, Bayelee Burton was exhausted but relieved. His family was safe. Everyone was together. They were ready to go home to Gillette.
It was just a crazy event. Crazy," Burton said. "Never would have thought something like that would have happened.
Close call
For many Wyomingites, the lights and chaos of the Las Vegas strip offer a radical change from the silence of the sagebrush and dark nights of the mountains. Its impossible to know how many Wyoming residents were at the concert Sunday night. But based on Vegas popularity as a weekend getaway and the states widespread love of country music, its a fair guess that the Cowboy State was well-represented in the crowd.
And so, the loved ones of the concertgoers were left in limbo late Sunday and early Monday as the news of the shooting broke.
They waited to hear from their wives, brothers and children who were at the concert. Waited to see if they would join the thousands of others across the country who have lost loved ones in seemingly senseless shootings.
Cheyenne resident Charis Kipper heard the news about 4:30 a.m. Monday: All five members of her family who attended the concert were alive.
Her sister, who was born and raised in Laramie but now lives in Nevada, as well as her niece and nephew and their spouses are big fans of country music and had been at the three-day Route 91 Harvest Festival since Friday.
Information about their whereabouts trickled through social media they had all lost their phones in the scramble. Kipper spoke to her niece briefly but said the woman was still shaken.
"They're all pretty traumatized," Kipper said late Monday morning.
Uncertainty remained for the family, however. Kipper's niece's husband, a firefighter in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, was shot in the leg while shielding his wife from the bullets.
He's stable, Kipper said, and is waiting for surgery while others in more serious condition are treated. All of her family members were still in Las Vegas on Monday morning.
You just are happy that your family is OK, but still worried about what kind of mental state they were in and what theyre going through," Kipper said. "You wish you were closer.
Candlelight vigil
Monday night, once again, Casper residents gathered to remember those killed in a mass shooting, to pray for those who survived and to attempt to comprehend the unimaginable.
More than 30 people traveled through sleet and rain to gather in the dim light of the United Church of Christ's sanctuary for a candlelit vigil just before sunset. Rev. Dee Lundberg did not offer platitudes. She spoke to the difficulty of rationalizing evil, the need for change, the hard work that is grief and the necessity of pursuing peace, regardless of it all.
"We can't let this darkness win," she said. "That's unacceptable."
People in the crowd responded with questions of their own: How can we feel safe? How do we make sense of evil? How do you explain this world and its evils to your children, your grandchildren? How much do you let them know?
Is it bad that these shootings feel normal now?
Lundberg noted that Casperites had gathered in the same sanctuary a little more than a year ago after a gunman killed 49 people in an Orlando nightclub.
These vigils have become a dark American tradition each rendition of flickering candles and bowed heads reminiscent of the last, though the victims names change and the blood-soaked venue is different.
A calendar item published in the Star-Tribune a few days after a gunman killed 26 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012 lists numerous recipients of one such remembrance: A candlelight vigil in honor of the victims of recent violence in Casper, Connecticut, Oregon and Colorado will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at Conwell Park.
At the end of the service Monday, the group passed flames from white candle to white candle, like so many before them.
Then the 30 people, young and old, bowed their heads over their dripping, glowing candles and sat, the only noise the battering of the storm outside.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Gov. Matt Mead expressed concerns Friday about possible federal changes to sage grouse management, reiterating his desire for western states to be consulted during revisions.
His statement came after the New York Times leaked information Thursday about the Trump Administration's plans to make significant changes to sage grouse management in the coming days. The news scattered like buckshot across the West where the imperiled bird lives.
The Interior Department is expected to publish a notice of intent in the federal register opening the plans, 98 in total, for changes.
But the future of the bird with the bright yellow chest that struts gravely across breeding grounds to find a mate has cast a troubling shadow in Wyoming.
The state is home to nearly 40 percent of the birds population, and it has blazed a trail of conservation in recent years in an effort to keep the bird off of the endangered species list. Hardline environmentalists didn't believe it was enough, while others argued the protections were too restrictive of energy development.
A listing would devastate energy dependent economies in the West, as it would mean severe limits on oil and gas development, wind farms, ranching and infrastructure projects.
Many in the conservation community responded with dismay to the Department of Interiors recent 60-day review of the plans, as well as to comments made by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke promoting energy development and controversial environmental strategies.
Mead said states should drive changes as they have in the past, not Washington, he added.
I just cant overemphasize how important it is to have that state input, Mead said. If it was a state by state listing decision, thatd be one thing. But the way we are with the law right now, if one state gets listed, we all are going to get listed. We sink or swim together.
Mead last spoke to the Interior secretary in June. The governor wrote a letter to Zinke mid-week requesting a meeting with Western Governors to ensure states continue to have input.
Environmental groups that have been involved in sage grouse management in Wyoming for years are growing frustrated by the federal intrusion on their plans.
Though developed by the Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies, the strategies were part of a wide collaboration in Wyoming with state officials, energy companies, landowners and conservation groups like the Audubon Society.
Sec. Zinkes direct statement has been that he wants to open those priority habitats up to further development, said Brian Rutledge, conservation policy and strategy adviser for the Audubon Society. That is an anathema to these plans.
The bird simply won't survive more intrusion onto its key habitat, he said.
Whatever happens to the bird in the coming years, the debate and the repercussions if other states weaken protections, will come back to Wyoming, he said.
All of the restriction will be placed on us, Rutledge said. As those other populations wink out, what we will have to do is put even heavier protections in the places that maintain habitat.
The pressure will be on the state that has done the best job of managing its sage brush ecosystem.
The governor also expressed a degree of worry Friday about the unknown nature of the changes. Until the Interior Department has made its intentions clear, the governor would not speculate on what could be amended. But Mead has written a number of public letters to the Interior advising that the plans be kept whole and discouraging talk of setting population targets instead of focusing on habitat protections.
Mead admitted that there are some changes that could be problematic for the bird, but change itself could also be dangerous if it is not carried out thoughtfully, he said.
Mineral companies need long-term predictability as they decide where to put capital. On top of that the bird needs a long-term plan, the governor said. We cant have wholesale changes in wildlife management every four or eight years. I dont think that is the best way to sustain populations or provide the necessary predictability to industry and business in our states.
The oil and gas industry group Western Energy Alliance has called for action following the federal review of the sage grouse plans. The group was not one of the key players in developing the plan in Wyoming, but has been vocal on the need for changes that support energy development.
Many other groups weighed in after the news of big changes was leaked to the New York Times, including Back Country Hunters and Anglers, the National Wildlife Federation, the Western Leaders Network and the Western Watersheds Project.
The Obama administration weakened sage-grouse protections in federal plans in response to pressure from state governors, creating a crazy-quilt of loopholes that exempted the industries causing the most damage to sage grouse in each state from complying with protections, said Erik Molvar, a wildlife biologist working for the conservation group Western Watersheds Project in response to the NYT news.
The existing federal sage-grouse protections already are far too weak to sustain sage grouse populations in the face of commercial uses that are being approved on public lands in many areas.
Western Watersheds was the group that sued the feds in 2007 after they ruled the declining bird was not warranted for a listing. That lawsuit led to the rapid development of a sage grouse task force in Wyoming, and the gradual workings of a plan in the state to avoid a listing decision.
For Mead, there are parts of the plans that can do for changes or updates. But ahead of the Interiors move, the governor reiterated a desire for caution. What no one in the West wants is another endangered species listing on the horizon, he said.
Its a very good place to start and a very good place to end up: 'What is the states' point of view on any changes we would make?
More than one in 10 at-risk middle and high school students in the greater Houston area said they contemplated suicide during the past year, according to a survey completed by The Menninger Clinic psychiatric hospital and the WestEd education research non-profit.
While about 31 percent of the 620 students surveyed scored high on questions relating to how they handled their social and emotional health, about 27 percent reported chronic sadness and hopelessness. Twelve percent contemplated suicide, the survey found.
The students surveyed are all part of the BridgeUp at Menniger Clinic program, which blends social and emotional learning curriculum with classroom teaching and after-school activities.
Dr. C. Edward Coffey, a neuropsychiatrist who serves as Menningers president and CEO, said he was concerned by the survey's results, which also asked students about academic performance, school environments, bullying and substance use.
These are the types of indicators were measuring through the BridgeUp Healthy Kids Survey so that we have a snapshot of what is preventing students from being successful in school, Coffey said in a statement. We will use the survey to measure outcomes of our BridgeUp initiative and we will share the results with our partners so that they can make informed decisions about additional supports needed at the school and program level to improve social and emotional well-being.
This year, Houston ISD has incorporated social and emotional learning and supports in 32 of its schools through the "Achieve 180" campus improvement plan. Each of the schools participating in the plan has been labeled as "improvement required" by the state of Texas for at least one year, and 10 of the schools have been on the state's "improvement required" list for five years, which could trigger a state takeover of Houston ISD or prompt the state to close those schools.
"Achieve 180" calls for hiring and funding more nurses and social workers, as well as partnering with community agencies to provide services to struggling families.
The idea is that students cannot learn well if they're hungry, suffering from medical issues or exposed to domestic violence. Carranza said such "wrap-around services" will allow students to focus on academics by helping improve their families' circumstances.
Montanas looming two-year budget cuts will top the agenda when the Legislative Finance Committee convenes in Helena Wednesday for a two-day meeting.
This 12-member panel half Democrats, half Republicans, half Senate, half House should be the catalyst for solutions to the revenue shortfall.
Democratic lawmakers are seeking a special legislative session to stave off some cutbacks with tax increases. Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, has authority to call the Legislature into a special session, but has said it wouldnt be worthwhile unless Republicans have agreed to support some revenue-raising legislation.
A number of GOP lawmakers have denounced permanent tax increases, but what about temporary raises? How about modest increases in designated revenue streams that would expire in two years or so?
I will not support permanent tax increases during these down times, Sen. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote in a Sept. 13 guest opinion. Jones opinion made clear that his preference is for Bullock to cut spending.
The suddenness and the magnitude of the projected shortfall would require deep cuts if no additional revenue is approved.
The Legislature approved the budget at the end of April and Bullock signed it in May. By June, actual revenue data was showing that the budget revenue estimate was too high. That shortfall immediately triggered cuts mandated in Senate Bill 261, another end-of-session measure. The SB261 cuts will slash some mental health services by half and reduce the rates Montana Medicaid pays for most other health care by 2.9 percent.
Then the state caught fire. With state costs of nearly $60 million, Montana already has burned through its entire wildland firefighting budget for this year and most of next.
Actual general fund revenue collections continued to underperform the budget estimate, so Bullock asked state agencies that receive general fund money to prepare plans for cutting 5 percent of their budgets, then he asked for plans to cut 10 percent the maximum a governor can cut the budget without getting legislative approval.
Montanans can see those proposed cuts online now. If Budget Director Dan Villas most recent revenue estimates are accurate, the entire 10 percent cut will be needed to balance the state budget as required by Montana law.
Any lawmaker who believes that the lists of proposed 10 percent cuts fail to identify the least impactful reductions to reach the $229 million total should present alternatives now.
The only Billings lawmaker on the Legislative Finance Committee is Rep. Kelly McCarthy. A Democrat and member of the House Appropriations Committee, McCarthy has suggested there is merit in instituting some temporary revenue measures.
We still do not have a perfect understanding on why personal income receipts missed their mark so significantly, so it would seem practical not to institute any permanent solutions to a problem that we dont yet have a firm grasp on, McCarthy wrote in a guest opinion last week.
Meanwhile, public safety, health and education are in jeopardy. Our already understaffed prisons and state hospital cant safely operate with fewer workers. Montana businesses that contract with the state cant immediately absorb reductions in state reimbursement without laying off their staff. Health and human services will serve fewer elderly, children and disabled folks because those are the groups primarily served. The magnitude of cuts is staggering because the budget was already tight when the Legislature passed it.
Bullock cant save all the essentials that are now on the chopping block. A solution demands the cooperation of a majority of the 150 lawmakers and the governor.
We call upon all those lawmakers to be part of the solution. Dont force vulnerable Montanans to suffer because the biennial budget got the revenue estimate wrong.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
NEW ORLEANS A trio of federal appeals court judges grilled attorneys over the inner workings of Harris County's bail system Tuesday, as lawyers for the county attempted to overturn a Houston judge's ruling that it violated the constitution by keeping thousands of poor, low-level offenders in jail simply because they can't afford bail.
The three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals interrupted lawyers and fired back questions over the fairness of allowing rapid-fire video bail conferences and the vetting of offenders who can simply claim on a form they're too poor to raise bail.
Rodney Ellis, the only county commissioner to back the lower court's ruling, had a front-row seat for the arguments. Afterward he said the judges had apparent concerns about Harris County's bail system but their questions indicated they also were troubled about whether the injunction halting "wealth-based bail" trampled on local officials' discretion.
Now Playing: "We have to reform the cash bail system in this country." Video: NowThis News
"I think they're trying to balance the issue of states' rights when, in this instance, I think the state and local government is clearly wrong, that there's something wrong with the system," said Ellis, a former state senator who authored the state's indigent defense law.
The county's arguments challenged an April ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal in Houston that the bail system violated the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of due process and equal protection by unfairly warehousing poor misdemeanor defendants when people with money could await trial at home.
She ordered the county to allow misdemeanor inmates to be released on personal bonds within 24 hours of being taken into custody.
The county contends Rosenthal's order endangers public safety by letting people out of jail before judges have a chance to review the circumstances of their release.
With several county criminal judges all defendants in the case also watching intently from the gallery, the judges heard 30 minutes of arguments from the county, which has so far spent $4.2 million combating the lawsuit. That was followed by another 30 minutes of arguments from attorneys for indigent defendants who languished in jail for days because they couldn't afford to post bail.
The key issues before them are whether Rosenthal was correct to find the county's bail system discriminatory and whether her injunction offered a proper remedy to right what was wrong with the county's bail practices.
Attorney John O'Neill, who represents most of the elected county court-at-law judges, said after the hearing that Rosenthal's order has resulted in more defendants failing to show up for their court appearance, which bail is designed to prevent.
"It's a tragedy," he said. "It's chaos."
NEW SCRUTINY: 5th Circuit court will weigh Harris County's cash-bail system
'Rubber stamp'
The panel seemed to be questioning whether the county's bail hearings were substantive for defendants, whether the sheriff had the authority to release people on bond and whether it was arbitrary for Rosenthal to set a 24-hour limit for releasing qualified indigent defendants from custody.
The judges also appeared to be grappling with whether the federal courts should be in the business of sorting out how counties handle their bail proceedings or whether that should be left to the discretion of county criminal judges who hear misdemeanor cases.
Dubbed the nation's "most divisive, controversial and conservative appeals court" by the American Bar Association, the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit hears cases appealed from federal courts in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Hearing the arguments Tuesday at the majestic white marble courthouse on Lafayette Square where many civil rights matters were heard in decades past were judges Edith Brown Clement, a veteran New Orleans jurist; Catharina Haynes, of Dallas, a former civil court judge; and Edward C. Prado, who previously worked for the district attorney and public defender's offices in San Antonio. All were appointed to the court by Republican presidents.
Haynes dominated the questioning throughout the morning, challenging both sides with her inquiries.
When Chuck Cooper, a seasoned appellate lawyer who heads a Washington, D.C. law firm, argued the county bail hearings were not perfunctory, Haynes interrupted Cooper mid-sentence.
"Now they know they're under scrutiny so they add an extra sentence to their rubber stamp?" she asked.
While bail hearings may be brief, Cooper replied, the judges do give consideration to each defendant based on information gleaned during a pretrial services interview.
Haynes also quizzed Alec Karakatsanis, director of the Civil Rights Corps in Washington, D.C, who represents the indigent defendants who sued the county, asking why defendants needed to be released from jail by the 24-hour mark.
"I'm asking a very specific question you're not answering," she said. "Where in the U.S. Constitution does it say you're required to release... within 24 hours?"
"It doesn't," Karakatsanis replied.
Haynes also wanted to know the value of the affidavit that detainees sign swearing they can't afford bail. "What if they're lying on this affidavit? I don't know, if they're a millionaire or something?" she asked.
Karakatsanis said they could face further prosecution for contempt if they misrepresented their means.
Going too far?
The class-action lawsuit was filed by two civil rights groups Civil Rights Corps and the Texas Fair Defense Project and two law firms donating their services on behalf of Maranda ODonnell, a young mother who was held in the Harris County Jail because she could not afford to post $2,500 bail after being arrested for driving without a valid license. The suit applies to other inmates at the jail detained on misdemeanors as long as they don't have holds or detainers.
During the hearing Tuesday, Cooper assured the court that the judicial process was working efficiently in Harris County, with defendants having hearings on the next business day after their arrest and the chance to question the terms of their bail.
"I thought they were only given less than a minute to talk and they were told not to talk?" Prado asked.
Cooper clarified defendants have a chance to raise constitutional issues when they're before county law judges. But early in the process some defendants are told not to speak to the judge to avoid self-incrimination, Cooper explained.
Clement then asked Cooper what the logic was behind the hearing if defendants were told not to speak.
Haynes doubled up on the questioning. "What is a hearing if you're not going to listen?" she asked.
Cooper encouraged judges to view all the video hearings in evidence, and not just the ones the inmates' attorneys had "cherry picked" as egregious. They would see some back-and-forth, he said.
Prado pushed another line of inquiry about whether Rosenthal's order limits judges' abilities to make individual decisions during arguments from Daniel S. Volchok, from one of two firms helping represent the jail inmates.
"That doesn't give judges any discretion," he said. "Have we now gone too far to the other side? We had a system where everyone gets locked up. Now we have a system where everyone gets released."
Volchok said the sheriff who releases inmates before the 24-hour deadline and the county law judges still have discretion to make sure people are lawfully detained when appropriate.
Haynes jumped in again before Volchok finished his sentence.
"I find it very disturbing the sheriff needs to say to the judge, 'I'm not going to follow your order.' That's chaotic," she said, explaining Rosenthal's order forced the sheriff to act so quickly it put him at odds with judicial discretion.
A ruling from the appeals court could take months.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
An El Paso woman has been arrested for allegedly slapping a 5-year-old child some time between July 31 and Aug. 28.
Olga Najera, 52, was a teacher at Helen Ball Elementary when the alleged incident happened, the El Paso Police Department said in a news release.
Najera was arrested Monday by El Paso Police Department's Crimes Against Children (CAC) unit and booked into the El Paso County Jail on a bond of $15,000. She was charged with injury to a child.
BAD EXAMPLE: Arkansas high school teacher accused of having sexual relationships with 4 teen students
Najera was also arrested in August for a series of alleged incidents dating back to Aug. 2016 at Myrtle Cooper Elementary, KFOX TV added. Najera allegedly pinched a child younger than 14 on the arm and scratched the child around the hands, according to court documents obtained by KFOX TV. Najera also allegedly slapped another child in the face, stepped on the child's foot, and kicked the child.
Najera was placed on administrative leave in March and ultimately transferred from Myrtle to Helen Ball following the 2016 incident, the El Paso Times reported.
Najera's lawyer, Mary Stillinger released the following statement to KFOX TV:
"Olga Najera has worked as a bilingual educator of very young children for over ten years in the Socorro Independent School District. She has an excellent reputation with students, parents and fellow teachers. The accusations made against her are absolutely false. The allegations have been investigated and were found to be without any merit. Unfortunately, it is very easy to manipulate or misunderstand what very young children say. Our children's safety and education are of utmost importance, but it is also law enforcement's responsibility to do thorough investigation, before bringing charges."
Bob Levey/Stringer
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will announce the first recipients of aid from the Harvey Relief Fund Tuesday morning.
The grants will be the first of several rounds of help disbursed from what already has grown to a $79 million pot of money administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
AUSTIN -- Attorney General Ken Paxton's legal defense team accused his special prosecutors of "whining" and "grumbling" about their pay then skipping town to trek across India and visit New York as one of several reasons for a judge to deny their request to delay the high-profile Republican's criminal trial.
Another: if the Harris County criminal court dockets are overwhelmed in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Paxton's case could be moved to Rockwall County, just south of Paxton's home in McKinney.
These are just some of the arguments Paxton and his legal team unleashed Tuesday in a filing to counteract a request by special prosecutors to delay Paxton's criminal trial. The parties will be back in court Wednesday afternoon where District Judge Robert Johnson is expected to hear the arguments. It is unclear when he will rule.
Accused of felony securities fraud related to convincing friends and colleagues to invest in a North Texas tech company, Paxton and his lawyers said in a court filing Tuesday he has the right to a speedy trial to clear his name and the judge should keep his December trial date intact.
"Fundamental fairness dictates that not only Paxton but the public are entitled to a determination of Paxton's innocence or guilt. He is, after all, the top ranking member of law-enforcement in the state," read the court filing.
Paxton, a first-term Republican attorney general planning to seek reelection in 2018, is accused of failing to disclose he would make a commission when trying to convince friends and colleagues to invest in Servergy, Inc., a company that purported to sell a revolutionary new server. The charges are unrelated to his public service.
A trio of Houston-area attorneys assigned to build a case against Paxton argue the trial can wait.
They have gone 18 months representing the state without getting paid while a lawsuit challenging their $205,000 invoice for their work building a case against Paxton has wound through the courts. Lawsuits challenging their pay been filed by Paxton's allies and politically charged from the outset. They contend the $300 per hour fee special prosecutors were promised exceeded local county limits of $1,000 for first degree felony pleas, $500 for third-degree pleas, $1,000 for pretrial work and $500 for each one-half day of trial.
The 5th Court of Appeals agreed, but the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has agreed to look into the case in the coming months, giving special prosecutors a new reason to ask for a delay in Paxton's criminal trial.
The special prosecutors also argue that Hurricane Harvey's impact on the criminal justice system in Harris County should also warrant a delay. The Criminal Justice Center, which houses courtrooms, will be closed for about a year, forcing judges in criminal courts to share courtrooms and sort through mounting dockets of backlogged cases that have been stalled by the storm.
"The havoc Hurricane Harvey wreaked on the Harris County Criminal Justice Center and the criminal justice system make it virtually impossible for this case to be tried in December," read a motion for continuance by the special prosecutors. "This act of God is a neutral factor that cannot be held against the state."
Court schedulers "have their hands full" trying to manage the growing caseloads, said Chris Daniel, the Harris County District Clerk who oversees the court system. Judges are now sharing courtrooms with each other, and have to be more efficient when moving through their dockets to leave time for other judges to work through their caseloads, he said.
Putting off the trial would stretch Paxton's personal legal saga to more than two and a half years since a Collin County grand jury indicted him on two charges of first degree felony securities fraud and a lesser third degree charge of failing to register with the state as an investment adviser.
Andrea Zelinski cover politics and education for the Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook. Send her tips at andrea.zelinski@chron.com.
Kudos to Dr. Ibsen and Kimberly Whitaker on their letters contradicting Steve Zabawa.
One point that has not been mentioned is the opioid epidemic caused by the same companies and individuals endorsed by Zabawa across America. The opioid epidemic is destroying lives every day and costing the taxpayers billions of dollars.
Its not just the drug companies making a profit, it is also the doctors and the pharmacists dispensing these so-called legal drugs. There is no evidence that marijuana adversely affects a persons health. Every day, more and more benefits are being found from marijuana
Maybe Zabawa and Safe Montana should spend more of their time fighting against the opioid epidemic and the meth problem that is destroying Montana.
Mike Thompson
Wibaux
How TCU, other contenders can make College Football Playoff Can the Horned Frogs help the Big 12 get over the CFP hump?
The best early Le Creuset Black Friday deals Black Friday is only two weeks away. Check out what you can buy on sale at Le Creuset.
The summers final Live on the Waterfront concert was held Wednesday evening at Prince Arthurs Landing. The popular series in Thunder Bay has completed nine weekly shows that began on July 13. Wednesdays concert was unique as it was held one hour later in the evening to mesh with the 10 p.
In response to Billie Ruff's Sept. 21 guest opinion about privatization of air traffic control systems:
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that 76 percent of 2016 flight delays were caused by weather and the airlines themselves. ATC made up 23 percent of airport delays, not the "more than half" claimed in her opinion. ATC isn't the cause, it's lack of capacity. Privatizing ATC will not create additional runways, taxiways, concourses or gates for the airlines. Airports have not kept pace with airline growth.
The FAA is addressing the aging ATC system through its NextGen program. NextGen has saved the airlines and traveling public $1.6 billion so far, and is estimated to save $11.4 billion over the next 15 years. The Congressional Budget Office estimates privatized ATC would add nearly $100 billion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years.
According to a May, 2017 Congressional Research Service report, none of the proposed privatized ATC models are superior or inferior to the current FAA-run air traffic services. A 2016 GAO report states that the privatized Canadian ATC system has had to cut costs and raise its user fees in order to maintain its operations.
Airlines want to take control of the ATC system so they can determine where and when small, general aviation operators can fly. Supporters of HR 2997 claim there are protections for these operators. The truth is that a privatized ATC corporation could allow airlines to restrict private aviation.
Please tell Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester, and Rep. Greg Gianforte you oppose HR 2997.
Tony Wall
Billings
We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message.
Keeping with the governors Main Street Initiative, applications to the state for affordable housing funds were required to include infill.
The governor's initiative supports infill projects over development on the outskirts of towns because of the higher cost of providing and maintaining infrastructure and services to those outlying areas.
North Dakota Housing Finance Agency, which administers state and federal funds for the development of low-income housing, therefore decided to apply the same concept to the money it awards, said Director Karlene Fine, adding infill has been something the agency has advocated for when handing out funds in the past, but this was the first time it was a requirement of application.
The only way projects not meeting those standards may apply is if there are no infill opportunities available in the city.
Owners are remodeling the downtown Bismarck Wells Fargo Office Building and renaming the site Grand Pacific Center.
"The building is very similar to a building we acquired and renovated in downtown Fargo named Dakota Center. In that case, we renovated a building that had barely been touched in probably 30 years, and turned it into a true Class 'A' office building in a 'main & main' location that is now 100 percent leased," Gary Katz, senior vice president for building owner NetREIT, said in an email. "Our Bismarck building has many of the same attributes that Dakota Center had when we acquired it, and we hope to achieve similar successful results."
The new name harkens from the former Grand Pacific Hotel, which stood on the spot at the corner of Fourth Street and Broadway Avenue until it was demolished in 1974.
Along with the new name, there will be renovations to the main floor common areas and outside plaza entrance, with work being done by Wild l CRG Architecture. New modern finishes and lighting are being installed alongside historical photos displaying the buildings history.
The entire 15,000-square-foot top floor of the building is also undergoing renovations and is available for lease with Daniel Companies. Katz said he's hopeful the improvements will help attract new tenants as well as benefit existing tenants.
Katz said they hope to have the remodel complete before the end of the year.
The company will invest approximately $350,000 for the improvements to the lobby and exterior. It has previously invested more than $1.2 million in improvements to the parking deck, elevators, HVAC system, and tenant suites since taking ownership of the building.
NetREIT acquired the building in 2014.
With the dissolution of the proposed downtown mixed use FiveSouth project in Bismarck, $3 million for affordable housing development is up for grabs as part of the state Housing Incentive Fund.
While a group of local investors is aiming to restructure and save the downtown development, the money granted by the state for the affordable apartment portion had to be returned. And with state lawmakers opting not the refund HIF, the FiveSouth funds make up the majority of the $3.75 million left in the programs coffers.
At the close of the application period Sept. 30, eight projects, accounting for a total of $4.6 million in requests, are vying for the last of the available money.
So were over by about $1 million, said Jolene Kline, head of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency which hands out HIF funding, explaining the program will not be able to fund all of the requests.
Three of the eight proposed projects are in Bismarck.
CommunityWorks and Mountain Plains Equity Group want to develop 35 senior housing units in Bismarck called Century Cottages. The group is asking for $400,000 from the state to fund a portion of the $8.3 million project.
The Schuett Companies Inc., which is in the process of trying to purchase Patterson Place Apartments in Bismarcks former Patterson Hotel, is asking for $600,000 to cover a portion of its $17.2 million investment.
Burleigh County Housing Authority is also seeking funds for its proposed homeless housing project, Edwinton Place, and is asking for $400,000. Total investment in Edwinton Place would be nearly $9.6 million for 40 units.
Outside of Bismarck, there are funding requests for a 28-unit apartment complex in Grand Forks, another Grand Forks project that would include 25 low-income units, 30 units for the physically disabled and homeless in West Fargo, rehabilitation of 32 apartments for the disabled in Ellendale and 20 new units of affordable housing in Washburn.
This was more of a gap fill round because of the limited amount, said Kline, adding that many of the companies will have to get the majority of their funding from other sources to make their projects viable.
Some of those other funding sources include the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and the National Housing Trust Fund.
Locally, Edwinton Place is seeking $813,000 in federal tax credits, Patterson Place Apartments is seeking $850,000 and Century Cottages is seeking $677,500. The other requests are for projects in Grand Forks and Fargo.
From the trust fund, Edwinton Place is seeking nearly $1.6 million, Patterson Place is seeking $1.5 million and Century Cottages are seeking nearly $1.6 million, with the remainder of requests being for Fargo and Grand Forks projects.
It generally takes NDHFA staff a month to score the applications, but because of the competitiveness for this particular funding round, 26 applications from 14 projects, it may take longer, the agency said.
This irregular piece of limestone, found lying on top of the hoard, was possibly used as a capstone for the jar in which the coins were originally concealed. Immediately above it is the copper-alloy strap fitting, which is all that remains of the bag in which the coins had been placed. To the right of this is a very small selection of the coins found.
In February 2017, two brothers-in-law discovered gold and silver buried treasure in a field north of Lincoln, the county city of Lincolnshire, England.
The area was initially an Iron Age settlement comprising wooden dwellings and known by the Celts as Lindon.
Following the Roman conquest of Britain in A.D. 48, the invaders built a legionary fortress here that was at the northern end of the Fosse Way, the Roman road that stretched 182 miles from Ilchester in the southwest to what the conquerors Latinized to Lindum.
U.S. Mint welcomes a fourth metal to the American Eagle bullion program. Also in this weeks print issue of Coin World, we teach our readers about what a weak-fatty gold coin is and why you dont want one in your collection.
When the legion initially based here transferred to York in A.D. 71, the fortress became a home for army veterans. It was renamed Lindum Colonia, which after the Viking raid beginning at the end of the eighth century was shortened to Lincoln.
Connect with Coin World:
Sign up for our free eNewsletter
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Today it has a Norman castle and a magnificent cathedral that had its foundations laid in the late 11th century. From 1311 to 1549, before its 525-foot tower collapsed, Lincoln Cathedral was the tallest building in Europe. Lincoln is 141 miles (227 kilometers) north of London.
Good area for seekers
The finders were the treasure hunting team of Sean Scargill and Hugh Jenkins. They have been detecting in and around Lincolnshire for four years. Sean told me that they are very fortunate to have permissions on land within Lincolnshire known for yielding Roman material and have had good Roman find success as a result.
Sean continued with an account of the day that they found the late Iron Age hoard. We were detecting on a long-standing permission of ours, he told Coin World. It is in an area that we have previously searched many times over the last three to four years. The site is vast and it is believed to have periodic occupation from the late Iron Age through to today. This has been reflected in the many Roman and medieval artefacts that we have discovered there.
He continued: About a couple of hours into what was turning out to be a very sunny February day, Hugh suggested we move to an area of pasture that we had not detected for a while. This was a short walk from where we were, out into the sunshine, rather than the shade of the wood. This was a very easy decision as the midday sunshine had started to do its work warming an otherwise chilly morning. Initially the move to this area resulted in Hugh finding a Roman brooch, a few modern coins and a whole lot of lead for me. This was starting to get more than a little frustrating. We often find lead spindle whorls ... and pot mends in this area, but today was quickly turning into a random fragments of lead day for me. With this in mind, I remarked that I was going to try an area at the other end of the field, about 200 yards from our current location and that I would detect on the way there.
A few steps away
One could detect the excitement mount in Seans voice as he continued. Having taken no more than a few steps in that direction, I got a deep, faint but very interesting signal. Although it was faint, it was in good range and was also jumping around a bit. I was confident that the target was probably quite deep so I initially made an opening spade hole of about seven to eight inches. After sweeping the removed turf with the detector, to rule it out, I then swept the hole again, where I got a much stronger and more stable signal. I then inserted the detectors pinpointer to the bottom of the hole and all round the sides, to try to gain a precise location of the target. It revealed absolutely nothing. Experience told me that I needed to dig deeper, as I have found that very wet ground helps with the depths that my detector is able to reach.
On digging down another three to four inches or so, I hit upon a reasonable sized flat stone and the pin pointer was now picking up a signal beneath it. At this depth, the soil was becoming a fine sandy fill, which made freeing the stone relatively straight-forward. On lifting and turning the stone over, I noticed a small coin attached to its underside and at the same time I noticed what looked like a few others sat at the bottom of the hole. On initial examination of the loose coin, although covered in damp sandy soil, I could see it was small and silver and had what looked like a horse on one side and a wreath on the other. As I could see about another five coins in the damp, sandy soil at the bottom of the hole, the excitement was building about potentially uncovering a small coin spill. At that point, there was absolutely no way of knowing that there were many gold and silver coins within the next two to three inches of soil.
Find totals 282 coins
The final count of the excavated coins was 282, comprising 40 gold staters, 231 silver units and 11 half-units, all of which are North-Eastern types attributed to the Corieltavi tribe.
Space News space history and artifacts articles Messages space history discussion forums Sightings worldwide astronaut appearances Resources selected space history documents
advertisements
Astronaut-photographer Terry Virts shares 'View from Above'
October 3, 2017 If, in fact, a picture is worth a thousand words, then astronaut Terry Virts has volumes to say about the view from space.
So much so, that the 300 photographs that fill the pages of his new book represent less than one tenth of one percent of all the photos he took in space. And that was just from one of his two flights to the International Space Station.
In "View from Above: An Astronaut Photographs the World," published on Tuesday (Oct. 3), Virts collaborates with the photo editors at National Geographic to offer a visually spectacular account of his seven months orbiting Earth.
"My goal in 'View from Above' was to share the experience of spaceflight in book format as best as I could," said Virts in an interview with collectSPACE. "It is most definitely not an 'astronaut memoir,' but neither is it simply a photography atlas of the Earth or space."
"I really wanted to capture what it is like to fly a space mission from common events like launch and landing and spacewalking, but also what it was like to see Earth for the first time, or experience emergencies while in space, or learn how to float," said Virts, who retired from NASA's astronaut corps in 2016.
Virts first launched on the space shuttle Endeavour in 2010, serving as pilot for the mission that delivered and installed the station's Cupola. Four years later, he used that same multi-windowed room to capture hundreds of thousands of photographs 319,275, to be exact of the planet below. (To be even more exact, some of those 300,000 images included observations from other parts of the station and of life aboard the orbiting laboratory, too.)
"There are so many that I loved," said Virts when asked about his favorite photos, "especially sunsets, sunrises and wide angle 'Earth shots.' There was a northern lights sequence that I took over northern Europe that was spectacular, and, well, I could go on."
"But on my last day in space, I went down to the Cupola, took the scratch pane off, set the camera at f/22 [focal point 22] to get a 'starburst' pattern, and took a wide angle shot of the sun and the Earth's limb. I looked at the preview on the camera screen, realized that was the best picture I'd ever taken."
That same image, taken just before Virts left the space station for Earth on June 11, 2015, appears as the last photograph in the book.
"I thought to myself, OK, that's it, I'm never going to top that. What an awesome ending to my time on the station. My most important work in space, in my opinion, was photography and the impressions of space that I can share with others. This truly was saving 'the best for last,'" Virts writes in "View from Above."
The 304-page book is organized by the different stages of a space mission, with chapters devoted to "Leaving Earth," "Our Place in the Universe," "Deliveries from Home" and "Return to Earth." Amid Virts' narrative and his captions, are also a selection of tweets that Virts posted to Twitter while on the space station.
And then there are the "Viewfinders."
"'Viewfinder' alludes to the eyepiece of a camera that you look through," explained Virts. "At the end of each chapter we included some photos that are presented full page. It's just a pretty cool, in my opinion way to show the reader some of the best images at full size, and not cropped down in the middle of the chapter."
"View from Above" is not the first book to focus on astronaut photography. NASA, itself, published two volumes of Earth images taken on board its Gemini two-man missions 50 years ago. In the decades since, coffee-table-style books compiled by the Association of Space Explorers ("The Home Planet, 1988") and by individual astronauts (including Jay Apt's "Orbit: NASA Astronauts Photograph The Earth," published in 1996 by National Geographic) have offered a look back at the planet where we live.
"I have always loved space photography books, since I was a child," said Virts. "[ Astronaut] Don Pettit was actually a great mentor to me as he helped me learn about photography during my years as an astronaut and has quite a beautiful book himself."
"I wanted to do something different than these, though," Virts said.
Virts acknowledges that the photos will be the major draw for "View from Above," but he hopes readers take the time to read his narrative, too.
"Honestly, I'm most proud of the writing," he told collectSPACE. "It would be great to simply look at the photos in the book, but I think that it would be much better to combine that with the stories that I tell, to get the full experience of what it Is like to fly in space."
Virts' story is endorsed by another astronaut who ventured beyond Earth and who penned the foreword for "View from Above."
"He points out that he never made it to the moon, but he spent over 213 days in space whereas I only spent 12," writes Buzz Aldrin, who walked on the moon on Apollo 11 in 1969. "I look at Terry as a steward for the future on my behalf for the next generation of astronauts and space explorers."
"I feel he still has much to contribute to the world with his experiences, and I hope he will carry on the spirit of Apollo and the shuttle era into the Mars era."
"View from Above: An Astronaut Photographs the World" by Terry Virts is available now from National Geographic.
Photos: Terry Virts / National Geographic / NASA
Pages 10-11: Clouds swirl over the Nyuksensky District of western Russia. (NASA/National Geographic)
Pages 56-57: "It takes careful attention and a lot of Velcro and Ziploc bags to keep track of things in zero gravity. I once lost track of a flashlight and eventually found it inside my shirt, between my shoulder blades." Terry Virts (NASA/National Geographic)
Pages 62-63: The striking turquoise of the Bahamas stands out amid more muted ocean shades. These aquamarine waters were even visible on moonlit nights. (NASA/National Geographic)
Page 103: A crescent moon. One of the experiments I performed in space was appropriately named "Moon" I took a series of photographs of the moon to calibrate navigation sensors on NASA's Orion capsule. Terry Virts (NASA/National Geographic)
Pages 116-117: Looking up at Earth with all seven Cupola window shutters open. Despite the orientation of this photo, the Cupola is actually on the bottom. (NASA/National Geographic)
Pages 120-121: "One of my absolute favorite pictures I took in space A the aurora borealis over the U.K. The northern lights were always in the distance while the southern lights were usually much closer to our orbit. Terry Virts (NASA/National Geographic)
Pages 244-245: New York City and Long Island ablaze at night, with Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., to the left. The concentration of city lights on Earth was an indication not just of population but of wealth. By night, most of Africa, even heavily populated regions, lay in dark. (NASA/National Geographic)
Pages 298-299: "A few hours before leaving space for the last time, I went to the Cupola to take a few nal shots. After I shot this one, I looked at the preview screen on the camera and said, "OK, I'm done. No more photos after this." After over 300,000 pictures, I had saved the best for last." Terry Virts (NASA/National Geographic)
2022 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved.
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.
Elizabeth Hildebrand went to Las Vegas for the first time on Friday, savoring the moments during a 'mom's getaway', up until Sunday night.
Elizabeth says her group thought about getting a drink in an area they would later find out was where the active shooter was.
"I've never been so thankful that I didn't get an adult beverage," said Hildebrand.
Instead, the ladies had a game night in at their hotel about a half-mile away from the scene.
It was far enough away not to see the deadly terror first hand, but she could see ambulances lining up outside her hotel.
Hildebrand said, "You always hear about things happening, but when you're in the middle of it, it made me want to throw up."
The group was told not to go anywhere.
Elizabeth texted her husband, saying she was safe.
However, she wasn't able to get to sleep, nervous that something more could happen.
She finally got on a flight at 7 o'clock.
"One thing I'll never forget is the looks of some people. It was very quiet and very somber," said Hildebrand.
Elizabeth says she was planning a trip with her husband near Thanksgiving.
Now she's not sure she'll ever want to return to Vegas, so for now, she's thankful for a safe home.
Hildebrand said, "I've never been so happy to be in Grand Forks."
Hildebrand says some of the mom's from her group stayed back in Vegas.
They hoped to donate blood to those in need.
Michelle Slaughter, of Hebron, and her friend, Heidi Barman, of Dickinson, were two of the thousands of people whose love for country music had brought them to the Route 91 Harvest Festival.
She and a group of about 12 others from Dickinson and Williston arrived in Las Vegas Thursday for the three-day festival, which turned deadly on Sunday when a gunman from the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino open fired on the crowd, killing 59 people and injuring more than 500.
Luckily, no one in their group was injured. Slaughter, reached by phone early Tuesday, said they all arrived home Monday evening.
"We were running for our lives," Slaughter said of the moments after a burst of gunfire.
She and Barman were standing in an open area at the concert, about 20 feet from the crowd next to the main stage. They like many who attended the event heard what sounded like fireworks being shot off.
Well, youre not thinking theres machine guns raining down on you. So, Im looking at the stage Is it fireworks? Kind of weird," said Slaughter, who didnt think much of it.
All of a sudden, a second round went off.
"I just looked at my friend and I said, 'Heidi, run,'" Slaughter said.
Amid the panic and confusion, the two ran to a food court area for shelter. Slaughter saw someone jump on what appeared to be a transformer and scale a fence; they did the same and ran.
I just thought, 'Run, run as fast as you can and get out of here,' she said, adding they ran into Hooters Casino Hotel and hid in a kitchen storage area.
They stayed there until they saw squad cars and ambulances outside the hotel, and that's when they knew it was safe to go outside and cross the street to the MGM Grand, where they had been staying.
They got to the airport several hours early.
"We wanted to get off the Strip and just closer to home," said Slaughter, a social worker at a Glen Ullin nursing home, mother of two and grandmother of two.
Slaughter said she's been to Las Vegas several times before and has never been scared to be there. Now, that may change.
I just feel sorry for the poor people who went to the concert and (were) having fun and then are coming home without a loved one. I cant even imagine. Thats not supposed to happen," she said.
Vodafone Portugal has reached a network sharing agreement with NOS (formerly Portugal Telecom Multimedia), a Portuguese media holding company whose main assets include a satellite, cable operator, and ISP, a mobile phone operator, a movie distributor (NOS Audiovisuais) and a virtual carrier of mobile phone services.
Under the deal, the companies will deploy and share a fibre-to-the-home network which will be marketable to around 2.6 million homes and businesses in Portugal. The two companies will provide reciprocal access to each others networks on commercially agreed terms.
Key elements include:
Vodafone Portugal will gain access to 1.3 million homes and businesses in new areas, consisting of new fibre builds in NOSs current cable footprint, NOSs existing fibre reach in areas greenfield to Vodafone, and building homes in new areas. This will increase its total coverage from 2.7 million to around 4.0 million, representing 80% of the households in the country.
Each party will deploy, but not share, the link between the central office and the fibre backbone, active equipment and CPEs. Customer connections and activations will be independent of each other.
Marketing of services across the joint network will commence from the beginning of calendar 2018.
Both Vodafone Portugal and NOS will maintain complete autonomy and flexibility in respect of their respective retail offers.
Vodafone said the arrangement in Portugal is consistent with its fixed infrastructure strategy, which aims for an optimal mix of build, strategic partnerships, wholesale and buy approaches.
CORNWALL, Ontario Carol Hutt has always had a love of comedy and it has helped her through some dark times.
Carol has been blind since birth and also has had experience in tackling mental health issues.
My favourite part of the year is fall, she said. Sometimes I can get very down and depressed because I want to be out in the leaves, or out for a drive in the car or picking apples, like anyone else, but it isnt always easy.
In those times, Carol finds that listening to things like the nature channel or having fall aromas in her home help her, but the thing that she can always rely on is comedy.
Comedy, you have to have it, its like food for the soul, she said.
Carol herself has comedic experience, and is particularly fond of doing impressions. She is capable of particularly uncanny impressions of the late Joan Rivers and of Edith from Archie Bunker.
Larry Sylvain of the Port Theatre is helping Carol share her comedic gifts with the greater community.
On Friday, Oct. 6, the Port Theatre is hosting a comedy show featuring well known comedic acts and will be headlined by Kevin Downey Jr. After speaking with the promoter of the event, Sylvain was able to get Carol five minutes during the show during which she could do her impersonation routine.
Tickets for the show are available at the Port Theatre, St. Lawrence Appliances, the lottery kiosk at the Cornwall Square and at Melody Music.
Oct. 1 to the 7 is Mental Health Awareness Week, come by and check out the healing power of comedy.
CORNWALL, Ontario Claude Rochon, 22 and Frank Benedict both of Cornwall were arrested and charged as follows:
Claude Rochon
Assault with weapon
Utter death threats
Weapons dangerous,
Breach of OIC Undertaking
Frank Benedict
Utter threats
Weapons dangerous
Breach of Probation
It is alleged on August 29th and 30th, 2017 the two men threatened two persons known to them with a knife and police were contacted to investigate.
Rochon was arrested on August 30th, 2017, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing and a warrant was obtained for the arrest of Benedict. Benedict was located by police on September 30th, 2017, taken into custody on the strength of the warrant and held for a bail hearing.
ASSAULT
Cornwall, ON A 27-year-old Cornwall man was arrested on September 29th, 2017 and charged with assault. It is alleged on September 28th, 2017 the man grabbed his girlfriend by the neck and police were contacted to investigate. On September 29th, 2017 the man was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. His name was not released as it would identify the victim in the matter.
WARRANT
Cornwall, ON Eric Gravel, 21 of Cornwall was arrested on September 29th, 2017 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged the man failed to attend court on September 26th, 2017 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On September 29th, 2017 the man attended police headquarters to deal with the matter. He was taken into custody on the strength of the warrant and held for a bail hearing.
Cornwall, ON Clarissa Square of Apple Hill was arrested on September 29th, 2017 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged the woman failed to report as per her release conditions and a warrant was issued for her arrest. On September 29th, 2017 a member of the Cornwall Community Police Service assumed custody of the woman from Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service as Akwesasne had the woman in custody on the strength of the warrant. She was held for a bail hearing.
Cornwall, ON Jenna Cole, 22 of Cornwall was arrested on September 29th, 2017 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged the woman failed to attend court on September 21st, 2017 for a threats charge and a warrant was issued for her arrest. The woman was located on September 29th, 2017, taken into custody on the strength of the warrant and held for a bail hearing.
FAIL TO ATTEND FOR PRINTS, BREACH
Cornwall, ON John Donais, 46 of Ottawa was arrested on September 30th, 2017 and charged with fail to appear for prints and breach of probation for failing to keep the peace. It is alleged the man failed to appear for prints during the month of August, 2017 and an investigation ensued. On September 30th, 2017 the man attended police headquarters to deal with the matter. He was taken into custody, charged accordingly and released to appear in court on November 2nd, 2017.
THREATS
Cornwall, ON A 23-year-old Cornwall woman was arrested on September 30th, 2017 and charged with threats. It is alleged the woman threatened to harm her ex-boyfriend and police were contacted to investigate. On September 30th, 2017 the woman was taken into custody, charged accordingly and released to appear in court on November 7th, 2017. Her name was not released as it would identify the victim in the matter.
ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON
Cornwall, ON Tibor Csontos, 63 of Cornwall was arrested on September 30th, 2017 and charged with assault with a weapon. It is alleged on September 30th, 2017 the man made threatening motions with a knife towards a man known to him and police were contacted to investigate. During the investigation the man was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing.
ASSAULT WITH WEAPON
Cornwall, ON A 51-year-old Cornwall woman was arrested on October 1st, 2017 and charged with assault with a weapon. It is alleged during an argument on October 1st, 2017 the woman poured beer over her ex-boyfriend and struck him with a mop. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. The woman was taken into custody during the investigation, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. Her name was not released as it would identify the victim in the matter.
ASSAULT, MISCHIEF, BREACH
Cornwall, ON A 28-year-old Cornwall man was arrested on October 1st, 2017 and charged with assault, mischief and breach of undertaking for failing to keep the peace. It is alleged during an argument on October 1st, 2017 the man assaulted his common-law wife and damaged some of her property. Police were contacted and an investigation ensued. The man was taken into custody during the investigation, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. His name was not released as it would identify the victim in the matter.
WARRANT
Cornwall, ON Anson Jacco, 52 of Cornwall was arrested on October 1st, 2017 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged the man breached his probation order and a warrant was obtained for his arrest. On October 1st, 2017 the man was located by police, taken into custody on the strength of the warrant and held for a bail hearing.
BREACH
Cornwall, ON Traci Genier, 48 of Cornwall was arrested on October 1st, 2017 and charged with breach of undertaking for having consumed alcohol and failing to keep the peace. It is alleged on October 1st, 2017 police attended the McConnell site hospital for a disturbance and located the intoxicated woman in breach of her conditions. She was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing.
WARRANT
Cornwall, ON Corine Pelecki, 48 of Cornwall was arrested on October 2nd, 2017 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged the woman failed to attend court on September 26th, 2017 and a warrant was issued for her arrest. On October 2nd, 2017 the woman attended police headquarters to deal with the matter. She was taken into custody on the strength of the warrant and released to appear in court on October 24th, 2017.
Cornwall, ON Richard Levesque, 49 of Ottawa was arrested on October 2nd, 2017 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged a warrant was obtained for his arrest for his involvement in a break and enter that occurred in Cornwall in November 2013. On October 2nd, 2017 a member of the Cornwall Community Police Service attended the Ottawa Police Service headquarters as they had the man in custody on the strength of Cornwalls warrant. He was transported to Cornwall and held for a bail hearing.
ASSAULT
Cornwall, ON A 68-year-old Cornwall man was arrested on October 2nd, 2017 and charged with assault. It is alleged during an argument on September 29th, 2017 the man assaulted his common-law wife and police were contacted to investigate. On October 2nd, 2017 the man was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. His name was not released as it would identify the victim in the matter.
WARRANT
Cornwall, ON Nolan Thompson, 24 of Akwesasne was arrested on October 2nd, 2017 on the strength of a warrant. It is alleged a warrant was obtained for the arrest of the man for a theft that occurred at a local store on September 13th, 2016. On October 2nd, 2017 a member of the Cornwall Community Police Service assumed custody of the man at the Port of Entry as he was being held on the strength of Cornwalls warrant. He was released to appear in court on November 7th, 2017.
ASSAULT
Cornwall, ON A 53-year-old Cornwall man was arrested on October 3rd, 2017 and charged with assault. It is alleged during an argument on October 3rd, 2017 the man assaulted his common-law wife and police were contacted to investigate. During the investigation the man was taken into custody, charged accordingly and held for a bail hearing. His name was not released as it would identify the victim in the matter.
In a speech last Thursday at the Harvard Kennedy School, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos made a powerful defense of school choice:
One of the many pernicious effects of the growth of government is that its people worry less and less about each other, thinking their worries are now in the hands of so-called experts in Washington.
There is perhaps no better example than our current education system. Many inside and outside government insist a government system is best equipped to educate children. In that fantasy scenario, the state replaces the family, the schoolhouse becomes the home, and the child becomes a constituent.
Not too long ago, the American Federation for Teachers tweeted at me. The union wrote, Betsy DeVos says public should invest in individual students. NO, we should invest in a system of great public schools for all kids.
The union bosses made it clear: they care more about a systemone that was created in the 1800sthan they do about students. Their focus is on school buildings instead of school kids. Isnt education supposed to be all about kids?
Education is an investment in individual students, and thats why funding and focus should follow the student, not the other way around.
Ive been on the job now for some time, and I came into office with a core belief: it is the inalienable right and responsibility of parents to choose the learning environment that best meets their childs unique, individual needs.
Im even more convinced of that today.
The Washington Post CitesThen RemovesA Tweet From an Antisemite | Main | (Updated) Wikipedia's Jewish Problem
October 03, 2017
BDS Activist and Media Favorite Uses Las Vegas Tragedy to Attack Israel
A prominent activist in the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) effort, Yousef Munayyer, used the Oct. 2, 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas to attack Israel. Munayyer is the executive director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, formerly known as the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, a pro-BDS organization.
As CAMERA has pointed out, BDS backers call for the end of the Jewish state of Israel and seek to delegitimize it ("More distortions on Israel, The Hill, May 19, 2015).
After news of the massacre broke, the Embassy of Israel tweeted, Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the #LasVegasShooting and their families. Love and Solidarity from Israel.?
Munayyer quoted the tweet, and added one of his own: Also from Israel, assault rifles into the U.S. market.? He provided a link to a February 2017 Daily Beast article, which said that the AK-47 assault rifle might one-day be made in Israel. But as Cornell law professor William Jacobson noted at the Legal Insurrection, a blog that focuses on antisemitism and other issues, AK-47s are currently manufactured in many places, including the U.S.?
On Twitter, Yair Rosenberg, a journalist with Tablet magazine, elaborated: American guns are overwhelmingly produced in America, but there is no atrocity that cannot and will not be blamed on the Jews or their state.?
Rosenberg even cited a list of the top firearms imported into the United States by country of manufacture in 2016.? Israel, with 47,307, ranked fifteen in the amount of total firearms. By contrast, Austria imported 1,322,684 and Turkey imported ten times as many as Israel. But, as Rosenberg noted, Israel was the only Jewish country on the list. It was perhaps for this distinguishing feature that Munayyer chose to use a tragedy for his own political ends.
As CAMERA has detailed, Munayyer has a history of making misleading statements. For example, in a 2014 interview with CNN, Munayyer, refused to answer questions about why Hamas was ordering Gazans to stay inside of homes that Israel was telling themin advancewould be bombed during the Jewish states 2014 war with the terror group. Hamasa genocidal terrorist group that calls for Israels destructionwanted to increase Palestinian civilian casualties for propaganda purposes. On CNN, Munayyer wanted to push his own propaganda; deflecting the interviewers question and minimizing Hamas crimes and objectives.
At a July 25, 2016 event held by the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, U.S. Congressman Hank Johnson compared Jewish settlers to insects; an age-old antisemitic trope (U.S. Congressman Calls Jewish Settlers TermitesMedia Silent,? July 27, 2016). As CAMERA highlighted, many major media outlets failed to report this event.
Munayyer, however, is a media favorite. His bio on the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights website proudly notes: His writings have appeared in every major metropolitan newspaper in the United States and many others internationally as well as online. He has frequently appeared to comment on national and international media outlets including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NBC, CBS, Al-Jazeera English, C-Span, and others many others.?
Posted by SD at October 3, 2017 11:35 AM
More than that. Clearly, the Liberal Zionist Left is afraid to call out Munyar on this. Shame on Neri Zilber, the author of the article linked to, for ignoring its use in this manner.
Posted by: Judith bell at October 5, 2017 02:02 PM
Guidelines for posting
This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material.
Post a comment
In celebration of International Coffee Day, Euromonitor is sharing recent findings in the coffee pods market. Fresh ground coffee pods remain not only the fastest growing category of coffee, but of hot drinks in general. However, market maturity, high prices, intellectual property battles and sustainability concerns have started to cause this category to lose its lustre. Growth will still continue in pods core markets, but at a more subdued rate than in the recent past, as the gatekeepers to the major pod systems try to fend off a wave of new entrants to the category.
Key Findings:
The next few years will see a considerable slow down in the growth rate of pods globally.
The pods category grew at an average annual rate of 18% in real value terms over 2011-2016. This astounding growth rate was unsustainable, and slowed to single digits in 2016, which is predicted to continue for the foreseeable future. Even so, pods remain the best performing category not only in coffee, but in hot drinks in general.
The woes of Keurig in North America are the major reason for this slowdown.
Consumers in Canada and the US fell in love with the Keurig system and its compatible K-cups during the early years of the review period, but a botched follow-up machine led to both the company and the category in general falling out of favour with consumers. Market maturity also played a major role in slowing North American growth. Because of this, Western Europe will resume being the central region for global growth, as was the case prior to 2010.
The high price of pod coffee remains a significant problem for the category.
Coffee made from pods is comparatively much more expensive than alternative options. While this has made for healthy profit margins for companies, it has restricted the categorys appeal and made it vulnerable to
disruption from newer, value-oriented products, especially private labels.
Prices are falling as a result of more brands entering the category.
Patent expirations affecting the Nespresso and Keurig systems have opened the category up to a large number of new, value-oriented competitors. This has made the category more affordable, but has posed a challenge to the
categorys model of getting the machines into the hands of consumers and profiting from high mark-up pods.
Category Overview: The years of double-digit pod growth are over
Global volume growth of coffee pods fell to single digits for the first time in recent history in 2015, and continues to decelerate. It is predicted to be just 5% annually by 2021. The developed markets that pods have been generating their growth from are increasingly mature, and the category has not been able to expand in developing markets to the extent that this could start to compensate.
Even at slower growth rates, pods remain the fastest growing category not only in coffee, but also hot drinks in general. The 4% volume CAGR between 2016 and 2021 forecast for instant coffee mixes, the next most dynamic category, is still considerably less than pods 6%.
Retail Volume Sales of Fresh Ground Coffee Pods 2011-2021
Source: Euromonitor International
Pods remain very much a developed world phenomenon
The only countries outside developed regions where per capita pod consumption is significant are Czech Republic, Slovakia and Israel, all of which are notably wealthier than is average for their region. Apart from these exceptions, substantial consumption is only found in Australasia, North America and Western Europe.
The countries that will see significant growth in pods over the next few years are largely the same ones that make up the pods market now, with the exception of Brazil, a rare example of a developing market where pods are catching on.
Future Outlook
Trends to look for in pods in the future include sustainability and reaching out to the value-oriented consumers.
Sustainability:
As criticism swells against the category for its environmental record, new products should look to make sustainability a major selling point, through products that are recyclable, compostable or refillable, as well as those that have the ethical labels found on other types of coffee, such as fair trade or organic certification. Successfully doing so could broaden the appeal of pods to consumers currently turned off by their wastefulness.
Value-oriented consumers
As unit prices tumble, a new segment of consumers can afford the pod category that could not before. There is likely to be a great deal of activity at the lower end of the price spectrum, as brands aim at the loyalty of these consumers. Eventually, this may reach middle class consumers in developing markets, but for now, the action will be among lower income consumers in developed markets.
Components & Peripherals News
Former Intel CEO Paul Otellini, Beloved By Partners, Has Passed Away
Lindsey O'Donnell
Share this
Former Intel CEO Paul Otellini, a passionate channel advocate who was beloved by Intel partners and employees, has passed away.
The affable and soft-spoken Otellini, who was the first non-engineer to take the helm of the chip giant, passed in his sleep Monday Oct. 2, according to an Intel statement. He was 66.
The son of a butcher, whose grandparents had emigrated from Italy, Otellini literally spent his entire career at Intel starting as an analyst in the finance department and then working his way up through the ranks, even doing a stint as chief of staff for legendary Intel co-founder and CEO Andy Grove.
Otellini, a former altar boy, attended San Francisco's St. Ignatius College Prep, graduated from the University of San Francisco and received an MBA from the University of California in Berkeley in 1972. To drive home the importance of getting an education, Otellini's father insisted he work in the purchasing department of a slaughterhouse.
Otellini, who became the company's fifth CEO in 2005 and regularly appeared on the CRN Top 25 list of the most influential executives, drove higher sales growth during his eight-year tenure than the company achieved in its previous 45 years. In the last full year before he took over as CEO, Intel had $34 billion in sales. When Otellini retired in 2013, Intel had grown to $53 billion.
"We are deeply saddened by Paul's passing," said Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, who took the helm after Otellini retired in 2013. "He was the relentless voice of the customer in a sea of engineers, and he taught us that we only win when we put the customer first."
Under Otellinis leadership, Intel dramatically stepped up its investment int the channel, launching in 2011 a new partner program the now iconic Intel Technology Provider Program that unified resellers and system builders uncer a single program.
The program helped the partners better tap into industry trends through integrating Intels embedded and compute technologies as well as its enterprise and consumer technologies.
Otellini led Intel to the top of the server market during a period of explosive data center growth. Partners say it was Otellini's experience as executive vice president and general manager of the sales and marketing group at Intel that accounted for his channel savvy and business acumen.
When he first took over as CEO, Otellini made it a top priority to correct Intel's slipping production schedules and tap into missed opportunities. At the time, Intel faced emerging competition from AMD. Within his first months as CEO, Otellini reorganized the executive ranks to put the focus on lucrative markets, as opposed to products.
The former CEO is also known for signing on the Apple PC business as a customer and building up business partnerships and making strategic acquisitions around critical markets like security, software and mobility including the company's blockbuster acquisitions of security high flyer McAfee in 2010 and software maker Wind River systems in 2009.
But beyond his role at Intel, Otellini will also be remembered as a mentor and philanthropist since his retirement, the former executive worked to mentor young people and became involved with an array of charities, including the San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco General Hospital Foundation.
"Paul's business acumen, optimism and dedication fueled our growth throughout his tenure as CEO," Intel Chairman Andy Bryant said in a statement. "His tireless drive, discipline and humility were cornerstones of his leadership and live on in our company values to this day."
Managed services News
Distinguished Xerox Partner Just-Tech Buys Apple Valley Office Products To Accelerate Managed IT, Custom App Businesses
Alec Shirkey
Share this
A busy year for print solutions provider Just-Tech continued this week, as the Xerox partner further expanded its geographic footprint with the acquisition of fellow Xerox agent Apple Valley Office Products.
Apple Valley marks the second deal completed in the past six months by Just-Tech, which purchased Huntington, W.V.-based Peake Office Solutions in April. The La Plata, Md.-based Just-Tech has expanded its presence in the Shenandoah Valley and gained a foothold in the tri-state area encompassing parts of West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky by bringing the two smaller partners into the fold.
Joshua Justice, president of Just-Tech, said both acquisitions create an easy avenue for his company to continue ramping up its managed print, managed IT and custom app development businesses.
[Related: Partners: Massive Xerox Product Launch Will Drive More Device Refresh, App Adoption]
"For some of these companies, it's hard to offer these different services because they don't have the backend support," Justice told CRN. "That's where we come in. We already have all of that. We can start selling those services today."
In the case of Apple Valley, which has been in business for 33 years, regional proximity and a well-established reputation within its area of operation made the purchase an easy decision for Justice. He said the average Apple Valley sales team member had 15 years of sales experience.
The combined company will expand to 35 employees, 10 of which are Just-Tech IT professionals that exclusively focus on the managed IT business, Justice said. The practice has experienced 70 percent year-over-year growth and includes network, workstation, security and printer management services.
Justice said the Apple Valley deal creates a host of recurring revenue opportunities with SMB customers in the Shenandoah Valley, particularly with non-profits and religious organizations, because of the associated cost savings. Clients can save an average of 20 percent per person by relying on Just-Tech for IT management, he noted.
"We leverage one to help the other," he said, referring to managed print and IT.
Just-Tech, which was named Xerox App Developer of the Year in March, maintains a flourishing custom app business that accounted for 10 percent of its revenue as of this spring. The company has built thousands of apps, including custom scanning apps and programs that update software and firmware automatically, and even licensed them to fellow Xerox partners.
The app business has proven to be a significant differentiator for Just-Tech, known as Southern Solutions prior to a rebranding announced in March.
"It's designed around improving workflow and increasing efficiency the same goals of managed print, the same goals of managed IT. All three of our services work toward the (same goals)," Justice said.
The agent's managed print push comes at a time when Xerox, which unveiled a managed print services accreditation program this summer, is encouraging partners to take advantage of "huge" recurring revenue potential in the SMB market. Justice said his company intends to earn its accreditation in the near future, once the bulk of the integration work for its latest acquisition is complete.
Networking News
Cincinnati Bell To Merge With Hawaiian Telcom, Acquire Solution Provider OnX Enterprise Solutions
Gina Narcisi
Share this
Telecom provider Cincinnati Bell went on an acquisition spree Monday, saying it would be combining with Hawaiian Telcom and solution provider OnX Enterprise Solutions in an effort to expand its scale and focus on fiber networking and managed services.
Cinncinnati Bell said its purchase of OnX Enterprise Solutions will assist the company's "transformation" in becoming a hybrid IT provider. Via the terms of the deal, Cincinnati Bell will pick up Onx Enterprise Solutions for about $201 million in cash.
OnX Enterprise Solutions, with global headquarters in Toronto and U.S. headquarters in New York, provides data center and cloud solutions, as well as managed services for business customers. The solution provider is a large partner to vendors including Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Cisco Systems and VMware.
[Related: Across The Telecom Spectrum: 6 Moves That Made Waves In The Channel In June]
In a statement, Cinncinnati Bell said that the acquisition will grow its IT and cloud services footprint to include 20 sales offices and more than 50 data center locations through strategic partners.
OnX Enterprise Solutions could not be reached for comment prior to publication.
Cincinnati Bell's merger with Honolulu-based local exchange carrier Hawaiian Telcom, meanwhile, which is being valued at $650 million, will help the company grow its business in the network communications arena as it looks to offer more advanced fiber solutions. Hawaiian Telcom shares Cincinnati Bell's vision on fiber investment, according to Cincinnati Bell.
Combined, the providers' fiber networks will exceed 14,000 fiber route miles. The deal also will give Cincinnati Bell access to Hawaiian Telcom's 2.6 TB of Trans-Pacific fiber cable that links Asia and the U.S.
Cincinnati Bell's footprint currently services Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
"Cloud migration, the need for fiber infrastructure that supports 5G-ready, high-density data transmission and IoT are the key trends that will define telecommunications in the future. The implementation of our refined strategy, coupled with today's combinations, will help build two distinct businesses with the appropriate scale, structure and leadership while providing strategic optionality from a diversified but complementary portfolio of assets," Leigh Fox, president and CEO of Cincinnati Bell, said of the two impending deals in a statement.
The proposed merger will bring together Hawaiian Telcom's 1,300 employees with Cincinnati Bell's staff of 3,000. The two companies said that Hawaiian Telcom will retain its brand name and will continue to be managed from Hawaii.
Cincinnati Bell and Hawaiian Telcom shareholders can elect either $30.75 in cash, 1.6305 shares of Cincinnati Bell common stock, or a mix of $18.45 in cash and 0.6522 shares of Cincinnati Bell common stock for each share of Hawaiian Telcom. Hawaiian Telcom will have two seats on the board of the soon-to-be-combined company, according to a statement from both companies.
Cincinnati Bell secured financing from Morgan Stanley Senior Funding to fund a portion of cash consideration of transactions.
Both the Hawaiian Telcom and OnX Enterprise Solutions deals are subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Cinncinnati Bell said it expects the Hawaiian Telcom merger to close in the second half of 2018, and the OnX Enterprise Solutions deal to close in the beginning of fourth-quarter 2017.
Networking News
Extreme Networks To Acquire Data Center Assets Directly From Brocade, Won't Wait For Broadcom
Mark Haranas
Share this
In an effort to acquire technology assets from Brocade Communications within the next 30 days, Extreme Networks said Tuesday that it will buy Brocade's data center business directly from the vendor itself.
Brocade is expected to be acquired by Broadcom later this month but has faced several delays over the course of 2017, including the need for a deeper review of the acquisition by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. The initial Brocade-Extreme acquisition deal unveiled in March was supposed to take place immediately after Broadcom acquired Brocade, but that is no longer the case.
Extreme said it has signed an asset purchase agreement with Brocade to aquire the vendor's switching, routing and analytics data center business for substantially the same terms as first announced in March -- $55 million. This transaction is expected to close within 30 days, according to Extreme.
[Related: Extreme Networks CEO Talks M&A Strategy, Revamping The Company And 'Significant' New Channel Investment]
"We expect this agreement directly with Brocade to accelerate our ability to close our acquisition of the data center business," said Ed Meyercord, president and CEO of Extreme, in a statement. "This is a very positive development for all stakeholders, but especially for customers, partners and employees of Brocade's data center networking business. Given all of the work that has gone into our business integration planning and our proposed product road map, Extreme is now poised to bring this deal over the finish line."
Extreme anticipates the Brocade transaction will generate over $230 million in annualized revenue from the acquired assets.
As part of the deal, Extreme will also acquire customers and personnel assets from Brocade, which Extreme said will further solidify it as a top vendor in its target verticals of education, hospitality, health care, retail, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and government.
Extreme's stock jumped 7 percent Tuesday morning to $12.95 per share.
Extreme said the data center networking assets will not impact Extreme's strategic partnership with Broadcom.
Brocade CEO Lloyd Carney said he's "pleased' to move forward with the agreement directly with Extreme. "We believe this decision will position the business for continued success, and is in the best interests of our shareholders, customers, partners and employees aligned with the business," he said.
Brocade is shedding hundreds of positions before its acquisition by Broadcom. A total of 230 employees based in the U.S. have accepted a voluntary separation plan and are set to leave Brocade during the company's current fourth fiscal quarter, which ends Oct. 28.
Security News
Investigators Find That Yahoo Breach Likely Affected 3 Billion Users
Sarah Kuranda
Share this
A data breach that was already one of the largest of all time just got a lot bigger, as Verizon announced Tuesday that its Yahoo subsidiary might have exposed 3 billion user accounts, not the 1 billion initially estimated.
Yahoo first announced in September 2016 that an estimated 500 million user accounts had been impacted by a data breach that exposed names, email addresses, telephone numbers, birthdays, hashed passwords, and in some cases, encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers. Yahoo said that the hack on its network occurred in late 2014.
Just a few months later, in December, Yahoo announced that further investigations into the previously announced breach revealed a second data breach, impacting 1 billion user accounts. Yahoo said the breach occurred in August 2013, with an unauthorized third party stealing data from 1 billion users, including included names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth and hashed passwords. The company said it also, in some cases, included encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers.
[Related: Verizon Closes $4.48B Yahoo Deal; Former CEO Marissa Mayer Resigns From Board]
Yahoo was acquired by Verizon earlier this year in a $4.48 billion deal that closed in June. The original acquisition offer was for $4.83 billion but was lowered by $350 million after news of the breach emerged. In a statement, Yahoo now under the brand Oath said the company received new intelligence on the breach during the integration from "outside forensic experts" that the breach was wider than initially thought. The company did not name the third party who discovered this.
Yahoo says it continues to work with law enforcement on the issue.
"Verizon is committed to the highest standards of accountability and transparency, and we proactively work to ensure the safety and security of our users and networks in an evolving landscape of online threats," Chandra McMahon, Chief Information Security Officer, Verizon, said in a statement. "Our investment in Yahoo is allowing that team to continue to take significant steps to enhance their security, as well as benefit from Verizon's experience and resources."
Yahoo said it would email those users affected who had not previously been notified. It recommended those impacted consider changing passwords and security questions for accounts on other sites using the same passwords and security questions, review accounts for suspicious activity, and be wary of possible phishing attacks. It also recommended using authentication tools, including Yahoo Account Key.
Matt Johnson, CEO of Baltimore, Md.-based Phalanx Secure Solutions, said the Yahoo breach is just the latest example of a growing trend of major security incidents in recent weeks. Just last month, the security industry saw massive data breaches at Equifax, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Deloitte, to name a few.
"Every day we turn the news on someone has been breached it's ridiculous," Johnson said. He said he is also "not surprised" to see the Yahoo breach end up being larger than originally estimated after further investigation.
With all the recent data breaches, Johnson said more and more of his clients are starting to be concerned about if there is any way to protect themselves from a security incident. He said talks to his clients about "sticking to the plan," which focuses on building a proactive approach to security, rather than reactive one.
Storage News
NetApp Expands Cloud Capabilities With NFS On Azure, Adds IBM Watson To Support Services
Joseph F. Kovar
Share this
NetApp Tuesday said that Microsoft has added the storage vendor's Network File System, or NFS, technology as a native part of the Azure cloud.
NetApp also added new cognitive computing and artificial intelligence, including a new capability built using IBM Watson services, to its support capabilities as a way to introduce a high degree of automation to customer environments.
Both moves, unveiled during the NetApp Insight 2017 conference being held this week in Las Vegas, represent NetApp's focus on helping customers change the way they work with data, said Jennifer Meyer, NetApp's senior director for cloud products and solutions marketing.
[Related: Veritas Vision: Veritas Enhances Multi-Cloud Data Management, Strengthens Ties With Microsoft Azure Cloud]
NetApp's storage legacy and its focus on cloud data technology has made the company the data authority in a hybrid on-premises and cloud world, Meyer said.
"Data is a key customer focus," she said. "We believe the way a company either grows or fades away depends on how they manage data. We provide advisory-level information to help them make the right decisions."
NetApp and Microsoft introduced the Azure Enterprise NFS service powered by NetApp, a new capability under which customers will be able to manage native NFS data on the Azure cloud.
NetApp's NFS technology is being embedded in Azure, giving all businesses access to file services on Azure whether they are NetApp customers or not, Meyer said.
"People want what they want when they want it," she said. "But they don't want to deal with the storage details. With this new relationship, Azure users don't have to take on the storage duty. NetApp is taking care of it."
However, the benefit for NetApp customers is clear, Meyer said. "This is based on our Ontap operating system, so anyone who knows NetApp will find it familiar in the Azure console," she said. "And everyone else knows enterprise NFS."
With Azure Enterprise NFS service powered by NetApp, businesses will be able to provision, automate and scale NFS services via RESTful APIs, and take advantage of new data protection services starting with on-demand automated snapshots. The new service also will integrate other Azure services including analytics, SQL Server, and SAP Hana for Azure, Meyer said.
Sunnyvale, Calif.-based NetApp Tuesday also said NetApp Cloud Control for Microsoft Office 365 now supports Azure Storage. Meyer said this gives Azure customers the ability to take advantage of backed-up data in case part of their data is accidentally deleted.
The company also introduced support for NetApp's AltaVault cloud-integrated data backup technology's use with Azure Blob storage technology for unstructured data, she said.
Meyer said NetApp's new relationship with Microsoft comes even as the company already does a lot of integration with other cloud environments including Amazon Web Services.
"It's important for us to have as strong a set of partnerships with Microsoft as it is with Amazon," she said.
When asked if NetApp will work with Amazon to bring NFS on AWS, Meyer said to wait and see.
It is a significant win for NetApp to get its NFS technology into Microsoft Azure, said John Woodall, vice president of engineering at Integrated Archive Systems, a Palo Alto, Calif.-based solution provider and longtime NetApp channel partner.
"Microsoft could have done the technology in-house, or worked with a different partner," Woodall told CRN. "But NetApp has the best technology on the planet, with multiprotocol capabilities. The devil is in the details."
With the technology partnership, NetApp has extended its Data Fabric hybrid cloud data management technology across on-premises and cloud environments to Azure, Woodall said.
"We haven't seen the details yet," he said. "But you have to think we'll be able to use Snapmirror to easily move data to Azure. Microsoft wants your workloads. And Microsoft just made it easy for all NetApp customers to natively move data to the cloud to work with Microsoft compute."
This capability can't be done with AWS, Woodall said. "You can run Ontap Cloud on AWS or Azure, but only in a virtual machine," he said. "Now we're talking native NFS on Microsoft. This potentially opens the door for every NetApp customer to leverage Microsoft Azure."
Many NetApp customers have enterprise license agreements with Microsoft that provide the cost benefit of working with Azure, and the new Azure Enterprise NFS service powered by NetApp makes it easier from a technical perspective, Integrated Archive Systems' Woodall said.
"It's important for NetApp to communicate how this will work with the channel," he said. "But for NetApp, it's great news. The company gets greater participation in the Azure cloud."
Woodall said there should be benefits for partners already doing a lot of work with Azure.
"Microsoft has tens of thousands of people on its sales team, so this is a good opportunity for NetApp," he said. "But I'm not sure what this means for the NetApp channel. NetApp needs to articulate the vision and value of the partnership to the channel."
NetApp Tuesday also introduced a new virtual support assistant it calls Elio based on IBM Watson services. The company said Elio takes advantage of Watson's cognitive computing to use the experience of NetApp's support history to quickly resolve issues. NetApp said Elio provides the best answers four times faster than traditional service methods.
Also new is NetApp Active IQ, which predicts and detects performance problems and makes configuration recommendations for best performance in the hybrid cloud, including AWS and Azure environments.
Woodall said that if NetApp is seeing a four times improvement in services response, it indicates that Elio has likely already been in use for some time without customers even realizing it.
IBM Watson is a good choice for improving support services given that it can gain insight from tens of thousands of calls from multiple endpoints, Woodall said.
"It can leverage what was learned historically, and through that process learn to resolve issues faster," he said. "If NetApp is seeing a four times increase in performance, that represents experience it has already learned."
NetApp is showing that it is moving beyond storage to embrace the cloud in a way no other vendors have done, Woodall said.
"We're seeing NetApp's Data Fabric expanding," he said. "It's picking up depth and breadth with each new announcement. We're seeing a lot of advances with Data Fabric. If you're a customer with all the recent code updates, you're in position to leverage data in new ways."
EAGC hosts its flagship policy conference known as the African Grain Trade Summit (AGTS). The AGTS is a biennial high-level, internationally-recognized grain industry conference that brings together business influencers, policymakers and other critical stakeholders from across the African continent and beyond including heads of state and government, ministers, private sector business leaders, researchers and development partners for discussions about key issues and emerging trends in the grain sector on the continent. The Summit provides evidence-based, thought-provoking discussions on the grain sector from national, regional, continental and global viewpoints, thus helping to chart coherent and holistic development pathways for the African grain sector.
Programme
5 Oct 2017
08:00 - 13:00
High-level Media Dialogue: Setting New Horizons: Rethinking Grain Trade for Food Security and Prosperity in Africa
14:00 - 17:00
Doing Business in the African Grain Sector: Towards a New Grain Trade Policy for Sustainable Grain Trade
This is a trade policy session; it will focus on evaluating the changes in the policy environment over the past 10-15 years; it will facilitate reflect on achievements to date and challenges that persist from both public and private sector perspectives, and aim to craft a New Grain Trade Policy for the grain sector in Africa, one that will drive the development of the sector
6 Oct 2017
08:00 - 13:00
Money Talks: Reshaping Financial Services for Grain Trade in Africa Grain trade needs money.
This session will try to answer critical questions such as: how suitable are existing financial products for grain trade? What has been the experience from lenders and borrowers with respect to financial services currently on offer? Where does the solution lie []
14:00 - 17:00
Agriculture, Climate change and Grain Trade: Finding the Nexus
This session will look at emerging trends in mitigating the risks of climate change, climate-smart agriculture and how grain trade can play a key role in climate risk mitigation
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
STAMFORD In the citys largest real estate announcement of the year, Charter Communications said Tuesday it would relocate its headquarters to the downtown Gateway Harbor Point complex a move that would double the companys Connecticut contingent by adding 1,100 jobs.
The new headquarters at 406 Washington Blvd. would comprise a 500,000-square-foot, 15-story building, which is scheduled to be ready for employees in 2019. The company has hired Stamford-based developer Building and Land Technology to build the hub, with an option to expand the site into a two-building campus. The project is scheduled to break ground early next year, immediately following expected land-use approvals.
This new, state-of-the-art facility in downtown Stamford will provide Charter the necessary resources to facilitate its continued growth, Charter CEO and Chairman Tom Rutledge said in a statement.
Charter has been based in its current downtown location, at 400 Atlantic St., since it moved in 2012 from St. Louis. It employs about 1,100 in the state, according to state Department of Economic and Community Development data.
Staying in Stamford
Charter officials said they chose the Gateway site, where a parking garage currently stands, because of its proximity to the downtown Metro-North train station and Interstate 95. The new headquarters would become the first commercial facility with direct access to the stations platform, company officials said. They also cited the large floor plans envisioned for the building, which they said would make office design more flexible.
We are thrilled to partner with Charter to develop their new headquarters here at Gateway Harbor Point, BLT Chairman Carl Kuehner said in a statement. We look forward to working with their team to create a modern workplace and ecosystem to continue Charters strong growth here in Stamford.
Charter plans to make $100 million in capital expenditures in Connecticut during the next few years, company officials said in their announcement of the move. The company declined to comment on the expected cost of the new building.
The company has been considering a move for at least several months, with Hearst Connecticut Media learning in June from company sources that the firm was looking at sites in Stamford.
We are happy that they chose to stay in Stamford and add jobs and expand their workforce here, Stamford Mayor David Martin said in a statement. This investment in our city is good news, and we applaud their vote of confidence in the city of Stamford.
A message left Tuesday for The Landis Group, which owns and operates 400 Atlantic St., was not immediately returned.
Charter was represented in the deal by the commercial real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield.
Growing company
The company needs a new hub to support its growing operations. Last year, it acquired Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks for a total of about $65 billion.
With the merger, Charter expanded its reach to about 50 million homes and businesses and became the second-largest cable company in the country, after Philadelphia-based Comcast.
During the past five years, it has enlarged its footprint from one floor to eight levels in the approximately 500,000-square-foot building at 400 Atlantic St.
In total, Charter employs about 92,000 people, with plans to hire about 20,000 during the next four years and invest $25 billion in broadband infrastructure and technology.
Based on earnings, Charter represents the largest public company headquartered in Fairfield County. With some $29 billion in revenues last year, it took the No. 96 position in this years Fortune 500 rankings.
Charter shares closed Tuesday at about $370, up about 1.5 percent from their closing price Monday.
State support
To support the new headquarters, Charter is in line to receive from the state a direct loan of $10 million and up to $10 million in tax credits. Additional tax credits would be available if Charter reached certain hiring benchmarks.
Today is a great day for Connecticut, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said in a statement. Charters announcement to create an additional 1,100 jobs shows that our strategic investments are continuing to spur economic growth and create good-paying jobs in the state. We look forward to the continued success of Charter Communications as they grow within the state.
Other companies with headquarters or major offices in Stamford that are receiving state aid through the First Five Plus program include Henkel, Synchrony Financial, NBC Sports Group, Deloitte, Navigators and Pitney Bowes.
pschott@scni.com; 203-964-2236; twitter: @paulschott
GULFPORT, Mississippi -- It's a reproduction, not an original. It has modern conveniences including air conditioning and power windows.
But Jack Sweeden's 1935 Auburn convertible is nevertheless an attention-getter during Cruisin' the Coast.
Sweeden, of Oklahoma City, Okla., explained that the Auburn Motor Company produced cars from the start of the 20th Century until 1937, when the effects of the Great Depression and other factors forced the company out of business.
A man named Glenn Pray would ultimately buy the company and it's inventory. In the early 1970s, Pray began reproducing the body styles.
Sweeden's Auburn is a one-off body prototype of an original Auburn which never went into production. In addition to A/C and power windows, it has an LS3 Corvette engine and gets an astounding 24 miles to the gallon.
"It's a great driver," Sweeden said Monday morning during day one of Cruisin'. "We normally never put the top up, but since it's a little rainy out, we have them up."
Sweeden travels with his buddy, Lloyd Rains, to car shows. Rains owns a reproduction of a 1935 Auburn which did go into production.
Sweeden said he's been coming to Cruisin' the Coast for the past four years, driving another Auburn reproduction for the past three years.
"I love the activity here," he said. "There's always something to do. You just have to go and drive and cruise, because this covers about a 35-mile area, I think. There's something to do all the time."
Sweeden said he has no favorite among the various Cruisin' venues.
"I like 'em all. Wherever we park, that's where we have fun."
Sweeden and Rains drive the two Auburns down from Oklahoma City, stopping about midway to spend the night before finishing the drive to Gulfport. Sweeden admits the cars draw a lot of stares and finger pointing.
"We've been run out of several gas stations because we created a traffic jam at the station," he said.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
BRIDGEPORT Liz Vosques came to Cesar Batalla School on Monday to gather information. She has nieces, nephews and cousins in Hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and heard the district might be willing to accept them.
Jeanette Gwynn, who has a son at Bridgeport Military Academy, heard the same thing and came with concerns.
Why Bridgeport, asked Gwynn of a school with deep budget woes. You have to embrace everyone but our city is already so poor we can barely take care of students in our own school. Why not pick a richer city.
Schools Superintendent Aresta Johnson told a full cafeteria of parents, kids and staff members that district money problems aside, the district would open its doors to any student from Puerto Rico who moves in with relatives here.
I do understand your concerns over the fiscal conditions that the state is currently facing, Johnson said. However that is not at the fault of children.
More Information Bridgeport's Puerto Rican student registration process will be streamlined into one location. Parents should contact Carmen Albaladejo in Room 327 of City Hall. The number is 203-275-1340. Information is also available at bridgeportedu.com. See More Collapse
Johnson said the idea is to be proactive and make sure families know they are welcome. She insisted students already here would not be harmed by the influx of more children in need.
Ana Sousa Martins, director of bilingual education in the district, said the district has received many phone calls but so far just one student from Puerto Rico. She is a high school student who was already here visiting relatives when Hurricane Maria struck the U.S. territory last month.
More are expected. Bridgeport is home to some 31,000 residents of Puerto Rican descent. The information session held Monday and translated into Spanish, outlined what Puerto Rican students need to enroll. In most cases, just proof of address.
When students are coming with just the clothes on their back we cant expect documentations, immunizations, Johnson said. She said a plan is in place to get that information once the students are enrolled.
Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, displaced students who move to the city must be accepted by the district, and automatically qualify for free school meals, health care, special education and other services.
Last week Gov. Dannel P. Malloys office issued guidance to school districts on the process.
Johnson said students would be placed where there are open seats in a dozen or more schools where language services are offered.
Batalla Principal Hector Sanchez said his assumption is the situation will be temporary, until Puerto Rico gets back on its feet.
Thats why we need a plan, Sanchez said.
Johnson said the district will keep track of how many students from Puerto Rico are taken in.
Vosques said she is not certain if her family members will come or not. Communication has been spotty. She has yet to hear from her mother.
This makes me feel good, because I know what will be here for them if they come, Vosques said.
lclambeck@ctpost.com; twitter/@lclambeck
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
WASHINGTON Connecticut Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal took the lead Tuesday of a reinvigorated Democratic effort on Capitol Hill to pass tougher gun laws, even though the political terrain for such legislation is less hospitable than ever.
I think there will be a popular uprising in the country after what happened in Las Vegas, because everyone is under threat, said Murphy, who pledged at a Capitol news conference to reintroduce a universal background-check bill soon. Republicans are starting to realize the political liability of being on the wrong side of this issue.
Murphy and Blumenthal spoke just hours after House Speaker Paul Ryan said the House has no plans to bring up a bill that would have eased restrictions on purchases of gun silencers.
That bill is not scheduled now; I dont know when its going to be scheduled, Ryan said, without linking it to events in Las Vegas.
With Republicans in control of Congress and the White House, Murphy, Blumenthal and other Democrats were looking for anything even delay on the silencer bill as a sign that momentum is again on their side.
I think the gun industry expects to get something from Donald Trump and a Republican House and Senate, said Murphy. Theres no doubt that were going to be playing defense.
Nevertheless, to the extent we can stop the gun lobby from getting their priority list, that certainly is a victory.
The back-and-forth over guns came two days after a gunman in Las Vegas opened fire on a crowd of concert goers from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel. The attacker killed 59 people and himself, and more than 500 were injured.
A call to close loopholes
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is said to have designated Connecticuts senators as the leads on Democratic gun-related efforts post-Vegas, in large measure because of the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown that took the lives of 20 children and six adult staff members.
That tragedy galvanized support behind stricter gun laws, particularly universal background checks aimed at eliminating the gun-show loophole. And it identified Connecticut closely with the effort to usher in a tightening of gun laws to prevent further mass-shootings an aspiration so far largely unfulfilled.
Although federally licensed gun dealers must run background checks on all sales, unlicensed individuals may sell guns without background checks as long as such sales are not their livelihood.
At the news conference, Blumenthal said he would introduce a measure to close yet another loophole, which he called the Charleston loophole.
He was referring to Dylan Roof, the white supremacist who killed nine people in 2015 at a church in Charleston, S.C. Roof was able to purchase a .45 caliber handgun even though he did not pass a background check.
Roof got his weapons because federal law stipulates that if a check is not completed in 72 hours, the sale can proceed.
Blumenthal called the measure very modest, adding: Closing loopholes one by one, making our laws effective one by one, is a way to make our nation safer.
The Las Vegas shooter, Stephen Paddock, had an arsenal of 23 guns, at least two of which were equipped with a bumpstock device that turns a semi-automatic (one shot per trigger pull) rifle into a fully automatic machine gun (continuous burst of fire with each trigger pull).
Though technically legal, the device effectively circumvents strict federal regulation and prohibition of machine guns that date to 1934.
An end-around
on the law
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has called for legislation to bar the conversion device. Her measure quickly gained support from other Democrats Tuesday, but it remains unclear whether it would gain bipartisan support.
Murphy and Blumenthal both expressed support for the Feinstein proposal. Murphy said he could not imagine Republicans voting against it.
The bumpstock device is an end-around on a law supported by both parties, Murphy said. The prohibition on the purchase or distribution of automatic weapons is supported by both parties. So both parties should support ending this new way to get around the prohibition.
So far, Republicans do not appear to have much interest in Democrats gun proposals. Asked about measures to stop gun violence, Ryan said mental health assistance put in place by Congress last year is a critical ingredient to making sure that we can try and prevent some of these things from happening.
Asked about Trump overturning an Obama-era rule that permitted the Social Security Administration to enter the names of mentally ill individuals into the FBIs background-check system, Ryan responded the rollback was necessary because gun rights were being infringed.
After the Newtown shooting, Connecticut Democrats predicted that a groundswell of revulsion and support would usher their gun-related priority list through Congress. That didnt happen, even with the Senate under Democratic control and a Democrat in the White House.
But Connecticuts senators argued that after Las Vegas, a political upheaval may be underway.
This nation has reached its tipping point, said Blumenthal. There are times when the public opinion groundswell makes a difference when it seemed impossible before.
dan@hearstdc.com
MILFORD Police charged a man with criminal mischief and breach of peace after they said he got unruly with a bus driver.
Lance Barrett, 44, of Sherman, was charged with second-degree criminal mischief and second-degree breach of peace, police said.
BRIDGEPORT - A local woman has been charged with embezzling more than $33,000 from her employer.
Christine Battis, 43, of Eighth Street, was charged Tuesday with first-degree larceny and second-degree forgery.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
NEWTOWN - Families who lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook massacre reacted with sadness and anger as news of the nations deadliest shooting emerged from Las Vegas, where a gunman killed 58 people and injured hundreds of others attending a concert.
Feeling a lot of pain for yet another community as it joins our Sandy Hook club while Congress does nothing, said Sandy Hook attorney and bicycle activist Monte Frank on Twitter. We are all sitting ducks.
The Newtown Action Alliance, a gun violence prevention group that formed after the 2012 slaying of 26 first-graders and educators at Sandy Hook School, urged people to call on Congress for gun safety reform.
Thoughts and prayers are not enough, the Newtown Action Alliance tweeted in response to President Donald Trumps tweet offering My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. You must join the Democrats to pass a ban on assault weapons...
Erica Lafferty, the daughter of slain Sandy Hook Principal Dawn Hochsprung, agreed.
Id love to partner to form a plan to stop these senseless killings, Lafferty wrote in a tweet. I can offer more than thoughts and prayers.
The families were reacting to news that a gunman on the 32nd floor of a Las Vegas hotel-casino fired on an outdoor country music concert, killing at least 58 people and wounding 515 on Sunday.
It is the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, the Associated Press reported, but law enforcement officials said during a late morning news conference in Las Vegas that there was no indication that the gunman had ties to a terrorist group overseas.
Nelba Marquez-Greene, who lost a daughter in the Sandy Hook massacre, said the loss was irreversible.
You dont recover from this as a mother, brother, father. You manage, she posted on Twitter. But there is no recovery. I am heartbroken.
The family of slain Sandy Hook teacher Victoria Leigh Soto put out a statement to the grieving families.
Our prayers go out to the families to heal from this horrific event, read the statement. We dont have to live like this.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 5 1 of 5 contributed / contributed Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Alex von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut Media Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Joseph Lemieux Jr. / contributed Show More Show Less 5 of 5
The states largest teachers union has threatened to seek an injunction, claiming the governors executive budget order violates the law and puts students futures at risk.
The Connecticut Education Association wants to prevent Gov. Dannel P. Malloy from cutting $557 million in education funding to cities and towns. The order, which went into effect October 1, would stop state education aid to 85 cities and towns and cut 54 others. The states 30 neediest districts Alliance Districts including Ansonia, Bridgeport, Danbury, Derby, Norwalk, New Haven and Stamford would receive flat funding compared to last year.
For centuries, many of the most important catalysts for global trade and economic integration have been commodities -- gold, silk, spices, sugar, and of course, oil. A new global commodity -- data -- has the potential to unleash extraordinary opportunities that will shape the world economy of the 21st century. But realizing these opportunities depends on data moving freely across borders, a notion that was once elementary, but today is under threat.
Global data flows are fundamental to the digital economy thats contributing to economic growth, driving innovation and stimulating job creation in the United States and throughout the world. McKinsey estimates that digital trade added $2.8 trillion to global GDP growth in 2014 alone, while also finding that trade in data has expanded 45-fold in the last 10 years. Another 9x growth is expected by 2020. According to the IMF's World Economic Outlook from October 2016, trade in physical goods, by contrast, has been growing at only about three percent annually in recent years, which is less than half the average rate of expansion over the past three decades. Perhaps most noteworthy of all, McKinsey identifies the GDP impact of cross-border digital flows -- a relatively recent entry to the global economy -- as exceeding the impact of trade in goods.
Related: The Equifax Data Breach Shows the Limitations of How Our Data is Stored
With so many countries around the world experiencing modest economic growth rates, policymakers should be focused on maximizing the opportunities emanating from the data-driven digital economy. Regrettably, many jurisdictions have instituted measures that threaten these opportunities, with the potential to stifle the long-term growth of the digital economy.
Today, 34 countries have laws and regulations in effect that hinder the flow of data across borders, either making such flows more expensive or restricting them altogether, according to the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation. These policies can be found in countries spanning multiple regions (Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and South America) and in many of the worlds largest economies. In China, for example, companies must store their data on servers that are based in the country, and there are a number of restrictions on transferring data outside the country.
These data localization laws have the potential to balkanize the digital economy and, in the process, stifle its growth. Companies will face higher costs in a number of areas, such as IT and compliance, both of which will impinge on their competitiveness. And the restrictions will stifle the cooperation thats fundamental to corporate innovation. The net effects will be higher costs to consumers and reduced economic output.
Related: How the Virtual Data Room Boom Is Transforming Business Transactions
Whats the best way to combat data localization measures? There are no simple solutions, and companies are ultimately obligated to comply with the laws of the jurisdictions in which theyre operating. But given data is so intertwined with global economic activity, it behooves U.S.-based companies to press policymakers to treat data the way they treat most physical products. And that would mean enshrining the free movement of data into the worlds trade agreements.
The U.S. has an immediate opportunity ahead to lead by example. It has recently started negotiations with Mexico and Canada on how to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). One of the agenda items is setting new rules for digital trade, which was largely non-existent when the agreement took effect in 1994. Negotiators should affirm the free movement of data and prohibit it from being localized within the borders of one country. These ideas already have mainstream support -- they were agreed to as part of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership. While that agreement has not been ratified, its data provisions provide a template for the renegotiated NAFTA as well as other trade pacts.
Related: If You're a Startup Looking to Capitalize on U.S.-China Border Investments, Here's How
The free flow of data is one of the underpinnings of todays global economy and has the potential to deliver far-reaching benefits -- helping to make businesses more efficient, more productive and more capable of addressing customers needs. But realizing those opportunities depends on policymakers coming together to support a forward-looking framework that ensures data -- like other commodities before it -- can be a source of opportunity and prosperity for people in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Related:
Nations Restricting International Data Flow Are Threatening the Global Digital Economy
Indian Government's Push For Education to Help This Healthcare-focused MNC
Winds of Change: How Indian Banks are Evolving as Marketplaces
Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com
A new study out of Washington shows that when cannabis is legal and available, cancer patients are using it to combat the side effects of chemotherapy and other cancer-related symptoms.
The majority use cannabis to combat pain, nausea and stress. A small percentage said they used cannabis for the pleasure of the euphoric feeling it can provide.
The study also found more than 90 percent of the patients wanted information about the potential of marijuana to treat cancer, but less than 15 percent got information on it from their own cancer doctor or nurse.
Researchers affiliated with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and the University of Washington conducted the study. They had 926 cancer patients in the study. The average age of each patient was 58, with an age range of 46 to 66.
Most importantly, they live in a state where marijuana is legal for both medical and recreational use.
Related: Polls Find Voters In Pennsylvania, New Jersey Support Legal Marijuana
Shifting Attitudes
The researchers note that there are shifting political attitudes on cannabis even as interest from the public has increased. They also note a lack of research into the potential uses of medical marijuana, as well as uncertainty about legal marijuanas future under President Donald Trump.
The short term answer is legal marijuana will continue. Trump recently reached a budget compromise with Democrats that continues, at least through December, the federal prohibition against the Justice Department interfering in states where marijuana is legal.
What happens then is anyones guess. Attorney General Jeff Sessions continues to voice opposition to legalized marijuana and has criticized state programs.
Against that backdrop, the new study offers a glimpse into how marijuana might be used for cancer treatment in a place where it is completely legal for both recreational and medical purposes.
Study Findings
The study found that of the 926 patients, 66 percent had used cannabis at some point in their lives. Currently, 24 percent used marijuana. The type of cancer did not seem to affect the use.
The cancer patients who used marijuana tended to be younger and with a lower level of education, although about half of all the patients had at least a college degree.
More than half of those who use cannabis reported it as a major benefit to their treatment, while another 39 percent said it provide a moderate benefit.
Related: 10 Ways the Cannabis Industry Is Rebranding to Meet Its Biggest Challenges
Interest in marijuana as a potential treatment was extremely high. About 92 percent of those in the study said they wanted more information about the potential of marijuana to help them with their cancer treatment.
However, less than 15 percent received any information from their cancer doctor or nurse. Rather, they heard about the potential of marijuana from news articles, internet sites, friends and family or other cancer patients.
Patients were split evenly between those who smoked cannabis or used marijuana-infused edibles. About 40 percent did both. For those who smoked, a pipe was the first choice, followed by a vaporizer and rolling it with papers.
Among the edibles, the most popular were candy, oils and butter and homemade baked goods.
Follow dispensaries.com on Instagram to stay up to date on the latest cannabis news.
Related:
Survey: A Quarter of Cancer Patients Use Legal Medical Marijuana.
Polls Find Voters In Pennsylvania, New Jersey Support Legal Marijuana
Maine Might Legalize Drive-Through and Internet Cannabis Sales
Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com
PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- Pascagoula High School students received a pleasant surprise on Monday as the Secretary of State, Delbert Hosemann visited various classrooms to encourage students to vote.
To promote the state's bicentennial, the state's "Promote the Vote" program, students are encouraged to grab the reins because the state will soon be theirs.
"We are trying to teach our students about the importance of them registering to vote, their history and encourage them to become more involved in their state," Hosemann said.
The program includes art and essay contests, with submissions due Dec. 1, 2017, judging in late-December, and an awards ceremony at the State Capitol in February 2018. The student who wins will be rewarded with $100, along with the school.
Students will write an essay (500-word maximum) identifying what he/she considers to be one of the most important future issues facing the region they live in today by studying the history of their specific region in A Bicentennial History of Mississippi provided by the Secretary of State's Office.
Students will describe the issue and their proposal for how citizens and elected officials should address that issue.
In addition, teachers will be provided with an online publication, which will allow students to learn about their region of the state and generate discussion about their view of the state's future.
"Two things: learning your history is important-- when you know your history in Mississippi, it should motivate you to become registered to vote and to vote," Hosemann said.
"The second thing -- all of us in elected office realize that we are looking towards the future -- our students are the future," Hosemann said. "They will be the next Secretary of State, next Senator, next head of the Board of Supervisor, or will be running a small business. The kids I spoke with today are the next leaders of this state and their future starts at the ballot box."
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 ...
The latest technology is changing the way companies, municipalities and other organizations are able to monitor critical infrastructure and provide communications in the aftermath of disasters such as the recent spate of hurricanes which have slammed our country and the Caribbean.
On June 20, airborne LTE connected first responders during a mock disaster exercise in Cape May County, N.J., to a first-of-its-kind flying cell site, which was mounted on a RS-20 long-endurance Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and made calls, sent text messages, photos and video from a simulated communications-denied environment back to command centers across the state. American Aerospace also assisted Cape May in securing FAA approval for the test use of an unmanned aircraft flying beyond the line of site to its land-based pilot and crew. Verizon was the wireless partner for this test providing their Airborne LTE Service.
This tweet has been sent via @verizons flying cell site aboard our RS-20 UAS. The future is here. #AirborneLTE American Aerospace (@AmericanAeroInc) June 20, 2017
To learn more we met with David Yoel and Dave McCarely who told us they consider their company to be an airborne sensing and communications-as-a-service company. Their InstiMaps mapping and sensor payload is behind providing airborne imagery across an enterprise for the monitoring of pipelines, power lines and more. Analytics can be done in the cloud so companies receive images as well as intelligence.
The company provides near-real-time dissemination of 2-inch resolution photos at 75 miles per hour or can transmit 10-30 square miles an hour on broader patrol. It uses 400 MP cameras, on a 17-foot aircraft which weighs 185 pounds, has a 23,000 foot ceiling and can fly between 10-16 hours at a time once shot from a catapult. They call it a UAS, we might consider it a drone the company thinks the fact it doesnt run on batteries means its not a drone.
Whats more important is it has compute power, has full auto-pilot, a transponder, aviation lights, redundant command and control communications links, 400 watts of power via a generator, power sensors for computational devices and the ability to provide LTE.
The system can be flown over smart cities after a disaster to monitor IoT sensors for things like low-oxygen levels or other signals which may be considered at alarm levels or out of the norm.
Other benefits of InstiMaps is it can immediately be used to map roads in the aftermath of a natural disaster. This can be crucial in life-threatening situations as first-responders cant be hung up dealing with downed trees when trying to get to a victim in trouble.
The flying cell site connects to a land-based control center on a vehicle which in-turn could be connected to a satellite. If a satellite link isnt feasible, the drone can take-off and land repeatedly, downloading data between trips.
Some of the companys customers include Shell, Chevron, NASA, numerous universities and the U.S. Army.
Washington
When the Every Student Succeeds Act passed in 2015, there was widespread worry that states would walk away from making sure that particular groups of studentsEnglish-language learners, students in special education, and racial minoritiesmattered in their school accountability systems.
Now that pretty much every state has filed its plan to implement the law have those fears become the reality?
States are working to make sure thats not the case, said several state chiefs who spoke on a panel here moderated by Chris Minnich, the executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers. (Some advocates are skepticalmore on that below.)
Kirsten Baesler, the state superintendent in North Dakota, believes that advocates in her state, and other district leaders, will make sure that everyone is pushing to make sure the lowest-performing schools and students get better.
Peers hold peers responsible, she said. They arent going to let us dismiss any subgroup. ... We embrace this, we want this, all means all.
Pedro Rivera, the secretary of education in Pennsylvania, noted that his system will give credit both for student achievement and growth, as well as factors that tend to hit students in poverty more heavily than others, such as chronic absenteeism.
Dianna Wentzell, the commissioner of education in Connecticut, echoed that sentiment. I can understand the skepticism, she said. One of the things she said she was most worried about when ESSA passed was that we would lose the backstop that No Child Left Behind gave us. Whats happened instead is that states have had to step up and say, Yeah, we want that for our kids, and not only that we want more.
Wentzell was specifically asked about her states plan to use so-called super-subgroups, which allow the state to combine English-language learners, students in special education, and disadvantaged kids for accountability purposes. Civil rights groups say super-subgroups mask achievement gaps and arent supposed to be allowed under the law .
But in Wentzells view, theyve helped Connecticut to pinpoint districts where students are performing well, but where particular groups of kids arent making progress. It turned out, for instance, that a well-regarded district in one of our most-affluent shoreline communities was the worst place for some of our students to learn high school math, she said.
Civil rights groups and other experts may end up having a somewhat different view of whether states are taking the achievement of subgroups seriously in ESSA, once the plans are all analyzed and put in action.
For instance the Education Trust, which looks out for poor and minority students, had concerns about how much subgroups mattered in the first batch of 17 plans, which were filed this spring. So far, 15 of those plans have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
Daria Hall, Ed Trusts vice president for communications and government affairs, said in an email that three of the most important things to look for in weighing whether a state plan promotes equity are the quality of the indicators used to rate schools, whether theyre rated based on the performance of each group of students, and whether there are rigorous criteria for when schools and districts have to act to better serve individual groups of students.
Among state plans that have been approved so far, many do quite well on the first, but fall far short on the latter two, wrote Hall.
More tidbits from the panel:
On testing:
ESSA not only gives states a chance to focus on factors beyond tests in rating schools, it also encourages states to cut back on the amount of time kids have to spend taking tests.
Baesler said shes slashing her states testing time, which used to be about six-and-a-half or seven hours to about five-and-a-half or six hours. And Wentzell said Connecticut is using the SAT in high school, so juniors dont have to prepare for both a college entrance exam and a state test.
John White, Louisianas state superintendent, said his state has created a bank of free formative assessments districts can use to help shape instruction. These, he said, can take the place of low-quality tests offered by vendors. That way districts can say we have a trustworthy series of tests and we can get rid of everything else. Save yourself some money, save yourself some time.
On the U.S. Department of Educations ESSA-plan reviews: The chiefs gave the Education Department high marks for being both thorough and fair.
It was a good process, said Baesler. It was probably a little more challenging than anything we were expecting. There was good push and pull back and forth, there was dialogue. ... In the end I believe we had a better product because of that dialogue.
Wentzell said she agreed and found the agencys questions challenging in an appropriate way. They really pushed us to be more clear and sometimes to rethink aspects of the plan.
For context, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has said shes in favor of giving states as much flexibility as possible . And some Democrats in Congress say the administration didnt push oversight far enough .
Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
How early should children be screened for autism? How do girls with autism spectrum disorder differ from boys? The National Institutes of Health have awarded $100 million to nine research projects designed to answer those and other questions about the development disorder, characterized by behavioral, communication and social challenges.
The five-year grants are a continuation of the NIHs Autism Centers of Excellence , a nationwide research program working to find better screening, differentiation, and treatments for autism spectrum disorders, which affect 1 in 68 children nationwide. The new grants will support five research centers and four networks of scholars.
Several of the projects focus on early identification. While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians screen and monitor early signs of autism and other developmental disorders at 18 months and 24 months, only 1 in 5 childrens doctors follow the screening schedule. Thats one reason children with autism are still on average older than 4 when they are identified , even though Drexel University researcher Diana Robins said parents often start to see warning signs by age 2.
Parents are very good at noticing when something is not quite right, but pinpointing the cause of that really requires the help of a professional, Robins said.
In one of the NIH projects, Robins, who developed a common checklist for parents and caregivers to identify early signs of autism, will lead a randomized control trial of screening schedules for 8,000 toddlers across urban, suburban and rural communities in California, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. Robins and her colleagues will track children randomly assigned to be screened for early signs of autism at either 18 months or 4 years oldthe age a child might reasonably be identified in school if he was not identified by a pediatrician earlier.
Toddlers at either screening age who are identified as having signs of autism will be given a year-long behavioral intervention, and Robins and her colleagues will test all of the children at age 5 for kindergarten readiness and other developmental benchmarks. Though the children will receive the same intervention regardless of when they are identified, Robins said she believes the earlier [children with autism] start their treatment, the more time they have to work on their skills before kindergarten.
In a separate project, Ami Klin, director of the Marcus Autism Center at Emory University, will observe hundreds of infants, including those considered at high risk of developing autism spectrum disorders, from birth to 2 1/2 years old, to identify signs of autism in early social interactions. For example, in prior research, Klin and his colleagues found that as early as age 2, children with autism are less likely to meet the eyes of adults during games. Klins grant continues prior research on how autism spectrum disorders develop across infancy and early childhood.
Other projects include:
Interventions : Florida State University researcher Amy Wetherby will evaluate a test a two-stage intervention designed to help parents understand and support their children with autism, while Duke University researchers Geraldine Dawson and Scott Kollins plan to test whether stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also improves symptoms of autism in the 40 to 60 percent of children with autism who also have ADHD.
: Florida State University researcher Amy Wetherby will evaluate a test a two-stage intervention designed to help parents understand and support their children with autism, while Duke University researchers Geraldine Dawson and Scott Kollins plan to test whether stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also improves symptoms of autism in the 40 to 60 percent of children with autism who also have ADHD. Variations: George Washington University researcher Kevin Pelphrey will continue a project to compare symptoms and treatments for boys and girls with autism, while David Amaral of the University of California-Davis will continue a project to classify different types of autism spectrum disorders based on behavior and genetic differences.
For more on what research suggests educators can do to support children with autism, see Education Weeks coverage.
Related:
The Brexit Secretary answers all your questions about household chores.
Chaired by Prime Minister Theresa May.
Q: Im having trouble opening the door of my dishwasher. Any handy tips, David?
Jill, Nuneaton.
MRS MAY: Might I just say, Jill, that we want the best possible outcome for you and your dishwasher. Over to you, David!
DAVID DAVIS: It couldnt be simpler, Jill. Follow my step-by-step plan, and youll have that dishwasher door open in a jiffy!
Dont get bogged down looking for the right knobs and buttons and suchlike.
'It couldnt be simpler, Jill. Follow my step-by-step plan, and youll have that dishwasher door open in a jiffy!'
And avoid the so-called Instruction Manual! Total waste of time! Its all double Dutch!
Fact: if you want instructions on how to open your dishwasher door, the last place youll find them is in an instruction manual!
No, what you need is a trusty British hammer-and-chisel.
First, you wedge your chisel in the gap between the door and the machine. Second, you give it a jolly good wrench. And if that doesnt work you get out your hammer and give it an almighty wallop!
Hey presto! The door has opened! And youve achieved the best possible outcome for you and your family!
And if you want to keep it open, just jump up and down on it until it snaps! Before long, the door should come right off, giving you total sovereignty over your dishwasher and freedom to put things in and out without any interference from a door.
MRS MAY: Congratulations, David weve achieved the best possible outcome for Jill and her family!
Q: Advice, please, on how to unload my dishwasher, once the door has been removed.
Geoff, Harrogate.
MRS MAY: Could I just chip in? I just wanted to say, Geoff, that when it comes to unloading your dishwasher, I am determined to ensure the Best Possible Outcome. David?
DAVID DAVIS: Well, Geoff, youll hear all sorts of time-wasting stuff and nonsense from the so-called experts (!!). Theyll probably bore on and on at great length about taking out the plates one by one and stacking them neatly in silly little piles and so on!
Believe it or not, they even say theres no place for a good, solid British hammer when it comes to unloading your dishes!
I suppose its against the rules (!!). Yes, thats what the rest of us would call health and safety gone mad!
What you urgently need is the David Davis two-step plan.
First, pick up a great bundle of dishes. And, second, chuck them over your shoulder in the general direction of the table.
OK, so most of them will smash on the floor before reaching the table, but trusty British common sense should tell you that you cant make an omelette without breaking eggs.
And what about the glasses, I hear you ask? What about the cups and the mugs? Whats the best possible way of unloading them all?
Well, you dont want to waste your valuable time by taking glasses out one by one from the dishwasher and then searching around for somewhere to stack them!
'Congratulations, David weve achieved the best possible outcome for Jill and her family!'
Im sure that sur le cont-i-nong (!!!) they have all sorts of rules and regulations on how to put your mugs and glasses in all sorts of neat little rows, exactly 1.5 centimetres apart, and so on!
Total waste of time. Much better to just pick up your hammer and just smash them in the dishwasher! Two seconds later, and its job done!
Then by re-ordering your mugs and cups and glasses youll have done your bit to regenerate British industry and make it the best in the world!
MRS MAY: And in that way well have achieved the best possible outcome!
Q: In your previous answer, David, you mentioned you couldnt make an omelette without breaking eggs. So any handy tips, David, on how to make an omelette?
Mary, Swindon.
DAVID DAVIS: 1. Break the eggs. 2. Go to the negotiating table. 3. Bingo! After skilful negotiation, youve gained the shells, and theyve agreed to take all the yolk and white off your hand. 4. Serve the shells with a decent bit of British ketchup!
MRS MAY: Yes, its the all-shell omelette! Strong and stable! Its the BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOME!
Adolescent boys who think they are girls are having their sperm frozen by the NHS before they undergo gender reassignment treatment so they can father children after they change sex.
Run that by me again. There goes another paragraph I never thought Id write.
Hang on, though, theres more. The health service is also storing the eggs of teenage girls who are taking male hormones so they can give birth after they become men.
These services are being offered to boys as young as 12 and girls aged 16 and over.
Leave aside for a moment perfectly legitimate arguments about whether sex-change procedures should even be available to children whose bodies havent yet fully developed.
This is madness.
Can you imagine the NHS committee meeting that came up with the idea? OK, thanks everyone.
Just to sum up: Were closing hundreds of wards, were short of thousands of doctors and nurses, waiting lists for routine operations are longer than ever and weve got a winter flu crisis looming. Is there any other business before we adjourn to the pub?
Just a thought, chair, but isnt it about time we started offering fertility treatment to transgender teenagers.
Brilliant! Why didnt we think of that before?
What baffles me is why any young man going to great lengths to change sex would want to be a father.
The health service is storing the eggs of teenage girls who are taking male hormones so they can give birth after they become men (stock photo)
Or why a woman who is having surgery to become male wishes to give birth. Surely, if the operation is a success, that would become a biological impossibility. Men cant have babies. Full stop.
Not that youre supposed to state the bleedin obvious any more. In the increasingly deranged view of the militant trans lobby, anyone saying that men cant give birth is guilty of a hate crime.
To adapt what Humpty Dumpty said about words in Alice Through The Looking Glass, gender means whatever they choose it to mean.
In the looking-glass world of gender fluidity, its all gone Humpty Dumpty. From gender-neutral toilets to freezing the sperm of 12- year-old boys about to become girls is a small step for trans-kind.
So many of their arguments fly in the face of nature. Trans-zealots reserve their bitterest hatred for feminists like Germaine Greer who refuse to accept, with every justification, that a male person in possession of a full set of wedding tackle should be allowed to describe himself as a woman and use female toilets and changing rooms.
The Left-wing lesbian activist Linda Bellos is the latest to incur their wrath. In yet another outrageous assault on free speech, shes just been banned from speaking at Cambridge University for fear of a trans backlash.
This column has always accepted that there is a minuscule number of people who genuinely suffer from gender dysphoria the feeling that they were born into the wrong sex. They deserve compassion and understanding and sympathetic treatment by the NHS.
But that doesnt mean that public organisations such as universities and the health service should automatically capitulate to the more extreme demands of this gobby, intolerant minority.
Professor Gary Butler, head clinician for Britains only NHS service for young people with gender dysphoria, justifies freezing sperm and eggs on the grounds that: Transgender people are not making a lifestyle choice.
'They are following their biological and psychological make-up about their identity. If they want to become parents and raise a family, the science and medicine is there. Its the right of the individual to be able to do that.
Actually, no its not. It might be a demand, a desire, a need or an aspiration, but it isnt a right.
Just because the science and medicine is available, it doesnt mean it must be provided free of charge. We might have the technology, but we dont have to use it.
Sadly, what were seeing here is just another insane manifestation of the suffocating nanny statism which has infantilised a generation of young people into believing that they have an inalienable right to anything they want, gratis.
Never mind the thorny ethical question of whether the NHS should be freezing the sperm of confused schoolboys well below the legal age of sexual consent. What about the cost?
You dont have to be a raging transphobe to question the sanity of this scheme. Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, former chairman of the ethics committee of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, said: The NHS is about treating people who are ill thats what we pay our taxes for.
'It is not to aid peoples various wishes about what they want to do with their bodies or their futures.
'With increasing pressure on the NHS and so many essential services not being delivered, where are these funds for fertility treatment coming from?
Precisely. None of this comes cheap. Egg-freezing costs 4,000 for one cycle and around 300 a year for storage. The price of preserving sperm is around 400, plus 300 a year to keep it frozen.
The current cost of providing this service is believed to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. But with more young people being encouraged by proselytising trans campaigners to question their gender, the skys the limit.
We keep being told that the NHS is in permanent financial crisis. Why should taxpayers have to foot the bill for crackpot transgender fertility treatments when some patients face an interminable wait for operations to alleviate painful, commonplace conditions, such as cataracts and hip replacements?
No one has the right to expect the state to pay for men who become women to father children or for women who become men to give birth. And, no, I still cant believe Ive just written that paragraph, either.
Police forces across Britain report increasing problems caused by people on mobility scooters terrorising town centres and running amok in shopping precincts.
A number of scooter users have been charged with drunk-driving after colliding with pedestrians.
Dorset organised a Safe Scoot campaign to combat reckless driving on the pavement in the popular retirement town of Christchurch.
Motorists throughout the country regularly complain about being held up on 60mph roads by scooter riders doing 6 mph flat out.
Maybe police should look for a retired rocker seeking revenge on his old enemies
What annoys car drivers most is that many of these disabled individuals dont have genuine disabilities, theyre simply too fat to waddle their way to the chip shop. Some of our seaside towns, home to large numbers of pensioners, are overrun with mobility scooters.
At Clacton-on-Sea, in Essex, theres been a backlash. A saboteur has been roaming the streets scattering roof tacks and nails.
In the past fortnight at least 15 scooters have suffered punctures. One woman had three blow-outs in less than a week and there are fears of a major pile-up unless the culprit is caught soon.
Maybe police should look for a retired rocker seeking revenge on his old enemies ex-Mods who have been forced to swap their Vespas and Lambrettas for mobility scooters.
Clacton already looks like Quadrophenia for OAPs. I predict a riot.
Bring on the Oompa Loompa... and the Half Monty
As the man responsible for the first and, I believe, only television appearance of the Half Monty, Ive always taken a close interest in the career prospects of dwarfs.
The Half Monty were a troupe of stripping dwarfs modelled on the Full Monty.
At the time, TV executive Dawn Airey said she couldnt work out whether I was taking the proverbial or this was an enlightened piece of equal opportunities employment, giving valuable airtime to a vulnerable minority. What do you think? This ground-breaking performance came to mind when I read in one of the Sunday papers about 4ft 6in tall Andy Collins, who earns 250 an hour entertaining stag parties and hen nights in Benidorm.
He dresses up as a Smurf before stripping off and exposing himself. It turns out that hes on the sex-offender register back home for flashing a woman in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, which earned him a four-month suspended sentence.
At least he has rehabilitated himself by putting his predilection to profitable use.
What amused me and no doubt will amuse regular readers of this column is that his other speciality is dressing up as an Oompa Loompa.
Of course it is.
Bring on the Half Monty!
A Sydney cafe known for their indulgent Nutella-filled desserts are now serving a lasagna-style dish made with lashings of the chocolate spread.
Aki Daikos and Simon Kappotos from Tella Balls Dessert Bar originally rose in popularity thanks to their decadent milkshakes.
'We love putting a spin on food and getting experimental in the kitchen, so we thought, why not create a savoury dish, sweet using Nutella,' Aki told The Daily Telegraph.
Their lasagna is filled with layers of mousse, fresh cream, chocolate biscuit and Nutella
But as with anything that comes out of this Willy Wonka-esque kitchen, it's not pasta or lasagna as we know it.
The lasagna is made up of layers of lavishly rich mousse and fresh cream on top of a chocolate biscuit base with decadent servings of Nutella and vanilla bean gelato on the side.
The 'Pastaella' is a fettuccine style crepe mixed with a Belgian milk and white chocolate sauce that resembles the savoury counterpart.
The Pastaella is a fettuccine style crepe mixed with a Belgian milk and white chocolate sauce that resembles the savoury counterpart
These dishes are causing a stir on social media, with one commenter writing on a picture of the lasagna: 'omg...just please...now...Lordy baby Jesus..can you hear me?? NOWWWWWW'
It is topped with housemade vanilla bean gelato with shaved white chocolate milk chocolate on the side which is shaved from the cafe's rotisserie.
'Its all about great taste. Chocolate and Nutella are food for the soul,' Aki said.
These dishes are causing a stir on social media, with one commenter writing on a picture of the lasagna: 'omg...just please...now...Lordy baby Jesus..can you hear me?? NOWWWWWW.'
Their milk chocolate crepe topped with strawberries (pictured left) and their red velvet waffle with mascarpone gelato (pictured right) have also proven to be hits
Their Nutella soft serve is a doughnut cone lined with Nutella and filled with Nutella soft serve ice cream
The dessert duo have been in the cafe business for two decades now and their creations are all about bringing back childhood memories.
'We remember as kids the feeling wed get when hearing the Mr Whippy van coming. So we grabbed that emotion and made it better in what we offer,' Aki explained.
'We used old-school meals and turned them into something bigger and better.'
The dessert duo have been in the cafe business for two decades now and their creations are all about bringing back happy childhood memories
The cafe's dessert version of fish and chips looks eerily like the real version, only sweeter
These two new dishes come after they had already introduced Nutella fish and chips to the menu.
Instead of regular white fish dipped in batter and flash fried and potato chips, Tella Balls' 'fish' is fried vanilla bean ice cream to replicate the meat and doughnut fries for the chips.
On the side there's 'tartare' sauce made from white Belgian chocolate and of course a Nutella 'dipping sauce' option too.
Despite not being cast in the Mamma Mia! sequel, which stars Meryl Streep and Colin Firth, Miranda Hart has nevertheless decided to make her own mock trailer for the film.
The 44-year-old shared this video on social media, made while on holiday in Greece, which kicks off with the 6ft 1in comedian reclining on a white sofa in a blue dress and sunglasses, singing the 1975 hit Abba song, before rising to boogie outside her villa.
Despite her off-pitch delivery, fans were impressed. Best audition ever. How disappointing that they didnt cast you, remarked one. You would have been great.
Despite not being cast in the Mamma Mia! sequel, which stars Meryl Streep and Colin Firth, Miranda Hart has nevertheless decided to make her own mock trailer for the film
When the BBC lost Bake Off, Sue Perkins said she was not going with the dough to Channel 4.
Judging by her companys latest accounts, the 48-year-olds dough is nevertheless rising quite nicely.
Sue Perkins Ltd, into which she channels her earnings, paid her 670,000 in dividends last year.
The business still had 574,658 after the payout to Perkins, who is courting fellow TV presenter Anna Richardson, 46.
Why it's too late to Call The Midwife
Call The Midwife star Helen George did not need any prenatal assistance at her baby shower this weekend.
The 33-year-old, who revealed only last month she was expecting her first child by Jack Ashton, her BBC co-star, has given birth to a girl six weeks early.
Call The Midwife star Helen George shared this snap from her baby shower where she and partner Jack Ashton cut a cake in the shape of a pregnant torso in a bikini top
Sporting a pink dress, Helen shared this snap from the Soho party in which she cradles the newborn while she and Jack cut a gluten-free vegan cake in the shape of a pregnant torso in a bikini top.
When your baby turns up early for her own baby shower, she captions it. Welcome to the world little one. What an amazing day.
Marriage rumours prompted by the ring on her left hand were swiftly played down. Shes not engaged, confirms a friend. It was the only finger her ring fitted on.
YESTERDAY, new Bake Off judge Prue Leith revealed how one of her recipes turned into a bomb scare. Today, in part three of her captivating autobiography, she describes being locked out while trying to cook a meal for Princess Alexandra and the Shah of Persia, and the secret of Her Majestys preferred cuppa...
Every now and then, Id be asked to cook a really grand dinner for really grand people. If the jobs were for business grandees or movie stars, I would generally be very well paid.
If they were royals, the money would be lousy, but of course I would accept because Id be flattered and figured it would be good for my reputation.
But I dont think I have ever done a royal do without drama. One such was for Princess Alexandra and her husband. She was entertaining the Shah of Persia at her home, Thatched House Lodge, in Richmond Park, for supper after the opera, and I had time to kill.
The pheasants had just gone into the oven, the starter and pud were ready and waiting. But the cheese looked colourless and could do with some black grapes. I jumped into my van and went to get some. When I got back, the great iron gates to the park were closed. I was locked out. No problem, I thought, plenty of time, and set off round the perimeter.
PRUE LEITH poured the Queen a weak, black lemon tea when she wanted a strong black tea without any lemon
Ham Gate was closed, too. Keep calm, I told myself Kingston Gate has a lodge. Presumably with a lodge keeper. Huge relief, the lights were on and my ringing the bell brought a speedy response from a small, offended woman.
Im just babysitting. I dont live here, she said, when I explained my predicament.
But this is the lodge-keepers house. Surely there are gate keys.
Well, if there are, I dont know anything about them. And if I did, she said, smug and smiling, I couldnt just let you in, could I?
I ran back to the car and slewed back on to the road, swallowing panic. Dinner was now due to start in ten minutes. Would anyone think to take my pheasants out of the oven? The resident housekeeper had not been friendly.
At Robin Hood Gate, there was the sound of television from the front room. I banged the brass knocker. Nothing. I stepped into the flowerbed and banged on the sitting-room window.
The curtain flipped open and a man, bearded and angry, mouthed silently at me through the glass. Then, the front door opened and he was shouting: Thems my petunias youre standing on. What the hell do you think . . .
He made to close the door. I stuck my foot into it. He banged the door on it.
Ow, that hurt, I yelped, hopping up and down and trying to keep my leg in the door. Look, Im really sorry about the petunias, but youve got to help me. I have to get into the park. Im cooking Princess Alexandras dinner, and shes got the Shah of Persia with her.
Princess Alexandra! The Shah of Persia! His mouth curled. F***ing toffs.
For a second, I thought he was going to clock me one, but he just slammed the door shut. Id been close to tears when Id arrived at his door. Now I was just furious. My foot hurt, and Id had enough of unco-operative lodge keepers.
I shouted through the letterbox: If youve got a problem with royalty, why the hell are you a gatekeeper in a royal park? And why take it out on me?
Hard at work: Prue in the seventies
Im only the cook, comrade. And Ill lose my job if you are too bloody-minded to help. How about some solidarity for the bleeding worker, hey?
I heard the door open, and thought: God, hes going to clobber me. I started to run down the path.
He called after me: I dont have a key, lady. The police have them. Ring the cops.
I swung round. Oh, thank you. Could I use your telephone? (This was the pre-mobile phone era.)
The sneer returned. Dont push your luck, lady. Theres a box over there. The phone box had an emergency phone connected to the park police. Thank God, I thought, and lifted the handset.Dead. No dial tone. Fighting the tears that were threatening to return, I drove on, found a BT box and dialled 999. But the police told me to ring the local station.
I rang Directory Inquiries. They gave me the number. I had no pen and had to memorise it. I dialled.
Richmond Police. Relief flooded through me. But then, beep-beep-beep. It wasnt a free call. I dashed back to the van. Got some money. Dialled again.
When the female voice answered, I launched into my tale of woe. She listened in silence, then said, Well Im terribly sorry my dear, but I dont know how I can help you. Im a housewife in Slough.
She DID help, though. She looked up the Richmond police number and this time I memorised it successfully and got through.
Calm down, Miss. Well send someone to Richmond Gate with the keys. Meet you there, right?
I hurtled round the perimeter road Id now driven right round the park and was back where Id started. And then I waited. And waited. It was agony. The dinner should be on the table by now.
Finally, I could stand it no longer and knocked on the door of a big double-fronted house. The woman who answered was wearing a silk shirt tucked into well-tailored trousers, pearls at the neck, and had buck teeth. She did not open the door very far.
I explained the whole saga and asked if shed let me use the phone while she stood by the door in case the police came. But she wasnt going to let in a tear-streaked young woman with (pheasant) blood down her apron.
It was now almost dark and as I emerged into the street, I saw the tail lights of a convoy of cars, the middle one containing the Princess and the Shah, disappearing into the park, beyond the once-more locked gates.
God, no! I cried, all control deserting me as I ran to the gates and shook them. I felt tiny, like Alice in Wonderland, and in despair. Then the police arrived and let me in. The housekeeper had rescued the pheasants: they were in the warming oven, pink and perfect. The guests were still having drinks, so I had time to do the veg.
Afterwards, the Princess came into the kitchen to tell us how delicious it all was.
In theSeventies and Eighties, we occasionally got royals and celebrities at my restaurant. I was never good at judging where to seat the famous: would they want privacy, or an audience? In 1975, when the film Shampoo was on everywhere, I got it wrong with its stars, Julie Christie and Warren Beatty.
The newspapers were full of their affair, so I showed them at once to a discreet corner table, but they shook their heads.
I offered them other tucked-away tables, but they chose one in the middle of the room, under a spotlight. How was I to know they wanted to be seen? I later moaned to a restaurateur friend.
What were they wearing?
Well, oddly, they were both wearing white. She was in a trouser suit, he was in cream linen. They looked stunning.
Thats your answer. No one puts on a white trouser suit if they dont want to be seen.
AS A teenager, I knocked over a drinks tray once, and my mother trying to make a joke of it in front of her guests said: Its just like having a horse in the house.
It hurt, but it was true. I am utterly untrained as a waiter and Im naturally clumsy. So when I was asked to serve the Queen with a cup of tea at the opening of the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London, I thought Id better get this right.
The Savoy's shockingly sexist chef As my cookery school began to pump out talented graduates in the Seventies, I realised that none of them got work at the Savoy hotel. The reason was Silvino Trompetto, The Savoys famous head chef, who believed that no woman should ever work in his kitchens. He wouldnt even have a female in the pastry department, where women had begun to make headway in most other hotels. Nonetheless, I tried to persuade him to give a Leiths School female graduate a two-week trial. Absolutely not, he said. I asked him why, expecting the usual nonsense about girls taking the mens minds off the job, or not being able to lift a full stock-pot. I was ready with my reply: if men managed to work with women in reception, why not the kitchen? And no one, male or female, could lift a full stock-pot by themselves. But his answer almost left me speechless: Because, dear lady, at a certain time of the month, women cause the mayonnaise to curdle. You must be joking. You cant believe that. No, no, its true. That is why women are not allowed into the mushroom sheds in France. They stop the spores germinating. Advertisement
I rang the Palace and asked an equerry: Can you tell me how Her Majesty takes her tea?
Just offer her whatever everyone else is having, he said.
Everyone has a preference of how they like their tea! Strong. Weak. Black. Sugar. No sugar. How does she usually have it?
I dont think I can tell you that.
Did he think it was a state secret? Look, I said, I will know very soon, because Im about to serve her some. It would just help me to be quick and efficient about it if you would tell me what she has at home . . .
If you insist. The butler brings a tray and on it there should be a teapot, hot water jug, milk jug, cream jug. And then there should be a sugar bowl, and a dish of lemon slices.
I gave up. A solid silver tray with all that stuff on it weighs a ton. I was so nervous I took a Valium and got our head waitress to give me a lesson. But I still had to dig my elbow into my hip to stop my arm dropping off, and only half-fill the jugs so I could hold the tray at all.
When the Queen finally arrived at the end of a long receiving line, she looked decidedly grumpy, as well she might. Shed just been on a two-hour trip round boring offices and conference areas.
And the Cabinet minister doing the honours had got a list with the guests in reverse order, and it wasnt until he was halfway down the line that someone had the courage to tell him he was getting the names wrong.
The Queen nobly insisted on starting again. She must have been gasping for a cuppa.
Black or white, maam? I said, remembering to say maam to rhyme with jam.
Black, please.
I picked up a lemon slice with a cocktail stick, put it in the cup and started to pour tea into it.
No lemon, thank you.
I fished the lemon out with the stick. But where to put it? No little saucer for these eventualities. So I put it, splat, down on the white tray cloth. Not a pretty sight.
I then topped up Her Majestys cuppa with water, thinking that people who like black tea usually like it weak.
No water, she said. Too late. Now the poor woman had weak lemony tea when she wanted strong black tea.
The Duke of Edinburgh fared rather better. When wed rung his office, his equerry said: Lapsang Souchong. With milk. Tea in first. No sugar.
Thank you, sir.
Prue Leith last year at the Henley Literary Festival in Oxfordshire
Soon after I opened a cookery school, my company got the contract for the Tate Gallery Candlelit Dinner for the art worlds grandees, sponsors and potential donors. We were all cock-a-hoop.
On the night of the dinner, I arrived at 6pm. Walking through the galleries, my nose detected something horribly familiar. Nearer the kitchen, the whiff became an unmistakeable stink.
Please God, I thought, let this not be what I think it is. But it was. The mussel veloute, made with fresh mussels, fish stock, white wine and cream, was fermenting.
I grabbed the chefs sleeve. The soups off, I hissed. It stinks to high heaven.
I decided against sacking the guy just before the dinner. Look, Chef, I said, you get on with the rest of the dinner. Ill come back with more soup. Somehow.
No point going back to our catering business in the City the cooks would have left. No good going to our restaurant: the chefs would be too busy. I could go to the new cookery school, which had no evening classes on a Friday.
Id somehow make 70 pints of soup in 40 minutes and get back to the Tate by 7.45.
At the school, I told the principal to bring any teachers she could get hold of. Ask them to bring anything white they can get: soup in cans, cream cheese, cream, anything at all.
THEN I rang the restaurant and asked them to send in a taxi as much white stock, white sauce, cheese sauce and cream as they could spare.
I went to Panzers, the deli next door, and bought them out of cream of artichoke soup, mussel soup, Vichyssoise, cream of onion soup and cream cheese.
We put everything we had into two big pots. We didnt cook a thing, just whisked it all together.
I drove back to the Tate, getting there in time for the soup to be scooped into silver soup tureens. A handful of chopped herbs on top, and the waiters sailed into the galleries, heads held high.
I had a letter from the Tate congratulating us on a superb dinner and singling out the soup as unctuous and delicious!
Sixteen countries, four continents, less than one year.
This is the incredible travel itinerary of billionaire heiress Chryseis Tan, who shares her enviable jet-setting lifestyle with more than 220,000 followers on Instagram.
Chryseis, the daughter of Malaysian tycoon Vincent Tan (net worth USD$1.2billion), reveals on her bio that she has one simple wish: 'I want to travel the world'.
Billionaire heiress Chryseis Tan shares her enviable jet-setting lifestyle, always via a private plane, with more than 220,000 followers on Instagram
Chryseis, the daughter of Malaysian tycoon Vincent Tan (net worth USD$1.2billion), reveals on her bio that she has one simple wish: 'I want to travel the world'
The socialite has traveled across Asia and Europe and back again multiple times this year, with stints in the US and Africa as well
And the 29-year-old socialite has done just that in 2017, travelling across Asia to Europe and back again multiple times, with stints in the US and Africa as well.
Chryseis, who is based in Kuala Lumpar, kicked off the year in Dubai with her partner Faliq Nasimuddin.
The pair, who began dating in 2014, shared similar childhoods. Faliq is the son of late billionaire businessman Tan Sri Nasimuddin Amin.
After riding camels during a desert safari, Chryseis jetted off to Bangkok and Beijing before heading to Modena in Italy at the beginning of March.
Chryseis, who is based in Kuala Lumpar, kicked off the year in Dubai with her partner Faliq Nasimuddin
She happily enjoyed some juice while watching a falcon show during a desert safari
Chryseis and Faliq, who began dating in 2014, shared similar childhoods. Faliq is the son of late billionaire businessman Tan Sri Nasimuddin Amin
It was there that she and Faliq enjoyed every dessert available at the famous Osteria Francescana - currently voted the best restaurant in the world.
The Italian eatery, which has three Michelin stars, has a 250 12-course tasting menu and charges 30 for each of its six desserts.
Chryseis toured through Maranello, Florence, and Milan before heading back toward Asia just in time to see the famous cherry blossom trees in Tokyo.
The heiress, one of 11 children, makes her family reunions an excuse to travel as well - first heading to Seoul, Korea to be with her mother and then touring Nara and Kyoto in Japan with her sister.
Hydra, an island in Greece, was just one of the places these lovebirds visited in 2017
The pair also made their way to Osteria Francescana - currently voted the best restaurant in the world - in Modena, Italy
Chryseis then headed back to Asia and visited Tokyo to see the famous cherry blossom trees
She started off her trip in the US with a visit to Miami's famous South Beach area
Chryseis then headed to Hong Kong, where the foodie enjoyed the likes of caviar pasta, uni truffle fried dough, and black truffle pizza at the lavish Vea Restaurant and Lounge - where the tasting menu starts at $190 per person.
She returned home to Malaysia for her mum's birthday, and then took a pit stop in Singapore before heading for the States.
It was there that Chryseis and a group of her glamorous friends enjoyed the likes of Miami, San Francisco and Napa in California, and a vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Chryseis then headed back to Europe in June. In one cheeky Instagram post, she donned a jacket that read 'Paris-Tokyo' and asked her followers where they thought she was headed next.
It was then off to the Turks and Caicos Islands for a dip in its famous turquoise beaches
The glamorous heiress took a slew of Instagram shots in various fashionable bathing suits
Chryseis loves a good beach vacation and later this year headed to a resort in Thailand
And if the beaches in Greece and Thailand weren't enough, Chryseis also stopped by Bali
The answer was Paris, of course, with a trip to Vienna as well before she and Faliq headed to Morocco at the end of the month.
It was there that her longtime partner dropped down on one knee, proposing in Marrakesh with a sign made of blossoms that read: 'Will you marry me?'
Chryseis then hopped back onto a private jet - her transportation of choice - before stints in Phuket, a return to Kyoto, and then a holiday in Switzerland.
It was then off to Barcelona and the famous El Celler de Can Roca restaurant in Girona, boasting three Michelin stars and dinners starting at $180 per person.
But the couple are fans of romantic cities as well, visiting Vienna, Austria in June
Later that month the couple visited Marrakesh, where Faliq proposed to Chyrseis
Chryseis recently showed off her enviable rock as she displayed her Gucci-inspired manicure
Chyseis is a big fan of fine dining and headed to Barcelona and the famous El Celler de Can Roca restaurant in Girona (pictured)
Chryseis then basked in the sun in Greece and Bali, where she partied with Leona Lewis, before heading to Jakarta, Indonesia and the Shanghai Disney Resort.
Although it may seem like Chryseis is a professional traveller, the heiress is actually a businesswoman in her own right.
She is the CEO of Berjaya Times Square, Malaysia's largest inner-city shopping mall, and the executive director of Berjaya Assets Bhd.
Chryseis has also invested in two restaurants in her native Malaysia, as well as the app Goxip - which allows users to take a picture of celebrities' clothes on social media and instantly get connected to sites where they can find similar styles.
The busy businesswoman, whose life is filled with meetings, weddings, and plenty of amazing fashion opportunities, is currently in Hong Kong.
But there's no doubt she'll stay true to the promise she made on one Instagram shot: 'I know I say this all the time but...off again!'
Although it may seem like Chryseis is a professional traveler, the heiress is actually a businesswoman in her own right
She is the CEO of Berjaya Times Square, Malaysia's largest inner-city shopping mall and the executive director of Berjaya Assets Bhd
The Kansas Supreme Courts ruling striking down the states most-recent funding formula thrusts a 20-year battle over school spending, standards, and the achievement gap in that state back into another year of legislation and litigation.
The courts Oct. 2 ruling gave state lawmakers until June 30 of next year to to add money to the funding formula and come up with a better distribution method, although the justices asked lawmakers to present something before April 30 of next year so the court will have time before the school year commences to deterimne whether the funding formula meets the courts muster.
While we stay the issuance of todays mandate through June 30, 2018, after that date we will not allow ourselves to be placed in the position of being complicit actors in the continuing deprivation of a constitutionally adequate and equitable education owed to hundreds of thousands of Kansas school children, the judges said in the tersely-worded ruling.
School funding has roiled Kansas politics for decades, coming to a peak this year after the court said in two separate rulings that the states funding formula was both inadequate and inequitable.
The states politicians are tasked with coming up with hundreds of millions more dollars, though the court has not defined how much will ultimately satisfy them. Legislators have been reluctant to raise taxes.
Conservative politicians across the state expressed extreme frustration with the courts latest ruling.
This ruling shows clear disrespect for the legislative process and puts the rest of state government and programs in jeopardy, said Republican Senate leaders Susan Wagle, Jeff Longbine, and Jim Denning in a statement. As promised, Senate Republicans remain committed to providing every Kansas student with an exceptional education; however, raising taxes to fund this unrealistic demand is not going to happen.
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback in a statement called the ruling another regrettable chapter in the never-ending cycle of litigation over Kansas school funding. The court should not substitute its decision for that of the legislature.
School officials, though, were elated, pointing out that the state promised them that, once the recession ended, they would get plenty more money.
The funding formula that was struck down provided states $293 million more than the previous funding formula.
Lawyers for the four districts that originally sued the state said districts should be given more flexibility in spending and that nothing less than $893 million--a number based on an earlier ruling by the states high court -- would satisfy the courts earlier ruling or help districts close its achievement gap.
Alicia Thompson, superintendent for Wichita schools told the Witchita Eagle , We have nearly 500,000-plus public school students in the state of Kansas, and the future sits in our classrooms today, she said. For Kansas economy to be prosperous, we must be able to embrace the notion that the solution to our workforce challenges sits in our classrooms.
Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics.
Jimmy Choo is the name behind some of the most iconic and covetable shoes in the world.
The legendary designer is visiting Australia right now, promoting his latest line as well as sharing industry knowledge with TAFE Queensland fashion students.
In an interview with Today, Professor Jimmy Choo opened up on his relationship with the late Princess Diana, and shared touching details of the time he designed for her.
Scroll down for video
Professor Jimmy Choo (left) recalls fond memories of designing shoes for one of his most favourite clients, the late Princess Diana (right)
The Malaysian-born designer recalled the time he spent working for the princess fondly, remembering her as a kind, and gentle person - a memory very much in keeping with her public persona.
'She was very down to earth. She never complained. She never said the shoe was too tight, or too big. Never,' said Professor Choo.
'She always sent me a card that said "Thanks Jimmy, thanks for coming to Kensington Palace to see me".'
He said his most famous model, who he met in 1990 and designed for until her death in 1997, trusted his sense of style implicitly.
The world-renown designed created shoes for Princess Diana from 1990 until her death in 1997
'She said "I will leave it to you Jimmy. You're the expert."'
His special relationship with the princess he said has been immortalised in a pair of shoes he's only ever made available for his family.
'The last pair of shoes I designed for the late princess was the flat pump,' he said.
Professor Choo received a special honour from Princes William and Harry at a memorial service held marking the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana's death, and during the memorial held Professor Choo received a special honour from Princes William and Harry.
He was named an Ambassador for The Diana Award - an appointment that will see the world-renown designer raise funds in a bid to continue Princess Diana's legacy.
'She was real princess,' Professor Choo said somewhat emotionally during the interview.
'Down to earth, simple. Very nice, with a very good heart. She did a lot of charity, and left a good legacy.'
A New Zealand mother-of-two who was diagnosed with 'incurable' breast cancer 10 years ago has posed for a series of inspiring images with fellow survivors.
Maggie Prentice, 50, was told that she had a 10 per cent chance of survival but a decade later she is raising awareness for the disease.
'I wake up and think about it every day but I don't dwell on it, I haven't given up work I just carry on as normal as possible,' Maggie told Daily Mail Australia.
Maggie Prentice, 50, (pictured) was told that she had a 10 per cent chance that she would survive but 10 years later she is now trying to raise awareness for breast cancer
The inspiring 50-year-old has now posed alongside fellow cancer survivors - Marian and Jo - for a lingerie shoot that was not retouched or altered in any way.
The aim of the shoot was to raise awareness of breast cancer and those whose lives are touched by the disease.
'It's only been recently that I've accepted it,' Maggie said of her diagnosis. 'I've been in denial for a long time but I have also been quite positive and I think that has really helped.'
Maggie said her diagnosis came completely out of the blue as she had been fit and healthy when she noticed something strange after going for a run.
The inspiring 50-year-old has now posed alongside fellow cancer survivors - Marian and Jo (pictured) for a lingerie shoot that is not retouched or altered in any way - in order to raise awareness of breast cancer
'I jumped in the shower and it must have been the way that the light was shining through the window and into the mirror - I could see my breasts were quite misshapen and I hadn't noticed that before,' she said.
Maggie was able to get an appointment with her doctor that day.
'It took a long time to process but at the time when you're diagnosed you just get on the roller coaster and you keep going - you've got appointments to go to and treatments that need to be done,' she said.
'You just step on and you go for it really, there's no thinking about what's happening,' Maggie continued.
Maggie said the diagnosis was completely out of the blue as she was the healthiest and fittest she'd been but found something unusual after she went for a run
'You're suddenly being swept away and you become so self absorbed about it that it takes away the initial shock and you're feeling a little bit positive because you're doing something about it, you're doing everything you can.'
Following a biopsy and mastectomy Maggie found three lumps on her neck, which signalled that the cancer had spread through her lymphatic system.
Maggie found out within two months after first initial diagnosis that her cancer was incurable.
'It was heartbreaking, it was devastating. When I had the surgery and they had taken 13 lymph nodes from under my arm I think I was quite naive and I didn't understand the consequences of that.'
The repercussion was unfortunately the fact that there was a high chance the cancer would spread.
After removing the 13 lymph nodes there was unfortunately a high chance the cancer would spread
'They didn't give me a time frame, they treated the cancer quite aggressively as the cancer itself was aggressive and they changed my initial program of treatment.
'They did chemotherapy, then radiation and herceptin. I did anything I could, anything they would give me I'd take, anything to have a better outcome.
'It was different for me at that time because my husband was also diagnosed with cancer the week after I was, and we had surgery in the same hospital a day a part,' she said.
'It was a really crazy time for the whole family but now he's perfect, he's great and he was discharged from oncology and doing any further treatments two weeks ago.
'I had a scare last year but that reinforced the idea that you've got to live each day as it is and not to be reckless with your health,' she explained
'I had a scare last year but that reinforced the idea that you've got to live each day as it is and not to be reckless with your health.
'I have a lot to live for and my children are young adults, there is a lot to see and for them to achieve.'
Although she was initially given a 10 percent survival rate Maggie is still going strong and monitors her health by having a mammogram done every year.
'Unless you see issues pop up or things change, don't worry about it, live life and get on with it.
'Whatever happens now, they can't cure it, so there is no point in wasting your life stressing about it.'
Although she was initially given a 10 percent survival rate Maggie is still going strong and monitors her health by having a mammogram done every year
Maggie became part of the Lonely lingerie shoot thanks to a Facebook post by an organisation called Sweet Louise, which aims to improve the quality of life for New Zealanders living with incurable breast cancer.
'It was something I felt uncomfortable about as I was heavier than ever and having had a mastectomy and everything but it was something that I just wanted to do for me.
'Before I had time to think about it I applied for it and I wanted them to pick me.
'I woke up on the day and I was really positive and I just thought "well this is it, I'm doing it", I felt comfortable doing it in the end.'
Maggie explained that she became part of the Lonely lingerie shoot thanks to a Facebook post by an organisation called Sweet Louise
Although Maggie wary about standing in front of a group of strangers in her lingerie initially, that feeling soon went away.
'I'm not actually an outgoing person and to do that was totally out of my comfort zone but I don't think that was comfortable for any of us but we had made a decision and wanted to do it.
'Jo, Marian and I were all the same, we're all in different stages of the disease, I'm fortunate enough to be well at this time so that was good.'
Queen Maxima's striking resemblance to her three daughters is revealed in this stunning set of photographs to commemorate her husband's 50th birthday.
The Dutch queen consort, 46, appears alongside the young Princesses in the new series of close-up portraits shot by renowned photographer Erwin Olaf.
Shot on April 18 to mark King Willem-Alexander's 50th birthday, the images have this week been released to the public by the Royal House of the Netherlands and are currently on display at a museum in Oss.
The eldest at 13, Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange - who goes by Amalia - has clearly inherited her parents' striking looks and strawberry-blonde hair.
Scroll down for video
Portrait of a queen: Maxima stars alongside her three daughters in this new set of portraits from Erwin Olaf, released to coincide with King Willem-Alexander's 50th birthday this year
Middle child Princess Alexia of Orange-Nassau, 12, has inherited her mother's dark brown eyes but also boasts an adorable smattering of freckles.
Meanwhile the couple's youngest daughter Princess Ariane of Orange-Nassau, 10, looks much like her father thanks to her sweep of fair hair.
The three sisters, who are famously close, were each born just two years apart and are often referred to as the 'A-team' due to their three names each beginning with the letter 'A'.
The portraits, which are currently on display at the Museum Jan Cunen, Oss, are part of the exhibition Women of Orange - Portraits of Five Queens.
Little princess: The couple's eldest daughter at 13, heir-apparent Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange was was born on 7 December 2003. She goes by 'Amalia'
Middle child: Born on on 26 June 2005, Princess Alexia of Orange-Nassau takes after her mother with her dark green eyes as show in this stunning series of portraits
The couple's youngest daughter Princess Ariane of Orange-Nassau, 10, was born on 10 April 2007. Like her father and eldest sister she has fair hair
Olaf was previously chosen by the Dutch royals to shoot a portrait commemorating Maxima's milestone 40th birthday in 2011.
Maxima was born in Argentina and married into the Dutch royal family in 2002, three years after meeting her husband-to-be in Seville, Spain.
Despite reportedly having no inkling that Willem-Alexander was heir to the throne when the pair first met, she eventually became Queen consort when her husband ascended to the throne.
Willem-Alexander became king after his mother, Beatrix, abdicated in April 2013 after 33 years as reigning monarch.
The Dutch royals during a visit to Los Arrayanes National Park, Argentina in 2014 (pictured left to right: Princesses Alexia, Ariane and Amalia)
Now 79, the former Queen, whose husband Prince Claus died in 2002, lives in the Drakensteyn Castle near the village of Lage Vuursche, occasionally undertaking official engagements.
Willem-Alexander was officially sworn in as king of the Netherlandsm - the country's first male rule since 1890 - at a colourful ceremony in Nieuwe Kerk attended by 2,000 visitors from around the world.
In an emotional tribute to Beatrix, he said: 'Dear Mother, today you relinquished the throne. 33 years moving and inspiring years. We are intensely, intensely grateful to you.'
Britain's cathedrals attract visitors from all over the world, with most hoping to get a taste of the country's rich history.
But a series of hilarious Google reviews written by tourists and shared on social media show that some have been less than impressed by the city landmarks.
The amusing appraisals of the country's cathedrals were posted on Twitter by Fergus Butler-Gallie, who wrote: 'England's cathedrals are considered to be among the most amazing buildings on earth.'
Sharing screenshots of the funny reviews, he added: 'But not by the people who review them on Google maps'.
A series of hilarious Google reviews of cathedrals in the UK have been shared online. Pictured is Winchester Cathedral
One visitor was very disappointed by Winchester Cathedral, claiming the structure was 'clearly fake and built yesterday'
Ripon Cathedral in north Yorkshire (pictured) dates back to the 7th century and was founded as a monastery for Scottish monks
However, one visitor believed the interior was not up to scratch, writing in her review: 'Could do with some carpets and a lick of paint'
Many of the reviews appear to have been written by people from the UK who have paid a visit to cathedrals in other cities.
One reviewer, Dom Mills, was left very disappointed after his trip to Winchester Cathedral, claiming that the 'structure [is] clearly fake and built yesterday' - despite the building being finished in 1093.
Others were similarly disappointed by the aesthetics they were presented with when visiting other cathedrals.
Following a visit to Ripon Cathedral, Jude Gordon wrote: 'Could do with some carpets and a lick of paint'.
Durham Cathedral, which dates all the way back to 1093, has been designated UNESCO World Heritage Site
But this visitor was not impressed, describing the 'historic stuff as boring' and adding that it 'smells of horse poo'
In fact, a number of the reviews begged the question of why the visitor went to see a cathedral in the first place. Writing about Salisbury Cathedral, one simply wrote: 'I am not into this sort [of] thing'
Derby Cathedral, which dates back to the 16th century, is undoubtedly a beautiful building
But one man had a rather worrying response to the cathedral, describing it as 'Really sexually attractive'
Meanwhile, some of the reviews begged the question of why they decided to visit the cathedral in the first place.
Shannon Robson, who made a trip to Durham Cathedral, wrote: '[T]he historic stuff is boring, don't like it. wont be going back there again!!!'
She very strongly suggested that other people did not go there, adding: '[D]on't recommend having a picnic there as bee's attack and again I highly recommend you DO not visit there, smells of horse poo.'
One man meanwhile had a slightly worrying response to Derby Cathedral, writing: 'Really sexually attractive cathedral, I would fantasize about this place all day if I could Pwhorar!'
Others were more concerned about the food on offer, than the cathedrals themselves.
Many of the reviewers were more concerned about the food in the tearoom, than the cathedral itself
One visitor meanwhile had their experience of Coventry Cathedral ruined by a 'noisy commercial vegan market'
One person complained about the 'hardest Vic sponge cake ever' at a cafe next to Southwark Cathedral, while another complained how there were no fish and chips at St Paul's.
Meanwhile, Penny Welford, who visited Coventry Cathedral, was left extremely unimpressed by the 'noisy commercial vegan market in the nave'.
Some of the tourists were very to the point with their reviews. One person simply described Chichester as 'old', while another described Liverpool Cathedral as 'Anglican'.
And one visitor, posting under moniker Dorset Taco, was decidedly underwhelmed by Truro Cathedral, simply writing: 'It's alright I suppose'.
A number of the reviews were very to the point - with one person writing 'It's alright I suppose' in response to seeing Truro Cathedral
Ely Cathedral, which dates back to AD 672, draws thousands of visitors from around the world every year
But person described Ely as 'appalling', while a visitor to Liverpool Cathedral was also distinctly unimpressed by what they saw
Meanwhile, one tourist was left baffled by the fact that Leicester Cathedral was not open to visitors on Sunday due to services planned
Some reviewers to used the opportunity to share their conspiracy theories and vent their frustrations about religion in the country
A woman who started pulling all her body hair out when she was nine-years-old believes she's finally overcome her compulsion thanks to a revolutionary hairpiece.
Claire Ory, 22, from Bristol had her head shaved by her parents when she was 11 in a bid to stop her pulling.
But the problem only became worse when her mother committed suicide two years later and Claire ended up in a psychiatric hospital.
After battling through her depression and experimenting with covering her head with wigs to embracing her baldness with bare-headed modelling shoots, she's never been able to overcome her compulsion.
However, last year she was fitted with a revolutionary hair mesh, known as The Intralace System, which acts as a barrier to further pulling while also filling in the patches on her scalp
She's since been able to go on a rollercoaster for the first time, perform as a contortionist and wash her hair normally, plus her rate of pulling has drastically reduced.
Claire Ory, 22, from Bristol has been left with bald patches all over her head after she started pulling her hair out at the age of
In order to boost her confidence, Claire started modelling to show off her bald head but it didn't solve her compulsion to pull
Last year Claire was fitted with a revolutionary hair mesh, known as The Intralace System, which acts as a barrier to further pulling while also filling in the patches on her scalp
'I started pulling my hair out at the age of nine at school. Doing something like that at such a young age made me anxious and depressed and I started to develop school phobia,' Claire recalled.
'My parents obviously noticed the gaps in my hair and decided to shave my head when I was 11 to stop me from pulling.
'For the following year I was fashioning different scarves and hats before I asked my mum if I could look into wearing wigs.
'After a year I got my first medical wig and it was amazing. I was so happy and I felt like I finally looked my age again. However, this did not last.
The performer has tried covering her hair with wigs but found they were too high maintenance
Claire who works as a contortionist is able to perform with confidence thanks to her new hair
Claire before she started pulling her body hair out at the age of nine. The problem worsened when her mother committed suicide when Claire was 13
'I then begun pulling out my brows, lashes and body hairs, whatever I could get my hands on.
TRICHOTILLOMANIA? Trichotillomania is a condition where a person feels compelled to pull out the hair on their head or in other places, such as their eyebrows or eyelashes. It's an impulse-control disorder (a psychological condition where you are unable to stop yourself carrying out a particular action), and it's not known for certain what causes it. Some experts think hair pulling is a type of addiction. The more you pull your hair out, the more you want to keep doing it. Trichotillomania may be a reflection of a mental health problem. Psychological and behavioural theories suggest that hair pulling may be a way of relieving stress or anxiety. In some cases, trichotillomania may be a form of self-harm, where you deliberately injure yourself as a way of seeking temporary relief from emotional distress. The most effective treatment is therapy to change hair-pulling behaviour, combined with a network of emotional support. Advertisement
'At the age of 13 my mother committed suicide which made the pulling worse and worse.
'I gave up school and had to stay in a psychiatric hospital before I could get back to a "normal" life.'
Over the next few years, Claire battled to overcome her depression but the pulling was still a problem.
'Although the habit was still bad, I was still enjoying wearing different wigs and caps and I was even enjoying my bald head,' she said. 'I was having fun cutting and styling the hair, adding colour and sewing in new extensions basically experimenting with my hair.
'I even started modellling with my bald head and it made me feel very confident.
'I loved working on new wigs, but after years of wearing them I lost interest plus it took a lot of care with all of the expensive shampoos, conditioners etc.
'I couldn't wear them when I had sleepovers with friends, I was avoiding swimming pools or rollarcoaster and they made me sweaty and irritated my skin on hot days.'
In 2016, Claire heard about hair loss specialist Lucinda Ellery's Intralace system and after doing some research, she decided to ask for an appointment.
Claire says modelling without a wig helped her confidence, but she was still seeking a solution for her trichotillomania
The performer can now work with confidence thanks to a mesh system that covers the bald patches and creates a barrier to further pulling
Claire performing without her wig, which she found too hot and cumbersome
'I was so excited when the team told me they could help me,' she said. 'I thought the Intralace system was a perfect alternative to wigs. I could do absolutely everything with it and I was hoping it would help with my hair pulling.
'I have had the system for a year now and I absolutely love it It's so great to wear, it feels so natural.'
Lucinda has studios around the country including London, the West Midlands, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh, as well as New York and Los Angeles, and pioneers hair loss solutions to help women in need.
Claire's parents shaved her head when she was 11-years-old to stop her pulling but nothing worked
She said: 'So many women suffer in silence with the condition and we really want to break down the barriers that are stopping them getting help.
'Often women feel completely alone with many not even realising what they are experiencing is a medical condition.
'Increasing awareness around the condition, and what we can do to help, will, we hope, encourage the 90 per cent of sufferers currently suffering in silence to come forward and seek treatment'.
International No Pulling Weeks runs from 1 7 October 2017
Lady Amelia Windsor looked pretty in pink as she posed for photographs outside yet another fashion week show.
The 22-year-old blonde donned a soft pink dress and matching fluffy handbag as she joined the stars at the Miu Miu showcase in Paris today.
It has been a busy fashion month for the socialite and budding model, who has previously popped up at the Dior show in Paris and took in Tommy Hilfiger and a Miu Miu party during London Fashion Week.
Demure: Lady Amelia Windsor, 22, stepped out in a pink shift dress for the Miu Miu show
Edgy accessories: The young royal stopped the look from being too cute by adding a black leather jacket and chunky platform sandals. She kept her hair and make-up to a minimum
The rising star joined a fleet of famous faces including Emily Ratawjoski and sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning for the event in Paris today.
While she has recently been spotted in some rather racy outfits, today Lady Windsor opted for a demure shift dress in the palest shade of pink.
She accessorised the frock with a fluffy clutch bag in just the same shade - nod to the fashion world's continued obsession with 90s style.
She gave her romantic dress a little edge with a black studded biker jacket and chunky black platform sandals.
Minimal make-up and a chunky silver ring completed the young royal's look.
Lady Amelia Windsor attended the Dior show at Paris Fashion Week decked out top to toe in clothes from the line
The student scraped her hair back into a low ponytail to let her stunning outfit do the talking
She carried one of Maria Grazia Chiuri's most coveted bags, a small black J'adior clutch
She added edge to her romantic white Dior dress with a pair of flat black biker boots
Just last week Lady Amelia turned heads in a crop top and boxer shorts as she joined A-listers on the front row of the Dior Paris Fashion Week show.
Previously Lady Amelia looked every inch the cool girl as she joined celebrities on the front row of the Tommy Hilfiger show at London Fashion Week.
The society beauty, who is 36th in line to the British throne, channeled her inner disco goddess at the show in a cropped metallic silver jacket and striped metallic trousers.
Giving the ensemble a bit of edge, the 22-year-old paired the trousers with a cropped black top with what appeared to be 'Gigi Hadid' written in red along the bottom.
Effortlessly cool: Lady Amelia Windsor flashed her toned abs in a cropped top ensemble
Fashion darlings: Model Lottie Moss, left, and Lady Amelia Windsor at the Tommy Hilfiger show
Laid back: The society beauty kept her long blonde locks loose for the fashion show
The former Edinburgh University student was among the famous faces who turned out for the highly anticipated show at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm, north London.
She was spotted posing for photographs with model Lottie Moss before the rock concert-themed show kicked off on Tuesday night.
Having already walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana - and been hailed as the 'most beautiful' member of the royal family - Lady Amelia has become a firm fixture in fashion circles.
She took up a prime seat in the front row at the Emporio Armani show in London, and went on to attend the Love Magazine x Miu Miu party at Mayfair nightclub Loulou's.
Picture perfect: The young royal posed for the cameras on her way into the show on Tuesday
Ivanka Trump appears to be on a bit of a '60s kick with her style choices this week.
The 35-year-old First Daughter made her daily trip from the front door of her Washington, D.C. home to her car this morning, as always attended by a bevy of photographers who snapped her picture as she smiled and stepped into the Secret Service SUV.
And she seemed to be sticking with the mod theme she tried out with yesterday's ensemble, mixing plaid pants with a snug top and showing off a bit of skin.
She's a mod girl: Ivanka Trump was seen leaving her home in D.C. on Tuesday
That's new: The 35-year-old wore an interesting top with a large cut-out, with just a thin strip of fabric at her neck
So '60s: She tucked the top into a pair of cropped plaid pants and added red heels
Oh, you're here for me? Ivanka smiled at photographers waiting outside and carried a cup of coffee
Ivanka picked out a pair of cropped plaid pants with a similar pattern and color to the skirt she wore on Monday.
She tucked in a tight black top, which was an uncharacteristic choice for the mother-of-three. Though it was long-sleeved and certainly modest, it also features a large, wide cut-out across her entire chest, with just a thin strip of fabric running above her collarbone.
She added a pop of color with low pointy-toe slingbacks, pulled her hair into a ponytail, and slipped on a pair of large hoop earrings, making for a decidedly '60s look.
Ivanka also carried her morning coffee in a to-go cup and smiled at the photographer parked outside as she walked the few steps from her open gate to the SUVs ready to receive her.
Photo moment: She smiled brightly while paparazzi snapped her picture
Protected: She walked the few steps from her front door to the SUVs outside, which are attended by Secret Service
Off to work: She was followed shortly after by her husband, Jared Kushner
Good mood: Jared wore a suit and smiled and waved at photographers
The First Daughter seems to be committing to this '60s theme this week, as she wore a similarly retro outfit on Monday.
Leaving her house, she was seen sporting a bright yellow sweater with a crew neck, which she paired with a plaid skirt with a slit.
She wore her hair in loose curls around her shoulders, which she pushed back to show off the most eye-catching element of her look: a pair of oversized earrings several inches wide and long.
Her heels, too, were an unusual choice for the First Daughter: though black and understated in the front, they featured a trendy clear heel.
Ivanka, who also toted a black purse full of paperwork, was followed out of her upscale Kalorama neighborhood home by her husband and fellow senior White House adviser, 36-year-old Jared Kushner.
Ready! She started her week with an edgy touch on Monday, spicing up her work outfit with several quirky accessories
Details: Shewas pictured heading out of her Washington, D.C. home wearing a bright yellow sweater with a crew neck
Interesting choices: Ivanka spiced up her already-bold ensemble with some large floral earrings, and clear block heels
Spouse: Jared was also seen heading out yesterday, looking businesslike in a suit and tie
Respect: Later on Monday, Ivanka and Jared took part in a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting that has left 58 people dead and 515 injured
Solemn: They stood next to White House staffers on the South Lawn during the homage
Important: Ivanka and her husband were pictured interacting with a woman as they arrived for the moment of silence on Monday
Jared, who came under fire last week along with his wife for using his private email address to conduct official business, smiled for the cameras as he also walked towards a car on his way to work.
He is among six White House officials who discussed White House matters using private email addresses, along with Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus, the New York Times reported citing 'current and former' officials.
As for Ivanka, she used a private account to communicate with a government official while working as an unofficial adviser in the early days of her father's administration, Newsweek wrote.
Later on Monday, Ivanka and Jared joined President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, as well as Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife Karen Pence to take part in a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting that has left 58 people dead and 515 injured.
She and Jared stood next to White House staffers on the South Lawn during the homage.
Black on black: On Thursday, she wore a top with a similar but smaller cut-out to the one she wore Tuesday
Helping hand! Her assistant was seen carrying a much larger black tote stuffed with papers to the waiting SUV, along with a Starbucks coffee
While Ivanka appeared to carry her own paperwork on Monday, last week she needed the help of an assistant to transport all of her documents.
When she left her home on Thursday, she was seen carrying a small bucket-style handbag on her shoulder, which although stylish proved to be no match for all of the items that Ivanka required for a busy day at the office.
Indeed, as she made her way out to her waiting SUV, she had to have an assistant follow her with a much larger tote, which appeared to be stuffed to the brim with various sheets of paper, and even a newspaper, as well as a coffee from Starbucks.
She was seen leaving her home on Thursday shortly after Jared himself made his way to the White House, and less than 24 hours after it was revealed that he actually registered to vote as a woman back in 2009, having apparently ticked the wrong box on his form.
Despite the embarrassing mix-up, Jared appeared fairly laid-back as he made his way out of his home, carrying just a single bag, and without the help of an assistant.
One young Indian fashion blogger is sick of the backlash she's received for openly embracing her cultural and traditional garb - so she's hitting back.
Forehead bindis, traditional saris, and ornate nose rings are fashion pieces that not only feel beautiful to Dallas, Texas model Sruthi Jayadevan, 22 - they also have a strong cultural meaning for her.
So when followers of her social media pages and blog Silk & Champagne suggested she 'tone down all this cultural stuff' - comments that echoed those made by childhood bullies - she decided not to give into the hate.
Unashamed beauty! Sruthi Jayadevan, 22, is a model and fashion blogger who took to Twitter to address the backlash she's received for her traditional Indian clothing and cultural style
Lady in yellow: The rising star from Dallas shared in a now viral tweet that many people pick at her nose ring, bindi and outfits such as this one, and ask her to 'tone down all this cultural stuff'
Sruthi took to Twitter to address the comments that pick at her style and degrade her Indian traditional clothing.
'People: "what's with the dot" "what's that on your nose" "maybe you should tone down all this cultural stuff,"' Sruthi wrote on her Twitter Curry Queen.
She replied with 'Me:' and two stunning photographs of herself donning a sari, with her wrists stacked with chudiyaan bangles and a giant golden nose ring called nath attached to her hair by a gold chain and flower. She also wore a three part bindi on her forehead.
Her message was loud and clear: She is proud of her culture and unwilling to change for anyone. And her clap back post caught viral fire, amassing 21,000 retweets and 75,000 likes.
After moving to the US at the young age of 11 and facing the relentless teasing for her accent and culturally unfamiliar outfits, the fashion lover quickly assimilated to American style and rejected her own.
'When I first came to America, my family and I moved to a small town called Bakersfield. There was no cultural diversity there and I was probably the only Indian student at my elementary school. So, from my strong Indian accent to my braided, oily hair, my skin tone, my clothing, my bindi.everything was perceived as "different,"' she revealed to Daily Mail Online.
She admits she felt 'very lonely and singled-out at school,' as well.
But in college something struck a chord deep inside her and she realized she should never be ashamed to wear her culture on her sleeves.
Stunner! The Indian beauty clapped back with more photos of her Indian garb declaring she's not changing for anyone and included a guide to Indian accessories for curious readers
She wears culture on her sleeve: Sruthi moved to the US when she was just 11 and encountered bullying against her clothing and bindi (such as above) and assimilated into American fashion
'During the last few years of college, I was really finding my identity as a brown girl and wanted to show off my culture and have pride in where I came from. So, slowly it started with incorporating the cultural accessories I was used to wearing as a young girl back in India,' she revealed.
'I put on my bindi even if I was wearing jeans and a crop top. I put on my nose ring and my anklets with a body con dress. I just started incorporating the pieces of my culture and history that I had lost during my years of trying to assimilate to the American culture,' she added.
As soon as she began to do so, though, she faced immediate online backlash. The model, now older and wiser, handled the situation with grace and positivity. Sruthi refused to neglect her culture for the sake of a more palatable style - and she's empowering other women to do the same.
'Most people say disrespectful things about other peoples cultures because they arent educated about these things,' she explained.
'My message to people that cant find it in their heart to appreciate other cultures is to simply take a moment and educate yourself or ask someone of the culture if they could kindly explain it to you,' she said.
Sruthi revealed she loves to see people embrace Indian culture, that is, when it's done appropriately.
'I often see cultural appropriation, like wearing bindis as forehead tattoos at Coachella. Thats disrespectful because they truly dont value the meaning or the place is comes from. One cant hate on the smell of curry but rave about the benefits of organic turmeric. Theres a difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation,' she poignantly shared.
Pretty and proud: But now she's returned to embracing her roots wearing items such as ornat nose rings called nath and bindis in the center of her forehead
Beauty and grace! In her Twitter reply to haters she even included a guide to understanding Indian accessories such as her bindi and nose rings
Indian chic: On Instagram and Twitter she flaunts her wedding preparations and holds a traditional red veil mixed with a contemporary outfit and gold heels
Now her posts in full Indian garb are some of her most popular, racking up over 13,000 likes on Instagram.
'I feel most confident wearing a mix of western and Indian clothing. What makes me feel really confident is wearing my anklet, nose ring and bindi with any and every outfit that I put on,' she revealed on growing to love her own skin.
'I grew up in India for 10 years, but Ive also lived in America for the next 10. Therefore, I am influenced by both the cultures and love incorporating both into my style,' she added.
In another post she gives a sultry smile in a salwar kameez dress, gold spiky nose ring and red bindi.
'Culture, its a beautiful thing really,' she captioned her photos on Twitter.
For Sruthi, her pain as a child is motivation to be an example for others suffering similar feelings to exclusion. And her fans cheer her on along the journey.
'Your culture is another beautiful piece of you. Never change due to someone else's ignorance. thank you for sharing it, and celebrating it,' one fan named Nicole said.
'I love culture. It's sad to see that people get so nasty just because something is different to their culture. You keep being you!!!' another fan added.
Sruthi even added a link to an article explaining Indian jewelry for curious readers. But her post wasn't without backlash.
One user responded to her article link saying, 'This is so confusing.'
But fatefully, one dedicated fan was quick to fire back.
'& YOU are so rude! If it's confusing then be quiet & listen! You are lucky enough to receive an explanation when you COULD just look it up!' user Emry wrote.
You do you! Fans on Twitter cheered in applause for her Indian fashion response photographs
Cultural exchange: For other online users, her outfits were a form of cultural education and insight into the fashion aspects of traditional Indian clothing
Green with envy! Jealously is the root of hate, according to one encouraging Twitter user
Loud and proud: Another Sruthi fan cheered her on against 'ignorant' comments
Got her back! One fan Emry fire back after a fan said they were confused by her Indian accessories guide that she included in her message
Now she inspires her 31,500 Instagram followers and 9,500 Twitter fans with messages to embrace and love one's self.
'I've had the toughest time grasping the concept of self-love & self-acceptance since I was a young girl. In a society that scrutinizes everything and anything, it takes so much more effort to understand what those things mean,' she revealed in an Instagram post.
'In the last few years, my journey towards self love & acceptance has been a lot smoother. As I broke free from societal norms and other people's opinions about what it means to be a beautiful person inside and out, I started gaining more confidence...more peace,' she added.
In another post she gushes about her excitement to share more and more of her Indian culture with her fans.
'I spent 10 years of my life in India, and wearing Indian clothes takes me back to those amazing years spent in my beautiful little village. Can't wait to share with you all my venture into traditional clothing and show you how I style my sarees and other Indian clothes!' she wrote in another Instagram post.
For now the star will continue to grow her social media and has hopes to break into the fashion design world.
'I definitely want to pursue fashion. I see myself designing my own clothes that is Indo-western in the very near future. I would love to help people find their unique sense of style and help them express themselves through their clothing,' the business undergrad major shared.
Scrubs star Zach Braff recently discovered that a picture of him from the show is being used in advertisements for male performance enhancement pills in Ukraine.
The 42-year-old took to Twitter last month to share a snap of the advertisement, which prominently features the actor dressed as a doctor.
He was clearly clued into the fact that the Russian text promotes an erectile dysfunction medicine, captioning the image with an emoji of a person face-palming.
Scroll down for video
Didn't see that coming: Zach Braff shared an image of him as his character in J.D. in Scrubs, which was being used as an ad for erection pills
Loved in Ukraine: The comedy Scrubs ran from 2001 to 2010
He fixes computers too: The actor also discovered that his photo was being used in computer repair advertisements too
Scrubs, which followed group of medical interns that included Zach's character J.D. ran from 2001 to 2010.
It's unclear if the makers of the ad knew that they were picturing a famous actor in character, or if they simply searched the internet for doctor photos and settled on that one.
Either way, Zach seemed to find the unapproved endorsement funny as did many of his fans.
Zach seemed to have a good attitude about the discovery after taking to Twitter in September to share his bewilderment over the breakthrough saying, 'I am the face of Russian boner problems.'
'We love you here in Russia even if you're penis doesn't work anymore,' wrote one fan.
It doesn't stop there: Other actors such as Ben Barnes were featured in the advertisements
Zach versus Zac: Zac Efron's image was used in a computer repair ad as well
Microsoft founder's side-gig? Even Bill Gates apparently fixes people's computers
It's Britney b***h: An older image of the famous singer was used in a food ad promoting hamburgers, hotdogs, and wraps
It seems, however, that this particular drug isn't the only thing Zach is shilling in other countries. Fans shared more ads with him, showing the actor on signs for computer repair in the Ukraine.
He's not the only celebrity featured in these ads.
One Twitter used even cracked a joke saying that Zach wasn't alone in IT, as he found a foreign ad with actor Ben Barnes promising computer repair.
Another ad shows Bill Gates and also offers computer repair a personal service that the Microsoft founder probably does not offer.
Zac Efron also apparently repairs computers in Ukraine.
Ben Barnes, known for his roles in The Chronicles of Narnia and HBO's Westworld, popped up on yet another ad.
Would she approve? An old image of Angelina Jolie is on a billboard for a spa
Recognize him? Jenson Ackles from the show Supernatural popped up on this religious flier
Toupees! He also turned up on a very oddly-Photoshopped ad for fake hair
If Facebook fails... In Paraguay, Mark Zuckerberg is on an ad for a college
Whoops! In this ad, actor Morgan Freeman was mistaken for Nelson Mandela
Britney Spears was also featured on a food advertisement, pouting behind a hotdog, a hamburger, and a wrap.
'Well, you still do better than Britney Spears,' one Twitter user even joked in response to the image.
Angelina Jolie appears on a billboard for a sauna, and an ad in Paraguay uses Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to promote a university.
Jensen Ackles from the show Supernatural has turned up on more than a few ads in foreign countries.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have pulled out of a planned visit to Burma amid international criticism over the ethnic cleaning of its Muslim population.
Plans for the couple to stay in the country as part of a tour of Asia next month had been in the advanced stages, the Mail understands, with British diplomats tasked with organising an extensive programme of engagements for the ground-breaking trip.
But yesterday Clarence House announced the couples high profile tour next month would take in Singapore, Malaysia and India - as well as a fourth, as yet unannounced, host nation - without any mention of Myanmar, as modern day Burma is known.
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have pulled out of a planned visit to Burma amid international criticism over the ethnic cleaning of its Muslim population. Pictured in London in May
Despite being repeatedly questioned about why the couple had cancelled, the Foreign and Commonwealth Offices deputy director for South East Asia, Philip Malone, refused to say why.
He rejected claims that India had been added to the royals tour itinerary as a late substitute but declined to say when Burma had been ruled out as an option.
He would only comment: In terms of South East Asia, as with any tour, we look at a range of options. We felt Singapore and Malaysia were very important in terms of our relationships in the region and we wanted to enhance those relationships. We are very pleased that Their Royal Highness have taken the tour at this time.
These visits are planned over a number of months. We looked at a range of options in the region. The decision was taken that these were the countries that we would visit.
Critics have complained that Oxford-educated Mrs Suu Kyi has failed to condemn her countrys military for killing at least 400 Rohingya Muslims in recent weeks. Pictured, Bangladesh border guards have arrested boatmen accused of trying to smuggle Myanmar's Muslim Rohingya minority illegally into the country
Clarence House said the countries chosen for the couple to visit was a matter for the FCO.
Charles counts Burmas civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, as a personal friend and she has visited him a number of times at Clarence House.
In November 2015 she led the National League for Democracy (NLD) to a majority win in Burmans first openly contested election in 25 years.
The win came five years to the day she was released from 15 years of house arrest because of her efforts to bring democracy to then military-ruled country - a fact that made her an international symbol of gentle resistance in the face of oppression and won her a Nobel peace prize.
But critics have complained that Oxford-educated Mrs Suu Kyi has failed to condemn her countrys military for killing at least 400 Rohingya Muslims in recent weeks.
The military, which ruled the country from 1962 until 2011 still wields huge power. It has been accused of crimes against humanity by murdering civilians and burning the villages of the Rohingya, often labelled the worlds most persecuted ethnic minority, in its efforts to combat an insurgency
More than 310,000 people have also fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, with more trapped on the border, amid reports of the burning of villages and extrajudicial killings.
The military, which ruled the country from 1962 until 2011 still wields huge power.
It has been accused of crimes against humanity by murdering civilians and burning the villages of the Rohingya, often labelled the worlds most persecuted ethnic minority, in its efforts to combat an insurgency.
Aung San Suu Kyi has come under international pressure to halt the violence in the country and it had been hoped that a visit by the British heir to the throne would strengthen her hand and encourage her to act.
Burmas treatment of its Muslim Rohingya minority has since been condemned as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.
More than 310,000 people have also fled to neighbouring Bangladesh, with more trapped on the border, amid reports of the burning of villages and extrajudicial killings
Charles will travel out to Singapore alone on the new Prime Ministerial Voyager jet, it can be revealed, as his wife is taking a short prviate holiday before the trip, before flying on to meet him.
The couples tax-payer funded trip is taking place at the request of the FCO and is designed to celebrate UK partnerships in the region, particularly with Commonwealth Countries, which have taken on a new-found importance since Britain voted to leave the EU.
It will take in a meetings with each countrys leader, local entrepreneurs and religious figures, as well as events with representatives from youth groups, the arts and culture.
Charles, who is visiting Malaysia for the first time, as is Camilla, will also get the chance to go out into Borneos rainforests where he will highlight ongoing environmental concerns in the region.
This is it. The final post on Capturing the Spark. In my previous post, I looked back at more than a few years of EdWeek contributions , especially this blog and the one that preceeded it. This post is about the future.
From a writing standpoint, this post may mark the end of a blog, but not the end of a relationship, as I expect Ill still have a contribution to offer now and then here at EdWeek. Still, it seems an opportune moment to thank Anthony Rebora for inviting me into the EdWeek blogging lineup years ago, and also to thank Ross Brenneman, Kate Stoltzfus, Madeline Will, and Elizabeth Rich in particular for their valuable support over the years. My blogging outlets in the foreseeable future will be at The Standard , a group blog from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and at my own website . And from a teaching standpoint, my future looks much like my recent past. Ive been teaching at Palo Alto High School for over 15 years now, and I continue to enjoy the challenges and opportunities I find in working with students and colleagues there.
Looking into the future in a broader sense, I will continue to advocate for our profession and for an equitable, robust public education system. Its not only a matter of working towards equity, but also towards the dismantling the systemic racism that makes inequity so commonplace and seemingly intractable. Ill continue speaking and writing about quality teaching and expanded teacher leadership that goes beyond lip service and tokenism to actually put teachers at the fore in developing curriculum, methods, and education policy. Ill be pushing for unions to engage simultaneously in the work of strengthening teaching, supporting our communities, and protecting the rights and interests of teachers.
Theres much to be done in all of these areas. As a profession, we have been in the right to dig in and resist some of the poorest ideas in education reform, like evaluating teachers based on students test scores, or personalized learning solutions that privilege technology above relationships. And yet, sometimes were slow to change when we should be evaluating the evidence and making changes, for example in practices around homework and grading. Our unions will continue to face challenging times through legal challenges that aim to deligitimize some effective educational labor policies , or hope to weaken us by forcing us to represent freeloaders. Its past time to step up our efforts around organizing, and make sure that were offering genuine value to our members and communities.
Public education systems in too many cases continue to provide inadequate funding and resources for students, especially students coping with family poverty, housing insecurity, and inadequate nutrition and health care. Immigrant and refugee students need more from us. Students in the foster care system need better support systems. These populations of students are disproportionately made up of students of color, and so we compound our problems sometimes by discussing the education of students of color as if that were the same thing as educating the poor. The ways that we shortchange and marginalize students and communities of color go beyond issues of socio-economic status. We have a long way to go just to move past the defensiveness and denial that come up in many contexts when anyone mentions white privilege, the decolonization of education, and the need for white teachers and education leaders to decenter ourselves in these conversations. It costs us nothing and we can begin today: practice more listening, less responding, less of a rush to disagree and disprove. Seek first to understand, and take steps to educate yourself.
The privatization of education is another ongoing issue to confront. Whether were talking about vouchers or charter schools, theres a fundamental mistake in the arguments for choice and competition. If were going to compare public education to private sector marketplaces (a comparative approach that always requires caveats due to its inherent limitations), the competitors are not the employees. In the marketplace, the owners are the ones competing, and we are all collectively the owners of public education. When legislators and school boards hand over public funds and facilities to non-public entities, thats the opposite of competition. Thats giving up, and it also lets leaders off the hook because they can feel like theyve done something to address concerns relating the need for stronger schools. In reality, thats like AT&T telling Sprint, Okay, some of our customers are interested in switching over, so heres some money to help you serve them, and go ahead and take over one of our retail stores while youre at it. If competition is for real, then we the people are supposed to be competing on the side of our schools, and Id expect to see more R&D investment in our success. If our customers want more choices, lets gather our resources to create more choices, without surrendering to private operators.
Im not staking out a position against all charter schools: theres room for some experimentation in partnerships among districts, universities, teachers, parents, and other community members - small-scale, non-profit, truly open to all students at any time (meaning that schools backfill when spaces open up). We need see more rejections when charter petitions come from private companies looking to grow a brand and expand market share, trying to make a profit off of underpaid and less qualified teachers.
The troubles we face in public education are myriad, serious, and may give some of us cause for despair. I choose to believe that we are the right people at the right time to meet the challenges - because, simply, there is no better way to move forward. I hope youre planning to come along.
A surefire way to create buzz for your new restaurant: Have a standout Instagram-friendly dish.
That's how Thaimee at McCarren which opened last month at the McCarren Hotel & Pool in Williamsburg, Brooklyn became a must-visit seemingly overnight.
The new Thai eatery features a dish called 'magic noodle salad', which is made mostly of color-changing noodles that transform from blue to purple on the plate.
The colorful noodles would be eye-catching even without the color-changing trick, and have quickly popped up all over Instagram.
Also called Yum Woon Sen Dork Un Chun, the $12 dish is the brainchild of Chef Hong Thaimee.
The chef starts with plain vermicelli noodles, which are first soaked in blue dye that comes from butterfly pea flowers.
They are then boiled before being dunked in an ice bath, and look totally blue when they're put on the plate with tomatoes, mint, shallots, and spicy dressing.
Customers can add meat including lobster, shrimp, and chicken for an additional price.
Finally, when they're served, the customers gets to work the color-changing matching. With a spritz of lime, the noodles change from blue to purple.
'If you're looking for some true culinary magic, look no further than the Magic Noodles from @thaimeeatmccarren,' wrote one clearly-impressed Instagrammer.
'I'm telling you, it's the real deal,' said another diner, who also called the dish 'amazing'.
People with heart failure may soon be able to exercise without actually having to move by applying stick-on devices to their legs that effectively give their muscles a workout.
The effect is similar to physical exercise, according to a recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Around 900,000 people in the UK have heart failure, where weakened heart muscle is unable to deliver enough oxygen to the tissues.
Around 900,000 people in the UK have heart failure, where weakened heart muscle is unable to deliver enough oxygen to the tissues
It tends to affect older people and can occur as a result of numerous conditions, such as high blood pressure or a heart attack, which makes the hearts pumping action weaker.
Heart failure causes symptoms such as severe tiredness, shortness of breath and chest pain. There is no cure most treatments are aimed at trying to control symptoms or slowing the conditions progression.
Exercise is important, as it can help reduce symptoms, but patients can find it tiring because their heart is not strong enough to pump sufficient blood to their muscles.
The new approach which scientists call functional electrical stimulation uses low-energy electrical pulses to trigger muscles to move.
Young people can digest rare and well-done meat at about the same rate, but older people struggle to break down protein in rare meat
It consists of small fabric patches that contain electrodes, which are attached to the skin around the muscles of the upper and lower legs. The electrodes are connected to a small, battery-powered generator.
In a recent trial, researchers at the Catharina Hospital in the Netherlands and Attikon University Hospital in Greece monitored 120 patients with heart failure. They found that those who used the patches daily were 60 per cent less likely to have needed hospital treatment during the one-year follow-up period, compared to those using a placebo device.
Exactly how this kind of electrical stimulation works is unclear, but one theory is that it triggers muscle contractions similar to those seen as a result of physical exercise. It may also improve blood flow.
Physical exercise has beneficial effects on the workings of the blood vessels in these patients and leads to a relative risk reduction of 23 per cent for death or hospitalisation, says Dr Punit Ramrakha, a consultant cardiologist at the Hammersmith Hospital in London.
However, compliance with fitness training programmes is unsatisfactory, due to limitations resulting from the advanced heart failure or coexisting conditions.
Functional electrical stimulation of leg muscles offers an alternative and represents an attractive option for heart failure patients who are unable or unwilling to exercise.
He adds: There is now good evidence that this type of treatment improves wellbeing and clinical measures, which, in turn, translate to a significant reduction in hospitalisation.
This new study should prompt heart failure teams across the country to review the provision of such treatments.
Meanwhile, a single jab of stem cells is being used to treat patients with heart failure. Doctors are harvesting stem cells from patients and then injecting them back into their coronary arteries to rejuvenate them.
The researchers, at the Royan Institute in Tehran, believe the stem cells will help to do that: in an 18-month study with 60 patients, half will have the treatment and the others will have a dummy jab.
WELL-COOKED MEAT IS BETTER FOR OLDER TUMS
Elderly people should order their steak well done to prevent sarcopenia the age-related degenerative loss of muscle mass and strength suggests a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Researchers at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research gave ten volunteers aged between 70 and 82 rare or well-done steak.
Blood tests found they took in fewer amino acids the building blocks for protein and muscle from the rare meat.
The study authors noted young people can digest rare and well-done meat at about the same rate, but older people struggle to break down protein in rare meat.
BLOOD TEST WARNS OF A GOUT ATTACK
An instant fingerprick blood test for gout sufferers may help to prevent attacks of the painful condition, according to a trial at Hopitaux de Paris.
The test, which takes the sample using a monitor called HumaSensplus, measures levels of uric acid gout is caused by high levels of this, which then form crystals in the joints, triggering swelling and severe pain.
Monitoring a patients levels of uric acid is a key part of controlling and treating the illness, but it is currently done in a laboratory and results can take time to come back.
Around two in every 100 people in the UK have gout.
SELFIE MAY HELP SPOT CANCER EARLY
A selfie could help spot pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages, thanks to a new app. Developed by researchers at the University of Washington, the app, called BiliScreen, analyses a smartphone photo of the white of the eye for signs of jaundice.
Jaundice, a symptom of pancreatic cancer, is caused by raised levels of bilirubin, a pigment in blood cells.
Currently, pancreatic cancer often escapes detection until it is too late, and the five-year survival rate is just 9 per cent.
The app, which is not yet available, is designed to be used at home by people with risk factors, or who have the disease and need frequent bilirubin monitoring, normally done in hospital.
COULD A MUSCLE RELAXANT DRUG STOP BINGE DRINKERS?
Scientists are working on a pill that could help reduce the hit produced by alcohol and, ultimately, be used to treat binge drinking and alcoholism.
The drug is based on baclofen, a muscle relaxant, which works by targeting GABA receptors in the brain this effectively reduces the activity of brain cells (alcohol can have a similar effect, which is why we feel relaxed when we have a drink).
The manufacturer, Indivior, says the new drug could be available by 2020. As well as alcoholics, they say it could help people who consume more than the recommended limit.
Hard water can damage the skin barrier and could trigger eczema, say researchers at Kings College London and the University of Sheffield. Skin is naturally acidic, but hard water is very alkaline, which can raise the skins pH, causing problems. The team is now looking at whether putting water softeners in households with a new baby can protect against eczema.
HOW BEING GENEROUS CAN MAKE YOU HAPPIER
Givers are happier than takers and even very small acts of generosity trigger brain changes that make people happier, report scientists at the University of Zurich.
The researchers enlisted 50 volunteers who were given 25 Swiss francs (20) a month: half the group pledged to spend it on others; the rest spent it on themselves. The giving group was asked to accept or reject different options at personal cost, including being charged three francs to give somebody ten.
Brain scans showed that the givers brains had greater activity in the areas associated with feeling happier, even after making a simple commitment to being more generous.
Unbearable itching all over his body that flared up every evening made Gordon Brown dread going to bed.
It was maddening, says Gordon, 69, a retired airport worker who lives in Birmingham with his partner Patricia, 64. Id never experienced anything like it before it was constant, he says.
The itching felt like it was coming from under the skin and affected all parts of my body. My skin didnt look dry or cracked, and there was no rash the only visible damage were the scabs caused by my intense scratching.
Itching could be a sign of something far worse than a skin problem, as retired airport worker Gordon Brown, 69, found out
I didnt use any creams as the skin looked fine and I couldnt tell where the itch was coming from, all I could do was keep scratching all over and hope it would go away.
I asked Patricia if shed changed the washing powder, but she hadnt it was a mystery.
It was only when he mentioned his itching problem in passing when he saw his GP about a lingering chest infection in December 2011 three months after the itching started that he realised it could be something more sinister.
As well as the itching, I was very tired all the time and had lost weight Id dropped from a 34 in waist to a 32 in in less than three months and had to make another hole in my belt.
Unbearable itching all over his body that flared up every evening made Gordon (pictured) dread going to bed
Blood tests revealed problems with Gordons liver function and a scan showed the bile ducts in his liver which move bile to the small intestine to help digest fat were blocked
When I told my doctor she looked concerned and fast-tracked me for tests at the local hospital. Obviously because of the weight loss and fatigue, cancer was my big worry.
An X-ray, carried out three weeks later, was clear, but blood tests revealed problems with Gordons liver function and a scan showed the bile ducts in his liver which move bile to the small intestine to help digest fat were blocked.
Gordon was diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a progressive disorder that causes severe inflammation and damage to the liver.
The diagnosis was a massive shock, says Gordon. Apart from the itching and weight loss, I hadnt had any other symptoms to suggest I had a life-threatening illness. The consultant said my liver had been silently deteriorating over the past five to ten years and the condition was now so advanced that without a liver transplant I would live a maximum of five more years.
PBC is an autoimmune disease where the immune system sends antibodies to the bile ducts which attack them, causing damage and scarring to the tissue, stopping them functioning properly.
Exactly what triggers the autoimmune reaction is unclear but many believe it may follow an immune response to an infection or exposure to environmental toxins in people with a genetic predisposition.
As a result of the damage to the bile ducts, bile builds up in the liver, causing damage and scarring and impaired liver function. Bile also leaks out of the damaged ducts into the surrounding fluid and eventually into the bloodstream. It is this which is thought to cause symptoms such as itching, as the bile irritates nerve fibres around the body and triggers the itching response.
The itching is believed to be caused by bile leaking into interstitial fluid and the bloodstream and irritating nerve fibres in the skin, says Stephen Ryder, a consultant physician in hepatology and gastroenterology at Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, and medical adviser to the British Liver Trust. In many cases intense itching and fatigue are the first symptoms of PBC.
Theres no cure, but Dr Ryder says the disease usually progresses very slowly and it can be successfully controlled and slowed down with medication. However a significant minority of patients, like Gordon, will develop more aggressive liver disease which can only be treated with a liver transplant.
But while this liver condition is relatively rare (affecting around one in 5,000 people in the UK), itchy skin is a common symptom of a wide range of conditions and can often be the first sign that somethings wrong its not a symptom to dismiss, says Dr Ryder.
Itching generally is caused by the activation of a specific set of nerve cells in the skin that signal itch but not pain, says Dr Justine Hextall, a consultant dermatologist at the Western Sussex Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Tarrant Street Clinic in Arundel, Sussex.
These nerve signals send uncontrollable signals to the brain which make us want to scratch that area to relieve the itch. But there can be a number of factors which activate these nerves.
Its no surprise that the vast majority of itching is caused by common skin conditions such as eczema, where the skin becomes dry, cracked and itchy, and psoriasis, where red raised plaques of skin form.
As Dr Anton Alexandroff, a consultant dermatologist in Leicester and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation, explains: Patients get trapped in a vicious circle of scratching and itching, he says. If you scratch the same area every day, it will become itchy and this can be very difficult to treat. Part of the problem is that scratching an itch actually makes it itch more, adds Dr Hextall. Scratching makes the itching worse because you stimulate more nerve fibres in the skin, she says. Scratching also damages the skin barrier and stimulates the release of histamine, a chemical which causes more inflammation and this will lead to further itching the so-called scratch-itch cycle that is common in eczema and psoriasis.
Another common cause of itching is ageing as the skin barrier gets thinner. This means moisture escapes easily and irritants can also pass through the skin barrier causing irritation to nerve fibres.
Chronic sun damage can also affect nerve fibres in the skin which means they fire excessively and are hyperstimulated, resulting in itching in those areas.
Itching can also be caused by parasites such as scabies infesting the skin or bed bugs, small blood- sucking insects, which bite at night causing irritation and itching.
More seriously itchy skin can also be a symptom of chronic long-term conditions such as type 1 and 2 diabetes, says Douglas Twenefour, deputy head of care at the charity Diabetes UK. Itching can be a sign of high blood sugar levels caused by diabetes, he says.
Theres little detailed information about the science behind this but its possible that complications of high blood sugar levels such as poor circulation and nerve damage as a result of uncontrolled blood sugar play a role.
More rarely, itchy skin can be a sign of liver damage (cirrhosis) caused by alcohol misuse, or a pregnancy condition called obstetric cholestasis (a liver condition which can raise the risk of stillbirth), as well as certain blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Itching is a particularly common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, a network of glands and vessels throughout the body, says Kirsty Crozier, an advanced nurse practitioner at Oxford University Hospital.
It is also common in blood conditions where too many red cells or platelets are made such as essential thrombocythaemia, polycythaemia vera and myelo-fibrosis. Sometimes patients will be diagnosed purely because they have been complaining of itching.
After having a successful liver transplant in June 2013, Gordon is now determined to raise awareness of the possible causes of the simple itch.
Ive taken Open University courses so I could understand more about liver disease and now give talks to doctors about my condition and recognising the symptoms.
I tell them to take itching very seriously and to always ask their patients about it. Itching for no obvious reason is a symptom you just cannot ignore.
If you have persistent itching for a week with no obvious cause then something is not right and its worth seeing your GP for tests as it could be a sign of serious underlying illness, adds Dr Ryder.
britishlivertrust.org.uk/screener
A nine-year-old girl can finally hug her mother after a rare, deadly skin disorder saw her virtually burned alive and stripped of 65 per cent of her skin.
In just 24 hours, Phoenix Richey, from Decatur, Alabama, became almost unrecognizable.
A far cry from the smiling schoolgirl her family knew her as, she ended up lying in hospital covered in blisters, with her life hanging in the balance.
The youngster had contracted Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare but serious disorder affecting the skin and eyes, which doctors are baffled as to how she contracted.
Finally home after a 40 day stint in hospital, Phoenix has gone from strength to strength after a tissue transplant from her mother saved her sight.
A nine-year-old can finally hug her mother after a skin disorder saw her virtually burned alive
In just 24 hours, Phoenix Richey (second from left) became almost unrecognizable
WHAT IS STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME? Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a rare condition that arises from the immune system over-reacting to an infection or medicine. Symptoms include blistering and peeling of the skin, and surface of the eyes, throat and mouth. Many often initially complain of headache, joint pain and a cough. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, maintaining breathing and restoring hydration. Most patients fully recover but may be at-risk of another attack. Source: Great Ormond Street Hospital Advertisement
'We had no idea if she'd survive'
Ms Richey, who works in a local church, said: 'At the height of everything, we were just taking things hour by hour. Blisters were popping up all over Phoenix's body, and we had no idea if she'd survive.
'She's been so brave. She's found strength in the outpouring of love in our local community, and through her friends.
'She's so resilient, and makes the best of everything. Of course, she has her down days, but we're all here to encourage her.'
On January 7 this year, Ms Richey spent the day with her pastor husband Joey, 40, their daughter Judah, two, son Izrael, three, Phoenix, and her daughter from a previous relationship, Brooklyn, 19.
The following morning, Phoenix woke with a sore throat, leading her mother to consult an out-of-hours doctor, who dismissed it as flu and gave the youngster some medicine.
Yet, later that day, Phoenix's skin began to swell and her temperature soared.
Worried, her mother took her to the emergency room of nearby Huntsville Hospital for Women and Children.
Ms Richey said: 'I was taking pictures all day and the change in Phoenix was rapid. From the time stamp on them, I know this was nothing to do with the medicine she took, as she'd already started to swell-up before that.
'At hospital, she deteriorated very quickly. She was taken to intensive care to be checked over. Doctors told me it'd be around 30 minutes, but then they came back to say she was in critical condition and may not survive.
'Having to sign consent paperwork so my daughter could be put under anesthesia was horrendous.'
She ended up lying in hospital covered in blisters, with her life hanging in the balance
The youngster had Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare disorder affecting the skin and eyes
Home after 40 days in hospital, Phoenix's sight was saved by a transplant from her mother
When Phoenix first woke with a sore throat, a doctor dismissed it as flu and gave her medicine
Within hours, the youngster's temperature soared and her skin began to swell and peel
'It looked like she'd been beaten'
As baffled doctors tested Phoenix for a string of conditions, she grew steadily worse and her skin started peeling away.
On January 10, she was taken by helicopter to Children of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham, where a dermatologist diagnosed Phoenix with Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
Ms Richey said: 'I'd never heard of it before. I was told not to Google it.'
After a week, Phoenix was flown to Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati, Ohio, for more specialized treatment.
Over the next 40 days, she was rotated around the three hospitals, while doctors attempted to treat the infection taking over her body.
Ms Richey said: 'At first, she swelled-up so much, it looked like she'd been beaten. Visitors to the ward didn't even recognize her.
'Then, her skin blistered and began to weep. She lost all her pigment, which we were told would be the longest thing to come back.
'Doctors also had to shave her hair to check if the Stevens-Johnson Syndrome was affecting her scalp, too. They saved it for me and put it in a bag, which made me cry.
'I'd been so strong up until that point, like a computer, just taking in information. But Phoenix's hair was her pride and joy. I broke down knowing she'd lost it. We knew at some point she'd ask to see her reflection, which would be a difficult time.'
With virtually no skin left, Phoenix was at a very high risk of infection.
Doctors swaddled her in gauze dressings, which were changed every three days.
In time, Phoenix's skin showed remarkable regrowth, but her eyes remained badly damaged.
Her mother therefore donated stem cells to Phoenix's right eye to save her sight, yet her vision is still not what it was.
Ms Richey said: 'She's so strong. She'll watch old movies she's already seen, so she can listen along and picture what's happening. She likes to solve problems and figure everything out for herself.'
As Phoenix continues to recover, the youngster's whole school gathered outside her home to sing happy birthday to her.
Earlier this month, Phoenix was finally well enough to start the new school year.
Ms Richey said: 'She was so excited. All the kids treat her exactly the same as they always have.'
Phoenix's family are fundraising for the ongoing cost of her care, including specialist prescriptions and appointments to monitor her organ function. Donate here.
Her mother Nicole (pictured) said Phoenix looked like she had been beaten
Phoenix's hair had to be shaved so doctors could determine if the condition affected her scalp
Despite receiving a tissue transplant from her mother, Phoenix's vision is still not what it was
New cases of HIV among gay and bisexual men have been slashed by 21 per cent in just a year, official new data shows.
It is the first time such cases in this high-risk group have decreased since the deadly epidemic started to make headway in the 1980s.
Experts say it stems from quicker testing, fast treatment and PrEP - a controversial drug that can prevent those exposed to HIV from becoming infected.
Government figures show there were just 2,810 cases of HIV among gay and bisexual men in 2016 - down from the 3,570 recorded the year before.
Public Health England, behind the data, claim it is the 'most exciting development in the UK HIV epidemic in 20 years'.
Official new data shows that new cases of HIV among gay and bisexual men in England have been slashed by 21 per cent in just a year
Dr Valerie Delpech, head of HIV surveillance at Public Health England, welcomed the data. She said: 'This is very good news.
'It is the first time since the beginning of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s that we have observed a decline in new HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men.'
She added the statistics provide 'clear evidence' that the Government's prevention efforts are working.
Londoners were shown to have the steepest decline in new cases among gay and bisexual men, with a 29 per cent fall over the course of 12 months.
The findings suggest that PrEP, which was available as part of a drug trial at eight clinics in London, may have helped.
Controversy surrounding PrEP
Trials have shown that PrEP, also known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, is 92 per cent effective at preventing HIV as long as the pills are taken every day.
Tradenamed Truvada, they work by blocking an enzyme that would otherwise allow HIV to make copies of itself, and take over the body.
NHS England, which funds drugs, initially refused to prescribe PrEP. It argued because it is a preventative medicine, it should be funded by local councils.
But this stance was challenged by the National Aids Trust charity and the High Court last August ruled there was nothing to stop the NHS from paying.
The decision was broadly welcomed by leading medical organisations and MPs, who said it was 'ethical' and would save many lives.
What do critics think about the drug?
But other campaigners were worried PrEP, branded a 'promiscuity pill', will fuel a rise in sexually transmitted infections.
There is evidence of a fall in condom use among men taking the drug, leaving them exposed to other infections.
Experts are also worried that the HIV virus may evolve to become resistant to the PrEP drug resulting in a much stronger, deadlier strain.
Campaigners argued the decision would bankrupt the NHS, with many in the cash-strapped health service demanding more money to cope with growing demand.
NHS England is set to begin a three-year trial which costs 10 million later this month. It will eventually see PrEP given to 10,000 gay and bisexual people across the country.
The benefits of more frequent testing
HIV ON THE RISE IN THE OVER-50S Reckless sexual behaviour by divorcees is behind an increase in HIV cases among the over-50s, a major study suggested last month. The diagnosis rate among older Britons rose by an average annual rate of 3.6 per cent over the 12 years to 2015, according to research in The Lancet. This compares to a steady decline of 4 per cent a year among younger people. Experts said the rise of HIV in older people was driven by heterosexual sex and could be due to a surge in silver splitters people over 50 who are newly single after leaving long-term relationships. An estimated 36.7 million adults and children worldwide have HIV, including at least 88,800 in the UK and reportedly 1.2 million in the US. The virus progressively damages the cells in the immune system weakening the body's ability to fight infections. Without treatment, this leads to AIDs the collective name for a series of life-threatening infections which the weakened immune system cannot withstand. Advertisement
Dr Delpech said: 'Our success in reducing transmission is due to high levels of condom use among gay men, and a sharp rise in the number of men testing for HIV each year, with those at greatest risk testing more frequently.
'Early diagnosis is also key to making sure that people benefit from HIV treatments so they can live long and healthy lives and are protected from passing on the virus to others.'
Why are gay men most at risk?
Gay and bisexual men are most susceptible to catching HIV because anal sex carries a 10 times higher risk of infection than vaginal.
This is due to cells in the anus being more susceptible to HIV, as well as fluid in semen and the anus' lining carrying more HIV than vaginal secretions.
Gay men at high risk because their partner has HIV are now tested every three months, and are immediately offered anti-viral drugs if they test positive.
The figures also showed an 18 per cent decrease in HIV cases overall, from 6,286 in 2015 to just 5,164 last year.
The reversal of the HIV epidemic
Commenting on the data, Ian Green, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 'Todays figures show weve started something.
'Were beginning to see the reversal of the HIV epidemic in some communities in the UK.'
He said the figures show 'what can be achieved' when we all the weapons in the arsenal against HIV transmission are utilised.
'This includes access to condoms, testing, PrEP and diagnosing and treating people as early as possible so they can become uninfectious.'
But charities are still concerned
But he warned that 42 per cent of people with HIV are still being diagnosed late - especially heterosexual men and the over-50s.
Mr Green said: 'This is no time for complacency. We must keep this momentum going so we can see the same progress in other communities and bring the epidemic to an end.
'These new stats still show cause for concern, with late diagnoses worryingly high, putting people's health at risk and meaning they can unwittingly pass on the virus.'
An NHS England spokesman said: 'The new figures out today show that NHS investment in HIV prevention is paying off.
'High rates of effective treatment in people with diagnosed HIV, our treatment as prevention policy which ensures that people receive treatment to protect HIV negative partners and our major intervention with PrEP, which will be up and running by the end of this month, will supercharge these increasingly successful efforts to prevent HIV.'
Being overweight makes your heart larger and heavier, raising the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
The first study of its kind in healthy people has found putting on weight can add up to eight grams to the heart, and increase its volume by almost five per cent.
A bigger, heavier heart raises the risk of conditions from an irregular heartbeat to a heart attack, and the organ should in fact grow smaller with age.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London and the University of Oxford examined MRI scans for 4,561 people from the UK Biobank database.
They found an increase of 4.3 in BMI, which could take someone from a healthy weight to the brink of obesity, made their heart substantially heavier.
It matters because a larger heart stretches its upper chambers, disrupting the electrical signal needed to keep it beating regularly.
Scroll down for video
The first study of its kind in healthy people has found putting on weight can add up to eight grams to the heart, and increase its volume by almost five per cent
While people have long known they risk heart disease from overeating because it hikes their cholesterol and blood pressure, this is the first evidence of changes to the structure of the heart itself.
Professor Steffen Petersen, lead author at QMUL, said: 'We all know that our lifestyle has a big impact on our heart health particularly if we're overweight or obese. But researchers haven't fully understood how exactly the two things are linked.
'With this research, we've helped to show how an unhealthy lifestyle increases your risk of heart disease.'
Soaring rates of irregular heartbeats
The results suggest Britain's obesity crisis may be contributing to soaring rates of atrial fibrillation or irregular heartbeat.
This raises people's risk of stroke, because the atria, which are the two upper chambers of the four chambers in the heart, fail to pump properly.
Professor Petersen said: 'We believe the increase in the left atrium's size stretches it so that it does not play its part in conducting an electrical impulse from the sinus node, the pacemaker of the heart, to the node which causes the heart to beat.'
The researchers looked at a number of lifestyle factors which could affect the heart's size, which were blood pressure, smoking, exercise, cholesterol, alcohol intake, diabetes and people's weight, measured using BMI.
THE BEST HEART DRUG SINCE STATINS Thousands of lives could be saved thanks to a new heart drug hailed as the biggest breakthrough since statins, it was reported in August. In a landmark four-year trial, scientists found that the drug given by injection every three months cut the risk of heart attacks by a quarter. The 10,000-patient study, involving 1,000 doctors in 39 countries, also suggested it could halve the risk of dying from lung cancer and prevent arthritis and gout. Scientists last night said the treatment marked a new era of therapeutics that could save thousands of lives. The drug, Canakinumab, works by reducing inflammation a major new approach in heart medicine. For the past 30 years cholesterol-busting statins have been given to nearly all people deemed to be at risk of cardiovascular disease in a bid to save them from heart attacks and strokes. Yet half of the 200,000 people who have a heart attack in Britain each year do not have high cholesterol, meaning there is a desperate need for a different approach to treatment. Advertisement
The structure of the heart
Body weight had the biggest consistent impact on the structure of the heart, according to the study published in the journal PLoS One.
A BMI increase of 4.3 increased the weight of the left side of the heart by 8.3 per cent, which was calculated using measurements of the heart muscle taken from the patient scans.
This weight bracket would include people who go from a healthy BMI of 25 to one of 29.3, which is in the overweight category and close to the obesity threshold of 30.
Men in this group would add around eight grams to their heart, which weighs an average of 64 to 141 grams, as a result.
Women, whose heart weighs up to 93 grams on average would see theirs increase by around six grams. The volume increase was estimated at around 8ml for men and about 6.5ml for women.
The research was funded by the British Heart Foundation, whose medical director Professor Sir Nilesh Samani said: 'This research shows the silent impact of being overweight and having high blood pressure on the structure and function of the heart, which over time may lead to heart disease and heart failure.
'The important message is that these are things we have the power to change before they result in irreversible heart damage.'
Avoidable lifestyle factors
It is estimated more than a quarter of the risk of having a heart attack comes from avoidable lifestyle factors looked at in the study.
Professor Francesco Cappuccio, professor of cardiovascular medicine and epidemiology at the University of Warwick and President of the British & Irish Hypertension Society, said the study under-represented ethnic minorities and smokers.
She added: 'Despite these inherent limitations, this is an important study that reinforces the concept that the prevention and control of hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes remain the most important modifiable factors for the prevention of heart damage.'
Breast cancer is often thought of as a disease that only affects women but hundreds of men are also diagnosed with it every year.
Despite breast cancer killing around 80 men annually, most do not check themselves for symptoms, a survey found.
Yesterday, breast cancer charity Walk the Walk brought together six male survivors for the first time to raise awareness of the disease.
Left to right, Bryan Thorn, Dave Talbot, Giles Cooper, Mike Greenhalgh, Richard Galloway and Roy Collins
They included retired GP Mike Greenhalgh, 61, who was shocked to find out he and his identical twin brother have the same inherited faulty gene as Angelina Jolie.
The actress chose to have a double mastectomy at the age of 40 to reduce her breast cancer risk.
Giles Cooper, 56, was diagnosed with breast cancer a decade after his father and uncle had died of the same rare disease within two years of each other.
As with women, the likelihood of getting breast cancer is higher in men if there is a family history of the condition. The faulty BRCA2 gene, which raises the risk by 6 per cent in men and up to 90 per cent in women, can be inherited from either parent.
Around 350 men a year, mainly over-60s, are diagnosed with breast cancer in addition to the 55,000 women who are diagnosed and 11,000 who die.
Men have a lower survival rate as they are often not diagnosed until their cancer has spread.
The group were brought together for the first time by Walk the Walk to raise awareness of the disease
With the cancer developing in the small amount of breast tissue men have behind their nipples, the symptoms are very similar to those experienced by women.
But while 82 per cent of men said they knew they could be affected by breast cancer, 54 per cent never check for symptoms, the YouGov poll for Walk the Walk found.
And awareness among women of other symptoms including an inverted nipple and nipple discharge were almost double their male counterparts.
Treatment for men suffering from breast cancer is similar to that given to women, including mastectomies, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
Left, Giles Cooper was diagnosed with breast cancer a decade after father died from the disease, while Mike Greenhalgh, right, was also shocked to find out he had inherited the faulty BRCA2 gene
Roy Collins, 63, a PCSO with Sussex Police who was diagnosed in 2011, said: I didnt know men could get breast cancer. Needing to talk to fellow sufferers, he was disappointed when women in a local breast cancer support group werent keen for me to join.
Bryan Thorn, 48, from Port Talbot, South Wales, said he was initially told by a consultant at a breast clinic in 2012 that his lump was merely fatty tissue and nothing to worry about.
But just over a year later, after noticing it had got bigger, the father of three was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Walk the Walk founder Nina Barough said a huge amount of work was needed to raise awareness of male breast cancer.
It killed my father and uncle Giles Cooper and his father Stephen , who died from breast cancer Giles Cooper, 56, was diagnosed with male breast cancer a decade after his father and uncle had died of the same rare disease within two years of each other. Despite his family history, the chartered surveyor initially ignored the lump on his right breast until his wife, a nurse, encouraged him to check it out in 2014. After the bombshell diagnosis, he underwent a double mastectomy. Mr Cooper, a father of two from Conderton in Gloucestershire, said: What Ive discovered is if youre with a group of men in a pub and it comes up that youve got breast cancer, they dont know what to say. Theres this complete lack of awareness. Men need someone to talk to. Advertisement
Same faulty 'Jolie' gene Mike Greenhalgh (right) and his twin brother, Bill outside 10 Downing Street Mike Greenhalgh, diagnosed in 2014, initially dismissed the two lumps he found in his chest having never come across a case of male breast cancer in 27 years as GP. He later found that three of his four siblings including his identical twin brother Bill had all inherited the same faulty gene that made Angelina Jolie choose to have a double mastectomy. Dr Greenhalgh, from Northamptonshire, also underwent a double mastectomy and is on a course of Tamoxifen. The 61-year-old said :I was shocked, just staggered, when told it was breast cancer. Advertisement
The rate of American women dying from breast cancer has plummeted 40 percent since 1989, new figures from the American Cancer Society reveal.
Experts say more widespread early screening and targeted treatments have saved around 322,000 lives in the 26-year period to 2015.
However, the progress has been skewed: black women are still 42 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than white women.
But researchers say the results, published on Tuesday, offer a glimmer of hope: some communities with more widespread healthcare coverage for ethnic minorities have managed to close the racial gap altogether, showing it can be done.
This graph from the American Cancer Society's new report reveals a huge drop in the rate of cancer deaths over time, but shows the racial is not closing
'The fact that we are finally seeing a close in the gap between our excellent outcomes between black and white women is encouraging,' Dr. Stephanie Bernik, chief of surgical oncology at Lenox Hill Hospital, told HealthDay.
The report is published every other year, documenting survival and incidence rates of breast cancer, broken down by race, region and age.
To determine the rates, lead author Carol E. Desantis director of breast and gynecological cancer surveillance for the ACS, used SEER and National Program of Cancer Registries data.
They charted the amount of deaths and diagnoses over the last two years, and projected the number of new breast cancer cases for 2017.
This year, they expect more than 250,000 diagnoses of invasive breast cancer and just over 40,000 deaths in the US.
That is a significant drop from a generation ago, largely down to widespread adherence to recommendations for regular mammograms.
However, experts warn that is not enough. In the United States, breast cancer is still the most common cancer for women, with the second-highest rate of death.
For black women, it is an even deadlier risk.
'Not all women have benefited equally from these advances,' DeSantis said.
'In some states, outcomes are much worse for black women.'
The largest gap was seen in poverty-plagued Louisiana, which has one of the highest rates of uninsured citizens in the country.
DeSantis concluded: 'Improving access to care for all populations could eliminate the racial disparity in breast cancer mortality and accelerate the reduction in deaths from this malignancy nationwide.'
The findings, published to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month, come just days after Julia Louis-Dreyfus revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Revealing her diagnosis on Twitter, the 56-year-old actress wrote: '1 in 8 women get breast cancer. Today, I'm the one.'
Her words shocked fans, with many Twitter users frantically speculating whether the Veep star had a family history of the disease.
Speaking to Daily Mail Online, Dr Julia White, chair of radiation oncology at Ohio State University, said the vast majority of women do not have an obvious risk factor.
'For two thirds of women, there is no "aha!" moment. They don't have a family history and they don't have a lump,' she explained.
'Obviously people like Angelina Jolie, who carry the BRCA1 gene, have an extraordinarily high risk. But those people account for less than six to eight percent.
'So really, when you look at the numbers, the most effective way of detecting breast cancer early is through routine mammograms. Early screening is key, especially for women between the ages of 50 and 60.'
That said, Dr White said she would never recommend against self examinations.
'Mammograms spot the most cancers, but why wouldn't you check yourself? They're your breasts! It's free! Knowing them and knowing your lumps and bumps... it's helpful.'
She recommended that women should avoid performing an exam in the days before her period, since that is when temporary harmless lumps can form in the breasts. The best time is in the week after the menstrual cycle.
The Modi government's crackdown on Muslim-dominated abattoirs and the trade of cattle dragged down India's exports of leather shoes by more than 13% in June.
Leather, mostly from buffalo, is one of India's leading exports but top global brands have turned to China, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan to secure supplies.
The drop in exports of shoes and leather garments comes as a setback for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who claimed he would create millions of jobs by doubling the leather industry's revenues to $27 billion by 2020.
An employee handles the carcass of a slaughtered buffalo as it hangs from an overhead conveyor at an abattoir operated by Allana Group in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
A cow statue covered in colored powder during the Holi festival in the Banke Bihari temple
Emboldened by the victory of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2014 general election, Hindu hard-liners, who consider cows sacred, became more assertive in their calls for a clamp-down on both the meat and leather industries, run by Muslims, who make up 14 percent of India's 1.3 billion people.
'The writing was already on the wall,' Nazir Ahmed, CEO of shoemaker Park Exports, told Reuters by phone from Agra, a shoe-making hub and home to the Taj Mahal.
'We have killed the goose that laid the golden egg.'
India, the world's second-biggest supplier of shoes and leather garments, exports nearly half its leather goods, with overseas sales estimated at $5.7 billion in the 2016/17 fiscal year to March, down 3.2 percent from a year earlier.
Footwear exports fell more than 4 percent in April-June, to $674 million.
Cow love: Vijay Parsana, 44, pictured washing his cow Poonam at his ashram in Ahmedabad in Gujarat (file pic)
Vijay Parsana, 44, and Saraswati, a calf, pictured sleeping on a cot, at his ashram in Ahmedabad in Gujarat (file pic)
Informal Sector
In March, after being appointed chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state and a major leather exporter, Yogi Adityanath, a firebrand Hindu monk, ordered a closure of abattoirs operating without licenses.
Slaughterhouse owners complain that much of India's meat and leather trade takes place in the informal sector, and it's hard to get licences, especially for smaller units.
In May, citing cruelty to animals, the federal government banned the trade of cattle for slaughter, and restricted livestock sales only for agricultural purposes such as ploughing and dairy production.
A worker uses a spray gun to treat a sheet of leather at the Jalandhar Leather tannery
Sacred cow and motorcycle at Agra, Uttar Pradesh
But the countrys top court overturned that order, citing the hardship the ban had caused.
That has not brought relief as repeated attacks on trucks carrying cattle still rankle the leather trade.
'The supreme court has allowed the resumption of trade for cattle, but the ground reality is that cow vigilante groups continue to be active and no one wants to risk his life by transporting cattle,' Ahmed said.
An Indian woman stands with an ox in Mumbai as she asks for donations from passersby to feed the animal
Deterred by a clutch of measures that squeezed the supply of leather, a key raw material, brands like H&M, Inditex-owned Zara and Clarks, cut back their orders to India, said M. Rafeeque Ahmed, a leading shoe exporter from the southern city of Chennai and former president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.
'We lost orders because our buyers were sceptical of our ability to meet their requirements. Instead, most buyers moved to rival suppliers in Asia and southeast Asia,' he said.
A spokesman for India's trade ministry declined to comment.
Earlier this year, a finance ministry report said India should sign more free trade agreements and make tax and labour reforms to drive leather exports, which offer 'tremendous opportunities for (the) creation of jobs.'
The industry is also grappling with a Goods and Services Tax, introduced in July, which has pushed up production costs by 6-7 percent, exporters said.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath believes that cows are sacred
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath leads the procession of Dussehra from Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur
Nowhere to hide
The crackdown also hurt day-workers employed at shoe and garment making units and hit leather supplies, forcing manufacturers to import hides from the United States, Australia, and some European nations, raising the cost of production and squeezing margins.
Many tanneries, as a result, have run out of leather.
'My business has come to a standstill because I don't have any inventory at all. Most large shoemakers are importing hides now,' said a tannery owner, who asked not to be named so as to avoid retaliation from cow vigilante groups.
Nearly a third of the roughly 3 million-strong workforce, mostly lowly-paid casual workers employed in the leather sector, have lost their jobs in the past six months, according to six shoemakers and two tannery owners interviewed by Reuters for this article.
Since most Indian states have outlawed cow slaughter, the supply of leather largely comes from the legal slaughter of buffaloes whose skins are used in many leather goods.
'Everyone must abide by the rule on cow slaughter and respect sentiments, but by choking the supply of other animal hides, we have nearly killed a thriving industry,' said Ahmed of Park Exports.
A group of 20 foreign diplomats who visited Myanmar's Rakhine state, where half a million ethnic Rohingya Muslims fled recent violence, have urged the government to allow access by humanitarian groups and by a United Nations fact-finding mission to investigate allegations of human rights violations.
But the president's office spokesman, Zaw Htay, told The Associated Press on Tuesday the government will stick by its earlier decision to bar the UN mission. It has said the group, assembled after similar violence last October, is interfering in Myanmar's affairs.
The diplomats, taken Monday on a guided government tour of the affected area, said in a joint statement that there is a dire need for humanitarian aid.
A Rohingya woman holds her child and stands for a photograph at a makeshift camp near Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh,
An elderly Rohingya man walks with a spade at a makeshift camp near Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
The crisis in Rakhine has drawn international concern because of the exodus of more than 500,000 Rohingya to neighboring Bangladesh in just a month's time. The violence began when the army retaliated for raids on government security posts on Aug. 25 by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, an insurgent group.
Human rights groups charge that the army has abused and killed civilians and burned down thousands of homes.
Rohingya are considered by many in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar to have poached land after immigrating illegally from Bangladesh. Advocates for the Rohingya insist many families have lived on the land for generations.
Rohingya Muslims sleep on a plastic mat at a makeshift camp near Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox's Bazar
The Muslim ethnic group has faced decades of persecution and discrimination in the Buddhist-majority nation
The diplomats' statement condemned the insurgents' initial attacks as well as the violence that followed it.
'We saw villages which had been burned to the ground and emptied of inhabitants. The violence must stop,' it said. 'The security forces have an obligation to protect all people in Rakhine without discrimination and to take measures to prevent acts of arson.'
They also said they encouraged the Myanmar government 'to move quickly to enable the voluntary, dignified and safe return to their places of origin of the hundreds of thousands of refugees who have fled to Bangladesh.'
A newly arrived Rohingya girl stands near a makeshift camp near Kutupalong refugee camp
More than half a million Rohingya have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh in just over a month, the largest refugee crisis to hit Asia in decades
A Rohingya boy displays an identity card processed by the Bangladesh government
'We saw on our visit the dire humanitarian need. We call once more for unimpeded humanitarian access to northern Rakhine and resumption of life-saving services without discrimination throughout the state,' they wrote.
Representatives of U.N. agencies were also on Monday's tour.
In a separate letter, the U.N. office in Myanmar said the visit 'was a positive step and such visits, under appropriate conditions, could help in our efforts to explore potential areas where the U.N. could cooperate with the Myanmar authorities in alleviating the dire situation in northern Rakhine.'
It expressed concerns similar to those of the diplomats.
It said the U.N. delegation 'reiterated the need for a greater access for humanitarian and human rights actors to conduct comprehensive assessments of the situation on the ground in order to address the concerns and needs of all communities in affected areas,' and called for unfettered media access and for the safe and sustainable return of the refugees to their areas of origin.
Amanda Jones teaches high school science classes in Poyen, Ark.a tiny, rural town about an hour outside of Little Rock with a population of 290.
Her school is so small that she teaches multiple subjects in one year, including chemistry, physics, biology, and environmental science. She cant know everything, she said. But shes determined to make sure her students hear from experts in the outside world.
Jones, who was a finalist for the 2018 Arkansas Teacher of the Year , recruited community professionalsincluding doctors, pharmacists, and many of her former studentsto volunteer to be on call during lab days. In those days, her classroom is packed, with about 30 students working on various projects.
I cant be every place every time someone has a question or needs help, she said. But lab activities are critical to teach students how to reason and problem-solve, she added.
Her solution: Phone-a-Friend cards. She pulls from her database of volunteers to find professionals who work in a field similar to the lab of the day, and gives each group of students a card with a name and number.
The kids, they love it, she said. Even if they think they have [the experiment] figured out, they pick up the phone and FaceTime whoever it is. They let the mentor watch it with them.
Mentors also give career advice to students and model opportunities that students might not have been aware of, she said. When possible, Jones, who has taught for 18 years, tries to use people who graduated from Poyen High School to give an extra dash of relevance to her students.
For example, one of Jones former students is almost 30 now, and has a career in political science, working for a lobbyist firm. But she was a great science student and loved doing experiments, Jones said.
She signed up to be a mentor volunteer, and the students love her, Jones said: She makes them feel comfortable; talks them through it. [Even when she isnt on the Phone-a-Friend card for the day], students will say, Hey, Ms. Jones, is it OK if I call her and ask what she thinks about this?
Its great for current students to see that enthusiasm for learning continues after graduation, Jones said.
People who are successful in their careers are always lifelong learners, and thats something thats hard to teach in a textbook, she said.
See also: Learning How to Learn Could Be a Students Most Valuable Skill
Some professionals also make a short video about their career or an activity the students are doing. For example, Jones planned a lab activity on medical coatings on drugs, and a pharmacist filmed a short video explaining what that means and why the coating is important, which Jones showed in class.
Jones has also asked researchers at Vanderbilt University to Skype, FaceTime, or do Facebook Lives with students to tell them about current research related to diabetes and most recently, about an increase in Rocky Mountain spotted tick fever in the area.
Its always more memorable, and its a much better learning experience if my students are enjoying what theyre doing and they see a link to real life, Jones said. I get to keep learning every day with [my students]. I have the best job ever.
Many educators have long advocated for more authentic learning in the classroom. A substitute-teacher pilot program in Boston allows professionals in the community to parachute into the classroom and teach something theyre passionate about when the classroom teacher is out. And guest opinion blogger Robert Dillon wrote that schools need community partners to engage students in modern learning, with opportunities for both creativity and joy.
Every student could benefit from having an outside perspective in the middle of the class, Jones said.
See also: Preparing Students for Tomorrows Jobs: 10 Experts Offer Advice to Educators
Image of Amanda Jones (left), students, and the president of the Arkansas State Teachers Association (second from right) working on the enteric coating engineering design lab this fall.
The current international narrative on the plight of Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya minority has failed to recognise the roots of the present crisis or the growing transnational jihadist links of Rohingya militants, who have stepped up attacks.
Contrary to the perception that the Rohingya militancy has arisen from military repression in recent years, Myanmar's jihad scourge is decades old, with Rohingya Islamist violence beginning even before Myanmar gained independence in 1948.
Militancy
Rohingya militants have been 'in the vanguard' of a global rise in Islamic radicalism since they joined the campaign to push for Pakistan's independence, Brahama Chellaney writes
Rohingya militants have actually been in the vanguard of the global rise of Islamic radicalism since the early 1940s, when they joined the campaign to press the British to establish Pakistan by partitioning India.
It was the British who earlier moved large numbers of Rohingyas from East Bengal to work on rubber and tea plantations in Burma, now Myanmar, which was administered as a province of India until 1937 before it became a separate, self-governing colony.
Rohingya migrants settled mainly in Myanmar's East Bengal-bordering Arakan region (now renamed Rakhine state).
Rohingya refugees reach for relief supplies at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh
Between 1942 and the early 1950s, a civil war raged in Arakan between Muslims and Buddhists. Communal hatred spilled into violence during World War II as the Japanese military advanced into Arakan in 1942 and the British launched a counter-offensive, with local Buddhists largely siding with the Japanese and Rohingyas with the British.
Britain recruited Rohingya Muslims into its guerrilla force - the so-called V Force - to ambush and kill Japanese troops. When the British eventually regained control of Arakan in 1945, they rewarded Rohingya Muslims for their loyalty by appointing them to the main posts in the local government.
Emboldened by the open British support, Rohingya militants set out to settle old scores with Buddhists. And in July 1946, they formed the North Arakan Muslim League to seek the Muslim-dominated northern Arakan's secession from Myanmar.
In the religious bloodletting that preceded and followed the partition of India, Rohingya attacks sought to drive out Buddhists from northern Arakan as part of the campaign to join East Pakistan.
Failure to achieve that goal turned many Rohingyas to armed jihadism, with mujahideen forces in 1948 gaining effective control of northern Arakan.
Government forces suppressed the revolt in the early 1950s, although intermittent mujahideen attacks continued until the early 1960s. From the 1970s onwards, however, Rohingya Islamist movements reemerged, with a series of insurgent groups rising and fading away.
A Rohingya Muslim Nur Karim carries his belongings past rice fields
Now history has come full circle in 2017, with the Myanmar military being accused of driving Rohingyas out of Rakhine state.
But in a development that carries ominous security implications for the region, especially Myanmar, India and Bangladesh, Rakhine is becoming a magnet for the global jihadist movement, with Rohingya radicals increasingly being aided by militant organisations in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Illegal
The new breed of Rohingya insurgents is suspected of having links with ISIS, Lashkar-e-Taiba, al-Qaeda and even Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence.
Ata Ullah, the Pakistani who heads the Rohingya terrorist group, the well-oiled Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, reportedly returned to Pakistan from an extended stay in Saudi Arabia with millions of dollars to wage jihad against Myanmar after the 2012 deadly communal riots in Rakhine.
Rohingya Muslim children, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, stretch out their arms out to collect chocolates and milk
Against this background, India is legitimately concerned about the illegal entry of over 40,000 Rohingyas since 2012, with the government telling the Supreme Court that their arrival poses a 'serious security threat' because of the links of Rohingya militants with terrorist outfits and the ISI.
Some of these militants have become active in India, according to the government. What is particularly disturbing is the organised manner in which the Rohingyas have sneaked into India from multiple routes and then settled across the length and breadth of the country, including in sensitive places like Jammu, Kashmir Valley, Mewat and Hyderabad. Rohingya settlements have come up even in New Delhi.
Because they entered India unlawfully, the Rohingas are illegal aliens, not refugees.
Rohingya Muslim boys, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, cry as Bangladeshi men push them away during distribution of food aid
Conflict
Normally, those fleeing a conflict-torn zone tend to camp just across an international border. But in this case the Rohingyas entered India via a third nation, Bangladesh.
And then large numbers of them dispersed from West Bengal and Tripura states to different parts of India. Many of them, as the government admits, have obtained Aadhaar and other identity cards.
Still, the government is reluctant to order an inquiry into the role of internal forces in assisting the Rohingyas' entry, dispersal and settlement across India. Worse yet, it has passed the buck to the Supreme Court, with home minister Rajnath Singh saying the government would await the court's hearing and decision on the Rohingyas' plea against possible deportation to Bangladesh, from where they entered.
Thus far, New Delhi is all talk and no action. Make no mistake: India is a crowded country that, nonetheless, has generously admitted asylum seekers or refugees over the years from a host of places, including Tibet, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and mainland China.
India is already home to some 20 million illegal migrants from Bangladesh.
But the Rohingya aliens pose a special challenge because of the escalating jihad in Rakhine and some Rohingyas' militant activities on Indian soil.
The external forces fomenting jihadist attacks in Rakhine bear considerable responsibility for the Rohingyas' current plight.
Following his first taste of success in Rajasthan with over 50 seats in the student union polls, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Kumar Vishwas is back in the national Capital wooing party volunteers from the neighbouring states.
As party MLAs and the top leadership remained busy in the 'Jhadu Chalao' campaign on Gandhi Jayanti, Kumar held fort at the party headquarters, drawing in over 600 volunteers.
He told Mail Today: 'A few MLAs, Rajesh Rishi, Manoj Tyagi, Nitin Tyagi and Saurabh Bhardwaj, who came in at the end, attended the meet. I did not invite the top party leaders nor did they come because this was a meeting solely for Rajasthan polls.
Kumar Vishwas held a meeting at AAP headquarters, drawing in over 600 volunteers
'There are around 22 sitting MLAs in Delhi, who have some connection with Rajasthan and they will slowly become a part of our campaign in the state. But for today's meeting they could not come because they were busy with the Jhadu Chalao campaign in their own constituencies.'
'We are drawing up lists for top party leaders and MLAs with a Rajasthan connect to tour the state and speak to the locals. It will be a team effort and everyone is on board.'
Even as members of the Kumar Vishwas camp have alleged that the party's central leadership has so far not been responding favourably to the poet-turned-politician, Kumar is leaving no stone unturned to woo volunteers, as he grapples with organisation building in a large state like Rajasthan.
Arvind Kejriwal, pictured here with Kumar Vishwas, is featured in all official posters
Kumar, who had maintained in meetings that the state unit will not seek financial support or allow interference of national leaders, stuck to his resolve.
'As for volunteers, we have always been open to drawing in the support of our MLAs from Delhi and volunteers from neighbouring states,' he said.
'However, I had said right at the outset that we will not ask the headquarters for any fund and I will keep my word. If as the state incharge I am unable to raise funds and make the state unit self-sufficient, then what is the point?' Kumar said.
However a departure from the leader's initial statements that national leaders will not find a place in the posters and banners in the state polls, party supremo Arvind Kejriwal is being featured in all official posters.
'I had said my photo will not be there. How can the national convenor's photo be done away with?' Kumar insisted.
With a large turnout at the Monday morning meet, Kumar is confident of powering through the polls.
'There have been over 600 registrations of volunteers who have offered to work as observers in the pollbound state. A large turnout of volunteers from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Delhi, who want to work in Rajasthan attended the meeting this morning. We will now assign responsibility according to assembly constituencies,' Kumar maintained.
Insisting on his 'back to basics' formula, Kumar told the gathering that AAP intended to emerge as an 'alternative' and not as an 'Opposition.'
'There was a time when we could not say a word against Modi ji. The timing was not right. But today things are very different. Na desh na border sambhal raha hai This is the best time for AAP to come up as an alternative,' he added.
Police have arrested Honeypreet Insan (pictured) the adopted daughter and confidante of jailed sect leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
Police have arrested Honeypreet Insan, the adopted daughter and confidante of jailed sect leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Honeypreet was on the run for over a month following violence unleashed by supporters of the guru In Haryana when a court found him guilty of rape.
Cops took Honeypreet, real name Priyanka Taneja, into custody soon after she gave an exclusive, explosive interview to AAJ TAK-INDIA TODAY TV.
Honeypreet claimed she had no role in the violence that broke out in parts of Haryana and Punjab after her 'Papaji' was convicted in August of raping two female followers in 2002.
'They accuse me of being involved in riots, but do they have any evidence against me? I am innocent. Have you seen me anywhere inciting riots? I was not present there at all,' she said.
Honeypreet was arrested by the Haryana police from Zirakpur- Patiala road in Punjab.
She will be produced in court on Wednesday, Panchkula police commissioner AS Chawla said.
She describes herself on Twitter as, 'Papa's Angel, philanthropist, director, editor, actress!'
Guru - Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh - was found guilty Friday of two rapes committed in 2002
Thirty people were killed and more than 350 injured in the violence and clashes between Ram Rahim supporters and security personnel.
Soon after, Haryana police named Honeypreet among its 43 most-wanted people. After the Dera Sacha Sauda leader was convicted, the 'father-daughter' had requested the court to allow them to live together.
Honeypreet moved an application through her lawyer while the self-styled godman filed a petition. The court, however, threw out the requests.
Honeypreet's estranged husband had claimed before Mail Today that she and the guru had sexual relations.
Priyanka Taneja had married Vishwas Gupta, grandson of former Gharaunda MLA Rulia Ram Gupta, in 1999. She was introduced to the Dera and Ram Rahim after her marriage.
Indian spiritual guru, who calls himself Saint Dr Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan, arrives for a press conference ahead of the release of his new film MSG, The Warrior Lion Heart, in New Delhi, India
But 10 years later, Honeypreet who was given this name by the sect leader himself came to Dera Sacha Sauda, complaining about harassment by Vishwas Gupta.
Dismissing allegations about her relationship with Ram Rahim, Honeypreet said, 'A fatherdaughter relationship is so pure; I don't understand why it is being questioned... I want to ask can't a father touch her daughter?
'What evidence do they have to raise such questions?'
Honeypreet had become an expert in giving police the slip.
After news of her being spotted in Nepal came out, police tried to track her down but failed.
She then evaded cops in Ram Rahim's native village Gurusar Modia too and fled to Delhi to meet her lawyer. She revealed all these locations during the interview.
'I am not guilty. I was fulfilling the duty of a daughter. I went inside the court with my father but I did not speak. Where have you seen me talking or inciting riots?' she said.
'On the day of the verdict, we went to the court, believing that everything would be fine and that we would be back in the evening. But after hearing the verdict, our brains stopped working. In such a situation, would we create a conspiracy against anyone?'
The rape allegations against the Dera chief surfaced in an anonymous letter sent in 2002 to the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Scrutiny of the ashram grew when a journalist investigating the sect was shot dead the same year.
When asked by this reporter about her reaction to some erstwhile Dera followers, including Gupta, blaming her for the Panchkula violence, Honeypreet said, 'Who are these people in the community? Are they important? I do not want to talk about them.'
Claiming that she had become helpless after her 'father's' conviction and imprisonment, she said she was unaware of the legal procedures and was suffering from depression.
She said she did what people advised her to do. While she was absconding, Honeypreet said she visited her brother's in-laws in Hanumangarh and stayed there for two days.
She left before police reached there looking for her on August 29.
Then she stayed at a Dera follower's house in Rajasthan's Sangaria city, after which she was spotted at a shopping mall in Udaipur.
Flamboyant businessman Vijay Mallya was arrested in London on Tuesday after the Indian government brought a new money-laundering charge against him.
However, the beer baron who India wants to extradite from Britain was later released on bail. Further accusations of money-laundering accuse Mallya of diverting funds to his Force India Formula One motor racing team.
The Indian liquor and aviation tycoon, 61, was first arrested by British police on behalf of the Indian authorities in April but was granted bail.
Indian tycoon Vijay Mallya leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London
India is seeking Mallya's extradition over loans to him tied to his defunct Kingfisher Airlines after the businessman, co-owner of the Force India team, moved to Britain in March last year.
Banks want to recover about $1.4 billion that the Indian authorities say Kingfisher owes.
Launching new extradition proceedings at London's Westminster magistrates court, Mark Summers, the lawyer representing the Indian government, said the original allegations related to fraudulently obtaining and misusing funds.
The new charges concerned the distribution of those funds, Summers said.
Mallya made Kingfisher beer a global brand and now lives in London despite efforts to extradite him back to India to face charges
'The government alleges for example some of the funds have ended up with the Force India Formula One team,' he said.
Mallya, wearing a blue jacket and open-necked white shirt, denies any wrongdoing and said he did not consent to being extradited.
He was released on police bail and declined to comment after the short hearing. The next hearing in his case will take place on November 20 with a full eight-day extradition hearing due to start on December 4.
The judge will then make a decision based on whether there is a prima facie case against Mallya and whether the alleged crimes would be offences in Britain as well as India.
That ruling can be challenged in a higher court before being passed to the Home Secretary (interior minister) for approval. The minister's decision can also be appealed to the courts.
Mallya was once known as the 'King of Good Times' but his name has been dropped from India's most wealthy list in 2014, as he is burdened with huge debts after Kingfisher Airlines went bankrupt.
The Supreme Court hearing into the Kerala 'love jihad' case was on Tuesday asked by a senior advocate appearing for the 'husband' if the NIA would probe the marriages of two senior Muslim BJP functionaries who have Hindu wives.
The court is trying to ascertain if 25-year-old Hindu girl Akhila, who converted to Islam to become Hadiya and married Muslim youth Shafin Jahan, was trapped by a 'well-oiled racket that uses psychological measures to indoctrinate people and persuade them to join terrorist organisations such as ISIS'.
Her father made the allegations which were later endorsed by the Kerala High Court which issued an order quashing the marriage. The youth is now appealing against this in the Supreme Court with the help of his lawyer Haris Beeran.
Shafin Jahan and Akhila who has converted to Hadiya now, but the father claims she was brainwashed into converting
Urging the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra to withdraw the direction for a NIA probe, Dushyant Dave, senior advocate for Jahan, said the order 'struck at the very foundation of a multi-religious society and sent wrong signal world over'.
Raising his pitch, Dave then went on to ask: 'Two top BJP Muslim functionaries have married Hindu women. Can it be called a love jihad and will your lordship order an investigation?'
Though Dave did not name the 'BJP functionaries', he was apparently referring to the party leaders Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Shahnawaz Hussain.
CJI Misra then asked Dave to stick to facts, argue on law based on logic and requested him not to raise his voice.
Dushyant Dave, senior advocate for Jahan, said the order quashing the marriage 'struck at the very foundation of a multi-religious society and sent wrong signal world over'
Dave also accused the court of going beyond its jurisdiction while ordering an NIA probe, saying what the court was hearing was a petition filed by the husband. He also reminded the bench that neither the state nor the father of the girl had come to the court seeking a NIA probe.
However, additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta who appeared for the Centre said a NIA probe was required to ascertain if it was just a one-off case or a pattern of conversion was emerging.
It is to be noted that the court's August 16 decision to hand over the investigation to NIA came after additional solicitor general Maninder Singh, appearing for the probe agency on that day, said the conversion and alleged radicalisation of the Hindu woman and her marriage to a Muslim man was not an 'isolated incident' and it detected a 'pattern' emerging in the state.
Singh said at least in two cases the same players were involved in converting to Islam young Hindu girls who had differences with their parents.
Dave told the court that fresh evidence had emerged since its order that the girl converted of her own free will and she is being confined and 'tortured' by her parents.
'Let her come,' said Amit Shah, the BJP president to his security chief at one point of the long padyatra from Ezhilode to Pilathara where he was set to address a rally.
If you thought Shah was merely accommodating another VIP or state leader of his party, you are very mistaken.
The woman was an unknown 'commoner' waiting for the yatra to pass her home where she would join it until Pilathara.
BJP National President Amit Shah inaugurates the party's Janaraksha Yathra' led by the party's state president Kummanam Rajasekharan at Payyannur in Kannur
Amit Shah's eyes caught that she wasn't allowed to join, hence the intervention.
Shah was clearly heard telling his security aide, 'Let the commoners join in'.
And this is what he wants to achieve in the two week long yatra: 'People Connect'.
The idea of this yatra was taken long back and reinstated in the recently concluded national executive where the decision to rope in top BJP netas like Yogi Adityanath and Smriti Irani was taken.
Shah kick-started the yatra with traditional Kerala attire and offering pryers at Raja Rajeshwar Temple.
Followed by inauguration of an exhibition town square in Payyannur followed by a padayatra.
He garlanded Gandhi's statue and met families of RSS cadres who were allegedly killed by CPIM men.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Chief Mohan Bhagwat with BJP National Chief Amit Shah
To one instance Shah almost bent to offer his condolence to the octogenarian mother of one such cadre of the Sangh.
And this is the nucleus around which Shah is building the narrative of 'politics of violence' in Kerala which he took a step further and made an edgy allegation calling it 'red terror' which was further stretched by Prakah Javadekar who alleged the 'M' in CPI-M stands for 'Maoist'.
Predictable as it is, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan hit back calling it 'cheap publicity stunt'.
Shah took another padyatra of around seven km. This time around, in the words of the BJP president, 'The response is for everyone to see. Around 8,000 cadre were there walking with me.'
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is 'hindutvas' new heartthrob'
By the standards of a small town like Payyannur that is not accustomed to such high voltage political rallies, eight thousand is a pretty large number, to say the least.
Finally, ending with the massive rally where he hit out at CPI-M, asking the audience to 'uproot the left from Kerala'.
As Shah prepares to return, Kannur - the epicenter of the violence - is all set to see the arrival hindutvas' new heartthrob Yogi Adityanath who is set to lead the charge Wednesday.
Highly placed sources in 11 Ashoka Road says, Shah, the 'election machine' hopes to consolidate the Hindu vote bank in the southern state that comprises little over 54 per cent and at the same time eyeing a crucial Christian population that comprises around 18 per cent of the population.
It may talk of political violence perpetrated against RSS, but the cadre will sell the narrative of a 'Hindu' organisation at the receiving end.
Alphonse was a carefully chosen candidate giving a signal to the 18 per cent Christian population that the BJP is not averse to them.
Contrary to popular belief BJP doesn't wish to play the role of a prime opposition but rule the state.
And more such yatras will be held setting the tone of a Hindu-Christian coalition.
Meanwhile, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday was making a pitch for 'India' and 'Indianness' in the Science City auditorium in Kolkata. Sangh believes in subtlety.
So it was 'nationalism', 'Bharat Mata' which dominated the speech. It was an event about Sister Nivedita but 'national mind' was the idea that he bought in over and over again.
Something that he alleged Mamata Sarkar to be 'on the side of jihadi elements that are perpetrating the violence'. RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha explains, 'Today's event was on sister Nivedita.
There was no need for a political pitch. Whenever the need was felt, he (RSS Supremo) has spoken not only against Bengal but also against Kerala'.
Safdarjung Hospital is soon going to have a dedicated cardiology department with super speciality facilities.
It will have an 80-bed division where doctors will provide advanced heart operations such as angioplasties and bypass surgery.
Right now, AIIMS and GB Pant Hospital are the only hospitals catering for patients who need heart operations - but they are so overburdened that there are year-long waiting lists.
According to statistics from the Union health ministry, there are an estimated four crore heart patients in India. From this number, 1.9 crore reside in urban areas and 2.1 crore in rural areas.
Dr Jagdish Prasad, director general of health services (DGHS) at the Union health ministry told Mail Today: 'The new super-speciality block will have a heart command centre, also known as Precutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). It will have 20 beds.'
'Even AIIMS does not have this facility for heart patients. And in the emergency department itself, patients can easily avail cardiac services such as angioplasty. Right now, AIIMS treat heart patients in the general emergency,' he added.
The hospital in Delhi has said it will have super speciality heart facilities
PCI is a non-surgical procedure used to treat the narrowing (stenosis) of the coronary arteries of the heart found in coronary artery disease.
Prasad said cardic treatment at private hospitals require at least Rs 10 lakh depending on the type of medication and often poor patients fail to afford.
'Therefore, the heart command centre will provide great relief to cardiac patients,' he said.
Nursing students during a public awareness event in Amritsar on World Heart Day
Dr A K Rai, director, Safdarjung hospital said: 'With the launch of cardiology division at the new super-speciality block, patients will not have to rush from pillar to post.
'The new cardiac division is going to have a 20-bed cardiac coronary care unit (CCU) and three cath labs running round the clock.'
'For this, we are hiring six new faculty for the department along with purchases of all life saving equipment,' he said.
Dr Rai informed that only the GB Pant Hospital emergency takes urgent cardic cases and referral cases from its neighbour Lok Nayak hospital.
23% of people in India who suffer a heart attack do not survive
Safdarjung hospital caters to patients from the entire north of India, with most of them coming from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.
The hospital sees nearly 10,000 patients every day in the OPD and at least 3,000 casualty cases, informed a senior doctor.
At AIIMS, the cardio-thorasic centre has a waiting list of at least a year depending upon the requirement of the case, said a senior cardiologist at AIIMS.
Previously, Mail Today had reported that its new urology block will soon have a robotics treatment facility.
'A robot worth Rs 8 crore has been purchased from the United States and things have been put in place.
'Once the robotics facility starts at the urology department, we can reduce our patients' waiting list by half,' the cardiologist said.
'The department has at least 100 cases of urology and renal transplant in its waiting list that will take a year,' said Dr Anup Kumar, head of department, urology and kidney transplant division at Safdarjung hospital.
What was different about this October 2, 2017, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's 148th birth anniversary?
For one, several groups and individuals on social media seemed to use the occasion to try and put the Mahatma in his place, so to speak.
The Mahatma haters and baiters, as usual, held him responsible for all sorts of ills Partition, Muslim-appeasement, weakening of Hindus, favouring Jawaharlal Nehru, wrong economics, and so on.
Mahatma Gandhi led India's independence movement with his policy of civil disobedience and non-violence. He is pictured here giving his famous Quit India speech in Mumbai, which was then known as Bombay, in 1942
Indictment
Many, who were not so negative, nevertheless questioned his Mahatmahood. Some even considered Nathuram Godse's final statement in the trial, made on May 5, 1949, before the Punjab High Court, then in session in Shimla, to be the definitive indictment.
An important fact to remember about the latter, however, is that the statement in circulation is via Gopal Godse, Nathuram's brother and co-accused, not a certified copy from the court records.
Earlier this year, the Central Information Commission (CIC), disposing of an RTI plea, ruled that a copy of Nathuram's statement should not only be supplied to the appellant, but also displayed, along with other Gandhiassassination related material, on the National Archives website.
'Gandhi needs not be attacked, defended, or reduced, merely to politics, Left or Right or Centre'
Though the order was passed on February 16, 2017, I was unable to find the official version of Nathuram's statement anywhere.
I, for one, would welcome the publication of such material, along with a free and open discussion of its contents. I am convinced that it will show even more clearly how mistaken Nathuram was, how he distorted facts and motives to justify the unjustifiable, the killing of the frail, unarmed 'father of the nation'.
Gandhi needs not be attacked, defended, or reduced, merely to politics, Left or Right or Centre. Instead, we must go back to his times, examine his own words and his life.
Who can deny that he awakened the conscience of an enslaved people, turning a restricted attempt at reform the colonial government into a mighty mass movement of national awakening?
'What Gandhi lived and died for was reaffirmed, though with such heinous irony, in the Vegas massacre'
He wanted to transform not only India's but humanity's idea of state, society and religion. To reduce him to a Hindu-Muslim wrangle would be to misunderstand his purpose.
His detractors have found no other, let alone better, solution to the problems of opposing communities. Swaraj does not mean dominating or annihilating others just as it does not mean yielding to oppression or genocide.
Gandhi's satyagraha empowered millions of men and women who otherwise thought themselves helpless.
Analysis
andles, flowers and signs line the sidewalk near the Stratosphere Tower as part of a makeshift memorial to the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada
He not only awakened a sense of agency in them, but also made them fearless in the face of vastly superior might. Those who are asking for the end of his deification are busy deifying other figures instead, thus contradicting their own objection.
It seems as if their grouse is against Gandhi, not against deification as such. The sad truth about most of us is that piety and devotion come easier to us than critical analysis or independent thinking.
No surprise that the fiercest detractors of Gandhi are often those who haven't even tried to read or understand him.
When some of these thoughts were going through my mind, the terrible news of the Las Vegas carnage broke through. The videos, captured on the phones of viewers and survivors, were horrific.
Before Jason Aldean started to sing, a fusillade automatic gunfire was already directed at the assembled crowd. Concert-goers were running helter- skelter, screaming.
Just then the opening chords of the electric guitar sounded and Aldean began singing, 'Some days it's tough just gettin' up/ Throwin' on these boots and makin' that climb' all the while deadly, staccato pounding of gunfire.
So much damage done, the killer, 64-year-old Stephan Paddock, took his own life. He slaughtered 58 people, injuring nearly 10 times as many in just a few minutes.
Though ISIS was quick to claim responsibility, the link is tenuous, not accepted as yet by investigative agencies.
Question
The obvious question on everyone's mind was the same: why? Why would anyone take so many lives, even reloading a weapon to continue killing people after one barrage of gunfire into an unarmed crowd?
Whatever little we know of Paddock does not offer us any clues as to his conduct or behaviour. That he could not have been 'normal' or 'sane' is obvious.
But his 'madness' still does not make any sense to us. Neither is Paddock the first of such killers, many of whom have worked their mayhem in the world's most advanced and powerful country, the United States.
My concern, even unease, over Gandhi's detractors totally dissipated. I had been disturbed that they had taken recourse to the Mahatma's birthday to decry and berate him. How would they have liked themselves or their own heroes to be treated similarly?
I was sure they would be much less tolerant of criticism and its timing. But, after all, what did their reproach matter?
What Gandhi lived and died for was reaffirmed, though with such heinous irony, in the Vegas massacre. Violence begins - and must end - in the minds of men. Till we know how to stop that the Mahatma will remain relevant.
Apple has been at it again, releasing not one but TWO new iPhones - there's the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X, which celebrates the 10th anniversary of the American tech company's smartphone phenomenon.
Neither are cheap. In fact, if you pre-order a 64GB iPhone X today network provider EE is offering to up your data from 35GB to 100GB for 82.99 a month.
But for a smaller payout each month you could instead bag yourself one of these cars. With the help BuyaCar.co.uk, here are 10 new and used models you can pocket with lower monthly instalments than a new iPhone contract.
You make the call: Network provider EE is currently offering the iPhone X on contract for 83 a month. Here are 10 cars you can get for less
All the car offers here are based on a four-year PCP deal, including a 10 per cent deposit.
Once your contract is up, you can either pay a balloon payment to keep the vehicle or simply hand it back to the finance provider.
Here are 10 examples BuyaCar identified as decent substitutes for the latest iPhone X.
The Celerio is the only brand new car in our list. It might not be the most luxurious, but for 79 a month is 4 cheaper than the iPhone X contract
1. Suzuki Celerio 1.0 SZ2
Age: Brand new
Monthly price: 79 Deposit: 1,938
That's right, you can get a brand new car with lower monthly payments than an iPhone X contract. With manufacturer discounts the Suzuki Celerio is available with monthly repayments of 79 - just as long as you put down a near-2,000 deposit and are willing to keep it for four years.
With a 518 deposit, you can get a 63-plate Peugeot 208 with monthly payments to match the iPhone contract
2. Peugeot 208 1.0 VTi Active
Age: 2014 (63 plate)
Monthly price: 83 Deposit: 518
You could easily get a smaller Peugeot 108 for less than 80 a month but the 208 is a bigger, more practical option. BuyaCar found a three-year-old model with 36,000 on the clock available for 83 a month - the same as the iPhone.
The Vauxhall Corsa is one of the country's most bought cars. You can get a three-year-old model for 82 a month
3. Vauxhall Corsa 1.2 Excite 3dr
Age: 2014 (14 plate)
Monthly price: 82 Deposit: 518
Put down a deposit of just over 500 and you can have this used Vauxhall Corsa for 82 a month. Okay, there's a newer Corsa on sale today, but it shares much of the same architecture as this one. Fairly large by supermini standards, unsurprisingly it's a popular choice in the UK.
The VW up! is arguably the most premium city car on the market at the moment
4. Volkswagen Take up! 1.0 60PS 3dr
Age: 2015 (15 plate)
Monthly price: 76 Deposit: 517
The iPhone is a quality-looking compact piece of kit, and so is VW's up!. Of all the city cars on the market, this is the most premium feeling of all of them. Put down a deposit of 517 and you can get a two-year-old model for 76 a month.
Of all the cars in this list, this one is the most practical. Think of it as an iPhone with all your apps already uploaded
5. Seat Ibiza Toca 1.4 85 Sport Tourer
Age: 2013 (13 plate)
Monthly price: 83 Deposit: 547
Estate versions of superminis are few and far between these days, and the Ibiza Sport Tourer is one of the best. There's enough passenger space for a blossoming family and with the bigger boot a bigger storage area for push chairs and shopping. A 547 deposit will on a four-year-old car with average mileage will pull monthly payments down to an iPhone level.
Even if you go for a 4-year-old Aygo like this one there will still be a year of the Toyota warranty remaining
6. Toyota Aygo i-Move
Age: 2013 (63 plate)
Monthly price: 76 Deposit: 518
For 7 a month cheaper than the iPhone X, you could get your hands on a four-year-old Toyota Aygo. This is arguably the most reliable city car out there, and should something uncharacteristically go wrong you'd still have a year left on Toyota's five-year warranty to cover the cost of repairs.
Monthly payments of 77 are 6 less than the outlay for the iPhone X contract
7. Fiat Panda 1.2 Pop
Age: 2014 (64 plate)
Monthly price: 77 Deposit: 443
If you want a small Fiat, most will go for the cutesy-looking 500. However, the Panda is the more practical choice. BuyaCar found this 2014 model that a dealer is offering with a 443 deposit and monthly payments of 77.
Want something bigger than the Panda? You can get hold of a Renault Clio with matching low monthly costs
8. Renault Clio 1.2 Expression+ 3dr
Age: 2013 (62 plate)
Monthly price: 77 Deposit: 418
Rather than a smartphone with a 10x digital zoom, how about a car packed with 'Va Va Voom'? This four-year-old Clio being offered by one dealer is just a single example of the French supermini you have for lower monthly payments than the iPhone X contract.
Silver, small and full of features - the Skoda CitiGo has a lot in common with iPhones
9. Skoda CitiGo SE 1.0 MPI 60PS
Age: 2014 (64 plate)
Monthly price: 79 Deposit: 467
While Apple is an infinitely 'cooler' brand than Skoda, this little CitiGo will cost you less a month than tech brand's latest gadget. For 79 a month - 4 less than the phone contract - you get a peppy three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine with almost as many PS as the iPhone X has GB.
The Sandero is the cheapest new-car on the market. A used one can be had for 80 a month
Dacia Sandero 1.2 Ambiance
Age: 2014 (14 plate)
Monthly price: 80 Deposit: 468
If you go for a 5995 Sandero is Access trim - which is the most basic car on sale today - we're pretty sure you could negotiate monthly finance payments as low as an iPhone X contract. This better-equipped Ambiance model gives you more kit and, based on a four-year deal, can be yours for 80 a month.
Stella McCartneys clothing range includes an 835 handbag lined with recycled plastic bottles, and she has pledged to reuse rubbish that had been dumped into the ocean.
But the designers eco-friendly and cruelty-free approach is paying off, as she appears to have earned more than 7.5 million last year as profits rose at her fashion empire.
The 46-year-old earned a dividend of around 4.4 million, according to latest accounts for the firm which takes her name, and is set to receive a further dividend of about 337,000.
Friends in high places: Stella McCartneys eco-friendly and cruelty-free approach is paying off, with profits at her fashion empire on the up
The firms highest-paid director unnamed in accounts but highly likely to be McCartney earned 3.1 million in salary and benefits.
It adds up to around 7.5 million for the daughter of Beatles legend Sir Paul.
The windfall came as the firm revealed that sales for 2016 grew 32 per cent in a year from 31 million to 41 million.
Profits rose 43 per cent from 6.6 million in 2015 to 9.5 million in 2016.
McCartney owns half of the company in a joint venture with luxury group Kering, whose other brands include Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.
Her collections are available in 48 stores around the world, with celebrity fans including Hollywood actresses Cameron Diaz and Julianne Moore.
Honey Buckets Not So Sweet: Lawsuit Over Odors Certified as Class Action
If you read the name Honey Bucket and first thought of Winnie the Pooh or fried chicken, I have some foul smelling news for you. Honey Buckets are actually portable toilets, the stench from which some neighbors in Pacific, Washington are not too pleased with.
"Hazardous odors, gases, fumes, and contaminants have been and are being released from the Honey Bucket Facility property," their lawsuit claims, "interfering with the use and enjoyment of the Plaintiff's and the Class Members' properties, have substantially impaired the value of their properties, and have caused adverse personal impacts such as annoyance, irritation, discomfort, and other similar physical ailments." That lawsuit was certified as a class action this week, allowing more neighbors to join the case.
Class Is in Session
Class action lawsuits allow similarly aggrieved or injured people to sue a defendant as a group, rather than individually. Class actions are most common in response defective products, including pharmaceutical drugs, motor vehicles and other consumer products, or environmental torts based on illnesses or diseases linked to toxic production facilities or pollution. By pooling all of the potential plaintiffs into one case, courts can settle the matter more definitively and cut down on costly litigation.
But filing a lawsuit as a class action doesn't necessarily make it so -- a court has to "certify" the class, and there are four basic requirements for certification:
The class must be so numerous that it would be impossible for each class member to be an active participant in the case; There must be questions of law or fact common to the class; The claims of the representative parties must be typical of the claims of the class; and The representative parties must be able to fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class.
This Case Stinks
The Seattle Times described the Honey Bucket system:
Vacuum pumper trucks suck the contents of the Honey Buckets, wherever they are located, and transport the waste to the property in Pacific, south of Auburn. The sewage is pressed into biosolids that are used for agriculture and landscaping. The remaining partially treated wastewater is sent through the King County Metro Wastewater Treatment system. The toilets are hauled to the Pacific facility, power washed and stored there until needed again.
People living near the Pacific facility claim that ever since the plant expanded in 2014, the neighborhood reeks of sewage. "It's a homeowner's worst nightmare," Samantha Niemi, who bought a house about 300 feet from the future Honey Bucket property in 2011 and is a named plaintiff in the suit, told the Seattle Times.
In 2016, the City of Pacific ordered the company to cease operations for violating its permit, which prohibits the emission of obnoxious odors. But Northwest Cascade, the company operating as Honey Buckets, appealed, and the city delayed enforcing the closure. Later that same year, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issued a notice of violation against Northwest Cascade for using a masking agent to hide the emission of an air contaminant.
The class action is asking for an injunction against the Pacific facility as well as damages, including the loss in property value.
Related Resources:
First Direct has ramped up its sign-up bonus to 125 as banks continue to use tempting cash carrots to entice customers away from rivals.
The move comes just weeks after the HSBC-owned bank launched a new perk that sees credit and debit card customers paid cashback for spending with certain retailers.
Current account switchers are currently spoilt for choice with a handful of eye-catching cash incentives offering up to 200 just for moving account.
But here's our verdict on whether its worth snapping up First Direct's new offer...
In your back pocket: First Direct will pay you 125 if you use the Current Account Switch Service to move accounts and deposit 1,000 within three months.
First Direct has offered a 100 switching bonus for several years, but now and again it adds to the amount for a limited time to snatch up extra customers.
It's latest move sees the bank improving the cash bonus by 25 for anyone applying through comparison site, Money Supermarket.
As part of its offer the bank also promise to pay an additional 100 to anyone who is unhappy with their account and wants to leave within the first year (after the first six months).
To get the new 125 bonus switchers must use the Current Account switch service to move accounts and deposit at least 1,000 into the account within the first three months.
Switchers will need to act fast though as the boosted cashback amount is only available until December 11.
The account also includes a 250 fee and interest-free overdraft buffer - the largest on the market - and access to a regular saver paying 5 per cent interest.
The bank now also offers extra opportunities to earn cashback when you swipe your debit card with retailers signed up to its Visa Offers scheme.
These will changes each week but currently include the likes of Lidl, H&M, ESSo and Costa. Read more about the scheme here.
The telephone and internet-based bank frequently tops the charts for customer satisfaction.
What to watch out for:
The account is free if you pay in at least 1,000 per month.
However, if you don't keep this up the account comes with a 10 monthly fee which makes it much less attractive.
If you do use the account to borrow, beyond the first 250 you will be charged 15.9 per cent EAR.
If you go beyond an arranged limit you will be charged an eye-watering 5 per day beyond a 10 buffer (capped at 80 per month).
Can your earn more elsewhere?
As mentioned above, HSBC currently offers the highest cashback bonus on the market at a total 200 if you switch and stay for a year. The offer lasts until November 26.
The account requires a higher monthly minimum deposit than most though at 1,750.
It comes with a free overdraft for the first six months and a range of exclusive products, including access to a five per cent regular saver.
The next most lucrative offer comes from M&S Bank's current account.
It doesn't strictly cashback deal though, instead it gives switchers up to 185 on one of its gift cards to be used in stores.
You get 125 upfront, followed by an extra 5 per month for up to a year as long as a minimum of 1,000 is paid into your current account and two Direct Debits remain active.
You also get 1 point for every 1 spent on your M&S debit card in store with the M&S Loyalty Scheme.
Halifax pays 75 to sign up and a 3 monthly reward on its Reward Account, it requires a 750 minimum deposit.
Co-operative Bank offers up to 5.50 a month in Everyday Rewards if you fulfill certain criteria plus it currently pays 125 to switch with a 25 donation to charity. You can read more about the incentive and our verdict here.
Ex-colleagues and best friends Andy Jefferies, 28, and Ben Muller, 33, founded Dock & Bay after identifying a gap in the market for travel towels.
Following numerous beach jaunts on their travels, they struggled to find any that were light, compact and could dry quickly.
Fresh from their successful appearance on BBC's Dragons' Den, which resulted in a 75k investment from Deborah Meaden, the entrepreneurs spoke to This is Money about the experience and what's next for the business.
Scroll down for video
Andy Jefferies (left) and Ben Muller secured a 75,000 investment from Deborah Meaden for a 10 per cent stake in their business, Dock & Bay, which sells travel towels
So what's it like to stand before five seasoned investors and ask for their money?
Muller said: 'The pitch was quite something - the adrenaline was pumping. We were a little flustered at first but the nerves settled when we got into the groove.'
Jefferies added: 'It was definitely easier once we got in there. One thing you have to remember is the Dragons are champions of small businesses. They grill you to ensure that you are aware of the main considerations when it comes to running a business.'
How did they prepare?
'By watching a lot of re-runs of the show - I mean a lot,' Muller said.
'It gives you a feel for the type of questions they may ask and helps you understand business from their point of view. The Dragons make such a big deal about business figures in the den and understandably so.
'In the night before the pitch, we pretty much locked ourselves in our hotel room and rehearsed over and over again - down to what we would say in the lift.'
Jefferies said: 'The worst part was the fear of the unknown. The taxi came over to pick us up at 6.30am and we were taken to the studio. We were not needed until 3.30pm so we spent what felt like days rehearsing and worrying.'
'When they gave us the 15-minute warning, I remember my mouth going dry all of the sudden. My heart started pounding that extra bit quicker when we approached those famous loft doors.'
Inception
The idea to run a business selling stylish microfibre towels in distinctive vibrant colours hatched two years ago during one of the Muller and Jefferies' Tuesday night curry and beer meet-ups.
The duo pulled down a red curtain off the wall of Muller's rented accommodation and stuck pieces of white paper to produce the firm's first design (see photo below)
In these evenings, the pair, who come from a corporate banking background, would seek to come up with an idea for a business they could initially run as a side project to their day jobs.
On one fateful evening, after settling on the 'travel towel 2.0' concept and having indulged in perhaps a tipple too many, the pair pulled a red curtain off the wall in the living room of Muller's rented flat and stuck pieces of white paper to it. It turned into their first design (see photo right and below for the before and after shots).
The duo went on to raise around 60,000 to fund the start-up through personal savings, banks loans and cash from family and friends.
Like many young businesses, they soon encountered a costly problem. The initial batch of products did not met their high standards.
'Put simply, they were not good enough so we couldn't sell them,' Jefferies said.
'It was a huge blow for us because that was basically thousands of pounds down the drain. It was a tough one to swallow.'
The towels sold by Dock & Bay are designed to be lighter, more compact and dry quicker than conventional travel towels according to the co-founders
But they picked themselves up and dusted themselves off and came up with a plan and quickly sought investment to propel their business onto the next level.
They attempted to raise cash through a Kickstarter campaign but failed to hit their target of raising 10,000 in 30 days. And so they took the decision to secure funding through Dragon's Den, which turned out to be a fruitful endeavour.
The business piqued the interest of Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and new Dragon Tej Lalvani all of whom offered to stump up the full 75,000 they sought for varying stakes in the business.
The Dragons were particularly impressed by the 1.1million turnover and 330,000 net profit the business achieved in its first full financial year of trading.
The pair opted to accept Meaden's offer for a 10 per cent equity stake in the business, despite having to relinquish an extra five per cent stake than what they were initially willing to give away.
Muller said: 'I remember feeling warm and sweaty after agreeing the deal. We went in with a positive attitude and, thankfully, came out with a positive result.'
So what's next?
Since joining forces with Meaden, the company has made its first full-time hire and turned over an 1.1m in the first five months of this financial year - matching last years total for the full 12 months.
The business partners plan to use a chunk of the investment for marketing to develop a greater online presence in a bid to bolster sales.
The founders originally attempted to raise cash for the business through a Kickstarter campaign but they failed to hit their target of raising 10,000 in 30 days.
They now run the online business from opposite sides of the world, with Jefferies based in London and Muller based in Sydney.
Jefferies said: 'We are in constant communication and not just to talk about work, so it isn't an issue. We pretty much sing from the same hymn sheet but we make sure to contact each other before making major business decisions.'
What's it like working with a friend?
Muller said: 'You often hear people saying that friends fall out when they start a business together. Thankfully, this has not been the case with Andy and I. It is daunting to start something on your own and even if you find success riding solo, it wouldn't be as satisfying if you didn't have anyone to share it with.'
Jefferies and Muller continue to revel in their success in Den. 'We are excited to be working with Deborah. She will help us scale the business quicker than what we could have achieved by ourselves by taking advantage of her extensive knowledge in business and her network of contacts,' said Jefferies.
'The future is looking good.'
Cameron arrives in Algeria to offer British security support in battle against Al-Qaeda terrorists
Prime Minister flies to west Africa in the wake of Algerian hostage crisis in which six Britons died
He will promise more support to train forces in the region
Cameron pledges to help combat terrorism and make the world safer
David Cameron flew into Algeria tonight to offer extra help in the battle against Al-Qaeda.
The Prime Minister will promise closer security co-operation across west Africa in the wake of the hostage crisis that claimed the lives of six Britons.
Mr Cameron said his aim was to help the country 'help itself' amid a growing threat from terrorists in the region.
Scroll down for video
David Cameron in Algiers, Algeria, today, where he is to offer extra help in the battle against Al-Qaeda
Mr Cameron visits the Monument des Martyrs to pay his respects in the wake of the hostage crisis which claimed the lives of at least three Britons
Downing Street said that Mr Cameron was being accompanied by National Security Adviser Sir Kim Darroch, as well as by Lord Risby, his envoy on trade with Algeria.
The visit comes just two weeks after a total of 37 foreign workers died at the remote oil facility - part-operated by BP - which was overrun by heavily-armed terrorists on Wednesday January 16.
Some 29 of the hostage-takers died, while three were captured by Algerian troops during a special forces mission to end the four-day stand-off.
Speaking to journalists on the flight to Africa, Mr Cameron said: 'The In Amenas attack and the situation in Mali reminds us of the importance of partnership between Britain and countries in the region.'
Mr Cameron is to hold talks with counterpart Abdelmalek Sellal and pay his respects to victims of the hostage crisis during his visit - the first by a UK Prime Minister to Algeria in 50 years.
Downing Street said that Mr Cameron was being accompanied by National Security Adviser Sir Kim Darroch, as well as by Lord Risby, his envoy on trade with Algeria
The British PM meets the Prime Minister of Algeria Abdelmalek Sellal (right) today in Algeria where he is pledging closer security co-operation
Algeria hostage crisis graphic
Talks are expected to focus on strengthening security co-operation between the UK and Algeria, and seeing how the two countries can work together to deliver the 'tough, patient and intelligent' response to terror outlined by the PM to the House of Commons earlier this month.
Upon touching down in Algeria, Cameron paid his respects at the imposing Martyrs Monument overlooking the Bay of Algiers.
After laying a wreath at the memorial, originally built to mark the country's war for independence from France between 1954 and 1962, he stood with his head bowed for more than a minute.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Prime Minister said: 'First of all I am here in the wake of that terrible terrorist attack in In Amenas in which six British citizens and one British resident lost their life, a reminder that what happens in other countries affects us at home.
'What I want to do is work with the Algerian government and with other government in the region to make sure we do everything we can do to combat terrorism in a way that is both tough and intelligent, and uses everything we have at our disposal, which will make them safer, make us safer, make the world safer.'
Mr Cameron denied that he was getting into another Iraq or Afghanistan-style campaign.
'We don't look at this region of the world and think that the answer is purely a military one,' he said.
'It is not. What is required in countries like Mali, just as countries like Somalia on the other side of Africa, is that combination of tough approach on security, aid, politics, settling grievances and problems.'
The gas facility in Amenas where International and Algerian hostages were killed in a terrifying ordeal
Cameron is accompanied by Algerian Energy Minister Yousfi on his visit to the Monument des Martyrs today
Asked to explain to the public why the UK should get involved at all, Mr Cameron replied: 'Britain is a very open, international, networked country.
'There are British citizens working all over the world. Britain's posture in the world therefore should reach out, to have partners, to try and ensure the safety of British people both back at home in the UK but also around the world too.
Mr Cameron also met staff at the British embassy in Algiers to thank them for their work on the hostage crisis.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond was yesterday forced to deny 'mission creep' in the intervention to bolster the government in Mali as he boosted the UK's role.
Up to 240 troops could be deployed to train the Malian military and prepare soldiers from other African countries, while another 90 personnel could provide air support. A roll-on, roll-off ferry has also been offered to transport French equipment to Africa.
A Number 10 spokeswoman described the visit to Algeria as 'part of efforts to lead a co-ordinated international response to the evolving threat from al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, which is operating from parts of the Sahel region'.
She added: 'We want to stand side-by-side with countries in the region working together to overcome the threat.'
Mr Cameron is also expected to discuss areas of mutual interest between Britain and Algeria, including trade, education, health, culture and energy.
New figures suggest about 450 British workers are thought to be working in Algeria.
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said the number of British expats working in the north African country varied' given the transient nature of the international workforce in Algeria'.
David Cameron left Downing Street at lunchtime, soon after completing Prime Minister's Questions, to fly to Algeria where he will promise greater security co-operation to take on terrorists in west Africa
Foreign Office advice warns against 'all travel within 100km of the Libyan-Tunisian border south of the Algerian town of Tebassa'.
Mr Burt said further discussions with companies involved in extractive industries working in Algeria would take place this week.
Five British nationals have been named, either by the Foreign Office or their families, after the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria was attacked by Islamist fighters. Three have been confirmed dead and three more are thought to have been killed.
Some 22 Britons escaped the attack, which took place between January 16 and 19.
Advertisement
This is the moment a mother wept for her son after he became the latest victim of the Philippines' war on drugs.
Nanette Castillo can be seen grieving next to the dead body of her son Aldrin in Manila after he was killed by 'unidentified assailants' in the early hours of this morning.
The circumstances of his death are not yet clear but it comes amid a brutal crackdown on drugs in the country in the last 15 months.
Police have reported killing 3,850 suspected drug dealers who allegedly resisted arrest during a campaign waged in the name of President Rodrigo Duterte's vow to rid society of narcotics.
It comes as it emerged that police officers who want to speak out about 'extrajudicial killings and summary executions' in the drug war have been offered sanctuary and legal help by the Catholic Church.
Harrowing: The moment a mother wept for her son after he became the latest victim of the Philippines' war on drugs
The dead man was an alleged drug user, killed by 'unidentified assailants'
Nanette Castillo can be seen grieving next to the dead body of her son Aldrin in Manila today after he was killed by 'unidentified assailants' in the early hours of this morning
The circumstances of his death are not yet clear but it comes amid a brutal crackdown on drugs in the last 15 months
Human rights groups accuse Duterte of waging a crime against humanity as he seeks to eradicate illegal drugs in society in a crackdown that has claimed thousands of lives since he took office in the middle of last year.
The Catholic Church, which counts 80 per cent of Filipinos as followers, has been one of the leading critics of the drug war and its offer to police on Monday was another step in its efforts to stop the killings.
Unnamed 'law enforcers' with troubled consciences have approached the Church over the killings, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, said in a pastoral letter.
'They have expressed their desire to come out in the open about their participation in extrajudicial killings and summary executions,' he said without naming the officers or the victims.
A police officer secures the crime scene as residents look on at the dead body of Aldrin Castillo, an alleged drug user killed by unidentified assailants, in Manila today
Police have reported killing 3,850 suspected drug dealers who allegedly resisted arrest during a campaign waged in the name of President Rodrigo Duterte's vow to rid society of narcotics
Relatives of Aldrin Castillo grieve inside an ambulance in Manila as the victim's body is taken away
The Catholic Church, which counts 80 percent of Filipinos as followers, has been one of the leading critics of the drug war
'Within the bounds of Church and civil laws, we express our willingness to grant them accommodation, shelter and protection,' he said, adding that the offer will also be extended to independent lawyers.
'If such law-enforcers wish to testify, then the Catholic Church will see to it that they are in no way induced to speak, to disclose nor to make allegations by any member of the clergy or the hierarchy.'
The Philippine police did not respond to AFP's requests for comment.
Duterte's government has denied that killing drug suspects was state policy, but critics allege his frequent public pronouncements on the drug war were direct inducements to kill.
Duterte, who remains popular, has said he was 'happy to slaughter' three million drug addicts and vowed no officer would go to jail for implementing his drug war.
Villegas last month urged his flock to speak out against the 'systematic murders and spreading reign of terror' that he said were unleashed by the drug war.
Catholic bishops played leading roles in peaceful street protests that led to the ousting of two Philippine presidents, Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and Joseph Estrada in 2001.
A drone that sneaked contraband into a Michigan prison in May went undetected for nearly two months, a state police report said (stock image)
A drone sneaked contraband into a Michigan prison in May and went undetected for nearly two months, according to a state police report.
Video surveillance shows that inmates at Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia received two packages dropped by a drone May 29, according to Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz.
Prison officials suspect the packages contained Alcatel-brand cellphones that were found inside the prison in July.
A third package containing phones, tobacco and marijuana was delivered the same day, but prison officials recovered it.
Information about the drops comes from a report obtained by the Detroit News through a Freedom of Information Act request.
The prison had two more attempted drone drops on August 17.
Prison officials apprehended the packages containing cellphones, razors and marijuana in those attempts.
Patrick Corey Seaton Jr., Jonathan Larawn Roundtree and Daryl Steven Marshall face felony smuggling charges for those packages.
Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility in Ionia, Michigan, has seen at least five packages dropped via drone since late May. Two were successful and three were intercepted by officials
Jonathan Larawn Roundtree, Patrick Corey Seaton Jr. and Daryl Steven Marshall are pictured from left to right. They each face felony smuggling charges for the August 17 packages
The names of the prisoners caught with the phones in July have not be revealed the investigation is ongoing and no one has been charged yet.
Gautz said the Corrections Department didn't previously disclose the successful drone drops because they 'don't discuss all introductions of contraband.'
He also said officials weren't certain the confiscated phones were delivered by a drone.
'A source inside the prison informed MDOC staff that it was the result of an unsuccessful drone delivery,' according to the report by State Police Detective Sgt. Christian Clute.
'It was later learned that two packages were successfully delivered (confirmed through video) to prisoners via drone. After the successful drone delivery, two phones were found inside the facility on prisoners.'
The drone drops come as security experts nationwide warn that drones pose a serious threat to prison security.
'We are very concerned about drones being used for smuggling, and we have implemented ... certain detection and safety precautions so that hopefully in the future any drone delivery will be detected,' Clute said. He declined to reveal what the new security measures are.
Two convicted killers on death row, including one due to die next week, had their appeals denied by the US Supreme Court. Anthony Shore (pictured) 55, is scheduled for lethal injection on October 18 for murder in 1992
Two convicted killers on death row, including one due to die next week, had their appeals refused by the US Supreme Court.
The high court declined to review appeals from death row inmates Anthony Shore and Robert Pruett with by both set to die by the end of October.
Shore, 55, is scheduled for lethal injection October 18 for the 1992 slaying of a 21-year-old woman in Houston.
Known as the 'Tourniquet Killer', Shore confessed to the killing of the 21-year-old woman, two teenage girls and a 9-year-old girl.
He is known in Houston as the 'Tourniquet Killer' because his victims were tortured and strangled with handmade tourniquets.
The slayings connected to Shore went unsolved for years until DNA evidence linked him to the sexual assault of two relatives who were juveniles.
He subsequently confessed to the killings and was convicted in 2004 in the slaying of 21-year-old Maria del Carmen Estrada.
Her body was found in 1992 in the drive-thru lane of a Dairy Queen.
Shore's lawyer, Knox Nunnally, had hoped his client's death sentence could be reduced to life in prison. He has said Shore suffered from traumatic brain injury.
Pruett, 38, is set to die October 12 for the fatal stabbing of a corrections officer at a South Texas prison in 1999, where he already was serving a 99-year sentence for his involvement in another killing.
Pruett's attorneys have long questioned the evidence in his case.
Robert Pruett, 38, is due to die on October 12 for the fatal stabbing of a corrections officer at a South Texas prison in 1999, where he already was serving a 99-year sentence for his involvement in another killing
They have sought additional DNA testing of evidence used to convict him of the December 1999 killing of Daniel Nagle, a 37-year-old officer at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's McConnell Unit near Beeville, about 85 miles southeast of San Antonio.
Pruett was serving 99 years for murder at the prison for participating with his father and a brother in a neighbor's slaying.
Evidence showed the killing of the corrections officer stemmed from a dispute over a peanut butter sandwich that Pruett wanted to take into a prison recreation yard in violation of rules.
Pruett testified at his 2002 trial in Corpus Christi that he was innocent in Nagle's death.
In 2015, Pruett came within hours of execution before his punishment was stopped by a state judge.
A Russian escort accused of blackmailing disgraced former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer won't have to face trial after opting for a plea deal and a short sentence.
Svetlana Travis Zakharova, 27, pleaded guilty on Monday to a misdemeanor larceny charge involving a different man.
A judge sentenced her to 90 days in jail. She has already served more than that while awaiting trial.
Free woman: Eliot Spitzer's ex-lover Svetlana Travis Zakharova, 27, is pictured Monday walking out of Manhattan Supreme Court after she pleaded guilty to larceny
A judge sentenced the Russian escort to 90 days in jail for scamming another ex-boyfriend who is not ex-New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (pictured in March, right), but she has already served more than that
Worse for wear: The 27-year-old appeared disheveled and was sporting a shabby grey peacoat paired with tights and sneakers
Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark says the plea bargain also resolves an indictment in which Zakharova had been accused of extorting $400,000 from Spitzer by threatening to reveal details of their sexual relationship.
Zakharova's lawyer says she denies extorting the 58-year-old divorced Democrat.
'She had a long-term relationship with him and to be accused of extorting him was absolutely not true, and she would never admit to that,' said attorney Joseph Murray, according to reporting by New York Post.
She pleaded guilty to signing the name of her former lover, toy store owner Paul Nippes, on a lease for a Manhattan apartment, costing him $18,000 when she didn't pay rent.
A disheveled-looking Zakharova was photographed leaving Manhattan Supreme Court at the conclusion of the hearing Monday.
Luv Gov's gal: Zakharova's plea deal also resolves an indictment in which Zakharova had been accused of extorting $400,000 from Spitzer
Zakharova's lawyer says she denies extorting the 58-year-old ex-governor. Pictured: Zakharova uses her coat to shield her face from photographers in Manhattan Monday
Zakharova previously claimed that Spitzer attacked her at the Plaza Hotel in February 2016 after she told him she wished to return to Russia
The 27-year-old wore a pair of light-grey tights, a grey T-shirt, sneakers and a drab peacoat, which she draped over her head to shield her face from the cameras.
Spitzer resigned in 2008, a year into his governorship, after he was identified as a client of the high-end Emperors Club VIP prostitution ring, infamously dubbed 'Client No 9.' He was never charged.
Zakharova previously claimed that Spitzer attacked her at the Plaza Hotel in February 2016 after she told him she wished to return to Russia.
When she refused to have sex with him, Spitzer allegedly screamed at Zakharova, 'What am I paying you for?' then called her a 'Russian whore' while ripping a wad of $100 bills, according to court filings.
An attorney representing Zakharova (pictured in court in July) says she denies extorting 58-year-old Spitzer
The ex-governor had admitted to a 'relationship' with Zakharova in a civil lawsuit filed in 2016.
That complaint, which was later withdrawn, stated that Spitzer had paid money to stop the Russian woman from making their 'trysts' public, and that her claims of assault were made against him in revenge for him cutting ties with her.
Zakharova was arrested when she returned to the US from Russia in October 2016.
An Indiana mailman was arrested on Wednesday after police found drugs, guns and thousands of dollars in cash on him.
Gabriel Anno, 25, of Attica, was taken into custody after multiple items were found on his person including: 1.2 pounds of marijuana, five grams of cocaine, 14 ounces of liquid codeine, 392 Xanax pills, a Glock semiautomatic pistol, a Mac-11 machine pistol and nearly $2,000 in cash.
Anno was later booked into the Fountain County Jail on felony charges including dealing marijuana, dealing in controlled substances, possession of cocaine, possession of a machine gun, and possession of marijuana and controlled substances.
Mailman Gabriel Anno, 25 (pictured), of Attica, Indiana, was arrested on Wednesday after police found drugs, guns and thousands of dollars in cash on him
Upon investigation police found 1.2 pounds of marijuana, five grams of cocaine, 14 ounces of liquid codeine, 392 Xanax pills, a Glock semiautomatic pistol, a Mac-11 machine pistol and nearly $2,000 in cash on Anno's (pictured) person
Prosecutor Daniel Askren said Anno's also been charged with maintaining a common nuisance and official misconduct, according to a news release.
Anno posted $5,000 bond and was released from the Fountain County Jail.
His next scheduled appearance in court has been set for October 16. Its currently unclear if hes being represented by an attorney.
DailyMail.com has reached out for comment from the US Postal Service.
Anno's felony charges include dealing marijuana, dealing in controlled substances, possession of cocaine, possession of a machine gun, possession of marijuana and controlled substances
Anno was also charged with maintaining a common nuisance and official misconduct. He was released after posting $5,000 in bail
This is not the first case of a US postal worker being caught delivering illegal substances
Jermaine Sandifer, 40, from The Bronx, New York, was arrested in June 2016 after he was accused of accepting and delivering packages containing as much as two kilos of cocaine in exchange for thousands of dollars in kickbacks.
Prosecutors said the drug-filled deliveries would be shipped to the Highbridge Post Office, where Sandifer worked, between 2011 and 2013 from Puerto Rico and were addressed to various addresses in The Bronx.
Sandifer, who also went by the alias 'Amigo', allegedly received between $1,000 and $5,000 for doling out the packages to his drug cohorts, reported the New York Daily News.
A Seven News journalist has been caught up in the horrifying Las Vegas shooting after being woken by 'a thundering volley of gunshots'.
Ashlee Mullany was inside the Mandalay Bay hotel at the time of the attack and provided a live cross shortly after she and her cameraman Duncan McLeod were evacuated.
Taking to air just minutes after the shooting began, Ms Mullany described the situation as 'terrifying' and 'utter chaos'.
Scroll down for video
Seven News journalist Ashlee Mullany (pictured) has been caught up in the horrifying Las Vegas shooting after being woken by 'a thundering volley of gunshots'
She told how she woke up just after 10:30pm after hearing the gunfire, before trying to exit through the lobby and valet.
'The difficult decision they (police) had to make was whether to take us out of the hotel where the gunman was or put us on the street where he was firing,' Ms Mullany said.
The reporter described how she knew the situation was 'quite serious' when she looked out her hotel window to see police cars speeding towards them from 'every direction'.
Footage also emerged of Ms Mullany and Mr McLeod's dramatic escape as they were ushered out of the building before being confronted by a man covered in blood.
The reporter was inside the Mandalay Bay hotel at the time of the attack and provided a live cross shortly after she and her cameraman Duncan McLeod were evacuated through the lobby
Footage of the pairs dramatic escape showed they were ushered out of the building before being confronted by a man covered in blood (pictured)
At least 59 people have been killed and more than 527 injured during the shooting, involving lone-wolf gunman Stephen Paddock.
The 64-year-old reportedly unleashed thousands of rounds onto the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival from a room in the Mandalay Bay hotel.
Headliner Jason Aldean was in the middle of his set when the gunfire rang out, as the sellout crowd of 22,000 people began to flee.
Advertisement
What began as a trickle of desperate, weary souls soon swells into a snaking, 400ft line as news of the convoy's arrival spreads by word of mouth.
It's been 13 days since Hurricane Maria decimated Puerto Rico and for many living in the remote west-coast town of Rincon this is the first time help has reached them.
But the square-jawed heroes doling out food, water and lifesaving kits are not FEMA, US military or the National Guard - but unpaid volunteers from New York's Bravest.
A 29-strong Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) from the New York City Fire Department has been on the ground for the past week bringing hope and supplies to blacked-out towns and villages.
While FEMA trucks have barely ventured out of the capital, San Juan, the FDNY team has reached every corner of the ravaged commonwealth despite flying in on a packed charter flight with virtually no specialist equipment or transport.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Volunteer FDNYJose Sierra, 42, and Chris Godoy, 40, are seen handing out baby supplies to desperate mothers and children in Rincon who have lost everything. Sierra encouraged the community: 'You must be honest with us. Take only what you need.'
The team's aid and rescue efforts is the first time assistance reaches the remote west-coast town of Rincon since the storm. Hundreds lined up to receive aid including New York-raised Lucy Gonzalez, 63, pictured with her dog Fluffy, who said she nearly wept when she saw the team's familiar blue FDNY t-shirts
Jose Sierra, 42, and Chris Godoy, 40, of the FDNY DART team were handing out everything from water, blankets, food, baby supplies - Sierra says the apocalyptic scenes he's seen in Puerto Rico are every bit as heartbreaking as anything he experienced in the September 11 terrorist attacks
Help arrives: A 29-strong Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) from the New York City Fire Department arrived in Puerto Rico to provide essential supplies to those in need after the island was ravaged by Hurricane Maria two weeks ago. The team was greeted by a 400-foot line of people desperate for aid
Teamwork: Volunteers are seen unloading thousands of bottles of water to distribute to locals after the storm left the Puerto Ricans without a potable source
Heavy rain pours down as the FDNY distributes essential food supplies to hundreds of residents who lined up at the Sports Complex of Rincon in Rincon, Puerto Rico
The FDNY volunteers included 9/11 veterans who provided aid during the disaster. The firemen crammed a box truck with meals, bedding, blankets, baby food and thousands of bottles of water to deliver to displaced residents
'Adversity is what we do, day in, day out,' the group's leader, Lieutenant George Ricco Diaz, exclusively tells DailyMail.com.
'We don't do days off. When the Twin Towers fell every firefighter went to work. There's no in-fighting, politics or red-tape here - just tell us what you need doing, and we'll go do it.'
The FDNY team have swapped firehouses in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx for a makeshift HQ in the basement of a San Juan church from where they split into groups for daily missions.
They include veterans of 9/11 and previous DART deployments to Hurricane Katrina, the 2010 Haiti earthquake and virtually every natural disaster in recent memory.
Almost every member of the group, founded 28 years ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, was born in Puerto Rico or has relatives or close friends here.
For today's mission Chris Godoy, 40, Jose Sierra, 42, and 44-year-old Hector Rivera have crammed a box truck with meals, bedding, blankets, baby food and thousands of bottles of water.
Their first stop sees them deliver heavy duty tarps to a row of wrecked family homes in the coastal municipality of Guayabo as they head towards Rincon, a popular surfing resort.
'I need this so much. The hurricane ripped my roof clean off,' says retiree Rafael Crespo, 77.
'The winds were so deafening that it damaged my wife's hearing.'
A few minutes later the three-man team spot a crowd of young families congregating around one of the neighborhood's few remaining stores and pull over.
Edgar Candelaria, 54, and wife Wanda Valentin, 40, receive diapers, infant formula and blankets for their five-month daughter Valentia Maria.
Hundreds of thousands were left without drinking water, power, and shelter, after the storm pummeled the island. The three fireman are seen working tirelessly in the sweltering heat as locals swarm them, jostling and pleading for anything they can get their hands on
Aid back home: With no running water there is only one way to get water into apartments in Rincon - just like much of the rest of Puerto Rico
'It's been very frustrating, we were expecting help much sooner,' says a relieved Candelaria.
'We have seen a beautiful parade of military planes and Chinook helicopters flying overhead but I haven't seen a single truck on the ground.'
Clutching her pet dog Fluffy, New York-raised Lucy Gonzalez, 63, tells DailyMail.com she nearly wept when she saw the team's familiar blue FDNY t-shirts.
'J.Lo gave money, Marc Anthony gave money, but the politicians are stealing it all,' she says. 'These men are the only honest people on this island trying to help us.'
The coastal road to Rincon passes the ruins of a seafront cafe and a wooden guesthouse that has virtually collapsed into the ocean.
The route is blocked by debris but locals help clear the mud and rubble so the FDNY convoy can advance.
'I heard what Donald Trump said about Puerto Ricans, they are lazy, they don't help themselves,' says New Yorker Pedro Rosardo, a 79-year-old Vietnam War veteran who moved here after retiring.
Heroes: Chris Godoy (left) 40, Jose Sierra, 42, and Hector Rivera, 44, and FDNY Lieutenant George Rico Diaz (right) 60, swapped firehouses in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx for a makeshift HQ in the basement of a San Juan church from where they split into groups for daily missions
Help on the way: The DART team deployed on a military cargo carrier from New York to Puerto Rico immediately after the hurricane
'You can see for yourself these are hard-working people. Trump is telling lies as usual.'
Winding though mountain roads and inching past downed power lines, Godoy, Sierra and Rivera eventually reach Rincon's abandoned spots complex and ballpark.
Among those desperate for help are Arlene Vasquez, a 28-year-old mother-of-three, who raced here when she heard rumors about an aid shipment.
'The situation here is unbearable,' she says. 'We can't drink the water because the local cemetery has flooded and the bodies are floating in the river.
'They've given us military food but I don't care what it tastes like as I have three mouths to feed.'
As the three fireman work tirelessly in the sweltering heat they soon find themselves swarmed by locals jostling and pleading for anything they can get their hands on.
Sierra, a 17-year veteran from Ladder 59 in the Bronx, wipes the sweat from his brow and pleads for calm. 'This is your country, these are your people,' he tells the group.
'You must be honest with us. Take only what you need.'
Sierra's heartfelt speech is greeted with a round of applause. For him the mission has extra significance: he lost his father Jose Luis Sierra, 68, in 2011 during Hurricane Irene when he slipped and fell into Long Island Sound while checking on his boat.
Edgar Candelaria, 54, and wife Wanda Valentin, 40, receive diapers, infant formula and blankets for their five-month daughter Valentia Maria, in Guayabo, Puerto Rico
Hector Rivera (righT) is seen handing out tarps, meals, and supplies to an elderly woman. The 15-year-veteran from Ladder 41 in the Bronx left his wife Christine Rivera, 35, at home with their four-month-old twins so he could help out in his parents' homeland
No days off: Sierra (pictured giving Rafael Crespo (right) 77, tarps and food in Guayabo) revealed this mission hits home for him because he lost his father in 2011 during Hurricane Irene
Locals were given single-day survival meals consisting of essentials such as cereal, milk, fruit cups, bread, and cutlery
He tells DailyMail.com that the apocalyptic scenes he's seen in Puerto Rico are every bit as heartbreaking as anything he experienced in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
'After 9/11 there was such an outpouring of help. There were volunteers arriving from around the world,' says Sierra, whose family hail from Naguabo, in the island's east.
'There is the same level of need but this is a small place and because of the political situation Puerto Rico is getting nothing in comparison.'
Godoy, a former stockbroker who is now serving with Ladder 50 in the Bronx, signed up to the DART team this year for the same reason he joined the FDNY five years ago: to make a difference.
'After the crash of '08 I got tired of that world. I wanted to do something fulfilling with my life,' he explains. 'Helping people means the world to me. Nobody should be hurting like this.
'United States citizens should not be deprived of water or the necessities of life. Puerto Rican people are resourceful people but they just need a little help to get back on their feet.'
Three hours later the team have handed out nearly all their supplies, save for a crate of water. A local ambulance driver has tipped them off about the pitiful conditions at a nearby old folks' home.
Chris Godoy, 40, checks on the owner of a house, which has fallen into the ocean in Rincon, Puerto Rico. The owner of the home insisted that he does not need help
A heroes' welcome: Residents at the Santa Rosa Elderly Apartments wave and cheer from windows as help finally arrive with water. Residents have allegedly been drinking out of a broken pipe spewing dirty water across the street
The firemen arrived at the Santa Rosa Elderly Apartments to deliver multiple cases of bottled water after they found the 33 residents have been without running water for two weeks
The firemen arrive at the Santa Rosa Elderly Apartments to find the 33 residents have been without running water for two weeks.
The site of frightened elderly men and women peering from windows and living in semi-darkness is hard to take even for firefighters who defy danger on a daily basis.
'You guys came for us when nobody else did,' Francisco Hernandez, 81, tells them. 'We were drinking dirty water from a hose across the street.'
Their truck now completely bare, the three heroes will return to base to beg, borrow or commandeer supplies for tomorrow's mission.
'What breaks my heart, is that these people aren't getting the help they could be getting from us,' explains Rivera.
The 15-year-veteran from Ladder 41 in the Bronx left his wife Christine Rivera, 35, at home with their four-month-old twins Ethan and Olivia so he could help out in his parents' homeland.
'We only have a fraction of the tools we normally have at our disposal in New York. If FEMA gives us the tools we'll do the rest.'
Devastation: The island is now struggling to recover as many were left without homes. One house was so destroyed, part of the building had fallen into the ocean, with a car in the garage
The famous Golden Arches of a local McDonald's were mangled and destroyed during Hurricane Maria
Much of the island has been decimated, particularly the coast where some homes have fell into the ocean and had their roofs and windows blown off
Local volunteers: Residents Ramon Solares, 56, and Manuel Bolet, 49, (both pictured left) have taken matters into their own hands. Pedro Rosardo (right) is a Vietnam veteran who moved to Puerto Rico after retiring says: 'You can see for yourself these are hard-working people. Trump is telling lies as usual.'
FDNY provided Rafael Crespo, 77, with heavy duty tarp for his wrecked home after his roof was blown off during the storm. Crespo said the winds were so violent they damaged his wife's hearing
The three colleagues agree the only way to avert a full-scale humanitarian disaster here is a massive military deployment of at least 50,000 troops.
As they arrive back in San Juan two hours later they wait in line to grab a three-minute cold shower and for fresh orders from Lt Diaz.
The lieutenant joined DART with his best friend Lt Dennis Mojica, who died inside the Twin Towers on 9/11. 'I think of him every day. Other guys in the DART team died that day also,' he tells DailyMail.com.
'Camaraderie is what drives us. When you run into a wall of fire the only thing that keeps you from turning around is loyalty to your bothers - and that applies just as much here as it does in New York.'
This blog is looking for wisdom, to have and to share. It is also looking for other rare character traits like good humor, courage, and honor. It is not an easy road, because all of us fall short. But God is love, forgiveness and grace. Those who believe in Him and repent of their sins have the promise of His Holy Spirit to guide us and show us the Way.
The owners of two gun shops confirmed that the Las Vegas shooter purchased firearms from them recently but he did not raise any alarm bells.
The owner of a shop in Mesquite, Nevada, says the Las Vegas shooter bought firearms there and never gave any indication that he might have been unstable.
Guns & Guitars general manager Christopher Sullivan said in a statement Monday that 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock showed no signs of being unfit to buy guns.
'The man does not have a criminal history,' he told the New York Times.
Chris Michel (left) owns Dixie GunWorx in St George, Utah. Christopher Sullivan (right) manages Guns & Guitars in Mesquite, Nevada. Both shops sold Las Vegas shooter Stephen Craig Paddock firearms
Sullivan said in a statement that Paddock displayed no signs of being unfit to buy guns nor did he have a criminal history in the state of Nevada
Paddock killed at least 59 people and injured at least 527 others after shooting at concertgoers from a Mandalay Bay hotel window in Las Vegas
The store was founded by Sullivan's parents, Mike and Jan. Its website notes: 'With Mike's extensive knowledge of guns and guitars and Jan's talent for making things happen, the store is thriving.'
Store spokesman Shawn Vincent declined comment on how many guns Paddock bought and said those details could only be shared with authorities.
Sullivan says all necessary background checks and procedures were followed under local, state and federal laws and that hes cooperating fully with law enforcement.
Paddock lived in a house in a retirement community in the small city of Mesquite, about 90 minutes from Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, a Utah gun store owner has said Paddock visited his shop about a 40-minute drive from Mesquite and purchased a shotgun.
Chris Michel, the owner of Dixie GunWorx in St George, Utah, told St George News that Paddock was an 'average, everyday Joe Blow. Nobody that stood out; no red flags'.
Pictured is an exterior shot of Guns & Guitars. Guns & Guitars general manager Christopher Sullivan said in a statement Monday that 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock showed no signs of being unfit to buy guns
Dixie GunWorx is pictured above. Dixie Gunworx owner Chris Michel said that paddock was an 'average, everyday Joe Blow. Nobody that stood out; no red flags'
He said that in the past, he has denied potential gun buyers their purchases if they appear to be 'sketchy'.
'None of the staff had any red flags whatsoever,' he told the St George News.
The store's website lists it as 'a one-stop shop for all of your firearm needs'.
Authorities found at least 17 firearms, including two rifles with scopes on tripods, in the Mandalay Bay hotel room from which Paddock fired on thousands of people attending a country music festival.
Paddock lived in Mesquite, Nevada and had no prior criminal convictions in the state.
Sullivan is pictured posing with a cutout of US President Donald Trump
He purchased a home in a retirement community for just over $369,000 in 2015 according to public records.
He lived there with his 62-year-old girlfriend Marilou Danley, the same woman police announced they were seeking to question on Sunday night as they began their investigation into the horrific terror attack.
Paddock had both hunting and fishing licenses according to public records, as well as his pilot's license, but no criminal record in the state of Nevada.
The retired accountant had worked as an internal auditor at Lockheed Martin for three years in the late 1980s, and was a manager and investor in apartment complexes located in Mesquite, Texas and California which made him millions according to his brother.
Paddock was also the son of Benjamin Hoskins Paddock, a serial bank robber who ended up on the FBI Most Wanted list back in 1969 when he escaped from federal prison in Texas while serving a 20 years sentence.
The FBI kept him on the list for the next eight years, and he was eventually found one year after he was removed from the list in 1978 while outside an Oregon Bingo hall.
The agency said that the fugitive had been 'diagnosed as psychopathic' and also had possible 'suicidal tendencies.'
Paddock had committed suicide by the time police breached the door to the room from which the gunman had opened fire at the Mandalay Bay Resort just after 10pm on Sunday night.
It marked the end of what has now become the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history, which left 59 dead and more than 500 injured.
The attack played out as Jason Aldean performed on stage to close out the third and final day of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, which was taking place across the street from the resort.
Over 22,000 people were in attendance at the event, and described the attack as 'nonstop gunfire,' which only stopped when the gunman went to reload his weapon.
It is not yet known what weapon or weapons the gunman used in the attack.
Fears are mounting over the missing wife of a California police officer after he told her to run in the aftermath of the deadly Las Vegas mass shooting.
San Francisco Police Officer Vinnie Etcheber and his wife, Stacee, were attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival when bullets began raining down on the crowd.
Vinnie urged Stacee, 50, and their two friends to run while he stayed behind and assisted the wounded.
Now, the family is trying to spread the word in hopes that somebody who has information about Stacee will contact them.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Stacee Etcheber (left), the wife of San Francisco Police Officer Vinnie (right), is missing in the aftermath of the deadly Las Vegas mass shooting
Stacee (pictured, with her daughter) and Vinnie were attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival with two friends when bullets began raining down on the crowd
Vinnie urged Stacee, 50 (pictured, with her daughter), and their two friends to run while he stayed behind and assisted the wounded
'I'm hoping maybe she did get hurt and is in a situation where she can't talk and she's in the hospital in a Jane Doe status and we're waiting to go in and identify her,' the officer's brother, Al Etcheber, told The Mercury News.
Al said he spoke to his brother who told him that, when the shooting broke out, the couple and their friends took cover behind security partitions on the festival grounds.
'My brother saw people had been shot. He tried to assist them,' he said.
'After the first barrage, he told his wife and two other people he was with to run. Then the second barrage of guns fired. He couldn't find his wife.'
Vinnie had been searching local hospitals overnight before being relegated to the Las Vegas police command center to wait for word.
To make matters more complicated, Stacee had left her phone behind in the hotel before the festival and had given her identification to her husband for safekeeping during the concert.
Stacee (pictured) had left her phone behind in the hotel before the festival and gave her identification to her husband for safekeeping during the concert
Stacee's brother-in-law, Al Etcheber, has been sharing her photo across social media in the hopes that someone recognizes her and provides information on her whereabouts
Al has been sharing his sister-in-law's photo across social media in the hopes that somebody recognizes her and provides information on her whereabouts.
'Perhaps a nurse at one of the hospitals will identify her as a patient and let us know if she is OK,' he said.
Vinnie and Stacee live in Novato, California, with their 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son. Stacee is a hair stylist at the Ciao Bella hair salon in Novato.
A friend had lent the couple their Las Vegas timeshare so they could enjoy the three-day festival.
On Sunday around 10.08pm, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock (pictured), opened fire on the concert grounds from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Hotel, across the street from the festival
Authorities say 59 people were killed and 527 were injured in what is now the deadliest mass shooting in US history (Pictured, an ambulance leaves the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue following the shooting)
On Sunday around 10.08pm, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, opened fire on the concert grounds from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Hotel, across the street from the festival.
Authorities say 59 people were killed and 527 were injured in what is now the deadliest mass shooting in US history.
By the time police tracked him down, Paddock had shot himself down. He was found with 16 guns in his room.
Left-wing extremist group Antifa has been condemned for posting a vile Facebook post praising a man who killed at least 59 people in Las Vegas in the worst mass shooting in American history.
Screenshots of the Melbourne chapter's deleted social media post have been reposted on to their site, highlighting their support for dead 64-year-old gunman Stephen Paddock.
'One of our comrades from our Las Vegas branch has made these fascist Trump supporting dogs pay,' it said on Tuesday morning.
Left-wing extremist group Melbourne Antifa's vile Facebook post praising Las Vegas shooter
Antifa's Melbourne arm praised Stephen Paddock for making 'Trump supporting fascists pay'
Melbourne Antifa's post was published little more than 12 hours after the carnage across the road from the Mandalay Bay Resort, as Jason Aldean performed on stage to close out the third and final day of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival.
Paddock, a millionaire accountant who lived a 90-minute drive away from Las Vegas in the city of Mesquite, Nevada, in a retirement village, opened fire on a festival which 22,000 people were attending.
The offensive social media message praising him was widely condemned as screen shots of it were re-posted on Melbourne Antifa's Facebook page.
'You would have to be the biggest f***wit ever,' one man wrote.
Another woman wrote: 'You filthy piece of rats***.'
Several people used expletives to express their anger at Melbourne Antifa for praising gunman
Melbourne Antifa temporarily posted a vile message after the carnage at a Las Vegas festival
One man referred to Melbourne Antifa as 'commie scum' for their vile Facebook post
Melbourne Antifa is part of a global movement of so-called anti-fascists.
In June, they took responsibility for ambushing Sky News presenter and conservative columnist Andrew Bolt with a glitter bomb outside a Melbourne book launch, before he fended them off and made them run during the encounter captured on video.
Now they are praising a shooting that has killed at least 59 people and injured another 527 at a country music festival across the road from the Mandalay Bay Resort.
One man said: 'Shame on you, commie scum.'
While ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, the FBI says the shooter had no connection with the terrorist group.
Theresa May must reverse the hollowing out of the Armed Forces, a former top general has warned.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, General Sir Richard Barrons said enemy states now had the capability to seriously threaten the UK.
He called for urgent action to restore our warfighting edge and said spending on research and development was woefully insufficient.
Our world is changing rapidly and the security environment for the UK is becoming more complex and uncertain, wrote the former head of Joint Forces Command.
Sir Richard Barrons has sent a letter to the Prime Minister warning that enemy states have the capability to seriously threaten the UK
Some states with whom we are on difficult terms now have the military capability to seriously threaten the UK homeland and our vital interests.
The Government must break with the path of reductions in defence permitted since the end of the Cold War and restore the military security of the UK if it is to keep us safe.
Sir Richard, who retired last year, said plans were needed to defend against cyber and missile attacks.
These could pose risks in the future at very short notice to our homeland and our interests, he added.
Some measures, such as new operational contingency plans, will cost little.
Others will require a surge in funding to offset decades of ... hollowing out the people, equipment, training and support necessary to defend the UK. The Government must now be bold enough and competent enough to rejuvenate the defence and security of the UK.
We wont always have the luxury to choose to be left alone or to remain inactive in a tough, globalised world.
The Ministry of Defence, Treasury and other key departments are reviewing security capabilities amid concerns the weakened pound could impact on the amount of equipment that can be bought.
Sir Michael Fallon will today give his defence speech to the Tory party conference, where he will unveil a deal to try to ensure more Royal Navy ships are at sea
Sir Michael Fallon will today give his defence speech to the Tory party conference, where he will unveil a deal to try to ensure more Royal Navy ships are at sea. A 1billion commitment will speed up repairs.
He will say: This new deal will support the Royal Navy as we prepare to welcome two huge new aircraft carriers, two new classes of frigates and new support ships.
We are growing the Royal Navy and ensuring that our warships will spend more time out at sea defending Britains interests.
Through our rising defence budget we are helping to keep people safe at home while working with allies abroad.
The MoD is spending 178billion on the equipment plan over the next ten years.
Advertisement
President Donald Trump has held a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting, and ordered the flag flown at half-staff in mourning.
The first lady as well as Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence joined Trump on the south lawn of the White House on Monday afternoon for the somber moment of silence.
They were also joined by Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner along with other White House staff.
As of Monday evening, 59 were confirmed dead and 527 injured at the hands of gunman Stephen Paddock in the worst shooting in modern US history after he opened fire from the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas onto country music festival-goers.
'Our nation is heartbroken. We mourn with all whose loved ones were murdered and injured in last night's horrible tragedy in Las Vegas, Nevada,' the president said in a statement on Monday.
Scroll down for video
Donald and Melania Trump are seen leaving the South Portico of the White House on Monday to lead a moment of silence for the victims of the Las Vegas massacre
The first lady (left) as well as Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence (right) joined Trump on the south lawn of the White House for the moment of silence
(L-R) White House National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster and Ivanka Trump are joined by White House staff as they prepare to observe a moment of silence on the South Lawn
'As we grieve, we pray that God may provide comfort and relief to all those suffering,' the president said.
Trump ordered the flag flown at half-staff at all federal facilities and overseas embassies until sunset on October 6.
Addressing the nation in the hours after the shooting, Trump condemned the massacre as an 'act of pure evil'.
Also on Monday, the Senate held a moment of silence, as the nation struggled to process the magnitude of Sunday night's attack on a country music festival where thousands had gathered.
Meanwhile across Capitol Hill, Democrats were quick to call for new gun control laws in the wake of the tragedy, while Republicans remained silent on the issue.
'Thoughts & prayers are NOT enough. Not when more moms & dads will bury kids this week, & more sons & daughters will grow up without parents,' Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a morning tweet.
Senior White House Advisor Ivanka Trump stands before a moment of silence in the wake of a mass shooting in Las Vegas at the White House
From l-r., National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, Ivanka Trump, the daughter and assistant to President Donald Trump, and White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, on the South Lawn of the White House
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives on the South Lawn with first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen (R) to lead a moment of silence
Addressing the nation in the hours after the shooting, Trump condemned the massacre as an 'act of pure evil'
The president and first lady observe a moment of silence for the dead and wounded
The flag over the White House is flown at half-staff in memory of the Las Vegas victims
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen walk back to the White House after observing a moment of silence
Senator Chris Murphy, whose home state of Connecticut was the scene of the Sandy Hook mass shooting in 2012 that killed 26, was blunter.
'It's time for Congress to get off its a** and do something,' the Democrat said in a statement.
Meanwhile, House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican, said in a statement on Monday: 'The whole country stands united in our shock, in our condolences and in our prayers.'
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, also a Republican, led his chamber in a moment of silence following the 'devastating' massacre and urged 'national mourning' and prayer.
Allies of Theresa May last night insisted that instead of sending Boris to the backbenches, she was determined to keep him in post
Theresa May has ruled out sacking Boris Johnson in an attempt to prevent the Foreign Secretary becoming a martyr as the party tries to unite over Brexit.
Cabinet heavyweights yesterday lined up to rebuke Mr Johnson after speculation and infighting over his leadership ambitions continued to overshadow the partys conference.
But allies of the Prime Minister last night insisted that instead of sending him to the backbenches, she was determined to keep him in post.
Figures in Downing Street believe his attention-grabbing interventions on Brexit and public sector pay are actually losing Mr Johnson support from fellow MPs.
Ahead of the Foreign Secretarys party conference speech today, a senior ally of Mrs May told the Daily Mail that the Prime Minister does not want to create a martyr by getting rid of him, arguing that when you drill down there is no base of support among colleagues for what he is doing.
Another senior ally said that rather than removing him, there are far better ways to cause someone misery, adding: There is more than one way to skin a cat.
But Jacob Rees Mogg again praised him yesterday, describing his good cheer on Brexit as fantastic. In other developments:
Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced a clampdown on online extremism with 15-year jail sentences for watching IS propaganda;
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Miss Rudd also attacked unprincipled tech giants who shamelessly told her there was no business case for tackling web terror;
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson urged the party to man up and get over the election disappointment;
Environment Secretary Michael Gove revealed he is considering plans for a plastic bottle return scheme.
Mr Johnsons decision to set out four red lines on Brexit on the eve of the Tory party conference has infuriated many MPs and ministers.
It came a fortnight after he stunned Downing Street by publishing an unauthorised 4,000-word essay setting out his vision for Britains Brexit strategy.
Last night in an interview with the Daily Mail, Miss Rudd warned that Mr Johnsons repeated interventions were undermining the Governments efforts on Brexit.
Figures in Downing Street believe his attention-grabbing interventions on Brexit and public sector pay are actually losing Boris Johnson support from fellow MPs
Asked what she thought of the Foreign Secretarys red lines on Brexit, she said: They are not for him to set, they are for the Prime Minister to set. We should stick to the traditional way of fighting it out at Cabinet and then coming out with an agreed line.
Brexit is a challenge but we can make a success of it, but we need to be united.
Asked whether she thought it was sustainable for a Cabinet minister to continue speaking out, she replied: Well, every time he stops making interventions we all breathe a sigh of relief and think, Now we can get on with the business of government without a distraction.
Yes, it is sustainable, as long as we maintain a united government front.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon stressed none of us are unsackable. He suggested that Mr Johnson does not have enough support to become leader.
Chancellor Philip Hammond warned that signs of disunity in Government were harming the UKs Brexit negotiations and repeated the mantra that nobody is unsackable.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon stressed none of us are unsackable. He suggested that Mr Johnson does not have enough support to become leader
First Secretary of State Damian Green dismissed Mr Johnsons demand that the Brexit transition period should last not a second more than two years, telling activists that the final date of withdrawal could go a few months in either direction.
In a reference to the row over Mr Johnsons comments, Miss Davidson used a conference fringe event to tell her MSPs: If any of you think of writing anything, without telling me, that is counter to current Scottish Conservative policy; you are out on your ear.
She said the party needs to get over its current nervous breakdown and man up a little bit.
Mr Johnson won support from some colleagues. His old Vote Leave ally Mr Gove told LBC: I think the Prime Ministers leadership in the Florence speech reflected that upbeat and optimistic vision that Boris articulated.
Kyriakos Georghiou, 27, is accused of stabbing his mother Jane, 76, and beheading her in an attack that saw his father Costas also stabbed multiple times
A man barred from seeing his elderly mother because of an assault charge is now accused of decapitating her in her own home.
Kyriakos Georghiou punched his 76-year-old mother Jane Georghiou in the face in April 2017, prompting Houston authorities to put a protective order in place.
Despite the attack, his parents posted his $10,000 bail a month ago. He is now thought to have stabbed his mother several times and beheaded her on Monday.
His attorney, Jeffrey Wilner, said Georghiou's parents posted his $10,000 bail in the assault case last month and were getting him mental health treatment at a facility in Houston.
Georghiou had been in jail since June for the alleged assault.
'The mother loved him. His dad loved him, I'm just in shock,' Wilner said following the attack.
Adding he: 'Would have called the police and told his dad not to bond him out,' if he had any idea that Georghiou would be a danger to his family.
Carvana Cloud, a prosecutor with the district attorney's office in Harris County, Texas, said Georghiou allegedly went to his parents' house on Friday and started stabbing Jane.
When her husband and Kyriakos' father, Costas Georghiou, tried to protect his wife, he was stabbed several times in the face and chest, Cloud said.
Kyriakos Georghiou left his parents' home and in the meantime his father went to get help.
But Georghiou is said to have come back with a second knife while the father was away.
'He continues to stab his mother to the point where he kills her and her head is severed from her body,' Cloud said.
Georghiou's father was hospitalized in critical condition after the attack. His condition has been upgraded to fair, hospital officials said Monday.
Kyriakos Georghiou punched his 76-year-old mother Jane Georghiou in the face in April 2017, prompting Houston authorities to put a protective order in place
Georghiou is being held without bond on charges of murder and aggravated assault on a family member. He has a court appearance scheduled for Thursday.
At the time of the stabbing, Georghiou's bond had been revoked by a judge after he missed a court hearing last week.
In the case he faced a charge of injury to an elderly individual for punching his mother inside his car in April and knocking out one of her front teeth.
It was the second time that Georghiou had been arrested for an assault on his mother.
In 2014, he was sentenced to three years in state prison after pleading guilty to a charge of injury to an elderly individual for punching his mother, leaving her with broken teeth and a swollen left eye.
He also had prior arrests for drug possession and aggravated robbery.
Elisa Curry, 42, was last seen heading out for a run on Aireys Street, south-west of Melbourne, at around 10.30pm on Saturday
The husband of missing Melbourne woman Elisa Curry has made a plea for the 42-year-old mother to come home three days after she was last seen.
David Curry broke his silence on Tuesday morning pleading with the public to call police if they had seen his wife.
'I, my kids, we just want her to come home,' he said.
The father-of-three then spoke directly to his missing wife.
'Elisa, if you are out there, can you please contact us.'
Police also increased the search area on Tuesday - hoping to find the missing woman.
Ms Curry was initially thought to have gone for a run with her labrador after the AFL Grand Final.
Her husband arrived at the house with the couple's three children to find she was missing.
The labrador was found on Monday in a neighbour's yard. The mother's phone is going straight to voicemail.
Elisa's husband David, pictured, spoke to the media - pleading for the mother-of three to come home
'I, my kids, we just want her to come home,' he said as he addressed the media
Police have searched the area where the 42-year-old was last seen but she has yet to be found.
'There's nothing at this point in time to say anything untoward happened,' Senior Sergeant Robert Wilby told The Age.
'No one seems to be able to shed any light on it...'Police and family have concerns for Elisa as her disappearance is out of character.'
The labrador, pictured, which went missing at the same time as Ms Curry has been found
Ms Curry has no known health concerns, and police confirmed that there are no signs of a break-in at her home.
Anyone with information about Ms Curry's disappearance is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
Sydney's property market has hit new heights, with new data showing ten previously affordable suburbs have nearly doubled in price.
Residential areas which went for as low as $415,000 in 2012 are now selling for close to $1million, according to Finder.com.au.
From Wilberforce in the north to Lewisham in the south, capital gains across the suburbs have jumped between eighty to ninety per cent.
Sydney's property market has hit new heights, with new data showing ten previously affordable suburbs have nearly doubled in price. Pictured is a house in Lakemba, one of the suburbs.
The top of the bunch in Sydney - and across Australia - was Sefton in the city's west, which saw a 102.2 per cent increase.
An average house in the area cost just $455,000 in 2012, but five years later that price has soared to $920,000.
Following close behind was The Oaks, located in the south west, where median prices had grown 99 per cent from $415,000 to $826,000.
The lowest growth among the top suburbs was for the western area Auburn, which still managed to see prices rise from $490,000 to $903,500 - a gain of 84.4 per cent.
The top of the bunch for capital gains growth in Sydney - and across Australia - was Sefton (stock image pictured) in the city's west, which saw a 102.2 per cent increase
Media house prices in South Granville (stock image pictured) increased 95.6 per cent from $450,000 to $880,000
Lakemba saw growth of 91.6 per cent, while Birrong's prices shifted from $453,000 to $876,000.
Other suburbs listed included South Granville, Wiley Park and Prospect in the city's west.
Bessie Hassan, a money expert from the comparison website, said that Sydney had seen the highest growth across Australia, with that hitting deposits needed for home buyers.
Sydney suburbs that have nearly DOUBLED in value in five years Suburb 2012 Median Price 2017 Median Price Increase (%) Sefton $455,000 $920,000 102.2 per cent Lakemba $500,000 $958,000 91.6 per cent Wilberforce $499,900 $940,000 88 per cent South Granville $450,000 $880,000 95.6 per cent Lewisham $487,000 $912,500 87.4 per cent Birrong $453,000 $876,000 93.4 per cent Wiley Park $485,000 $902,500 86.1 per cent Auburn $490,000 $903,500 84.4 per cent The Oaks $415,000 $826,000 99 per cent Prospect $420,000 $829,000 97.4 per cent
While those in Wiley Park (stock image pictured) jumped from $485,000 to $902,500
'The runaway deposits are leaving thousands of first home buyers stunned and simply unable to buy in parts of our major cities,' she told Realestate.com.au.
It comes as data released by Domain in July indicated the media Sydney house value had raised to more than $1.1million.
Apartment prices also made a significant jump, up 3.6 per cent from last quarter to bring a median price of $757,991.
Some years ago there was a farm shop in Worcestershire I loved to visit. It was run by a Mr and Mrs Orchard yes, really! and operated out of a tiny wooden hut, next to the barns where they milked their herd of Guernseys.
Beyond were the fields where they grew their carrots, cabbages, potatoes, turnips and so on, whatever was in season and all of them sold at such stupidly low prices that my jaw used to drop every time I got the bill which, of course, Mr Orchard would tot up in his head from a handwritten list.
The Orchards could afford to do this because, by selling direct to the consumer, they were cutting out the middleman and avoiding those iniquitous deals that supermarket buyers tend to impose on farmers. It was a win-win situation for buyer and seller.
And though they werent organic, those vegetables were as crisp and delicious as any Ive ever eaten.
'As crisp and delicious as any Ive ever eaten,' is how James Delingpole remembers the carrots he used to buy - but what about those on offer at today's farm shops?
The carrots unwashed, because they keep longer that way with a crown of green fronds tasted like carrots are meant to taste: of carrot, rather than crunchy nothingness.
This was the farm shop in its purest form, long before the process of poncification to meet the demands of the city exiles, the organic-obsessed middle classes and the hipsters, began. These are the folk who like to play at rustic living and to virtue signal their support for the commmunity by shopping locally.
As a result were experiencing a boom in farm shops. In 2004, there were just 1,200 across the country, most of them run informally as a side-line on a working farm; today there are 3,500 such shops, some of which in size and profit potential eclipse the farms theyre attached to.
There is, however, no doubting their popularity. According to the latest figures from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, four in ten of us have visited a farm shop in the past 12 months, with nearly half intending to visit one in the future.
Most people say they buy from farm shops because of the quality of the produce and reassurance about its provenance, something wed all endorse. But I do wonder how many of us are being taken for a ride by their proliferation and of the oh-so-fashionable farmers markets that theyve given rise to and if what was once a fine a idea has got of hand?
Too often when I venture into a farm shop these days I feel as I used to when I wandered into one of those high-end Notting Hill boutiques looking for a present for my wife. Its how much?
Have supermarkets such as Lidl replace the farm shops of yesteryear as the best place to bag cheap vegetables?
Everything seems to cost twice what youd pay in a supermarket. But you feel horribly under pressure to make a purchase, something, anything, because farms shops are a good thing, arent they?
They keep a roof over the heads of hard-pressed farmers, labourers in the fields, cattle supplied with feed and boost the rural economy. So you wander desperately around every product exquisitely displayed in wicker baskets or with gingham trimmings, labelled with mouth-watering descriptions in illuminated script in search of something you can afford to buy without losing face.
Some streaky bacon, perhaps, hailing from rarest of breeds and smoked according to a traditional medieval recipe in an ancient kiln? Yes, except there seems to be more fat than meat and the cost would keep those rare pigs in clover for the rest of their lives.
Or some misshapen, mud-spattered vegetables? Yes, but again, at that price, you could have had them flown in by private jet from the South of France and they probably wouldnt be half so unappetising in appearance.
Usually, I end up in the bakery paying through the nose for a loaf of bread, concocted from a prehistoric grain Ive never heard of, and which tastes no better than the stuff I make in the bread machine at home.
No longer farm shops, theyre basically delicatessens with a rustic bent.
I dont want to be too hard on high-profile shops like Daylesford Organic, the uber-posh Gloucestershire farm shop which has outposts in the most fashionable areas of London, because their influence has, in some ways, been a good one.
They are helping encourage the boom in an artisanal produce which means you can now eat as well in most parts of rural Britain as you can in Italy or France.
The terrible price weve had to pay for this rural gastronomic revolution, however, is twofold: firstly the high cost and secondly the pretention. Now, Im not a fan of The Archers and its politically correct every day tales of country folk written by Left-wing townies who wouldnt know one end of the cow from another, but a recent storyline is telling.
Bridge Farm, home to Pat and Tony Archer, has a shop that has long specialised in dairy produce and sausages from its organic herd and pigs. Now their son, Tom Archer, wants to shake things up and expand the range to embrace new health food fads like kimchi.
James Delingpole likens a trip to farm shops to being fleeced at the races, advising bargain hunters to head for Aldi instead
I only know what kimchi is because the other day I accidentally found myself in a hipster cafe and asked about the identity of the disgusting looking stuff in a pickle jar next to the handmade organic sourdough on the bar: it was kimchi, a substance youd only want to eat if you didnt know what it was made of which is . . . fermented cabbage.
Dont get me wrong: Im all for experimenting with interesting foreign produce, in the right place, but The Archers illustrates exactly whats gone wrong with the farm shop movement. It has been overtaken by a megalomaniacal urge to transform the whole world into one giant trendy cafe selling produce youve never heard for eye-watering profits.
For years I lived in London where, of course, you fully expect to be able to purchase every conceivable ingredient from any number of ethnic supermarkets.
But when you do that youre paying rock-bottom prices far less than it would cost you in, say, Waitrose, let alone a boutique farm shop because those little supermarkets cater for ordinary people rather than middle-class trendies clutching the latest Jamie Oliver recipe book.
The country, however, is different which is one of the reasons I moved there. I wanted to escape all that metropolitan trendiness and go back to simpler world where the ingredients were fresher, the variety smaller and the prices lower; where no one judged you on the clothes you wore or the car you drove or what you ate because thats the deal when you move to the sticks youre no longer competing like city folk do. Well, not any more.
When I dare venture into a farm shop now, I come away with the same feeling I get after an unsuccessful day at the races or a bad night at the casino. The one that says: You mug. They saw you coming.
Obviously, we should celebrate all the farms which have been kept afloat by opening a shop, and all the artisan cheesemakers (that nice chap who used to be in pop group Blur, for example) whove been encouraged to experiment and diversify by the new outlets to sell from, and all the country gastropubs specialising in local fare which have blossomed as a result of the farm shop revolution.
But deep down, I suspect most of you know Im right: that a great many of these places are now the most massive rip-off; they bully us into buying things we dont want or need. Wed all be better off at Lidl and Aldi.
Britain is being hit by nearly two significant cyber-attacks every day, security chiefs revealed yesterday.
Experts at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) had to deal with 1,131 incidents in the last year.
Officials classed 590 of the reported incidents as significant, with more than 30 assessed as serious enough to require a cross-government response.
Key national institutions such as the NHS and the UK and Scottish Parliaments were among those targeted, a report by the NCSC revealed.
Small and large businesses were also hit by cyber attacks.
Experts at the National Cyber Security Centre had to deal with 1,131 incidents in the last year - with 590 classed as significant (stock photo)
The NCSC is part of Britains eavesdropping service, GCHQ, whose director Jeremy Fleming warned the threats to the UK are evolving rapidly.
He said: The threats to the UK are evolving rapidly as technology advances. Our response has been to transform to stay ahead of them.
The NCSC is a pivotal part of that transformation.
It is a critical component not only of GCHQ, where it benefits from the data and expertise it has access to as part of the intelligence community, but of how the government as a whole works to keep the UK safe.
He said the NCSC had made enormous strides in increasing and improving UK cyber capabilities.
He added: It is in the frontline in protecting the UK against a growing number of cyber attacks.
The most high-profile episode was the global ransomware outbreak which affected dozens of NHS trusts in May.
The large scale attack disrupted hospitals and GP appointments.
In June, email accounts were targeted in an attack on parliamentary networks.
NCSC chief executive Ciaran Martin described the cyber threat as large, growing and diverse - and warned further attacks are inevitable.
He said: Cyber security is crucial to our national security and to our prosperity.
Were incredibly proud of what we have achieved in our first year at the National Cyber Security Centre, bringing together some of the best cyber-security brains in the country in a single place.
But the threat remains very real and growing - further attacks will happen and there is much more for us to do to make the UK the safest place in the world to live and do business online.
The most high-profile episode was the global ransomware outbreak which affected dozens of NHS trusts in May (stock photo)
The NCSC was established to spearhead efforts to counter the mounting danger from cyber-criminals and hostile states.
In a report published on Tuesday, the centre sets out its activity in its first year and summarises the shape of the current threat.
It says: There are now more devices connected to the internet than there are people in the world and with the growth of our dependence on technology comes an increased risk.
Despite the NCSCs best work in defending the country from that threat, we cant prevent every attack.
The assessment underlines how threats can originate from a range of sources, including cyber criminals or nation states that may seek to exploit UK organisations to further their own agenda and prosperity.
It warns: Campaigns by nation states can be persistent, including espionage and intellectual property theft that take place over many years and use significant technical capability.
Nation states are also starting to explore how cyber operations can support a disruptive and destructive strategy.
As well as managing hundreds of incidents, the NCSC has prevented thousands of attacks through its active cyber defence programme, it says.
Tens of millions of suspicious communications are being blocked every month under a partnership with the private sector.
The centre has also produced more than 200,000 protective items for Armed Forces communications.
Earlier in the year the defence secretary said the UK could carry out military strikes in response to cyber attacks.
Sir Michael Fallon told the Chatham House think tank the UK had the ability to respond to hackers from any domain - air, land, sea or cyber.
Amid the worldwide expressions of shock and horror following the Las Vegas massacre, the usual people mostly liberal East Coast Democrats will cry out for controls on gun ownership.
And the usual people middle Americans, especially Republicans and especially in such states as Texas will sustain their unyielding resistance to any new law.
And the freedom lobby, as it thinks of itself, will win.
Here is a country with an estimated 270 million firearms in private hands almost one apiece for every man, woman and child in the land. Nearly half of all U.S. households has a gun, most often a pistol for personal protection.
Beyond the traditional claim, harking back to the 1776 constitution, about a right to bear arms, many Americans passionately believe in the face of overwhelming statistical evidence to the contrary that they are safer living in a house with a gun.
Police on guard on the streets outside the Mandalay Bay. The shooter was killed inside the hotel
Above, the type of weapons found in the room. On the top is an Ak-47 and on the bottom is an AR-15. AR-15s are typically semi-automatic, while AK-47s can be either fully automatic or semi-automatic
Yet there were at least 133 mass killings between 2000 and 2014 in the U.S., compared with four in Canada, two in Australia and one in Britain.
And that was before the 49 shot at a Florida nightclub last year and Sundays massacre.
Private enterprise murder on such a scale is only possible in a society which grants almost everybody unlimited access to automatic assault weapons such as appear to have been used in Las Vegas.
Until 2004, the Federal Assault Weapon Ban prevented citizens from owning such hardware, but since it lapsed every attempt to renew it has fallen in Congress. Such is the power of the gun lobby, spearheaded by the National Rifle Association, that many members of the U.S. legislature tremble for their seats if they speak up for gun controls.
PICTURED: Stephen Craig Paddock, right, is the man who killed more than 58 and injured 515 in a shooting at a Las Vegas music festival
It is widely thought Hillary Clintons backing for at least some new controls contributed to her wafer-thin election defeat last November. In many states, restrictions for instance, on carrying concealed weapons have actually been eased in recent years. On Texas college campuses, since August it has become legal for a student with a permit to carry a hidden handgun to class.
It is all madness, of course. The lobbyists insistently claim that good guys with guns can intervene to prevent crimes or for that matter massacres.
There is not a shred of historical evidence that this has ever happened not once, ever, anywhere in the U.S.
What has happened instead is that some perfectly innocent people have been killed by would-be vigilantes, who have seen them allegedly acting suspiciously.
Some Americans reading this will mutter: Oh, he must be one of those stupid people who doesnt know anything about guns. Yet I have owned sporting guns all my life.
A very long time ago I won a small prize, shooting for a Parachute Regiment team with rifle, sub-machine-gun and Bren gun. I have fired handguns on FBI ranges and tried most military small arms some time, some place.
So no, I am not anti-gun. But it is beyond my comprehension, as it is that of most British people, how any sane society can suppose it should be a private citizens right to own weapons purpose-designed for killing human beings.
Back in 1996, I thought that Michael Howard, as home secretary, went over the top when he imposed a total ban on all handgun ownership after the Dunblane shooting, in which 16 children and a teacher were murdered. Such terrible crimes are mercifully very rare in Britain, and the ban seemed tough on British target shooters, who regularly won medals at the Olympics.
Debris is strewn through the scene of a mass shooting at a music festival near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino on the Las Vegas Strip
This graphic shows how Stephen Paddock took aim (top left) from his window on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel before firing indiscriminately into a crowd of 22,000
I have since changed my mind. Howard was right. Disarming Britain, so that the only firearms left in private hands are those designed for sport, was an appropriate precautionary measure.
Very occasionally killings continue to be carried out with legally-owned shotguns, often alas of family members. But no shotgun could ever kill people in the numbers that Americans routinely achieve in their massacres.
Moreover, in addition to deliberate acts of homicide, each year in the U.S. about 15,000 accidental shootings result in about 600 deaths. Almost daily, somebody somewhere picks up the handgun they bought for personal protection, and it goes off with tragic consequences.
In the wilds of southern California a few months ago, a man whom I was visiting took me to his study to show me a file on his computer.
Seeing me glance uneasily at the automatic pistol lying beside it loaded, of course he said only a little apologetically: Thats what we do here. And so it is.
Yet it need not be this way. After the 1996 Port Arthur killings in Australia, in which 35 people died, the country rallied in an extraordinary fashion against the gun lunatics.
Authorities say Paddock had a large room or connecting rooms on the 32nd floor
All automatic weapons were banned and there was a National Buy-Back scheme, whereby at a cost of more than 300 million some 600,000 weapons were surrendered or purchased by the state.
Australia today is a much safer place and sporting shooters can still own any long guns rifles or shotguns they want, subject to licensing. Yet no such outbreak of common sense will happen in the U.S.
Social media, which empowers extremist minorities of all kinds to communicate with each other, perpetrating frightful untruths, has immeasurably strengthened the gun lobby. Only yesterday, Right-wing websites were claiming, utterly falsely, that the Las Vegas murders were the work of a named anti-Trump Democrat.
The argument prevails that if all the law-abiding people give up their guns, then only the bad guys will have them.
Many of those who carry out massacres are not only extreme gun-owners, but obsessive online followers of extremist groups.
The gun lobby resists serious mental health checks, or tighter monitoring of dealers a 1995 survey found that 57 per cent of all guns found at fatal crime scenes were sold by 1 per cent of dealers, and not much has changed since.
Investigators load bodies from the scene of the mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip
Hundreds of rounds of automatic gunfire were reported by witnesses on the scene; one woman in the Mandalay Bay said that there was a shooter on the 32nd floor, and that they had killed a security guard
The world market for handguns is overwhelmingly dominated by American private buyers, and gun dealers run a formidable sub-lobby of their own.
As the U.S. becomes ever more tribal, ever more resistant to rational discussion across political parties about health care, the weather . . . or gun control, the massacres will go on, because President Trump himself leads the true believers, who think it more important to preserve the right to own assault weapons than to keep them out of the hands of people such as the Las Vegas mass-murderer.
Those of us who love and respect the United States throw up our hands in despair.
Did you know that in Florida, a florist cannot practise his or her art without taking courses and buying a licence that costs at least 500? Yet in Florida also anybody who wishes to buy a gun and sack of bullets can get started without even five minutes of safety tuition.
This makes it unsurprising that 44 per cent of Americans claim to know someone who has been shot. One gun lobby slogans goes: Guns dont commit murders. People do.
Yet such ghastly deeds as the Las Vegas massacre could not take place unless a lunatic such as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock had ready access to weapons of a kind that no citizen of a civilised society should be permitted to own.
A shambolic immigration judge with very little idea of the law was condemned over 13 cases.
In an unprecedented ruling, a tribunal chaired by three senior judges found Dr Amir Majid was wholly failing to meet the standards demanded.
In nine of the cases the 63-year-old judge, who is blind and uses a wheelchair, unlawfully ruled that migrants and asylum seekers could stay in Britain.
A senior immigration barrister last night told the Daily Mail he suspected Dr Majid, who remains a judge, has long avoided the sack because the Ministry of Justice fears he would claim discrimination.
Dr Amir Majid was found by three senior judges to be 'wholly failing to meet the standards demanded'
The tribunal considered 13 rulings made by the immigration appeal judge at Taylor House, in Islington, north London, that were later successfully overturned.
In one case, he spoke of a Bangladeshi asylum seeker being a homosexual even though the man made no such claim.
The senior judges, led by Judge Mark Ockelton, vice president of the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), said of the 13 cases: Every one of the decisions shows error of law, in most cases serious error, in most cases multiple serious errors.
To be frank, in none of the decisions under appeal does he give the least reason to suppose that he is aware what the relevant requirements of the immigration rules are.
They added: Judge Majids decisions give the impression that the judge has very little idea of either his own (limited) powers or the content of the law in issue. They are full of observations many of which are of dubious correctness, some of which are of dubious relevance, and a few of which are wholly inappropriate.
Most of the cases involved Judge Majid accepting appeals by migrants against Home Office orders to leave Britain.
He accepted one key witness was British simply because they recited aloud what they claimed was their passport number without giving any documents as proof.
Among his other numerous errors was wrongly claiming the best interests of the children create a knockout element. They are actually one factor among others.
The tribunal found he'd made errors of law in all 13 cases, with most of them being of a serious nature
Even a lawyer who won his immigration appeal heard by the judge made an official complaint, saying: It was extremely difficult to understand what Judge Majid was saying, which caused significant confusion on numerous occasions.
His comments and questions were of tangential relevance and it was difficult for the witness and legal representative to grasp the points he was trying to make.
He became angry with both witnesses and legal representative as a result of the strained communication and frequent misunderstandings. I would go so far as to suggest that the nature of the proceedings before Judge Majid were so shambolic as to bring the tribunal into disrepute and undermine public confidence in an effective judicial system.
Dr Majid was hailed for becoming Britains second blind judge 20 years ago, and as a result of his disability has an assistant to help him grasp cases. After going blind while at a university of agriculture in his native Pakistan, he became a lawyer and lecturer.
The senior judges suggested his blindness was no excuse, saying: We are also aware Judge Majid has a physical disability he is blind. Indeed, he mentions that in several of the decisions It may be wholly unreasonable to expect him to assimilate a complex matter in writing at short notice.
But it cannot reasonably be suggested that blindness prevents a person learning or applying law, or hearing both sides and reaching, and expressing, a properly reasoned conclusion.
In one case Dr Majid referred to a Bangladeshi man as a homosexual despite the man making no such claim
The tribunal found he seemed to cut and paste identical paragraphs for multiple cases even though wrong and irrelevant. He said of a woman claiming to be a student and appealing against an order to leave Britain: She is a genuine student who should be helped. But the tribunal ruled he had no power to help her.
Another migrant won the right to stay in Britain due to compassionate circumstances, but the rules do not include any provision for compassionate circumstances, the senior judges said. A Judiciary spokesman last night said Judge Majid retains his title but is not currently hearing immigration cases, adding: There has been a complaint against Judge Majid, who is part-time.
A senior immigration barrister said: Hes a nightmare He is hard to understand, cant understand what is said, and it takes 20 minutes just to establish what case it is and whos in court.
He still thinks were in a time when judges had a lot more discretion to let asylum seekers stay. When I represent asylum seekers in front of him I have to warn them they will have a surreal experience. Even if they win the Home Office will almost certainly appeal.
They should have sacked him years ago, but I suspect they were worried hed bring a disability discrimination case.
Judge Majid promotes himself as an expert on Islamic law and previously came to public notice when he won 15,000 compensation for himself for racial discrimination from Londons Guildhall, where he lectured.
The judge, who lives in London, was unavailable for comment.
A nine-seat sushi counter has won three Michelin stars, joining a select group of British restaurants with the coveted top rating.
The Araki in London - where the set menu costs 300 per person - was given the stars on Monday by the French gastronomic guide.
Situated in the upmarket Mayfair area, it is the first Japanese restaurant in the United Kingdom to be awarded three stars in the annual appraisal after previously winning two.
The restaurant's set menu costs 300 per person and is run with just three members of staff, including owner Mitsuhiro Araki, pictured
Japanese chef Mitsuhiro Araki opened the sushi bar in 2014 after closing his three-starred restaurant in Tokyo.
International director of Michelin guides Michael Ellis said the chef had continued to improve The Araki since moving to the capital.
'With its nine-seater counter, The Araki has gone from strength to strength,' he said.
Mitsuhiro Araki's restaurant manages to fit all of its seats around the chef's table - by seating just nine
'When Mitsuhiro Araki moved to London... he set himself the challenge of using largely European fish and his sushi is now simply sublime.'
The eatery's website boasts that each of its nine seats are able to fit around the chef's table, where edomae sushi is served according to a 200-year-old tradition.
Mr Araki and wife Yoko run the restaurant with the help of just one assistant.
The counter joins Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London, as well as The Fat Duck and The Waterside Inn, both in Bray, Berkshire, as three-star rated.
The restaurant in Mayfair serves edomae sushi according to a 200-year-old Japanese tradition
The 2018 guide for Great Britain and Ireland awarded two stars to 20 restaurants, including Claude Bosi at Bibendum, which opened in Michelin House in Chelsea, London, earlier this year.
A further 150 restaurants were given a single star.
These include The Wild Honey Inn, an Irish pub in Lisdoonvarna, and Loch Bay, a converted crofter's house on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
In total, the guide rated 2,067 restaurants and 1,115 hotels and guesthouses across Britain and Ireland.
London has continued to cement itself as 'a world-class destination for rich, varied eating experiences,' according to a statement by the Michelin Guide.
But it also noted 'the offer across Great Britain and Ireland as a whole is developing, often based around exceptional regional ingredients'.
A diplomatic security agent testified Monday that after militants stormed the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens told him 'when I die, you need to pick up my gun and keep fighting'.
Agent Scott Wickland was the government's first witness in a trial of Ahmed Abu Khattala, a Libyan suspected of orchestrating the attack that killed the ambassador and three other Americans in 2012.
Wickland took the stand at the federal court in Washington and gave a harrowing account of how he tried without success to save the ambassador and Sean Patrick Smith, a State Department information management officer.
This courtroom sketch depicts Ahmed Abu Khattala listening to a interpreter through earphones during the opening statement by assistant U.S. attorney John Crabb, second from left, at federal court in Washington in the trial presided by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper on Monday
This courtroom sketch shows Ahmed Abu Khattala, third from right and the suspected mastermind of the 2012 attacks on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, listening to an interpreter through earphones in Washington Monday
Agent Scott Wickland (L) revealed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens' (R, in a photo by US Embassy in Libya via Balkis Press/Abaca Press/TNS) last words which were: 'When I die, you need to pick up my gun and keep fighting'
The smoke from weapons' fire and explosions was so thick and black that it blinded the three. They dropped to the floor and crawled on their bellies, gasping for air.
Wickland said he was trying to lead them to a bathroom where he could close the door and open a window.
'I was breathing through the last centimeter of air on the ground,' Wickland said. 'I'm yelling, 'Come on. We can make it. We're going to the bathroom.' Within 8 meters, they disappeared.'
A vehicle (R) and the surround buildings burn after they were set on fire inside the US consulate compound in Benghazi late on September 11, 2012
Wickland kept yelling for them. He was feeling around on the floor through the toxic smoke, which made the lighted room darker than night.
'To this day, I don't even know where they went. I was right next to them, and then that's it,' Wickland said. 'I had my hand on Ambassador Stevens. I could hear Sean shuffling.'
Twelve jurors and three alternates assembled for the opening day of one of the most significant terrorism prosecutions in recent years.
This sketch shows Khattala during the opening statement by defense attorney Jeffery Robinson, center, at federal court in Washington
Khattala (front second from right) seen at federal court is on trial presided by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper. He is the suspected mastermind of the 2012 attacks on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans
Abu Khattala (pictured R and L) is on trial as he is the suspected mastermind of the 2012 attacks on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans
Abu Khattala is being tried in U.S. District Court, a civilian court, at a time when the Trump administration has said terror suspects are better sent to the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In the trial presided by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper Khattala has been depicted in a series of sketches in the courtroom.
Khattala is on trial as he is the suspected mastermind of the 2012 attacks on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans.
Defense attorney Jeffery Robinson is also present in court as is Michelle Peterson, a member of the defense team.
The 2012 Benghazi attack was against two United States government facilities in Libya by members of the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia.
A dog walker says her basset hound Molly picked up an intact penis and testicles that were washed up on the beach.
Julie Edwards, who lives in Brean, Somerset, revealed that the disconnected genitalia did not appear to be damaged despite having been submerged in salty sea water.
After spotting the item she quickly got in touch with a beach warden who reported the grim find to the police.
Ms Edwards told Somerset Live: 'I could see she was about to roll something around. It is usually maggots or birds but I stopped her and saw it wasn't that at all.
After spotting the item on Brean beach (pictured), Ms Edwards quickly got in touch with a beach warden who reported the grim find to the police
'It definitely looked human to me. I think it was an intact penis and male testicles.
'It was upsetting more later on when you actually think that's it could be someone's relative.'
Police are yet to officially identify the object and are assisting the coroner with enquiries.
Debris including bombs from the Second World War has washed up on the beach before but locals have never found a detached member on the serene sands.
One resident nearby said the news was 'awful' while another added that it was 'not a massive shock'.
Earlier this year beachgoers were left baffled after four giant pipes big enough to drive through washed up on beaches in Norfolk.
Earlier this year beachgoers were left baffled after four giant pipes big enough to drive through washed up on beaches in Norfolk
The 8ft-wide plastic bore tubes with one more than 1,500ft long were among 12 which broke free while being towed to Algeria.
The 1,570ft length pipe beached between Sea Palling and Winterton-on-Sea just days after a 660ft section appeared at low tide further west at Horsey.
Pictures showed two men walking on top of one of the tubes, some with huge red and yellow seals, as others took selfies.
The brother of an Australian MP has described the terror when a gunman rained down bullets on a country music festival in Las Vegas.
Brenton Wingard was with his wife Jessie and their friends in the crowd of 22,000 at the close of the three-day Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday.
Stephen Craig Paddock was staying in a suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.
Then, after using a hammer to smash windows in the room and armed with at least 10 rifles, opened fire as headliner Jason Aldean was performing - killing 59 and injured 527 more.
At first, Mr Wingard the brother of South Australian Liberal MP Corey Wingard assumed the noise was fireworks, he told ABC Radio Adelaide.
Scroll down for video
Brenton Wingard (pictured) has described the terror when a gunman rained down bullets on a country music festival in Las Vegas
But Mr Wingard, who now lives in Nevada with his wife and three children, quickly realised something serious was happening.
'As I look over, I see someone giving someone CPR, which just didn't look good,' he told the station.
'Next thing, Jason Aldean runs off the stage and people just start running as fast as they can.'
Mr Wingard said he and his companions were 'sort of trapped.'
They could go up a few stairs 'the last thing in the world we wanted to do, get higher' or through a gate area that was blocking us.
'If we'd gone through that gate, we would have run right into the worst of it, so we were, luckily enough, sort of trapped.'
Mr Winhard lay on his wife's body to protect her as they hid underneath bleachers waiting for the attack to be over
Instead, they opened up a side of the bleachers and crawled underneath to hide along with a girl who had lost her friends and her phone.
He added that he suspected that the gunfire was coming from the Mandalay Bay hotel, but wasn't sure.
Others were convinced that the shooter was walking around and as a result, were screaming to people to turn their phone lights off.
Mr Wingard is the brother of South Australian Liberal MP Corey Wingard (pictured)
'A few people walked in underneath those bleachers and had their phone lights on looking for people to help, and it looked like someone walking in to start knocking people off,' Mr Wingard added.
He lay on his wife's body to protect her, he added.
Eventually, he and his friends left the venue and he urged them not to look at the carnage around them.
One of his friends hailed an Uber to take them all home.
'It was surreal sitting in a car, going 'what just happened?'
'We've got three beautiful kids we got to hug when we got home. We're the luckiest people alive.'
Australian Brian Hodge's room in the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino was next to the shooter's.
Mr Hodge says he was staying in room 32134 while the gunman Stephen Paddock was in room 32135.
'It was a machine gun from the room next to me,' he told News Corp.
'For the first time in my life, I had no idea what to do. I didn't know whether to stay put, to walk, to get up and leave.'
Ms Kamber (right) and Ms Ratahi (left) had just ordered at the Outback Steakhouse, a five-minute drive from the Mandalay Bay hotel, when the restaurant went into lockdown
He said he fled the hotel and hid outside.
'My floor is a crime scene. They killed a security guard on my floor.'
'I was just hiding waiting for police to come get us. We were hiding in the bushes outside waiting for the police,' he said
Two young women from Darwin were also caught up in the deadliest mass shooting in US history.
Sharon Kamber and her friend, Miss Universe NT finalist Artia Ratahi, were dining on the Las Vegas Strip close to the country music festival when the shooting began.
Sharon Kamber and her friend, Miss Universe NT finalist Artia Ratahi (pictured together), were dining on the Las Vegas Strip close to the country music festival when the shooting began
The pair, both 21, had just ordered at the Outback Steakhouse, a five-minute drive from the Mandalay Bay hotel, when the restaurant went into lockdown.
'We were stuck in the restaurant for a good three hours, until about 2am,' Ms Kamber said.
'My friend was able to be a lot more calm than I was. I called my parents... half in tears, telling them I loved them.'
Ms Kamber said at the time there were rumours of two more shooters in the area.
'They told us that nothing's clear but we could leave at our own risk,' she said.
'We were very scared. It was hard not to break down.'
The two-minute walk back to her hotel was 'horrifying', with police lining the deserted strip every few metres.
'It was an eerie feeling - such a lively place was so dead.'
Miss Universe NT finalist Artia Ratahi (pictured at a Las Vegas pool party) was stuck in a restaurant with her friend until 2am
The Northern Territory promotions worker said it was a 'very American' way to end a six-month trip to the US, and she was happy to be flying home.
'You always see on the news that America has issues with their guns laws, it's just crazy they're not doing much about it,' Ms Kamber said.
'I wasn't too surprised that something like this was happening, which is saddening to say.'
A family who were caught up in the tragedy said it was the 'scariest night of our life' and that they were forced to walk with their hands up across an empty casino.
Kevin Comerford, Nicole Shipman and her daughter Maddy Aspinall, 14, from Grafton in NSW, were in Las Vegas for one night only after a dance academy tour in the US had finished.
They rode in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon on Sunday afternoon and then returned to their hotel, about two blocks from the shooting scene.
The family headed out to see the city in the evening and witnessed a rush of people running down the street and police and ambulances swarming.
Mr Comerford said it took them about an hour to get safely back to their hotel and they bunkered down in the convention centre with other guests.
'This was supposed to be a one night special stop because we'd never been to Las Vegas before ... we were planning to live it up for one night and we've had probably the scariest night of our life,' Mr Comerford told AAP on the phone.
Mr Comerford said his daughter had coped well with the ordeal.
'That is until we got to the hotel and the police had us walk through the empty casino with our hands above our head and it became very, very real for her then,' he said.
No Australians have been identified as victims of the massacre, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has said.
'We know that a number of Australians were in the vicinity or are in the vicinity, but at this stage and the situation is evolving, no Australians have been identified amongst the victims or those injured,' she told Nine.
Those transferring money between banks won't have to wait days for their transaction to be processed from early next year.
A $1billion real-time payment system will be finalised by Australia Day, meaning people will be able to make real-time transfers between different banks 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Introductory stages of the project are set to be rolled out next month for staff of participating banks.
Chief executive of New Payments Platform Australia Adrian Lovney says the innovative technology is on track to be up and running for public use by the end of January.
Money transfers between different banks will be done in real time as of Australia Day next year
'When people come to work after Australia Day, the platform will commence rolling out to the public at large,' Mr Lovney told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Chief executive of New Payments Platform Australia Adrian Lovney (pictured) ensures the innovative technology is on track, with the big four banks set to launch early next year
The system was created in light of a review conducted in 2012 on Australia's payment infrastructure.
Consumers will no longer need to provide their BSB or account number, instead, they'll use an easy-to-remember 'PayID' like their phone number or email address.
Rather than a 18 character limit in the payment description, an expanded 280 characters will be allowed.
While the platform is geared towards improving efficiency, lowering operating costs and helping businesses improve their customer service, it doesn't come without its security concerns.
Fraud expert Albert van Wyk has warned of increased fraudulent activity on implementation of a real-time payments system, alluding to Britain's online banking fraud spike to 132% in 2008 after it introduced a fast payment system in 2008.
Introductory stages of the project are set to be rolled out next month for staff of participating banks
But Mr Lovney says updated security measures and consistent monitoring of activity would keep customers safe once the platform was being used.
'With any new system that is introduced, you will see a spike in activity as people think about how they can take advantage of the change, but banks will continue to put in place systems behind the scenes to try to protect customers from being tricked,' he said.
Mr Lovney explained banks would conduct real-time screening of transactions to weed out suspicious activity like people logging in from unfamiliar phones.
People will be able to make real-time transfers between different banks 24 hours a day, seven days a week when the project is rolled out
The big four banks, National Australia Bank, ANZ, Commonwealth Bank and Westpac, are expected to be ready by the launch date, and are likely to begin campaigns alerting their customers to impending changes in coming months.
About 50 small institutions including banks, credit unions and building societies are also expected to offer their customers use of the revolutionary platform.
NNP is owned by the 13 banks funding the $1 billion project which will operate as a utility.
David Davis today vowed to fight for a successful Brexit as he defied reports he will quit in 2019.
The Brexit Secretary told the Conservative conference he would not be diverted by lurid headlines about a deadlock in Brussels.
He insisted the prospects of a deal were growing and told activists he was working hard to 'forge' Britain'snew future.
Prime Minister Theresa May was earlier forced to laugh off as a joke claims Mr Davis wanted to quit as Brexit Secretary as soon as the Article 50 talks end in March 2019.
David Davis (pictured addressing the Tory conference today) has vowed to fight for a successful Brexit as he defied reports he will quit in 2019
The Brexit Secretary told the Conservative conference (pictured) he would not be diverted by lurid headlines about a deadlock in Brussels
In his main speech to the Conservative Conference in Manchester, Mr Davis said: 'Now if theres one thing I dont need to do today, its to remind you to believe in our country.
'But if I have one message for you, it is to keep your eyes on the prize.
'You will have read in the newspapers lurid accounts of the negotiations with the predictions of break down and crisis.
'Offensive, indeed insulting, briefing to the newspapers, which I take as a compliment.
'Of course sometimes the exchanges are tough, but that is to be expected.
'The job the Prime Minister has entrusted to me is to keep a calm eye on our goal and not be diverted. Because the prizes for success are enormous. As are the consequences of failure.'
Theresa May, pictured in Manchester early this morning, said David Davis was 'only joking' when he said he would quit the Cabinet in 2019
He added: 'Let us turn to face the future, Delivering on the referendum. Setting out a new relationship with Europe.
'Pushing forward, to grasp the opportunities that lie ahead. Looking forward, to the future we forge together.
'Putting our country on the path to greatness once again.'
The Brexit Secretary told friends he plans to step down in 2019 and hand over to Boris Johnson to oversee the two-year Brexit transition phase.
The shock news plunged the Tory Party conference into further turmoil just a day before the PM is due to address the party faithful tomorrow.
But speaking this morning, Mrs May brushed off the comment as a light-hearted joke at the bar.
She told LBC Radio: 'David was joking with someone in a bar and it seems to have turned into a serious report... I choose my Cabinet and I have got good people around the table.'
Mr Davis believes Brexit will be his 'last big job', and plans to 'retire' in 2019 and will leave transition to 'someone else... Boris Johnson', according to reports in The Sun and The Telegraph.
Mr Davis (pictured during his speech today) insisted the prospects of a deal were growing and told activists he was working hard to 'forge' Britain's new future
Prime Minister Theresa May was earlier forced to laugh off as a joke claims Mr Davis wanted to quit as Brexit Secretary as soon as the Article 50 talks end in March 2019
He told friends that Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, 'needs this to work more than I do' because he plans to step aside in June 2019, whereas the Eurocrat will still be in post.
Sources close to the Brexit Secretary, who also address party faithful, played down the comments.
They said: 'This was a lighthearted remark underlining the fact that we will be leaving the EU in March 2019.'
The Tory Party conference in Manchester this week has been overshadowed by Cabinet feuding raising fresh questions over Mrs May's leadership.
Mr Johnson kicked the warring off on the eve of conference by setting out his four Brexit 'red lines' - including that a transitional deal cannot last a second longer than two years.
Brexit Secretary David Davis is planning to quit his role in the Cabinet in 2019 as rumours of Cabinet disharmony continue to overshadow the Conservative Party conference
He was slapped down by Philip Hammond who warned no Cabinet minister is unsackable, and Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson who told the party to 'man up' and get over their infighting.
But in a fresh sign Cabinet ministers are maneuvering to take over from Mrs May, Amber Rudd is reportedly enlisting the help of pollster Sir Lynton Crosby to prepare for the next election
The Home Secretary saw her majority shrink to just 346 votes in the June 8 General Election and wants to shore up her seat, the Times reports.
Sir Lynton, the Australian election guru was behind Mr Johnson's two London mayoral victories.
Mr Davis reportedly wants to leave the Brexit transition period in the hands of Boris Johnson
But he his reputation has been dealt a blow after he led Mrs May's most recent election campaign which saw the Tory majority wiped out and a backlash against the PM's campaign strategy.
The Conservative Party conference has been marred by reports of infighting and Cabinet rifts following Mr Johnson's newspaper articles about Brexit.
He claimed that Britain's transitional Brexit deal should last no longer than two years, something which Mrs May has refused to nail down.
Mr Johnson said he was in complete agreement with the vision for Brexit set out by Mrs May in her speech in Florence.
He told BBC Newsnight: 'Contrary to some of the stuff that I notice has been knocking around in the media, you have a cabinet that is totally united behind every comma, every full stop, every syllable of the prime minister's excellent Florence speech.
Yet Philip Hammond said that no one in the Cabinet was unsackable while former Cabinet member Nicky Morgan said the former Mayor of London 'had to go' if he did not show loyalty to the party.
A Sky News reporter has publicly spoken out about how embattled former A Current Affair reporter Ben McCormack allegedly taunted her about her Jewish heritage as a work colleague.
Caroline Marcus says that she endured harassment from McCormack, who last week pleaded guilty to two child porn charges, when they both worked at the Nine Network in Sydney.
As revealed by Daily Mail Australia in April, McCormack's ex-colleagues have said the former ACA reporter, now 43, draped his desk in offensive pictures, including one likening Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.
Scroll down for video
Caroline Marcus said working at A Current Affair in 2014 was a difficult and lonely period
Ben McCormack conveyed his anti-Israel views working with Caroline Marcus, who is Jewish
He also reportedly wrote on Facebook his opinion the Jewish state was a 'f***ing international disgrace'.
Ms Marcus, whose own family escaped the Holocaust in Romania during World War II, has spoken out publicly for the first time about how she says McCormack targeted her over her Jewish heritage in 2014.
The granddaughter of a forced labour camp survivor claimed that McCormack's behaviour actually escalated after workplace attempts to find a resolution backfired.
'After attempts at mediation failed to work, he was told by management to 'tone it down',' she wrote in a column for The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday.
Caroline Marcus says Ben McCormack's behaviour worsened in late 2014 despite mediation
Ben McCormack posted images on his desk likening Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to Hitler
'But the harassment only escalated into brazen Anti-semitism.
'This included plastering his work station next to mine with vile cartoons depicting Jews as Hitler.'
This occurred after Ms Marcus had told him about her gravely-ill Jewish grandmother, she says.
'I had even confided to him during our mediation sessions that my beloved grandmother, who sought refuge with my father in Israel after the war, was dying.'
Ms Marcus, who has been covering McCormack's court appearances, recalled the dark days of working at Nine's Willougby studios, in Sydney's North Shore, from 2014 to when she left late last year.
'I can tell you it was one of the most difficult and lonely periods of my life,' she said.
Sky News reporter Caroline Marcus endured harassment from Ben McCormack as a colleague
Ben McCormack's solicitor Sam Macedone (pictured left) entered a guilty plea on his behalf
The former A Current Affair reporter described Israel as a 'f***ing international disgrace
McCormack was arrested months after Ms Marcus quit A Current Affair, and charged with using a carriage service to send child pornography.
Last week, his solicitor Sam Macedone entered guilty pleas on his behalf during a Downing Centre Local Court appearance in Sydney.
The homosexual former journalist, who has recently quit the Nine Network, pleaded guilty to two child pornography charges relating to online 'fantasy talk' where he described himself as a 'proud pedo'.
The charge of transmitting, publishing or promoting child pornography via a carriage service carries a maximum jail sentence of 15 years behind bars.
Business / Companies
by Staff reporter
Zesa Holdings has paid South African power utility, Eskom $12 million to avoid being switched off and will pay another $20 million this month as it battles to liquidate its arrears.The power utility also presented a payment plan of $5 million a week beginning next month to settle the $44 million owed to Eskom.The debt will however take about five months to clear as $12 million would go towards servicing current supplies every month.Eskom has repeatedly threatened to switch off Zimbabwe, which is experiencing acute foreign currency shortages.Zesa chief executive Engineer Josh Chifamba yesterday was tight lipped on the latest arrangement. "What I can only tell you is that everything is under control," he said."Zesa, Government and the Central Bank are working on the issue."A Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) official, however, disclosed that the power utility paid $12 million last week despite the foreign currency shortages."The money was paid on Tuesday and we presented a payment plan which will see another $10 million being paid mid this month before another $10 million is paid at the end of this month," said the official."From then onwards, Zesa undertook to pay $20 million monthly in $5 million weekly instalments. From this amount $8 million will go towards servicing what we owe and $12 million will settle current supplies. If we do not default again, it means in about five month our arrears should be cleared."Zesa is getting 300 megawatts from Eskom and another 50 MW from Hydro Cahora Bassa (HCB) of Mozambique.The local power utility has on several occasions breached terms of payment plans agreed with Eskom.RBZ Governor Dr John Mangudya last week attributed the challenge to foreign currency shortages.He assured the nation that Zesa would "catch-up" so that the country continued enjoying electricity supplies.Any load shedding at the moment will deal a major blow to industry as well as agricultural activities at Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots and winter wheat farming that is currently underway.Zimbabwe has been relying on power imports from South Africa and HCB of Mozambique to meet local demand as a way of promoting production in the economy.Zimbabwe consumes about 1 400MW daily.The country has been receiving steady power supplies since December 2015 as a result of various initiatives such as imports.Zesa is refurbishing its power stations while also working on expansion projects in Kariba and Hwange.The projects take time to complete, forcing the country to rely on power imports in the meantime.
A man's body pulled from the water in the Royal National Park on Monday was discovered near a popular, yet dangerous, tourist spot.
The body of the 55-year-old man was discovered near White Wedding Rock - a favoured destination for holiday selfies located south of Sydney - just before 11am, an NSW Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.
'Officers from Sutherland Local Area Command have established a crime scene and inquiries are being made into the circumstances surrounding the death.'
A 55-year-old man's body pulled from the water in the Royal National Park on Monday was discovered near the popular, yet dangerous, tourist spot White Wedding Rock
The man's body was found near the favoured destination (pictured) for holiday selfies, located south of Sydney, just before 11am
Pictures of people posing on the cliff are often seen on social media (pictured) - although a $300 fine has been implemented for anyone caught trespassing
Despite being cordoned off with a large fence, White Wedding Rock's unusual appearance and stunning views have long attracted crowds.
Pictures of people posing on the cliff are often seen on social media - although a $300 fine has been implemented for anyone caught trespassing.
The area has been rocked by tragedy over the years.
In April, Shazia Edah-Tally, 19, plunged to her death from White Wedding Rock after becoming separated from her boyfriend while on a walk in the park.
In 2014, a 23-year-old student and part-time model fell to his death when part of the cliff crumbled under him.
Despite being cordoned off with a large fence, White Wedding Rock's (pictured) unusual appearance and stunning views have long attracted crowds
NSW police said the investigation into the man's death is ongoing but that 'nothing has been ruled out at this stage'
In April, Shazia Edah-Tally (pictured), 19, plunged to her death from White Wedding Rock after becoming separated from her boyfriend while on a walk in the park
He was reportedly taking a picture at the time.
In November 2015, two men were winched to safety after they slipped off the rock and became stuck a ledge below.
One of the men suffered a serious spinal injury.
NSW police told Daily Mail Australia the investigation into the 55-year-old man's death is ongoing and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
The spokeswoman said there 'appear to be no suspicious circumstances but nothing has been ruled out at this stage.'
Australia's new frigates will have the capability to shoot down long-range missiles including those from rogue states such as North Korea.
'We must have the capability to meet and defeat them,' Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the Pacific 17 maritime and naval showcase in Sydney on Tuesday.
Mr Turnbull said Australia needed the best ships that could deal 'effectively both over and under the water' in preparation of a 'complex threat environment'.
Malcolm Turnbull said Australia needed the best ships that can deal 'effectively both over and under the water' in preparation of a 'complex threat environment' (NUSHIP Hobart III pictured)
Australia's new frigates will have the capability to shoot down long-range missiles including those from rogue states such as North Korea according to Mr Turnbull (pictured Tuesday)
'We must have the capability to meet and defeat them,' Malcolm Turnbull told the Pacific 17 maritime and naval showcase in Sydney (Hobart Class Guided Missile Destroyer pictured)
'The defense of our nation on the high seas [is] stronger than ever at every level and in every field, whether it is defending Australia from regional or global threats,' he said.
Under the plan, a fleet on nine Future Frigates will be provided by Aegis Combat Management System and will be developed by SAAB Australia.
Previously, tenders for combat management systems were requested for individual ships but now the government is moving to a bulk order.
'That approach was short-sighted and we consider it no longer in the national interest,' Mr Turnbull said.
Navy chief Tim Barrett said the decision meant sailors would only have to deal with one standard system.
Three shipbuilders are in the running for the $30 billion Future Frigate program - the UK's BAE Systems with its Type 26, Fincantieri of Italy with its FREMM and Navantia of Spain with an updated F100.
The Prime Minister said they requested combat management systems for individual ships, but that was now 'short sighted' after the threats from the rogue nation
Under the plan, the ships will use a Lockheed Martin Aegis combat management system with an Australian tactical interface from SAAB Australia for defense against rogue nations
The winner will be announced in 2018.
The new war ships will replace the Anzac frigates from the mid-2020s, in a project that will create more than 2000 jobs.
Production is scheduled to start from 2020 at the federal government-owned shipyard in Osborne South Australia.
An Australian man has been caught allegedly stealing a woman's luggage outside a bathroom at Bangkok airport.
John Robertson, 54, who has frequently visited Thailand over the last 12 years, admitted to stealing and opening the luggage but not to removing its contents.
CCTV footage at Suvarnabhumi airport appears to show Robertson walking off with a trolley carrying suitcases on Saturday.
Thai police arrested the Australian after the owner of the bags complained that they had gone missing, the Bangkok Post reports.
Australian man has been caught red-handed by Thai authorities for stealing at the airport
Robertson was later found with the bags at a foreign exchange booth and subsequently arrested.
The bags have since been returned to the rightful owner. She did not find anything amiss and has continued on with her journey to Dubai, the publication reports.
Mr Roberston who was on his way to Australia has since been charged for the theft and remains behind bars at a local police station.
According to the publication, if convicted, Mr Robertson faces a maximum jail term of five years and a fine of up to $382.
The Australian girlfriend of the gunman who killed 59 people in Las Vegas still has 'questions to answer' about the shocking mass murder, according to U.S. sheriffs.
Marilou Danley, the housemate and partner of Stephen Paddock, will be asked to aid police in their investigation although she's no longer seen to be a person of interest.
The 62-year-old, who was born in the Philippines before moving to Australia and later to Las Vegas, is believed to have left the United States to visit her home country just a fortnight ago.
Despite initial claims that Ms Danley had been among the crowd at the Mandalay Bay precinct at the time of the shooting, police later contacted her in Tokyo, Japan.
A raid on the home Paddock and Ms Danley shared found 18 firearms, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition, plus a stash of ammonium nitrate in his car.
That was in addition to 16 assault rifles and other guns with scopes found alongside Paddock in the large 32nd floor suite of the Mandalay Bay casino room from where he launched his attack.
But in response to a question of how Ms Danley could 'not know all of that was inside her home?', Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo dismissed claims their investigation into her had been 'discontinued'.
Scroll down for video
Authorities said later Monday morning that Danley is no longer a person of interest in the shooting and is currently out of the country, though it's unclear where exactly she is. Police said Paddock had used Danley's slot card to gamble in the hotel
'We are continuing the investigation into that female,' he told a media briefing.
'There are several questions that need to be answered similar to what you proposed but she is currently out of the country.'
Paddock reportedly used Ms Danley's ID to check in to the lavish Mandalay Bay hotel alone, days before he opened fire from a vantage point in his suite.
Ms Danley is originally from the Philippines but holds an Australian passport, it has been reported.
'I would never have thought she would be tied up in anything like this,' her friend, who lives in Robina, Queensland, told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
The woman said she lived next door to Ms Danley in the Gold Coast suburb of Nerang around 30 years ago.
But she has not seen her neighbour of nine years since attending Ms Danley's mother's funeral near Brisbane five or six years ago.
'She is bubbly, petite and full of life,' the 66-year-old woman said. 'She still looks the same.'
She added that she visited Ms Danley, who has a daughter and a granddaughter, and stayed with her and her daughter in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2000.
Other friends revealed that Ms Danley worked in the gaming industry and had an Australian husband, who has since died, before she moved to the US more than 20 years ago.
She was previously married to Geary Danley, who now lives in Arkansas, the Reno Gazette-Journal.
They married in Las Vegas in 1990, but jointly filed for divorce in February 2015, according to the Gazette-Journal.
Ms Danley has lived in Nevada since 2003, according to records obtained by the
One of her sisters, Liza Werner, who still lives in Australia, told the Bulletin: 'I can't comment at the moment. I can't say anything. I'm sorry, sorry.'
Stephen Paddock (pictured) used her ID to check into the Mandalay Bay hotel alone
Records show that Ms Danley (above) and Paddock lived together in the tiny desert community of Mesquite
On her now deleted Facebook page, Ms Danley described herself as a 'proud mom and grandma who lives life to the fullest.'
Her LinkedIn page says she is a 'gambling and casino professional' living in Reno.
But it's understood that she was sharing a house near Las Vegas with Paddock.
The gunman's girlfriend Marilou Danley (pictured) has been located and their home raided by police
Records show she and Paddock lived together in a two-bedroom home on Babbling Brook Court in the tiny desert community of Mesquite, which is 80 miles north east of Las Vegas near the Arizona state border. The property cost $396,000 (297,554).
The shooter's brother, Eric Paddock, told CBS News that Ms Danley was his brother's girlfriend and that he had met her 'three to four times.'
'They might have got married, but I don't think they're married. She's just his girlfriend,' he said.
'She's a nice lady, I've met her three or four times. She's got a Facebook page, she sends my mom cookies.'
Paddock, a 64-year-old retiree from Mesquite, rained heavy fire down on a crowd of over 22,000 at an outdoor country music festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.
Concertgoers screamed and ran for their lives Sunday night outside the 44-story hotel after hearing what at first sounded like firecrackers but turned out to be dozens of bullets in rapid-fire bursts.
Country music star Jason Aldean was performing at the Route 91 Harvest Festival when the gunman apparently used a hammer-like device to smash out windows in his room and opened fire, the muzzle flashes visible in the dark, authorities said.
Eric Paddock, brother of Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock, speaks to reporters near his home in Orlando, Florida
The shooter appeared to fire unhindered for more than 10 minutes as Las Vegas police frantically tried to locate the man in one of the Mandalay Bay hotel towers, according to radio traffic.
For several minutes, officers could not tell whether the fire was coming from Mandalay Bay or the neighboring Luxor hotel.
SWAT teams using explosives stormed the gunman's hotel room in the gold-colored glass skyscraper and found he had killed himself.
Paddock had as many as 10 guns with him, including rifles, authorities said.
The sheriff said a check of federal and state databases showed Paddock was not on law enforcement authorities' radar before the bloodbath.
A broken window at the Mandalay Bay resort is seen in the aftermath of the massacre
The Mandalay Bay is seen the morning after a gunmen fired on concert goers in Las Vegas
Aaron Rouse, the FBI agent in charge in Las Vegas, said investigators saw no immediate evidence connecting the attack to an international terror organization, despite a claim of responsibility from the Islamic State group.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.
Before Sunday's attack, it was the June 2016 massacre, when a gunman who professed support for Muslim extremist groups opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49.
Sunday's shooting came more than four months after a suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, that killed 22 people.
Almost 90 people were killed by gunmen inspired by ISIS at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris during a performance by Eagles of Death Metal in 2015.
Dozens of stories of heroism have emerged amid the horrifying mass shooting in Las Vegas on Sunday.
Authorities say that at least 59 are dead and 527 are injured after 64-year-old Stephen Paddock opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel.
But the number of casualties could have been much higher had it not been for the brave few that helped first responders tend to the wounded.
From a firefighter who was shot while performing CPR on a wounded woman to a man who saved his friend from bleeding to death to the ex-marine that stole a truck to transport victims to the hospital - several civilians became overnight heroes.
Sonny Melton, 29, a nurse from Tennessee, was one of the first victims named and one of the first heroes identified.
Melton's wife Heather, a surgeon, who was with him watching Jason Aldean at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, says her brave and selfless husband died saving her life.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Sonny Melton, 29 (right), a nurse from Tennessee, was one of the first victims named and one of the first heroes identified after he shielded his wife, Heather (left), from gunfire
'He saved my life. He grabbed me and started running when I felt him get shot in the back,' she told WSMV. 'I want everyone to know what a kind-hearted, loving man he was, but at this point, I can barely breathe.'
The couple lived in Big Sandy, Tennessee, where Melton worked as a registered nurse in an emergency room and ICU at Henry County Medical Center.
His wife works at the hospital and he aided her in the operating room. They married in 2016.
'We were the couple that never should have met, fallen in love or had a future together....but life is funny and we believe God brought us together as soul mates,' read their wedding page on The Knot.
'We have shared amazing times together and nearly unbearable heartaches but through it all we have grown stronger in our love for each other and our families.'
Off-duty Arizona firefighter Kurt Fowler (left) was shot in the leg shielding his wife, Trina (right), from the bullets. Now out of surgery, he faces extensive recovery and rehab that could range from seven to ten months before he can return to work
Off-duty Arizona firefighter and father-of-three Kurt Fowler was shot in the leg while protecting his wife, Trina, from gunfire.
Fowler was hit in the right ankle while lying on top of his wife to protect her, Erickson and Desert Hills fire captain and union president Steve Bunn told CBS 5.
Friends of his on Facebook reported that his tibia and fibula were both likely shattered.
According to a GoFundMe account set up by friends, Fowler underwent surgery, which was successful, but he now faces extensive recovery and rehab that could range from seven to ten months before he can return to work.
So far, $10,815 has been raised out of a $50,000 goal.
'Kurt is a very devoted family man. Good father, good husband,' Bunn said.
'Everything he does is oriented around his wife and kids. Good firefighter. He's well-liked here. He's one of our brothers, and we're doing the best we can to support him and his family.'
Retired teacher Mike Cronk (right) braved gunfire and used his shirt to stop the bleeding of his friend who was shot three times in the chest. The friend is expected to live.
Retired teacher Mike Cronk braved gunfire and used his shirt to stop the bleeding of his friend, Ron, who was shot three times in the chest.
'We slid him under the stage. Another awesome lady came over and compressed,' Cronk, who was in Las Vegas for his 48th birthday, told ABC 13.
Cronk and other uninjured festival-goers then carried his friend to a regular civilian pickup truck that had three injured people already in it to transport them to the hospital.
One of those four wounded died, but Cronk's best friend survived.
'I'm no hero,' Cronk said. 'But there's a lot of heroes out there.'
Mark McCurdy (right), a Los Angeles fire captain and father of young children, saved his sister-in-law, Jessi Presten, after she was shot and carried her back to the hotel room
Mark McCurdy and his wife, Kelly Presten McCurdy, from California, were in Las Vegas for the festival when the gunfire erupted.
In the chaos, Kelly's sister, Jessi Presten, was shot.
McCurdy, a Los Angeles fire captain and father of young children, managed to carry Presten back to the their room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.
The firefighter then went back out to see if anyone else needed help before calling for help so Presten could be taken to Sunrise Hospital, Kelly's cousin, Mike Brown, told The Daily Beast.
Glendale firefighter Steve Keys (pictured) was shot while performing CPR on a woman at the concert venue. He is expected to survive
Brown picked up a friends of his cousin not too far away. One of them, a Glendale firefighter named Steve Keys, was bleeding.
'He said: "Yeah, I got shot",' Brown said.
'He lifts his shirt up. He was shot in the chest. He said: "I'll be fine".'
Brown examined the firefighter and saw that he had a graze wound extending from his chest to his stomach and learned he had been performing CPR on a woman at the concert venue when he was shot.
In a post on Facebook showing his wound, Keys asked for prayers.
'Prayers needed. Lot of people hit. A lot killed. Was doing CPR on a woman in the concert when I got grazed. I'm ok. But a lot of people aren't,' he wrote.
'I am lucky. Stayed behind on the street to help people. Worked along side a lot of f****** heroic men and women. Please, please, please say prayers.'
Former Marine Taylor Winston (left) and his friend, Jenn Lewis (pictured), found an unattended truck and used it to transport people to the hospital. In two trips, Winston and Lewis were able to transport two dozen people to Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center
Former Marine Taylor Winston, 29, and his friend, Jenn Lewis, sprung into action to try and save lives during the shooting.
At first, Winston was helping people over a fence as they fled the bullets raining down on the crowd. Eventually, he and others tore down the fence.
Then, Winston and Lewis found an unattended truck near the venue with keys still inside and used it to transport victims to the hospital.
'Jenn and I luckily found a truck with keys in it and started transporting priority victims to the hospital and made a couple trips and tried to help out the best we could until more ambulances could arrive,' Winston told The Daily Beast.
In two trips, Winston and Lewis were able to transport approximately two dozen people to Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center.
The friends were able to flag down a squad car while en route to the hospital, and the officer turned on the vehicles flashers to escort them through traffic.
Friends of Winston's have set up a GoFundMe account.
Jonathan Smith, 30 (pictured) saved around thirty people before he was shot at least twice, including once in the neck
Jonathan Smith, 30, was in Las Vegas celebrating the 43rd birthday of his brother, Louis Rust, a big country music fan, when Paddock opened fire on the crowd.
According to the Washington Post, Smith, a copy machine repairman, looked around for his family - but they had all disappeared with his brother.
Seeing several festival attendees hiding behind a sheriff patrol car at the northwest edge of the concert lawn he decided to get them to safety.
'Active shooter, active shooter, lets go! We have to run!' he shouted, grabbing people and moving them toward a handicapped parking area away from the lawn with rows of vehicles to hide behind.
Smith estimates he directed about 30 people but it was when he stood up to urge a few young girls who werent fully hidden to get to the ground when a bullet struck him in the neck.
He has a fractured collarbone, a cracked rib and a bruised lung. Doctors are laving the bullet in his neck for the time being, fearing that moving it might cause more damage.
'I might have to live with this bullet for the rest of my life,' Smith told the newspaper.
Many have praised Smith as a hero, but it's a title he doesn't see as fit.
'I dont see myself that way,' he said. 'I would want someone to do the same for me. No one deserves to lose a life coming to a country festival.'
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help cover Smith's medical expenses. So far, more $81,000 has been raised.
Carly Krygier (pictured) immediately got her four-year-old daughter on the ground and shielded her as Steven Paddock opened fire on the Las Vegas crowd
The first thought on Carly Krygier's mind was to protect her four-year-old daughter.
'We just heard what we thought were fireworks. It took everyone a couple of seconds to realize it wasn't...So I put the baby on the ground and got on top of her,' she told CNN.
When there was a break in the gunfire, she ran to the bleachers and then to the Tropicana hotel. Her daughter did not scream or cry during the shooting, she said.
'She was amazing and so incredibly brave,' Krygier said.
Lindsay Padgett (left) turned her truck into a makeshift ambulance to take people to the hospital
Lindsay Padgett said what she originally thought were pyrotechnics during Jason Aldean's performance on the final night of the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival were gunshots.
Padgett said that as soon as the sound of gunshots subsided, she and her fiance, Mike Jay, went to get her truck from a parking lot across the street from the venue.
'We realized there were people everywhere that needed help and on stretchers...People saw that we had a truck, so we said, "Fine, yeah", and started to pack everyone in,' she told ABC News.
The couple filled Padgett's truck with five wounded victims and five others who were caring for the injured.
'We were just trying to get people to the hospital. We got halfway there, and as we were getting on the freeway, we saw an ambulance stopped, so we went over and they started taking the most critical people and putting them in the ambulance,' Padgett said.
One of the men in her truck, who Padgett said was shot in the back, was taken out by paramedics, who told her he had died.
Among the other victims in her truck, Padgett said, one man suffered a bullet to the chest, and one girl was shot in the leg.
The Trump administration is preparing to ask Cuba to withdraw 60 per cent of its diplomats from Washington, U.S. officials said Monday.
It wasn't immediately clear late Monday how many Cuban diplomats will have to leave Washington.
The United States will formally ask Cuba to pull the diplomats, but won't expel them forcefully unless Havana refuses, the officials said.
It comes in response to last week's U.S. move to cut its own embassy staff in Havana by a similar amount. The U.S. previously had roughly 50 American workers at its embassy in Havana, so the 60 per cent reduction will bring the figure down to roughly 20.
The Trump administration is preparing to ask Cuba to withdraw 60 per cent of its diplomats from Washington. Seen above (filed picture) Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez (2nd R) applauds as the Cuban flag is raised in front of the country's embassy on July 20, 2015 in Washington, DC
In a Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 file photo, staff stand within the United States embassy facility in Havana, Cuba
The U.S. request marks yet another major setback for relations between the United States and Cuba, two countries that only recently renewed diplomatic relations after a half-century of hostility.
It comes as the U.S. seeks to protect its own diplomats from unexplained attacks that have harmed at least 21 Americans in Havana with ailments that affected their hearing, cognition, balance and vision.
The State Department is expected to announce the decision Tuesday, officials said, though they cautioned no decision was formalized until publicly announced.
The officials weren't authorized to discuss the plan publicly and requested anonymity.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson discussed the plan Monday with President Donald Trump, one of the officials said.
Cuba has denied involvement in the attacks. Though Havana is likely to view the move as unwarranted retaliation, U.S. officials said the goal wasn't to punish the communist-run island, but to ensure both countries have a similar number of diplomats in each other's capitals.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson discussed the plan Monday with President Donald Trump, one of the officials said
Tensions between the two neighbors have been escalating amid serious U.S. concern about the unexplained attacks on Americans in Havana.
The United States will formally ask Cuba to pull the diplomats, but won't expel them forcefully unless Havana refuses, the officials said.
On Monday, The Associated Press reported that U.S. spies working out of the embassy under diplomatic cover were the first and most severely affected victims.
In this Aug. 14, 2015, file photo, a U.S. flag flies at the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba
Investigations by Cuba, the United States and Canada have yet to come up with any answers as to exactly what caused the diplomats to fall ill.
Experts agree it is hard to see how any attacks could have been carried out or what the motivation could be.
Theories abound, from surveillance technology gone awry to a sophisticated acoustic weapon in the hands of Cuban-American exiles or third-party state actors such as Russia, Iran or North Korea, but most flounder.
Audiologists for example have raised doubt over the possibility of whether any sonic weapon exists that can be used covertly to bring about the range of symptoms mentioned by diplomats.
Advertisement
The Las Vegas Strip and the Eiffel Tower turned off its lights on Monday night to honor the 59 victims shot dead in one of America's darkest days.
Hundreds of mourners attended a candlelight vigil at the corner of Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard for the victims of Sunday night's atrocity - the worst ever mass shooting in the US - which saw a further 527 injured.
Gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel using more than 20 assault rifles as he sprayed bullets down on the thousands of music fans below from his home-made killing den.
It came a day after a crazed ISIS fanatic slit the throat of one woman and stabbed another in Marseille, and France stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the US in solidarity by turning off the lights on the capital's world-famous landmark.
A night time view of the strip in Las Vegas dimming its lights Monday in honor of the victims from Sunday night's mass shooting
After going dark the strip also lit up with messages for the victims from the mass shooting with one sign reading: 'Our prayers for the victims'
The lights of the Eiffel Tower in Paris are switched off October 2, 2017 in tribute to the victims of the attacks in Las Vegas and Marseille
People gather at Trocadero plaza as the lights of the Eiffel Tower are turned off in Paris in honor of those who lost their lives
Blackout: The hotels on the famous Strip went dark in tribute to the victims of the massacre
Slide me People gather in the rain to watch the world-famous landmark in the French capital go dark to honor the victims of the attacks
After going dark the Strip also lit up with messages for the victims from the mass shooting with one building saying: 'Our prayers for the victims.'
About 22,000 people were attending the third day of the country music festival Route 91 Harvest, which featured top acts like Eric Church and Sam Hunt.
It's believed that Paddock was staying in a large suite or connected rooms and was shooting down on the concertgoers below from both windows.
Hundreds of people gathered in Vegas to pay their respects Monday as they're seen surrounded by candles and loved ones
Two girls are pictured here hugging one another as they support each other through this tragedy which has seen over 500 people injured and 59 people killed
Mourners attend a candlelight vigil at the corner of Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard for the victims of Sunday night's mass shooting, which saw gunman Paddock shoot innocent concert goers from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel
To pay tribute to the 59 people killed and 527 injured by gunman Stephen Paddock at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival, the entire Las Vegas strip went dark on Monday evening
Luminaries for victims of the the Sunday evening shooting tragedy in Las Vegas are lit on the front steps of Greene Memorial United Methodist Church surrounded by those brought together in prayer and solidarity on Monday
Jonathan Neighbors, 15, of Botetourt County, adds a light to one of the 59 luminaries on Monday, set on the front steps of Greene Memorial United Methodist Church for victims of the the Sunday evening shooting in Las Vegas
People were seen mourning the tragic event as they held candles to pay tribute to all the lives that were lost Sunday evening
People were seen gathering together to pay homage to the 59 killed and 527 injured as they all came out in solidarity for those that were tragically killed in what is being deemed as the worst mass shooting in US history
Police were able to pinpoint where the shooter was firing from because the gunfire set off fire alarms in the hotel.
They responded to the room and breached the door using explosives. But by the time they entered the room it Paddock had shot himself dead. Inside the room, they found an 'arsenal' of 17 firearms.
Other huge landmarks around the world have also paying their respects to Vegas with The Empire State Building and One WTC also turning out their lights to show support for the victims of this atrocity.
The buildings dimmed their spires but kept an orange halo in honor of the sufferers.
The usually bright lights of the Strip were turned off. The MGM thanked the brave first responders who helped victims
People raised their hand in the air as they carried candles in honor of the people killed, paying their respects to those that were less fortunate Sunday evening
Everyone paid their respects by attending the huge candlelight vigil in Vegas Monday night in Vegas as they raised their hands in the air to pay homage to those they lost
They had signs everywhere with another reading from a building: 'Pray For Vegas' in giant white writing
People can be seen lighting candles during the vigil at the corner of Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard for the victims
Mourners are handed out electric candles during a candlelight vigil at the University of Nevada Las Vegas for victims of the mass shooting that occurred Sunday evening
People from the University of Nevada Las Vegas are seen gathering together with candles as they pay homage to the lives lost at the hands of gunman Stephen Paddock
People are seen paying tribute to the innocent victims from Sunday night's most deadly mass shooting in US history thus far
Students can be seen consoling one another as they mourn the victims from Sunday night's awful tragedy that saw 59 killed
People are seen supporting and hugging one another as they hold candles at the vigil in honor of the 59 killed Sunday night
The Empire State Building lights, normally lit in colors, are dimmed on Monday, in New York, in sympathy for the victims
Additionally, the Eiffel Tower switched off its lights on Monday to show their solidarity to Vegas.
France is also mourning another tragedy, the weekend knife attack in the French port city of Marseille.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted Monday: 'Tonight we turn off the lights of the Eiffel Tower at midnight" (2200 GMT) to honor the victims of the two attacks, continuing a practice of bowing in respect to victims of horror by darkening the glittering monument that crowns the City of Light.'
The Empire State Building went dark to pay their respects to the lives lost in the mass shooting in Las Vegas Sunday evening
The Eiffel Tower switched off its lights on Monday to show their solidarity to Vegas as they mourned with the rest of the world over this catastrophic tragedy
A 91-year-old Native Hawaiian multimillionaire heiress and princess has married her lesbian partner of more than two decades, who is currently locked in a legal dispute over her new wife's massive fortune.
Retired Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Steven Levinson says he presided over the wedding of Abigail Kawananakoa and Veronica Gail Worth, 63, during a ceremony Sunday at his Honolulu home.
'Both Princess Kawananakoa and Veronica could not be happier to have sanctified their longtime loving relationship and wish to express their deepest appreciation to all close friends and loved ones for their congratulations and best wishes for a long healthy and happy marriage together,' the couple's wedding announcement read as first reported by Hawaii News Now.
Wedded bliss: Native Hawaiian multimillionaire heiress Abigail Kawananakoa, 91 (left), on Sunday married her partner of 21 years, Veronica Gail Worth, 63 (pictured at the ceremony)
The nuptials come amid a legal tug-of-war over control of Kawananakoa's trust worth $215million.
Kawananakoa, whose full name is Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa, is considered a princess because she is a descendant of Prince David Kawananakoa, who was an heir to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
The last monarch of Hawaii, Queen Lili'uokalani, whose reign was cut short in 1898 when the United States annexed the islands, was Kawananakoa's great-aunt.
The nonagenarian is also the great-granddaughter of James Campbell, an Irish multimillionaire sugar plantation owner and one of Hawaii's largest landowners who died in 1900, leaving behind a $3million estate.
According to a recent Forbes Magazine article, in 2007, when the Campbell estate was converted into a corporation, the family fortune skyrocketed to $2billion.
Kawananakoa, pictured alongside Bishop Larry Silva during an event in Honolulu in 2009, suffered a stroke in June and a state probate judge turned over control of her $215million trust to her longtime lawyer
Kawananakoa suffered an acute stroke in June, which on July 24 turned into her lawyer, James Wright, being granted control of her estate by a state probate judge.
Wright's lawyer, Frank Kanemitsu, wrote in court documents that since the stroke she is 'unable to meet essential requirements of physical health, safety, self-care or financial matters,' even with assistance.
'Ms Kawananakoa and her legacy need the protection of the court,' Wright said. 'I have represented her for nearly 20 years, and spoke to her three hours before the stroke. She is not the same person.'
Right-hand woman: Veronica Worth (left) possesses Kawananakoa's (right) health care power of attorney and receives $700,000 a year from her trust
But Kawananakoa's partner and secretary, Worth, disputes this claim. The heiress is still capable of making financial decisions, Worth said.
Her attorney, Michael Rudy, said a renowned panel of three psychological experts will be hired to examine Kawananakoa, and already the first has found her mentally competent. Another evaluation is being processed, he said, while a third is still being arranged.
Worth possesses Kawananakoa's health care power of attorney and receives $700,000 a year from her trust. The newlyweds have been together for 21 years.
Rudy said his client's only aim is to put Kawananakoa back in charge of her finances. But Wright said he fears there's a greater money grab in play that could seriously affect Kawananakoa's plan to set up a charity on behalf of the Native Hawaiian people.
Matthew Leveson's mother carried a handmade bag with pictures of her dead son into an inquest, before breaking down over claims he was strangled or smothered to death.
Faye Leveson was walking hand in hand with her husband Mark outside the NSW Coronial Court on Tuesday after hearing there wasn't enough compelling evidence Mr Leveson was killed by his boyfriend Michael Atkins.
She was toting a black handbag with nine separate images of her 20-year-old son on it, who was last seen leaving Darlinghurst's ARQ nightclub with Atkins in September 2007.
Faye Leveson was toting a black handbag with nine separate images of her 20-year-old son who was last seen leaving Darlinghurst's ARQ nightclub with Atkins in September 2007 (pictured)
Faye Leveson was seen walking hand in hand with her husband Mark (pictured) outside the NSW Coronial Court on Tuesday after hearing there wasn't enough compelling evidence Matthew was killed by his boyfriend Michael Atkins
Matthew Leveson's mother carried a handmade bag with pictures of her dead son into an inquest (pictured)
'If we get an open finding, we'll have to just live with that, but we know in our hearts who was responsible for it,' Ms Leveson told reporters outside court.
In court counsel assisting the coroner Tim Game SC said that despite Atkins' many false accounts, there wasn't sufficient evidence to suggest his actions killed Mr Leveson.
The 54-year-old long denied any knowledge of Mr Leveson's whereabouts, but this year he led police to the 20-year-old's remains in the Royal National Park after striking a deal to avoid contempt of court and perjury charges.
Mr Leveson's parents believe their son could have died by strangulation or smothering, even beginning to tear up in front of awaiting media on Tuesday (pictured)
He told police he decided to bury Mr Leveson in bushland south of Sydney after finding him dead from a drug overdose the morning after they went to ARQ nightclub.
Mr Leveson's parents believe their son could have died by strangulation or smothering, even beginning to tear up in front of awaiting media on Tuesday, the Daily Telegraph reports.
But Mr Game said there wasn't supporting forensic evidence or evidence of a struggle in Mr Leveson's Cronulla apartment.
He told police he decided to bury Mr Leveson in bushland south of Sydney after finding him dead from a drug overdose the morning after they went to ARQ nightclub (Atkins and Leveson pictured)
Mr Leveson's parents believe their son (pictured) could have died by strangulation or smothering, even beginning to tear up in front of awaiting media on Tuesday, the Daily Telegraph reports
He told the court there was 'ultimately no reliable objective evidence' as to the manner and cause of Mr Leveson's death, and submitted that the coroner should make an open finding.
As they left Glebe Coroner's Court, Mark and Faye Leveson said they were hoping for the best but expecting the worst.
'It's upsetting, I know we'll probably get an open finding, but as Mark said, we've been knocked down that many times I'm not expecting things to go our way,' Ms Leveson told reporters.
'The main thing was that we did find Matt, we got him back.'
The inquest was adjourned on Tuesday morning and the coroner has reserved her findings.
A NSW man has been found guilty of murdering his teenage wife 20 years ago.
Steve Frank Fesus, 46, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Jodie Fesus, 18, in August 1997 at their Shellharbour home on the NSW south coast, before burying her body in a shallow grave at Seven Mile Beach, near Gerroa.
But a NSW Supreme Court jury on Tuesday found him guilty after less than one day of deliberating in Sydney.
Steve Frank Fesus (right) had pleaded not guilty to murdering Jodie Fesus (left) in August 1997
A NSW Supreme Court jury on Tuesday found Fesus (right, arriving at court last week) guilty of murdering his wife (left) after less than one day of deliberating in Sydney
The court heard the couple's relationship had deteriorated and that he strangled the mother-of-two during an argument.
Police found the beach grave and exhumed her body on September 15, 1997 after receiving an anonymous call from a male.
News / National
by Staff reporter
Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) president, Johannes Ndanga has indicated that he will not seek re-election at the end of his seven-year term this month-end, but pass on the baton, to enable him to concentrate on other international commitments.Ndanga told journalists last week that after stepping down, he will devout most of his time to the International Commission of Religious Leaders and Universal Peace Federation, where he was recently appointed as a world peace ambassador."I am always travelling because the two posts demand a lot, hence, I am ready to step down, though I will be offering my services to ACCZ on consultancy basis. Moreover, I am hearing that some sect members have left," he said.Ndanga said he will officially step down at the elective congress scheduled for October 26 in Bulawayo.His remarks came amid reports that disgruntled members of the association had formed a splinter group, Zimbabwe Amalgamated Churches' Council (Zacc), accusing Ndanga of tampering with the association's constitution to extend his term by one year."The ACCZ is governed by a constitution, which states that a presidental term goes for seven years. The organisation was formed in 2010 and we are having a congress on October 26 to mark the end of this term, so if someone says I am refusing to step down it means nothing. Elections are going to be conducted during the congress and members are free to contest for any post," he said.Recently, former ACCZ secretary-general Mathias Tsine broke away from the association and formed Zacc with Zanu-PF central committee member Jimayi Muduvuri as patron."The founding constitution stated that a term goes for six years. He (Ndanga), however, changed the constitution and even declared himself ACCZ life president. If you look at the executive members of the ACCZ, Ndanga is the only founding person left. All other members have left," Tsine said.ACCZ comprises of more than 3 000 apostolic and Zion sects.
Photos have emerged of the word 'no' spray-painted on several fences, letters boxes and cars in inner-west Sydney as the same-sex marriage debate continues to heat up.
Steph Sands said she took the pictures on Monday morning after spotting the graffiti plastered throughout the suburb of Stanmore, including on a local mural.
'Woke up to 'respectful' self-expression from No voters In Stanmore this morning,' Ms Sands wrote on Facebook.
Photos have emerged of the word 'no' spray-painted on several fences, letters boxes and walls in inner-west Sydney as the same-sex marriage debate continues to heat up (pictured)
Steph Sands said she took the pictures on Monday morning after spotting the graffiti (pictured) plastered throughout the suburb of Stanmore, including on a local mural
Viewers online were quick to agree with Ms Sands, calling the graffiti (pictured) 'disgusting'
'Devastated that the beautiful mural I drive past most weeks has been ruined. Feel free to share. And if anyone knows the best way to save the mural please comment.'
'No' can be seen scribbled in yellow and red on the back windshield of cars, on driveway gates, brick fences and apartment complex mailboxes.
Viewers online were quick to agree with Ms Sands, calling the graffiti 'disgusting.'
One commenter posted an image on Tuesday afternoon of a city council staff working to remove spray-paint from the mural.
Ms Sands said Mayor of the Inner West Council Darcy Byrne told her the mural's original artist will oversea its restoration once the cleaning is finished.
'No' can be seen scribbled in yellow and red on driveway gates and brick fences (pictured)
It was also spray-painted on an apartment complex mailbox (pictured)
'No' is pictures spray-painted on a cream coloured terrace home fence
One commenter posted an image on Tuesday afternoon of a city council staff working to remove spray-paint from the mural (pictured)
In response to 'no' voters, a group of people supporting same-sex marriage painted a rainbow on a building on the opposite side of the street.
About 9.2 million Australians have returned their same-sex marriage postal survey - accounting for 57.5 per cent of the forms sent out.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday published its first update on the estimated number of forms received.
It will provide an update every week until the postal survey closes on November 7.
The results will be published on November 15.
A farmer who opposes gay marriage has been bombarded with abusive Facebook messages and death threats for posting an image of herself with a postal vote ballot.
Kirralie Smith, from northern New South Wales, was advised to stand in front of a train by one abusive man who also wished she would get AIDS, the disease which has killed millions of gay men since the 1980s.
Ms Smith was also a Senate candidate for the right-wing Australian Liberty Alliance Party and has since joined Cory Bernardis Australian Conservatives.
She said the abuse made her feel 'violated' and the content - including graphic hardcore pornography - is beyond anything she could have imagined.
A farmer who opposes gay marriage has been bombarded with abusive Facebook messages and death threats for posting an image of herself with a postal vote ballot (pictured)
Kirralie Smith (pictured), from northern New South Wales, was advised to stand in front of a train by one abusive man who also wished she would get AIDS
Ms Smith said the abuse (pictured) made her feel 'violated' and the content - including graphic hardcore pornography - is beyond anything she could have imagined
'I did expect some haters to respond but I was unprepared for the barrage of hate, vulgar messages and threats I received,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
'I notice that lesbians such as Christine Forster posed for such photos with her partner. Did they cop the same level of vitriol and hatred for doing so?'
'Your [sic] still a slag and I hope you get aids [sic]' wrote one Facebook user.
'I also hope you get hit by a bus! Or if you have children, that one of them is gay. You have the right to your opinion but not to post photos of it. You are a stupid c***.,' read another message.
'I did expect some haters to respond but I was unprepared for the barrage of hate, vulgar messages and threats I received,' said Ms Smith (pictured)
'I notice that lesbians such as Christine Forster posed for such photos with her partner. Did they cop the same level of vitriol (pictured above) and hatred for doing so?' said Ms Smith
The level of vitriol has left Ms Smith questioning why she should be forced to deal with such hateful responses to a simple photograph.
'Do I just have to suck this up? Are people really entitled to behave in such a manner when all I did was post a legal and acceptable option when participating in this postal survey?' she said.
I am not breaking any laws. I am upholding a current law. I am using my democratic right to exercise my choice. Why should I be subject to such horrid remarks and images for doing so?'
The level of vitriol (pictured above) has left Ms Smith questioning why she should be forced to deal with such hateful responses to a simple photograph.
In addition to the hateful messages, insults and death threats, some social media users even sent offensive images.
One such image is from a hardcore pornographic film and depicts two men involved in a sex act.
'You're a piece of s***,' 'I really hope you get hit by a bus,' 'You need a bullet,' and 'I wish nothing but bad for you and your family,' are some of the other messages.
Ms Smith was told to 'Eat a d***,' called a 'homophobic b****,' a 'nasty nasty cow,' a 'f***wit,' and told to 'Rot in hell.'
In addition to the hateful messages (pictured), insults and death threats, some social media users even sent offensive images
The avalanche of abuse comes after weeks of accusations from the 'no' campaign that a fringe element of the 'yes' side are shutting down debate with abuse and violence.
Last week a priest was spat at while walking down the street in Brisbane and called 'a f***ing no voter'.
After former prime minister Tony Abbott was headbutted by an anarchist DJ wearing a Yes badge, activists started using 'Headbutt homophobes' banners at rallies.
Dr Francisco Perales at the University of Queensland suggested opponents of same-sex marriage are less intelligent.
The avalanche of abuse (pictured above) comes after weeks of accusations from the 'no' campaign that a fringe element of the 'yes' side are shutting down debate with abuse and violence
Lecturers Catherine Greenhill and Diana Combe at the University of New South Wales have told maths students not to use the word marriage.
A 'yes' voter was caught on film in Chatswood in Sydney's north racially abusing 'no' campaigners.
Students at the University of Sydney clashed when a 'no' campaign rally turned violent after 'yes' campaign counter-protesters turned up.
Just days later a gay man was viciously heckled at a similar rally at the University of Queensland and accused of 'internalised homophobia'.
A Coalition for Marriage event was disrupted by protesters who stormed the venue and blocked the stage with a banner saying 'Burn churches not queers'.
The most recent Sky News ReachTel poll of 5,000 people found 64 per cent have voted 'yes', 15.5 per cent have voted 'no' and 21 per cent are yet to vote (pictured above is abuse received by Ms Smith)
Vandals attacked a church in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, spray-painting it with 'Vote Yes' slogans.
Gay anarchists took over the former headquarters of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and scrawled hateful anti-police slurs on the walls.
'Sometimes find myself wondering if I'd hate-f**k all the anti-gay MPs in parliament if it meant they got the homophobia out of their system,' wrote openly-gay comedian and Safe Schools author Benjamin Law to his 77,000 Twitter followers.
A Canberra woman was fired for saying 'It's okay to vote no' on Facebook, with her boss Madlin Sims calling it 'homophobic hate speech'.
Dr Pansy Lai - who appeared in the first Coalition of Marriage advertisement - was targeted by a petition seeking to have her stripped of her medical licence.
The most recent Sky News ReachTel poll of 5,000 people found 64 per cent have voted 'yes', 15.5 per cent have voted 'no' and 21 per cent are yet to vote.
The sick Facebook messages a neo-Nazi obsessed with sex, guns and death sent a 13-year-old girl he met on the social networking site can be revealed after he was sentenced to jail.
Michael James Holt had promised the teenager 'I won't hit on you if you don't want me to' but within hours was sending her obscene messages and naked pictures of himself.
Having told the girl he was 25 and learning she was 13, Holt wrote on Facebook Messenger: 'I have sexted with girls your age before But only with permission. Always get consent etc'
The girl replied: 'Yeah that's good.'
Michael James Holt, 27, engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a teenage girl
Michael James Holt sent sexually explicit messages via Facebook to a girl he knew was 13
The deeply disturbed white supremacist who a judge said had an 'obsession with guns, sex and death' was jailed in the NSW District Court last Friday for at least four-and-a-half years.
The 27-year-old had pleaded guilty to firearm and child pornography offences after being caught hoarding homemade guns at Sydney and the NSW Central Coast.
In August District Court Judge Jeffrey McLennan compared Holt to Martin Bryant, saying he could be the next Port Arthur mass murderer.
As well as the firearms, police found child abuse material when they raided three premises in August 2015.
Holt had engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a 14-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl and sent them naked images.
On Friday Judge McLennan said the messages sent to the teenagers put Holt in the category of sex offender.
White supremacist Michael James Holt was caught with a cache of homemade firearms
Michael James Holt was caught with a cache of weapons, some homemade, and ammunition
Neo-Nazi Michael James Holt was jailed for possessing a collection of homemade weapons
'His obsession with sex, guns and death points to a deeply disturbed and disturbing psychology,' Judge McLellan said.
Holt, who claims not have a sexual interest in children, began a conversation with a 13-year-old girl about 5pm on September 9, 2015.
After exchanging pleasantries and having seen pictures of each other the conversation soon moved to sex. Holt told the girl he was 25.
Girl: 'I'm 13. So don't ask for nudes and stuff and we will be good.'
Holt: 'Oh okay not a problem to me but I won't hit on you if you don't want me to.'
Girl: 'You can flirt just don't be a F***boy.'
Five hours later Holt dropped any pretense of not wanting to take advantage of the girl.
Among the weapons found in Michael James Holt's possession was this homemade shotgun
White supremacist Michael James Holt was caught with knuckledusters as well as firearms
A judge said he could not know if Michael James Holt might be the 'next Martin Bryant'
Girl: What ya thinking about?
Holt: Naughty things.
Girl: Lol sorry.
Holt: Hehe.
Girl: What ya thinking about?
Holt: Dominating you.
Girl: How.
Holt: Hmm maybe tying you to the bed
Girl: Bondage.
Holt: Yep.
Gilr: Nice.
Holt: Then I'd proceed to Lick you everywhere first off lol hehe.
Girl: Like a cat.
Holt: Yep.
Girl: I'm submissive asf so tie me up and do whatever would plz you.
Many of the weapons found in Michael James Holt's possession could not be fired (pictured)
The conversation then became extremely graphic and Holt sent the girl pictures of his penis. At one point the girl asked what Holt meant by 'sodomize'.
The next day came a reminder of just how young the girl was.
Holt: Hey you're back again.
Girl: Yeah.
Holt: How are you going atm?
Girl Eh good just stressed.
Holt: Aww what's wrong?
Girl: First day of school.
Holt: Oh what year?
Girl: 8
Judge Jeffrey McLennan said he had serious concerns about Michael James Holt's future
Arms maker Michael James Holt stored ammunition in energy drink cartons and biscuit boxes
Holt told a psychiatrist that despite those conversations and having looked a child pornography he was not sexually interested in children.
'It's not something I want to do again,' he said. 'I should not have been looking at it in the first place.
'I actually hate porn. It is a poor substitute for relationships. I have always had a pretty Christian attitude to the relationship game.'
Psychiatrist Olav Nielssen found while Holt was on the autism spectrum he was not mentally ill and was of average intelligence.
'Mr Holt's sexual offences, like his weapons offences, reflect the impaired social judgment and social skills arising from his autism spectrum disorder,' Dr Nielssen found.
Michael James Holt, who hoarded illegal firearms, was described as being deeply disturbed
A homemade knife manufactured by Michael James Holt which was seized by police
This slingshot was among a cache of weapons in the possession of Michael James Holt
Holt had sent disturbing text messages to men and women he had met over the internet detailing his violent urges.
'Had some homophobic d***head threaten to punch my head last night at the hotel because he's scared of guns, he called me a "Martin Bryant motherf***er",' he wrote in one.
In another he wrote: 'I always fantasise about mass homicide when I'm in crowds and crowded places.'
A third said: 'Gonna have to start killing if I don't get laid soon.'
Holt reported having a difficult time in the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre at Silverwater due to publicity about his crimes.
'I feel like I have been targeted for being different,' he told the psychiatrist. 'It's been a wake up call.'
As for his neo-Nazi beliefs, Holt said: 'I am always gong to have an interest. It was a pretty fascinating time in history. I am not interested in Australian politics.'
Upon his release Holt would like to join and church and start a band.
A replica Luger pistol was among a cache of illegal weapons in Michael James Holt's posession
Australian fans will have the chance to dine in style with controversial 'internet supervillian' Milo Yiannopolous when he tours the country this December.
Tickets have officially gone on sale for the alt-right activist's Troll Academy Tour, offering followers the chance to see him on the east and west coast.
But for those looking for something more than a simple 'Meet and Greet' or 'Backstage Pass,' a series of mysterious 'once in a lifetime' private dinners are also on offer.
Australian fans will have the chance to dine in style with controversial 'internet supervillian' Milo Yiannopolous (pictured) after details and tickets were released for his December tour
Yiannopolous' tour is set to kick off in Adelaide on December 1, before travelling to Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast.
But the site of the contentious star's shows are being kept strictly under-wraps, with the 'CBD locations' advised just seven days before the event.
Penthouse magazine's publisher Damien Costas told Daily Mail Australia the venues were being kept under wraps to help stem potential problems.
'Milo is controversial, he's a bit of a lightning rod and so the venues could cop the brunt of that so we don't want to cause any issues.'
Although four different types of tickets are being offered for the events, Mr Costas said even those students paying $49 would be in for a good time.
The chance to meet the man who has been banned from Twitter will cost Australian's a whopping $295 though, but will include a one-on-one photo.
While the top of the range Backstage Pass, valued at nearly $1,500, will get holder's behind the scenes for an exclusive champagne party.
Yiannopolous will also be hosting an exclusive dinner in each capital, where 20 guests will be served up a gourmet meal, free-flowing alcohol and the chance to chat with the outspoken icon.
Yiannopolous (pictured) will be visiting five capital cities during his Troll Academy Tour and will host a mysterious 'once in a lifetime' private dinner in each, with free-flowing champagne
The 32-year-old former Breitbart journalist is said to have a huge supporter base in the country but the 'CBD locations' of his shows are being kept strictly under wraps until just a week before they take place
Just days after appearing at UC Berkeley, the free speech battleground of the United States, Yiannopolous announced his plans to visit.
'I can't wait to bring my Troll Academy Tour to Australia and to meet all my Australian fans and make some new friends... 'I'm big down under which just shows Australians have great taste,' he said.
The excited author even took to Facebook to share Daily Mail Australia's article about his tour, telling people: 'Get ready b****es'.
Outside of the United States, the former Breitbart journalist's biggest supporter base is believed to be in Australia - which explains his decision to head Down Under.
But despite his plans to make 'friends', if previous public appearances are anything to go by his trip may not be so straightforward.
From opposing gay rights - despite being openly homosexual and marrying his partner this week - transgender issues and also the 'Black Lives Matter' movement, Yiannopolous' views are often considered divisive.
An excited Yiannopolous took to Facebook to share Daily Mail Australia's article on his tour, telling people: 'Get ready b****es' (pictured)
Earlier this year he stood down as Tech Editor at Brietbart after audio surfaced of his comments about sexual relationships between teenage boys and older men.
'There are certainly people who are capable of giving consent at a younger age. I certainly consider myself to be one of them, people who were sexually active younger... (this) particularly happens in the gay world,' Yiannopolous said.
While he's likely to face a hostile response from protesters in Australia, the organisers of his tour, Penthouse magazine, have defended the decision to back Yiannopolous.
Having made a return in recent years to political-based alternative journalism, Mr Costas said the tour was important for free speech.
'Australia's the only country where we've got it right in terms of free speech... and who better to speak than Milo?' Mr Costas said.
'He doesn't like extremism of any sort whether it's Islamic extremism or extreme feminism, whatever. No ideology should be beyond scrutiny and no idea above debate.'
For more information on Yiannopolous tour visit www.milolive.com.au.
A koala named 'Uni Girl' has been rescued after clambering up a drilling rig at a construction site.
The marsupial became stuck at the rig in Bedford Park, Adelaide, and was unable to make her way down prompting a good Samaritan to call for help.
South Australia Fauna Rescue member Anne Bigham told Daily Mail Australia that she received a distressed call via their hotline at about 4.30am on Tuesday.
A Koala named 'Uni Girl' has been rescued by emergency services on Tuesday morning
It took emergency services close to an hour to get the cute marsupial down to safety
The South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service took about an hour to bring the marsupial down to safely.
'She (the koala) is doing very well,' said Ms Bigham.
Ms Bigham said the koala in question was known to her and was an animal that they had released into the wild way back in February.
'We recognised her through a yellow tag on her ear.
'The construction site is close to Centennial park, a place where we had released her in February.
'There is a cemetery there with a lot of eucalyptus,' she said.
She said the koala was named after the place where she was found two years ago.
'We named her 'Uni Girl' as we found her at Flinders University,' she said.
Ms Bigham said the koala will be released into the wild on Wednesday.
The koala was spotted by a good Samaritan on top of the drilling rig on Tuesday morning
A young mother and her baby are among a family of six airlifted to hospital after a horror car crash on a remote Northern Territory highway.
The 23-year-old woman, her 14-month-old daughter and four other relatives including a six-week-old baby were travelling on the Stuart Highway about 190km south of Darwin.
Their car rolled and hit a rock face at 5pm on Monday.
The car rolled and hit a rock face at 5pm on Monday (wreckage pictured)
'Both patients had sustained head injuries,' Careflight NT said.
'CareFlight crews joined forces with first responders and clinic staff from Adelaide River, Pine Creek and Katherine.'
The pair was taken to Royal Darwin Hospital from the accident scene near Emerald Springs, but the daughter's condition has since been upgraded to serious.
Their relatives were also taken to hospital in stable conditions, including a six-week-old boy, a 10-year-old girl, an adult with shoulder and head injuries and an adult with a suspected fractured arm.
All family members remain in hospital while NT Police investigate and call for witnesses.
A University of Southern California faculty member told her students during class that there was an active shooter in the building.
Her remarks created a campus-wide fear that there was an active shooter on campus on October 2, school officials say.
Los Angeles police are questioning the faculty member and have not commented on what her motive might have been.
The faculty member is also undergoing a mental health evaluation, reports the Washington Post.
Police responded to reports of an active shooter at the University of Southern California on Monday afternoon. Pictured above is students being evacuated
A faculty member, who has not been identified, told her students during class that there was an active shooter in the building. She allegedly told her students to lock the classroom's doors and get down on the floor and proceeded to yell 'active shooter'
The woman had suffered 'some sort of an episode', Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Phillip Tingirides told KABC.
She allegedly told students to get down on the floor and lock the doors - 'lockdown mode' - and began yelling 'active shooter'.
Students speaking to various media outlets said they were not sure if she was performing a drill or whether the threat was real.
The faculty member has not been identified by police. Her name has been withheld by the university.
Two students who spoke to the Daily Trojan, USC's student newspaper, alleged that their teacher, Amy Granados, had made the false report.
The campus went on lockdown as the shooting reports came in at around 12.30pm. Police gave the all-clear less than an hour later.
USC had sent out campus-wide alerts announcing police activity near Fertitta Hall and telling people nearby to shelter in place.
The false alarm came after the deadliest shooting in modern US history.
Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, shot dead 59 people and injured more than 500 at a concert Sunday night in Las Vegas.
A Tamil Manus Island refugee who 'killed himself' on Manus Island was facing rape charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager girl.
Rajeev Rajendran, 32, was charged for raping a teenager 'three times', believed to be 18 or 19-years-old, at a hotel on the island in January this year.
Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul confirmed the rape charges to Daily Mail Australia.
When the young girl managed to escape, she allegedly 'fainted on the riverside' before being rescued and taken to hospital, The Guardian reported at the time.
A Tamil Manus Island refugee (pictured) who 'killed himself' on Manus Island was facing rape charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenager girl
Rajeev Rajendran, 32, (pictured) was charged for raping a teenager 'three times', believed to be 18 or 19-years-old, at a hotel on the island in January this year
The case was yet to go before a court but it is believed Rajendran was going to deny the charges, Mr Rintoul told Sky News.
The refugee reportedly took his own life early Monday morning at Lorengau Hospital on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, Australia's immigration department confirmed.
The Australian Government asked the 32-year-old's family to pay $7500 to send the body back to Sri Lanka, but the family are demanding it be sent back to their home country for free.
'We have lost a son, a brother, a cousin and a wonderful friend,' the man's cousin told Tamil Refugee Council.
'After all the trauma he was put through, the Australian government now wants to put his grieving family through more.
'Why would they do this to us? They have taken our dear Rajeev from us - is this not enough? But now they demand a fortune as well.'
The case was yet to go before a court but it is believed Rajendran was going to deny the charges, Mr Rintoul told Sky News (stock image of Manus Island Detention Centre)
The Tamil Refugee Council said the 32-year-old had been 'threatened by the Sri Lankan military', was 'denied asylum in Australia' and found out his 'father had cancer' two months ago which 'finally took its toll'.
Rajendran's death is reportedly the second suicide on Manus Island in the past two months and is the sixth fatality in four years.
Former Manus Island MP Ron Knight said the magistrate on the island will be conducting a coroner's investigation over coming days.
'It seems like a suicide but it's not confirmed yet,' Mr Knight told AAP.
He said locals had become increasingly frustrated with the problems that have come with hosting the immigration detention centre, which is slated for closure at the end of the month.
The man's death is reportedly the second suicide on the island in the past two months (stock image)
More than 50 refugees last week left Manus Island and Nauru for a new life in the U.S (pictured are asylum seekers leaving the detention centre on September 24)
'It's given the island a bad name, it's given the people a bad name, when people are being looked after by our government and the Australian government have to resort to something like this to prove a point, it means that something is terribly wrong with the whole system,' Mr Knight said.
Refugee Action Coalition spokesman Ian Rintoul said the man had been sent to the hospital three days earlier.
Greens senator Nick McKim said the case was 'catastrophic neglect' from Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.
'This man had suffered for years in a system that Australia's Labor and Liberal parties deliberately designed and operated to cause mental harm,' he said in a statement.
The body of Iranian refugee Hamed Shamshiripour was found near refugee accommodation in early August.
The death comes as more than 50 refugees last week left Manus Island and Nauru for a new life in the U.S.
More are expected to follow in coming months.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Multicultural Mental Health Australia www.mmha.org.au.
Twenty years on from death of his wife, 47-year-old Steven Fesus has been found guilty of her murder.
The decision was handed down on Tuesday afternoon to relieved family members of, then teenager, Jodie Fesus.
Mr Fesus was convicted of killing killed his wife in their home in Shellharbour, south of Sydney, in August 1997.
Cracks first began to appear in Fesus' denial when he filled out a Centrelink form saying his wife was dead before her body had been even been found.
Tracey Smith (pictured), the sister of murdered 18-year-old, Jodie Fesus, celebrates outside court on Tuesday after Steven Fesus is found guilty of her murder
The decision was handed down on Tuesday afternoon to relieved family members of, then teenager, Jodie Fesus
Ms Smith hugged a friend outside court on Tuesday after her sister's killer was found guilty
After realising he'd accidentally ticked 'no' to a question of whether Jodie was alive, Fesus uncovered her body enough to be found and made an anonymous call to police.
He knew the discovery would allow him to start accessing Centrelink payments.
His crucial mistake would wasn't his last, with him making a confession in 2013 to an undercover police officer, which would eventually provide the jury with enough evidence for his conviction.
The determination of the teenager's family eventually paid off, when after two decades and two trials, Fesus was found guilty.
Steve Fesus, 47, was found guilty of strangling his wife Jodie Fesus before burying her in a shallow grave in 1997
Fesus filled out a form saying his wife was dead, before her body was found
Jodie Fesus' mother was overjoyed with the result when speaking with media outside court on Tuesday
Family members of murdered 18-year-old punch the air in triumph after Jodie's killer was found guilty
Fesus became enraged after the couple's relationship had deteriorated after months of squabbling and arguments that sometimes turned violent.
The former bouncer drove the body of his 18-year-old wife Jodie to Seven Mile Beach, near Gerroa, and buried it in a shallow grave.
Fesus and his wife shared a bank account and soon after she went missing he tried to apply for a pension.
Mr Fesus was convicted of killing killed his wife in their home in Shellharbour, south of Sydney, in August 1997
Fesus became enraged after the couple's relationship had deteriorated after months of squabbling and arguments that sometimes turned violent
When questioned by a friend over ticking the box saying she was dead, he became 'flustered', Crown prosecutor Greg Smith SC said during the opening of his NSW Supreme Court trial.
Fesus was having problems altering his pension, as there was no proof his wife had died.
To resolve this, he returned to Jodie's grave and partially uncovered her body.
'So it would be discovered,' Mr Smith said.
An anonymous male had also phoned in a tip about human remains at the beach.
Things were so bad between the couple, who had previously play wrestled in front of friends, that they were accusing each other of cheating and had not had sex since being married in May, 1997, the court heard.
Fesus and his wife shared a bank account and soon after she went missing he tried to apply for a pension
While filling out forms, he made a telling mistake and ticked the 'no' box when asked if his partner was still alive, the court heard
In February that year, during a play fight, Fesus had knocked out his wife to demonstrate a sleeper or choke hold, Mr Smith told the jury.
On the night before she went missing, Jodie and Fesus had argued at a friend's home, enraging Fesus, the court heard.
Fuming, he strangled his wife, bundled her corpse into their family station wagon and drove her under the cover of darkness to the beach, where he buried her in the shallow grave, Mr Smith told the jury.
The next day he went to work briefly and was later seen cleaning their car and home at Mt Warrigal.
But despite his wife not being home all day, Fesus didn't phone any of her friends or relatives, the court heard.
But he did call the local pizza shop.
Fesus was having problems altering his pension, as there was no proof his wife had died
To resolve this, he returned to Jodie's grave and partially uncovered her body, according to the prosecution
The defence says Fesus and his wife had argued and had their disagreements, but their marriage was sound.
'Mr Fesus did not do what he is accused of doing,' defence barrister Grant Brady said.
No calls were made to anyone and Fesus had carried on with his day as usual because he simply thought his wife had left, he said.
'He wasn't particularly concerned,' said.
The couple had met in July 1995 when Fesus was working as a bouncer at a Shellharbour club.
Fesus was 24 while Jodie was 16 and pregnant.
An Islamic extremist who conspired to prepare for a terrorist act has had an apparent anxiety attack at his sentencing hearing in Sydney alongside his co-accused.
Sulayman Khalid, 22, started crying and breathing heavily at the Supreme Court in Parramatta on Tuesday and briefly left the courtroom, with his lawyer stating he was 'very stressed', and a supporter claiming he was 'having an anxiety attack'.
Khalid, Jibryl Almaouie, 23, and a teenager who can't be named for legal reasons, have each pleaded guilty to conspiring to do acts in preparation for a terrorist act to advance 'violent jihad' in late 2014.
Sulayman Khalid (pictured during a court appearance in 2014) started crying and breathing heavily at the Supreme Court in Parramatta on Tuesday
The charge of conspiring to do acts in preparation of a terrorist act carries a maximum sentence of life in prison (pictured is Sulayman Khalid during a previous court appearance)
The three are among six involved in the plot to kill police officers and attack government buildings.
Three other men, Mohamed Almaouie, Farhad Said and Ibrahim Ghazzawy, have previously pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of knowingly making a document likely to facilitate a terrorist act.
Ghazzawy was sentenced in May to a maximum term of eight years and six months in jail and will be eligible for parole in April, 2022.
On Tuesday, the first of three days of sentencing submissions, Jibryl Almaouie also pleaded guilty to possessing two firearms.
His lawyer Ian Temby QC acknowledged Almaouie must serve a prison sentence for his part in the conspiracy, but said his role 'should not be overstated'.
Sulayman Khalid, pictured on the SBS Insight program, pleaded guilty to conspiring to do acts in preparation for a terrorist act to advance 'violent jihad' in late 2014
'He's clearly a late joiner,' Mr Temby said.
Almaouie was involved in two telephone conversations on December 16, 2014, nine days after his first contact with 'central player' Khalid, he said.
There had been a discussion about targeting the Australian Federal Police but 'it was not acted upon and no specific physical target had been chosen at the time it was thwarted' by authorities, he said.
'You can't sentence these people on the basis that they were going to do it ... because we just don't know,' Mr Temby said.
The two men and the teenager plead guilty to plotting a terrorist attack on government buildings, including police headquarters, in Sydney almost three years ago (pictured is the police raids in 2014)
The charge of conspiring to do acts in preparation of a terrorist act carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Mr Temby said Almaouie has been behind bars in 'harsh' conditions since January 2015.
The 'small in stature' and 'mild mannered' man has lost weight since he's been in prison, he said.
Prosecutor Nicholas Robinson QC said Almaouie played a significant role and would often use code words such as 'fruit salad', 'marriage' and 'motorbikes' when plotting with his co-conspirators.
'The terms make no sense unless they are understood as meaning something else,' he said.
Sentencing submissions continue before Justice Geoff Bellew.
News / National
by Staff reporter
POLICE have urged parents to desist from sending their children for sleep-overs as that exposes them to abuse.Addressing pupils from various schools in Bulawayo last Friday at Eveline High School during a schools' debate, national police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said there is a worrying trend that has seen some parents sending their children for sleep-overs, when kids spend the night at their friends' homes.Snr Asst Comm Charamba said this has become a matter of concern to police and some children have been raped during the sleep-overs."We say do not go for sleep overs. Parents now have a tendency of letting their children go for sleep overs. In South Africa there was man who was in the media after he raped 12 girls who had come for a sleep over. These were the girl's friends and all those were raped and this has happened in many other countries," she said.Snr Asst Comm Charamba said in Zimbabwe relatives are among the major perpetrators of rape."As the Zimbabwe Republic Police we are very concerned with the number of sexual abuse cases against children that we record daily. The majority of offenders in progressive order are relatives, neighbours, strangers, boyfriends, church mates, teachers and even herd boys. Among the close relatives the majority of offenders are uncles, step fathers, fathers, nephews, cousins, brothers and brothers-in law," said Snr Asst Comm Charamba.She said police were also concerned with rampant substance abuse among youths.Snr Asst Comm Charamba said substance abuse was leading some children to commit serious crimes in the country. "A lot of young people today are involved in the compulsive, excessive, self-damaging use of drugs and substance abuse leading to addiction and serious physiological injuries such as damage to kidneys, liver, heart or dysfunctional behaviour patterns including mental illness, hallucinations and memory loss and even death can occur.The association between substance abuse and sex is worrying in light of the HIV/Aids pandemic," she said.
The mass evacuation of a volcano-threatened Vanuatu island is running ahead of schedule as a ramshackle armada of civilian boats ferries people to safety, officials said Monday.
The entire 11,000 population of Ambae, in the north of the Pacific archipelago, has been ordered to leave after the Manaro Voui volcano rumbled to life and rained rock and ash on villages last week.
The evacuation to nearby islands was scheduled for completion by this Friday but the Red Cross said it was likely to wrap up on Wednesday.
The mass evacuation of a volcano-threatened Vanuatu island is running ahead of schedule
It said villagers were exiting the island on a range of locally-commissioned boats - from barges carrying hundreds of people to smaller ferries shipping dozens at a time.
'You have got a huge range of boats that are transferring 11,000 people from Ambae to the three surrounding islands. For a country this size it is a very big operation,' Red Cross spokesman Joe Cropp said.
'It was orderly. People realised that they need to leave, there is a lot of patience among the community.'
Most of the island's residents have been sheltering in evacuation centres since the volcano first sent up a plume of steam and ash about a week ago.
They are leaving from three coastal locations and the point on Ambae's western edge had already completed its evacuation on Monday.
The Red Cross is delivering water to the island after ash from the volcano contaminated fresh supplies.
Thermal image shows volcanic vents on the cone that has formed in Lake Vui on Ambae Island
While an orderly evacuation was still a priority for those remaining, attention was now turning to the strained resources at the islands to which people were being relocated, Cropp said.
The relocation facilities on surrounding islands are 'starting to handle' the situation, 'but we need to step up quickly, we need to get the resources in to provide the shelter, water, food and sanitation that people need,' he added.
An Australian naval ship is expected to arrive on Wednesday, while New Zealand has sent a Hercules C-130 to airlift supplies into the area.
Vanuatu lies on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.
A report on the abandoned three-year search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 said the continuing mystery over the fate of the plane and the 239 people on board is 'almost inconceivable.'
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's final report on the search, which was abandoned in January, concedes that authorities are no closer to knowing the reasons for the plane's disappearance, or its exact location.
The Boeing 777 carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew disappeared soon into its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014.
Scroll down for video
Mystery: A woman writes messages on a memorial wall of the 239 people still missing after flight MH370 disappeared in March 2014
The 1,046-day search - which included the largest aviation searches of their kind in history - was called off by the governments of Malaysia, China and Australia on January 17.
'The reasons for the loss of MH370 cannot be established with certainty until the aircraft is found,' the bureau, which coordinated the search, said in the 440-page report.
'It is almost inconceivable and certainly societally unacceptable in the modern aviation era with 10 million passengers boarding commercial aircraft every day, for a large commercial aircraft to be missing and for the world not to know with certainty what became of the aircraft and those on board,' it said.
'The ATSB expresses our deepest sympathies to the families of the passengers and crew on board MH370. We share your profound and prolonged grief, and deeply regret that we have not been able to locate the aircraft, nor those 239 souls on board that remain missing.'
Long search: A Royal Australian Air Force Flight Officer is seen using binoculars during the nearly three-year search for the missing plane
However, the report said the understanding of where the plane may be is 'better now than it has ever been,' partly as a result of studying debris that washed ashore in 2015 and 2016 which showed the plane was 'not configured for a ditching at the end-of-flight,' meaning it had run out of fuel.
The search team also looked back at satellite imagery which showed objects in the ocean that may have been MH370 debris.
The report said this analysis complemented work detailed in a 2016 review and identified an area of less than 9,650 square mile) - roughly the size of the U.S. state of Vermont - that 'has the highest likelihood of containing MH370.'
The bureau noted the Malaysian government is 'continuing work on their investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the loss of MH370.'
'Inconceivable': The 1,046-day search was called off by the governments of Malaysia, China and Australia on January 17 this year
The search was extremely difficult because no transmissions were received from the aircraft after its first 38 minutes of flight. Systems designed to automatically transmit the flight's position failed to work after this point, the report said.
Subsequent analysis of radar and satellite communication data revealed the aircraft had continued to fly for seven hours. Its last positively known position was fixed at the northern tip of Sumatra by surveillance systems operating that night, six hours before it ended its flight in the southern Indian Ocean.
The bureau said the search had at least led to some important gains in the field of locating missing aircraft on flights over deep ocean areas, with improvements made to systems for tracking aircraft.
'Steps are being taken to advance other aircraft systems including emergency locator transponders and flight recorder locator beacons,' the report said.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood praised the commitment of everyone involved in the search.
'This was an unprecedented endeavor and there has been an extraordinary response from the global community,' he said in a statement.
A New Jersey man who police say punched another man several times during an argument about a stolen pork roll sandwich is facing charges.
Police say they were called to an apartment in Hackettstown, New Jersey, following reports of a fight over a stolen pork roll known as either a Taylor Ham Sandwich or Taylor Pork Roll.
Police found the victim with swelling on his face and it was determined that Christian Guerra, 19, had punched him several times.
Police say they were called to an apartment in Hackettstown, New Jersey,following reports of a fight over a stolen pork roll known (left and right)
They say the fight early Saturday morning may have also been about beer, and that the suspect and the victim knew each other.
Police arrested the 19-year-old Hackettstown man on simple assault charges.
It is unknown what became of the sandwich.
Police found the victim on the 100 block of Main Street (pictured) with swelling on his face and it was determined that Christian Guerra, 19, had punched him several times
Officially labeled a Taylor Pork Roll, the processed meat sandwich has been an argumentative topic in New Jersey.
In the north, the popular breakfast item is called Taylor ham but simply called pork rolls in the south.
It got so heated in 2016 that Gov. Chris Christie claimed to be considering issuing an executive order making 'Taylor ham' the sandwich's official name.
French police investigating a knife attack that left two young women dead in the southern port of Marseille have detained four suspected terrorists.
Suspected Islamist Ahmed Hanachi murdered cousins Mauranne and Laura, both 20, outside the city's main train station before being shot dead by soldiers.
Last night it emerged that he had been arrested seven times since 2005 - giving officers a fake identity on each occasion.
The four people arrested today are being held on suspicion of being associated with a terror group.
Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said Hanachi had Italian residency and a valid Tunisian passport.
The attacker was killed by soldiers after the stabbings which were claimed by the Islamic State group.
Hanachi had been detained for shoplifting and released the day before the attack - giving police a fake name as he had done on numerous encounters with officers in the past.
French authorities are studying the suspect's cellphone and working to determine whether he had direct links to ISIS, which claimed responsibility for Sunday's stabbing.
Tributes were paid to the young victims last night, with Marseille University, where Mauranne studied, describing her as a 'brilliant student'.
Scroll down for video
Out of custody: The attacker (pictured lying dead after he was gunned down outside Saint Charles station, Marseille), was an illegal immigrant named as Ahmed Hanachi who had been arrested last week
Tragic: The two victims of the Marseille knife attack were identified by their first names as cousins and best friends Mauranne (left) and Laura (right), both 20
The suspect was identified by his fingerprints, which matched those taken during seven previous incidents registered by police since 2005, Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins told reporters.
The attacker didn't have any past convictions in France, Molins said. The man's most recent arrest occurred in the Lyon area on Friday - just two days before the train station stabbing.
The man was held overnight for shoplifting, then released on Saturday and the charges dropped, Molins said.
He added that local authorities had no reason to hold him further based on the ID he gave them - a Tunisian passport.
The attacker who was a North African of either Algerian or Tunisian origin was arrested in Lyon for shoplifting, but was released two days before the Marseille stabbings on Sunday
The assailant was gunned down by soldiers who were on patrol inside Saint Charles train station at the time as part of France's ongoing state of emergency
A body lies under a white sheet outside Marseille's main train station after a man with a butcher's knife attacked two women at the station
French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, apparently not satisfied with the explanation, on Monday ordered a probe of the circumstances that led police to free the man, who attacked and killed the young women a day later. The report is due by end of the week, a ministry statement said.
While being held in Lyon, the man told police that he did odd jobs, used hard drugs and was divorced, according to Molins, the prosecutor.
It's not clear if the attacker had any connection to the victims - two cousins who had met for a birthday celebration.
Some witnesses reported hearing the assailant shout 'Allahu akbar!' - Arabic for 'God is great' - and Molins said that's one of the reasons prosecutors opened a terrorism investigation. But no firm evidence has surfaced linking the man to Islamic extremism.
Molins said video surveillance of the site showed the man sitting for a few minutes on a bench outside the station, before jumping up and stabbing one woman several times. He then ran away and returned to attack the second woman.
The assailant was shot dead by soldiers who were patrolling the station as part of France's state of emergency
The man shouted 'Allahu Akbar' as he murdered the 17-year-old student and 21-year-old nurse outside St-Charles station
Two women were stabbed to death and their assailant shot dead by soldiers in Marseille
French police search the body of the assailant shortly after he was gunned down outside the busy station
A woman passer-by tried to intervene, Molins said. The man then tried to attack soldiers patrolling the site, but they shot him dead with two bullets.
The suspect was found with two knives and a telephone, but no identity papers, according to Molins.
The man's multiple pseudonyms made it difficult to even find a house to search for more clues, said Yves Lefebvre of the Unite SGP Police union.
'While it could shock the public, unfortunately it doesn't shock us, the police' that the suspect was released the day before carrying out a deadly attack, he said. He said shoplifting usually results in a quick police report and a court summons, and the suspect is released.
'Nothing allowed us to suspect there was a threat of radicalization during the (Lyon) arrest,' Lefebvre told The Associated Press.
He said that while the man didn't provide a residency permit, jails and migrant retention centers are often overflowing, so authorities do not routinely lock up illegal immigrants suspected of minor crimes.
However, the interior minister demanded a report to 'shed full light' on the man, procedures followed and the decision not to expel him, the ministry statement said.
The ISIS-linked Aamaq news agency said that the assailant was acting in response to the extremist group's calls to target countries in the U.S.-led coalition fighting militants in Syria and Iraq.
France has been part of the anti-ISIS coalition since 2014. The Aamaq statement didn't provide details, and it's unclear if the claim is merely opportunistic.
TIMELINE OF TERROR: ATTACKS IN FRANCE SINCE 2012 March, 2012 - Mohamed Merah, an al Qaeda-inspired gunman, kills seven people in three separate shootings in Toulouse. Victims included three soldiers of North African origin, a rabbi and his two young children.
- Mohamed Merah, an al Qaeda-inspired gunman, kills seven people in three separate shootings in Toulouse. Victims included three soldiers of North African origin, a rabbi and his two young children. December, 2014 - A man shouting 'Allahu Akbar' (God is greatest) injures 13 by ramming a vehicle into a crowd in the eastern city of Dijon. Prime Minister Manuel Valls says France has 'never before faced such a high threat linked to terrorism'.
- A man shouting 'Allahu Akbar' (God is greatest) injures 13 by ramming a vehicle into a crowd in the eastern city of Dijon. Prime Minister Manuel Valls says France has 'never before faced such a high threat linked to terrorism'. January, 2015 - Two brothers kill 12 people inside the Paris offices of magazine Charlie Hebdo in a supposed retaliation for the publication's cartoons of Prophet Muhammad. More are killed subsequently in attacks on a kosher market in eastern Paris and on police. There are 17 victims in all, including two police officers. The attackers are killed.
- Two brothers kill 12 people inside the Paris offices of magazine Charlie Hebdo in a supposed retaliation for the publication's cartoons of Prophet Muhammad. More are killed subsequently in attacks on a kosher market in eastern Paris and on police. There are 17 victims in all, including two police officers. The attackers are killed. June, 2015 - Frenchman Yassin Salhi, 35, kills and beheads his boss and displays the severed head, surrounded by two Islamic flags, on the fence of a gas plant in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier in southeastern France. He tries to blow up the factory, but is arrested. He commits suicide in jail in December.
- Frenchman Yassin Salhi, 35, kills and beheads his boss and displays the severed head, surrounded by two Islamic flags, on the fence of a gas plant in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier in southeastern France. He tries to blow up the factory, but is arrested. He commits suicide in jail in December. November 2015 - ISIS militants kill 130 people in France's worst atrocity since World War II. A series of suicide bomb and shooting attacks are launched on crowded sites in central Paris, as well as the northern suburb of Saint-Denis. ISIS claim responsibility. It leads to the declaration of a state of emergency in France. Police powers are expanded.
- ISIS militants kill 130 people in France's worst atrocity since World War II. A series of suicide bomb and shooting attacks are launched on crowded sites in central Paris, as well as the northern suburb of Saint-Denis. ISIS claim responsibility. It leads to the declaration of a state of emergency in France. Police powers are expanded. January, 2016 - A man wielding a meat cleaver and carrying an ISIS emblem is shot dead as he tries to attack a police station in Paris. Convicted of theft in 2013, the man identified himself at the time as Moroccan-born Sallah Ali.
- A man wielding a meat cleaver and carrying an ISIS emblem is shot dead as he tries to attack a police station in Paris. Convicted of theft in 2013, the man identified himself at the time as Moroccan-born Sallah Ali. June, 2016 - Two French police officers are murdered in their home in front of their 3-year-old son. ISIS claims responsibility for the slaying, carried out by a jihadist with a prior terrorist conviction. He is killed at the scene.
- Two French police officers are murdered in their home in front of their 3-year-old son. ISIS claims responsibility for the slaying, carried out by a jihadist with a prior terrorist conviction. He is killed at the scene. July, 2016 - Amid Bastille Day celebrations in the Riviera city of Nice, a large truck is driven into a festive crowd. Some 86 people from a wide variety of countries are killed. The driver is shot dead. ISIS again claim responsibility for the attack. The state of emergency in France is extended.
- Amid Bastille Day celebrations in the Riviera city of Nice, a large truck is driven into a festive crowd. Some 86 people from a wide variety of countries are killed. The driver is shot dead. ISIS again claim responsibility for the attack. The state of emergency in France is extended. July, 2016 - Less than two weeks later, attackers slit the throat of a priest in a hostage-taking at his church in the Normandy town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.
- Less than two weeks later, attackers slit the throat of a priest in a hostage-taking at his church in the Normandy town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray. February, 2017 - A man armed with a machete is shot five times outside the Louvre museum after attempting to storm the historic art gallery.
- A man armed with a machete is shot five times outside the Louvre museum after attempting to storm the historic art gallery. March, 2017 - Convicted criminal with links to radical Islam shouted 'I am here to die for Allah, there will be deaths' seconds before he was shot dead during an attack at Orly airport.
- Convicted criminal with links to radical Islam shouted 'I am here to die for Allah, there will be deaths' seconds before he was shot dead during an attack at Orly airport. June, 2017 - An Algerian man, 40, who had pledged allegiance to ISIS attacks a policeman with a hammer outside Notre Dame cathedral.
- An Algerian man, 40, who had pledged allegiance to ISIS attacks a policeman with a hammer outside Notre Dame cathedral. August, 2017 - A mentally ill 18-year-old is arrested at the Eiffel Tower after brandishing a knife and shouting 'Allahu Akbar' (God is Greatest). He later told investigators he wanted to kill a soldier.
- A mentally ill 18-year-old is arrested at the Eiffel Tower after brandishing a knife and shouting 'Allahu Akbar' (God is Greatest). He later told investigators he wanted to kill a soldier. September 2017 - French soldiers shot and a killed a man after he stabbed to death two women at Marseille's main train station. Advertisement
The small town of Eguilles in southern France held a memorial gathering Monday evening for the victims, a medical student from Eguilles, identified as 20-year-old Mauranne, and her cousin, Laura. Villagers gathered to sign a book of condolences. Officials have withheld the young women's last names.
Yvon Berland, the president of Marseille University where Mauranne studied, said she was a 'brilliant student', who would have enjoyed a 'superb professional future'.
Laura was in the second year of a course to qualify as a nurse in Lyon, and was also a scout leader, having joined the scout movement as a volunteer three years ago.
Marseille's Saint Charles station reopened Monday under heavy security. Last month, four American college students were attacked with acid at the same station by a woman authorities said was suffering from mental illness.
The Government and Britain's airline watchdog knew in August that Monarch was on the brink as it also emerged the vast majority of customers will not get an automatic refund.
The Luton-based airline imploded yesterday leaving 860,000 customers high and dry and prompting the UK's biggest peacetime repatriation.
Only around 43,000 people - five per cent of all victims - will definitely get their cash back under the government-backed Atol scheme that protects package holidays.
Everyone else will have to claim the money spent on flights back through credit card firms and banks - but travel insurers are unlikely to pay out.
There is also growing anger over how Monarch handled its collapse amid claims its customers and staff were left in the dark and told they were 'operating as normal' before hearing the bad news via text or email.
The CAA yesterday revealed that the airline had alerted it more than a month ago that it was in difficulty.
Monarch passengers queue for a repatriation flight out of Gran Canaria today - 12,000 of the 110,000 stranded are back so far
The Government and Britain's airline watchdog knew in August that Monarch was on the brink, it was revealed today (grounded planes pictured at Luton last night)
Passengers and Monarch staff arrived at airports yesterday to closed check-in desks and notes explaining the airline was bust
More than 110,000 people were stranded by Monarch's demise - these are the main destinations
Its chief executive, Andrew Haines, stressed that the CAA only had a 'clear indication' that Monarch was about to go into administration late on Saturday.
Customers are threatened with ARREST and eviction from hotels as Monarch leaves unpaid bills Mike Heald, pictured with his wife Kerry, daughter Ashleyne and father-in-law Les in Lanzarote Monarch customers have been threatened with arrest or eviction from their foreign hotels over the airline's unpaid bills, MailOnline can reveal today. Several package holidaymakers who gave the collapsed airline up to 3,300 several months ago have been told they must pay again because it wasn't passed on. He told MailOnline: 'We haven't heard anything at all from Monarch but saw on the news it had gone bust. 'I went to reception to check about transfer or taxi to the airport tomorrow and it became clear that Monarch had not paid the hotel the 3,300 we paid them in advance three or four months ago. 'We were told that if we left without paying we would be arrested. The British consulate have advised that we should just pay. I tried the CAA website but it kept failing. 'We'll need to borrow the money from home. I'm massively p***** off but if there if is a choice between going to a cell or being with my wife and daughter then I'll find the money'. Jessica Day's mother and father were threatened with the street over an unpaid Monarch bill in the Balearics. She told MailOnline: 'My parents are currently in Menorca at the Princess Playa Menorca and have just been told they will be getting thrown out of the hotel along with other guests if they don't pay as Monarch have not paid the bill. 'This is crazy, they are a couple in their 60's enjoying a holiday before my father has a hip replacement and potentially will be on the streets in a foreign country'. Advertisement
But customers revealed they were still able to book seats in the minutes before it went into administration on Monday morning.
And many were left heartbroken as their flights from the UK and Europe were cancelled - sometimes just minutes before boarding.
MailOnline also revealed that some customers abroad were threatened with arrest or eviction from hotels because Monarch had failed to pass on thousands in cash from their pre-paid holidays.
Tearful Monarch staff were told by email or learned they had lost their jobs after hearing it on the news or when they arrived for work.
It also emerged that the former boss of Monarch, Andrew Swaffield, set up a business consultancy firm on Friday as the airline battled for survival.
The former Monarch boss told MailOnline that he wished to apologise to Monarch customers and staff.
The most important thing for me to add is to say how sorry I am that the company has had to enter administration and that so many customers have been inconvenienced and that so many jobs have been lost, he said.
Todays been a heartbreaking day.
He added that the decline of the airline was triggered by terror attacks in Monarchs destinations, but the coup de grace was the Brexit referendum and the fact that it put our costs up by 40million because the pound collapsed.
Yesterday, Monarch bosses were accused of picking the pockets of consumers because they launched a new sale on Friday despite being about to go bust.
Swaffield refused to accept this, telling MailOnline that the sale was just business as usual.
Thats a constant process, its going on the time, he said. Thats business as usual, its not a [special] sale on Friday. I can absolutely refute that management was aware of a [special] sale on Friday. Thats simply not the case.
Last night, MailOnline disclosed that Swaffield sent an upbeat email to staff just a week before the airline collapsed.
In it, he criticised Ryanair boss Michael OLeary who had said that Monarch would not survive the winter as irresponsible and unhelpful, urging Monarch staff to ignore him. Seven days later, the company folded.
Swaffield defended the email to MailOnline, insisting that he still thought that Monarch could still be saved when he sent the email.
I had to try to ensure that we could, you know, keep people calm and confident, he said. Monarch was on a restructuring journey.
We were pursuing multiple options, including the sale of the entire company, including the sale of assets and including other strategic options. Unfortunately, we reached the end of the runway.
[But] on Friday we did think it was saveable. We didnt reach the decision until over the weekend.
He added: The directors responsibility is to ensure that we have a reasonable prospect of avoiding an insolvent liquidation. We continued to have that prospect right up until the weekend.
Monarch informed most customer of its demise by text or email - but many also claim they have yet to hear from them
Monarch passengers arrive in Birmingham Airport last night after flying back via a repatriation flight. 12,000 came back the UK yesterday
The company, which officially went bust at 4am yesterday, launched a major sales push in a bid to stave off collapse. This continued as it teetered on the brink.
Will I get my money back if I bought a Monarch flight or holiday? Monarch has gone bust - what happens to customers abroad? If they are on a package holiday, they are Atol-protected and will be flown home for free. If they are on flight-only bookings, they may not be covered but the Civil Aviation Authority is organising some rescue flights. ... and bookings for future holidays? Package holiday customers will get their money back but with no guarantee of being able to rebook the same holiday with another firm. What about Monarch flight-only bookings? Flights alone are not covered by the Atol scheme. Insurance is unlikely to cover airline failure either. If the flights cost over 100 and were booked with a credit card, they are covered under the Consumer Credit Act meaning a refund. Advertisement
One promotional offer by the company seen by the Daily Mail was sent to thousands via text message and email on Friday.
It stated: 'Hooray for payday! Find the feeling with 1000s of seats at 30 to Spain and Portugal.'
Similar emails and text messages were sent to those on Monarch's mailing list in the preceding weeks as the airline fought for survival.
Another titled 'Escape to Sunny Tenerife' advertised tickets to the popular holiday destination for 39. Monarch finally quadrupled the price of flights on Sunday to stop more people buying them.
The cynical sales offensive came despite the fact that Monarch's owners Greybull Capital had already appointed KPMG to explore options for the airline, including selling it off or putting it into administration.
Consumer experts expressed disbelief that Monarch went to such lengths to push its flights despite knowing it could collapse.
Guy Anker, managing editor of website Moneysavingexpert, said: 'If Monarch was trying to flog thousands of seats when it knew its future was in the balance, those who paid in good faith will understandably be utterly furious.'
Some 110,000 customers overseas are being flown home after the firm became the largest airline ever in the UK to plunge into administration. 12,000 were flown back to the UK in the past 24 hours and the rescue operation will take two weeks.
A further three quarters of a million held future bookings with the firm and many now face a nail-biting wait to discover if they will be left out of pocket.
Last night it emerged that Monarch, the UK's fifth biggest airline, bombarded passengers with adverts for cheap flights shortly before calling in the administrators.
To prevent passengers being stranded abroad, the CAA has organised flights to repatriate 110,000 people currently abroad over the next two weeks. So far 55,793 have notified the Civil Aviation Authority that they are stranded overseas.
Chartering 34 planes, borrowed from rival airlines such as Qatar Airlines and EasyJet, will cost the taxpayer 60million.
Around 700 flights will operate over the next two weeks, but Monarch customers who are abroad after that will have to pay for their own flights. The biggest numbers will be through Spanish airports.
A tearful Monarch worker hugs a security guard at the Luton headquarters yesterday after clearing her desk. 2,100 staff have lost their jobs and left with their belongings today
The Department for Transport said that by 9pm last night 6,125 passengers had been repatriated on 35 flights. Another 31 late night flights were scheduled to carry a further 5,718.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: 'This is a distressing situation for British holidaymakers abroad and my first priority is to help them get back to the UK.
'That is why I have ordered the country's biggest ever peacetime repatriation to fly 110,000 passengers who could otherwise have been stranded abroad.'
The Government said it plans to recoup much of the money spent on the repatriation by securing refunds from card providers.
The CAA estimated that only half of the 860,000 Monarch passengers affected have ATOL protection, meaning many could be left out of pocket.
Monarch passengers arriving at airports across the UK for early morning flights yesterday said they were greeted with the news of the collapse when they reached the terminal or queued to check in.
Edinburgh-based IT worker Alan Cooper was due to fly from Manchester to Lanzarote with Monarch on Thursday. The 37-year-old held eight tickets for his family, his wife's sister and her family.
Andrew Swaffield, former CEO Monarch Airlines, apologised again today and told MailOnline that decisions made before the collapse were 'in the interest of the highest number of consumers'
He said he had to dig deep for replacement flights but as he used a credit card to make his original booking he expects to be given a full refund.
'We're booked up to fly the same dates from the same airport, for roughly same we paid Monarch, and should get credit card refund on the Monarch flights,' he said.
Administrators confirmed last night that 1,858 Monarch staff have been made redundant, with the remaining 250 staying on to help repatriate customers and wind down the company.
Mr Grayling has urged airlines to keep their prices 'reasonable' amid claims they have inflated prices to cash in on Monarch's demise.
Mr Swaffield said the 'root cause' of the fall in Monarch's revenue was terror attacks in Egypt and Tunisia, and the 'decimation' of the Turkish tourist industry. It has since lost out in a price war for Mediterranean tourist hotspots with rivals such as EasyJet and Ryanair.
Monarch could not be reached for comment. Greybull said the decision to promote cheap flights was a matter for Monarch.
Monarch crisis: What to do now What to do if you are one of the 110,000 Monarch customers overseas or one of the 300,000 with future bookings cancelled. Monarch passengers abroad: What should I do now? The Government has told Monarch customers to continue their holidays as planned and is organising special flights back for passengers who are affected at no cost to them. At least 48 hours before you are due to return home you should visit the dedicated website monarch.caa.co.uk, call the helpline on 0300 303 2800 if calling from the UK or +44 1753 330330 if calling from overseas to confirm your new flight details. Repatriation flights are for all passengers who purchased tickets with Monarch irrespective of their nationality. When will I be able to fly? You should expect to be flown as close as possible to your planned departure dates, no earlier, and prepare for disruption to journeys. Some passengers may need to speak with their accommodation provider in case they need to extend their stay. When should I go to the airport? You should arrive at the airport more than three hours before your confirmed new flight as they will not be able to take earlier services. Foreign Office staff will be available at affected airports to help any vulnerable British citizens with specific needs. Any Britons requiring additional consular support should visit gov.uk/world. Can I check in online? There will be no online check-in. You will be issued with a new flight and new boarding card and will not be able to check in with your old flight details. Will I have to pay for the flight? Once on board the plane, you will be asked to provide details of your original Monarch booking. If you are not Atol (Air Travel Organiser's Licence) protected, this will allow the Government to claim the cost of their replacement flight directly from your credit or debit card company. You will not be asked to pay for your flight yourself. Do I have to pay for extra accommodation costs? Passengers with Atol protection are entitled to reasonable accommodation and subsistence costs if they are delayed by more than four hours. Those without Atol protection may be able to claim from credit card providers or insurers. Further information will be made available via the website. The CAA will process your refund as quickly as possible - check the dedicated website for more information. How do I know if I am Atol protected? Check if you have received an Atol certificate, or check with your travel agent. Will I be flown back to my departure airport? You may be flown back to different UK airports, with coaches available to take you to your destination airport. Monarch customers yet to travel: Check the dedicated website or contact your travel agent if you booked with one. They will be able to advise on whether you can change your holiday booking or are entitled to a refund or compensation. If you are not covered by the Atol scheme, you should also contact your credit card company or travel insurer. Advertisement
Have a good week everyone! Monarch chief sent upbeat email telling staff to ignore speculation over airline's future just SEVEN DAYS before it went bust leaving them all without jobs
The Monarch Airlines chief executive sent an upbeat email telling staff to 'have a good week!' just seven days before it went bust, MailOnline can reveal.
Andrew Swaffield told staff to and ignore speculation over airline's future as it nosedived towards administration.
But just a week later Monarch collapsed leaving them all without jobs and 110,000 passengers stranded abroad.
In his email, airline boss Swaffield criticised Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary's remarks about Monarch's future.
Driven: Andrew Swaffield, who was brought in to help rescue Monarch, describes himself as 'passionate' about polo and said it consumes him at weekends
'Michael O'Leary's recent press statement that Monarch would not survive the winter has caused much consternation, not least amongst our employees judging by the number of you that have written to me about it.
'He is clearly trying to manage a crisis of his own making with his pilot shortage and his aggressive attack is irresponsible and unhelpful.
'Again, my advice is to ignore him.
'I realise that speculation and rumour is stressful for you. I cannot stop stories appearing in the media, but I will try to keep you up to date as much as I can.
']These are challenging times, but the best way you can help is as always to continue to look after our customers day in day out, to do your job to the best of your abilities and do not believe everything you read in the press.'
He signed off with: 'Have a good week everyone wherever you are based.'
Meanwhile MailOnline can reveal Swaffield splashed out tens of thousands of pounds a year on a private polo team while the business collapsed.
The aviation chief plays for his hugely successful Alcedo team which was in action just weeks before Monarch went bust.
Experts believe the 50-year-old spends at least 60,000 per season on top flight players and horses. His best player, James Harper, 37, a household name in the polo world, is said to command fees of about 3,000 per game.
Two Monarch staff sob at its Luton headquarters as more than 2,100 people lost their jobs today
Polo player: Andrew Swaffield taught himself to play polo and now runs the hugely successful Alcedo team, which won at least two trophies this summer
Unlike Monarch, Alcedo enjoyed an 'outstanding season' this year, according to the prestigious Cowdray Park Polo Club, the 'home of polo' where Princes Charles, William and Harry have also played.
Reflecting the investment into the team, Mr Swaffield's Alcedo won the prestigious Benson Cup at Cowdray Park in July.
The Monarch boss has previously told how he is 'consumed' by polo after teaching himself the sport later in life.
The youngest of four siblings growing up on a council estate in Bournemouth, Swaffield developed an early interest in horses. 'I was always interested in horses but we couldn't afford it,' he told the Daily Mail. 'So I got a book about them instead.'
As he rose within the aviation industry, his wealth grew and allowed him to realise his childhood dream in style.
'That's been my passion and that consumes me now at weekends,' he said.
He is thought to own four horses, each of which is estimated to cost between 15,000 and 30,000. A polo associate compared his horses to 'the equivalent of a fleet of BMW Three Series'.
'The more money you spend, the better the team performs,' a source said.
'He plays at the top end of the sport, using the best horses, the best players and the best fields,' they added.
'It's a level at which only the wealthiest people can compete. It must cost him at least 60,000 a season, probably several times that sum.'
Alcedo played competitively as recently as 2nd September, in the semi-finals of the 2017 Six-Goal West Sussex Cup. A report of the team's victory in the Benson Cup in July concluded: 'Another Sunday and another trophy for a delighted Andrew Swaffield.'
In 2015, Swaffield was listed on the Financial Times / OUTstanding list of the most powerful LGBT executives in the world.
Today, at his smart 600,000 bungalow in West Sussex, his partner William Low said: 'I'm afraid he's not here. He's busy.'
Asked whether he was dealing with the fall-out from the airline going into administration Low said: 'He's not going to be here all day or this evening.'
The house, which the Monarch boss shares with his partner, has also recently been sold and has a 'Sale Agreed' at its entrance. There was also a blue Mercedes car parked on the drive.
A neighbour said: 'I should imagine Andrew is going to be very, very busy. We didn't see him all weekend so I presume he was in negotiations and talks with the Civil Aviation Authority.
'It's shame, but Andrew is a really nice guy. I'm pretty sure he tried everything to save the company.'
Piers Morgan became embroiled in a furious debate with a pro-gun campaigner live on television this morning.
The Good Morning Britain host lost his temper as he debated America's laws with pro-gun campaigner Dan Roberts.
Mr Morgan said he could not 'debate it civilly because it enrages him too much' following the massacre in Las Vegas yesterday which saw some 58 people slaughtered by a crazed gunman who then committed suicide.
Piers Morgan was left furious during a debate on America's gun laws
Roberts laughed when Piers Morgan produced a Kinder Surprise egg - to which the host retorted: 'Don't laugh - it's not funny, 600 people got shot'
Stephen Paddock murdered dozens of innocent people as they enjoyed the Route 91 Harvest country music festival.
Paddock was able to legally buy a lethal arsenal of military-grade weapons with no background check from a private seller before carrying out the worst mass shooting in America's history.
Piers and Susanna said most people in the UK would be 'aghast' if there was no change in the law in the wake of the atrocity.
However Dan Roberts - a member of the National Rifle Association said gun control supporters needed to 'stop lying to people'.
Piers, who has long called for a change to America's gun laws, produced two Kinder Surprise eggs and revealed they were banned in the USA because the toys inside were deemed hazardous to children.
When Roberts laughed, Piers snapped: 'Don't laugh - it's not funny, 600 people got shot!'
Piers said to Roberts: 'I need you to explain why, after nearly 600 people are shot - of whom 58 are already dead - by a guy with no criminal record, apparently perfectly normal until he did this, who it appears legally acquired 42 guns - why this would not just automatically lead to new gun control measures, and why you would oppose that?'
Speaking from North Carolina, Roberts replied: 'It's a very complex and complicated answer. I hear all the time from gun control supporters they want to have a conversation.
'There's not going to be a conversation until gun control supporters stop lying to people or misrepresenting the facts.'
Dan Roberts laughed during his appearance on the show, arguing the case for guns to be legal in America
Mr Morgan said he could not 'debate it civilly because it enrages him too much'
Piers fired back: 'You are distracting from what I asked. I'm not in the mood for you to do your distraction techniques. What can possibly justify anyone being able to buy 42 high powered weapons. How can you justify that?'
But when Roberts claimed there was 'nothing exceptionally high powered' about the weapons used, Piers responded: 'The man just shot 600 people - of course they're high powered! We heard them firing! You're talking complete and utter nonsense.'
Roberts said: 'The facts are, the AR-15 is the least powerful semi-fire rifle in the US, period.'
Piers said: 'Then there is an even bigger problem, isn't there? If the semi-automatic AR-15 this guy used to shoot 600 people in a few minutes is the least high powered gun in America then the problem has become even bigger than we think.'
Speaking live from America, Mr Roberts said he was vehemently against a change in the law
Piers said: 'If the semi-automatic AR-15 this guy used to shoot 600 people in a few minutes is the least high powered gun in America then the problem is even bigger than we think'
Piers added: 'I simply say to you; time after time after these massacres, you come on the programme and you look us in the eye and say the only answer is to do nothing, it's not the guns it's the people.
'Because of your insane gun laws he can arm himself with 42 weapons and unload six hundred bullets which hit Americans and people travelling from around the world, leaving 59 people dead.
'How can any of this make sense? What are you going to do about this?'
Roberts replied: 'We're not going to do anything, hopefully. I don't believe in restricting the rights of hundreds of millions people because of the acts of a madman.'
Angry crowds have chased riot officers out of Catalan towns in protest against police brutality during Sunday's independence referendum.
Dramatic footage shows thousands of people marching down streets as patrol cars retreat from Mont-roig del Camp, south west of Barcelona.
Crowds were heard shouting 'Get out, get out!' and 'Shame, shame!' as police backed off, seemingly not willing to engage in a fight. Similar incidents took place in the city of Sabadell, in the town of Alcarras, and in Sant Joan Despi.
Riot police were accused of brutality with nearly 900 reported injured as officers ran baton charges and fired rubber bullets during the banned vote on Sunday.
Today, Spain's interior minister Juan Ignacio Zoido accused the Catalan government of 'inciting rebellion' and threatened to take 'all measures necessary' to stop the 'harassment' of officers.
Meanwhile, some 300,000 people shouting 'occupation forces out' and 'the streets will always be ours' gathered in Barcelona today as protests over Sunday's violence gathered pace.
Angry crowds have chased riot officers out of Catalan towns in protest against police brutality during Sunday's independence referendum
Dramatic footage shows thousands of people marching down streets as patrol cars retreat from Mont-roig del Camp, south west of Barcelona
Crowds were heard shouting 'Get out, get out!' and 'Shame, shame!' as police backed off, seemingly not willing to engage in a fight
Riot police were accused of brutality with nearly 900 reported injured as officers ran baton charges and fired rubber bullets during the banned vote on Sunday. This was the scene as police were confronted by crowds in a Catalan town today
Columns of people converged on the city centre as the region went on general strike, a police helicopter flying overhead, drawing angry whistles as Catalans reel from the unrest that marred parts of the Spanish region on Sunday.
In other towns hundreds of police officers have been kicked out of hotels after some used batons to attack protesters demonstrating about brutal tactics used during Sunday's referendum.
The owner of the three-star Hotel Vila in the seaside resort of Calella just north of Barcelona confirmed today he had asked around 100 Civil Guards staying at the establishment to leave.
David Coll said he had taken his decision after confrontations between officers and locals in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Hundreds of police officers have been kicked out of Catalonia hotels after some used batons to attack protesters demonstrating about brutal tactics used during Sunday's referendum vote. Police are pictured at a separate hotel in Pineda de Mar north of Barcelona as a protest was taking place outside
Noisy protests have taken place outside other establishments police were staying at including in the Catalan city of Lleida and towns of Reus and Pineda de Mar (pictured in the early hours of this morning)
Civil Guards sleeping at the hotel ended up using batons to try to disperse crowds who had gathered outside to shout insults after the police brutality witnessed at several polling stations during Sunday's illegal Catalan independence referendum.
A lawyer acting for the officers has pledged legal action against the hotel owner and local council he claimed had pressured him into serving the expulsion order, a claim town hall chiefs have angrily denied.
Around 300 more officers staying in two others hotels in the seaside town are also said to have been asked to leave, with noisy protests outside other establishments police were staying at being reported in the Catalan city of Lleida and towns of Reus and Pineda de Mar.
National Police officers gesture as they arrive at their hotel while people protest outside in Pineda de Mar north of Barcelona, this morning
It was not immediately clear where the police and Civil Guards staying at the hotels would be housed, although one of three ferries in the ports of Tarragona and Barcelona where nearly 3,000 anti-riot police are staying has been put forward as an option. Police are pictured carrying cheering and waving Spanish flags at a hotel in Pineda de Mar this morning
Regional Mossos d'Esquadra officers, filmed in angry confrontations with Civil Guards outside a polling station on Sunday over their response to citizens trying to cast their vote, were brought in to try to restore order.
Police have claimed on social media that waiters at some of the hotels they were staying at called in sick after being pressured to skip work, prompting staff shortages.
They also said some distributors had cut food supplies to the hotels 'off their own backs or because they were being pressured.'
One message, said to be circulating on a closed police WhatsApp group but flagged up by several Spanish newspapers, said: 'The director of the hotel I was staying at received several calls, one of them saying that they were going to burn it down, others threatening to kill his parents and reminding him that he had young children.'
A strike has been called in Catalonia today in response to Sunday's police violence by new group La Taula per la Democracia, Catalan for 'Table for Democracy'
It was not immediately clear where the police and Civil Guards staying at the hotels would be housed, although one of three ferries in the ports of Tarragona and Barcelona where nearly 3,000 anti-riot police are staying has been put forward as an option.
A strike has been called in Catalonia today in response to Sunday's police violence by new group La Taula per la Democracia, Catalan for 'Table for Democracy.'
The organisation, which includes unions and the pro-independence Catalan National Assembly movement, has been called a 'nation's stoppage.'
The strike is expected to impact on public transport as well as other services including health centres and supermarkets, with one major food store announcing it will close its doors between 2pm and 4pm for those workers who want to take part in the stoppage.
The Catalan government has promised employees it will not dock their wages if they join the strike.
Security officials will consider using facial recognition to catch terror suspects at Australian airport terminals.
State and territory leaders will meet in Canberra on Thursday for a special terrorism focused meeting, Sky News reported.
The Council of Australian Governments meeting will discuss sharing information about terror suspects between police forces, including images of terror suspects' faces.
Security officials will consider using facial recognition to catch terror suspects at Australian airport terminals (Sydney Airport pictured)
The recognition cameras would be able to scan crowds looking for terror suspects across the country.
The Federal Government previously committed to spending $122 million to install the facial recognition technology.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the technology had the ability to 'further harmonise and advance our response to the threat of terrorism'.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said there were 'plenty of databases' owned by the commonwealth and state governments that had the ability to recognise people's faces.
Mr Keenan said there were still limitations with the databases.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the technology had the ability to 'further harmonise and advance our response to the threat of terrorism'
Police help to screen passengers at Sydney Airport this year following a foiled Islamist-inspired 'terrorist plot'
'At the moment we've got very archaic ways of our law enforcement from accessing that data,' he said.
'I think it's pretty basic that state, territory and commonwealth police have access to appropriate information.'
Former foreign minister Bob Carr said he expected the idea to have full support at the Council of Australian Governments meeting this week.
'Facial recognition technology is something that has been explored for decades, I think it provides some very reassuring possibilities,' he told the publication.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan (pictured) said there were 'plenty of databases' owned by the commonwealth and state governments that had the ability to recognise people's faces
While facial recognition was a step forward, airport technology has been the cause of chaos at Australian airports in recent weeks.
Thousands of passengers were left stranded as recently as Thursday when boarding systems failed at all major east coast airports.
Sydney Airport was described as a 'disaster zone' last Monday, as thousands of travellers were stuck at airports across Australia on the first day of school holidays.
Sydney Aircraft control systems went down just after 5am on Monday September 25, preventing all flights from leaving the domestic and international airports.
A man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison trying to bring $20 million worth of methamphetamine into New Zealand.
Jim Kupec, a 42-year-old man from the Czech Republic, was caught at Auckland Airport with 20kg of meth according to Stuff. The drugs had a street value of $20 million.
He was sentenced to 17 years behind bars at the Manukau District Court on Tuesday.
Jim Kupec was caught at Auckland Airport with $20 million worth of methamphetamine
After searching through their luggage, customs officers found the large quantity of meth hidden under fake linings in suitcases
He arrived in Auckland from Bangkok with his 69-year-old mother in May last year.
He was questioned by customs officers and was profiled as being high-risk.
After searching through their luggage, customs officers found the large quantity of meth hidden under fake linings in suitcases.
His mother was arrested but the charges were dropped once it was established she did not know about the plan to smuggle the drugs.
She was deported from New Zealand not long after.
Customs investigations manager Bruce Berry said the passenger tried to disguise himself as a legitimate traveller.
An ally of Angela Merkel today demanded Theresa May sacks Boris Johnson to help break the deadlock in the Brexit talks.
Manfred Weber, leader of the centre-right EPP grouping and a key ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said the Foreign Secretary was stopping Britain adopting a 'clear' position.
Mr Weber's demand came as the European Parliament overwhelmingly backed a motion opposing the start of EU-UK trade talks later this month.
Brussels wants Britain to offer more cash to settle the divorce, above the 40billion on the table to complete the current EU budget to 2020.
At the start of today's debate, EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker today warned Theresa May her Florence speech was welcome but was not a negotiating position.
The EU Commission President warned the PM she could not hope to break the Brexit deadlock by going over the head of his negotiator, Michel Barnier.
Ex-Ukip leader Nigel Farage intervened on the debate to slam Mrs May's weak negotiating tactics and accused Brussels of treating the UK like a 'hostage'.
Manfred Weber (pictured in the EU Parliament today), a key ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, said the Foreign Secretary was stopping Britain adopting a 'clear' position
EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker (pictured today in the European Parliament) today warned Theresa May her Florence speech was welcome but was not a negotiating position
The European Parliament (pictured today meeting in Strasbourg) is preparing to vote on a motion opposing the start of EU-UK trade talks later this month
Mr Weber told the debate: 'By reading Johnson's attacks against his own Prime Minister, he shows the British Government is trapped by their own party quarrels and political contradictions,' he said.
'Please sack Johnson because we need a clear answer who is responsible for the British position.'
MEPs - as expected - supported the motion declaring the negotiations had not made sufficient progress to begin trade talks by 557 votes to 92, with 29 abstentions.
Brussels is thought likely to demand a higher financial settlement than the 40billion Mrs May suggested she was prepared to agree in her Florence speech.
Mr Barnier and Brexit Secretary David Davis completed the fourth round of Brexit talks in Brussels last week with little sign of concrete progress.
EU leaders will gather for a crunch summit later this month but Government hopes for a triggering of trade talks are low amid the stalemate.
Mr Juncker told MEPs he felt Mrs May's speech in Florence 'struck an optimistic tone' and was 'conciliatory'.
Revealing a significant gap between the Brussels and London position, Mr Juncker declared guaranteeing a role for the EU's Court of Justice - which he calls 'indispensable' - still needs to be agreed.
Mrs May has ruled out ever allowing the EU Court of Justice a direct influence on EU rules.
Mr Juncker updated the European Parliament (pictured) on the state of the Brexit talks amid suspicion in Brussels Mrs May hopes EU leaders will step in to overrule officials.
EU negotiator Michel Barnier (pictured during today's debate) is set to reject Britain's call for trade talks to be triggered at an EU summit later this month
Signalling trade talks should not begin, Mr Juncker said: 'Work still remains to be done. We have not yet made the sufficient progress needed.
FARAGE ACCUSES EU OF TREATING THE UK LIKE A 'HOSTAGE' Nigel Farage today accused Brussels of treating the UK like a 'hostage' in the Brexit talks. The former Ukip leader slammed Theresa May's 'pitiful' Florence speech making offers to the European Union to unlock exit talks amounted to 'appeasing' a 'bully'. The MEP also condemned the EU for holding Britain 'hostage' in the negotiations because it will not discuss a trade deal even if the Government meets its demands on so-called 'withdrawal issues' of a financial settlement, citizens' rights and the Irish border. Mr Farage spoke in a European Parliament plenary debate in Strasbourg in which MEPs are expected to back a motion stating that the required 'sufficient progress' has not been made on the withdrawal issues for trade talks to begin. 'Through this negotiating process I'm afraid from the start you've treated us as if we're some kind of hostage, that unless we pay a ransom, unless we meet all of your demands, all of your demands, then you won't even have an intelligent conversation with us about trade heading on from here,' he said. Advertisement
'Negotiators made good progress on citizens rights but the indispensable role of the ECJ in guaranteeing those rights still needs to be agreed.
'I'm pleased PM May and her team recognises the UK has financial obligations it must respect. The devil will as always be in the detail but the taxpayers of the EU27 should not pay for the British decision.
'For those that think that the UK should just go over Michel Barnier's head I remind them that the Commission has been appointed by the 27 member states and my choice of Michel Barnier has been welcomed by then he acts on their behalf on clear negotiating mandates.
'Until now I can't say that we are ready to enter the second phase of the negotiations.'
Mr Barnier said Mrs May had given the EU 'some openings' in her Florence speech but called for a reflection of these in 'specific proposals'.
'To assess the state of the play objectively, there are still serious divergences, especially on the financial settlement,' he warned.
The Commission's chief negotiator suggested Mrs May's offer to fulfil Britain's EU budget commitments up to 2020 did not go far enough.
He was applauded by MEPs as he said: 'We will never accept for the 27 to pay what was decided on by 28, it's as simple as that.
'The taxpayers of the 27 don't have to pay for the consequences of the decision that they didn't take.
'So, no more, no less.'
Theresa May (pictured at the Tory conference in Manchester early this morning) is calling on EU leaders to step in and tell the Commission trade talks must begin
As the debate among MEPs continued, Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's co-ordinator on Brexit, said the negotiations were being hampered by divisions among senior British ministers.
'There is a lack of clarity, there is even disunity. There are oppositions between Hammond and Fox. There are divisions between Johnson and May,' he said.
'It is difficult to make sufficient progress. It is difficult to make the steps towards the second phase of the negotiations.'
Ex Ukip leader Mr Farage claimed Tory MPs are telling him in private that Mrs May is a 'waste of space' because she is not prepared to walk away from Brexit negotiations without a deal.
The former Ukip leader said the Prime Minister is 'not worldly enough' to realise that her 'pitiful' Florence speech making offers to the European Union to unlock exit talks amounted to 'appeasing' a 'bully'.
Ex-Ukip leader Nigel Farage (pictured during today's debate) intervened on the debate to slam Mrs May's weak negotiating tactics and accused Brussels of treating the UK like a 'hostage'
The MEP also condemned the EU for holding Britain 'hostage' in the negotiations because it will not discuss a trade deal even if the Government meets its demands on so-called 'withdrawal issues' of a financial settlement, citizens' rights and the Irish border.
Mr Farage spoke in a European Parliament plenary debate in Strasbourg in which MEPs are expected to back a motion stating that the required 'sufficient progress' has not been made on the withdrawal issues for trade talks to begin.
'Through this negotiating process I'm afraid from the start you've treated us as if we're some kind of hostage, that unless we pay a ransom, unless we meet all of your demands, all of your demands, then you won't even have an intelligent conversation with us about trade heading on from here,' he said.
'There are no guarantees that whatever Mrs May says or does that you will ever, even when we have met your demands, that you will ever come to us and want to have a sensible trade agreement.
'And I have to say, that it is sad, in fact it was pitiful, to see the British Prime Minister in Florence - I've heard you saying that she's being conciliatory, that she's being grown up, people are happy with what she said.
'Actually Mrs May, I'm sad to say, isn't worldly enough to recognise that when you face up to a bully the one thing that you do not do is try to appease them.'
News / National
by Staff reporter
MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai was released from hospital on Sunday and is expected in the country soon amid mounting calls for him to step down on health grounds, as well as reports that his family is "seriously" considering his future in politics.Tsvangirai, who last year disclosed he was suffering from cancer of the colon, was last month airlifted to a top South African health facility after his health had deteriorated while attending an MDC Alliance meeting in Kadoma."Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been discharged from hospital."Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, spent nearly two weeks in a Johannesburg hospital," television news channel, eNCA reported.This is despite earlier claims that the MDC-T leader had been admitted for "routine medical check-ups".Tsvangirai's spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka was not available for comment, but party deputy president, Elias Mudzuri said his boss needed a rest."He is coming, but not today and not tomorrow."We will advise you when he is coming. I talked to him today and he is fine. He is out of danger and out of hospital," Mudzuri said.MDC-T sources said the former Prime Minister was expected later this week."He is expected this week, but there is growing concern on whether he will be able to carry on, giventhe stress associated with an election campaign," a source said."His family is seriously considering persuading him into retirement. It's not easy but they are weighing the options."Another source claimed Tsvangirai's family was being "pushed" by party hawks angling to succeed him."It's not the family per se, but other senior leaders, who think it would be dangerous for them to confront Tsvangirai and tell him to step down."They are now coaxing the family to prevail on Tsvangirai to step down," the source said.MDC-T vice-president, Thokozani Khupe and others were reportedly jostling to succeed the former trade unionist.MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu described party members calling for Tsvangirai to step down as "saboteurs"."The MDC has one leader and that is Morgan Tsvangirai, he will be our presidential candidate next year."Anybody dreaming otherwise is as good as whistling in a graveyard. Their day of reckoning is coming," he said.
President Donald Trump pushed back against critics of his administration's response to disaster that Hurricane Maria wrought on Puerto Rico by giving himself an 'A plus' grade.
The president issued his self-evaluation shortly before boarding Marine One en route to an island almost entirely without power that is enduring food shortages, fuel problems, a lack of clean water, and critics say an insufficient presence of troops and responders.
'In Texas and Florida we get an A-plus,' Trump told reporters. 'And I'll tell you what, I think we've done just as good in Puerto Rico and it's actually a much tougher situation.
GRADE INFLATION?: President Donald Trump gave himself an 'A plus' on hurricane response as he heads to storm-ravaged Puerto Rico
The president declined to criticize the mayor of Puerto Rico, after dinging her with a series of tweets over the weekend following her call for a more robust response.
'Well I think she's come back a long way,' Trump said, in apparent reference to San Juna Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz.
'I think it's now acknowledged what a great job we've done, and people are looking at that,' the president said.
Trump also took a shot at Puerto Rican truck drivers who are needed to move supplies out of the ports. 'We need their truck drivers to start driving trucks,' Trump said. 'On a local level they have to give us more help.'
But he continued to heap praise on first responders and on FEMA. 'I will tell you, the first responders, the military, FEMA, they have done an incredible job in Puerto Rico,' Trump said.
'Whether it's [the mayor] or anybody else they're all starting to say it. I appreciate very much the governor and his comments,' Trump said, in reference to Governor Ricardo Rossello. 'He has said we've done an incredible job and that's the truth.'
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump make their way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland en route Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017
The president's top-class rating for himself comes after he was criticized for issuing a series of tweets about the NFL as the disaster unfolded.
He later called critics on the island 'ingrates,' complaining: 'They want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort.'
Destroyed communities are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. The aftermath of the powerful storm has resulted in a near-total shutdown of the U.S. territoryis economy that could last for weeks and has many people running seriously low on cash and worrying that it will become even harder to survive on this storm-ravaged island
Dead poultry are seen in a farm, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017. A government official said that the farm, which supplies the only fresh chicken in Puerto Rico, lost more than one million chickens. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Jonathan Aponte walks with a gas can up the road to his home in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Governor Ricardo Rossello and Resident Commissioner Jennifer Gonzalez, the islandis representative in Congress, have said they intend to seek more than a billion in federal assistance and they have praised the response to the disaster by President Donald Trump, who plans to visit Puerto Rico next week, as well as FEMA Administrator Brock Long. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
'We have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico. Outside of the Fake News or politically motivated ingrates, people are now starting to recognize the amazing work that has been done by FEMA and our great Military. All buildings now inspected for safety,' Trump wrote in two tweets.
Trump is heading to San Juan on Tuesday to meet with some of the 3.4 million Puerto Ricans struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria, as criticism that the federal government's response has been sluggish continues.
The president is expected to spend more than five hours on the island, meeting with first responders, local officials and some of the residents struggling to recover from a hurricane that, in Trump's words, left the island U.S. territory 'flattened.'
'There's nothing left. It's been wiped out,' Trump said last week. 'Nobody has ever seen anything like it.'
President Donald Trump makes a statement about the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump make their way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland en route Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017
The trip will be Trump's fourth to a region battered by storms during an unusually violent hurricane season that has also seen parts of Texas, Florida, Louisiana and the U.S. Virgin Islands inundated by floodwaters and whipped by winds.
Trump and first lady Melania Trump are scheduled to attend briefings and meet with Gov. Ricardo Rossello, as well as the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. They'll also meet with Navy and Marine Corps personnel on the flight Deck of the USS Kearsarge.
Even before the storm hit on Sept. 20, Puerto Rico was in dire condition thanks to a decade-long economic recession that had left its infrastructure, including the island's power lines, in a sorry state. Maria was the most powerful hurricane to hit the island in nearly a century and unleashed floods and mudslides that knocked out the island's entire electrical grid and telecommunications, along with many roads.
President Donald Trump speaks to the media while flanked by first lady Melania Trump before departing on Marine One from the White House, on October 3, 2017 in Washington, DC.President Trump is traveling to Puerto Rico after it was ravaged by Hurricane Maria last month
President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, talks to reporters as he walks to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017
Nearly two weeks later, 95 percent of electricity customers remain without power, including some hospitals. And much of the countryside is still struggling to access basic necessities, including food, fresh water and cash.
Trump and other administration officials have worked in recent days to reassure Americans that recovery efforts are going well and combat the perception that the president failed to fully grasp the magnitude of the storm's destruction in its immediate aftermath.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday the trip would focus on local recovery efforts, 'which we're fully committed to.'
'The top priority for the federal government is certainly to protect the lives and the safety of those in affected areas and provide life-sustaining services as we work together to rebuild their lives,' she said.
While early response efforts were hampered by logistical challenges, officials say that conditions, especially in the capital, have improved.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there are now more than 10,000 federal officials on the ground on the island, and forty-five percent of customers now have access to drinking water. Businesses are also beginning to re-open, with 60 percent of retail gas stations now up and running.
For many, however, that isn't enough. On Monday, the nonprofit Oxfam announced that it would be taking the rare step of intervening in an American disaster, citing its outrage over what it called a 'slow and inadequate response.'
Angad Paul was being investigated for fraud when he killed himself in 2015
The son of a billionaire Labour peer was being investigated over a celebrity film tax fraud when he jumped to his death from a penthouse balcony.
Angad Paul, the son of steel magnate Lord Paul, gave money to a millionaire film producer who exploited tax laws to pocket vast sums of investor cash and tried to net 2.4m in a rebate scam involving F1 racing documentaries.
Terence Potter, 57, set up film companies and recruited wealthy investors by promising they could secure tax relief against any losses incurred, creating diaries to embellish their roles in production.
Father-of-two Mr Paul was among nine investors who put as much as 400,000 into the bogus company, which was being probed by HMRC when he jumped from his rooftop home in Portland Place in November 2015, while his children played inside.
He held a keen interest in film and was an executive producer on Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels.
Potter, a former tax partner at Ernst & Young LLP, enlisted certified financial planner Neil Williams-Denton to help him set up the swindle and get additional investors on board.
They produced the indie hit Starsuckers about celebrity culture and the tabloid press, and planned to create Mercedes the Movie, a thriller about motor racing on the French Riviera, but this was never actually made.
Potter - who was living in Monaco at the time of the original frauds - admitted conspiracy to cheat the public revenue, while Williams-Denton was convicted of the charge after a nine-week trial in December 2015, a month after Mr Paul's death.
Mr Paul jumped from his rooftop home in Portland Place across from the BBC in November while his children played in the penthouse flat
He has since admitted creating another partnership, Formula 1 LLP, purporting to make documentaries about famous Formula One drivers.
Potter drafted false diaries for investors to sign, lying to HMRC in order to dishonestly satisfy the criteria enabling them to claw back fraudulent tax rebates.
Nine investors each paid between 63,000 and 400,000, investing a total of 1,171,000.
Losses of 6,017,910 were then submitted in the tax years 2007-08 and 2008-09 which would have netted the members a total of 2,406,454 had the ruse been successful.
A government scheme known as sideways relief, launched by then-Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown in his 1997 budget to promote the British film industry, allowed investors to claim back 40% of the companys losses from their Pay as You Earn tax.
Earlier this year Potter was ordered to pay back 1.8million in addition to 123,000 in costs.
Potter was the brains behind Cardiffs Aquarius Films - which holds distribution rights to George Clooneys 1999 blockbuster Three Kings - and was jailed for eight years over his role in the scam in 2015.
Mr Paul was the son of steel magnate and Labour peer Lord Paul
But he escaped further punishment at Southwark Crown Court on Monday after admitting a third con using identical methods, under the guise of making documentaries about famous racing drivers.
Prosecutor Jane Bewsey, QC, said: This case concerns the setting up and operation of Formula One Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).
The stated purpose of F1 LLP was to develop documentaries about famous F1 racing drivers.
In reality, it was a vehicle for cheating the Revenue.
The court heard the legislation at the time allowed members of an LLP to claim a share of its losses against their own income.
If the LLP made a loss, substantial tax rebates could be claimed by members so long as certain requirements had been met.
A crucial aspect of those requirements was that each member was active in the partnership, meaning they spent on average 10 hours per week personally engaged in commercial activities for trading purposes.
Ms Bewsey explained that paper and electronic diaries were compiled to show each of the nine members had satisfied the requirement.
These diaries were entirely false and were created under the direction and control of Mr Potter, she said.
Mr Potter knew from the outset that none of the members would satisfy the requirements and did not task them with any activity, but was prepared to fabricate documents should HMRC question their involvement.
Given his background, he knew an HMRC enquiry was likely.
In early 2008, nine investors signed up and became members, each handing over between 63,000 and 400,000, investing a total of 1,171,000.
They were drawn to the investment by the tax advantages on offer, continued Ms Bewsey.
The F1 LLP Business Plan offered them tax savings estimated at 40,000 for every 20,000 of net cash subscription.
In other words, they were told they could double their money.
As high-earners liable to pay considerable amounts in tax this was a significant attraction.
Potter later submitted tax returns for the partnership claiming losses in the tax years 2007-08 and 2008-09 of 6,017,910.
A two-year investigation by HMRC followed, in which the lies of five of the investors who signed the forged diaries were maintained and co-ordinated while four refused to participate in the scam.
The other investors, aside from Mr Paul, who were allegedly involved in the submission of false diaries will stand trial next April.
Terence Potter (left) admitted conspiracy to cheat the public revenue, while Neil Williams-Denton (right) was convicted of the charge after a nine-week trial in December 2015
Had the ruse gone smoothly, the members would have submitted returns claiming the share of losses allocated to them in the partnership returns.
Each would then have claimed an amount of tax back.
The total in relief for all nine partners would have been 2,406,454.
In other words, they would have doubled their money through the tax system, as promised, said Ms Bewsey.
Judge Martin Beddoe said this third scheme allowed Potter to succeed in corrupting a further nine investors and in which you attempted collectively with them, and persistently with most of them, on the face of it to cheat the Revenue of that further 2.4million.
But taking that and his apparent lack of remorse the judge came to the conclusion that there was no need to extend Potters time behind bars after questioning whether the case would have come to court if he and his PA had been the only defendants identified.
Potter, formerly of West Riverside, Manchester, was handed no separate penalty after admitting conspiracy to cheat the Revenue but was banned from being a company director for eight years.
A strongman was forced to take matters into his own hands during a parking dispute - when he moved a Vauxhall Corsa that was blocking his aunt's drive.
Hakan Acar, 23, has been nicknamed 'the Tulk', short for the Turkish Hulk, due to his strength but he got a surprise workout last week on September 24.
He claims his aunt Abi Mustafa was involved in a month-long row with her neighbour after she left her car in front of their house - on a public road.
Hakan Acar, 23, has been nicknamed 'the Tulk', short for the Turkish Hulk, due to his strength but he got a surprise workout last week on September 24 when he moved a car blocking his aunt's driveway
She was forced to ring her super-sized nephew when she discovered her neighbours had parked across her driveway apparently for revenge.
When Mrs Acar was unable to resolve the 'petty' quarrel and the neighbours allegedly refused to budge their vehicle, the Tulk was forced to move it for them.
Footage shows him lifting the Vauxhall Corsa's front end and pushing it out of the way on his own - even kicking off his shoes to gain traction.
The neighbours are now complaining he damaged their motor and police are investigating allegations of criminal damage.
Mr Acar, from Luton, said: 'I said to the guy opposite: "either you're going to move the car, or I'm going to move the car".
'He said in response "I will call the police" but I didn't mind, because I knew blocking somebody's driveway is just not the right thing to do.
Footage shows him lifting the Vauxhall Corsa's front end and pushing it out of the way on his own - even kicking off his shoes to gain traction
'They had put it there deliberately to block my auntie in. It was an act of revenge because they don't like where she parks and that's just not fair.
'I was worried that the hand brake might have been on - and I was trying to work out whether it was front or rear wheel drive. Then it just started moving.
'I'm quite a calm person - I'm not an angry person at all but hearing the way he spoke to my auntie just upset me a bit.
'To be honest I didn't go over with the intention of actually pushing the car in the first place. I just wanted to see how heavy it was but then I realised I could move it.
'I've pulled eight and a half tonne trucks before so a one tonne Corsa wasn't going to be a problem.
'My cousin started coming over to help me push it. However as I lifted it, it just started moving and I knew I'd got it going. It turned out I'd moved it before my cousin could even make it over.'
The neighbours are now complaining he damaged their motor and police are investigating allegations of criminal damage
The parking dispute has allegedly been rumbling on for more than a month after Abi began parking outside her neighbours' house.
Mr Acar said: 'My auntie and I see each other every day. That day I got a call from her.
'She said that the people opposite had just parked in front of her drive - blocking her in.
'The thing is the neighbours opposite don't have a driveway and my auntie parked her car in front of their house.
'She said she can park there because there isn't a driveway. The people opposite don't like her parking there but she says she's every right to because there's no drive. It causes no problems for them, so it just feels petty to me.
'So in retaliation they put their car in front of my auntie's drive, which blocked her in. They did this deliberately.
Bedfordshire Police confirmed they were now investigating a report of criminal damage to a vehicle at the location and Mr Acar fears it is because of his stunt
'We spoke to the woman in the house opposite and she was okay but her boyfriend started swearing and cursing saying 'well I'm not going to move my car until you move yours'.
'That's when I thought I would attempt to move it.'
Bedfordshire Police confirmed they were now investigating a report of criminal damage to a vehicle at the location and Mr Acar fears it is because of his stunt.
He said: 'All I can think is that they have accused me of damaging their car when I moved it.
'It's a shame they are doing this. I hoped we had resolved it the other day as we have not heard anything since. However if they are claiming this, they will be carrying it on.
'I hoped it was all resolved now, we don't want any trouble and my auntie never wanted to cause anyone any problems in the first place.
'I know the car is not damaged. I moved it out of the way but it is fine so this just feels childish.'
Mr Acar - seen here lifting a giant tyre - said: 'I hoped it was all resolved now, we don't want any trouble and my auntie never wanted to cause anyone any problems in the first place'
Bedfordshire Police said: 'We were called at 4.42pm on Sunday September 24 to reports of a dispute over parking in Luton. Two PCSOs attended and spoke to residents to give advice about considerate and safe parking.
'Officers are now investigating a report of criminal damage to a vehicle at the location.
'PCSOs will continue to engage with both parties as well partners to work towards a resolution.
'Bedfordshire Police does not enforce parking restrictions - this is the responsibility of the local authority.'
The neighbours were approached for comment.
The Prime Minister said Britons could not 'understand' why there were not stronger restrictions in America
Theresa May waded into the US gun control row today urging 'action' after the deadly massacre in Las Vegas.
The Prime Minister said Britons could not 'understand' why there were not stronger restrictions in America.
She stressed it was up to the US to decide, but added: 'Surely they will want to do something.'
The comments came after a crazed gunman slaughtered 59 people who were attending a concert in Las Vegas yesterday.
Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel towards an open-air music festival.
Police found 23 guns in his hotel room and more than a dozen more firearms at his Nevada home.
In a round of broadcast interviews at Tory conference in Manchester today, Mrs May made clear her horror at the incident. She said there did not appear to be any British casualties.
Mrs May told LBC radio: 'We cannot understand it because we have a different approach to guns...
'Obviously we tightened the gun laws after Dunblame.'
Mrs may said America has a 'different approach to guns, it is up to them'.
But she said Britons would 'assume' there would be action to tighten the rules in the wake of the latest atrocity.
'If you look at what has happened here surely they will want to do something,' Mrs May said.
Speaking to Sky News, Mrs May said: 'I understand that this individual had a very significant arsenal of weapons with him in the hotel and another significant arsenal back home.'
She added: 'I think that most people would look at this and assume that America will be so shocked by this attack that they would want to take some action.'
President Trump has described the massacre as 'an act of pure evil'.
Paddock had made millions from real estate deals, according to his brother.
He also owned two planes and several properties across the US, and seemed normal apart from his passion for gambling large sums.
But he'd also secretly amassed a massive arsenal of 42 firearms. At least one of those was automatic, while another two had been modified with legal bump-stock devices that allows semi-automatic guns to give full-auto fire of up to 800 rounds a minute.
Paddock (seen here in an undated photo) made a fortune in real estate, his brother said. He seemed an unremarkable man, aside from a heavy gambling habit - and didn't even have a traffic violation on his Nevada criminal record
Four DDM4 rifles - made by Daniel Defense - were among the 23 weapons found in Paddock's hotel room by the SWAT team after they busted in. They sell for around $1,700
He took 23 of those guns into his Mandalay Bay suite over several days and set up two rifles on tripods at windows overlooking the Route 91 Harvest country music festival.
Thousands of rounds of ammunition were also found in the suite, enabling him to fire repeatedly over the course of 72 minutes. His car had several pounds of a fertilizer used in bomb-making.
Paddock had lived in 27 residences in Nevada, Florida and Texas as an adult, but other than that he had apparently lived a quiet and unremarkable life - and the reason for the most deadly assault in American history remains a mystery.
A British holidaymaker awaiting the birth of his first grandchild died after breaking his neck during a 'sofa-dinghy' speedboat ride on a Greek island getaway of a lifetime.
Simon Crewe, 57, of Whetstone, Leicester, died on May 23 after a ride on an inflatable sofa-dinghy, being pulled by a speedboat off Costa Costa beach, in Lassi, Kefalonia.
A documentary inquest held yesterday heard the father-of-three and soon-to-be grandfather sustained fatal neck injuries when another rider was thrown into the air and landed on him.
Mr Crewe was on the inflatable with his brother David and a friend of theirs they had gone away with when they heard a 'massive bang'
It was the last day of their holiday and they were due to return home the next day.
Simon Crewe (pictured) was on the Greek island getaway of a lifetime with his partner Vicki Hewitt, brother David, and their friends in May when his tragic death occurred
Catherine Mason, coroner at the Leicester Town Hall hearing, recorded a narrative conclusion in which she said: 'On Tuesday May 23 2017, Mr Crewe chose to go on a water ride whilse on holiday in Kefalonia.
'During the ride one of the other participants catapulted in the air and then impacted with Mr Crewe.
'As a result of the impact Mr Crew sustained fatal neck injuries.'
Mr Crewe's brother David, who was present at yesterday's hearing, was struck on the head by an unknown object during the ride.
Their friend was thrown into the air, landing in the sea, where he floated unconscious.
Mr Crewe was on holiday with his partner of three years Vicki Hewitt (pictured). The 49-year-old was in the speedboat dragging the sofa-dinghy and had to watch medics try to revive him
Their holiday to Lassi, Kefalonia, Greece, was described as 'the most fantastic ever' until Mr Crewe's death. He is pictured with partner Ms Hewitt
Pictured is a 'sofa-dinghy' similar to the one that Mr Crewe was riding when he suffered a fatal neck break
Mr Crewe's partner, Vicki Hewitt, 49, was in the speed boat ahead and watched in horror as the driver carried out emergency first aid to try to revive him.
She too was present at the hearing, but was not asked to give evidence.
He had been on the island for six days, enjoying 'the most fantastic holiday ever' with his partner, brother and three others when the tragedy happened.
Speaking after the tragic crash, David Crewe said: 'Simon had his heart set on having a go on the inflatable yellow sofa we'd seen being pulled out by speedboat - a bit like the banana boat rides.
'He loved fun and we'd had a brilliant week's holiday.
'It was the last day and about 5pm, so me and the two other men from our party of six agreed and got on the sofa.'
The ride seated eight, but only the three men were on it.
He added: 'Two of our partners, including his partner Vicki, got into the speedboat with the driver facing us so they could see us being towed.
Simon Crew and Vicki Hewitt are pictured enjoying their holiday before his untimely death on May 23
'The ride had begun and there was a massive bang.
'Something hit my head. I thought we must have hit a wave. Our friend was thrown into the sea and disappeared completely.
'I turned to Simon and... I don't know what had happened, but I watched him die.'
Ms Hewitt, Mr Crewe's partner of three years, said at the time: 'I can't believe he has gone. He was the very best of men.'
Speaking in May, Mr Crewe's children, Aimie Geraghty, 28, Samuel Crewe, 26, and Sophie Crewe, 22, praised their father as an 'all round good bloke'.
Ms Hewitt is pictured with his partner of three years Mr Crewe. He was found unresponsive after being hit by one of his fellow passengers
Ms Geraghty, an English teacher at a city secondary school, of Scraptoft, Leicestershire, said: 'He could meet a stranger and within five minutes they'd be making him a cup of tea. He had enough charisma to fill a room.
'He spoke to anybody. I don't think he knew how much he was loved
'A lot of his friends said he didn't stop talking about his children.
'He was incredibly proud of us all, that we went out and earned our living so we could buy our old dad a drink.
'He was a fantastic carpenter and did so much work at our house to get ready for the baby, and helped wallpaper the nursery.'
ISIS continues to claim that Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock is linked to their organisation, despite explicit denials from the FBI.
Shortly after Sunday's horrific mass shooting where Paddock, 64, a resident of nearby Mesquite, Nevada, killed 59 people and wounded more than 500, ISIS's 'news agency' linked the incident to their organisation.
Today, the Islamist terrorist group gave Paddock, 64, a nom-de-guerre: 'Abu Abdul Bar al-Amriki', meaning 'The American', while repeating its claims that he was a 'soldier of the caliphate'.
Not giving up: ISIS has continued to repeat repeating its claims that Stephen Paddock was a 'soldier of the caliphate' - despite denials from FBI, Nevada police and Paddock's family
Yesterday's statement, send out by news agency Amaq, said that the attack had been retaliation for the U.S.-led coalition's fight against ISIS in the Middle East.
'The Las Vegas attack was carried out by a soldier of the Islamic State and he carried it out in response to calls to target states of the coalition.
'The Las Vegas attacker converted to Islam a few months ago.'
Not long after the initial statement by ISIS, the FBI said that the bureau had 'determined to this point no connection to an international terrorist group.
'As this investigation continues, we will continue to work with our partner to ensure that this is factually, thoroughly and absolutely investigated, to be able to bring comfort and peace back to this community,' FBI Special Agent Aaron Rouse said in a statement.
Claims: Yesterday, ISIS said Paddock had 'converted to Islam a few months ago' and that he was a 'soldier of the Islamic State'
At least 50 people are dead and 200 injured after the Sunday shooting at the Las Vegas music festival
Three people lie on the ground, one covered in blood, after the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival on Sunday
A police officer takes cover behind a police vehicle during the shooting near the Mandalay Bay resort and casino (left); people take cover at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival (right)
However, it appears the FBI's statement, as well as assertions from Nevada police and Paddocks' family that he had no religious or political affiliations, has fallen on deaf ears with the Middle-east based terror group.
Details of Paddock's life in the weeks leading up to Sunday's mass shooting - the deadliest in recent U.S. history - has begun to trickle out, including his obsession with gambling and an alleged multi-million dollar fortune made from real estate.
But police have yet to make any official statements regarding a possible motive for the massacre, which saw Paddock barricade himself in a hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Hotel with 23 firearms before shooting 59 people dead and injuring 527.
Companion: Paddock lived just 90 minutes outside Las Vegas in the city of Mesquite, with 62-year-old Marilou Danley, an Australian citizen
In an exclusive interview with Dailymail.com, the shooter's family said he had no political or religious affiliation.
'He was just a guy. Something happened, he snapped or something,' his brother Eric Paddock said from his home in Orlando, Florida
'He's my brother, we don't have a very close relationship but we talk occasionally. There's no rhyme or reason here, it makes no sense'.
'He has no political affiliation, no religious affiliation, as far as we know. This wasn't a terror attack'.
Paddock lived just 90 minutes outside Las Vegas in the city of Mesquite, with 62-year-old Marilou Danley, an Australian citizen believed to be of Indonesian descent.
Eric Paddock said of Ms Danley: 'She has nothing to do with this, at least from my perspective.
Police said in a press conference early Monday that that they discovered in 'excess of 10 rifles' in the room, and that Paddock's death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Advertisement
This photograph offers a glimpse inside the sniper's nest created by mass murderer Stephen Paddock.
He used the suite at the Mandalay Bay hotel on the Las Vegas strip to fire on 22,000 people enjoying the Route 91 Harvest country festival.
Fifty-eight people were murdered and 527 hurt in the massacre. He then turned a gun on himself and committed suicide.
Paddock had taken 23 guns into his room over a period of several days, setting up two rifles on tripods at windows overlooking the music festival.
Cops were only alerted to his location when the smoke from the gun barrels set off the alarm.
Scroll down for video
He had taken 23 guns into his suite at the hotel over a period of several days, setting up two rifles on tripods at windows overlooking the music festival
Above, the view from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel, in an undated photo. The concert was taking place diagonally across the street, where the stage is seen, with its green roof
This is one of the Mandalay Bay Resort corner rooms (above), which is similar to the one from which the gunman launched his attack
Paddock checked into the hotel on Thursday, September 28, using his girlfriend's ID according to sources. He then smuggled 23 guns up into the room in 10 suitcases over the next few days
Drapes billow out of broken windows at the Mandalay Bay. Paddock is believed to have smashed the windows with a hammer before creating sniper perches to fire at civilians below
Paddock (seen here in an undated photo) took a room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel so he could fire down on festival-goers below
He was feeding the guns with thousands of rounds of ammunition, enabling him to fire repeatedly over the course of 72 minutes.
A close-up picture of his room, which was on the 32nd floor, shows smashed windows used to fire down at the helpless civilians below.
Inside - glimpsed through jagged glass - lamps can be seen still lit alongside various items of furniture a the 'Vista' suite at the hotel.
Paddock began firing at 10.08pm on Sunday night after using 10 suitcases to methodically move an arsenal up into his room over the preceding weekend.
Police on guard on the streets outside the Mandalay Bay. The shooter died inside the hotel
Police officers stand along the Las Vegas Strip the Mandalay Bay resort and casino during a shooting near the casino, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas
Among his weapons were four DDM4 rifles, three FN-15 rifles, an AK-47 assault rifle and an AR-15 rifle.
He knocked out two windows to create sniper perches that he used to rain torrents of bullets on the crowd some 500 yards away, authorities said.
SWAT teams stormed the room using flash bangs to stun Paddock, but when they entered he was already dead.
Tourist Jeff Bridges, from North Carolina, filmed inside the exact room used by Las Vegas killer Stephen Paddock. Bridges can be heard praising the views from the hotel, including the concert venue where 59 people were shot dead (left) and along The Strip (right)
Bridges also filmed the rest of the 1,800sqft room, including several large seating areas and the bedroom complete with king-sized bed
Police believe he killed himself.
Seventy-two minutes elapsed from the first 911 call to Paddock being found dead.
But a retired Las Vegas Police Department lieutenant said he had learned that cops had found Paddock's room in 20 minutes - because his gunshots had set off a smoke alarm.
Twenty minutes was far less time than would have been required to do a floor-by-floor search of the hotel, which has 3,309 rooms covers 135,000 square feet.
Speaking to The Washington Post, Sutton also said the murderer had 'rained down hell on those people.'
Tourist Jeff Bridges, from North Carolina, captured footage of the exact room where Paddock stayed.
He recorded the video when he stayed in the hotel with his wife last year.
One whole wall of the suit is made from glazed glass panels, two of which would be smashed by Paddock in order to create sniper points for his attack.
The spacious room comes with two large seating areas and a bar area with two wall-mounted televisions.
In the bedroom there is a desk up against the window, a chaise lounge and another TV facing the king-sized bed.
Giving a tour of the room, Bridges says: 'The best thing about this room isn't that it's 1,800 square feet, the best thing is the views.'
The shooter was in the far left tower of the Mandalay Bay (bottom right), shooting into the crowds at the Las Vegas Village, located diagonally across the intersection in the middle.
Hundreds of rounds of automatic gunfire were reported by witnesses on the scene; one woman in the Mandalay Bay said that there was a shooter on the 32nd floor, and that they had killed a security guard
Paddock lived in Mesquite with his 62-year-old girlfriend Marilou Danley. She was initially named a person of interest in the shooting, because she appeared to have checked into the hotel with him.
But when police called her, they found out she had been out of the country.
Cleaners said they saw no signs of anything suspicious in Paddock's room, CNN reported.
Clark Country Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said the room was a large suite with clear views of the Vegas Strip.
It was reportedly room number 32135.
This adorable dog has become a hit with her impossibly cute face - as she tries not to sneeze.
The six-year-old Shih-poo named Angpao squints her eyes while baring her teeth and sticking out her tongue.
The dog, a cross between a Shis Tzu and a Poodle - tries desperately to hold back her urge but cannot prevent herself from letting out a giant sneeze.
It even scares her owner Narongwat Boonseng when she finally lets out a violent sneeze in the car in Samut Songkhram, Thailand, in the footage filmed on September 5.
Narongwat's mother Walle, 40, said: 'In the video from the car we're saying to Angpao that it is time to go home.
'She didn't want to go home. And she was irritated because she needed to sneeze. She makes a face like this when she's being annoyed by something.
'It's a strange face but it's very cute, perfect for her. A lot of people think it's very sweet and she would never hurt anyone.'
The adorable little dog called Angpao was sitting in its owner's car when it got the urge to sneeze so it bared its teeth and stuck out its tongue in a desperate bid to avoid sneezing
And it looked like its hilarious faces worked, little Angpao - a cross between a Shis Tzu and a Poodle - relaxes back into the car and seems to have conquered the sneezing urge
Army sergeant Emile Cilliers, pictured, 37, has arrived at Winchester Crown Court to face trial accused of the attempted murder of his wife Victoria during a skydive
An Army sergeant has arrived at court where he faces trial accused of the attempted murder of his wife during a failed skydive.
Emile Cilliers, 37, denies trying to kill Victoria Cilliers, 40, who suffered multiple injuries at Netheravon Airfield, Wiltshire, including broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a broken leg and spinal injuries after the 4,000ft fall.
Cilliers, of Aldershot, Hampshire, stands trial at Winchester Crown Court facing two charges of attempted murder.
South African-born Cilliers, who became a jump instructor with the Royal Army Physical Training Corps, attached to the Royal Engineers, was arrested by police after officers were told Mrs Cilliers' parachute could have been tampered with before the jump.
Detectives appealed for information and witnesses after vital parts of the parachute known as slinks were found to be missing after the incident.
The slinks are strips of material which connect the jumpers harness to the canopies. Without them a parachute cannot function properly.
At around 4.15pm on April 5, 2015, Mrs Cilliers, a qualified parachute instructor, jumped alone from a Cessna Caravan light aircraft at 4,000ft.
The experienced jumper released her main chute at around 3,000ft but it failed to launch, so she pulled a handle on her left-shoulder strap to activate her reserve canopy.
But airfield sources said her reserve canopy also suffered a malfunction. Although the reserve chute had not fully deployed she was able to use her skill to slow her descent to an estimated 30mph and to avoid landing on a tarmacked road. Instead she crash-landed in a field.
Cilliers, left at court and right with his wife, was arrested after police were told Mrs Cilliers parachute 'may have been tampered with' during the incident on April 5, 2015
The 37-year-old is an experienced skydiver and has served as an instructor with the Royal Army Physical Training Corps
Mrs Cilliers, pictured on another skydive, sustained multiple injuries including broken ribs, a broken leg and spinal injuries
Medics sprinted to where she was lying fully conscious but in agony. She was taken to hospital in Southampton by helicopter and spent the next three weeks there.
Experts from the Army Parachuting Association and the British Parachute Association investigated the double malfunction after the incident.
BPA chief Tony Butler confirmed it sent a report to Wiltshire police.
Before the incident Mrs Cilliers told friends that Emile had moved out of the home they shared in Amesbury, Wiltshire, with their children, Lily, three, and newborn son Ethan.
The couple wed in South Africa in 2011.
Cilliers also denies a charge of damaging a gas fitting belonging to his wife.
The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, adjourned the trial at Winchester Crown Court for the chosen jurors to be sworn in and for the prosecution to open its case on Wednesday.
A survivor of the Las Vegas shooting that left 58 people dead and more than 500 injured has spoken out about Sunday's horrific events.
Taylor Benge, who attended the Route 91 country music festival, revealed in an interview with CNN that the brush with death made him find God.
He said that he went to the festival as an agnostic, but witnessing and surviving the horror made him embrace his faith.
A survivor of the Las Vegas shooting that left 58 people dead and more than 500 injured has spoken out about Sunday's horrific events. Taylor Benge revealed the attack forced him to find faith in God
During the interview, Benge was still clearly shaken by the events.
Speaking to CNN, he said: 'I was agnostic going into that concert, and I'm a firm believer in God now because there's no way that all of that happened, and that I made it, and I was blessed enough to still be here alive talking to you today.'
Giving a more detailed insight into the attack, he explained that the vantage point of the shooter allowed him to pick off people with ease.
Explaining that he went to the festival as an agnostic, witnessing the horror and surviving had meant he now firmly believes in God
Mr Benge explained how gunfire sparked mass panic and chaos among the thousands of music lovers attending.
Stephen Paddock, 64, open fired from the the Mandalay Bay hotel resort window, firing hundreds of rounds from an automatic weapon. He killed 58 people before committing suicide.
He described how his sister threw herself on top of him to shield him from the gunfire but they were both miraculously unhurt.
Mr Benge explained how gunfire sparked mass panic and chaos among the thousands of music lovers attending
'As far as we knew there was multiple gunners and we didn't know what direction they were coming from.
'Even an hour and a half later I didn't know we were safe. Only when we got into the hangar after.'
Giving an insight into the chaos, Mr Benge said he realized the gunner was high above the crowd because of how people were being hit while they were ducking down.
The survivor finished the interview and said: 'I was an agnostic going into the festival but I firmly believe in God now. There's no way all that happened and I made it to still be here alive and talking to you today.'
News / National
by Stephen Jakes
An MDC-T member Chalton Hwende has described the party leader Morgan Tsvangirai as the only principled democrat who has remained truthful to the loyal supporters such that he can not sell them out.However, Hwende labelled the rest of the politicians as liars who out to look for benefits and riches through the electorate."To me of All the Politicians I have met and worked with he is one of the few who are authentic, principled, non materialistic and has never wavered," Hwende said."Ari pachirangano murume uye nema Zimbabweans he will never sell us out and he is not the Head of State today only because Zanu Rigs and he is sometimes internally sabotaged."He said most of these politicians are just liars and in for the money, nice cars and other privileges.
A drug addict accused of double murder claims he acted in self-defence after a woman ran at him with a knife 'like a samurai'.
Krzysztof Gadecki, 38, is on trial charged with the murder of couple Ronald Kidd and Holly Alexander at their home in Dundee.
Gadecki claims he went to retrieve his brother's jacket from their flat but when he arrived Mr Kidd, 40, launched insults at him and tried to close the door.
Gadecki alleges Mr Kidd was armed with a knife and started swinging it at him but he managed to grab the blade and started hitting him.
Krzysztof Gadecki, 38, is on trial charged with the murder of couple Ronald Kidd (right) and Holly Alexander (left) at their home in Dundee
Giving evidence through a translator at the High Court in Edinburgh, Galecki, from Poland, told the jury Mr Kidd then shouted something at 37-year-old Ms Alexander, who came charging through with a knife in her hand.
He added: 'She was coming like a samurai.'
He said he pushed her hand back and he hit her twice very quickly and she collapsed.
Gadecki, who lived in, Dundee, claimed that he was 'totally in pieces' after the incident and started crying.
'I was totally devastated by it all,' he said.
He said he had later returned to the flat where the killings took place to get heroin and pills and took a watch and wallet.
Giving evidence through a translator at the High Court in Edinburgh, Galecki, from Poland, told the jury Ms Alexander came charging through with a knife in her hand 'like a samurai'
Defence solicitor advocate Iain Paterson asked him why he had killed Mr Kidd and he replied: 'Because life is a gift and I wanted to live. I was scared. It happened too quick. There was no time to think... I was feeling like a soldier in the first line.'
Advocate depute Bill MacVicar said that on the day before he killed them he had no money and no drugs and was desperate to get some.
But Gadecki said: 'No, that's not true. I always arranged something for myself.'
The prosecutor asked if he was angry about the jacket that had gone missing and he said: 'Maybe not angry, more disappointed because it was my brother's jacket.'
Gadecki said that if Mr Kidd started something it was impossible to stop him.
He added: 'With all respect to him and his family, I won.'
Gadecki denies murdering Mr Kidd and Ms Alexander between December 8 and 11 last year at the flat in Rosefield Street.
He claims he acted in self-defence and says he was assaulted by the deceased.
The trial continues.
An 18-year-old woman who was shot during Sunday's massacre in Las Vegas has thanked a heroic stranger who carried her to safety.
Addison Short was with her friend when Stephen Paddock began firing on the crowd at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival below his Mandalay Bay hotel room.
She tried to escape but was hit in the leg and left unable to run.
Addison Short was with her friend when Stephen Paddock began firing on the crowd at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival below his Mandalay Bay hotel room
She hasn't had a chance to thank the man, but said she 'probably' wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for his valiant actions
At this point Short told her friend to 'get somewhere safe' before hiding under a bar as blood poured out of her wound, CNN reported.
She explained: 'You kept hearing gunshots. They just weren't stopping.'
But at this desperate moment, a man she'd never met before came over to help her.
He tightened his belt around her leg, she said, in a bid to stop the bleeding.
She then said to the man: 'Please get me out of here.'
The heroic stranger responded by throwing the woman over his shoulder and carrying her safely to a taxi, which drove her to hospital.
She hasn't had a chance to thank the man, but said she 'probably' wouldn't be alive today if it weren't for his valiant actions.
Speaking from her bed at the Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, she said of her gunshot wound: 'It hurts so bad - the pain is just unbearable.
'But it could have been way worse.'
She added: 'It was just the scariest experience of my life.'
Short, however, remains convinced it could have been far worse - particularly if her mother, a police office, had worked the festival as she often does.
Family members of an Australian woman caught up in the Las Vegas mass shooting have shared terrifying text messages she sent them as the massacre unfolded.
Sarah Sleeter, a former resident of the Gold Coast, was at the country music concert when the gunman started raining bullets on the crowd.
The mother-of-two managed to make her way to an airport hangar where she hid while keeping her worried parents updated on the tragedy in real-time.
Scroll down for video
Family members of an Australian woman (pictured) caught up in the Las Vegas mass shooting have shared terrifying text messages she sent them as the massacre unfolded
The mother-of-two managed to make her way to an airport hangar where she hid while keeping her worried parents updated on the tragedy in real-time (pictured)
'We are hiding still. Safe in an airport hanger,' she replied to a message asking: 'Are you definitely safe?' Seven News reported.
'There is still one active shooter so we are staying put,' she wrote.
Ms Sleeter, who was staying in the same hotel as the shooter, said the gunfire sounded like firecrackers going on, but then a woman next to her was hit by a bullet.
'The lady standing in front of me grabbed her side and she said "Oh my God, I've been shot" and she moved her hand and blood went everywhere,' she said.
Ms Sleeter (pictured), who was staying in the same hotel as the shooter, said the gunfire sounded like firecrackers going on, but then a woman next to her was hit by a bullet
Ms Sleeter's father, Tony Reardon, says his daughter told him she thought she was going to die.
'It's a scary moment and it's real, it's right in your face,' he said.
Ms Sleeter was not the only person from the Gold Coast who was in Las Vegas during the deadliest mass shooting in US history.
Ms Sleeter (pictured, left, leaving Las Vegas) was not the only person from the Gold Coast who was in Las Vegas during the deadliest mass shooting in US history
Brian Hodge was staying only one room away from Stephen Paddock, the 64-year-old who carried out the massacre.
John Coutis from Surfer's Paradise recounted seeing a stampede of people fleeing the concert area in fear.
Nathan Claridge, who owns a club on the Gold Coast, was driving down the Las Vegas Strip when he heard the shooting start.
Stephen Paddock murdered 59 people and injured 527 others when he opened fire on a crowd of people from his room in the Mandalay Bay on Sunday night.
Eric King, 63, pictured, has been arrested after allegedly posting a string of racist Facebook comments including that he would 'have no worries about ending the life of any Muslim'
A man was arrested after allegedly posting a string of racist Facebook posts which said he had 'no worries about ending the life of any Muslim'.
The statement appeared on the Facebook page of Eric King, 63, alongside other images including a video of a man urinating on the Quran.
Another post on the account said 'Islam needs to be wiped off the face of the earth, if that means killing all Muslims, so be it', above a shared post from Britain First regarding religion in Germany.
King then issued a full post on September 15, which has since been removed, airing his view on the matter.
It read: 'Why are we being forced to except [sic] all these immigrants, they are the scum of the world I hate every one of them, I have no worries about ending the life of any Muslim, they are more than happy to end the lives of all white people, the day is coming when we the white true people of the UK will revolt and take the country back.'
King, of St Austell, Cornwall, refused to comment on the reaction to his posts.
Police said: 'A 63-year-old man from St Austell was arrested on suspicion of publish threatening written material intending to stir up religious / sexual orientation hatred.
'The suspect has now been released under investigation pending further inquiries to be carried out.'
The home of a notorious Adelaide bikie gang leader has been peppered with bullets in a drive-by shooting.
Just before 1.30am on Tuesday, police say several shots were fired into the front windows and garage door of a home at Wynn Vale.
The home is believed to be the current address of Mongols gang leader Andrew Majchrak.
The home is believed to be the current address of Mongols gang leader Andrew Majchrak
The residents of the home were present during the shooting but escaped uninjured
The residents of the home were present during the shooting but escaped uninjured.
Police detectives door-knocked neighbours homes and checked CCTV footage, but have yet to find a gun or suspect.
Residents told 9 News they were afraid they would get caught up in the violence, and were looking to move away from the area.
Police detectives door-knocked neighbours homes and checked CCTV footage, but have yet to find a gun or suspect
Tammy Maxwell, a nearby resident, said she cant stop shaking since the shooting.
If theyre going to be shooting there, Im only two houses away oh my god.
A woman has detailed her horror at discovering her botched boob job was performed by a general practitioner who was not a qualified surgeon.
Melanie went under the knife with Dr Les Blackstock at Enhance Clinic in Penrith, western Sydney in 2014, but suffered devastating effects.
Melanie, who chose to withhold her real name, claimed her implants ruptured, and she contracted a potential life-threatening staph infection after her surgeries with Dr Blackstock.
Melanie, who chose to withhold her real name, claimed her implants ruptured, and she contracted a potential life-threatening staph infection after her surgeries with Dr Blackstock
She also told A Current Affair Dr Blackstock kept her awake during the surgery, even asking her to check his progress half way through.
'He opened my chest up, he put sample implants into my chest, and he sat me up and gave me a mirror and asked me whether or not I was fine with the size,' she said.
When Melanie experienced a rupture and went back to have the implants replaced, she was again left questioning the results.
She said she walked out with size G breasts, which were far too large on her 60kg body.
Melanie said she had no recollection of choosing her implant size.
More patients of Dr Blackstock provided pictures to A Current Affair of infections (pictured) they contracted following breast surgery with the GP
Dr Les Blackstock (pictured) said he was within his legal right to perform plastic surgery
Following the second surgery with Dr Blackstock, Melanie said she battled a staph infection and was told she needed to undergo emergency surgery.
That was when she learned Dr Blackstock was not a qualified surgeon.
'The plastics team advised me that the doctor that had operated on me was just a GP who had been doing procedures,' she told A Current Affair.
'He had no training as a plastic surgeon and wasn't even registered as a surgeon, a general surgeon at all.'
When Dr Blackstock was approached by the program, he denied any wrongdoing.
The Western Sydney based doctor said he was within his legal right to perform plastic surgery.
When Dr Blackstock (pictured at Enhance Clinic) was approached, he denied any wrongdoing
Enhance Clinic, where Dr Blackstock performs breast augmentation, is located in Sydney's west
Dr Blackstock argued he was allowed to perform the surgeries, citing the definition of breast augmentation.
He said a surgery was considered 'augmentation' if a woman with adequate-sized breasts wanted to go bigger, but was not considered augmentation if a woman wanted the surgery because they had 'lost one' and wanted to 'replace it'.
On legal advice, he said he stuck to performing augmentation on women who did not have adequate-sized breasts.
Dr Blackstock also told the program he had an impeccable safety record, with 96.5 per cent of his customers satisfied with their results.
Despite this, Dr Blackstock was issued a cease and desist order from New South Wales Health.
Melanie went under the knife with Dr Les Blackstock at Enhance Clinic (pictured) in Penrith, western Sydney in 2014, but suffered devastating effects
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard (pictured) said regulations were so lax that almost any medical practitioner could call themselves a cosmetic surgeon
New regulations came into effect for cosmetic surgery in March this year, tightening licensing requirements for surgeons.
While regulations were tightened for surgeons, regulations for cosmetic surgeons were not altered.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said regulations were so lax that almost any medical practitioner could call themselves a cosmetic surgeon.
He said he would take the matter to the federal government and state and terrority ministers to be reviewed.
'I think some of them are definitely putting other people's lives at risk,' he said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dr Blackstock for comment.
Kim Jong-Un has warned he will 'bring nuclear clouds' to Japan if it does not stop calling for further sanctions to force North Korea to end its nuclear programme.
A comment released by Pyongyang state media branded Prime Minister Shinzo Abe a 'headless chicken' and 'suicidal', after a speech in the UN where he called for a blockade on exporting goods to North Korea.
Pyongyang's threat came as Japan's Defence Minister warned that Kim Jong-Un may carry out another missile test on October 10, as the start of the election campaigns coincides with the founding of North Korea's communist party.
Little rocket man: Kim Jong Un, pictured vitising a farm last week, has warned that he will 'bring nuclear clouds to the Japanese archipelago'
Monday's attack from North Korea followed Prime Minister Abe's speech at the UN General Assembly last month, where he urged member states to block North Korea's access to 'the goods, funds, people and technology' it needs to continue to develop nuclear missiles.
'Japan's such rackets inciting the tension of the Korean peninsula is a suicidal deed that will bring nuclear clouds to the Japanese archipelago,' a commentary released by the North's Korean Central News Agency said according to Kyodo news agency.
'No one knows when the touch-and-go situation will lead to a nuclear war, but if so, the Japanese archipelago will be engulfed in flames in a moment. This is too self-evident.'
The threat followed a warning by Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera that more provocation is possible from North Korea next week.
October 10, when Japan starts it's campaigns for the snap elections, is also the date North Korea celebrates the founding of the Communist Party of Korea, a predecessor to the Workers' Party of Korea.
Pyongyang branded Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pictured with Donald Trump, a 'headless chicken', after his UN speech calling for a blockade on exporting goods to North Korea
Warning: Kim Jong-Un may carry out another missile test on October 10, as he celebrates the founding the Communist Party of Korea, a predecessor to the Workers' Party of Korea
Known as Party Foundation Day, the 10th October is an annual public holiday in North Korea, considered one of the most important in their calendar.
North Korea has often marked significant events on its calendar by conducting weapons tests, such as its fifth nuclear test last year on September 9, its founding anniversary.
'I understand it is an important anniversary for North Korea. We would like to maintain a sense of urgency,' Onodera told reporters.
Onodera's warning echoed a comment by South Korean national security adviser Chung Eui-yong, who said during a meeting with President Moon Jae-in on Thursday that he expected Pyongyang to act around October 10 and 18, but gave no details.
Tensions have risen on the Korean peninsula since reclusive North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sept. 3, leading to a new round of sanctions after a unanimous vote by the United Nations Security Council.
U.S. President Donald Trump has since traded insults with North Korean leaders, raising the stakes even further.
A public servant and same-sex marriage activist who had her image featured in a 'Vote No' campaign is suing for defamation.
Jill Moran was displayed on the banner of a Coalition For Marriage on an article titled 'Tonight a test for the extremists of the 'Yes' campaign'.
Ms Moran, 26 and a member for the Greens, has employed lawyers to take legal action against the body, saying they have shown her face alongside claims of 'bullying and intimidating, violent protest', the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Jill Moran was displayed on the banner of a Coalition For Marriage on an article titled 'Tonight a test for the extremists of the 'Yes' campaign'
Ms Moran (pictured) has employed lawyers to take legal action against the body, saying they have shown her face alongside claims of 'bullying and intimidating, violent protest'
The public servant has employed Slater and Gordon to represent her pro bono against the Coalition for Marriage, who have sent the group a cease and desist letter and more recently a letter of demand threatening a defamation suit.
A lawyer for the firm said Ms Moran has a strong legal position, and the use of her photo meant 'she has been associated with this kind of conduct'.
The image of Ms Moran was taken during a counter rally of protestors against the Safe Schools program. She made the image her Facebook profile picture.
The story posted on the campaigns website accuses the 'Yes' side of being unable to control its supporters
The story posted on the campaigns website accuses the 'Yes' side of being unable to control its supporters.
It quotes a strategist, who spoke at the Coalition for Marriage's national launch in Sydney, saying protests against their right would be evidence its opposition had been 'hijacked by extremists.'
Ms Moran says she initially reached out to the Coalition for Marriage to have her image removed from the story but did not hear back. Her lawyers say she was 'distressed' when she contacted them over the case.
'When I first saw it I thought: what is this? I was shocked. It's so obviously me in the photo,' she told the Herald.
Slater and Gordon confirmed the Coalition for Marriage are seeking legal advice on their defamation letter, and that Ms Moran would accept a retraction and apology.
The family of disgraced Olympian Oscar Pistorius is to take legal action over a new Hollywood film which portrays the amputee sprinter as having the 'mind of a killer'.
The family of former sprint star Oscar who was imprisoned for shooting his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp dead in his home in Pretortia, South Africa in 2013 say they will sue as they claim it bends the truth.
His brother Carl released a statement in which he said the Pistorius family distances themselves from the Hollywood film and sources say they have retained a top barrister.
The first trailer has emerged for a movie about Oscar Pistorius and the murder of Reeva Steenkamp - showing the athlete shooting his girlfriend and their violent arguments before her death
Oscar Pistorius: Blade Runner Killer charts the run-up to the murder on Valentine's Day 2013 at his home in Pretoria, South Africa - and the courtroom dramas that followed. It stars Andreas Damm as the 30-year-old double-leg amputee and Toni Garrn (pictured) as girlfriend Steenkamp
Drama: The minute-long trailer ends with Pistorius tearfully telling a court: 'I truly loved her'
The film, set to premiere in the US in November, has been written by Amber Benson, best known for playing Tara on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and is produced by Lifetime.
In one scene, Pistorius, played by Andreas Damm, tells his girlfriend, played by model Toni Garrn, she will be his 'personal angel' as he trains for the Olympics.
In another, the pair is having a row before he picks up a weapon, ordering her to 'get back here'. The minute-long trailer ends with Pistorius tearfully telling a court: 'I truly loved her'.
Carl Pistorius said in a statement yesterday: 'The film was made with blatant disregard of both the Steenkamp and Pistorius families, as well as complete disregard for Reeva and Oscar.
'Neither Oscar, the defence or the family were involved in the production of this 'film' in anyway.
'The 'film' is not true reflection of what happened on the day of this tragedy and the subsequent trial of the matter.
Pistorius (right) initially escaped a murder conviction for shooting Reeva (left) through a locked bathroom door three years ago. The pair are pictured together in 2012
In one scene Pistorius he challenges Steenkamp to 'prove to me that this is what you want and that you are worthy of me and this relationship' before she strips to her underwear and climbs into bed with him
Pistorius can be seen brandishing a gun during the trailer for the film, which is due to be released in November
Shooting: The film includes a scene where Pistorius shoots apparently believing there is an intruder in the house
The film charts the fall-out from the killing and the police investigation into the death. One scene shows bullet holes in a door
'The 'film' titled 'Oscar Pistorius The Blade Runner Killer' is a gross distortion of the findings of the court.
'Oscar was subjected to a month long psychological evaluation which was insisted upon by the prosecution; the psychological evaluation of Oscar was undertaken by leading minds in the field.
'Oscar was subjected to in depth assessments and on-going tests almost daily for a month long; at no stage was Oscar found to have the mind of a killer.
'The 'film' is a gross misrepresentation of the truth. The 'film' is rather a representation of what the prosecution tried to portray.
'We will be taking legal action'.
On Monday afternoon, the Steenkamp family released a statement saying they did not endorse the movie either and were considering legal action themselves.
Anger: The parents of murdered Reeva Steenkamp Barry (left) and June (centre) are 'furious and horrified' at a new Hollywood movie about Oscar Pistorius shooting their daughter.
Blasted: Reeva's sister Simone, speaking exclusively to MailOnline from her home in South Africa, dismissed the movie as simply 'a money making exercise and very wishy-washy.'
'Mortified': Reeva's sister Simone said her parents are angry about the new Hollywood film about her death. She said: 'My mother was mortified when she first found about it. When I told her about it, she said 'You have upset me now'. She was not happy.'
In the dark: Reeva's parents Barry and June Steenkamp had no knowledge of the making of the film 'Blade Runner Killer', the model's sister Simone said. They are horrified and upset to read a report that 'the movie is told from Steenkamp and her mother's perspective', she added.
The Steenkamp statement reads: 'They are horrified and upset to read a report that 'the movie is told from Steenkamp and her mother's perspective'.
June Steenkamp was not approached by Lifetime to participate, comment or be part of the making of the film, and did not give the producers any assistance.
'Any impression that is created that this is June's view, or that the movie is endorsed by the Steenkamp family, is untrue and incorrect.'
Reeva was gunned down by Pistorius, the first Paralympian to compete in the Olympics in the early hours of Valentine's Day in 2013. He claimed he mistook her for a burglar when he fired four times through the door of his bedroom toilet.
Pistorius, who became the first-ever double amputee to compete in the Olympic Games at London 2012, pleaded not guilty at his trial in 2014.
He denied killing Steenkamp in a rage, claiming that he was trying to protect her.
Shot dead: Model Reeva (pictured) was killed when her boyfriend Pistorius shot her through the bathroom door on Valentine's Day in 2013.
Oscar Pistorius (pictured) was jailed for six years in 2016 for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp
Court appearance: But after a series of legal delays and a trail over a six month period, he was found guilty on September 12 2014 of culpable homicide or manslaughter. Pistorius walks in the courtroom without his prosthetic legs in a dramatic demonstration of his disability in court.
During his trial Pistorius denied any suggestion that he knew Reeva was behind the door, often breaking down in tears weeping, wailing and praying whenever details of her injuries were heard.
But after a series of legal delays and a trail over a six month period, he was found guilty on September 12 2014 of culpable homicide or manslaughter.
He was given a five year sentence, but the decision to free him from jail and out him under house arrest for the remaining four years of his term caused uproar.
Over a two year period, he was brought before the courts several times.
The Supreme Court of Appeal convicted Pistorius of murder, saying his testimony was 'vacillating and untruthful', in 2015 and last year he began a six year sentence.
Last week, it was announced Supreme Court of Appeal in South Africa will hear the state's appeal against Paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius' 'shockingly lenient' six-year murder sentence in 2016.
The appeal will be heard on November 3, the National Prosecuting Authority said.
When a young Queenslander travelled overseas to meet aunt Marilou Danley - and her partner for the first time - he was left with an impression of an 'unremarkable' man.
Little did Jordan Knights know that in a few short months, his aunt's live-in partner Stephen Paddock would be responsible for the worst mass shooting in US history.
As he backpacked across America with his mother Amelia Manango, the two made a short stop in Las Vegas to meet his mother's sister - Ms Danley.
Scroll down for video
Jordan Knights met gunman Stephen Paddock a few months ago and found him 'unremarkable'
Jordan Knights (right) met with his aunt Marilou Danley (second from right) a few months ago
Jordan Knights' maternal aunt is Marilou Danley, partner of Las Vegas gunman Steven Paddock
After dining out together and splashing out at some of Vegas' most famous casinos,the 23-year-old bid Paddock and Ms Danley farewell.
He told 9News on Tuesday that 'it seemed like he just looked after my aunty and that was it', and got no bad feelings from the man.
Paddock left no lasting impression on Mr Knights, and the young Aussie didn't give his aunt's partner another thought until Monday evening.
Ms Danley's partner Stephen Paddock is responsible for the worst mass shooting in US history
Paddock rented a room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel and opened fire on crowds
His social media pages alerted him to the massacre, and when he turned on the TV, he immediately recognised Paddock's name and later, his photo.
'Yeah once I saw that part on the newsI was like, what the heck. It was crazy,' Mr Knights said.
He added that he got no impression that Paddock was the 'type of guy' to gun down more than 50 people and injure 500 more.
Paddocks gunned down more than 50 people and injured 500 more on Monday night in Vegas
Tributes have been laid for the victims, and memorial services are being held on the Strip
Furthermore, he has said that he didn't even know that Paddock knew anything about firearms.
But he has emphasised his conviction that his aunt, Ms Danley, was not involved.
Ms Danley has reportedly made contact with various family members from the Philippines, where she was travelling at the time of the massacre. However, conflicting reports claim she is in Tokyo on holiday with girlfriends.
Ms Danley's nephew is certain that his aunt had nothing to do with the Las Vegas massacre
Ms Danley was not in America at the time of the shooting, but was on holiday in the Philippines
Paddock shared a Reno house with Ms Danley, on which police are executing a search warrant
Las Vegas police confirmed that Ms Danley was not in Las Vegas at the time of the shootings and at this time, they do not consider her an accomplice.
Ms Danley has spoken with her sister, Ms Manango, who revealed that Mrs Danley's trip was paid for by Paddock.
Ms Danley will be questioned by police upon her return, and will most likely be asked if she knew about the cache of weapons reportedly found inside the home she shared with Paddock.
News / National
by Staff reporter
A MUTARE based journalist been arrested over a report claiming that First Ladyto Zanu-PF supporters in the eastern border city.According to NewZimbabwe.com, police picked up Newsday reporter Kenneth Nyangani on Monday and the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) confirmed.The arrest follows a weekend report claiming that Zanu-PF's Dangamvura-Chikanga MP Esau Mupfumi donated used clothes which included night dresses and underwear.The clothing items were allegedly sourced by President Robert Mugabe's wife.ZLHR spokesman, Kumbirai Mafunda, said the rights lawyers had deployed a legal practitioner to assist Nyangani.
A former FBI agent has set out to uncover who betrayed Anne Frank by turning her family over to the Nazis.
Vince Pankoke is to lead a team of 19 experts using methods developed since the turn of the century to comb through the evidence left behind by one of the most extraordinary stories of World War Two.
The Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, now one of the city's most popular attractions having been converted to a museum, have welcomed the development and has opened its doors to Pankoke's team.
Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl who, with her family, hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam, Netherlands, during World WarTwo. A former FBI agent has set out to uncover who betrayed her by turning her family over to the Nazis
View of the Anne Frank House, left, and Wester Church, right, in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Last year the museum published a theory the Jewish family were found by chance rather than it being a case of betrayal.
But the new investigative team have decided to leave nothing to chance and will forensically pick apart the evidence collected over the years.
Using modern-day techniques, Pankoke hopes poring over interviews and testimonies that may have previously gone unnoticed will help tie up the loose ends in the tragic story.
Pankoke, 59, told The Guardian: 'We are not trying to point fingers or prosecute. I am just trying to solve the last case of my career.
'There is no statute of limitation on the truth.'
Anne Frank, right, and her father Otto Frank are seen at Amsterdam Town Hall, in July 1941
Declassified documents shipped back to the US after the war in 1944 hold the secret, according to the retired FBI agent, who has drafted in one of the founding fathers of the FBI's behavioural science unit Roger Depue to analyse witness statements and interviews.
The process of the cold case review is to be filmed after Dutch journalists and film makers hired the former FBI man after they crowdfunded the project.
Ronald Leopold, the executive director of the Anne Frank House, told The Guardian: 'Despite decades of research, betrayal as a point of departure has delivered nothing conclusive. We are interested to see the results.'
Work started on the weekend in the Joordan area of Amsterdam which is where the Anne Frank museum is located.
People have been asked to come forward with information.
Anne Frank wrote her diary while in hiding from Nazi persecution during World War Two.
By 1940 the Nazis had occupied the Netherlands, leaving the family trapped.
In 1942 the family went into hiding in secret rooms of Otto Frank's office building.
But after two years the group were anonymously betrayed and were sent to their deaths at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where Anne died of typhus in 1945.
Otto Frank, Anne's father, returned to Amsterdam after the war and discovered her diary had been saved.
It was published in 1947, leading to her posthumous fame.
Advertisement
When street artist Owen Dippie puts his paint to a blank space, it's more than just about creating a pretty picture.
'With my work - especially mural work, I like to strike emotion with the viewer,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
Taking the idea to empower a feeling in others and combining it with his strong interest in mental health awareness, Dippie is behind a number of striking portraits, recently, a moving tribute to the late Chester Bennington.
Street artist Owen Dippie is known for entrancing, giant murals of striking faces and has crafted a touching tribute to former Linkin Park front-man Chester Bennington
Dippie (pictured) put together the mural to raise awareness about mental health - he hails from New Zealand which hold the highest youth suicide rates in the developed world
'I wanted to paint Chester to not only pay tribute to his life but to also raise awareness about suicide.
'It is a subject that affects me in a personal way and being from New Zealand it is sadly a real serious issue here that quite often is made out to be a taboo subject not to be talked about.
'I named the mural "sometimes the loudest screams are unheard" and painted our symbols in the colour yellow to represent suicide awareness.'
When Dippie was growing up he came to meet a number of strong cultural identities.
It was those interactions he encountered at a young age that would come to form the basis and passion for his other subject matter, who today stand as the foundation behind his creative output.
'I believe art is a universal language that everyone can speak and if my work can leave a person feeling better after encountering it that's a good thing.'
As Dippie was growing up he came to meet a number of strong cultural identities and is influenced by them in his work (pictured: Nelson Mandela painted on Ashworth Lane Mount Maunganui, New Zealand)
Kiwi legend Bruce Mclaren (pictured) painted in Auckland New Zealand 2013
The Girl with a Pearl Earring (pictured ((after Vermeer)) painted in New Zealand
The creative was born in the small Eastern Bay of Plenty community of Kawerau and is currently based in New Zealand.
Dippie has been drawing from as far back as he can remember but says others started to notice his passion during school as art was all he was interested in doing.
The street artist is now renowned for blending his love of street art with an appreciation of the classics which come together with the help of a spray can.
Dippie has a deep appreciation for Maori culture built by the indigenous people as well as pop culture images.
Portrait of Ina te Papatahi (after Goldie - a New Zealand artist, known for his portraits of Maori dignitaries) painted in New Zealand 2012
His name is today synonymous with the large-scale realist portraiture he has created on the streets of New Zealand and New York for more than a decade.
The talented artist travelled to the Big Apple for a three month stint, where he held his first solo exhibition.
One of his works - The Radiant Madonna, was named as Best Mural 2015 by The Huffington Post, along with producing his first work in downtown Los Angeles.
Dippie and his wife Erin gave up the Mount Maunganui Art Gallery after a four-year period and then completed a two year contact for their own OD Gallery along Auckland's iconic Karangahape Road.
Featured along the city's Southern motorway is one a standout example of Dippie's work, featuring a Maori woman wearing a ta moko - a traditional Maori face tattoo
The piece (pictured) can be seen from different spots all around Auckland city
His famed paintings can be seen across the world with a number of features throughout Auckland.
Featured along the city's Southern motorway is a giant example of his work, featuring a Maori woman wearing a ta moko - a traditional Maori face tattoo - can be seen from great distances within its line of sight.
'The portrait on Upper Queen Street is of my friend Tania. The mural is titled "Hine" it represents femininity as each of her facial moko is representative of a Maori goddess.'
In her conference speech today, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said children would nt longer be able to buy acids
The sale of acids to children will be banned after a series of 'revolting' attacks, Amber Rudd announced today.
The Home Secretary said the government would act to stopped corrosive materials being sold to under-18s.
People will also need to have a 'good reason' to carry acid in public, while tougher restrictions will be introduced on sulphuric acid.
The move was signalled in Ms Rudd's speech to the Tory conference in Manchester today.
The Cabinet minister, touted in some quarters as a potential future leader, used the gathering to lay out a tough law and order platform.
Ms Rudd said a new strategy on offensive weapons would see harsher penalties.
'We are going to prevent children purchasing knives online, and we are going to stop people carrying acid in public if they don't have a good reason,' Ms Rudd said.
'Acid attacks are absolutely revolting. You have all seen the pictures of victims that never fully recover.
'Endless surgeries. Lives ruined.
'So today, I am also announcing a new offence to prevent the sale of acids to under 18s.
'Furthermore, given its use in the production of so-called 'mother of Satan' homemade explosives, I also announce my intention to drastically limit the public sale of sulphuric acid.
'This is how we will help make our communities safer as crime changes.'
The Cabinet minister also said the government would pump money into developing a web 'bot' that can help wipe child pornography off the internet.
Describing spreading indecent pictures of children as an 'absolutely abhorrent crime', Ms Rudd insisted social media firms and WhatsApp must do more to tackle it.
She said the technology, which is receiving 600,000 of funding, would crawl over the internet like a 'spider' processing thousands of images every second.
'Spreading indecent images of children online is an absolutely abhorrent crime, and social media platforms cannot be looked upon as safe spaces for sharing hateful material that exploits the most vulnerable in our society,' Ms Rudd said.
'Through the WePROTECT Global Alliance, we are leading the international response to child sexual exploitation online. We are working with the Canadian Cybertipline, who have partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in the US on implementing a world-leading piece of technology, Project Arachnid.
Resham Khan was attacked on her 21st birthday this year as acid was thrown at her and her cousin through a car window in London
Resham, pictured before the attack, has spoken about her experience to highlight the impact on victims
Andreas Christopheros, who was attacked with acid at his home in 2014, is among those who have called for tougher restrictions on the substances
Sophie Hall, from Poole in Dorset, ws caught up in an attack at a nightclub earlier this year
Ms Rudd also vowed today to introduce tougher prison sentences for those convicted of accessing sickening jihadist and far-right content online
'This is a global technology solution to a global technology problem. Protect Arachnid is a real leap forward in terms of our capacity to deal with this sort of vile material.
'We want the internet companies signed up to using this technology, and using it to proactively search for, and destroy, illegal images in their systems. Our question to them is 'if not, why not?'
KEY POINTS IN HOME SECRETARY'S SPEECH: Amber Rudd set out a series of tough measures in her speech today: Up to 15 years in prison for people who repeatedly view extremist material online
Investing in new 'bot' technology that will track down indecent images of children online and remove them at an unprecedented rate
Ban on selling acids to children in the wake of horrific attacks
People will need a 'good reason' to be carrying acids in public
Sale of sulphuric acid to be 'drastically' limited, given its use in homemade explosives
Making it illegal to keep certain types of weapons - such as flick knives and zombie knives - at home Advertisement
Another eye-catching policy revealed today will make viewing terrorist propaganda such as beheading videos and bomb-making guides online punishable by 15 years in jail
Ms Rudd has vowed to introduce tougher prison sentences for those convicted of accessing sickening jihadist and far-right content online.
A stricter 15-year jail term will also be brought in for fanatics who target police or members of the armed forces.
In an interview with the Daily Mail yesterday, Miss Rudd attacked tech giants who said there was 'no business case' for tackling web terror a view she called 'totally unacceptable'.
She said Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter and other companies had a 'moral obligation' to stop the use of their sites to promote terrorism.
She will propose changes to strengthen the existing offence of possessing information likely to be useful to a terrorist so that it applies to material viewed repeatedly online.
Currently the power applies only to online material that has been downloaded and stored on a computer or smartphone or printed off as a hard copy.
The changes will also increase the maximum jail term from ten to 15 years.
Ministers are acting after prosecutors complained they were unable to bring terror charges against a man who had repeatedly viewed bomb-making videos on YouTube, because he had not saved the footage.
The Daily Mail has led the way in pushing for social media and internet firms to accept their responsibilities after a string of atrocities on Britain soil.
We have repeatedly revealed how easy it is to find terrorist content online.
A day after Khalid Masood murdered four and injured more than 50 outside Parliament in March we revealed how terror handbooks encouraging jihadists to mount a car attack before going on a stabbing rampage the method used by Masood were available on Google and Twitter.
RUDD FUELS LEADER RUMOURS BY HIRING CAMERON'S ELECTION GURU Amber Rudd has reportedly enlisted the help of David Cameron's election guru - fueling rumours she preparing for a Tory leadership bid. The Home Secretary is said to have turned to Sir Lynton Crosby to help shore up her seat after her majority took a battering, falling from nearly 5,000 to just 346 votes. The election maestro was behind Boris Johnson's London mayoral campaigns and helped orchestrate Mr Cameron's shock victory in 2015. But his reputation has taken a knock recently after he orchestrated Theresa May's disastrous General Election campaign. Ms Rudd's move will fuel talk that she is lining herself up to take a run at the Tory leadership if Mrs May goes. Activists from Labour and the Jeremy Corbyn-backing Momentum group have set their sights on her marginal constituency of Hastings & Rye. They have sent activists in to pound the streets and have set up a crowdfunding campaign which has raised 1,774 to bankroll their 'Get Rid of Rudd' campaign. Advertisement
The Mail also exposed how a day after the London Bridge attacks in June, which killed eight, an Islamic State manual telling followers not to be 'squeamish' about slitting people's throats was being circulated on Google and Twitter.
It took less than 30 seconds to find links to the material, even though the internet companies have been warned repeatedly that their platforms are being used to recruit jihadists.
Last month Theresa May used a summit in New York to warn tech giants that her patience is running out over their failure to clamp down on jihadi groups.
Yesterday Miss Rudd said ministers could legislate so that Google, Facebook and others would face punishing fines unless they remove terrorist propaganda within a two-hour limit. She said the aim was to stop people feeling they could view extremist material 'with impunity', adding that it was 'an important step forward'.
She said most of the 11 terror attacks successful and thwarted against the UK in the past year had 'some sort of digital element'.
The Government is concerned easy access to terrorist propaganda and guides online is radicalising vulnerable individuals.
Miss Rudd added: 'This is an absolutely critical element, we believe, of creating the dangerous terrorists we have been receiving attacks from.'
Salman Abedi reportedly used extremist websites to learn how to build the explosive device that killed 22 people at a pop concert in Manchester in May.
Miss Rudd said: 'I want to make sure those who view despicable terrorist content online including jihadi websites, far-right propaganda and bomb making instructions face the full force of the law.
'There is currently a gap in the law around material which is viewed or streamed from the internet without being permanently downloaded.
'This is an increasingly common means by which material is accessed online for criminal purposes, and is a particularly prevalent means of viewing extremist material. Changes will enable police and the security service to intervene earlier in an investigation given the speed with which online radicalisation is taking place.'
A day after the London Bridge attacks in June, which killed eight, an ISIS manual was being circulated on Google and Twitter. Pictured, people flee from the scene by London Bridge
A day after Khalid Masood (pictured) murdered four and injured more than 50 outside Parliament, terror handbooks were available on Google and Twitter
Of the tougher sentence for terrorists who the target the military and police, Miss Rudd said: 'Now the message that comes out from Daesh [IS] is 'be a hero in the country that you are' and then often it says targeting policemen and armed forces. That is why we are stepping up the penalties.'
Figures show that in the first eight months of this year 44,000 web links to IS propaganda were created and shared.
Miss Rudd said tech firms must do 'much, much more' to combat jihadist material.
The Home Secretary told how a senior tech executive had dismissed her calls to remove terror content because it would hit profit margins.
Miss Rudd added: 'When they say there isn't a business case for this I would say, 'That is a completely unacceptable answer. We are talking about human lives.'
Twitter spokesman Nick Pickles said: 'The technology simply isn't there where you can flick a switch and go, this algorithm will find more terrorists online We are just not there yet.'
A crime expert has warned Sunday night's horrific massacre in Las Vegas could be followed by a copycat attack.
Associate Professor of Criminology at Bond University Dr Wayne Petherick said the 'contagion effect' is to blame for one in six mass shootings.
Perpetrators of such attacks can be driven by a desire for fame, Dr Petherick told Andrew Bolt on Sky News.
Scroll down for video
A crime expert (pictured) has warned Sunday night's horrific massacre in Las Vegas could be followed by a copycat attack
Associate Professor of Criminology at Bond University Dr Wayne Petherick said the 'contagion effect' is to blame for one in six mass shootings (pictured is Stephen Paddock, the perpetrator of the Las Vegas mass shooting)
'If your thing is becoming famous and you see this guy's name repeated ad nauseam in every news outlet in virtually every country around the world you see this as a good or a valid way to become famous, to go down in history,' he said.
'So that increases the likelihood of that happening. The research on this is actually pretty clear and these type of events do actually spawn other events.'
Dr Petherick said the risk of another shooting increased immediately after a mass shooting such as the one in Las Vegas.
Perpetrators of such attacks can be driven by a desire for fame, Dr Petherick (pictured, right) told Andrew Bolt (pictured, left)
The effect can be seen on both school shootings and workplace shootings, and means roughly one in six shootings in triggered by a previous one.
'There's basically a one to five effect, so for every five shootings we see an added shooting on that,' the crime expert said.
For workplace shootings the contagion effect is even stronger - responsible for one shooting for every three others.
'There's basically a one to five effect, so for every five shootings we see an added shooting on that,' the crime expert said (pictured is the scene of the Las Vegas mass shooting)
The Poynter Institute recommends media outlets avoid glorifying mass shooters and naming them too often in order to minimize the impact of the contagion effect.
Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire on a crowd of people from his hotel room in Las Vegas, killing 58 and injuring 527 more on Sunday night before shooting himself dead.
His motives for carrying out the attack are yet to be determined.
A man in Switzerland received anonymous threats after flying a Jack Daniel's flag outside his house - because his neighbours confused the Tennessee whiskey brand's logo for that of ISIS.
The man, 29, of Italian background, came home to a threatening note in the mail after displaying the a flag with the Jack Daniel's logo in Zurich, Switzerland's biggest city.
The letter was signed by 'concerned neighbours', who according to local media wrote they would put the man and his girlfriend under watch.
Big mistake: The man hung a flag like this one outside his home, which his neighbours confused for the black flag of ISIS
The man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'I hung it up, because I found it funny.'
However, the joke was completely lost on his neighbours who mistook the famous logo of the Tennessee distiller for the black-and-white ISIS flag.
It read: 'Should we be afraid of you? First the Italian flag and now the black flag of death.'
He said: 'I was completely flabbergasted when I read it.'
Easily confused? This is the flag of the Islamic State, which the neighbours confused with the logo of American whiskey distiller Jack Daniel's
The man said he does not know who exactly wrote the letter.
He said: 'I talked to the neighbours but no-one knows anything about it.
'We want to address the responsible person or persons. When it is wrongly told that we are supporters of ISIS, it is defamation.'
Removing the Jack Daniels flag is completely out of the question, according to the man, as 'then we would prove them right'.
The Zurich cantonal police said that in such cases after receiving an anonymous note it is recommended to inform the police.
Emma Green (pictured), 35, from Leicester, said her hen party was 'ruined' after her group of friends were forced off a flight to Magaluf over their novelty T-shirts in May
A hen party, kicked off a flight for wearing 'b*tches on tour' t-shirts, has been caught up in the aftermath of the Las Vegas shootings - while on a holiday funded by Sir Richard Branson.
The women hit headlines when they were refused entry to a flight to Majorca from East Midlands Airport in May, for bride-to-be Emma Green's hen do.
They were subsequently offered a free trip to Vegas by the Virgin founder and ended up in a hotel just a mile from Sunday's massacre.
During the fatal attack, where at least 59 were killed and over 527 hurt, they had to take refuge inside.
A member of the group said: 'It's been so very scary we can see it all unfolding from our hotel window.
'Our hotel was on lock down and we were told to stay in the rooms. It's awful.'
They are believed to be staying in The Tropicana Hotel and it is unclear how many of the original 18 made the trip.
The attack, which was near the Mandalay Bay, was one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern American history.
Gunman Stephen Paddock, 64, fired shots down on a crowd of 22,000 people attending an outdoor country music concert.
A spokesman for Virgin Holidays said: 'Our hearts go out to everyone involved in the shooting in Las Vegas and the safety of our customers is our top priority.
'Our in resort teams are working hard to contact all customers to account for their whereabouts and ensure their safety.
'We will look to move any affected customers to alternative accommodation and any customers who wish to discuss their Las Vegas travel plans should contact Virgin Holidays directly on 0344 557 8820.'
The women hit headlines when they were refused entry to a flight to Majorca from East Midlands Airport in May
They are believed to be staying in The Tropicana Hotel and it is unclear how many of the original 18 made the trip
A woman cries while hiding inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after the mass shooting on Sunday
On some days Paddock spent more than $30,000, and on others more than $20,000, according to an individual who had seen Paddock's Multiple Currency Transaction Reports. Pictured: The scene of the nightmare in Vegas
Paddock (seen here in an undated photo) made a fortune in real estate, his brother said. He seemed an unremarkable man, aside from a heavy gambling habit - and didn't even have a traffic violation on his Nevada criminal record
Earlier this year, Emma Green, 35, said her hen party was 'ruined' when Jet2 refused to let her and her friends on their flight.
After this the Virgin supremo personally stepped in and offered to send them away on a complimentary trip to the USA.
Sir Branson said the incident reminded him of the obscenity court case he faced in 1977 when he released the Sex Pistols single Never Mind The B******s.
He said: 'When we released the Sex Pistols' classic record, we were arrested over its colourful title.
'We want to help these ladies, 40 years on, enjoy their hen do after they were kicked off their flight over a word on their T-shirts.'
Investigators load bodies from the scene of the mass shooting on Monday; the mass shooting that occurred on Sunday is the deadliest in American history
Police block the roads leading to the Mandalay Hotel, where mass murderer Stephen Paddock fired on thousands of people
Hundreds of people gather for a vigil on the Las Vegas strip for the victims of the Route 91 Harvest country music festival massacre
In May, the hen party group allegedly cheered on as one of their friends stripped off at East Midlands Airport before boarding their flight to Magaluf.
The group also aimed 'colourful language' at airline staff before boarding their flight, said Jet2.
They were then thrown off the plane after staff claimed some of the women had continued to behave badly.
Sir Richard Branson, head of airline Virgin Atlantic, later offered the party a free flight to Las Vegas.
The company gave an account of events it said led to its decision to remove the party from the flight for wearing what it called were 'offensive' t-shirts.
Sir Richard Branson, head of airline Virgin Atlantic, later offered the party a free flight to Las Vegas
It removed the group of 18 women from a flight to Majorca with bride-to-be Emma Green saying her hen party trip had been ruined by Jet2's decision to eject the group before the flight departed for Palma.
The women had to pay for new flights and ended up travelling from different airports across the country.
At the time, Jet2 said the group were asked to either wear different attire or cover up the offensive language, and were reminded of this on 'numerous occasions', including by the airport police while in the departures area.
In a new later statement posted on the airline's website, Jet2 claimed that as well as ignoring repeated warnings to remove the t-shirts or cover them up, the hen party engaged in 'rowdy behaviour'.
The statement said: 'Disruptive and offensive behaviour takes many forms and we believe that the language displayed last week on the hen party' t-shirts, coupled with their rowdy behaviour was unacceptable for a family friendly airline.
'The decision to remove some members of the group from the flight wasn't just about one offensive word on the t-shirts.
'It was also about the lack of consideration and repeated failures to follow important instructions given by our staff, crew and airport police to ensure others wouldn't be offended.
'It was about common decency and a lack of respect for fellow travellers.'
The airline said the hen party was first warned about the t-shirts when they checked in.
A friend of Russia's 'cannibal couple' met women on dating websites and then passed on their details to the pair who killed and ate them, police believe.
Suspected killer Dmitry Baksheev and his wife Natalia, from Krasnodar, were held after the discovery of body parts in their fridge and freezer and pickled human remains.
Police have detained Baksheev's close associate Roman Sidorov and are said to have suggested during interrogations that he was an accomplice to the pair.
A friend of Russia's suspected 'cannibal couple', Dmitry Baksheev (pictured) and his wife Natalia, met women on dating websites and then passed on their details to the pair who then killed and ate them, it has been claimed
Suspected killer Dmitry Baksheev and his wife Natalia (pictured together), from Krasnodar, were held after the discovery of body parts in their fridge and freezer and pickled human remains
Baksheev and his wife were arrested after human remains were found at their home including those belonging to their 'last victim' Elena Vashrusheva, a 35-year-old waitress.
Natalia Baksheeva, 42, is then reported to have confessed to state investigators that the couple had killed up to 30 people including women lured after going on dates arranged through a lonely hearts websites.
They have since denied this to human rights visitors to their cells, but admit to killing and dismembering the waitress.
Today it was revealed that Dmitry Baksheev, 35, also went by the nickname 'Devil' while 27-year-old Sidorov was known as 'Angel'.
Sidorov's lawyer Alexey Avanesyan disclosed details of his client's interrogation by six investigators, giving a revealing insight into how police view the gruesome case.
Police have now detained Baksheev's close associate Roman Sidorov and are said to have suggested during interrogations that he was an accomplice to the pair. Sidorov's lawyer Alexey Avanesyan is pictured
Baksheev and his wife were arrested after human remains were found at their home (pictured) including those belonging to their 'last victim' Elena Vashrusheva, a 35-year-old waitress
They suspect 'Angel searched for victims on dating websites and later passed them to Devil for massacre,' it was reported.
'They tried to force him to say that he was involved in the murder,' said the lawyer, denying Sidorov - who worked with Baksheev repairing flats - was in any way involved.
'The criminal psychologist asked him: 'What's your nickname? Angel, is that true?'
'"Yes," said Sidorov. I see, so we have an Angel and a Devil, you were in this together,' said the psychologist.
'Then they said; "You are a handsome guy, you must have found those girls for Dmitry, raped them and later you killed them and utilized the bodies?"
'Sidorov said: "Why do you think so? Am I an idiot? I would have never done anything like this. I can't believe that Dmitry did such a thing".
'Then the psychologist started shouting that they got him, they understand the roles, and finally told him that Dmitry's wife had already given evidence against him.'
The lawyer said that Sidorov had shown police a flat that he and Baksheev were repairing.
Natalia Baksheeva (pictured), 42, is reported to have confessed to state investigators that the couple had killed up to 30 people including women lured after going on dates arranged through a lonely hearts websites
It was here that Baksheev had taken selfies of himself with the body of Vashrusheva who had been knifed to death by the couple in a disused block.
Avanesyan claimed that his client is being intimidated by detectives, and was not involved.
Police deny that Sidorov is listed as a suspect but he has been detained for separate administrative offences.
'Nobody has brought charges against him,' said Avanesyan.
But he is treated 'like a suspect' and quizzed each day.
The jars found in the couple's home contained the pickled body parts of Elena Vashrusheva
'They threaten to put him into a cell where he can be raped, and another investigator promised to call the owners of the flat he was repairing to organise fraud charges against him. They are putting pressure on him.
'He is not withholding any information. He is telling everything about his contacts with the couple.'
He admitted that his client and Baksheev were 'best friends' and had known each other since Sidorov was 14.
They had been previously convicted together for carrying out a robbery.
'My client insists that he had no idea about strange perversions of his friend and surely was not an accomplice in the murder,' he said.
'He has agreed to be tested by a lie detector.'
Avanesyan claimed his client is 'in a dangerous situation now'.
'Natalia can point her finger at him, Baksheev may hang himself in the cell - as often happens - and all the evidence will be against him.'
Bakseeva has complained that she has been mocked by fellow inmates taunting her: 'Did you eat enough human meat?'
Her husband Dmitry Bakseev, 35, is kept in solitary confinement amid fears he will be 'beaten' by other detainees.
The couple lived at a military academy and she is alleged to have cooked pies made of suspected human meat for trainee pilots.
The pair from Kransodar city confessed to murdering the waitress 'in a fit of jealously' after Natalia accused her of seeking to seduce her husband.
A lawyer accused of killing a 91-year-old great grandfather on a zebra crossing wept in court today as she told how she knelt by him in the road and said Im sorry.
Charlotte Griffiths, 26, crashed into father-of-five Basant Lal Sharma as she drove her blue Ford Fiesta to work at a solicitors office in Wanstead, east London.
Giving evidence at the Old Bailey she insisted the zebra crossing on the high street was clear as she approached it at around 8.50am on 31 May 2016.
Charlotte Griffiths, 26, pictured, denied causing the death of Basant Lal Sharma, 91, by careless driving and told the Old Bailey the zebra crossing where she collided with him was 'clear when she approached it'
She claimed she did not see Mr Sharma until she heard the impact and immediately braked.
Griffiths said: If I had seen a man standing there I would have stopped. He wasnt on the crossing.
He must have been coming from behind the tree, thats the only explanation for it.
Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay suggested that Mr Sharma could not have magically leapt from behind the tree to the middle of the carriageway in the time it took her to reach the crossing.
Mr Polnay said: You cannot have been paying proper attention.
Griffiths replied: Im saying it was clear when I approached it.
She added: The first I knew was the bang.
Mr Sharma hit his head on the ground and suffered fatal head injuries.
Griffiths told the jury: I went into meltdown and panicking.
I didnt know what was going on, he was lying on the floor and I was kneeling down next to him. I just kept saying Im sorry.
The blood started coming from his nose and I just started screaming.
Great-grandfather Mr Lal Sharma hit his head on the ground after the crash and sustained fatal injuries
Griffiths, then 24, told police officers at the scene she had no idea how the accident happened.
When told Mr Sharma had died, she said: Oh my God, I killed somebodys dad.
The court heard Griffiths got her driving licence at age 17 and has no previous convictions, cautions or penalty points.
The Old Bailey also heard Griffiths claimed to be driving between 10-15mph in the 30mph zone at the time of the crash and there is no suggestion she was going too fast.
Griffiths, of Ockendon Road, Upminster, Essex, denies one count of causing death by careless driving.
The trial continues.
A county court judge has been left baffled after a man has claimed the court has no jurisdiction over him because he 'doesn't exist'.
The strange claim, made by Gregory Norman Francis, was made as he faced Judge Barbara Cotterell over charges of criminal damage and making threats to kill.
Francis remained silent, claiming he would speak until he was 'correctly addressed' by his 'right' name, which is 'Man Living In Body'.
Gregory Norman Francis refused to answer a judge until he was called 'Man Living In Body'
When he was told he'd be facing two trials over the space of a week, he refused and said 'I don't accept that' and 'that's not my name'.
He then submitted into evidence a slew of identification pieces all bearing the name 'Man Living In Body', according to the Herald Sun.
The ID documents included a Miner's Right, MasterCard and Medicare card - as well as claims that Centrelink also acknowledged his preferred name.
County Court Judge Barbara Cotterell has agreed to a compromise with Gregory Francis
In an attempt to calm the man, Judge Cotterell asked that the name 'Man Living In Body' be linked to the court file belonging to 'Gregory Francis'.
When the accused man demanded to know the name of the man on trial, the judge replied, 'Gregory Francis, also known as Man Living In Body.'
Now that a compromise has been reached, the case is due to go to trial next month.
A father from China was horrified when he discovered that his child's new school uniform was made from hospital bed linen.
The uniform which was priced at 400 yuan (45) was bizarrely labeled with characters which only appear in hospital.
The parent, from northwest China's Gansu Province, posted on social media site Weibo with concerns that his child's uniform was not hygienic and could be contaminated with diseases.
Symbolic: The photo clearly shows the distinctive Red Cross logo on the material pocket Recycled material (left). The Chinese character for 'people' is clearly displayed(right)
The father, whose screen name is 'Jamhall', posted on his page on September 27 that he 'can't believe the pockets were made from hospitals' old bed sheets and quilt covers.'
He added: 'Parents are very concerned about these health and hygiene matters, whether the material has been disinfected or sterilised, and if it has any major infectious diseases'.
Concerned: The parent posted on Weibo with fears that his child's uniform was not hygienic
He posted photos highlighting, the word, 'people', as well as the Red Cross logo.
On September 30, the local education bureau responded following 'an urgent investigation,'
They said the uniform manufacturer had taken into account the high usage rate of pockets by high school students and tried to use a more durable and sturdy fabric.
They discovered that the Third People's Hospital of Lanzhou happened to have excess bed sheet fabric, which could make suitable material for clothing, especially pockets.
Home: The netizen and his family live in Lanzhou, Gansu Province in north-west China
The bureau reported that they inspected two bed sheet samples from the hospital.
There were health concerns that the uniforms were from recycled waste bed sheets from the hospital, but results indicated the fabrics had never been used before.
The next day, the bureau also declared through its Weibo account that the school's director had been suspended.
Both, the school principal and the responsible official at the education bureau have been reprimanded.
Additionally, the bureau decided to dismiss the cooperation the uniform manufacturer, Gansu Ruyi Garment Co. Ltd.
The bureau recommended including it in the government procurement blacklist for at least three years.
News / National
by Staff reporter
Zanu-PF could be headed for a devastating split ahead of the tricky 2018 synchronised elections, laden with tribal rumblings among party faithfuls belonging to minority Shona tribes, the Daily News can report.Indicative of the noxious fallout between hitherto comrades-in-arms in Zanu-PF was Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa's uncharacteristic weekend speech, daring his nemesis in the ruling party.The 75-year-old vice president stepped out of character on Saturday to hit out at his critics in the deeply-divided party, in sweeping remarks that did not appear to spare President Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace.The first couple has made it abundantly clear that they want a root-and-branch shake-up of Masvingo province to uproot dissenting voices campaigning for a change of guard at State House in favour of Mnangagwa.Masvingo - along with the Midlands province - are bedrocks of support for the Team Lacoste faction, which is rallying behind a Mnangagwa presidency.Addressing party supporters in Gutu on Saturday, Mnangagwa clearly broke ranks with the powers-that-be in Zanu-PF by coming out of his shell, and leaping to the defence of his allies who have been sanctioned for trying to create two centres of power in the ruling party.In his address at the late Masvingo Provincial Affairs minister Shuvai Mahofa's memorial service, the embattled vice president urged his supporters in Masvingo to stand by one of their own and never be swayed by their foes."People of Masvingo should not be intimidated. You should continue doing what we have been doing because there is nothing wrong with supporting one of your own. The province deserves respect," said Mnangagwa, while speaking in a veiled tone."Let me tell you a little story but one which is big to those that can discern. It is the province of Masvingo which asked the party leadership to declare Mai Mahofa a national hero. It is only those you work closely with who can bear witnesses for you, not those from other provinces, so stay with your people so that tomorrow, they will bear witnesses for you," he added.This is the first time that Mnangagwa has made such an open declaration of war against the rival Generation 40 (G40) faction ever since his name started featuring in succession debates more than two decades ago.Masvingo, just like his own home province, Midlands, is dominated by the Karanga ethnic groups which Mnangagwa identifies with.Both provinces are rallying behind Mnangagwa to succeed Mugabe, although there are pockets of resistance from G40 proponents in the two regions.Having been described as a calculative character who keeps cards to his chest, Mnangagwa's weekend statements have placed the ball squarely in Mugabe's court and many are waiting how he will react to his deputy's daring pronouncements.Analysts were almost unanimous yesterday that with none of the factions fighting to succeed Mugabe willing to make concessions, Zanu-PF could be headed towards a calamitous split.Before his death in October last year, one of the country's iconic revolutionaries, Cephas Msipa, predicted a possible breakaway by disgruntled Zanu-PF members unless Mugabe decisively deals with the factionalism.Msipa, who was a key player in the Unity Accord negotiations between Zanu-PF and-PF Zapu in 1987, said factionalism linked to succession was rendering the party dysfunctional.Political scientist Ibbo Mandaza believes there is no turning back now in the war."The fallout is now complete," declared Mandaza."It might be that he (Mnangagwa) has dismissed himself. Mnangagwa could not take more of the salvos targeting him. The attacks aimed at him in Bindura (at a Zanu-PF rally last month) were too much and then recently he was described as a traitor after the order of Judas Iscariot. He probably feels that enough is enough. He has been under pressure from his supporters who have been demanding that he stands up and be counted and now he has gone for broke. It could be the beginning of a real split. This signals a clean break," said Mandaza.Mandaza said while Mnangagwa cannot be blamed for his stance, it was unfortunate that he has decided to go ethnic."One cannot blame him for that (speaking out). What is unfortunate is that he has decided to take an ethnic stand. It cannot be doubted that Mugabe has always promoted the interests of his Zezuru ethnicity, but you cannot answer ethnicity with ethnicity. He needed to have taken a completely national approach. If you say Masvingo is sovereign, then you are answering perceived tribalism with assertive tribalism," Mandaza said.Political analyst Maxwell Saungweme said Mnangagwa could have realised that by keeping quiet he might go down in the same way his predecessor Joice Mujuru did.The former vice president was dismissed from Zanu-PF in December 2014 after an unrelenting onslaught triggered by the first lady in September of the same year.Mujuru had tried to hold her peace against the verbal tirade and when she started to return fire with fire, it just made the situation untenable for her.Her downfall also cost the political careers of several of her acolytes, through outright dismissals and suspensions for varying periods."That he (Mnangagwa) is now speaking out show cheekiness and the valour that's required to stand up to Mugabe and his wife. This is a new beginning to an interminable, drama-filled succession tussle in Zanu-PF. I think it's time that the real Mnangagwa rise up and speak out, and he is doing just that," said Saungweme."He has to continue, otherwise he loses his supporters from war veterans and (other allies) who have been systematically been purged by G40 machinations. His speaking out will perturb Mugabe, but it's necessary for both implosion of Zanu-PF and progress for the country. If we had a solid opposition, they would capitalise on this to wrestle power from Zanu-PF," he added.Political analyst Rashweat Mukundu said Mnangagwa will obviously not be a pushover owing to his support base in the civil service."Unlike Mujuru who was an easy push over, ED (Mnangagwa) has deeper roots in the State machinery that is civil service and security and will not be an easy pushover. What will settle matters is a decisive move by Mugabe to dismiss ED and right now I doubt. Bid his time . . . raise the cost of dismissal for Mugabe hence talk of another bhora musango," Mukundu said.The Daily News reported recently that Mugabe already has a lot of homework to do ahead of next year's decisive polls after it emerged that allies of Mnangagwa have hatched an improved version of the 2008 Bhora Musango strategy to shipwreck his re-election bid.This came after relations in the ruling party had become strained following the suspected poisoning of Mnangagwa in August by his alleged rivals who are desperate to destroy his prospects of succeeding Mugabe (93).Since the alleged poisoning of Mnangagwa, Mugabe and his wife, Grace, have accused the Midlands and Masvingo provinces of fanning tribalism and spreading hate through false claims of witchcraft.The first family was said to have been hurt by allegations that Mnangagwa ate ice cream from their dairy firm, which was laced with poison.But the 75-year-old has issued a statement denying that he ate ice cream at the Gwanda interface rally where the alleged poison incident is said to have happened.Fresh attempts to depose the leadership of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association - the central piece Mnangagwa's jig-saw puzzle - have inflamed the discord.In 2008, in a rebellion which is said to have been led by officials loyal to Mujuru and her late husband Solomon - and which came to be known as Bhora Musango - MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai beat Mugabe and Zanu-PF hands down in that year's historic, albeit hotly-disputed polls.In that election, Mujuru's supporters voted for their Members of Parliament but sabotaged the Zanu-PF leader.However, the results of the elections were withheld for six long weeks by stunned authorities, amid widespread allegations of ballot tampering and fraud, which were later revealed by former Zanu-PF bigwigs.In the ensuing sham presidential run-off, which authorities claimed was needed to determine the winner, Zanu-PF apparatchiks engaged in a murderous orgy of violence in which hundreds of Tsvangirai's supporters were killed in cold blood, forcing the former prime minister in the inclusive government to withdraw from the discredited race altogether.Mugabe went on to stand in a widely-condemned one-man race in which he declared himself the winner.However, the Southern African Development Community and the rest of the international community would have none of it, forcing Mugabe to share power with Tsvangirai for five years to prevent the country from imploding completely.Mukundu said what is happening in the ruling party was a sign that the Zanu-PF factional fights will only be over until one of the factions is totally vanquished."As things stand, Lacoste is fighting back and until Mugabe dismisses ED from the party, then we must expect a continued push back by Lacoste," he said.Political analyst Vivid Gwede warned that if he tries to be defiant, Mnangagwa would run the succession race with a big limp since Mugabe holds the advantage of being the appointing authority both in government and in Zanu-PF."So while he is attacked directly by the first family, he can only box their shadow by attacking G40. His allies, including in the army, are appointees and any extra-legal challenge to Mugabe's power can be suicidal," Gwede."But Mugabe is equally hamstrung for now because he cannot anything drastic that completely side-lines Mnangagwa and his allies before the elections otherwise the sabotage campaign Bhora Mudziva can become full swing. Yet, if Mnangagwa and his allies allow themselves to be shepherded into the post-election season, they will be most likely dead men walking politically and since it has started ticking, Mnangagwa and his allies most likely know of this time bomb," he said.Journalist Hopewell Chin'ono said Mnangagwa has no other choice but to fight to avoid being drowned by the G40 faction."He will survive and be triumphant if he has the security sector with him, but that sector is not homogenous. This is a turning point because ED has never talked back publicly; it's a realisation that his fate is sealed if he doesn't stand up for himself and his supporters. It's not a closed case yet, but it is now a long throw for him unless he turns up the heat with action."University of Zimbabwe political science professor Eldred Masunungure said Mnangagwa's bravery was probably informed by the fact that Mugabe was unlikely to sanction wholesale purging of top leadership as it would compromise its chances of winning next year's general elections."The reality is that Zanu-PF is faction ridden from top to bottom and this time the situation is more complex than it was in 2014 when Mujuru was expelled," Masunungure explained."I do not see Mugabe punishing Mnangagwa severely at this time. He will have to be extremely judicious in dealing with him given that we are going into elections in seven to ten months. You don't want to rock the boat at this critical stage and Mnangagwa is alive to this fact, remember he has been Mugabe's election agent in the last two controversial general elections," he said.
En route to Puerto Rico Tuesday morning, President Trump lashed out at Las Vegas gunman, identified by authorities as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock.
'He's a sick man, a demented man, a lot of problems I guess and we're looking into him very, very seriously, but we're dealing with a very sick individual,' the president said.
Trump also promised reporters 'we'll be talking about gun laws as time goes by,' in the aftermath of Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas.
However, when asked about a particular piece of legislation, which would make it easier for gun owners to purchase silencers, he wasn't ready to delve into specifics.
'Well talk about that later,' Trump told the journalists gathered on the South Lawn of the White House.
The president and first lady will visit Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Scroll down for video
President Trump stopped briefly to talk to reporters as he left the White House Tuesday morning to visit Puerto Rico
President Trump (left), standing alongside first lady Melania Trump (right), promised to talk about gun laws 'as time goes by,' and when asked about specific legislation he said, 'later'
President Trump (left) and first lady Melania Trump (right) are photographed walking onto the White House's South Lawn Tuesday as they leave for Puerto Rico. The Trumps will then visit Las Vegas on Wednesday
President Trump was following up on his own statements, made yesterday from the Diplomatic Reception Room, in which he called Paddock's shooting spree an 'act of pure evil.'
He was also deploying a similar tactic as his press secretary, who asked for a pause on gun control conversations as the nation mourned the Las Vegas victims, who now number 58.
'There's a time and place for a political debate, but now is the time to unite as a country,' urged Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders from the White House podium on Monday. 'There is currently an open and ongoing law enforcement investigation, a motive has yet to be determined and it would be premature for us to discuss policy when we don't fully know all the facts or what took place.'
While the National Rifle Association's social media accounts have gone silent, calls for better gun control measures are coming from across the aisle.
From within Congress, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., has been the most vocal, as he was the congressman representing Newtown, Connecticut, during the December 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, in which 20 children were mowed down, along with six adults.
On Morning Joe Tuesday, Murphy said the administration's stalling tactic came straight from the gun lobby's playbook.
'Listen, I think it's a very convenient tool of the gun lobby to say that there's got to be a 24, 48 hour window waiting period before we start talking about change,' he said on MSNBC.
'The fact of the matter is the whole country's focused on why this happened and the reality is that much of it is rooted in the evil inside this one individual, but much of it is rooted in our laws which allowed him to get his hands on weapons that are illegal in almost any other civilized country,' Murphy added.
He had said Monday that he planned to introduce a universal background checks bill as a rallying point for Democrats to get behind.
Host Willie Geist, however, asked Murphy what specific laws could have prevented the Las Vegas shooting spree.
Murphy pointed to the ending of the federal assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004.
'Let's just be clear that the pace of these epic mass shootings, 10 or more people being killed, doubles after the assault weapons ban expired, that's not a coincidence,' Murphy said.
The four deadliest shootings in US history, with the Vegas slaughter now sitting at the top, all happened post-2004.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., advocated for stronger gun control laws, arguing that the country needed to be thinking about 'evergreen' measures like universal background checks, along with prohibitions that could have prevented fewer casualties in Las Vegas
Last year's Pulse nightclub shooting is now second, followed by the 2007 mass shooting on the campus at Virginia Tech, in which 32 were killed, followed by the 2012 incident at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Murphy also said the Congress should look into 'after market modifications,' which make guns more deadly, turning semiautomatics weapons into automatics ones.
The Connecticut Democrat also took issue with Geist's question, saying that the gun lobby only wants to talk about 'policy changes that would have affected the shooting that happened the day before.'
'We have to get back to evergreen changes,' Murphy urged.
'Background checks is still the most likely piece of legislation to get passed through Congress because it enjoys widespread public approval and, frankly, probably is most dispositive on the amount of gun violence that happens every day,' he said.
But returning to Sandy Hook, Murphy wondered if the military-grade weapons at murderer Adam Lanza's disposal enticed him into planning the attack.
'In Newtown we ask ourselves whether Adam Lanza would have ever walked into that school if he didn't have tactical weaponry,' Murphy said. 'There's a false, bizarre kind of courage that comes with attaching yourself to these kinds of powerful weapons and there is a question of whether these shooters would ever take a position if all they had was a pistol instead of a dangerous, military-style weapon.'
A baby girl has been born in China together with a mysterious object that looked like a gemstone, a hospital has claimed.
Doctors at the Tiantai People's Hospital were baffled when they found what they called 'a piece of beautiful jade' inside a first-time mother during a recent caesarean section.
The baby was born after the round and yellow object had rolled out of the mother, according to a spokesperson from the hospital.
Doctors in China were shocked when they found what appeared to be a gemstone (pictured) inside a woman during a C-section. The doctors described it as 'a piece of beautiful jade'
Pang Guiping, the Associate Chief Physician at the hospital, was said to be shocked when she saw the semi-transparent object falling out of her patient during the regular C-section in Taizhou City, eastern China's Zhejiang Province.
Dr. Pang said that upon discovering the unusual mass, she and her colleagues observed the patient carefully for a while and didn't notice any other abnormality.
'Then we decided to carry on with the operation, and very quickly a healthy and adorable baby girl was born,' said Dr. Pang in a statement.
The object appeared to be yellow and translucent. It was said to measure 4cm (1.57 inches) long, 5cm (1.97 inches) wide and 0.5cm (0.2 inches) thick.
A healthy baby girl was born at the Tiantai People's Hospital in eastern China's Zhejiang Province after the doctors found no other abnormality in the mother (file photo)
Although the doctors described it as 'a piece of beautiful jade', they also said that the object felt soft and contained liquid inside.
After discussion, the doctors thought it was a 'peritoneal loose body'.
This is a mass that is thought to form when epiploic appendages - pouches of fat wrapped in the colon's membrane - are twisted away, so they become detached and loose.
They transform into fibrous lumps and become calcified.
According to doctors from Tiantai People's Hospital, once a 'peritoneal loose body' is formed, it could move around in a person's abdomen.
That is why it rolled out from the mother's belly when she underwent a C-section.
In 2015, a man, 62, had a giant 10cm long 'boiled' egg inside him (left) which doctors removed. They dyed it with green ink to reveal the calcified proteinous layer in the centre (right)
According to New England Journal of Medicine, a 62-year-old man was found to have a giant 'peritoneal loose body' resembling the shape of a boiled egg in 2015.
The lump measured 10cm long (four inches) and was later removed by the doctors in an operation.
The peritoneal loose bodies often have no symptoms when they are small.
But when large enough, they can obstruct the bowel, block the bladder and cause retention of urine.
According to the same journal, doctors have said that any giant loose mass more than 5cm (1.97 inches) wide is rare, and there are only a few reports in medical literature.
An Adelaide woman discovered a potentially deadly 60-year-old grenade in her garage
A Woodville South resident got the shock of her life when a light cleaning session turned into a visit from the bomb squad.
Ann Killen was cleaning out the back room of her house on Glen Rowan St when she discovered a hand-held grenade.
The discovery of the explosive device prompted the Adelaide woman to call the police.
Ms Killen assumed the grenade was the property of a former partner.
She told The Advertiser that she 'foolishly' picked up the device.
'It was heavy and still had a pin in it so how I was supposed to know whether it was live?' she asked.
Ms Killen called the police, who then summoned military bomb disposal experts to dispose of the potentially deadly weapon.
One army soldier and one member of the air force attended the property and advised Ms Killen to avoid the backyard until they had analysed the device.
They confirmed that the device was now inert, but was originally live before the explosive charges were removed to make it a training device some decades ago.
The grenade, which had holes drilled through it, is thought to be more than 60 years old.
The discovery of the explosive device in her garage prompted Ms Killen to call the police
One of the military personnel who attended the Woodville South property said that grenade used to be a popular souvenir for cadets to take home.
'Lots of veterans and ex service men have them and they are quite common in deceased estates,' he said.
However, caution is urged when dealing with grenades, as they were 'designed to kill' and 'are not toys'.
Las Vegas hospitals continue to be overwhelmed with patients after hundreds of wounded swarmed the medical facilities within minutes of the horror deadly shooting.
From the walking wounded to the barely alive, doctors say the victims just kept coming in droves on Sunday night and well into Monday morning.
The victims were arriving in private cars and in ambulances that were backed up four or five deep as family members flooded the hospitals desperately searching for their injured loved ones.
Some of the injured even trekked six miles to get medical help.
From the walking wounded to the barely alive, doctors say the victims just kept arriving at hospital in droves on Sunday night and well into Monday morning
First responders desperately tried to treat people at the scene of the Las Vegas shooting Sunday night. Ambulances were backed up four or five deep at hospitals in the area
'I have no idea who I operated on,' said Dr. Jay Coates, a trauma surgeon whose hospital took in many of the wounded after a gunman opened fire from a Las Vegas hotel window on a country concert below.
'They were coming in so fast, we were taking care of bodies. We were just trying to keep people from dying.'
As Sunday night led to Monday morning, the attack became the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history with 58 killed and 527 wounded.
University Medical Center of Southern Nevada was one of many hospitals that were overflowing. Patients also flooded other Vegas area hospitals, including Sunrise Hospital and St. Rose Dominican.
Doctors remain in overdrive with more surgeries to be carried out on Tuesday.
Tales of heroism and compassion emerged quickly as the healthy carried bleeding victims off the grounds (above) and strangers drove victims to hospitals in their own cars
People assist a wounded woman by carrying her through the nearby Tropicana hotel after the mass shooting
'Every bed was full,' Coates said. 'We had people in the hallways, people outside and more people coming in.'
He said the huge, horrifying wounds on his operating table that told him it wasn't just the massive numbers that made this shooting different.
'It was very clear that the first patient I took back and operated on that this was a high-powered weapon,' Coates said. 'This wasn't a normal street weapon. This was something that did a lot of damage when it entered the body cavity,' Coates said.
He said he had seen similar wounds before but 'of course never this many patients'.
The gunman, 64-year-old retired accountant Stephen Paddock, killed himself as authorities stormed his hotel room.
He had 23 guns - some with scopes - in the room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino where he had been staying since Thursday. He knocked out two windows to create sniper's perches he used to rain torrents of bullets on the crowd of 22,000 some 500 yards away.
Investigators load bodies from the scene of the mass shooting on Monday; the mass shooting that occurred on Sunday is the deadliest in American history
Hundreds of people started lining up (above) before the sun even rose on Monday to donate blood at a number of banks in the Vegas area
At Paddock's home, authorities found 19 more guns, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Also, several pounds of ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer that can be turned into explosives, were in his car.
Tales of heroism and compassion emerged quickly as the healthy carried bleeding victims off the grounds and strangers drove victims to hospitals in their own cars.
Coates, the trauma surgeon, said it was not for lack of preparation that lives were lost, though with smaller numbers they might have saved more.
'I will tell you that everybody that should have lived, lived,' Coates said.
'The ones that we lost, I think if they had been the only patients coming through the door that we would have been able to save them.
Authorities put out a call for blood donations and set up a hotline to report missing people and speed the identification of the dead and wounded.
Hundreds of people started lining up before the sun even rose on Monday to donate blood at a number of banks in the Vegas area. There reports of waiting times of up to five hours to donate.
Inside the nest: The smashed windows from the suite taken out by Paddock at the Mandalay Hotel in Las Vegas from where he opened fire
The gunman, 64-year-old retired accountant Stephen Paddock, killed himself as authorities stormed his hotel room
Take Me Out star Paddy McGuinness avoided a driving ban today after star lawyer Nick 'Mr Loophole' Freeman beat the case - even though his client had previously pleaded guilty.
The 44-year-old comedian was taken to court after his personalised Land Rover was caught by a speed camera being driven at 50mph in a 40mph zone on the outskirts of Manchester in August last year.
He was later charged with failing to identify the driver of the car after he claimed he thought his car might have been in a garage at the time.
In April this year Mr McGuinness pleaded guilty and was warned he faced being banned from the roads because he would have had 12 points on his licence.
But today he brought Nick Freeman with him to Manchester Magistrates' Court, who convinced the Phoenix Nights star to change his plea to not guilty.
Mr Freeman, 61, whose previous clients have included David Beckham, Sir Alex Ferguson, Van Morrison and explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, said his client, from Prestbury, Cheshire, had moved house three times in two years and had not received a notice of intended prosecution or a reminder from police.
Take Me Out star Paddy McGuinness leaves Manchester Magistrates' Court today with Mr Loophole Nick Freeman who helped him beat a driving ban
Mr McGuinness and his wife Christine Martin (pictured) have moved house three times in two years and police failed to get the right paperwork to him, the court heard
Prosecutors then caved in and as his case was dismissed Mr McGuinness said: 'Thank you' before bending down to pick his car keys up and leaving. He did not comment after the hearing.
McGuinness formally pleaded not guilty to failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of the Land Rover.
Outside court Mr Freeman said: 'Mr McGuinness' Range Rover was caught speeding on August 8, 2016, but my client did not believe he was the driver, as his car was having some work undertaken at about that time.
'Mr McGuinness did not receive the notice of intended prosecution, nor the reminder, that were both allegedly sent to his home address.
'My client is obviously relieved to have been found not guilty.'
The saga began on August 21 last year when McGuinness's Land Rover which has a personalised number plate was caught by a speed camera on A5103 Princess Road, near Mauldeth Road West in Chorlton, Manchester.
As his case was dismissed Mr McGuinness said: 'Thank you' before bending down to pick his car keys up from under the table and leaving (pictured afterwards)
Mr Freeman told the hearing: 'The defendant allegedly was served with a notice of intended prosecution but his defence is he didn't receive it and didn't receive a reminder.
'He received a single justice procedure notice (SJPN) and he emailed the appropriate address and said 'can I have a photograph please, I'm not sure it was me because my car was in the garage'. But he never received a photograph.
'He then pleaded guilty and said the original letter must have gone missing because he moved addresses three times in two years.
'The guilty plea was accepted but it carried six penalty points and the case was adjourned to decide a period of disqualification. In the meantime after that he contacted my firm for legal advice.
'It was quite clear his plea was equivocal. He said he was guilty but had not received anything.
'Our counsel spoke to the prosecution solicitor and explained the issue which was the defendant had not received the notice of intended prosecution and a reminder and that was the issue.
'A not guilty plea was entered and the case was stood down. We wrote to the CPS by email and invited them to provide copies of any further evidence they intend to rely on. But neither myself nor my client has seen the notice of intended prosecution - at the day of trial.
'Apparently what happened was Mr McGuinness had committed an offence of speeding on August 21. He was apparently offered a speed awareness course but he hadn't heard anything from that.
The Take Me Out star appears o already have six points on his driving licence and the six extra points he faced would have led to a driving ban
'We advised the court on Wednesday last week saying we had not received any information. I arrive at court with my client without absolutely anything.
'The burden is on the Crown that he case must be prosecution led or driven. We arrive at court today and the situation is in it's very worst case. Nothing has been served and the Crown have not complied with any of their legal duties.
'My friend knows what the statutes are and what their duties are. There are various ingredients that they have not complied with. The whole purpose of having these provisions in place is to arrive at court and have everything in a proper manner to do the job properly. The system is clearly flawed. The ball is in the Crown's court. That is the position as far as the defence is concerned.
'There is no point having these rules in place if they are going to ignore the procedures and do nothing about it.
Prosecuting James Gore said: 'The police took the lead and we are instructed at the time of the trial, it's solely down to the police why these items have not been provided. There are a number of items of correspondence but it's gone to a number of email addresses - none which are the people that have been dealing with this case.
'Whilst I accept that my learned friend has been forthcoming trying to progress this matter it seems to me that that has not been received by the appropriate office. I have the documentation here, the question was he has not been served with the documentation, I don't know what the issue was.'
He added: It's a police led prosecution and if they come to trial the trial papers are sent to the CPS. The witness statement has been provided, the items in that statement are not exhibits. The witness is even here from the central ticket office.
'Whilst I accept the Crown have not provided an unused material document that doesn't go to the heart of the issue of the case. The issue is whether he received the items or not that can only be done by giving evidence.
'We have a photograph which takes us not much further because it's simply the back of the car showing its number plate. Could this matter proceed today, I can suggest it would.
'The issue has been raised he didn't receive it, it's something you're capable of working with. I've got copies of the notice of intended prosecution and the photographs I can provide him with.'
But later after magistrates retired to consider the argument Mr Gore added: 'I've taken full instruction and we offer no evidence.'
McGuinness, of Prestbury, Cheshire spoke to give his full name, address and date of birth and to formally pleading not guilty to the charge of failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of the Land Rover.
One of two snow leopard cubs born in an Ohio zoo in June is now on display.
A female cub named Dariga went on exhibit Monday with her family, according to a press release from the Toledo Zoo.
Dariga means surprise in the Kazakh language. She is said to be in good health and getting along well with her family.
The cub grew increasingly confident as she adjusted to the space Monday, particularly after her cautious mother also entered the exhibit.
Four-month-old snow leopard cub Dariga is pictured as she adjusts to being on display at the Toledo Zoo on Monday
Dariga and her brother were born on June 8. The zoo says the male cub was diagnosed with genetic anomalies.
The cub was born with several fused vertebrae in his spine, making his rear legs splay out, and giving him a flail chest.
'As soon as we did the first exam, we knew there were issues,' Toledo Zoo veterinarian Dr. Ric Berlinski told The Blade. 'His chest was very flat from top to bottom and caused displacement of his heart.'
The cub's team tried physical therapy but ultimately determined that the cub was in too much pain and needed to be euthanized.
The cubs were born to three-year-old mother Greta and four-year-old father Shishir.
'Greta's been an awesome mom from the get-go,' keeper Trudy Kuhrt said. 'She's done everything right, and we couldn't be more happy with how she's been.'
Kuhrt said Dariga likes to play with her mother's tail.
'Mom's really patient with her,' she said. 'She'll play with her for quite a while, but if she needs a break, she'll go up a little on a higher resting platform and take a break.'
Dariga weighs about 25lbs and is growing fast. She can already handle a vertical jump of 5 to 6 feet, while adults can leap 16 to 20 feet.
'She's very inquisitive,' Berlinski said. 'She likes to stalk, hunker down, then explode out at her enrichment. Snow leopards are ambush predators. She's a pistol.'
Dariga will stay with her mother for 16 to 18 months before she is transferred elsewhere to have offspring of her own.
Greta and Shishir will be placed back together and allowed to mate once Dariga moves on.
Dariga's mother Greta is pictured perched on a rock in her enclosure. Toledo zookeepers said that she is patient with Dariga but when she needs a moment alone she goes to higher ground
Dariga's father Shishir is pictured letting out a big yawn in a photo on the Zoo's Instagram
Dariga and her brother were born at the Zoo (pictured) in June. The male cub was euthanized
Both parents arrived at the Zoo last spring from Europe as part of a Species Survival Plan recommended move to breed and start a new bloodline in the United States snow leopard population.
'As snow leopards are an endangered species with a declining population, we hope the community will enjoy watching the female cub grow as much as we do and learning more about conserving this amazing species through her development,' Berlinski said in the press release.
Snow leopards are native to the mountains of central Asia. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources lists them as endangered, due mainly to retaliatory killings for preying upon farmers' livestock.
Zoo officials say climate change and human encroachment also pose threats to snow leopards' survival in the wild.
Sean Hannity lashed out at Democrats who he says are 'exploiting' the Las Vegas country music concert massacre to push for tighter gun control.
The Fox host launched into an impassioned monologue at the start of his Monday night show to chastise left-wing liberals who called for changes to the law within hours of Sunday's shooting.
Fifty nine people were killed and at least 527 were injured when millionaire gunman Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel.
Paddock had 23 guns inside the his hotel suite including legally purchased rifles which had been modified with bump stocks to automatically churn out bullets.
At his home in Mesquite, Nevada, police discovered another 19 guns and explosive devices.
His motive has not yet been established. The man shot himself before he could be brought down by a SWAT team on Sunday night.
Since the atrocity on Sunday, prolific Democrats including Hillary Clinton have spoken out against the NRA.
Hannity described their rebukes as 'despicable', 'sick' and 'beyond the pale' on Monday.
Scroll down for video
Fox News host Sean Hannity ripped into Democrats who he said were 'exploiting' the Las Vegas massacre on Sunday night by calling for tighter gun control
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com
'Democrats have rushed to politicize this tragedy in an absolutely despicable display.
'Some of these victims are still in the hospital clinging to life. We still don't have all the facts.
'Bodies weren't even in the morgue yet. Parents were at hospitals with their kids hanging on to life. None of this mattered to the left in this country.
'Their impulse to politicize this tragedy as they do other tragedies is beyond the pale they're using this tragedy. Why? To score cheap political points and push a gun control agenda.'
He held some media outlets in the same contempt and replayed segments from MSNBC, CNN and GMA during which security experts and law enforcement officials pored over the issue.
Hannity gave special mention to Hillary Clinton who tweeted early on Monday morning: 'The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots. Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get.
59 people were killed and 527 were injured in the shooting on Sunday night. It is the deadliest mass shooting in US history. Hannity said the bodies of the victims 'weren't even in the morgue' before Democrats began calling for law changes on Monday
Investigators load bodies from the scene of the mass shooting on Monday; the mass shooting that occurred on Sunday is the deadliest in American history
At 7am on Monday, around seven hours after the first shots were fired, Hillary Clinton issued these tweets saying 'grief isn't enough'
'Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again.'
On Monday night, Hannity slammed her comments as 'pathetic'.
'Clinton weighed in less than nine hours after the shooting and went deep into the gutter of politics. she says she doesn't wanna play.
'Here's my question, do they have any decency? Any thoughts about the families? We don't know the details yet but this is their initial impulse.
'I don't see it. Imagine if the president today brought up the second amendment. How would the news media int his country have reacted.'
He then listed the number of mass shootings which occurred under Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama including Sandy Hook and the Pulse nightclub shooting.
Hannity however failed to acknowledge that the same calls for gun control were made after those tragedies.
The host then appeared to suggest that if Paddock had not had access to the arsenal of weapons that he did, he would have found other means to commit the atrocity.
'We don't know the motivation of this lunatic. We know it's premeditated, we know it's evil. I could make 100 different arguments. If it wasn't a gun it would be a car or a bomb or whatever,' he said.
Within hours of the shooting on Sunday, there was discussion across the board of what President Trump's political response would be.
Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic Senator for Massachusetts, echoed Clinton's comments on Monday
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi repeated calls for a Select Committee on gun violence
Carolyn Goodman, the Independent Mayor of Las Vegas, has refrained from the subject
He vowed to address the subject later on Tuesday as he left the White House for Puerto Rico which is still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.
On Monday morning, Clinton fired off three tweets on the subject. She began by offering her prayers to the victims of the shooting and their families, then swiftly turned her attention to the NRA and its supporters.
'Las Vegas, we are grieving with youthe victims, those who lost loved ones, the responders, & all affected by this cold-blooded massacre.
'The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots. Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get.
'Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again,' she said.
The president has not addressed the issue of gun control since Sunday's shooting
Her comments were echoed by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren who, tweeting at around the same time, said: 'Thoughts & prayers are NOT enough. Not when more moms & dads will bury kids this week, & more sons & daughters will grow up without parents.
'Tragedies like Las Vegas have happened too many times. We need to have the conversation about how to stop gun violence. We need it NOW.'
Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is now calling for a Select Committee to focus on gun violence.
Rep. Mike Thompson of California, who chairs the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, went as far on Monday as to say that lawmakers were 'complicit' in the tragedies if they did nothing to change the law.
Las Vegas has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country, permitting open carry and the open sale of machine guns.
In Nevada, residents are not required to hold a license or permit to buy firearms and there is no limit to how many one person can own. It is also legal to bring guns into casinos or public places.
The gunman was 64-year-old Stephen Paddock (seen here in an undated photo) who is believed to have purchased his arsenal of weapons legally in Nevada. He shot himself before a SWAT team could get to him on Sunday night
Among the 23 weapons found inside his hotel sutite was a a Colt AR-15, a semi-automatic which costs around $1,000
An AK-47 was also found in the room with the other weapons. AKs can come with fully automatic fire functions, but it's not known if that was the case here. AKs vary in price depending on the manufacturer, but cost around $1,000
Paddock also had three of these FN-15 rifles, as well as guns made by Sig Sauer. Some of the semi-automatic guns had been fitted with bump-stocks that allow for, essentially, fully automatic fire. They're priced around $1,300
Paddock smashed out the windows of his Mandalay Bay suite for a clear shot on concert-goers
The state's Republican senator Dean Heller has held back on discussing local laws since Sunday's shooting.
Instead, he has focused his messages on where residents can give blood to help hospitalized victims.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, who is an Independent, steered clear of the topic when she spoke to CNN on Monday morning.
'What we need to do is concentrate on the beautiful lives, these innocent people. They are going to live with this forever.
'This is another sad, sad day in the world. We know we have these sick, sick people that are bound to go ahead and continue to repeat it.
'Each one of us has a responsibility to do our individual part to make it better and to stop this from happening,' she said.
Politicians are not the only ones to have weighed in on the issue of gun control since the horror unfolded.
On Monday, comedian Jimmy Kimmel - a Las Vegas native - teared up as he addressed the tragedy at the start of his show.
'I don't know why do our so-called leaders continue to allow this to happen?' he asked the audience.
Megyn Kelly, who was left out of NBC News's live coverage of the massacre, is now planning to host a town hall meeting where she will ask audience members for their thoughts on how the government should respond with legislation on the topic.
Robert Yniguez, 65, of San Pedro, California, was charged on Monday with capital murder for the March 1980 killing of a young pregnant mother
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Monday filed a capital murder charge against an ex-convict accused of raping and beating to death a young pregnant woman whose nude body was discovered on a beach in 1980.
Robert Yniguez, 65, was arrested outside his San Pedro home last Thursday in connection to the 37-year-old cold case after DNA evidence found on the body of 20-year-old Teresa Broudreaux allegedly linked him to the crime.
Yniguez was scheduled to be arraigned on Monday on one count of murder with the special circumstance of murder during the commission of a rape, making him eligible for the death penalty, according to a statement from the district Attorney's Office.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's officials say Yniguez's DNA came back a match in 2013 after it was compared to evidence that had been collected at the crime scene at Malaga Cove Beach in Palos Verdes Estates.
After years of additional interviews and a review of Yniguez's criminal record, detectives said they believed they could prove their case.
Broudreaux's husband Ronnie Fematt said he never gave up hope that investigators would find his wife's killer.
Yniguez was being held on $1million bail. If convicted, he faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.
Yniguez is suspected of killing 20-year-old Teresa Broudreaux (above), a married mother who was five months pregnant with her second child
For 37 years, Fematt had been living with a burning question: Who killed his newlywed wife and their unborn child in 1980 and left her nude body on a Los Angeles County beach?
Once considered a possible suspect in the case, Fematt stood shoulder-to-shoulder Friday with Los Angeles sheriff's investigators, who announced they had finally made an arrest.
It was March of 1980 when Fematt had an argument with his wife, Teresa Broudreaux - then 20 years old and five months pregnant with their second child - and she left to go to her sister's house nearby, investigators said.
After she left her sister's home later that evening, Broudreaux was never seen alive again.
A surfer came upon Broudreaux's body, dressed only in a pair of socks, early in the morning on March 4, 1980, along the shoreline of Malaga Cove Beach (above) in Palos Verdes Estates
On March 4, 1980, a surfer discovered the lifeless body of the young wife and mother-to-be, who was found only wearing a pair of socks and was bleeding from the head.
Prosecutors concluded that Broudreaux died from blunt force trauma. She left behind a four-year-old daughter.
Detectives tried to track down any leads they could, but there were no witnesses, and before long, the case had gone cold - the records later filed away in the homicide bureau's library.
'Years later, a series of coincidences and new DNA technology produced an unexpected break in the case,' Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said.
The case was reviewed by a specialized squad that reviews unsolved cases and in 2013, investigators uncovered DNA from evidence that had been collected at the crime scene, but they wouldn't provide many details.
Broudreaux's husband Ronnie Fematt (seen right shaking hands with Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell on Friday) said he never gave up hope that investigators would find the killer
'There was nobody to hear her cry, nobody to hear her screams, nobody to help her,' Fematt said, his voice cracking, as he choked back tears
They ran the DNA sample through a database and got 'quite the hit,' sheriff's Det. Ralph Hernandez said.
The DNA alone, though, wasn't enough for detectives to prove their case.
After years of additional interviews and a review of a possible suspect's criminal record, detectives believed they could finally make a case that could stick.
Yniguez's DNA had been on file for a prior sex offense, Hernandez said.
He had been arrested in 1981 and suspected of sexually assaulting a young woman, the detective said at a news conference Friday.
Investigators uncovered DNA from evidence that had been collected at the crime scene which led to the breakthrough in the case. 'Special Bulletin' posters asking for the public's help in offering information about the case are seen above
Sheriff's officials say Yniguez's DNA was linked in 2013 to evidence that had been collected at the crime scene
But the charges were dropped when the woman stopped cooperating.
Yniguez was arrested again the next year and served eight years in prison after being convicted of rape, Hernandez said.
Since his release, Yniguez has gotten married and has been employed as a construction worker, detectives said.
Yniguez had been questioned about Broudreaux's killing several times since 2013, but when detectives came knocking on his door Thursday night, he was still surprised, Hernandez said.
The arrest was welcome news for Fematt, who said he's never given up hope that one day detectives would crack the case.
The two had met while she was working at a fast-food restaurant and were dating for a few years before they were expecting a little girl and were married.
Five months later, his wife was killed. Fematt was 23 years old at the time.
'There was nobody to hear her cry, nobody to hear her screams, nobody to help her,' Fematt said, his voice cracking, as he choked back tears.
'When she bled out, the baby died. I think of that all time.'
A heroic veteran Marine stole a truck to rescue dozens of people during the Las Vegas massacre.
Country music fan Taylor Winston, 29, was close to the stage at the Route 91 Harvest festival, Sunday, when a gunman open fire from his hotel room window, raining bullets down on the crowd below.
Winston, and his friend Jenn Lewis, immediately sprung into action to try and save lives during the shooting.
Scroll down for video
Taylor Winston, 29, (left in his Marine uniform, and right, on Facebook) stole a truck to rescue dozens of people during the Las Vegas massacre
As the tens of thousands of festival goers tried to flee, the Iraq veteran helped people scale the perimeter fence, before tearing down the fence altogether to let people escape the gunfire.
'The shots got louder and louder, closer to us and saw people getting hit, it was like we could be hit at any second,' he told CBS News. Once we got to the fence, I helped throw a bunch of people over, and got myself over.
'It was a mini war zone but we couldn't fight back.'
Seeing the hundreds of festival goers around him with gunshot wounds, and a limited number of ambulances, the former Marine Corps sergeant decided to help transport the injured to hospital.
Winston and Lewis found an unattended truck near the venue with keys still inside and used it to transport victims to the hospital.
The van was left covered in blood after Winston rushed seriously injured festival goers to hospital
Winston found this unattended truck near the venue with keys still inside and used it to transport victims to the hospital
The keys of the blood splattered truck have since been returned to its owner
'Jenn and I luckily found a truck with keys in it and started transporting priority victims to the hospital and made a couple trips and tried to help out the best we could until more ambulances could arrive,' Winston told The Daily Beast.
Winston said picking people to to take to hospital was made difficult by the sheer volume of people that needed help.
'There was just too many and it was overwhelming how much blood was everywhere.'
In two trips, Winston and Lewis were able to transport approximately two dozen people to Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center.
Now a designer for the Country Rebel social network, Winston was able to recall his military training and told his passengers to keep pressure on their wounds.
Some were in a bad way, including one woman who had been shot in the neck and chest.
People diving for cover at Route 91 Harvest country music festival where dozens were killed and injured
Horror scenes unfolded at the site of the Vegas concert where thousands were gathered
First responders and bystanders carry an injured person to an emergency station located at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Ave - one block north of the shooting
People assist a wounded woman at the Tropicana hotel, which is located close to where the Route 91 festival was being held
Winston still doesn't know which of his passengers survived.
'I can't be certain. There's a few that I don't think probably made it. They were pretty limp when we were pulling them out of the truck, but they still had a pulse, so I'm hoping for the best.'
But he does know that he saved the life of his friend's sister - who he hadn't recognized at the time due to the blood and chaos.
The friends were able to flag down a squad car while en route to the hospital, and the officer turned on the vehicle's flashers to escort them through traffic.
Winston, who joined the Marines at 17 and served two tours in Iraq before leaving in 2011, said he was grateful his military training had kicked in.
Describing the massacre as a 'mini war zone' he said he realized 'we needed to get them out of there regardless of our safety.'
The keys of the blood splattered truck have since been returned to its owner.
Many people have praised Winston as a hero for risking his life to save dozens of people.
Describing the massacre as a 'mini war zone' he said he realized 'we needed to get them out of there regardless of our safety'
Winston, who joined the Marines at 17 and served two tours in Iraq (pictured on tour) before leaving in 2011, said he was grateful his military training had kicked in
Winston (left and right) brushed off the 'hero' label, praising all the other brave souls who he saw risking their lives to save others at the worst mass shooting in American history
Jeff Johnson wrote on Facebook: 'Taylor Winston, your bravery is heroic and I'm blessed to call you my brother!! God bless you!'
'Bless your heart for doing what you did last night and putting your life on the line for strangers,' added friend Nikki O'Farrell.
While Kevin Blue said: 'Proud of Taylor Winston, Jenn Lewis, and all those who selflessly put their own lives in danger to get others to the hospital in this horrific situation. May we all unite to help those injured and less fortunate rebound as quickly as possible.'
But Winston brushed off the 'hero' label, praising all the other brave souls who he saw risking their lives to save others at the worst mass shooting in American history.
Fifty-eight people were killed, and 527 were wounded when 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, a resident of nearby Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas Village from a room across the street in the Mandalay Bay Hotel shortly after 10pm. Paddock committed suicide in the hotel room.
Medical teams at a local hospital confirmed that they had more than a dozen patients in critical condition, while two people died shortly after arrival.
News / National
by Stephen Jakes
MDC-T Zhombe Constituency has complained that a Zanu PF activist in the area has been seen working with the Registrar's office in the birth and identity particulars registration of villagers in which he was the one who took the applicants' fingerprints to Harare for processing of the documents yet he does not work for the department."It's my humble appeal to alert the registrar generals office at National level and the provincial registrar Manicaland and lastly the district registrar Chipinge. In Chipinge ward 25, ward 23 and ward 28 in wards along the border we have seen the issuing of IDs at so much of a serious level of numerical appeal of serious concern, it's so alarming. In Ward 25 at Rimai Registration centre a whopping more than 300 was issued with IDs and more than 200 were given fingerprints forms which were meant to be approved in Harare KG6 really sad, A Mr Murire took the fingerprint forms to Harare within 24 Hrs all was done for the recipients to receive their IDs," said the MDC-T."Take not a Murire is not a registrar generals office personnel but he took forms from Rimai, Manzvire, Mariya to Harare for certification of clearance. This is totally against the working system of the registrar generals office where a non-entity of the registrar general would take fingerprint forms on behalf of the registrar generals office to Harare, for interest sake this Murire was a Zanu Pf candidate in 2013 in Musikavanhu and he lost to MDC-T. So he is scurrying for would be votes which are not guaranteed anyway."The party said ward 23 and 25 these are wards along the Mozambican border are likely to have an infiltration of foreigners being given IDs in order to vote for the Zanu Pf party in 2018."I sincerely put an alarm to the system of the registrar generals office that something is terribly wrong on this part. This is likely in most wards along the borders and please let's take heed. Besides the politics why should we have foreigners being given IDs in our cry beloved Zimbabwe being issued IDs clandestinely at the expense of compromising our rights as born and bred Zimbabweans," said MDC-T."The Registrar general please kindly investigate this criminal act and put the situation to its rightful position. Ward 28 , 23, , 25 , 21 , 18 , and many other places, please. Chipinge areas can't be a haven to create pseudo votes neither can any other party of Zimbabwe be abused by any selfish (Zimbabwean). Take note for this service a Murire was charging a dollar for every form he took to KG6 if ever he did that at all , so cunning, this is criminal and the evidence is awash. Zimbabwe for us All and its resources."
Shares in US gun manufacturers rose on Monday in the wake of the deadliest mass shooting in American history.
Gunman Stephen Paddock killed 58 people and injured 527 when he opened fire on concertgoers from a hotel room at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Sunday night before committing suicide.
Hours after the horror unfolded, shares in American Outdoor Brands went up by four percent.
Sturm Ruger, known for its semi-automatic and single-shot rifles, climbed 3.4 percent, while Vista Outdoor, which sells firearms and ammunition, ended the day up 6.4 percent.
Shares in US gun manufacturers rose on Monday just hours after Stephen Paddock killed 58 people and injured 527 when he went on a shooting rampage in Las Vegas
A company called Olin, which sells ammunition, rose to an all-time high of six percent.
Demand for guns seems to rise in the immediate aftermath of a mass shooting with some analysts believing it is due to people fearing more regulatory restrictions on firearms.
Since Donald Trump, who was endorsed by the National Rifle Association, was elected share prices have dropped and fears of tighter restrictions have faded.
'Traders believe that people will go out to buy guns for self protection; perhaps those who have been thinking about it but who have been debating the merits of the purchase,' Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist at Prudential Financial, told USA Today.
Gunman Stephen Paddock killed 58 people and injured 527 when he opened fire on concertgoers from a hotel room at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Sunday night
Inside the nest: The smashed windows from the suite taken out by Paddock at the Mandalay Hotel in Las Vegas
'These attacks, which are becoming too common, too regular and a seemingly inherent part of our cultural landscape have potential buyers of guns wondering if they would be more difficult to buy, or even outlawed.'
Police found 23 rifles inside the Las Vegas shooter's hotel room, which he used to rain down death on a crowd of 22,000 attending the music festival on Sunday.
At least one of the guns that police found was automatic, while another two had been modified with legal bump-stock devices that allows semi-automatic guns to give full-auto fire of up to 800 rounds a minute. Several had scopes, and packed military-grade ammunition.
He took the guns into his Mandalay Bay suite over several days and set up two rifles on tripods at windows overlooking the music festival.
Thousands of rounds of ammunition were also found in the suite, enabling him to fire repeatedly over the course of 72 minutes. His car had several pounds of a fertilizer used in bomb-making.
A Myanmar beauty queen has been stripped of her title after accusing Rohingya Muslims of being 'harbingers of terror and violence' in the ongoing conflict in the Rakhine state.
Shwe Eain Si, 19, who was Miss Grand Myanmar, posted a video on Facebook last week describing the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army a 'caliphate-style movement' and said she was using her fame to 'speak out the truth'.
But organisers of the competition said she was 'not behaving like a role model' and took her crown away for breach of contract.
Speaking in English, Miss Eain Si said ARSA, branded a terrorist organisation by Myanmar authorities, was 'acting as if they are the oppressed' and said its recent attacks were 'out of proportion'.
Scroll down for video
Miss Grand Myanmar Shwe Eain Si, pictured, claims she has been stripped of her title because of a video she posted on Facebook criticising Rohingya Muslims
The beauty queen, pictured left and right, described Rohingya Muslims behind recent attacks on Myanmar government forces as a 'caliphate-style movement'
Organisers of the competitions said the 19-year-old, pictured, was 'not behaving like a role model' and was 'in breach of contract'
More than half a million Rohingya have fled from the Myanmar military crackdown in Rakhine State to Bangladesh after it was launched in late August. Pictured are a group of Rohingya at a transit shelter in Bangladesh
The beauty queen has since disputed the claims of the competition's organisers and said 'none of their accusations were serious enough to dethrone her' in a Facebook post.
More than half a million Rohingya have fled from the Myanmar military crackdown in Rakhine State to Bangladesh after it was launched in late August.
The campaign has been denounced by the United Nations as ethnic cleansing.
But Myanmar denies this, saying it is fighting Rohingya terrorists who have claimed responsibility for attacks on its security forces.
The government has said anyone verified as a refugee will be allowed to return under a process set up with Bangladesh in 1993.
Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed on Monday to work on a repatriation plan, and a Myanmar government spokesman confirmed it would go along with it, provided people could verify their status with paperwork.
Myanmar's government spokesman said under the 1993 deal even a hospital record was enough to prove residency, but it was only Myanmar, not Bangladesh, that could verify citizenship.
'We have a policy for the repatriation process and we will go along with that,' the spokesman, Zaw Htay, told Reuters.
Shwe Eain Si said the accusations made against her by the beauty pageant bosses were 'not serious enough' to take her crown away
Rohingya boys are pictured reaching for humanitarian aid near Balukhali, Bangladesh. The UN has accused Myanmar of 'ethnic cleansing' in the Rakhine region but the government claims it is only targeting 'terrorists'
An agreement is in place between Myanmar and Bangladesh for refugees to return if they can prove they have Myanmar citizenship
But many refugees are wary about returning without an assurance of full citizenship, which they say 'could leave them vulnerable to persecution'.
Last week Myanmar troops uncovered the bodies of 45 Hindu villagers and accused Rohingya Muslims of carrying out a massacre.
Government forces said they discovered mass graves in Rakhine state containing skeletal remains, including of women and children.
Army chiefs said the villagers were killed by the militants who also attacked police outposts.
This is the heart-stopping moment a car tested the brakes of his car twice in the motorway and almost got mown down by a 44-ton lorry.
Trucker Gareth Owens had to brake sharply after the car driver swerved into his lane and tried the brakes.
Mr Owens angrily condemned a court for letting a motorist escape with a fine and points after the incident on the M8 near Glasgow.
A car tested the brakes of his car twice in the motorway and almost got mown down by a 44-ton lorry. Pictured: The vehicle veering into the lane
The driver was originally charged with dangerous driving but two years later he plead guilty to a less serious charge of careless driving. Pictured: The driver coming close to the truck as he tests his brakes
The driver was originally charged with dangerous driving but two years later he plead guilty to a less serious charge of careless driving.
Instead of losing his licence and facing a lengthy ban, the driver was given just seven points and an 810 fine at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Mr Owens, said today: 'I am not happy with him only getting seven points and the 810 fine.
'He should have lost his licence and the sheriff should have banned him from driving for 12 months or more, plus a bigger fine.'
Mr Owens added: 'If I had not been so alert, and had not had an empty trailer, things would have been different.
'If I was loaded to my legal weight of 44 tons I would have hit him and maybe other vehicles would have got caught up in it.'
Mr Owens also criticised how long it took for the case to reach court, during which time the dangerous driving charge was 'downgraded' to a plea of guilty to careless driving.
Mr Owens claimed the case was adjourned five times as a result of legal arguments.
A spokesman for campaign group Scotland's Worst Drivers said: 'In our view the driver should have lost his licence.
The lorry driver, Gareth Owens, said today: 'I am not happy with him only getting seven points and the 810 fine.' Pictured: The driver veers into the lane another time
'Had the HGV vehicle been fully loaded there most certainly would have been a collision here as the driver just wouldn't have been able to stop in time.
'Hopefully he takes the leniency of the court as a serious wake up call, and will think twice before ever driving in this manner again.'
A spokeswoman at Glasgow Sheriff Court confirmed the name of driver as Daniel Easson although his age and address are not presently known.
The court also confirmed that September 18, Mr Easson pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving and was fined 810 and given seven penalty points on his licence.
A spokeswoman at Glasgow Sheriff Court confirmed the name of driver as Daniel Easson although his age and address are not presently known
Mr Owens was approaching junction 15 of the M8 in Glasgow in August 2015 when the incident happened.
A Renault Captur undertakes the lorry, pulls in front, and brakes sharply. Mr Owens swerves in to the fast lane.
The Renault again pulls in front of the lorry and brakes sharply and this time a collision is only narrowly avoided.
A prankster has been branded an 'idiot' after he was filmed car surfing - on the front of a moving van.
The young man holds on to the front of the vehicle with one hand and smokes a cigarette using the other.
The driver - who has also been described as idiotic - squirts windscreen fluid at the man, while beeping the horn and laughing hysterically.
No-one in the clip seems too bothered that if the joker fell off he would be run over by the van a fraction of a second after smacking off the road surface.
The clip was filmed at the Larkfield Industrial Estate in Greenock, Inverclyde, and uploaded to YouTube by a user called Falconhoof.
The stunt, dubbed 'car surfing', has claimed the lives of several youngsters in recent years.
It usually involves clinging to the roof or back of the vehicle rather than the front.
Falconhoof captioned the video: 'Some Dafty! Stuck on the grill of a van at work lol.'
The minute long clip, filmed from inside the vehicle, shows a man clinging on to the front with his hood up.
The person filming the footage, who has not been identified, shouts: 'Waldo, what you up tae? We got it stuck to our windscreen and we canny get it off.'
While the passenger can be heard laughing loudly, the man holding on to the front, wearing a khaki green Adidas hoody and blue latex gloves, smiles and lifts up a cigarette.
A prankster has been branded an 'idiot' after he was filmed car surfing - on the front of a moving van. He held on to the front of the vehicle with one hand while smoking a cigarette
The driver - who has also been described as idiotic - squirts windscreen fluid at the man, while beeping the horn and laughing hysterically
The passenger shouts 'Turbo!' as the driver turns on the screen wash, which nearly hits the man in the face.
He can be seen leaning back to avoid the spray, but still continues to smoke his cigarette when the vehicle begins moving again.
The men then joke that if the vehicle's bumper fell off there would 'be blood all over it.'
The stunt, dubbed 'car surfing', has claimed the lives of several youngsters in recent years. It usually involves clinging to the roof or back of the vehicle rather than the front
The clip was filmed at the Larkfield Industrial Estate in Greenock, Inverclyde, and uploaded to YouTube by a user called Falconhoof
A spokesman for driving campaign group Scotland's Worst Drivers said: 'In my opinion the driver is as much of an idiot as he or she is the one in control.
'By driving at speed and squirting the windscreen with screen wash, the man could have fallen off and ended up under the vehicle.'
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'Anyone with concerns that content posted online may be criminal can report this to Police Scotland via 101 or through Crimestoppers where anonymity can be maintained.'
The last moments of 18-year-old Luke Benson's life were captured on camera in April 2015.
He rode on the roof of a moving vehicle and fell off.
His friend was driving him around a car park in Washington, USA, when he banged his head and suffered fatal injuries as a result.
Mohammad Khalid also suffered serious head injuries after attempting the risky stunt in Sterling, Virginia, USA.
The 17-year-old had attempted to recreate a 'car surfing' stunt from the 21 Jump Street film, but died in August 2014 after being critically injured.
Mark Schreiber, 62, pleaded guilty to two counts of practicing medicine without a license
An unlicensed doctor in south Florida was sentenced to 44 months behind bars after he gave botched butt and penis injections to two different patients 19 years after another patient died during an enlargement procedure.
Former plastic surgeon Mark Schreiber pleaded guilty to two counts of practicing medicine without a license and will also be forced to pay $145,000 restitution to the victim of the butt implant as part of the agreement in a plea deal struck last week in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, the Miami Herald reported.
The 62-year-old doctor was first placed on probation by Florida's health department after he performed a botched penis enlargement and face-lift that killed a 51-year-old patient in 1998.
He came under scrutiny again four years after from the health department after 73-year-old Ralph DiGiovanni died of a heart attack two days after he had a neck lift at the surgeon's office.
Then, in 2005 numerous patients came forward complaining about his work, causing his license to be suspended that same year when a woman claimed that he touched her inappropriately while performing a surgery.
But Schreiber still continued to practice medicine until he was forced to give up his license one year later.
The ex-doctor was sentenced to serve 44 months behind bars. He will also be forced to pay $145,000 restitution to the victim of the butt implant as part of the agreement in a plea deal struck last week in Miami-Dade Circuit Court
He was arrested by police after he illegally operated on four different women. For that case, he served two years behind bars.
Schreiber was later sued along with West Palm Beach's Bethesda Memorial Hospital after a botched surgery left a woman with horrific scars.
She was awarded $7.7million by a jury in April 2016.
When Schreiber was released from prison in 2010, he still continued to practice medicine covertly, prosecutors said.
Plus, he was arrested in Broward County on drug possession charges after he was caught with MDMA (ecstasy), Vicodin, amphetamine and marijuana. For those charges, he accepted a plea deal.
Schreiber was also charged in state court after a botched injection he performed on a woman at the now-closed Bella Beauty Spa - where hundreds of women had their butts injected with illegal silicone.
That clinic was owned by Maribel Jimenez, who was recently sentenced to serve six years in federal prison for having the silicone imported from Colombia.
Schreiber gave hundreds of women illegal butt silicone injections at the now-closed Bella Beauty Spa. The owner of spa, Maribel Jimenz (left), is serving six years in federal prison. Ex-spa employee, Magaly del Rosario (right), is serving four years and eight months in prison
Magaly del Rosario, another employee at the spa, was also sentenced to four years and eight months in federal prison.
Jimenz and Schreiber were ordered in April by a Miami-Dade judge to pay $818,000 in damages to a former patient at the spa who suffered permanent injuries from a botched Brazilian butt lift surgery.
In addition, Schreiber was charged criminally in state court and is required to pay the additional $145,000 to Stephanie Rodriguez after she suffered extensive injuries from the botched procedure at the spa.
Schreiber also pleaded guilty in a separate case where he was accused of performing a botched penis enlargement in 2015.
The man had received a botched operation from another suspected illegal doctor prior to seeing Schreiber.
After the procedure with Schreiber, the man woke up at home and discovered 'blood-soaked bandages' and that his penis was 'mutilated', court documents state.
Police said that the man sent text message photos of his disfigured penis to Schreiber.
'At that point, rather than referring that gentleman to a hospital he recommends to take two popsicle sticks and tie his penis together and wait for swelling to go down,' a Miami-Dade prosecutor said at a hearing last year, the Miami Herald reported.
22-year-old Joshua Alan Jordan died Saturday after being shot as his father was cleaning his gun. No charges have been filed
Authorities say a Florida man fatally shot his son while cleaning a gun.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports that 22-year-old Joshua Alan Jordan died Saturday.
The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office says Joshua's father, John Jordan, was cleaning his .45-caliber handgun at a Port Charlotte home after returning from a local gun range in Punta Gorda.
The firearm discharged and struck Jordan.
Family members performed CPR until emergency responders arrived.
Jordan was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
John Jordan, right, accidentally killed his 22-year-old son, Joshua (left), while cleaning his gun
The shooting happened at their Port Charlotte home (pictured) after returning from a gun range
Detectives say the shooting was an accident.
John describes himself as a husband, father, teacher, musician, technician and biker on his Facebook page.
His love of shooting and guns is also clear for all to see with numerous videos depicting him at shooting practice at a nearby gun range.
No charges were immediately filed against him as a result of the death.
Two Tesco employees felt so compromised by their bosses' decision to 'cook the books' by 250million that they quit their jobs because they knew it was 'unlawful', a court heard today.
Christopher Bush, Tesco UK managing director, Carl Rogberg, UK finance director, and John Scouler, UK commercial director, allegedly started their white collar crime after the supermarket reported its first loss for 20 years in 2013.
After their new profit targets were set unrealistically high the executives began window dressing figures to camouflage their failure to hit them in 2014.
At the time, Bush earned 3million, Scouler 1.5million and Rogberg more than 1million while orchestrating the grocer's 'biggest kept secret'.
Prosecutor Sasha Wass QC told their trial at Southwark Crown Court today: 'Two people who felt so compromised by the mis-recording of profits that they did resign rather than engage in what they considered to be practices that were unlawful.'
Former Tesco bosses Carl Rogberg, 50, and Chris Bush, 51, (pictured last week) are on trial over the supermarket's 250 million accounting black hole that rocked the supermarket and led to two staff quitting, their trial heard today
A public announcement on September 22 2014, which stated that it had previously over-estimated its profits by approximately 250million, sent 'shockwaves' through the stock market, Southwark Crown Court in London has heard.
Former Tesco UK commercial Director John Scouler, 49, pictured last week, is also in the dock over the accounting scandal
The three men are accused of 'cooking the books' in a scandal which wiped 2 billion off the supermarket's total share value.
The jury was told that the practice of bringing forward income from the future to artificially inflate the figures of the present 'was contrary to proper accounting standards and principles'.
Tesco would change senior personnel if they failed to meet targets, which gave the men a very personal interest in overstating the companys financial position, the court was told last week.
Ms Wass QC, prosecuting, told jurors that, at the end of meetings with commercial directors before the first half ended in August, Bush knew how critical the situation was if it continued.
She said: 'Mr Bush knew that the hole in the accounts at the end of the second half in the financial year could be as large as 600 million if nothing changed.
'Mr Bush said they would be able to sort it out when the new chief executive officer arrived. But until the new chief executive officer arrived, Mr Bush's instructions were to get to zero the budgets for half one and half two.'
But jurors heard that not all those who worked on the company's finances agreed with the way they were handled, and that the situation had left some staff 'in tears', fearing the loss of their accounting qualifications.
Miss Wass said: 'Let me tell you about two people who felt so compromised by the mis-recording of profits that they did resign rather than engage in what they considered to be practices that were unlawful.'
She told the court about Richard Parsons, a project manager at the supermarket, who in an exit interview said 'It has broken me' and that he was angry at having been put in a position which compromised his ethics.
Miss Wass added: 'Richard articulated that this is the biggest kept secret in Tesco and if this was to get out, it would not be good for Tesco.'
Prosecutor Sasha Wass said the accounts were manipulated to meet profits targets the supermarket chain failed to meet - and help them more money
Jurors also heard that former Tesco accountant Aysen Nadiri quit her role on August 26 2014.
Miss Wass said: 'Miss Nadiri became increasingly concerned about the message from senior management because they refused to accept that targets could not be met and they had a disregard, in Miss Nadiri's view, for proper accounting principles.
Rogberg was 'directly responsible' for authorising the falsified figures and received a remuneration package of more than 1 million in 2014, the court heard
'But Miss Nadiri became more and more uncomfortable attending meetings of the senior commercial teams when this practice was discussed, and she felt she no longer wanted to be part of the company.'
She added: 'Miss Nadiri said that she was nervous about things going on. She was uncomfortable that things would not stand up at audit and she felt compromised as a financial professional.'
The court also heard that one of Tesco's senior accountants, Amit Soni, who eventually presented findings of the hole in the accounts to the board, spent weeks agonising about what he was going to do about the situation.
In an email on September 3 2014, he told colleagues: 'Keep the file with you, the whistle is about to blow.'
He added: 'It has consumed my life in the last four to five weeks, collecting information in secret, getting my team to understand what I want and then doing it in a subtle way and only on my desktop.
'Yesterday, after a long time, I slept properly, but the fight starts now.
'It is a fight I have to have if Tesco is to become better.'
Rogberg, of Chiselhampton, Oxfordshire, Bush, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and Scouler, of St Albans, Hertfordshire, all deny the charges.
An Uber driver in Singapore has died from a heart attack at the wheel, with his passenger still in the car.
Wang Yongqing, 64, had picked up a passenger at Singapore's Changi Airport last Thursday, but was forced to pull over shortly afterwards.
The distraught male passenger called for help, but Mr Wang died on his way to hospital, local news report.
Wang Yongqing, 64, had picked up a passenger at Singapore's Changi Airport last Thursday, but was soon forced to pull over after suffering a cardiac arrest behind the wheel
Mr Wang's brother said he had been working two jobs for the past six months and that this could have caused his death.
Wang Yongshun, 62, who lived with his brother said he had been driving for Uber on top of his normal job six months ago, Straits Times reports.
Mr Wang worked driving construction workers to building sites from the early hours in the morning until 5pm, after which he would start his Uber shift until 1am.
His brother said Mr Wang had been 'increasingly fatigued in the past few weeks'.
Uber has been criticised for not doing enough to vet its drivers, who are self-employed but picks up fares through the company's app.
Mr Wang's brother said he had been working two jobs for the past six months and that this could have caused his death
This was given as one of the reasons why Transport for London decided to strip the ride-hailing service of its license to operate in the British capital.
Among the factors considered by the regulator was Uber's 'approach to reporting serious criminal offenses' and its use of software designed to evade the authorities.
Earlier this week, an Uber passenger was left stranded in Perth, Australia after their driver tested positive to driving while on methamphetamine.
The man was caught by a random drug and alcohol police operation, and Western Australian police tweeted the image of the man's test, showing a positive result for meth.
Uber Australia said it was investigating the incident.
Sir Michael Fallon (pictured in Manchester today) has signalled a major increase in defence spending as he said Britain must beat the 2 per cent Nato target
Michael Fallon used his main speech to Tory conference to lash Boris Johnson today, joking at his expense about the Vote Leave campaign and his performance as Foreign Secretary.
The Defence Secretary jibed that he was spending 350million a week on the Royal Navy.
And he urged Mr Johnson to learn from the 'values of resolve and service, discipline and loyalty' shown by the Armed Forces.
The attack came after weeks of troublesome interventions from Mr Johnson over Brexit which have triggered ugly public rows among Cabinet members.
Sir Michael stole Mr Johnson's metaphor of the 'roaring Lion' in tribute to British forces just an hour before the Foreign Secretary used the phrase as the final line of his own speech.
Sir Michael also mentioned Mr Johnson's trip to the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
'Look at our response to the most powerful hurricane ever to hit the Caribbean,' he said.
'RFA Mounts Bay was already on station to provide immediate assistance - helping our people, the people of the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos.
'Within a week we had deployed 600 service personnel, three helicopters, and one Foreign Secretary.'
Sir Michael used his speech to signal a major increase in defence spending as he said Britain must beat the 2 per cent Nato target.
The Defence Secretary said the security threats to Britain were mounting and spending on the military must rise to match it.
Sir Michael insisted the Prime Minister was on the 'same page' as him but billions of pounds in extra defence spending would create a headache for Chancellor Philip Hammond.
Sir Michael stole Mr Johnson's metaphor of the 'roaring Lion' in tribute to British forces just an hour before the Foreign Secretary used the phrase as the final line of his own speech (pictured)
Sir Michael (pictured with aides in Manchester today) used his speech to mock Boris Johnson for disloyalty
The Ministry of Defence has been forced to squeeze budgets in the past decade to protect a growing budget for new equipment, including two aircraft carriers.
Speaking to Tory activists, the Defence Secretary said: 'As those threats intensify we are now looking across government to make sure we are doing enough, spending enough, to properly protect our country against all of them cyber, hybrid warfare, rogue states, terrorist attacks.
'Spending 2per cent of GDP on defence is the minimum NATO commitment.
'We meet it but we should aim to do better still.'
Sir Michael also warned party members Britain must not be afraid to put its military to work.
He said: 'With the fifth biggest defence budget in the world, we have the means. So we must always be ready to answer the call from further away, from fragile democracies, from the very poorest, from the hardest hit.
'That means deploying our ships, our planes, and yes, our troops on the ground where we and our allies are asked to help.
'Standing up for what we believe in that is Global Britain.'
The Ministry of Defence has been forced to squeeze budgets in the past decade to protect a growing budget for new equipment, including two aircraft carriers (including the Queen Elizabeth II, pictured arriving in Portsmouth in August)
The support package for the navy announced by Sir Michael brings together 1 billion worth of contracts from within the existing defence budget, aimed at ensuring the fleet can spend more time at sea.
But senior naval figures have said the service simply does not have enough ships.
Former first sea lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas last month told the Sunday Times the UK would have the capabilities of a 'third world nation' unless funding was increased, warning the Royal Navy was 'hollowed out'.
Speaking on a visit in Manchester earlier, Sir Michael hit back, saying the Admiral had welcomed the measures contained in the 2015 defence review.
Shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith backed an increase in defence spending
He said: 'We have got the fifth biggest defence budget in the world, the biggest navy in Europe, two enormous flagships - the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales.
'There's nothing hollowed out about the Queen Elizabeth.'
Sir Michael said 400 extra sailors were being recruited and the service would have new frigates and patrol vessels.
'As first sea lord, he welcomed this new investment,' Sir Michael said.
'We are going to grow the navy and we are going to grow the defence budget.'
Shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith said: 'The Defence Secretary has finally recognised that the Government needs to invest more in our nation's security, but it is pretty galling for him to talk about going beyond the 2 per cent commitment when this Government is barely scraping over the line at present.
'Indeed they can only claim to be doing so by counting items, such as pensions, that do not contribute to our defence capabilities and which Labour did not include when in Government.
'Labour is fully committed to spending at least 2 per cent of GDP on defence as we consistently did when in government.
'If Sir Michael Fallon is serious about putting more money on the table, he should act immediately to give our Armed Forces the real terms pay rise that they have been so cruelly robbed of since 2010.'
Waleed Aly has unleashed a scathing review of the state of modern America and its 'gun-loving' culture after the mass shooting in Las Vegas that claimed the lives of 59 people and injured more than 500.
The Project host labelled the USA a 'nation in denial' in a monologue on Wednesday night, and repeated throughout that the horrific details and images of the attack 'will happen again.'
Local resident Stephen Paddock, armed with 23 legally purchased rifles, fired thousands of bullets at a 22,000-strong country music festival at 10pm Monday evening local time.
'The truth is, the thing about this act is not how evil it is but how incredibly ordinary its become. And this will happen again,' Aly says.
Waleed Aly has unleashed a scathing review of the state of modern America and its 'gun-loving' culture after the mass shooting in Las Vegas that claimed the lives of 59 people
Revellers described hearing automatic rounds during the concert sparking mass panic and chaos
Aly began the segment by condemning how 'familiar' the events of Las Vegas feel, and that no matter the tragedy nothing appears to change within the sentiment of a lot of American citizens and politicians.
'This will happen again, it always does and it's always the same way.'
He decried the reaction of President Donald Trump and his choice of words, saying his use of the adjective 'evil' was evidence of him 'hiding something'.
'You would think after a mass shooting, especially the deadliest in US history, gun reform may actually happen, but that's not what happens,' Aly says.
The Project host references the ever-increasing gun statistics in America that has seen gun ownership double in the last 50 years to from one gun to every two people, to now being one gun to every one person, resulting in over 300 million firearms in the United States.
'Instead of seeing a reduction, the talk of gun reform will see Americans flock to gun stores today.'
He identifies that major gun manufacturing companies, including American Outdoor Brands and Sturm, Ruger and co. have experienced increases in sales of more than 4% since the Las Vegas mass shooting.
'And this will happen again.'
Aly began the segment by condemning how 'familiar' the events of Las Vegas feel, and that no matter the tragedy nothing appears to change within the sentiment of a lot of politicians
Revellers described hearing automatic rounds during the concert sparking mass panic and chaos
Thousands fled as bursts of gunfire could be heard for more than five minutes, at least 50 were killed and 200 more injured
This, Aly says, is largely due to the callousness of one of the nation's largest lobbies, the NRA, and their refusal to address the issue at hand and often give a delayed response to such atrocities.
'What's the NRA got to say?' Aly asks before cutting to a blank screen.
'Nothing, and that will happen again.'
The NRA spends more than $3 million every year lobbying politicians, and contributed more than $30 million just to the now-President Donald Trump's campaign.
Following the attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando in 2016, the last deadliest mass shooting in America's history which claimed 49 lives, the NRA took two days to give a statement.
'That's what they do every time. So tomorrow or the next day, they'll be back to doing what they always do, lobbying politicians to make sure absolutely nothing changes,' The Project host laments.
Police say Mr Paddock, described as a local man, opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas Village from a room across the street in the Mandalay Bay Hotel shortly after 10pm
Thousands fled as bursts of gunfire could be heard for more than five minutes, at least 50 were killed and 200 more injured
'It's too easy to make this about one person and not a nation in denial. It's too easy to mourn the victims and choose to do nothing to protect them.'
Despite proven results with banning high-powered assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons, including the case study of Australia which has not seen a single mass shooting since overwhelming gun reform after the Port Arthur massacre, America remains resistant to change.
'11,660 people have been killed by guns in ths us this year, and this will happen again.'
News / National
by Staff reporter
Mthwakazi Liberation Front has condemned the opening of the donkey abattoir.The party said the opening of a donkey abattoir is nothing less than an insult and declaration of war by Battlefront Investments and the government of Zimbabwe, to Mthwakazi people."How on earth could the ministry of health approve of such an abattoir at a place where not even a rat has never been eaten. Battlefront Investments as the name says are seriously at war. The move degrades and is totally against the cultural morals of our people. We cannot accept that. If there was anything good that comes with the opening of that abattoir, why would the government of Zimbabwe choose to oppose its looting policy and bring it to Bulawayo?" said."Why has the government of Zimbabwe permitted their relocation of many companies like Tregers Group, Zimbabwe Engineering Company, Hubert Davies, Merlin Textiles, Stewards and Lloyds, Build Elect, Dunlop, Hunyani Holdings and G&D Shoes, companies that contributed a lot in the growth of Mthwakazi, to Harare? What is it that Harare has not liked with the investment of Battlefront to let it open an abattoir in Mthwakazi?"MLF said as an organization, we are sending a clear message to Battlefront investment to close down their evil operation in their land or risk closure of all their butchery outlets in Mthwakazi."Gwanda alone has more than enough cattle to feed the whole of Mthwakazi, so what is the reason of feeding our people with donkeys?. We urge Mthwakazi people not to take this thing lightly. Battlefront Investments has to relocate to Harare if it continues with its donkeys abattoir plan," MLF said.
Malcolm Turnbull will lobby states and territories to hand over pictures of every licensed driver in the country in order to compile a database of terror suspects.
The Federal Government will lobby for access to the photos at a counter-terror summit in Canberra on Thursday.
The pictures would allow surveillance cameras fitted with facial recognition technology to scan crowds at Australian airports for suspected terrorists.
Speaking on Tuesday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the technology could 'further harmonise and advance our response to the threat of terrorism'
Federal security agencies already have access to passport and visa photos, but government sources said drivers' license photos were the 'mother-load'.
The government source said they would also consider incorporating Facebook photos into their database, Nine News reported.
Thursday will not be the first time the idea has been floated.
Law enforcement agencies have long pressed for the intel but privacy concerns have stopped the database from forming legs.
Should Australia give the federal government access to people's drivers' license photos, it would follow in the the United States' footsteps.
Police help to screen passengers at Sydney Airport this year following a foiled Islamist-inspired 'terrorist plot'
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the technology had the ability to 'further harmonise and advance our response to the threat of terrorism'
Security officials will consider using facial recognition to catch terror suspects at Australian airport terminals (Sydney Airport pictured)
The US FBI has access to drivers' license photos from 18 states, all of which are stored in the US' own facial recognition database.
The US Centre for Privacy and Technology highlighted problems with the database, claiming suspects were chosen with an algorithm and mistakes were common.
The centre said the system wrongly matched people 15 per cent of the time, and African-Americans were most commonly misidentified.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the technology could 'further harmonise and advance our response to the threat of terrorism'.
Mr Turnbull said The Commonwealth would also lobby for the harmonisatin of federal and state laws relating to bail and parole in cases of terror.
The Federal Government previously committed to spending $122 million to install the facial recognition technology
The Federal Government previously committed to spending $122 million to install the facial recognition technology.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan told Sky News there were 'plenty of databases' owned by the commonwealth and state governments that had the ability to recognise people's faces.
However Mr Keenan said there were still limitations with the databases.
'At the moment we've got very archaic ways of our law enforcement from accessing that data,' he said on Tuesday.
'I think it's pretty basic that state, territory and commonwealth police have access to appropriate information.'
Former foreign minister Bob Carr said he expected the database to have the full support of the Council of Australian Governments at Thursday's meeting.
'Facial recognition technology is something that has been explored for decades, I think it provides some very reassuring possibilities,' he told Sky.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan (pictured) said there were 'plenty of databases' owned by the commonwealth and state governments that had the ability to recognise people's faces
While facial recognition would be a step forward, airport technology has been the cause of chaos at Australian airports in recent weeks.
Thousands of passengers were left stranded as recently as Thursday when boarding systems failed at all major east coast airports.
Sydney Airport was described as a 'disaster zone' last Monday, as thousands of travellers were stuck at airports across Australia on the first day of school holidays.
Sydney Aircraft control systems went down just after 5am on Monday September 25, preventing all flights from leaving the domestic and international airports.
Advertisement
In a bittersweet meeting, a family came face-to-face with the young boy that has their deceased daughter's heart beating inside him.
Brandon Wilcox and Lacey Tiara Wilcox from Avon, Indiana, met with the family of Mason Perkins, now two, who received the heart of their toddler, Alaiya Wilcox, after she died in 2015 from bacterial meningitis.
Two days later, 10-month-old Mason Perkins received her heart in Tennessee.
Brandon and Lacey Wilcox met Mason Perkins and his family on September 25, 2017. Two-year-old Alaiya Wilcox died in December 2015 from bacterial meningitis
Lacey Wilcox listens to Mason's heartbeat. Her daughter Alaiya died in 2015 and Mason received her heart two days later
Mason had been born with a heart defect and had been on a donor list for eight months. He was one of seven people saved thanks to Alaiya.
The families met on September 25, 2017 when Mason had a doctor's appointment in Nashville, as it was a halfway point for the families.
'My husband and I had a roller coaster of emotions running through us,' Lacey said. 'Seeing Mason for the first time, we instantly felt a connection. So many feelings were running through me. I was happy and sad all in one. Seeing for ourselves how happy and energetic Mason is was a relief.'
Alaiya's older sister becomes overwhelmed with emotions when she hears her deceased sibling's heartbeat in Mason's chest
Mason received Alaiya's heart when he was ten months old. He had been on the transplant list for eight months and was born with a heart defect
Angela Perkins, Mason's mother, was surprised at how quickly Mason warmed up to the other family because it normally takes him a few weeks to be comfortable with strangers
Alaiya died in December 2015 when she was two years old after battling bacterial meningitis. Her organs went to eight people
Alaiya and Lacey's mother died eight days apart. Shortly after Alaiya's death, the couple found out they were pregnant with their third daughter.
'Grieving on top of being pregnant was not easy for us by any means,' Lacey said in a Facebook post. 'Our three-year-old was devastated she lost her sister and best friend. We definitely came even closer together as a family.
'We often wondered if the recipient family was appreciative of the beautiful gift Alaiya had given.'
Suha Dabit, a photographer and the founder of the World of Broken Hearts program for Project Heart, which raises awareness about heart defects and organ donation, was there to capture the special moment the two families met.
Angela Perkins, Mason's mom, first reached out to Lacey over Facebook on December 28, 2016, a year after Mason's surgery.
The two families pose together with a picture of Alaiya, who died from bacterial meningitis when she was two years old
Brandon Wilcox listens to Mason's heartbeat and can't hold back tears. His daughter Alaiya died in 2015 and Mason received her heart
Brandon wipes away tears after meeting the little boy who received his daughter's heart. The families had been in contact since December 2016
'Meeting our donor family was so special,' Angela said. 'I am still amazed at how quickly Mason started to interact with them. It normally takes him weeks to warm up to people he's never met, but it was different with them, almost as if he's known them for ages.'
'I am a firm believer that a parent's love is forever woven into our hearts, and there's no doubt that the heart that beats inside of Mason knows the familiarity of Brandon and Lacey,' she continued. 'I am forever grateful for the gift of life, and I will always make sure that Mason lives a life big enough for two.'
Lacey and Angela pose with Mason and a photograph of Alaiya. Angela reached out to Lacey in December 2016 and they met in September 2017
Lacey and Angela share an emotional hug. Lacey described the meeting as 'bittersweet' but said that it was clear that Alaiya's heart had gone to the perfect family
Lacey said that after meeting Mason, it became clear that Alaiya's heart had gone to the perfect family.
'It showed us how "perfect" Alaiya's heart was for him,' Lacey said. 'This entire experience is bittersweet, because as parents we want all of our children with us, and that isn't our situation.'
'In a perfect world, Alaiya and Mason could have both been saved and Angela and I could have met in the baby aisle of Target, but that isn't our story. The love they have for our sweet Angel baby shows in volumes. We are forever bonded as a unit.'
Brandon Wilcox holds Mason Perkins as Mason's dad holds a picture of Alaiya. Brandon has two other daughters
Annie Lennox's daughter Tali has been slammed for a Instagram photo she posted of a 'bloodied' mattress in the wake of the Las Vegas massacre.
The 24-year-old British model posted the photo of her USA-made mattress bearing a large red stain on it late on Monday.
'A message on my mattress, a sad day in the USA,' she wrote alongside the tribute photo, accompanied by a broken heart emoji.
'Message on my mattress': Annie Lennox's daughter Tali has been slammed for a Instagram photo she posted of a 'bloodied' mattress in the wake of the Las Vegas massacre
She later clarified that the stain was actually the result of leaking red ink after followers assumed the model had posted a photo of a period blood stain.
Even after the clarification, some Instagram users were still not impressed and slammed her for being 'disrespectful'.
'What the hell is this trashy s**t? It's disrespectful and bares no ounce of relevance to the tragedy that has taken place in the US,' one user wrote.
Another said: 'This picture is f****d up. Not even artsy at all.'
'This is just disrespectful tbh.
The 24-year-old British model (left and right with mom Annie) posted the photo of her USA-made mattress bearing a large red stain on it late on Monday
'Seriously disrespectful and messed up like, theres no connection from your split red ink to the horrible actions taken place. Smh'
Prior to Tali updating that it was in fact ink, one Instagram user wrote: 'Tf is this? Get a rag and clean that up. While your at it, put a tampon on. Don't connect this bloody mattress to what happened in Vegas. Two different things.'
People carry an injured person from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival after gunshots rang out on Sunday night
People scramble over barriers to get to safety as the gunfire rages on at the Las Vegas event
Her post came hours after gunman Stephen Paddock killed 58 people and injured 527 when he opened fire on concertgoers from a hotel room at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Sunday night. He then committed suicide.
Police found 23 rifles inside the Las Vegas shooter's hotel room, which he used to rain down death on a crowd of 22,000 attending the music festival.
Tired Kiwis were given a rude awakening as the countrys civil defence ministry sent out a mass text message in the early hours of the morning.
The text message was an emergency alert from New Zealands Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, and was sent out in bulk at 1.30am on Wednesday.
This is a test message for the Emergency Mobile Alert system that will be available by the end of 2017, the first line read.
Tired Kiwis were given a rude awakening as the countrys civil defence ministry sent out a mass text message in the early hours of the morning
The text message was an emergency alert from New Zealands Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, and was sent out in bulk at 1.30am on Wednesday
Visit civildefence.govt.nz to find out more. Sent by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management.
The timing of the alert jolted people out of bed, and they were quick to voice their displeasure with having their midweek sleep interrupted.
Dear @NZcivildefence, thanks for testing your mobile emergency alert system at 01:30AM. The whole house is awake now. #muppets Michael Emery tweeted.
Others didnt realise straight away that the alert was just a test.
I just got an emergency test alert sent to my phone? Scared the s**t out of me, one person tweeted, while another said it gave me a heart attack.
The timing of the alert jolted people out of bed, and they were quick to voice their displeasure with having their midweek sleep interrupted
Some people received the alert more than once, much to the recipients displeasure
Some people received the alert more than once, much to the recipients displeasure.
Nick Johnston said he turned his phones alert notifications off after receiving the message three times, twice at 1.32am and again at 1.49am.
Advertisement
Police raced through dozens of 'injured victims' on the ground today as they trained for a vehicle terrorist attack.
The three-day 'live-play scenario' in Edinburgh which began this morning is intended to test the response of the emergency services in England and Scotland to a cross-border incident.
Armed response teams, paramedics and firefighters were all involved as well as police control room and organisational staff as observers watched the action unfold.
Today's scenario featured a vehicle attack which began in an area of the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters at Gogarburn in the Scottish capital this morning.
Police take part in a counter-terrorism exercise today responding to a scenario simulating a vehicle attack in Edinburgh
The exercise is being held in the grounds of the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters at Gogarburn in the Scottish capital
The three-day exercise is testing the response of emergency services in England and Scotland to a cross-border incident
The 'live-play scenario' today is not in response to any specific threat but the result of more than a year of planning
The Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable said training needs to respond to the change in high-casualty attacks
Attacks are being carried out by individuals or small groups with vehicles and weapons such as has been seen recently
The three-day exercise, which also involves locations in the Lothians and Northumbria, is not in response to any specific threat but the result of more than a year of planning.
Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins said training needs to respond to the change in high-casualty attacks carried out by individuals or small groups with vehicles and weapons such as has been seen recently in the UK.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd chaired a COBR meeting as part of the exercise and the Scottish Government's Resilience Room updated Scottish ministers on the event.
Named Exercise Border Reiver, police said it will not affect day-to-day policing or emergency responses, which will continue as normal throughout the exercise.
Mr Higgins said: 'We've seen a number of terrorist incidents within the UK which sadly led to a lot of fatalities. We've moved to a threat level of critical on two occasions.
The exercise featured a vehicle attack which began in an area of the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters in Edinburgh
It tested armed response teams, paramedics and firefighters as well as police control room and organisational staff
Observers watched the action unfold in the grounds of the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters at Gogarburn
Named Exercise Border Reiver, police said the simulation will not affect day-to-day policing or emergency responses
The Scottish Government's Resilience Room updated Scottish ministers on the event as part of the exercise
A man plays the role of an injured person on the ground as he takes part in the counter-terrorism exercise today
'As these things have occurred so have our plans evolved to try and recreate the threat that we believe exists within the UK.
'In previous exercises the attacks were more coordinated, so you have had two or three different cells attacking different venues at different times.
'What we've seen in recent times - particularly in the UK - it's low sophistication, it's small numbers of people, often lone actors. They're using vehicles, they're using knives and bladed weapons, but the impact is high and the casualties are high.
'So it's trying to recreate what we believe will be a likely scenario, should it occur.'
He added: 'This is an exercise - it's not because we know something is going to happen or we believe something is going to happen.
Northumbria Police, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Scottish Ambulance Service are among the bodies involved
Police said day-to-day policing or emergency responses will continue as normal throughout the cross-border exercise
North East Ambulance Service and Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue services are also involved today
Transport Scotland, NHS Scotland, NHS England and the Ministry of Defence are among the groups involved in the exercise
City of Edinburgh, Angus and Northumberland County councils are also testing their responses to a terrorist incident
Officers said they would inform people in local residential and business areas close to the three-day exercise
Ambulance personnel take part in a counter-terrorism exercise responding to the scenario simulating a vehicle attack
'There is absolutely no intelligence to suggest that Scotland is going to be a specific target of terrorism at any point in the future.
'People in the Edinburgh area today and over the next few days, please don't be alarmed if you see lots of blue lights and sirens or if you hear gunshots.
'It is blank cartridges we're using, but it's trying to recreate the pressure and the tension that the first responders will be feeling at the scene and the senior officers and staff will be feeling back in the operations room.'
Other bodies involved in the three-day exercise include Northumbria Police, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, North East Ambulance Service, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue services, Transport Scotland, NHS Scotland, NHS England and the Ministry of Defence.
City of Edinburgh, Angus and Northumberland County councils are also testing their responses to a terrorist incident.
Police said they were keen not to raise alarm through noise or a large presence of emergency services
Police said te exercise was 'not because we know something is going to happen or we believe something is going to happen'
A label displaying injuries is seen on a person playing the role of an injured person taking part in a counter-terrorism exercise
Police and ambulance personnel are working together in the exercise responding to a scenario simulating a vehicle attack
People in the Edinburgh area have been told 'don't be alarmed if you see lots of blue lights and sirens or if you hear gunshots'
A police officer approaches a man pretending to be injured while taking part in the counter-terrorism exercise today
Police said the planning put into exercises is, in part, responsible for the professionalism of front line services in attacks
The Home Secretary said: 'The events of this year have shown why it is vital that the emergency services, Government and agencies prepare and rehearse our response to potential terrorist attacks.
'The professionalism with which front line services dealt with the atrocities in London and Manchester is in part due to the planning and practice that goes into exercises like this.'
Officers said they would inform people in local residential and business areas close to the exercise so as not to raise alarm through noise or a large presence of emergency services.
Assistant Chief Constable Darren Best of Northumbria Police said: 'This exercise has been organised to test the response of the emergency services and other partner agencies to a cross-border incident. It is in no way linked to a specific or increased threat in our region.
'We regularly carry out exercises to test contingency plans and the co-ordination of the response to a major incident to ensure we are prepared to keep our communities safe.'
The Australian Federal Police has helped foil six terrorist attacks in the last 15 months in Australia and the surrounding region as jihadists pour in from the Middle East.
Some of the attacks stopped by agents from the AFP's global operations team were only hours away from being carried out, The Australian reported.
They include joint operations conducted in Southeast Asia and the Sydney plane bomb plot thwarted in July.
The Australian Federal Police has helped foil six terrorist attacks in the last 15 months in Australia and the surrounding region as jihadists pour in from the Middle East (pictured are Philippine Army troopers fighting ISIS in Marawi)
Some of the attacks stopped by agents from the AFP's global operations team were only hours away from being carried out (pictured is a home raided by police over terror plot)
The news comes as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) calls for a new law allowing terror suspects to be held for 14 days without charge
AFP Assistant Commissioner for International Operations Scott Lee confirmed five attacks in Southeast Asia have been prevented with AFP help since July 2015.
'There is one in particular that involved heavy engagement,' he said.
Mr Lee said the AFP was heavily involved in anti-terror efforts in Indonesia, and flagged The Phillipines as a growing concern due to an influx of foreign fighters.
'When you look at the military situation [ISIS facing defeat in the Middle East], once you have more of these foreign fighters it will change the dynamic to the threat elsewhere,' he said.
AFP Assistant Commissioner for International Operations Scott Lee confirmed five attacks in Southeast Asia have been prevented with AFP help since July 2015 (pictured are Philippine Army troops fighting ISIS)
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance led to police raids across several Sydney suburbs (pictured)
Mr Lee stressed the importance of Australia's Five Eyes security partners - the US, UK, New Zealand, Canada and Europol.
That policing network was instrumental in stopping the most recent domestic terror plot, with intelligence from Britain leading to raids across several Sydney suburbs.
Brothers Khaled and Mahmoud Khayat were arrested and charged with acting in preparation for a terrorist act over an alleged plot to bring down a plane.
The news comes as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull calls for a new law allowing terror suspects to be held for 14 days without charge.
Pictured above are the AFP's Scott Lee (left) and Justice Minister Michael Keenan (right)
Mr Turnbull also wants to outlaw the possession of 'instructional terrorist material' and the making of terrorism hoaxes, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
A Council of Australian Governments meeting will consider all three proposals in Canberra on Thursday.
Mr Turnbull said terror laws should be consistent across all states and territories, as in states such as Queensland suspects may need to be released after eight hours.
'It's vital that we have nationally consistent terrorism laws. I'm asking state and territory leaders to work with me to deliver safety and security,' said Mr Turnbull.
Brothers Khaled (pictured) and Mahmoud Khayat were arrested and charged with acting in preparation for a terrorist act over an alleged plot to bring down a plane
Police operations have prevented 13 planned terror attacks since September 2014, and five attacks have been carried out in Australia (pictured are Sydney terror raids)
'We need nationally consistent pre-charge detention laws so that those who seek to do us harm can be held to account no matter where they are.'
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said terrorism is a global issue and the AFP must work with international partners to tackle the problem.
The AFP has 230 officers working in global operations, spread between counter-terrorism, child protection, drug trafficking and organised crime.
Of those officers, 80 are based in Southeast Asia.
Police operations have prevented 13 planned terror attacks since September 2014, and five attacks have been carried out in Australia.
Senior White House advisor Jared Kushner has been revealed to have an additional private email account that got used to forward hundreds of emails including internal White House documents.
Information on the personal account came to light just days after the Senate Intelligence Committee complained that Kushner had failed to disclose to the committee an additional personal email account as it probes Russian interference in the elections.
The latest account was set up on a personal domain for Kushner and Ivanka Trump, the president's daughter who joined the administration along with her husband, both in unpaid roles.
They set up the domain, ijkfamily.com, in December, Politico reported. Emails sent to the account included internal schedules, White House documents, and travel information.
Senior White House advisor Jared Kushner has been revealed to have an additional private email account that got used to forward hundreds of emails including internal White House documents
Some of the emails were sent by Ivanka Trump, while others were originated by her assistant, Bridges Lamar.
Both Kushner and Trump had access to the account and shared it with family staff, according to the report.
A person familiar with the set-up said the account was used daily.
A family representative told the publication Ivanka Trump has taken care to separate family from work matters.
'Her White House assistant did not and does not work on these matters. Her personal and work obligations, schedule, travel arrangements and contacts were and are coordinated in accordance with this separation, as she was advised to do,' according to the representative.
Kushner and Ivanka Trump set up the domain, ijkfamily.com, in December
Kushner failed to tell Senate Intelligence Committee investigators about his use of a private email account, panel members charged in an angry letter that only came to light last week because of a goof by Kushner's high-powered lawyer.
'The committee was concerned to learn of this additional email account from the news media, rather than from you, in your closed staff interview,' committee chairman Sen. Richard Burr and Vice Chair Sen. John Warner scolded Kushner in their joint letter dated Thursday.
A prankster posing as Kushner wanted to know whether it was okay to delete an email from a White House official with a 'shared interest' in porn a stunt that duped Kushner's lawyer into a response
Kushner's attorney accidentally forwarded the letter, marked 'COMMITTEE SENSITIVE' to the same person who had pranked him previously under a ruse where he posed as Kushner and sought advice about 'adult' emails located on his personal email account.
Lowell, upon receiving the letter from the committee, attempted to forward it apparently and inadvertently sending it to the email prankster who tricked him instead of to the real Jared Kushner, his client.
The prankster had originally tricked Lowell into an email exchange using the fake address kushner.jared@mail.com while pretending to need advice about 'adult' emails he had uncovered in his in-box.
The address apparently then ended up in Lowell's auto-fill feature when he attempted to forward the email.
A person familiar with the transmission told CNN, which first reported the story, that it got sent to the prankster by mistake.
Lawyer Abbe Lowell got fooled by the prankster, then forwarded a sensitive document from the Senate Intelligence Committee needling his client
The letter was marked 'COMMITTEE SENSITIVE' but got forwarded to the prankster and posted online
The prankster, who goes by @SINON_REBORN on Twitter, bragged about the feat online.
'JARED KUSHNER'S LAWYER, ABBE, sent this to my FAKE JARED email address today!!!' the prankster wrote, adding two emojis for emphasis.
The letter from the committee asked that he preserve emails and respond in writing.
'Please confirm that the document production that you made to the committee and any and all document searches of email accounts for that document production included the additional 'personal email account' described to the news media, as well as all other email accounts, messaging apps, or similar communications channels you may have used, or that may contain information relevant to our inquiry, they wrote.
'As you are aware, this committee has previously requested that you preserve and produce certain documents related to the Russian inquiryincluding, but not limited to, email communications.'
The committee is probing Russian interference in the presidential election and Russian contacts with Trump officials, a group that includes Kushner.
President Trump won office in part by railing against rival Hillary Clinton's use of a private email, calling for her to release thousands of deleted emails. Clinton was found to be using a home email server for all of her government work.
Chilling images have emerged showing an ISIS suicide vest factory where jihadists manufacture deadly devices filled with ball bearings in Iraq.
The photos show masked bomb-makers wearing latex gloves preparing explosives packed with ball bearings at a weapons facility near the capital Baghdad.
An extremist can be seen packing the device into a camouflage pouch and another picture shows a room with several completed suicide vests on the ground.
Another fanatic is shown fitted with the deadly cargo and with what appears to be two triggers on the vest.
Chilling images have emerged showing an ISIS suicide vest factory where jihadists manufacture deadly devices filled with ball bearings in Iraq. One picture shows a fighter fitted with the deadly cargo and with what appears to be a trigger on the vest
The photos show masked bomb-makers wearing latex gloves preparing explosives packed with ball bearings at a bomb-making unit near the capital Baghdad
Explosives: The photos show a jihadist packing hundreds of ball bearings into a suicide bomb vest
ISIS is continuing to lose swathes of its territory across Iraq and the US led-coalition recently said the terror group is on the run across the Middle East.
In recent months they have frequently used suicide bombers and deadly booby-traps in a desperate bid to slow the advance of Iraqi troops.
'ISIS is losing on all fronts, and they are losing their grip on their few remaining strongholds in both Iraq and Syria,' Army Col. Ryan Dillon.
The coalition and its partners on the ground - the Iraqi security forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces - remain committed to defeating the enemy, he said.
'But make no mistake,' he added, 'we fully expect fierce fighting in the days ahead.
Another picture shows a room with several completed suicide vests on the ground
Deadly: An ISIS extremist can be seen packing the explosive device into a camouflage pouch
'And while these terrorists remain a dangerous and desperate enemy, our ISF and SDF partners have proven they are up to the task.'
Iraqi forces have made significant progress in the fight, Dillon said.
'Our Iraqi partners have fought a long, bloody war and have sacrificed a great deal to liberate their people and clear terrorists from cities and villages,' he told reporters.
More than 26,000 square miles in Iraq have been cleared and more than four million people are now free from ISIS control, the colonel said.
'ISIS is on the run, and we must remain focused on delivering a decisive defeat in their few remaining holdouts in Iraq,' he added.
A concert bartender who was serving drinks when the Las Vegas massacre began on Sunday night has relived in harrowing detail how she held the hand of a wounded man until he died and then stayed with his body for five hours.
Heather Gooze, 43, was working at the Route 91 country music festival when gunman Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire from a suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel which overlooked the venue.
As thousands of terrified music fans frantically ran for their lives, many rushed in to the bar area where Gooze was working to take shelter.
They heroically brought with them wounded concert-goers who weren't able to flee themselves.
Among the injured was 23-year-old Jordan McIldoon, a Canadian construction worker who was in Vegas for the weekend to attend the festival with his girlfriend Amber Bereza.
Scroll down for video
Heather Gooze, 43, stayed with a victim of the Las Vegas shooting for five hours on Sunday night after he died. She relived the harrowing night during an interview with CNN on Tuesday (above)
After he was brought to the bar area on a ladder, a makeshift stretcher, Gooze sat with McIldoon, who'd been separated from his girlfriend in the chaos, and held his hand until he succumbed to his injuries.
'I felt his fingers, like, tighten and then loosen,' she told CBC on Tuesday.
Before he died, Gooze went through his phone to try to track down information about him.
She gleaned his last name by speaking to his friends on Facebook and wrote it on his arm.
Once he had stopped breathing, his phone rang. It was his girlfriend who was in lockdown in the Hotel Tropicana.
Gooze answered and had to deliver the gut wrenching news. 'She said, 'Please be honest with me, what's going on?" And I said "I didn't want to be the one to tell you this, but he didn't make it."
Jordan McIldoon, 23, died in Gooze's arms. He was at the Route 91 festival with his girlfriend Amebr Bereza (above) who survived. They became separated in the chaos and Bereza was placed in lockdown in the Tropicana hotel
In disbelief, the woman begged her to check his breath and pulse again, she said, frantically telling her that he was 'the love of her life'.
Gooze then had the same conversation with McIldoon's mother in Canada.
But as hundreds of people fled the scene to take others to hospital or shelter, Gooze stayed with the man's body.
On Tuesday morning, she tearfully told CNN that she'd promised the man's mother that she wouldn't leave his side.
'I said "I promise you, I swear to you that I will not leave him. I swear to you that I will stay with him until this is over."'
Gooze stayed at the venue until police began removing bodies at around 3.30am. She maintained contact with the man's family to tell them where they would be able to find his body.
Resisting being labeled a hero on Tuesday, she wept: 'I couldn't just leave him by himself. I didn't want him to be a John Doe.
Gooze was working behind the bar at the concert when the shots began. She shared this photograph moments before the terror began
Good Samaritans brought McIldoon to the bar area on a ladder, one of the many makeshift stretchers heroic witnesses used to save the wounded. He died holding Gooze's hand
Gooze sent this Facebook post out after informing Jordan's family about his death. She stayed with his body until 3.30am, five hours after the first shots rang out
'There was another guy that was by us. His wife had been shot and killed, the mother of his three kids, and he never left his side.
'I didn't want Jordan to not have somebody with him.'
She went on to say the real heroes of the tragedy were the countless paramedics and Good Samaritans who ran into the line of fire to pull victims out.
'I just sat with him. But I would like to think that if it was me, somebody wouldn't let me sit there alone,' she said.
Gooze also described the chaotic scramble of people trying to get to safety when the first shots rang out.
After telling the man's girlfriend that he'd died, Gooze said she responded incredulously, saying: 'That can't be. He's the love of my life.' The pair are seen at the same festival last year
Gooze broke down on Tuesday in one of several interviews she has given since the tragedy. She resisted being labeled a hero and said she 'just didn't want him to be a John Doe'
'Then there were thousands of people running through trying to break the gate down behind my bar. They were literally climbing on top of each other,' she told People.
McIldoon was not the only person she helped. She said she also stayed with someone who'd been shot in the head until they passed away.
McIldoon's grieving parents told CBC he was their only child. 'We just don't know what to do,' they said on Tuesday.
There are mounting stories of heroism emerging from Sunday night's shooting.
Fifty-nine people were killed and 527 were injured in the atrocity which is the worst mass shooting in US history.
China is planning to invade the democratic island nation of Taiwan in 2020, according to a new book by an American analyst.
Ian Easton, a China affairs analyst, claims to have been privy to internal military documents, including a secret plan draw up by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to attack Taiwan.
This comes just days after Beijing warned the United States it must respect China's concerns on Taiwan to avoid causing disturbances in Sino-U.S. ties.
Astonishing claims: China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) has allegedly drawn up secret plants to attack Taiwan by 2020, according to a new book by an American analyst
Mr Easton works for think-tank Project 2049 Institute, where he conducts research on defense and security issues in Asia, but lived in Taiwan for several years.
In his book, The Chinese Invasion Threat, he writes: 'China has made clear that its primary external objective is attaining the ability to apply overwhelming force against Taiwan during a conflict, and if necessary destroy American-led coalition forces,' according to right-wing website the Washington Free Beacon.
'Consequently, the PLA considers the invasion of Taiwan to be its most critical mission, and it is this envisioned future war that drives China's military buildup.'
The book also claims that Chinese President Xi Jinping told fellow Communist Party leaders in 2012 that China planned to invade Taiwan by 2020.
In recent months the Chinese air force has conducted a series of drills around Taiwan, which have included bombers and advanced fighter jets, alarming Taipei. China has called the exercises routine and pledged to continue with them.
Strong army: Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) honour guards march following the arrival of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Xiamen, China's Fujian province, last month
China considers democratic Taiwan to be a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. The United States has no formal ties with Taiwan but is bound by law to help it defend itself and is the island's main source of arms.
China regularly calls Taiwan the most sensitive and important issue between it and the United States, and has been upset by U.S. moves to expand military exchanges with Taiwan and continued U.S. arms sales to the island.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the stern warning during a meeting with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Wang explained China's position on the Taiwan issue to Tillerson and 'demanded the U.S. side earnestly respect China's concerns, appropriately handle the relevant issue and avoid bringing disturbances to China-U.S. relations', China's Foreign Ministry said.
Beijing's relationship with Taiwan has been frosty since President Tsai Ing-wen won election on the island by a landslide last year.
China suspects that Tsai, who leads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, wants to declare the island's formal independence, a red line for Beijing. Tsai says she wants to maintain peace with China.
News / National
by Staff reporter
MDC-T spokesman warns party members who want Tsvangirai to step down on health grounds.MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu described party members calling for Tsvangirai to step down as "saboteurs"."The MDC has one leader and that is Morgan Tsvangirai, he will be our presidential candidate next year."Anybody dreaming otherwise is as good as whistling in a graveyard. Their day of reckoning is coming," he said.Tsvangirai was released from hospital on Sunday and is expected in the country soon amid mounting calls for him to step down on health grounds, as well as reports that his family is "seriously" considering his future in politics.MDC-T sources said the former Prime Minister was expected later this week."He is expected this week, but there is growing concern on whether he will be able to carry on, given the stress associated with an election campaign," a source said."His family is seriously considering persuading him into retirement. It's not easy but they are weighing the options."Another source claimed Tsvangirai's family was being "pushed" by party hawks angling to succeed him."It's not the family per se, but other senior leaders, who think it would be dangerous for them to confront Tsvangirai and tell him to step down."They are now coaxing the family to prevail on Tsvangirai to step down," the source said.
A Christian couple who let their baby die of jaundice because they believe that 'God makes no mistakes', will not have their other kids returned to them because they refuse stop physically disciplining them.
Joshua, 36, and Rachel Piland, 30, of Lansing, Michigan, were charged with involuntary manslaughter last month after they ignored advice to seek medical treatment for their newborn daughter Abigail Piland, who died three days later on February 9.
A few weeks later, the couple's other children, two boys aged two and three, were seized by the state over 'concerns of threatened harm of physical neglect.'
Joshua, 36, and Rachel Piland, 30, who let their baby die of jaundice because they believe that 'God makes no mistakes', will not have their other kids returned to them because they refuse stop physically disciplining them (couple pictured with their two sons)
The children were temporarily placed with Rachel's parents, in Grand Rapids, with a review hearing in June to see if they could be returned under a number of strict conditions.
But the court ruled against returning the boys to the Pilands, after hearing that the couple refused to comply with a court-ordered safety plan which banned 'physical discipline of the children,' the Detroit Free Press reports.
A new child protection hearing has yet been scheduled but the Pilands are due back in court on Thursday to face the manslaughter charges over the death of their daughter.
Rachel Joy Piland gave birth to Abigail Piland, via midwife, at home, one block east of the Lansing Country Club, according to the Lansing State Journal, on February 6.
At the time of her birth, Abigail appeared healthy and their were no concerns surrounding her well-being.
The mugshots for Rachel Piland and Joshua Piland. The two were charged with manslaughter after they refused treatment for their newborn daughter who had jaundice
Joshua and Rachel Piland pictured above. After Rachel found her daughter dead, the two prayed for her instead of calling police
But when the midwife, who had helped deliver Rachel and Joshua's two other kids, returned to the home the next day, she told the Rachel that Abigail appeared jaundiced, and encouraged Rachel to take her to the doctor.
'She told Rachel the baby could suffer brain damage or die if not properly cared for,' Lansing Police Detective Peter Scaccia said.
Scaccia said that Rachel refused to seek any medical treatment for Abigail, stating 'God makes no mistakes,' and implied that the newborn was fine.
But the baby's condition only worsened and on February 8, Abigail started to cough up blood.
Instead if taking the infant to the doctor, Rachel put her child 'near a window wearing just a diaper utilizing a hair dryer to keep her warm,' Detective Scaccia told the Lansing Journal.
At one point, Rachel told her mother, Rebecca Kerr, what the midwife said after Rebecca told her daughter that Abigail's skin was not the right color.
But instead of going to hospital with her newborn, Rachel proceeded to go listen to sermons.
On the morning of February 9, Rachel and her mother noticed blood coming out of Abigail's nose and she had difficulty breathing.
The baby was delivered via midwife at their home, one block east of the Lansing Country Club on February 6. Abigail's body was also found there by police
Kerr had begged her daughter to call for help but she refused. By 11am the same day, Rachel found her daughter dead in her bouncy seat, according to the Lansing Journal.
Rachel told her husband, Joshua who attempted one rescue breath.
Detective Scaccia said that Joshua did not want to perform CPR because he didn't know how to perform it on children.
He continued: 'They then brought Abigail upstairs to pray for her. Joshua continued to massage Abigail, attempting to get her good air. Both Josh and Rachel reached out to friends and fellow church members to come to their home and pray for Abigail's resurrection, but never called the police.'
What is infant jaundice? Infant jaundice is a yellow discoloration in a newborn baby's skin and eyes. Infant jaundice occurs because the baby's blood contains an excess of bilirubin, a yellow-colored pigment of red blood cells. Infant jaundice is a common condition, particularly in babies born before 38 weeks gestation (preterm babies) and some breast-fed babies. Infant jaundice usually occurs because a baby's liver isn't mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in the bloodstream. In some cases, an underlying disease may cause jaundice. Treatment of infant jaundice often isn't necessary, and most cases that need treatment respond well to noninvasive therapy. Although complications are rare, a high bilirubin level associated with severe infant jaundice or inadequately treated jaundice may cause brain damage. Source: Mayo Clinic Advertisement
Officers learned of the child's death after Rachel's brother called from California and told them of Abigail's death.
When police arrived they discovered the dead infant and people praying over her body.
The autopsy later confirmed that Abigail died from unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus - conditions related to jaundice.
If treated, she would have more than likely survived, the detective said.
Rachel and Joshua later told the court they understood the newborn's symptoms but chose to 'believe in the word of God over the symptoms,' records show.
The court also heard they believe they'll be reunited with their baby girl because they think she will be 'resurrected.'
They are both members of the Free Saints Assembly Church in Lansing and don't believe in medical treatment beyond basic first aid, according to the records.
Joshua was a senior project manager for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation but left last month.
Rachel and Joshua were each charged with a single count of involuntary manslaughter and released after posting $75,000 bond on September 21.
Their next hearing is scheduled for October 5 in Lansing's District Court.
They face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
A chilling video captures the moment a Brazilian woman records her own death allegedly at the hands of her neighbour.
Willyene Mathias was shot twice in the face while filming a heated argument between herself and the man living next door.
The 22-year-old was using her phone to record the encounter in Santana de Cataguases, south east Brazil, when the man she is arguing with and who she refers to as Juliano, lifts up his t-shirt, pulls a gun from his trouser waistband and fires at point blank range.
Scroll down for video
Willyene Mathias (pictured) was shot twice in the face while filming a heated argument between herself and the man living next door
Willyene Mathias was shot twice in the face while filming a heated argument between herself and the man living next door (pictured). The man is seen holding a gun after pulling it from his waistband
In a split second the young mother of three's life is cut short. She screams in terror as two shots ring out and the phone clatters to the ground as it records her own dying moments. The suspect curses loudly as his victim lies on the floor
According to local paper, Midia Mineira, the argument apparently started because the victim was accused by her neighbour of gossiping about him.
The pair are also reported to have fallen out over an earlier disagreement between their children.
It's claimed Willyene filmed the incident to prove to her husband she was being wrongly accused and insulted by the man.
The wife, 22, was shot dead by her neighbour
In just over two minutes, the matter quickly spirals out of control as the 40-year-old gunman appears to lose his temper and shoots her.
Before she is gunned down, Willyene can be heard reacting with horror and crying: 'No Juliano, I'm not playing this game,' as she realises the argument has turned into deadly one.
What happens next is harrowing.
In a split second the young mother of three's life is cut short. She screams in terror as two shots ring out and the phone clatters to the ground as it records her own dying moments.
The suspect curses loudly as his victim lies on the floor.
According to reports the offender fled the crime scene but before leaving he is heard callously saying: 'Now you're going to hell, you demon.'
The recording ends with an unknown female coming to the wounded woman's aid and screaming for help.
The incident, which happened on September 23, starts with the man being filmed as he mumbles under his breath that he's fed up with people talking about his business.
Willyene who is standing on a terraced area at the top of a flight of stairs outside her house, calls to the man and challenges him by asking: 'What do you mean Juliano?'
Willyene filmed the whole incident on her phone and is seen falling to the ground after being shot
The neighbour was arrested (left) and his gun and ammunition was seized by Brazilian police
A chilling video captures the moment a Brazilian woman (pictured) records her own death allegedly at the hands of her neighbour
The man responds: 'Yes you're the one that's spreading lies about me.'
The argument escalates as the neighbour comes up the stairs to the property and swears and threatens his victim. He accuses her of preventing him from talking to her husband which she denies.
As he goes back down the stairs, while still arguing, the suspect curses and tells his victim to go to hell.
Willyane responds with: 'Yes, but you will go first and you don't have the right to swear at me.'
During the argument the accused is alleged to have warned her that 'she better be careful'.
To which the victim responds 'What are you threatening to do to me? Tell me'.
Incensed by her attitude the accused calmly returns pulls out his gun and shoots.
The victim was rushed to Cataguases Hospital but never recovered consciousness and died shortly afterwards from her injuries.
The offender went on the run and was finally tracked to his house by cops where a .38 calibre gun was seized along with ammunition.
A police spokesperson said: 'We have detained a suspect who is accused of murder. We recovered ammunition and a gun which we believe was used in the crime.
'We are examining the film recorded on the victim's phone and we are waiting for the autopsy report to help us complete our investigations.'
1. Dar Es Salaam Bank, Baghdad - 2007 - 212million
Though much of this incident remains shrouded in mystery, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said that a pair of guards who worked for an armed militia that was roaming the area engineered the heist of just over a quarter of a billion dollars.
2. The Knightsbridge Vault Robbery, London - 1987 - 73.2 million
Valerio Viccei, an Italian playboy and career criminal who was implicated in over 50 bank robberies during his lifetime, enlisted the help of a number of armed accomplices and walked out with tens of millions worth in cash, jewelry, and other valuables.
3. Securitas Depot Robbery, Kent, UK - 2006 - 62.6million
The largest cash robbery in British history, a heavily armed gang of criminals kidnapped the branch manager and his family, bound and gagged 14 employees, and forced them to open the cash cages. While most of the perpetrators were caught and convicted, one of the criminals is said to be still living off of the stolen cash in the West Indies.
4. Banco Central Burglary, Fortaleza, Brazil - 2005 - 52.9million
The thieves rented a commercial property in the middle of the city and posed as landscapers. They then spent three months digging a tunnel spanning 256 feet to a point just underneath the bank. They somehow tunneled up through reinforced concrete into the vault of the Banco Central branch and walked away with 3.5 tons of Brazilian bank notes.
5. British Bank of the Middle East, Beirut, Lebanon - 1976 - 37.8million
As Lebanon was engulfed by a bloody civil war, a group with links to the Palestine Liberation Organization blew through a church wall next to the bank and enlisted the services of a crack team of locksmiths. They walked out with upwards of $50million in cash, gold, and jewelry.
6. Northern Bank Robbery, Belfast - 2004 - 31million
Days before Christmas, gunmen posing as officials held branch managers and their families hostage at gunpoint. With their families at home under threat, the managers were told to report to work as if it were a normal day and then allow the gunmen into the bank at the end of the business day. After the money was stolen, the families were released unharmed. Authorities to this day do not know who perpetrated the heist.
7. Brink's-MAT, London - 1983 - 31million
Six thieves enlisted the help of a security guard and broke into the Brink's-MAT warehouse at Heathrow. They initially planned to seize a few million in cash, but their plans changed when they realized there were an additional three tons of gold bullion and diamonds. The gold has never been recovered.
8. Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company, London - 2015 - 25m
The Hatton Garden jewellery heist is believed to be 'the largest in British history', and saw a gang of mostly elderly thieves break into an underground safety deposit vault in London's Hatton Garden. It was originally thought the value of the items stolen over the 2015 Easter holiday was 14m, but this was later increased to 25m
9. Dunbar Armored Robbery, Los Angeles - 1997 - 14.3million
The largest cash robbery in US history was an inside job. A regional safety inspector for Dunbar recruited five of his childhood friends and together they ambushed the guards at a stocked cash drop vault on a Friday night. Once they got their hands on the money, they loaded it into a U-Haul and nearly escaped. While the thieves were convicted, over half of the money is still missing.
10. The Great Train Robbery, Buckinghamshire, UK - 1963 - 3million
It took months to draw up an elaborate plan to intercept a Royal Mail train traveling from Glasgow. A team of 15 thieves managed to rig the trackside signals, forcing the train to stop at a remote location. They then overpowered the conductor and made off with the loot. The story has inspired a number of dramatizations in cinema and television.
Source:Thrillist
In the aftermath of the deadly Las Vegas shooting, House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has shoved aside the controversial gun silencer bill, telling reporters Tuesday that it 'is not scheduled.'
The Sportsmen's Heritage and Recreational Enhancement bill, or SHARE Act, received renewed attention Monday with Democrat Hillary Clinton most prominently arguing that its passage could have made things worse.
'The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots,' she tweeted. 'Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get.'
Originally, the bill which would ease restrictions on silencers, among other things was scheduled to be voted on this week.
'That bill is not scheduled now, I don't know when it's going to be scheduled,' Ryan said Tuesday, pointing to the majority GOP's priorities like the budget and tax reform. 'That is our present focus and the sportsmen's bill is not scheduled,' he repeated.
Scroll down for video
House Speaker Paul Ryan is photographed heading to the GOP leadership's weekly news conference. At the presser Ryan was asked what Congress has done to keep Americans safe from mass shootings
Later Tuesday, Ryan was asked about the bill by Fox News Channel's Dana Perino, and he explained that it contained more than just the silencer provision.
'It's a big bill, it deals with wet lands, it deals with other sportman's issues,' Ryan said. 'It's not on our schedule because, quite frankly, we're focused on tax reform and getting our budge moving right now,' the speaker reiterated.
At the regularly-scheduled Republican leadership press conference Tuesday, Ryan was also asked by a reporter what Congress has done to keep Americans safe from these continued mass shootings.
Ryan brought up mental health reform.
'One of the things we've learned from these shootings is often underneath this is a diagnosis for mental illness,' the top House Republican pointed out.
Another reporter asked the speaker, specifically, about Congress quietly passing a bill, which received little fanfare when it crossed President Trump's desk to be signed in late February, that rolled back Obama-era mental health-themed gun background checks.
In 2013, following the December 2012 Sandy Hook shootings, Obama had written a new rule that would make people receiving Social Security checks for mental health services and those considered unfit to handle their finances register to the national background check database.
The Obama rule would have added 75,000 to the database, NBC News said.
Every Republican in the Senate voted for legislation to kill the rule, joined by four Democrats from red states and the independent Sen. Angus King, I-Maine.
In the House it was also nearly a party-line vote as well, with just two Republicans voting against it and six Democrats voting for it.
Forced to defend that vote on Tuesday, Ryan said, 'There were people's right that were getting infringed. It was a little bit more complicated than you describe,' the speaker told a reporter.
'Protecting people's right was very important and that's what that issue was all about,' Ryan added.
Pointing to the fact that the gunman could have been mentally ill, Ryan touted the bipartisan legislation that got signed by Obama in December of 2016, shortly before the Democrat left office.
'That's why we spent years working on mental illness reform, Congressman Murphy's bill, and that's why the House of Representatives passed landmark mental health reform just a year ago,' Ryan said.
The bill was ushered through Congress by two lawmakers named Murphy, the Democrat, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn, and the Republican, Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa.
Ryan was clearly referring to the efforts made by the Republican Murphy.
The Democratic Murphy, on the other hand, has become the member of Congress mostly loudly calling for gun control in the wake of the Las Vegas massacre.
On Monday, the Connecticut Democrat, who represented Newtown, Connecticut the site of the Sandy Hook Elementary School murders as a House member, said he planned to introduce a new background checks bill.
He explained during an appearance on Morning Joe Tuesday that while a background check may not have stopped this particular Las Vegas shooter, that Congress should continue to back 'evergreen changes' to gun laws as well.
'Background checks is still the most likely piece of legislation to get passed through Congress because it enjoys widespread public approval and, frankly, probably is most dispositive on the amount of gun violence that happens every day,' Murphy said.
The number of Germans living in the UK has overtaken the number of Brits living in Germany for the first time, according to new official data.
Figures show there were 107,000 British citizens living in Germany in 2016 - which was up by 10 per cent since 2011.
But between 2014 and 2016 there were 139,700 German citizens living in the UK, the Office for National Statistics said.
Statisticians added that the stationing of hundreds of thousands of British troops in Germany since the Second World War contributed significantly to the picture.
For the first time, the number of Germans living in the UK has overtaken the number of Brits living in Germany
The ONS said: 'The stationing of UK troops in Germany since the Second World War has contributed significantly to the picture of migration in both countries.'
For example, there are more British males living in Germany than females, according to the report.
There are also indications that there is a proportion of the resident population of UK citizens in Germany that is 'very settled'.
Figures show that 52 per cent of British adults living in Germany are married - and in the majority of cases, their spouses are non-migrant German citizens.
This is in contrast to the pattern seen in France, where most married or cohabiting British citizens are married to or living with compatriots.
Meanwhile, the report notes that there is a large proportion of German women in the UK, who could potentially be partners of British servicemen who have returned from a posting in Germany.
There is a further large group of women aged 70 or over, who would have been born before 1947 and may have come to the UK as part of the migrations of the early 20th century.
Figures show there were 107,000 British citizens living in Germany (pictured, Berlin) in 2016 - which was up by 10 per cent since 2011
The analysis said an estimated 76 per cent of German citizens aged between 16 and 64 in the UK were in employment in 2014-16.
Most of those living in the UK work in public administration, education and health.
Some 79 per cent of UK citizens living in Germany were in work, with the the most common industry of employment identified as administrative and support service activities.
The ONS said the article 'looks at how migration between the UK and Germany has been shaped by their unique historical relationship'.
The report was created in response to an increased user need for data about the people who may be most likely to be affected by the UK's decision to leave the EU.
Emma Rourke, director of public policy analysis at the ONS, said: 'As we look at the way events of eight decades ago continue to materially affect migration between the UK and Germany even today, this series of articles is demonstrating just how complex and unique the relationships are between the UK and each of its individual partners within the EU.
'The patterns of migration differ markedly from one country to another, which will present a variety of challenges to policy makers as decisions are made which affect the future of UK and EU citizens following Brexit.'
Hugh Hefner died from heart failure after contracting an aggressive strain of e-coli which was resistant to drugs, it has been revealed.
The 91-year-old's death certificate was obtained by The Blast on Tuesday, less than a week after his death.
It lists Playboy mogul Hefner's causes of death as cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, septicemia and e-coli.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health could not determine how Hefner contracted the deadly bacteria.
He died on September 27 at the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills surrounded by family.
Scroll down for video
Hugh Hefner's death certificate reveals he died of heart failure, respiratory failure, septicemia and e-coli
Hefner (above in 2014) is survived by his third wife, 31-year-old Crystal Harris (pictured) and his four children from two previous marriages
Hefner was buried on Saturday in an intimate ceremony which was attended only by family.
He had four children from two marriages before wedding Crystal Harris, his third wife, in 2012.
The Playboy founder was buried next to Marilyn Monroe at Los Angeles' Westwood Village Park.
Monroe was on the cover of the very first edition of Playboy which Hefner published in 1953. He bought the crypt next to hers in the cemetery before he died for $75,000.
It was previously reported that an infection crippled Hefner, making him bed-ridden for the two years before his death.
It is not known whether that infection was the e-coli that medical examiners identified in his death certificate.
Hefner was suffering from an infection for months before he died. He is seen above in heartbreaking footage taken not long before his death, struggling to walk unassisted
Hefner's public appearances rapidly declined in recent years. One of his final outings was in May 2016 when he was unable to walk unassisted.
Since his death, he has been the subject of tributes from Hollywood titans as well as members of his family.
Harris, who was kept out of inheriting any of the business by an iron clad prenup but who still inherited a $7million home from her husband's passing, broke her silence this weekend after attending his funeral.
'I havent been able to bring myself to write most people back to thank them for their condolences. I am heartbroken. I am still in disbelief.
'He changed my life, he saved my life. He made me feel loved every single day. He was a beacon to the world, a force unlike anything else.
'There never has and never will be another Hugh M. Hefner,' she told People.
Harris claimed before her husband's death that Viagra caused him to lose his hearing.
Hefner was laid to rest on Saturday at a private ceremony at Los Angeles' Westwood Village Park. Before he died, he bought the crypt next to Marilyn Monroe's (above) which is where he now lies
Hefner's son Cooper announced his death in a statement released by Playboy on September 27.
'My father lived an exceptional and impactful life as a media and cultural pioneer and a leading voice behind some of the most significant social and cultural movements of our time in advocating free speech, civil rights and sexual freedom.
'He defined a lifestyle and ethos that lie at the heart of the brand, one of the most recognizable and enduring in history.
'He will be greatly missed by many, including his wife Crystal, my sister Christie, and my brothers David and Marston, and all of us at Playboy Enterprises.'
Cooper, 26, is the COO of Playboy. He stands to inherit a fourth of his father's $43million fortune.
A 27-year-old woman has lost her right eye after a bullet ripped through her face during the Las Vegas concert massacre.
Tina Frost remains in a coma in hospital after undergoing surgery to remove the bullet that became lodged in her eye when a gunman opened fire on the crowd of country music fans on Sunday night.
Frost, who is originally from Maryland but moved to California several years ago, is expected to remain in the coma for a week. Doctors are unsure yet if she has suffered any brain damage.
Tina Frost, 27, was with her boyfriend Austin Hughes (above) when they were caught up in the Las Vegas concert massacre on Sunday. She remains in a coma in hospital after a bullet struck her eye
She came out of surgery on Monday afternoon and her family said her vitals were stable.
'They removed her right eye, where the bullet was lodged, and there is an implant there now to keep the space open. She has sight in her left eye but will never see from the right again,' the family posted on Facebook.
'They took out a bone from her forehead to allow the brain room to swell, that will stay out for a few months. She's in a coma and on a ventilator, she cannot breathe on her own. She's critically stable in ICU for at least a week.
'Over the next few days, they're going to see how she responds to simulation, but until then, we won't know how bad the brain damage is.'
Tina (left with her mother and right with her boyfriend) is expected to remain in the coma for a week. Doctors are unsure yet if she has suffered any brain damage
A GoFundMe page set up for Frost has already raised more than $90,000 since the horror shooting unfolded
Frost had driven from San Diego with her boyfriend Austin Hughes specifically for the country music concert.
Hughes said his girlfriend was still conscious after she was struck by the bullet but they got separated when she was rushed to hospital.
He told her family that he spent several hours looking for her before learning that she was in surgery. Her parents rushed to Las Vegas with one of her sisters to be by her side.
A GoFundMe page set up for Frost has already raised more than $90,000 since the horror shooting unfolded.
Frost graduated from Arundel High in 2008 and now works as an accountant for Ernst & Young in San Diego.
Her parents rushed to Las Vegas with one of her sisters, Meg, (above) to be by her side
President Donald Trump's visited storm-ravaged Puerto Rico and had a face-to-face meeting with the San Juan mayor he blasted online as a political 'ingrate.'
But in an extended televised meeting with responders heading the federal effort, the president mentioned an array of federal agencies and officials, while leaving San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz out.
Trump mentioned the governor, Puerto Rico's delegate, the Navy, Coast Guard, Marines, the Small Business Administrator, her husband wrestler Vince McMahon, and others.
He shook the mayor's hand before the meeting but didn't mention her during the first several minutes of his meeting carried on cable networks.
Trump was to meet with locals whose lives were upended by the storm, as well as military officials, first responders, and local officials.
President Donald Trump shakes hands with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz during a briefing on hurricane recovery efforts with first responders at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base to survey hurricane damage and recovery efforts, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in San Juan, Puerto Rico
One official was there was San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who found herself on the receiving end of a Trump twitter attack after she faulted his administration's response.
She was set to attend a briefing Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were scheduled to get, CBS News reported. The official White House schedule did not mention her name, though it mentioned a meeting with the governors of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
One meeting was to be with 'individuals impacted by Hurricane Maria.'
In a bit of possible detente, the president declined to criticize the mayor Tuesday morning, after dinging her with a series of tweets over the weekend.
'Well I think she's come back a long way,' Trump said, asked bout Cruz.
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz (foreground) attends a briefing with U.S. President Donald Trump on hurricane damage, at Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico, U.S. October 3, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 03: US President Donald Trump speaks to the media before boarding Marine One to depart from the White House, on October 3, 2017 in Washington, DC.President Trump is traveling to Puerto Rico after it was ravaged by Hurricane Maria last month. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
'I think it's now acknowledged what a great job we've done, and people are looking at that,' the president said. The president gave his administration an 'A +' for the response.
Cruz unloaded last week when a homeland official called Puerto Rico a 'good news story.' She hit back that it was a 'people are dying story' and criticized elements of the response.
President Donald Trump talks with Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello (L) as they take their seats for a briefing on hurricane relief efforts in a hangar at Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico, U.S. October 3, 2017
'If anybody out there is listening to us, we are dying, and you are killing us with the inefficiency,' she said Friday.
"We have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico,' Trump responded. "Outside fake news or politically motivated ingrates ... people are now starting to recognize the amazing work that has been done by FEMA and our great military,' he said.
Destroyed communities are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017. The aftermath of the powerful storm has resulted in a near-total shutdown of the U.S. territoryis economy that could last for weeks and has many people running seriously low on cash and worrying that it will become even harder to survive on this storm-ravaged island. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump make their way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland en route Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MANDEL NGANMANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
'Such poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help,' Trump wrote in another tweet.
'We have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico. Outside of the Fake News or politically motivated ingrates,......people are now starting to recognize the amazing work that has been done by FEMA and our great Military,' Trump wrote in two tweets.
Just 7 per cent of Puerto Rico had power, 40 per cent had cell service, and just 45 per cent had water and sewer systems running, CNN reported.
A Foreign Office minister tonight branded the Brexit vote a 'tantrum' by voters and claimed Government's job was to stop it being a disaster.
Sir Alan Duncan faced immediate calls for him to be fired over his 'contempt' for the 17million Brexit voters after his remarks emerged.
Boris Johnson's deputy made the incendiary claims today while on a visit to the United States.
Sir Alan, a Remain campaigner, said traditional blue-collar Labour supporters had been 'stirred up' by the immigration issue in the final days of the campaign.
Sir Alan Duncan (file image from July) tonight branded the Brexit vote a 'tantrum' by voters and claimed Government's job was to stop it being a disaster
He claimed said some of the anger directed towards immigrants had been 'slightly artificial' as people in the UK did not want the jobs they were taking.
'The manner in which the campaign was fought stirred up a lot of sentiment amongst people who were not habitual voters, particularly on the issue of immigration,' he said during a question and answer session at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
'You could feel blue-collar, urban, traditional Labour opinion going viral for Leave.
'They were stirred up by an image of immigration which made them angry and made them throw a bit of a tantrum.'
Sir Alan said it was 'one of the paradoxes' of the campaign that Boston in Lincolnshire had voted so heavily for Leave when the local agricultural sector was dependent on migrant workers from Poland.
'Lincolnshire folk if you like said 'Oh, they are coming to pinch our jobs'. Well, they wouldn't do the jobs themselves anyway so it was a slightly artificial anger,' he said.
Sir Alan, who is the minister for Europe and the Americas, said the Government was now trying to make the best of the result.
'We have to make the most of what we are now required to do by the referendum to try and turn it into an opportunity and not a disaster,' he said.
Sir Alan, deputy to Boris Johnson (pictured in Manchester today) at the Foreign Office, faced immediate calls for him to be fired over his 'contempt' for the 17million Brexit voters
He was also highly critical of the way the Remain campaign led by David Cameron and George Osborne had been fought which, he said, contributed to the outcome.
'The Remain campaign was badly conducted in that the then government under David Cameron and George Osborne very much hogged the campaign limelight and it didn't look as though the Remain argument put a vision of optimism,' he said.
'Nor did it appear a cross-party endeavour. That made elements of voting opinion treat it as a verdict on the government of the day which invariably creates anti feelings and that converted into votes.
'That I think explains part of the chemistry that led to the result.'
In his first intervention as Ukip leader Henry Bolton (pictured on Saturday after winning the Ukip leadership) claimed Sir Alan was symptomatic of a patronising political elite
In his first intervention as Ukip leader, Henry Bolton said: 'How can a man who is meant to represent the UK in Europe feel that way about the majority of the people in the UK?
'The old joke about the Foreign Office must be true, it represents foreigners in Britain, rather than the other way round, it is clear that the Minister represents the interests of Europe rather than the interests of the UK.
'The contempt that he shows towards the 17 million is a disgrace, but is symptomatic of a political elite who despise the ordinary people of our country and their hopes and aspirations.
'The Prime Minster cannot just sit back and allow this. Her authority and credibility already are already in question and the words of her minister will undermine her even further if she doesn't act. How can those millions believe her leadership in negotiations, and how can our EU colleagues not laugh at her if she fails to do so?'
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary Tuesday and Michelle marked the occasion by sharing a photo along with a beautiful caption.
The former first lady took to Twitter and posted a photo from their wedding day with the caption 'Happy 25 anniversary. A quarter of a century later, you're still my best friend & the most extraordinary man I know. I (heart emoji) you.'
Michelle was able to beat her husband to the punch, but she may be making up for previous years when she forgot their anniversary all together.
Scroll for video
Michelle Obama shared this sweet snap along with the caption: 'A quarter of a century later, you're still my best friend'
The Obamas are celebrating their silver wedding anniversary. The couple has been eyeing a permanent move to New York City
While anniversary plans for Barack and Michelle are unclear, Michelle spent the day at a speaking engagement for the Pennsylvania Conference For Women on Tuesday.
Barack would not let the day go without wishing wife Michelle a special happy anniversary in his own way. During the conference he surprised her with a video message.
'Your strength, grace, determination honesty, and the fact that you look so good doing all of this, it's remarkable. It's no wonder that as people got to know you as I got to know you, that they fell in love,' her husband said. 'It's truly the best decision I ever made to be persistent enough to ask you out on a date that you finally gave in and I hope you feel the same way.'
The often affectionate Obamas were married on October 3, 1992, at Trinity United Church in Chicago and have two daughters together: Malia, who was born in 1998 and Sasha, born in 2001.
Back in 2012, just before the couple were to celebrate their 20th anniversary, Michelle, 51, revealed during a joint appearance with her husband on The View, that she forgot their first wedding anniversary.
'Our first wedding anniversary, I totally forgot about it,' she told the hosts. 'I totally forgot!'
She added: 'He asked me, 'Well, what are we going to do on Saturday?' And I go, 'What's Saturday?' And it was our anniversary - I forgot.'
Still in love after all these years... The Obamas share a dance during the Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009
Michelle, on her 25th anniversary with Barack, took on a speaking engagement for the Pennsylvania Conference For Women, alongside director Shonda Rhimes
'Cold,' responded the President, jokingly.
Later in the appearance, however, Michelle gave a glowing review of her husband's nature, calling him 'romantic'.
'He's very loving, he's very giving, he's very open. He's funny; I'm funnier. But we understand that,' she joked.
It hasn't been revealed yet if the couple made any special plans for their silver anniversary but they've taken some very meaningful trips this year.
The couple traveled to Massachusetts in August to drop their eldest daughter Malia off at Harvard. Obama described the emotional milestone to being like 'open heart surgery.'
The family also made a pilgrimage to Indonesia in June, where Barack lived as child in the 1960's after his mother Ann Dunham married second husband Lolo Soetoro, an Indonesian man.
The Obamas sit for a portrait in the Green Room of the White House September 1, 2009 in Washington, DC
The family embarked on a meaningful trip to Indonesia where Barack spent time as a child, they also went white water rafting in Bali during the trip
Obama and Michelle along with daughters Malia and Sasha walk to board Air Force One at Cape Cod Air Force Station in Massachusetts in 2016
Former First Lady Michelle Obama spoke with director and producer Shonda Rhimes about life at in the White House during the Pennsylvania Conference for Women Tuesday
Barack and Michelle also may make New York City their permanent home as its been reported they are looking to buy an apartment in a historic Upper East Side apartment building in Manhattan inside of 10 Gracie Square.
There are currently four apartments for sale in the building, one of which is a penthouse where author Jean Stein and Carter Vanderbilt-Cooper jumped to their deaths.
Real estate insiders have speculated that this 10th floor apartment could be the Obamas' new apartment.
The apartment is a duplex worth $10million designed by architect Daniel Romualdez.
It has five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a library with a wood-burning fireplace and views of the East River and Queens.
News / National
by Staff reporter
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says it will guard jealously information on the voters roll and election results to enable credible elections.This came out at a stakeholder engagement between ZEC and political parties in Harare today.According to the commission, access to the server containing information on the voting process will be restricted to selected ZEC employees."The server is a security area and all political parties will not be allowed access it," ZEC Chairperson, Justice Rita Makarau.Concerns have been raised by political parties over accessibility and security of information during the forthcoming 2018 general elections.Justice Makarau also revealed that the commission received all the outstanding biometric voter registration (BVR) kits and the blitz for registration will commence on the 12th of October.The commission launched the voter registration exercise on September 18 and so far, a total of 25 571 people have been registered.One BVR kit has a capacity to register between 80 to 100 people per day and the delivery of the outstanding 2600 kits will improve the smooth flow of the electoral process.
Police hunting missing Corrie McKeague (pictured) have announced they will resume their search of 6,500 tonnes of rubbish
Corrie's mother Nicola Urquhart claimed the 1.2million police search at the landfill has now been widened because it was initially based on evidence which was 'not correct'.
Rubbish taken from the 'horseshoe' area in Bury St Edmunds was deposited at a holding site in Red Lodge on the morning he went missing, before being taken to the Milton landfill.
Nicola said the initial search was carried out based on evidence from landfill owners FCC Environment, which owns the two sites, and a private haulage firm which it hires.
She claims they suggested just one lorry could have carried Corrie from the holding site on the Monday after his disappearance.
But she claims police have now discovered it could have been more than one, which has prompted them to widen the search.
She said: 'They've taken this step because the police themselves could not understand why they have not found him.
'They were utterly convinced they were going to find him and it really did baffle them.
The force said the resumed, extended search, likely to take between four and six weeks, would concentrate on an area next to the site of the earlier search
'They now realise that the information they were given wasn't correct and they've went back and kept questioning it and they've finally realised that it wasn't just one lorry they should have been following.'
However she defended the police decision to search in the wrong place saying she was now 'extremely confident' in their current investigation.
'The problem is that they can only go on what they were told at the time and what they were told at the time was that it was just the one lorry that went in,' she added.
'There's a chance that Corrie actually never left with that bin lorry - it could have been the second (lorry) or possibly the day after.'
She said the new search site will cover deposits from all lorries which moved rubbish from Red Lodge from September 26 until September 30 last year.
'What I can say is if he is in that landfill they will find him by doing this search,' said Nicola.
'I've got to get my mind and heart back into waiting for a phone call every day for the next six weeks once they start searching and that's incredibly difficult so I'm just trying to focus on the positive now.
The 23-year-old was last seen in CCTV (shown) walking through Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, after a night out with friends
Detective Supt Eliott said: 'We have extended the search twice and we were at the site for three months. But since then we have realised that although the search plans well thought-out and expensive we still believe that it was in this area that Corrie was most likely to be found.
'That is why we have been carrying out rigorous analysis and have identified an area which is most likely to be the place in which we should look to find Corrie and the answers which his family so desperately need.
'We have been looking carefully at the processing of the waste at the appropriate time and we still believe Corrie may be there - but we have not found him.
'We have identified an area and it now the next most likely place to look for the answers that the family desperately need.'
She added : 'We have extended the search area and in the last three months and we couldn't carry on indefinitely - it is a a very expensive and complex operation and we wanted to make sure we were looking in then right place.
'We still cannot be 100 per cent certain but this is the next most likely area and we have to search it to be able to find the evidence to understand what happened to Corrie.
'At some point this may cease to be an active inquiry but we will always review any new evidence.
'We have spoken to the family to explain what we are doing and its implications and they are pleased that we are still making progress.'
'Words can't describe the lengths that I would go to be able to find Corrie and I will never ever give up, he's my son, how could I.'
Speaking of the possibility the renewed search is unsuccessful, she added: 'I don't think it will stop the police either if they don't find him in the landfill.
'That can only mean the information they've been given isn't correct or something else happened to Corrie.
'[Corrie's daughter] Ellie is just absolutely gorgeous.
'She's given us a future in Corrie no matter what because she's part of Corrie.
'That's something which is completely and utterly priceless and we are very thankful of it.'
A Thai 'cannibal' killer cut out his neighbour's liver and planned to eat it 'in a spicy salad' to prolong his own life.
Accused murderer Paere Jongthong was caught with his victim's liver in his trouser pocket and told police he had killed his elderly neighbour, according to reports.
But the 24-year-old said he only killed Tan Loon-ubon, 79, after the old man claimed to have killed Mr Jongthong's father.
A Thai 'cannibal' killer (pictured) cut out his neighbour's liver and planned to eat it 'in a spicy salad' to prolong his own life
The murder took place at Mr Loon-ubon's home in the village of Dong Suang, Bueng Karn Province, in the northeast of the country.
Mr Jongthong told police he was visiting his neighbour as he often did, but on this occasion he had taken a tablet of methamphetamine and smoked some cannabis.
He says that their conversation took an odd twist when the elderly man suddenly said he had murdered Mr Jongthong's father.
Mr Jongthong said: 'He told me he killed my dad. I said that couldn't be true, but he wouldn't stop talking about it. I didn't know what to do.
Accused murderer Paere Jongthong (bottom right, without a shirt) was caught with his victim's liver in his trouser pocket and told police he had killed his elderly neighbour, according to reports
'I stabbed him, and he cried and apologised. I was so angry. I asked him four times if he was telling the truth.'
Police say that the elderly victim was found with his abdomen cut wide open and had an injury to the neck.
A long kitchen knife found nearby is thought to be the murder weapon.
But the 24-year-old (right) said he only killed Tan Loon-ubon, 79, after the old man claimed to have killed Mr Jongthong's father
They said the victim's liver was found in Mr Jongthong's trousers. Asked whether he had intended to eat it, Mr Jongthong said: 'Yes, that's right.'
Thai media report that he even had a recipe planned for the liver, a spicy salad.
Police arrested him and charged him with murder.
Police body camera footage shows the shocking moment an officer opened fire on an actor filming a bank robbery scene for a movie in Indiana.
Indiana State Police were called to the Back Step Brewing Company in Crawfordsville on last Tuesday after someone called 911 to report seeing a masked man with a gun enter the back of the building, RTV6 reported.
When officers arrived from the Crawfordsville Police Department, they saw a masked man coming out of the door of the eatery with what appeared to be a gun and ordered him to drop it.
An officer fired at the man, later identified as Jeff Duff, striking the building nearby and not hitting him.
Body camera footage that was released by authorities begins by showing the actor wearing a mask backing out of a bar while holding the fake gun, which appears to be pointed at officers.
Scroll down for video
Police body camera footage shows the moment an officer opened fire on an actor filming a bank robbery scene for a movie last Tuesday at Back Step Brewing Company in Crawfordsville. The actor, later identified as Jeff Duff, was not hit with the bullet
Duff kept telling officers that they were filming a movie scene as he was ordered to get down on the ground. Duff said: 'We're filming a movie, I ain't lying to you'
Police can be heard ordering Duff to drop the gun, but the actor doesn't comply.
Moments later, an officer fired one shot towards Duff, who pulled his mask off and turned towards officer saying they were filming a movie.
Duff dropped the gun and kept repeating that they were filming a movie. Officers ordered him to step back before telling him to get on the ground.
'We're filming a movie, I ain't lying to you,' Duff can be heard saying before the clip ends.
At the time of the incident, actor Phillip Demoret told RTV6: 'The bullet went by his head. It was very close.
'I don't want to think about it. If it had hit him, we'd be having a whole different conversation. Thank goodness he wasn't.'
ISP Sgt. Kim Riley told the television station: 'When the police said drop the gun he turns toward police pointing the gun - if you don't know it is a movie scene how are you supposed to react.
Someone called 911 to report seeing a masked man with a gun enter the back of the building (above)
Duff was holding what at first appeared to be a gun (above) during the incident. It was later determined to be a prop for the movie. No charges will be filed against anyone involved
'I know if it was my situation. I probably would have done the same thing.'
Shortly after the incident, Indiana State Police determined that Montgomery County Production was filming at the location, but no one, including the bar or the production company, had notified police or businesses nearby that filming would be occurring.
In addition, the gun Duff was using during the scene was a prop.
Last week, Kodi Swank, co-owner of Montgomery County Production, released a statement: 'There's lesson to be learned on both sides of the spectrum from us as a low budget movie company and from the police department on their quick reaction.
'I'm very grateful that the police department did their job to the best of their ability with an unknown situation.'
Montgomery County Prosecutor Joe Buser reviewed the evidence and will not file charges against anyone involved in the incident, according to a news release published Monday afternoon.
Defense Secretary James Mattis said Tuesday that he thinks the U.S. should not withdraw from an Obama-era nuclear arms deal with Iran.
The surprising statement comes as President Donald Trump is evaluating whether to certify that the Islamic terror state is in compliance with the bargain.
'Do you believe it is in our national security interest to remain in the Iran nuclear deal?' one senator asked him during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
'Yes, senator, I do,' he replied after a pregnant pause.
'If we can confirm that Iran is living by the agreement, if we can determine that this is in our best interest, then clearly we should stay with it,' Mattis said.
Defense Secretary James Mattis said Tuesday that he thinks the U.S. should not withdraw from an Obama-era nuclear arms deal with Iran
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's rogue nation has been accused repeatedly of violating the spirit of the 2015 deal but the U.S. has continued to declared every three months that Tehran is holding up its end of the bargain
President Donald Trump, pictured Tuesday in Puerto Rico, has called the nuclear deal with Iran a 'disaster' and 'horrible' for U.S. and Israeli national security
'I believe at this point in time, absent indications to the contrary, it is something that the president should consider staying with,' he continued.
Mattis told the Senate panel that Trump is 'right now' considering the possibility of pulling out of the deal, which calls for Tehran's mullahs to limit their own ability to produce weapons-grade nuclear material for a decade.
Federal law requires the White House to state every 90 days whether Iran is holding up its end of the bargain.
The next due-date is October 15.
Last month Iranian government media reported on the test-firing a ballistic missile that could be configured to carry multiple warheads.
'Iran just test-fired a Ballistic Missile capable of reaching Israel,' Trump tweeted then.
'They are also working with North Korea. Not much of an agreement we have!'
Days later it emerged that it was a hoax and no such launch occurred.
'Iran is not in material breach of the agreement,' Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford (right) said Tuesday, 'and I do believe the agreement to date has delayed the development of a nuclear capability by Iran'
The president told the United Nations General Assembly last month that the Iran deal isn't working.
'We cannot let a murderous regime continue these destabilizing activities while building dangerous missiles,' he said.
'And we cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program.'
Three days earlier, Trump told reporters at the White House that he had made up his mind about the fate of the nuclear agreement but wouldn't divulge his decision.
Before taking office in January, then-President-Elect Trump called his predecessor's negotiated truce 'the horrible Iran deal.'
Fake news? Trump tweeted condemnation last month about a supposed Iranian missile launch that never happened
Former president Barack Obama (center), pictured last week at the Invictus Games with former second lady Jill Biden (left) and Prince Harry (right), green-lighted the Iran nuclear deal in 2015
Mattis, while advocating for a cautious approach on Tuesday, castigated Tehran for its provocative behavior.
'The amount of misconduct, I would call it, internationally whether it be with ballistic missiles, rhetoric, support to terrorists, threats to our friends, Arab and Israel, in the region by Iran, are areas where they are open, I think, a great deal to censure by the international community,' Mattis told the senators.
'And we are not naive about their agreement on the nuclear issue. And we are being very alert to any cheating on that right now.'
Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford testified last week that Iran is not technically in violation of the 2015 deal.
'Iran is not in material breach of the agreement,' he confirmed on Tuesday.
'And I do believe the agreement to date has delayed the development of a nuclear capability by Iran.'
Felix Ngole, 39, has launched a human rights fight in the High Court
University bosses have defended their decision to exclude a Christian RE teacher who they say posted 'derogatory' comments about gay people on Facebook.
Felix Ngole, 39, has launched a human rights fight in the High Court, arguing his right to study has been breached.
Two years ago Mr Ngole took part in a debate on a Facebook page about Kim Davis, a state official in Kentucky, US, who refused to register same-sex marriages.
The comments were flagged up to Sheffield University, where he was undertaking a postgraduate degree.
He was stopped from completing his studies and was excluded from the establishment.
Mr Ngole, who now teaches religious education, said he was lawfully expressing a traditional Christian view and has complained that university bosses unfairly stopped him.
He said his rights to freedom of speech and thought, enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, have been breached.
But lawyers representing the university say he showed 'no insight'.
Lawyers said Mr Ngole had been studying for a professional qualification and say bosses had to consider his 'fitness to practice'.
They said the decision to remove him from the course was been fair and proportionate.
Deputy High Court judge Rowena Collins-Rice is analysing his claims at a High Court hearing in London.
The hearing began on Tuesday and is due to end on Wednesday.
In 2015, Mr Ngole had been taking part in an debate on a Facebook page about Kim Davis, a state official in the US state of Kentucky, who refused to register same-sex marriages, the judge heard.
'He argued that Mrs Davis's position is based on the Biblical view of same-sex marriage as a sin; when challenged, he provided quotations from the Bible supporting his view,' barrister Paul Diamond, who represented Mr Ngole, told the judge in a written case outline.
'Mr Ngole expressed his views in a polite and temperate way.'
He said Mr Ngole's comments had been made in a 'private/social as opposed to professional'.
The comments were flagged up to Sheffield University, where Mr Ngole was undertaking a postgraduate degree
'Mr Ngole's expression of his beliefs was a genuine contribution to an important public debate,' added Mr Diamond.
'Mr Ngole is entitled to express his religious views; and did so in response to direct questions.'
The judge heard that Mr Ngole was a 'devout Christian' who had enrolled on a two-year MA Social Work degree course in September 2014.
Sheffield University bosses said the social work course was intended to give students a professional qualification and was monitored by the Health and Care Professions Council.
They said they therefore had a responsibility to consider students' 'fitness to practice' and want his claims dismissed.
Barrister Sarah Hannett, who is representing the university, said the case was not about whether Mr Ngole was permitted to hold Christian beliefs.
'In September 2015, the university became aware that Mr Ngole had posted comments on a publicly accessible Facebook page that were derogatory of gay men and bisexuals,' she said in a written outline of the university's case.
'The university instituted fitness to practice proceedings. On 3 February 2016 the Faculty Fitness to Practice Committee determined that Mr Ngole should be excluded from further study on a programme leading to a professional qualification but permitted registration for an alternative programme.
'The decision was upheld by (an) appeals committee.'
She told the judge: 'He failed to show any insight into why his view may be problematic.'
Mr Ngole, who works as a supply teacher and comes from Cameroon, says the case had implications for others.
He is being backed by the Christian Legal Centre - which is part of the campaign group Christian Concern.
The hearing continues.
This is the moment a schoolboy with a pair of scissors stuck in his head was rushed to hospital amid reports he'd been attacked by a girl in a heated argument.
The unnamed 14-year-old was wheeled into a hospital in the city of Nasca in Peru with one blade lodged deep in his scalp as seen in shocking footage.
His teacher told authorities the boy and a female classmate were playing a game in which the scissors were thrown, resulting in them getting accidentally embedded in his head.
But classmates claim the incident in the Josefina Mejia de Bocanegra school was an act of deliberate aggression.
They say the girl stuck the large, orange-handled scissors in the boys head during a row.
The boy's teacher claimed the scissors became lodged in his head during a throwing game gone wrong
Classmates say the scissors were plunged into the boy's head by a girl in a deliberate act of aggression
The teacher has reportedly been suspended while the school investigates how the scissors became embedded in the boy's head
Fortunately the scissor blade did not penetrate the boys brain and that they were removed without incident by doctors.
But the cost of the treatment and possibly aftercare including antibiotics is more than his mother can afford, she told local media, saying: 'I do not have money for medicines.'
The schools head says the incident and the teacher who failed to prevent it are under investigation.
Peruvian media reported that the teacher has been suspended while the investigation goes on.
Advertisement
Fascinating photos have been released showing military life in Rhodesia, southern Africa, at the end of the 19th century.
They were taken between 1896 and 1900 at a time when the famous British imperialist Cecil Rhodes was establishing British control in the region, now known as Zimbabwe.
One photo shows soldiers from Rhodes' British South Africa Company at a lookout with ammunition around their necks poised and ready to fire. There is also the remarkable sight of troops lined up on bicycles and an imposing fort in the hills.
A touching photo shows soldiers rustling through a pile of mail to find letters from their loved ones.
The photos, taken by W. Rausch who ran a studio in the town of Bulawayo, were captured during the 'Scramble for Africa' when European nations were vying for control of the continent and its resources.
Specifically, the troops in the images were fighting in the Second Matabele War, which pitted the British against the native Matabele tribe.
In March 1896, the Matabele revolted against the authority of the British South Africa Company.
The Mlimo, their spiritual leader, convinced his people that the 4,000 settlers were responsible for the drought, locust plagues and the cattle disease ravaging the country at the time.
Bulawayo came under siege but British troops were sent to defend the major settlements, with war raging on until October 1897.
In recent years, the colonial history of Cecil Rhodes and of Britain in Africa have come under closer scrutiny and have faced harsh criticism.
This image archive remained in Zimbabwe until recently when it passed into the safekeeping of a vendor in Berkshire with links to the country. It has now emerged for auction and is tipped to sell for 5,000.
Chris Albury, of Dominic Winter auctions in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, said: 'The archive had been in Zimbabwe until quite recently and is owned by a family with links to both Britain and Zimbabwe.'
Fascinating photos have been released showing military life in Rhodesia, southern Africa, at the end of the 19th century. Pictured, a native tribe in Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe
They were taken between 1896 and 1900 at a time when the famous British imperialist Cecil Rhodes was establishing British control in the region, now known as Zimbabwe. Pictured, soldiers from the military force raised by Rhodes known as the Pioneer Column with their high-powered weaponry
There is also the remarkable sight of troops lined up on bicycles in the town of Bulawayo and an imposing fort in the hills
Specifically, the troops in the images were fighting in the Second Matabele War, which pitted the British against the native Matabale tribe (pictured)
The photos, taken by W. Rausch who ran a studio in the town of Bulawayo, were captured during the 'Scramble for Africa' when European nations were vying for control of the continent and its resources. Pictured, native soldiers lined up with their guns
A touching photo shows soldiers rustling through a pile of mail to find letters from their loved ones in the Bulawayo camp
In March 1896, the Matabele revolted against the authority of the British South Africa Company (pictured)
The Mlimo, their spiritual leader, convinced his people that the 4,000 settlers were responsible for the drought, locust plagues and the cattle disease ravaging the country at the time. Pictured, troops sorting through their provisions
In recent years, the colonial history of Cecil Rhodes and of Britain in Africa have come under closer scrutiny and harsh criticism. Pictured, a cemetery at Fort Gaberons - titled 'Graves of those who fell at Crocodile Pools'
One photo shows soldiers from Rhodes' British South Africa Company at a lookout with ammunition around their necks poised and ready to fire
The archive remained in Zimbabwe until recently when it passed into the safekeeping of a vendor in Berkshire with links to the country. It has now emerged for auction and is tipped to sell for 5,000. Pictured, native soldiers drinking from water carts
Chris Albury, of Dominic Winter auctions in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, said: 'The archive had been in Zimbabwe until quite recently and is owned by a family with links to both Britain and Zimbabwe'
Mr Albury said: 'The value of the album stems from the remarkable number of photos in it and the quality of them.' Pictured, a train station in Bulawayo, Rhodesia
The auctioneer added: 'They were taken by the studio of W.Rausch in Bulawayo over a four year period and they capture an interesting part of the world at a volatile time politically with several conflicts.' Pictured, Canadian soldiers in Bulawayo
He went on: 'There are are interesting photos of the native tribes and the remarkable sight of a regiment lined up on bicycles.' Pictured, a native family posing for a photograph
This photo shows the town of Bulawayo in Rhodesia with a number homes, shops and military buildings on display
This image shows a group of Salisbury officers posing in front of their tent at Crocodile Pools in Bulawayo
This image shows military men hard at work with their sleeves rolled up posing in front of their weaponry at Fort Umluglu, Bulawayo
British troops and their civilian families pose alongside native African men in this photo taken at a military facility
A large group of settlers pose in their finery for a celebratory photograph in Bulawayo behind a string of bunting
This image shows the Laager market which provided supplies, cooked food and even accommodation for the night
In this image native tribesmen can be seen standing in front if the water works they were instrumental in constructing
Troops pose for a casual photo alongside their guns and even their pet dogs in this photo in Bulawayo
This photo, showing colonial troops and native tribesmen working together, is entitled: 'Gambo receiving his beer at the war dance'
In this image troops armed with guns and bullets pose at the Gaberons Station in Bulawayo in front of a loaded train
An armoured train carriage can be seen in this photo taken by photographer W. Rausch along with military men attending to the machine
These signalmen can be seen posing for a photograph along with their flag equipment, guns and ammunition in 1896
This photograph shows the first train coming into Bulawayo. A banner on the front of the train says: 'Advance Rhodesia'
This photo shows a group of native chiefs gathering for a meeting in Bulawayo
British troops pose for a photograph in this image entitled 'Before going to the front'
In this photograph native troops can be seen lining up at a hut in the town of Bulawayo
British troops can be seen sitting on their horses in this photograph at Bulawayo
This interesting image shows Captain Lawly's camp in Victoria Fall's in Bulawayo
A Grand Rapids, Michigan, police officer has resigned after dash cam footage showed him holding a rifle muzzle to a handcuffed suspect's head as he screamed in pain and asked what he'd done.
Officer Kevin Penn was suspended on September 12th after a fellow officer accused him of using force 'not consistent with training or standard procedures' on August 19th, when they responded to a call about an armed robbery attempt at a CVS Pharmacy parking lot.
The shocking video shows Penn approaching the suspect, homeless 28-year-old Javonte Howell, with his rifle out, and resting it on his head once he reaches him.
Officer Kevin Penn resigned from the the Grand Rapids police department in Michigan after being accused of using excessive force by another officer
Dash cam video shows Penn approaching the suspect, a 28-year-old black homeless man, with his rifle drawn
Police were called to the parking lot of a CVS Pharmacy due to an alleged attempted arm robbery
'I got him,' another officer can be heard saying once Howell is in handcuffs, but Penn does not withdraw the weapon.
'This is a gun, if you move, you possibly could be injured, do not move, does that make sense?' Penn asks Howell, who repeatedly asks what he's done.
Penn replies that Howell's offense was 'not listening,' and says 'yes it does,' when the suspect complains that he's in pain - all while the rifle is still drawn.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said in a release Tuesday that Penn violated the rules because he 'put the barrel of his gun to the suspects head,' not because he drew the rifle.
He added that Penn said he felt he had to 'place the gun there for fear of possibly hitting the other officers due to close proximity if he did have to fire, and to try and control the individuals head as he was not complying with commands.'
When police reached the scene they found Howell, who fit the description, and tased him after, according to them, he didn't comply with their commands
Penn told Howell his offense was 'not listening' after he repeatedly asked what he'd done and kept the gun on the suspect's head after he had been handcuffed
'This is a gun, if you move, you possibly could be injured, do not move, does that make sense?' Penn asks Howell, who repeatedly asks what he's done
Javonte Howell (pictured at a previous arrest with a different hairstyle) admitted to police that he was drunk, but denied being involved in the attempted armed robbery
Howell admitted to police that night that he had drank two pints of vodka, but denied assaulting anyone or claiming he was armed. He was charged with aggravated assault, outstanding warrants, and resisting and obstructing police.
According to an internal affairs review obtained by FOX 17, the caller who reported the attempted robbery said a suspect punched him in the face and implied he had a gun.
When police reached the scene they found Howell, who fit the description, and tased him after, according to them, he didn't comply with their commands.
The report says that, as the video shows, Howell was complying with orders and being handcuffed when Officer James Smith realized what Penn was doing, pushed the gun away, and said: 'All right Kevin.'
Charges will not be filed against Penn.
Penn's misconduct report says he withdrew the rifle once officer James Smith realized what was happening, pushed the gun away, and said: 'All right Kevin'
A beloved high school teacher and mother-of-two tragically died after she fell while decorating a homecoming float in Indiana.
Megan Woodward died Friday after she fell from a vehicle she was helping to decorate for Southport High School's homecoming celebration.
Her husband, Wes Woodward, announced her tragic passing on Twitter.
'My wife Megan left us yesterday,' he tweeted on Saturday. 'She was a world-class mother, educator and partner in crime. I will always love her and miss her.'
The cause and manner of her death was still pending on Monday, according to the Marion County coroner's office.
Heartbreaking: Megan Woodward, a beloved high school teacher and mother of two, tragically died after she fell while decorating a homecoming float in Indiana. She pictured above with her husband and two daughters
Her husband, Wes Woodward, announced her tragic passing on Twitter (above). 'My wife Megan left us yesterday,' he tweeted on Saturday. 'She was a world-class mother, educator and partner in crime. I will always love her and miss her'
She taught English at the school where she was well-liked by both faculty and students.
Her friend and former coworker Laura Blaydes said she was so caring towards her students and friends.
'We were basically inseparable,' Blaydes told the Indystar. 'I mean, two peas in a pod. Where she went, I went, vice versa.
'She was just someone there that I knew would always be there for me.
'She made every student feel like they were the most important thing to her.
'She was just somebody that truly cared about these students.'
She taught English at the school where she was well-liked by both faculty and students (she is pictured above with her husband)
Her friend and former coworker Laura Blaydes said Woodward (above with her daughters) was so caring towards her students and friends. Of Woodward, Blaydes said: 'She made every student feel like they were the most important thing to her'
Blaydes added: 'It breaks my heart to know that there are students out there in the future that just won't get to have the experience of having her as an educator.'
A GoFundMe page created by Blaydes to raise money for her family has received more than $8,600 of the $12,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Perry Township School District is providing counseling for Woodward's coworkers and students to help them with their grieving.
They issued the following statement: 'Perry Township Schools expresses its deepest condolences to the family and school community that so dearly love Southport High teacher Megan Woodward.
'Megan was an amazing educator with a remarkable way of making everyone feel valued and important.
'She also had an extraordinary passion for students. The entire Perry Township Community mourns her loss and extends our sympathy to Southport High and the multitudes of people whose lives she touched.'
The body of a girl found at a disused scrapyard has been confirmed as a missing teenager.
Libbi Toledo, 17, was discovered by police officers at the site in Kirkcaldy in Fife, at around 2.20pm on September. Her death is not being treated as suspicious.
She was reported missing on September 12 when she didn't return to her accommodation at an assisted living facility.
Libbi Toledo, 17, was discovered by police officers at the site in Kirkcaldy in Fife, at around 2.20pm on September
Libbi's father Joe paid paid tribute to his 'beautiful baby' during a heartfelt post on Facebook
Her father Joe, who lives in America, paid tribute to his 'beautiful baby' during a heartfelt post on social media.
Mr Toledo wrote: 'I have no idea how to do this, but here goes.
'We have known for a week and a half now, but the legal confirmation came to us a few hours ago that our beautiful baby girl is no longer with us, and sits with the angels.
'She will be forever 17, and forever in our hearts. I love you with all my heart Libbi, we all do and always will. Sleep peacefully princess.'
Libbi went missing after disappearing from an assisted living facility she was staying at
Police officers stand outside the cordon at the disused scrapyard where Libbi was found in Fife
Chief Inspector Adrian Annandale, Local Area Commander for Central Fife, called Libbi's death a 'tragic loss'.
He said: 'Our heartfelt condolences are with Libbi's family and friends at this very difficult time.
'I want to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who supported our investigation by coming forward with possible sightings and sharing our appeals for information.'
News / National
by Staff Reporter
First lady Grace Mugabe reportedlyfeared the legal brawl pending against her in South Africa following the allegations that she assaulted Gabriala Angela when she found her with her sons in that country.President Robert Mugabe is in SA but did not travel with his wife.African News Agency (ANA) reported that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, whose wife Grace remains at the centre of a legal storm over an alleged assault of a 20-year-old South African, arrived in Pretoria on Monday evening on an official visit.Sources in Pretoria told African News Agency (ANA) that Mugabe and his delegation were welcomed at the Waterkloof Air Force Base on Monday evening, but Zimbabwe's First Lady was not part of the entourage.Grace Mugabe was granted immunity from prosecution by the South African government for allegedly whipping Gabriella Engels with an electric cable in a Johannesburg hotel room last month. She denies the allegations. Instead, Grace, 52, says an "intoxicated and unhinged" Engels attacked her with a knife.The South African Presidency last week said President Jacob Zuma will on Tuesday, host Mugabe, during his official visit to South Africa to attend the second session of the South Africa-Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission (BNC) scheduled to take place in Pretoria.The agreement establishing the BNC was signed in April 2015 and inaugurated in October 2016 in Harare, Zimbabwe, and it stipulates that the BNC should meet on an annual and rotational basis.The current BNC session, which will be co-chaired by Zuma and Mugabe, will afford the African leaders an opportunity to review the state of the bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring countries."It will further provide a platform to strengthen and deepen the warm and cordial bilateral relations between the two countries as well as to review and determine the actual progress made on bilateral undertakings and commitments made during the inauguration Session of the BNC last year," Presidency said at the time.Zuma and Mugabe are also expected to deliberate and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual concern, particularly peace, security, stability and development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and some parts of the continent.South Africa and Zimbabwe have good bilateral political, economic and social relations underpinned by strong historical ties dating back many years. The two countries do not only share strong historical relations but also economic cooperation.Zimbabwe is one of South Africa's top five trading partners on the continent, with trade statistics showing annual growth. In 2016, South Africa's exports to Zimbabwe amounted to approximately R29.3 billion.There are over 120 South African companies doing business in Zimbabwe in various sectors including mining, aviation, tourism, banking sector, the property sector, the retail sector, construction sector, and the fast food sector and many more.To date, the two countries have signed more than 40 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and Agreements. The Agreements and MoUs cover a broad range of areas, which include among others, trade and investment, immigration, defence, transport, agriculture, environment, energy, health, labour, water management, taxation, as well as arts and culture.Zuma will be supported by several ministers including International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nkqakula, Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies, Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant, Home Affairs Minister Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize and Transport Minister Joseph Maswanganyi.An advance team of high-level Zimbabwe's ministers including Defence Ministers Sydney Sekeramayi, Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Health and Child Care Minister David Parirenyatwa, Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo and the country's Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira.African News Agency
A leading Conservative MP today compared the Tory conference to a North Korean rally as he tore into his party for not involving its members enough.
Jacob Rees-Mogg said party members are expected just to 'cheer the great and the good' and are not given an opportunity to speak from the conference floor.
The backbencher warned the Conservatives will be in 'real trouble' unless party high command loosen their grip and allow free debate at the annual get together.
Mr Rees-Mogg - who has been tipped as a possible future Tory leader - said ordinary party members have no power to debate policy compared to when he first entered politics.
Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, pictured at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester today, said the party will be in 'real trouble' unless it opens the party up to its members more
He told a Policy Exchange fringe meeting at the party's conference in Manchester: It has now become like an American presidential convention where we just expect them to turn up and cheer the great and the good.
'It isnt even American, its Kim Jong Un style.
'If it stays like that for long enough were going to be in real trouble.'
Tory members and activists used to be able to make contributions to the debate on conference floor, although they were never allowed to decide party policy.
Jacob Rees-Mogg compared the Tory party conference to a rally in Kim Jong-Un's North Korea
Cabinet minsters addressed a near empty conference hall in Manchester yesterday as only scores of activists turned out in the hall
But David Cameron brought in an overhaul of conference rules so that no one could stick their hand up and speak.
He brought in the shake-up in order to silence outspoken activists who would often make controversial comments which flew in the face of official party policy.
Instead, activists are only allowed to enter the hall and watch as a succession of Tory ministers, MPs and invited guests address them from the platform.
The stage-managed process is in stark contrast to Labour Party conference where most of the speeches are made by rank and file delegates who also vote on and decide policy.
Commentators have pointed out that while the Labour Party's conference was one of the busiest ever, the hall at the Tory conference has often be half empty.
The gunman responsible for Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas wired $100,000 to a bank account in the Philippines, his live-in girlfriend's home country, a week before carrying out the attack, it has been revealed.
Stephen Paddock, 64, sent the money to an account before setting up a sniper's nest on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel on Sunday.
Law enforcement officials who confirmed the wire transfer to NBC did not reveal who the bank account belongs to.
His live-in girlfriend Marilou Danley, 62, who was overseas while her boyfriend committed the worst mass murder in US history, is now on her way back to the US to face questions from the FBI.
On Tuesday, Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo confirmed Danley is a person of interest in the investigation again.
Authorities appeared to rule her out on Monday as it emerged that she was not in Las Vegas at the time of the killing. They have since determined that she was travelling between Tokyo and the Philippines at the time and they now wish to speak to her.
'The investigation with her is ongoing and we anticipate some information from her shortly. This investigation has not ended with the demise of Mr. Paddock.
'I expect a substantial amount of information is to come in the next 48 hours,' Lombardo said on Tuesday.
Danley is understood to have told police that their romance began earlier this year.
Photographs obtained by DailyMail.com on Tuesday show them in the Philippines with her family in 2013 and in a Reno nightclub with the woman's hotel and casino colleagues in 2014.
Scroll down for video
Stephen Paddock is pictured in an April 2013 photograph taken during a meal with his girlfriend Marilou Danley's family in the Philippines. Marilou, 62, is thought to be next to him, wearing a purple top
In the photographs, Paddock, is seen smiling and laughing with Danley's family during a 2013 trip to Manila.
Others show the couple partying with friends in Las Vegas in 2014 in a nightclub. Danley worked for hotels and casinos in Nevada.
In the family photographs, he is seen enjoying a traditional Kamayan dinner, which is eaten with your hands and comes from the filipino word for hand - kamay.
Eating fish, vegetables and rice with his bare fingers, Paddock looks completely at ease with his companions, which also includes Danleys sister Liza Werner, whod travelled for the reunion from her home in Brisbane, Australia. Werner posted the pictures on Facebook with the words Kamayan Blues.
Danley is from the Philippines but also holds Australian citizenship and moved to the US following the death of her first husband more than 20 years ago, neighbors and friends have since revealed.
She was previously married to Arkansas resident Geary Danley and the pair were together for 22 years before separating in April 2013 - the same month she is pictured with Paddock in Manila.
She and Danley divorced the following February. She is understood to have arrived in the US with her daughter Sheila.
On Monday, Marilou's former step-daughters and her ex-husband said they were shocked by her association to Paddock who they claimed they'd never heard of before.
In the images the man appears happy and relaxed. What drove him to commit Sunday's massacre - the worst in US history - has not been established
Paddock was pictured talking animatedly with his girlfriend's relatives at the 2013 feast
'Our family doesn't know Stephen Paddock and has had no knowledge of Marilou's relationship with Mr Paddock.
'Marilou is our ex step-mom. She is a good and gentle person and I know she has to be devastated by what has happened,' Dionne Waltrip, one of her former step-daughters, told Arkansas station 5 News.
They did not reveal why she and their father parted ways, but reiterated that she was a 'good person'.
'We know nothing of this relationship ever. We have never heard of this man ever in our lives.
'She is kind. She's very gentle. She's very giving, she's always happy. She's just extremely nice and fun to be around.
'She's not harmful. She's not a bad person at all,' Deirdre Terrell, her other former step-daughter, said.
In another image believed to have been taken in Las Vegas in 2014, Paddock (circled) is seen with a large group in a nightclub. Danley is pictured second right
The first record of Marilou in the US is in 1992 and in Memphis, Tennessee. For 11 years, she lived in various houses there and carried out a brief stint in Arizona.
In 2003, records suggest that she moved to Nevada. She has been listed on the home where she lived with Paddock since January this year.
It is not clear how she met Paddock but it is likely through their mutual connection to the gambling world.
The 64-year-old was addicted to video poker, spending $10,000 a day on video games before his death.
Earlier today, Danleys nephew Jordan Knights revealed that hed gone to visit his auntie and Paddock in Las Vegas only a few weeks before the tragedy and had no inkling that Paddock was building up an arsenal of weapons, which would go onto kill 58 and injure 527 others who were attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday night.
Knights was travelling in the US with his mother, Amelia Manango, Danleys sister. She posted a picture of the MGM Grand entrance onto her Facebook on August 29.
'It seemed like he just looked after my aunty and that was it,'he told 9 News after the shooting on Monday.
When asked if there was any signs that he was into guns or mentally unstable, he responded: 'He didn't seem like he was the type of guy to do that. I didnt even know he knew about guns.'
He then told The Courier-Mail that the pair went to family lunches at a casino, adding: 'He was a normal person pretty much. Its just weird, crazy (what has happened). Its hectic sh**.'
Knights went onto say there was no suggestion Paddock was a religious man.
He said Paddock was friendly towards him, adding: 'I wouldnt have a clue (if he had been radicaliszed by Islam).
Paddock shot himself before a SWAT team could get into him inside his suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel on Sunday night.
Paddock (left in an undated photo) killed himself before a SWAT team could get to him on Sunday night. Marilou Danley, his girlfriend, was in the Philippines at the time. She will be questioned upon her return to the US on Wednesday
Marilou (above with her daughter Sheila and granddaughter) is expected to return to the US on Wednesday
The woman's former stepdaughters and ex-husband say she is a 'gentle' and 'kind' person. Marilou is understood to have come to the US in the early 1990s
It took them 72 minutes from when the first 911 call was placed to break into the room.
Marilou's was previously married to Arkansas resident Geary Danley (above) His family released a statement on Monday expressing sympathy for the victims and stating that he had never heard of Paddock
By the time they got in, Paddock, whose brother said had made 'millions' through real estate deals, had taken his own life.
Photographs of the hotel room which have since emerged reveal some of the weapons inside.
He was holed up in the suite with 23 guns including some modified semi-automatic rifles which had been placed on tripods and aimed at the crowds.
At his Mesquite home, police found another 19 guns and explosives.
Danley was initially feared to have been a person as interest.
It was initially feared that she may have been with her partner when the shooting occurred but police have since determined that she was in the Philippines.
She will be questioned upon her return to the United States.
58 people were slaughtered and 527 were injured in the massacre in Las Vegas on Sunday night
Concert goers were listening to country music performances when the shots began. They were then forced to run for their lives. Some heroic music fans saved others in the process and carried anyone who couldn't walk to safety
Images of the Mandalay Bay Resort show two windows blown out on the 32nd floor of the building (above) that Paddock smashed out so he could shoot crowds from two locations
It is not known how long the pair have been a couple. Danley moved to the US from Australia more than 20 years ago following the death of her husband.
She worked in the gambling industry. Paddock was an avid gambler who blew $10,000 a day on video poker.
No motive has yet been established for the attack.
Police are likely to probe his gambling debt and addiction as they try to identify what drove him to commit the atrocity.
But so far they are at a loss.
'We cannot even rule out mental illness or some form of brain damage, although theres no evidence of that, either,' one official told Reuters on Tuesday.
The man's brother said his girlfriend was the 'closest one' to him and she would be the person most likely to shed light on his mindset.
'Mary Lou is absolutely the closest person to Steve. We are going to let her contact us if and when she decides she wants to,' Eric Paddock said on Tuesday.
Paddock was also the son of Benjamin Hoskins Paddock, a serial bank robber who ended up on the FBI Most Wanted list back in 1969 when he escaped from federal prison in Texas while serving a 20 years sentence.
The FBI kept him on the list for the next eight years, and he was eventually found one year after he was removed from the list in 1978 while outside an Oregon Bingo hall.
On Monday, Paddock's brother Eric spoke outside his Orlando home to say he had no inclination as to what drove him to commit the killings
Jordan Knights, Danley's Australian nephew, met gunman Stephen Paddock a few months ago and found him 'unremarkable'
The agency said that the fugitive had been 'diagnosed as psychopathic' and also had possible 'suicidal tendencies.'
In total, Paddock had lived in an astonishing 27 residences in Nevada, Florida and Texas over the course of his adult life.
He was once worked for the IRS and was at one point a mailman. His incredulous family are struggling to come to terms with his act of terror which they say is entirely out of character.
He was once married but divorced his wife 27 years ago. She was too stunned to speak about the attack on Monday from her home in Cerritos, California.
A sheriff who was stationed outside confirmed that she was married to the gunman decades ago for six years. They did not have any children.
Olga S. Najera, 52, was detained on Monday in El Paso, Texas, for an injury to a child charge, according to local police
A teacher in Texas who was arrested for slapping a five-year-old student on Monday was already charged with harming children at her previous place of employment.
Olga S. Najera was detained in El Paso, Texas, for an injury to a child charge, according to local police.
'She is a wonderful teacher who is very well liked by parents and loved by her students,' Najera's lawyer Mary Stillinger told the El Paso Times.
'Before this first arrest, she never had any issues for many years. I think she is completely innocent of this.'
An investigation by police found that Najera allegedly hit a 'student with an open hand,' while teaching at Helen Ball Elementary School between July 31 and August 28.
The teacher had been placed on administrative leave from the Socorro Independent School District because she had been arrested for similar incidents.
An investigation by police found that Najera allegedly hit a 'student with an open hand,' while teaching at Helen Ball between July 31 and August 28
'This new allegation is, to my understanding, it came up after the reports of her first arrest,' Stillinger said.
'Unfortunately, sometimes there is an aspect of hysteria when people think something is happening and they jump to conclusions.'
Allegations that the bilingual teacher had bothered children, while working at El Paso's Myrtle Cooper Elementary School, surfaced last year.
While she was cleared by the district and returned to work, the case was turned over to the police.
The Helen Ball Elementary School teacher had been placed on administrative leave from the Socorro Independent School District because she had been arrested for similar incidents of child abuse
Then, Najera was indicted on two counts of injury to a child on August 9 and was arrested at the school. The 52-year-old was booked into the El Paso County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Najera was booked into the El Paso County Jail Downtown on a $15,000 bond
In the indictment, the teacher is accused of slapping, pinching and stepping on children from August 1 to August 16.
She is accused of pinching a boy's arm and scratching his hands, according to the indictment.
Najera was said to have also slapped a girl in the face, stepped on the girl's foot and kicked her.
After the first arrest, the teacher was released from jail on bond.
'When dealing with very young children you have to be sure what the facts are because we all know very young children do not always describe things as clearly as adults,' Stillinger said.
'When there is no physical evidence, I think the Police Department is making a very serious mistake by moving so quickly on this.
'The allegations at the prior school had been investigated thoroughly by the school and had been found without merit.'
The August case is scheduled to go to trial in April.
A British soldier who rushed to the aid of those injured in the Las Vegas massacre has been hailed by his brother for 'keeping America safe'.
Ross Woodward, 24, had been enjoying a trip to the US gambling capital with other off-duty troops when carnage unfolded on Sunday night.
As bullets rained down on an open-air concert from a gunman's nest high above, the soldier, from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, turned towards danger.
Along with two other soldiers with whom he had been travelling, he helped tend to the wounded and shepherd people to safety.
Ross Woodward, 24, pictured, had been enjoying a trip to the US gambling capital with other off-duty troops when carnage unfolded on Sunday night
His younger brother Curtis Dyer, 22, pictured left, said the actions reflected the character of his sibling, pictured right
First responders and bystanders carry an injured person to an emergency station located at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana Ave - one block north of the shooting
Hundreds of rounds of automatic gunfire were reported by witnesses on the scene; one woman in the Mandalay Bay said that there was a shooter on the 32nd floor, and that they had killed a security guard
His younger brother Curtis Dyer, 22, said the actions reflected the character of his sibling, who is originally from Beeston, Nottinghamshire, and had been training in the US with the British Army.
Mr Dyer said: 'He is the type of the person who would do it anyway, he's always there to help people when they need his help.
'The Army always brought out the best in him. He's caring, he loves his job, he's quite family-orientated.
'He just looks forward to going away with the army, he looks forward to the free time afterwards, as you can imagine the Army work their balls off to protect us. It's just like it happened by fate.'
Mr Woodward now lives on a base in Norfolk.
Bystanders on the Las Vegas Strip come to terms with what they've seen after the brutal shooting
His composure in the face of an attack which left 59 dead and more than 500 injured filled his relative with pride.
'I'm dead proud of what he's done, that he was able to do it,' Mr Dyer said.
'At least when it came to something like that he was there to help. Britain's keeping America safe more than anything else over there.'
Prime Minister Theresa May acknowledged the heroism of the three soldiers on Tuesday, saying she would like to 'thank them for what they did'.
People tend to the wounded outside the festival ground after the shooting. One person can be seen with a shirt draped over their face; it's not clear if they are dead
But for Mr Dyer, news that his brother had been at the centre of the deadliest mass shooting in US history came as more of a shock.
'I just got a message off him saying he was fine - I hadn't even had a clue what had gone on,' he said.
'I turned the news on and obviously there had been an attack in Las Vegas.
'I knew he was away with the Army and he did a trip in America - they did one last year and they did it again this year - and I think he was getting some free time.
The wounded were rushed to waiting ambulances on anything that concert-goers could find, including a wheelbarrow
'He said everything was fine and I said, 'What the hell wrong with?' and he told me.
'He just said that he helped the injured and to get people to safety and that was it really.
'He's fine as far as I'm aware now.'
The Ministry of Defence confirmed three off-duty soldiers from the regiment, known as the Welsh Cavalry, had helped in the aftermath of the attack.
The trio had been on leave after a desert training exercise in Nevada at the time.
Boris Johnson (pictured today in Manchester) tonight claimed a Libyan city could be the next 'Dubai' for tourists once they 'clear the dead bodies away'
Boris Johnson is facing calls to be sacked after he claimed a Libyan city could be the next 'Dubai' for tourists once they 'clear the dead bodies away'.
The Foreign Secretary's new diplomatic gaffe came on the fringes of the Tory conference in Manchester.
Mr Johnson's off-colour jibe was greeted by nervous laughter at the meeting in the Midland Hotel and came hours after his main speech to the conference.
He was asked by an activist what he really thought of war-torn Libya after his recent high profile visit to the North African country.
Libya has descended into chaos since a British and allied air campaign supported a rebel uprising against Colonel Qaddafi in 2011.
Mr Johnson said: 'It's an incredible country, beautiful white sands, beautiful seas, Caesars Palace - the real one - incredible place.
'It's got real potential. Young people who want to do all sorts of tech stuff. There is a group of UK business people, wonderful guys, who want to invest in Sirte on the coast, near where Qaddafi was captured.
'They literally have a vision to turn Sirte into the next Dubai - the only thing they have got to do is clear the dead bodies away and then they will be there.'
The room burst into nervous laughter at Mr Johnson's remark, which came at the end of an hour long meeting.
The host intervened to say 'next question'.
The Foreign Secretary said there was an 'optimism' in Libya and offered a strong endorsement for the country's current leadership.
He later defended his comments, saying: 'Shame people with no knowledge or understanding of Libya want to play politics with the appallingly dangerous reality in Sirte.
'The reality there is that the clearing of corpses of Daesh (ISIS) fighters has been made much more difficult by IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and booby traps.
'That's why Britain is playing a key role in reconstruction and why I have visited Libya twice this year in support.'
But Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston said: 'Demeaning jokes about real people murdered in Libya would be crass even from a stand up; appalled to hear this from our Foreign Secretary.'
And Heidi Allen, a Tory MP who represents South Cambridgeshire, called for his sacking: '100% unacceptable from anyone, let alone foreign sec. Boris must be sacked for this. He does not represent my party.'
Mr Johnson's opposite number Emily Thornberry said: 'It is less than a year since Sirte was finally captured from Daesh by the Libyan Government of National Accord, a battle in which hundreds of government soldiers were killed and thousands of civilians were caught in the crossfire, the second time in five years that the city had seen massive loss of life as a result of the Libyan civil war.
'For Boris Johnson to treat those deaths as a joke - a mere inconvenience before UK business people can turn the city into a beach resort - is unbelievably crass, callous and cruel.
'If these words came from the business people themselves, it would be considered offensive enough, but for them to come from the Foreign Secretary is simply a disgrace.
'There comes a time when the buffoonery needs to stop, because if Boris Johnson thinks the bodies of those brave government soldiers and innocent civilians killed in Sirte are a suitable subject for throwaway humour, he does not belong in the office of Foreign Secretary.'
The latest gaffe is just the most recent in many years of off-colour remarks that have left many questioning Mr Johnson's suitability to be Foreign Secretary.
The Foreign Secretary's new diplomatic gaffe came on the fringes of the Tory conference in Manchester (Mr Johnson is pictured arriving today)
Mr Johnson's off-colour jibe was greeted by nervous laughter at the meeting in the Midland Hotel and came hours after his main speech to the conference (pictured)
Earlier this week, he was accused of 'incredible insensitivity' after reciting part of a colonial-era Rudyard Kipling poem about a British soldier kissing a Burmese girl to Myanmar dignitaries.
In July, he likened a traditional Maori greeting to a headbutt while visiting indigenous leaders in New Zealand.
He once said of the Tory Party that it had 'become used to Papua New Guinea-style orgies of cannibalism and chief-killing'.
An apology was swiftly due. 'I mean no insult to the people of Papua New Guinea who I'm sure lead lives of blameless bourgeois domesticity in common with the rest of us. Add Papua New Guinea to my global itinerary of apologies.'
And in 2004, the then Tory leader Michael Howard ordered Boris to make a penitential visit to Liverpool after an editorial was published in the Spectator that insulted Liverpudlians several times over. Boris called the trip 'Operation Scouse Grovel'.
Advertisement
Museums can often conjure up painful memories of bored schoolchildren surrounded by old, dusty artefacts.
But visitors to London's Design Museum should fret not - for it has been named the world's number one destination for catching up on a bit of culture.
The Kensington-based centre, which houses more than 1,000 of the most ingenious exhibits from the 20th and 21st centuries, has been voted the leading culture destination for 2017 in what is often pitched as the 'Oscars for Museums'.
Winners of the Leading Culture Destinations Awards are recognised for the quality and reach of their exhibits, experiences and educational programs.
The scheme, which have been running for four years, aim to shine a light on the museums which offer an exceptional contribution to cultural life and showcase emerging destinations.
London's Design Museum (pictured) has been named the world's number one destination for catching up on a bit of culture
The Kensington-based centre, which houses more than 1,000 of the most ingenious exhibits from the 20th and 21st centuries, has been voted the leading culture destination for 2017 in what is often pitched as the 'Oscars for Museums'
Coloured vases depicting noon light are displayed at the Design Museum as part of an exhibition called Breathing Colour, which comprises a series of newly commissioned installations exploring humans perceptions and connections to colour
Florian Wupperfeld, co-founder of Leading Culture Destinations, said culture was an important way of bringing people together and preparing them for future challenges.
Speaking to the MailOnline, he said: 'I think people nowadays want to re-localise to culture after previously moving towards brands and becoming globalised.
'People nowadays want to go to places like France and have a French experience rather than a globalised experience. They are going to places such as the Galapagos and Iceland because they are unique.
'Culture really encapsulates a local distinction and flavour and helps a destination to have a little more meaning.
'Museums play a vital role in that as well as they are a place of learning and places that people go to drink and eat. Nowadays, if the weather is nice, people will go to the Serpertine [in Kensington, west London] or meet with friends at Somerset House [in Strand, central London] after work. It's fantastic.'
The Design Museum in London beat off competition from Museum Barberini in Potsdam, Germany and Centro Botin in Santander, Spain to win this year's top prize
Florian Wupperfeld, co-founder of Leading Culture Destinations, said culture was an important way of bringing people together and prepare them for future challenges
To compile the list of nominees, Mr Wupperfeld and his colleagues asked the awards ambassadors (roughly 100 influential creative professionals) where their favourite cultural places were.
The suggestions were then whittled down before a jury chose the winners, who will be announced at a ceremony at the Trafalgar St. James hotel in London.
Mr Wupperfeld added: 'Creativity is the currency of cool in today's world and it helps to drive tourism. In Richard Florida's book The Rise of the Creative Class, he states that if you put creative people in a remote place, they will make it their own.
'Then comes the tourism, as people are driven to creativity, followed by the investment.
'Through our awards ceremony, we try to recommend places and breath taking experiences for travellers and help put them at the heart of culture. We want to shine a light on these places.'
'Heartless Felon': Troy White, 47, a suspected member of Ohio's Heartless Felons gang, is accused of sexually assaulting a man with a pipe threader during a Cleveland home invasion
Three suspected members of Ohios notorious Heartless Felons gang have been arrested in connection to a violent home invasion, in which one of the victims was raped with a metal tool and doused with gasoline, and another was shot.
Troy White, 47, Nathaniel Ramos Jr, 18, and Keli Dunnican, 22, have been charged in connection to the attack that took place in Cleveland early Thursday morning.
According to police reports obtained by Cleveland.com, the trio of suspected gangsters arrived at the home of a 31-year-old man in the 3000 block of Sackett Avenue at around 12.30am and forced their way inside.
Ramos and Dunnican, who wore masks, and White punched and kicked the 31-year-old man and restrained his hands behind his back with duct tape, according to the reports. They also allegedly beat up a 51-year-old occupant of the house.
The younger of the two victims hurled a homophobic slur at White and accused him of raping prison inmates, which, according to police, enraged the 47-year-old suspect.
Accomplices: Nathaniel Ramos Jr, 18 (left), allegedly poured gasoline on two victims of the home invasion, but Keli Dunnican, 22 (right) dissuaded him from lighting them on fire
Break-in: The trio of men allegedly forced their way inside a home in the 3000 block of Sackett Avenue in Cleveland early Thursday
White allegedly grabbed a pipe threader and proceeded to sexually assault the 31-year-old victim while Dunnican and Ramos held him down.
Ramos then allegedly drenched both victims in gasoline, but Dunnican was able to dissuade his two accomplices from lighting the men on fire.
When a 41-year-old man later showed up at the house on Sackett Avenue, police reports state that White threatened him with a gun and shot him twice in the right leg after a physical altercation.
Dunnican, Ramos and White fled the scene on foot after stealing a cellphone and a pair of shoes, according to the reports.
All three were arrested a short time later after encountering police officers on the street and attempting to run away from them.
At the time of his arrest, White allegedly had a handgun in his pocket. A search of Ramos' pockets yielded more than a dozen baggies of marijuana, and arresting officers observed in the report that he reeked of gasoline.
Ramos was charged with aggravated burglary and his bond was set at $25,000
Dunnican was found to be in possession of rolls of duct tape, a knife and three cellphones, including the device that had been stolen from the crime scene.
When police entered the residence targeted by the trio of suspects during the break-in, they found a pool of blood, bullet casings, the pipe threader used in the rape and drug paraphernalia commonly used to smoke crack cocaine, according to the reports.
Under questioning, White allegedly told detectives that he was part of a theft ring that also included two of the victims, aged 31 and 51, and that all three of them had smoked crack together just hours before the home invasion.
White was charged with felonious assault and ordered held on $100,000 bond; Ramos was charged with aggravated burglary and his bond was set at $25,000; and Dunnican was booked into jail on $50,000 bond after being charged with aggravated robbery.
White's past criminal record includes two convictions for armed robberies in Cleveland.
He has a separate burglary case pending against him stemming from an incident that occurred in May. The 47-year-old is set to be sentenced for that crime on October 23.
Whites two younger accomplices do not have adult criminal records.
Danny Lee Bettcher, 64, has been arrested for a record-setting 28th DUI
A 64-year-old Minnesota man has been arrested for a record-breaking 28th DUI.
Danny Lee Bettcher was charged in Otter Tail County District Court last week with felony-level drunken driving and refusing a breathalyzer test.
An off-duty officer allegedly saw Bettcher drinking at a bar in New York Mills.
An on-duty officer followed Bettcher, who allegedly ignored a stop sign and drove onto Highway 10 at 10mph while swerving.
He continued traveling for 200 yards before he was pulled over by police.
The criminal complaint says his eyes were bloodshot and watery and a beer can was spotted behind the passenger seat.
Bettcher gave the officer a health identification card that included an alcohol restriction.
He then refused a field sobriety test.
'I am way over,' he said, according to the complaint. 'Take me to jail.'
If convicted, Bettcher's maximum sentence is seven years with two-thirds spent in prison and the rest on supervised release, along with five years of probation.
Bettcher has been arrested 28 times for driving under the influence. His arrest record dates back to the 1980s and he was last arrested in 2010 and served five years in jail
Bettcher was last convicted of a first-degree DUI in 2010 and served about five years in prison.
When he appeared in court in 2010 for his 27th arrest, the handyman said: ''I drink to get drunk.'
In a court filing from a previous conviction, Bettcher said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the military.
'I'm trying to get my life back on track before I am released,' the 2014 filing said.
Vice President Mike Pence's chief of staff suggested the party 'purge' disloyal lawmakers, including Capitol Hill's top two Republicans, if Congress continues not getting President Trump's agenda done.
According to Politico's reporting, Chief of Staff Nick Ayers warned those gathered Tuesday at a Republican National Committee event in D.C. that Republicans were 'on track to get shellacked' in the 2018 midterm.
He suggested in the closed-door meeting that donors hold out their funds and refuse to give money to any GOP candidate who doesn't back the president or support a change in leadership if House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and House Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., continue to drag their feet.
Scroll down for video
Vice President Mike Pence's Chief of Staff Nick Ayers (pictured) was caught telling donors how to 'purge' the party of rogue Republicans, unwilling to implement the Trump agenda
Among Nick Ayers' targets: House Speaker Paul Ryan (left) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (right), who Pence's chief of staff urged donors to pressure members to replace
'Because, look, if we're going to be in the minority again we might as well have a minority who are with us as opposed to the minority who helped us become a minority,' Ayers reportedly said, receiving laughter and applause.
Making a similar gripe as former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon has said, Ayers largely blamed Congress' rogue Republicans for Trump's inability to get any major legislation passed.
'Just imagine the possibilities of what can happen if our entire party unifies behind him?' Ayers mused. 'If, and this sounds crass, we can purge the handful of people who continue to defeat him.'
A member of the audience then asked Ayers how donors might be able to compel members to change their leadership.
'I'm not speaking on behalf of the president or vice president when I say this,' Ayers began.
'But if I were you, I would not only stop donating, I would form a coalition of all the other major donors, and just say two things: We're definitely not giving to you No. 1 and No. 2, if you don't have this done by Dec. 31 we're going out, we're recruiting opponents, we're maxing out to their campaigns and we're funding super PACS to defeat all of you,' Ayers advised.
Since President Trump's inauguration in January, Republicans decided to prioritize repealing and replacing Obamacare, which they struck out on again last week with the demise of the Graham-Cassidy bill.
Now, tax reform is finally the legislative priority, though Ayers sounded doubtful that it could get done.
'The honest answer is, I'm not sure we're on track to do that,' he said, once again blaming Congress for any sort of mess.
'I think the White House, I think the president and the vice president have shown extraordinary leadership, they've been incredibly clear on the framework that was agreed upon ... It was frankly much bolder than the path that we were headed down,' Ayers said.
Pence's chief of staff said he was skeptical because both houses had passed bills to repeal and replace Obamacare, but with a Republican president in the White House, failed to do it again.
The House did pass a repeal bill in 2017, but a few hold-out senators, including Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Rand Paul, R-Ky., and Lisa Murkowski, killed the GOP-led efforts in the Senate.
Ayers urged the donors to 'hear those answers from the speaker and, more importantly, the majority leader,' on why the failure.
Besides cutting off their funding, Pence's top aide had another idea for punishing bad behavior.
'They're all still committee chairman,' Ayers noted of the 'handful' of Republicans who haven't embraced the Trump-Pence agenda. 'Theres only one other option and then lets see if that option works.'
A drunk couple got in a fight with a manager and other customers in the parking lot of a Taco Bell in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A man captured the scene in a six-minute video.
The video begins after the argument has already started. A man who appears to be in his early 20s wearing a Panthers jersey is yelling: 'I said I'm sorry' angrily.
Next to the man is a woman wearing a darker Panthers jersey. She pushes him lightly and he staggers, indicating that he's drunk.
The man notices that he is being filmed and starts walking toward the camera, but the woman holds him back.
'What you want motherf*cker?' he asks the man with the camera.
'You smell like a piece of redneck sh*t,' he says, kicking his leg at the camera.
A man is yelling in a Taco Bell Parking lot when he realizes that he's being filmed by another customer. He asks the man holding the camera: 'What you want motherf*cker?'
A manager tries to intervene and starts to argue with the woman who is slurring her speech as she asks what they did wrong
A man who is reportedly the Taco Bell manager walks up to the couple and says: 'Get off my property please.'
The woman argues with the manager but their conversation can barely be heard over the man in the jersey repeating: 'You smell like sh*t' and 'Redneck motherf*cker.'
The couple then begins arguing with a third man who tells them that they can't use the n-word.
The woman is slurring her words as she tries to defend herself.
A manager tries to intervene and starts to argue with the woman who is slurring her speech as she asks what they did wrong
The couple starts to argue with another customer who says that they can't use the n-word. The man with camera turns the lens around to show a look of bemusement
The manager intervenes once again, trying to get the couple to leave.
'I didn't say anything,' the drunk man says. 'You're my friend man.'
'You're not my friend, get off this property,' the manager says.
The couple keep contest and the manager starts to get frustrated saying: 'Will y'all please just go.'
Finally he snaps and goes at the drunk man, intending to fight him. The drunk man thinks it's a funny game and tries to dodge him.
The manager cuts in again, pleading with the couple to get off of the property but the woman says she doesn't understand why they have to leave
The manager snaps and runs at the drunk man who tries to dodge him. The man holding the camera approaches them, telling them to stop
The man holding the camera walks up to them saying: 'Stop, stop stop' as the manager chases the man out of the parking lot.
The manager asks the woman to follow the drunk man but she refuses.
The camera follows the drunk man in the street who asks the man filming: 'Why do you hang out with that n*****?'
As the manager argues with the woman she says: 'I'm insulted.'
The manager replies: 'I'm insulted. He called me a n****** five times.'
The woman then gets upset at the man filming and he says: 'I'm just documenting.'
Two of the men begin chasing the drunk man as the woman cries in the street.
Once the drunk couple is finally off the property, three men walk back toward the restaurant in disbelief of how hard it was to get them to leave.
The video was posted to Liveleak on Tuesday.
News / National
by Staff reporter
The Government on Friday said it was withdrawing 64 offer letters covering nearly 10 000 hectares of land that had been allocated to local farmers on plantations protected under the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA) in Manicaland province.Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Dr Douglas Mombeshora said farmers to be affected by the move had 14 days to lodge their objections with the government."Notice is hereby given to the land beneficiaries listed below that the acquiring authority intends to withdraw their offer letters," Mombeshora said in a statement."The offer letters were issued on plantation farms covered by Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.The withdrawals are targeted at land that had been parcelled out at three farms Westward Hoo, Tilbury and Tilbury which are in Chimanimani and Mutare.The Zimbabwean Government compulsorily acquired large tracts of land including some covered under BIPPA when it embarked on its land reform programme in the early 2000s.The agrarian reforms sought to address colonial land ownership imbalances that prejudiced the local black indigenous population.Over the years, more than 300 000 households were resettled on the acquired land.Acquisition of land covered under BIPPA, however, caused problems for the government, with some countries whose citizens had properties taken over objecting to the move.Some of the affected people successfully sued government at the International Court for Settlement of Investment Disputes.Some of the countries that were covered under the BIPPAS include Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands and Switzerland.The Supreme Court had however ruled that government had authority to even repossess land covered under BIPPAs.But in a bid to mend and protect relations, as well as manage its liabilities, Government in 2012 said it would stop acquiring land covered under BIPPAs.Five years ago, the government revoked 55 offer letters made to farmers on BIPPA land.In the meantime, Mombeshora also announced intentions to withdraw offer letters made to 13 other farmers based in Seke and Chipinge districts "for not taking up their plots in contravention of terms and conditions of their offer letters."The farmers were given two weeks to respond.
The mother of a Missouri girl says in a lawsuit that the St. Joseph public school district did not help her daughter when classmates bullied her and left her suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Frances Keitz contends the bullying involved physical and verbal abuse, The Kansas City Star reported.
She alleges that students threatened to kill her daughter, Anna, or urged her to kill herself.
She says it happened during the 2015-2016 school year while Anna was a student at Skaith Elementary School.
Anna, who is now 13, was diagnosed with PTSD, depression and anxiety in January 2016 and had to be hospitalized, according to the lawsuit.
Keitz says in the lawsuit she frequently asked district administrators to help her daughter, but that they did nothing and school personnel 'engaged in a pattern of blaming and ignoring victims of bullying.'
A Missouri woman says in a lawsuit that the St. Joseph public school district didn't help her daughter when classmates bullied her and left her suffering from PTSD. She says it happened during the 2015-2016 school year while Anna attended Skaith Elementary School (above)
The lawsuit names four co-defendants, all of whom are school administrators. The school principal, Jennifer Patterson, is seen in the undated file photo above
Frances Keitz says in the lawsuit she frequently asked administrators to help her daughter, but that school personnel 'engaged in a pattern of blaming and ignoring victims of bullying.' Patterson (left) and Superintendent Robert Newhart (right) are seen above
'Defendants did not employ effective remedial measures against the harassing behavior and the bullying continued for several months,' the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit names as defendants four district administrators - Jennifer Patterson, principal at Skaith Elementary; Superintendent Robert Newhart; Solon Haynes, director of student services for the district; and Marlena Walley, the districts coordinator of federal programs.
Newhart said in a statement that the concerns raised in the lawsuit were addressed and the district can't discuss specific disciplinary action against any student.
He also said the district can't respond to specifics in pending litigation but 'if we could provide additional information, you would know that this lawsuit does not provide a full or accurate account of what has transpired between Frances Keitz and the district.'
Before filing the lawsuit last month in Buchanan County Circuit Court, Keitz was banned from the school grounds after she began attending school with Anna.
She alleges in her lawsuit that the district has made it difficult to remove her daughter so she can be taught at home.
The district says an administrative hearing officer retained as part of a separate federal lawsuit the district filed over education plans for Keitz's daughter reviewed Keitz's complaint on that issue and found in the district's favor.
'The district has already prevailed once on claims brought by Mrs. Keitz, which is a reminder that there are two sides to every story, and that the allegations of a lawsuit are not proof that anything improper actually occurred,' Newhart said.
Last year, Keitz told KCTV that her daughter was targeted for bullying by boys in her class after she had told the teacher that they had brought in a BB gun to school.
'She was fairly happy, and then the BB gun incident happened,' Annas mother, Frances Keitz, said.
Keitz said her daughter was targeted by boys for telling teachers about that gun.
She said Anna was kicked in the head on the playground.
Things deteriorated to the point where other classmates began to turn on Anna.
'If I asked to sit down, they would tell me that I couldn't sit there or they would literally push me out of the group and have all their friends together and block spots ...go to the extra table by myself,' Anna said.
She said that kids would often mock her clothing and her hair.
'They wrapped my hair around my neck and said I can choke myself with it,' Anna said.
Anna's mother eventually filed two police reports. She also began to accompany her daughter to school. Every day, she would join Anna for lunch at the cafeteria.
Keitz also kept an eye on her daughter in the school library, where she says some of the abuse took place.
Instead of the school disciplining the students who were allegedly bullying her daughter, Keitz says that she received a letter instructing her to stay away.
'Your conduct at Skaith is interfering with the learning environment there and has become an undue distraction to the staff and students at the school,' the school district said in a letter to Keitz.
Newhart has denied Keitz's allegations, saying that the district takes appropriate action against bullying.
'We take appropriate action whether that's disciplining the instigator behind that or whatever actions to happen to stop it,' Newhart said.
Keitz says the effects of the bullying on her daughter have been devastating.
'I don't know how to put it, she's just not my kid. She's totally withdrawn,' Keitz said.
She said Anna has been aided somewhat by therapy and medication.
Now the concerned mother wants the school to let her have unfettered access to school property and to allow her daughter to be permanently home-schooled.
When asked what she would say to her classmates, Anna responded: 'You ruined my life. You have hurt me in so many ways I cannot count. You don't have the right to do this to anyone at all.'
A mother-of-two sent this selfie to her brother minutes before she was strangled to death by her date for 'refusing to have sex with him', police believe.
Rasim Sadykov, 30, is alleged to have brutally killed Olga Emelyanova after promising to take her on a romantic picnic on the outskirts of Salavat, Russia.
Olga - who had recently separated from her husband - met her alleged murderer on a lonely hearts website, it is believed.
Sadykov was tracked down by police after he was pictured with a smiling Olga in a photograph sent to her brother Evgeny Andreev.
A mother-of-two sent this selfie to her brother minutes before she was strangled to death by her date for 'refusing to have sex with him', police believe
Olga Emelyanova (pictured) - who had recently separated from her husband - met her alleged murderer on a lonely hearts website, it is believed
In text messages to her sibling, Ogla said 'I am being driven somewhere', prompting him to ask 'to the woods?' and her to respond 'yes', with a smiley face emoji.
Sadykov told police that he strangled Olga with a piece of string before hiding her body in bushes. It was six days before her remains were found on the city outskirts.
'He thought he had done everything to avoid being detained,' reported NTV channel. 'He his the body, threw away evidence and even managed to move to another city.
'There was not a single witness of this cruel murder. But he failed to take into account one moment - his victim took a selfie shortly before she was killed.
'Soon after sending the message Olga went offline and stopped answering messages. Her family went to the police.
'Six days after the selfie was sent her body was found in the bushes in the suburbs of the city.'
Taken to the crime scene for a reconstruction of the murder (pictured), he said: 'Everything was going well. It was very romantic'
In text messages to her brother, Ogla said 'I am being driven somewhere', prompting him to ask 'to the woods?' and her to respond 'yes', with a smiley face emoji
Sadykov told police that he strangled Olga with a piece of string before hiding her body in bushes. It was six days before her remains were found on the city outskirts
Taken to the crime scene for a reconstruction of the murder, he said: 'Everything was going well. It was very romantic.'
He claimed she had suddenly grabbed his collar and shaken it. 'At that moment all I remember was my hand going like this,' he said.
He gestured showing how he had pulled string from his pocket and used it to strange Olga.
Police suspect he had demanded sex and she had refused. Sadykov has been detained for two months pending further investigations.
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in jail.
Olga's estranged husband Roman, 32, is now caring for their two children, Denis, 10, and Kristina, 3.
He wrote a poignant social media message: 'Rest in peace, honey... I loved you, love now and will love... thanks to all for your support...'
A security guard nearly lost an arm in a brutal battle with a 25ft python - which was later chopped up and fried by hungry Indonesian villagers.
Robert Nababan crossed paths with the giant creature while patrolling an oil palm plantation in the remote Batang Gansal subdistrict of Sumatra island.
Police say the 37-year-old tried to catch the giant python and stuff it in a gunny sack. But the huge serpent fought back and bit him on his left arm, nearly severing it from his body.
A security guard nearly lost an arm in a brutal battle with a 25ft python - which was then chopped up and fried by hungry Indonesian villagers (pictured)
Brave Robert Nababan (left), 37, was at work when he saw the giant snake and tried to remove it. The python sunk its teeth into his arm but was killed and has been put on display in the local village (right)
Local reports said there was a desperate struggle before villagers rushed to his aid, hitting the snake with a log and saving his life.
Nababan was then rushed to a hospital in a neighbouring town for treatment.
Hungry locals killed the snake and displayed its body in the village before dicing it up, frying it and feasting on it.
The victim suffered deep wounds to his left arm and hand and was suffering from exhaustion because the fight went on for 'some time'
Speaking from his bed, Nababan said: 'I tried to catch it. It bit my arm, and we wrestled for a while.'
'The python was 7.8 metres long (25.6 feet), it was unbelievably huge,' local police chief Sutarja, who like many Indonesians only has one name, told AFP.
Giant python, which regularly top 20 feet in length, are commonly found in Indonesia and the Philippines.
In March, a 25-year-old Indonesian farmer has been discovered inside the belly of a giant python after the swollen snake was caught near where the man vanished while harvesting his crops on the eastern island of Sulawesi.
This is the moment an eccentric grandmother refused to hand over an 80s-style wig, threatening to 'knock the s***' out of her granddaughter.
Daisy Mae Johnson unleashed some serious sass, insisting she 'looks foxy' after Karen Cooper questioned the wig, which is reminiscent of Tina Turner's signature hairstyle.
The 92-year-old, from York Town, Virginia, USA, seemed determined to channel her inner diva when she replaced her signature hat in favour of a more flamboyant look.
After Ms Cooper walked into her home to find the explosive do overshadowing her grandmother's bespectacled face, she asked: 'What in the world is all that hair?
'What is this you've got on your head?'
The 92-year-old refused to hand over the wig to her granddaughter, insisting that she looks foxy in it
Daisy Mae Johnson from Virginia told her granddaughter she looks like a fool every day in the hilarious clip
After replacing her trademark hat, she still won't hand over the latest addition to her wardrobe
Initial disappointment at the confused reception her wig receives morphs into sassy fighting talk as she insults Ms Cooper's appearance.
'Well, you look like a fool every day,' she says, after removing the wig.
But when her granddaughter tries to take the wig, Ms Johnson turns nasty, saying: 'I'll knock the s*** out of you,' before skulking off in her dressing gown.
The mass shooting in Las Vegas, in which 58 people were killed and more than 500 injured, was the saddest day ever recorded on Twitter, according to Hedonometer, a tool that measures sentiment on social media platforms.
The barometer, which measures the happiness of millions of Twitter users based on their posts, showed an average happiness level of 5.77 on Monday when the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history occurred at a country music festival in Las Vegas.
The previous record low was 5.84 on the day of another mass shooting in Orlando, Florida that killed at least 49 people and injured more than 50 last year.
The third saddest recorded day on Twitter was Nov. 9, 2016, the day after Donald Trump was elected president of the United States, according to Hedonometer.
The barometer on that day was 5.87.
Hedonometer, a tool that measures sentiment on social media platforms, recorded measurements indicating that Monday was the saddest day ever in the history of Twitter
The barometer, which measures the happiness of millions of Twitter users based on their posts, showed an average happiness level of 5.77 on Monday when the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history occurred at a country music festival in Las Vegas
The happiest recorded day on Twitter was on Christmas day of 2008, when the day's score was 6.36. The tool has been tracking Twitter sentiment since 2008.
Hedonometer was invented by Peter Dodds and Chris Danforth, a mathematician and computer scientist at the University of Vermont's Advanced Computing Center.
It gathers sentences that start with 'I feel' or 'I am feeling' and generates a happiness score for the text.
Each sentence is then given a happiness score from 1 to 9.
Some tens of millions of tweets from around the world are collected each day and analyzed for 'happy', 'sad' and 'neutral' word content.
'Reporters, policymakers, academics - anyone - can come to the site and see population-level responses to major events,' said Danforth.
The global website, providing a way to gauge the happiness of the world, went public in 2013.
The previous record low was 5.84 on the day of another mass shooting in Orlando, Florida that killed at least 49 people and injured more than 50 last year. Orlando police are seen outside the Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016
The third saddest recorded day on Twitter was Nov. 9, 2016, the day after Donald Trump was elected president of the United States. Trump is seen alongside his son, Barron, as he speaks during a victory party at the Hilton Hotel in New York
The recent terrorist attack in Manchester, where pop star Ariana Grande was giving a concert, was also one of the saddest days recorded on Twitter. Emergency responders are seen above in Manchester on May 23
'Our instrument reflects a kind of quantitative macro-story, one that journalists can use to bring big data into an article attempting to characterize the public response to the incident,' Danforth said.
The hedonometer is based on a psychological assessment of around 10,000 words.
Paid volunteers rated the words for their 'emotional temperature', ranking the happiest at the top of the scale and the saddest at the bottom.
Averaging the volunteers' responses, the scientists assigned an overall score to each word.
The word 'happy' itself scored 8.30, 'hahaha' 7.94, 'cherry' 7.04 and the more neutral 'pancake' 6.96.
The words 'and' and 'the' scored a truly neutral 5.22 and 4.98.
At the bottom of the scale, the word 'crash' scored 2.60, 'war' 1.80 and 'jail' 1.76.
Trending words such as 'explosion', 'victims' and 'kill' push the hedonometer down to extremely low levels.
Another particularly sad day on social media was August 12 of this year, when a young woman was struck and killed by a suspected neo-Nazi during dueling rallies and counter-demonstrations in Charlottesville, Virginia
On January 29 of this year, a suspected far-right gunman fatally shot six people and wounded 19 others inside a mosque in Quebec City
Positively scored words such as 'prayers' and 'families' also spiked that day - but not for positive reasons.
'If we remove "prayers", "love", and "families" it's not going to change the day's overall deviation from the background because of all the other words,' said Danforth.
Currently the hedonometer is updated every 24 hours, but further development could see billions of words collected daily to provide a minute-by-minute barometer of global happiness.
The team is also trying to expand beyond 'atoms' of single words to 'molecules' of two-word expressions.
The scientists acknowledge that happiness is a slippery word that means different things to different people.
'We're not trying to tell you that contentment is better than happiness - we're not trying to define the word,' said Danforth.
'We're just saying we're measuring something important and interesting.
'And, now, sharing it with the world.'
Theresa May will today warn her squabbling Cabinet to stop fighting and do our duty by Britain.
After a fraught week in Manchester, the Prime Minister will tell the Conservative conference it is time for the party to shape up and focus on delivering for voters.
Mrs May will also unveil a string of policy initiatives.
Theresa May will today warn her squabbling Cabinet to stop fighting and do our duty by Britain
Plans include what one senior Tory described as a revolution in housebuilding designed to win over the under-40s.
Mrs Mays rallying call follows a day in which:
Boris Johnson was cheered after a barnstorming speech in which he said it was time to be bold and embrace the opportunities of Brexit;
Cabinet ministers continued to round on the Foreign Secretary for intervening on Brexit before conference;
Home Secretary Amber Rudd announced a ban on the sale of acid to under-18s following a string of attacks;
Mrs May faced calls to sack Foreign Office minister Sir Alan Duncan after he said Brexit was the result of a tantrum by the working classes;
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon publicly called for an increase in the military budget;
Priti Patel said voters were right to be angry about waste in the 13billion aid budget as she announced a crackdown on fatcat contractors.
The Tories annual gathering has been overshadowed by Cabinet infighting sparked by Mr Johnsons decision to go public with his concerns about the Governments direction on Brexit.
Last month he published an unauthorised 4,000-word essay laying out his personal manifesto for Brexit. Then, on the eve of the conference, he used an interview to lay out his own red lines.
After a fraught week in Manchester, the Prime Minister will tell the Conservative conference it is time for the party to shape up and focus on delivering for voters
The Prime Minister will use her set-piece speech today to say it is time to end the civil war and start focusing on the needs of ordinary families.
Mrs May will say the Conservatives should be not worrying about our job security, but theirs. Not addressing our concerns, but the issues, the problems, the challenges, that concern them.
Not focusing on our future, but on the future of their children and their grandchildren doing everything we can to ensure their tomorrow will be better than our today.
Invoking Winston Churchill, she will say: Let us go forward together. Let us fulfil our duty to Britain.
She will go on: Let us shape up and give the country the government it needs. For beyond this hall, beyond the gossip pages of the newspapers, and beyond the streets, corridors and meeting rooms of Westminster, life continues the daily lives of ordinary working people go on. And they must be our focus today.
The Foreign Secretary received a rapturous reception from activists yesterday as he set out an upbeat vision of life outside the EU. But he has faced a backlash from colleagues.
Boris Johnson was cheered after a barnstorming speech in which he said it was time to be bold and embrace the opportunities of Brexit
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon openly mocked him from the conference stage, while Brexit Secretary David Davis took a thinly-veiled swipe at him.
Allies of Mrs May believe Mr Johnsons actions were the result of a leadership bid that has backfired.
But friends of Mr Johnson insist his motives have been misunderstood. One ally said: Its not about disloyalty. He feels he will be judged on Brexit and he was worried that things might be going wrong, but its all fine now.
Tory aides last night said Mrs May would use todays speech to reflect on the lessons of the June election which saw the Tories surrender their Commons majority.
The party has spent much of this week soul-searching about their failure to connect with younger voters.
Mrs May has already announced plans to cap tuition fees and invest an extra 10billion in the Help to Buy housing scheme.
Today she is expected to set out housebuilding plans. Chancellor Philip Hammond has been examining plans to release more public land.
Armed to the teeth: Scott Edmisten, 43, of Johnson City, Tennessee, was arrested Monday morning during a traffic stop, which led to the discovery of a massive cache of firearms in his vehicle
As news of the deadliest mass shooting in US history was breaking in Las Vegas early Monday morning, deputies in Tennessee pulled over a vehicle for speeding and found inside a large arsenal of loaded firearms, including two machine guns.
According to Washington County Sheriff Ed Graybeal, his officers arrested Scott Edmisten, 43, after a traffic stop led to the discovery that Edmistens license was suspended for failure to appear in court.
Edmisten was initially found to be speeding on Old Jonesborough Highway in Johnson City, doing 55mph in a 30mph zone at around 4am Monday.
As the deputy signaled for Edmisten to pull over, the man sped up to 80mph, but finally came to a stop a half-mile down the road, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.
After the driver was taken into custody for allegedly driving on a suspended license, the deputy searched his vehicle and discovered a .357-caliber Magnum; a .45-caliber semi-automatic; one fully automatic .223-caliber AR rifle; a .308-caliber fully automatic AR rifle, more than 900 rounds of ammunition, and survival equipment, including knives, a hatchet and a fire starter.
Washington County Sheriff's deputies uncovered this massive arsenal of loaded weapons and 900 rounds of ammunition during after pulling Edmisten over for speeding
Lethal: Edmisten had modified the two AR rifles himself to make them fully automatic and they had no serial numbers
All of the weapons were loaded, and according to the sheriff, neither of the fully automatic rifles were registered or even had serial numbers.
Sheriff Graybeal said Edmisten had modified the two AR rifles himself to make them fully automatic.
As he was being processed at the local detention center, Edmisten allegedly made threats toward the arresting officer and other staff members, and lunged toward investigators who were trying to interview him.
The 43-year-old suspect was eventually subdued and placed in handcuffs. He was charged with speeding, felony evading, and possession of prohibited weapons.
He was later arraigned and ordered held without bond pending a hearing.
Investigators are still working on the investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been called in due to the unregistered machine guns.
'Anytime you have several firearms and several hundred rounds of ammunition in a vehicle, that always causes a concern,' said Michael Knight, an ATF spokesman.
Authorities still haven't determined why Edmisten was carrying all that firepower, but they 'don't see a connection' to recent mass shootings, Knight said, adding that investigators are tracing where his weapons came from.
'Our priority is reducing violent crime on the front end, so that's the other thing we're looking at, along with motive: Were these items going to be used for a criminal act or were they just being transported from one area to another area?'
Speaking to the station WJHL Monday, Sheriff Graybeal said it took his deputies about two hours to compatible a full inventory of the items recovered from Edmisten's vehicle, making it the largest weapons haul his department has ever seized during a single traffic stop.
Bad timing: Edmisten was arrested just a few hours after a man holed up inside a Las Vegas hotel with two assault rifles opened fire on a country music festival across the street, killing 59 and injuring more than 540
Father-of-two: According to his Facebook page, Edmisten has a teenage daughter (pictured left) and a younger son
I think it was a splendid traffic stop, especially after what happened in Las Vegas, the sheriff said. Whether this guy had any intentions of anything or not, I dont know, but he was ready for something, every clip was loaded, every gun was loaded, everything was loaded that he had with him.
According to his Facebook page, Edmisten has a teenage daughter and a younger son. His page is filled with memes and angry posts railing against Family Court and Child Protective Services.
His final status update, posted about 15 minutes before Monday's traffic stop, consisted of a link to a YouTube video featuring Ted Nugent's song Stranglehold.
The 43-year-old suspect was arrested just a few hours after 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock, of Nevada, opened fire on concertgoers attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival on the Las Vegas Strip, killing 59 people and injuring more than 527 others.
He committed suicide before police arrived at his hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay, across the street from the venue hosting the sold-out country music festival.
When a SWAT team entered the gunman's suite, they found two modified assault rifles and 21 other weapons, as well as thousands of rounds of ammunition.
An Australian woman has revealed she survived the Las Vegas massacre after a complete stranger shielded her from gunfire.
Courtney Cooper, 26, from Brisbane, was among the crowd of 22,000 people watching headliner Jason Aldean perform at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday night.
When shooter Stephen Paddock opened fire from his hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay resort, she thought the noise was fireworks.
As chaos unfolded around her, she was separated from her friend and as she stood by the main stage, a bullet hit a man's knee just a metre from her and panic set in.
'We just dropped behind this little wooden stand and the guy there, a complete stranger, literally jumped on top of me and was shielding me,' she told the Courier Mail.
Scroll down for video
Courtney Cooper (pictured) was among the crowd of 22,000 people at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday night when a gunman opened fire
'There were bullets just going everywhere and there was a guy like a metre away from me who got his knee blown out.'
Ms Cooper said it wasn't until people were getting shot that she realised what was happening but still had no idea how many shooters were behind the attack.
Dozens of dead bodies lay around her and a pause in the gunfire gave her and those around her a chance to make a run for the exit.
Ms Cooper described the scene at the open-air Las Vegas Village as 'absolute chaos' with 'blood everywhere'.
She was finally able to flee the carnage and ended up in an apartment with 20 strangers as locals opened up their homes to those seeking shelter.
But she was still desperately trying to contact her friend Aimee, who she'd become separated from.
People scramble for shelter at the Route 91 Harvest Festival after a gunman opened fire
Ms Cooper was near the main stage (left) at the festival in Las Vegas when the attack began
Fortunately, Ms Cooper found out that Aimee had managed to get away in a car and another friend figured out how to reconnect them.
The two friends had planned to go on to visit Nashville, Tennessee, and Austin, Texas, after arriving in Las Vegas last week.
But now, Ms Cooper is cutting her trip across the United States short and is on her way back to Brisbane.
'We're going home now, we need to get back on Australian soil.'
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said no Australians were among the 59 people who died or more than 500 who were injured.
But Australians have told of their terror as they found themselves caught up in the worst mass shooting in modern American history.
Guitarist Ben Carey had played with his all-star band Elvis Monroe at the festival and returned to the crowd to watch the rest of the line-up when people started to drop around him.
Ms Kamber (right) and Ms Ratahi (left) had just ordered at the Outback Steakhouse, a five-minute drive from the Mandalay Bay hotel, when the restaurant went into lockdown
Sharon Kamber and her friend, Miss Universe NT finalist Artia Ratahi (pictured together), were dining on the Las Vegas Strip close to the country music festival when the shooting began
He literally ran for his life to escape a sniper's hail of bullets and broke down a fence to stop a stampede of terrified concertgoers from being crushed to death.
'The panic set in and we realised we were under machine-gun fire,' he told CNN.
He watched one man fall. Then two girls to his left.
Then came the stampede as people tried to flee.
'I had no choice but to go,' he said.
But the surging crowd ended up in an alleyway, a fence blocking their path.
'We were pressed up against this fence with the weight of a thousand people coming behind us, all funnelled into this alley. I screamed at the guys next to me: 'We have to break this fence'.'
Thirty men managed to do just that. Then Mr Carey was running for his life.
'There were people falling left, right and centre. I didn't know if they were tripping or if they were shot.
Authorities said 59 people died and 527 people were injured in the mass shooting on Sunday
Shooter Stephen Paddock opened fire through two windows at his 32nd floor room at the Mandalay Bay hotel
'I ran as fast as I could, left and right, left and right. At this point we thought there were shooters in the ground just spraying people with bullets.'
But Paddock was the only one, firing from a room in the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.
Brian Hodge, from the Gold Coast, says he was staying in the room next door, paralysed by the noise, trying to decide if it was safer to stay or flee.
'It was a machine gun from the room next to me,' Mr Hodge told News Corp.
In the end he fled, but once on the ground, he believed multiple shooters were on the loose, and hid in bushes for several hours.
'There were multiple people dead... I was just hiding waiting for police to come get us.'
Sharon Kamber and Artia Ratahi, from Darwin, were dining near the festival when their restaurant was locked down.
'We were stuck in the restaurant for a good three hours, until about 2am,' Ms Kamber said.
'I called my parents... half in tears, telling them I loved them.'
She said rumours of two more shooters swept the area.
'We were very scared. It was hard not to break down.'
When they were finally able to make the two-minute walk back to their hotel, the scene was eerie and quiet, tense police dotted every few metres.
'I wasn't too surprised that something like this was happening, which is saddening to say,' Ms Kamber said.
An alt-right organizer who has been indicted for perjury for allegedly lying about being assaulted in January has been indicted for perjury.
Unite the Right activist Jason Kessler - who was behind the deadly Charlottesville riots in August - was indicted on felony perjury on Tuesday by a grand jury in Piedmont, Virginia.
The charge stems from an altercation he had with left-wing protester James Taylor at Downtown Mall in Charlottesville in January.
Kessler, who was there collecting signatures for a petition to remove mayor Wes Bellamy, punched Taylor in the face after a war of words.
At the time, he allegedly told police Taylor assaulted him but later admitted to hitting him first.
Kessler pleaded guilty to assault earlier this year and was sentenced to 50 hours of community service.
Scroll down for video
Alt-right organizer Jason Kessler was indicted for felony perjury in Virginia on Tuesday for lying about being assaulted in January. He is pictured above in August after the Charlottesville march which he organized at which a woman was killed
On Tuesday, the extra charge of perjury was brought. Charging documents recount how Kessler admitted assaulting Taylor at the mall last year.
'He and his buddy came over, they scribbled on my petition and vandalized it.
'James didn't want to have a conversation with me, he yelled you're a....and he called me a name. I felt threatened and I hit him to get him away from me.
'Man to man, yell in a man's face and expect to get punched in the face.
'I'll admit that what I did was not legal.I was having a bad day. I've never done anything like this before and it will never happen again,' he said at the time.
Kessler allegedly told police he had been assaulted by James Taylor. He later admitted it was the other way around
Taylor has always maintained that he did not assault the man.
In other interviews, Kessler said Taylor was one of the many 'liberals' in the town trying to mess with him.
'People like James have been using the liberal nature of this city to really mess with me. I just don't think you go after people, the way he's been going after people and cause disruption.
'I think if he spent as much energy trying to come up with a better idea, he could probably do so. He's a smart guy,' he said.
After Kessler was sentenced for assault in May, he told NBC 29: 'I hold no ill will towards Mr. Kessler. We worked together. I considered him a friend.
'I wish that he would spend as much energy building our community up rather than tearing it down.'
Kessler is held responsible for organizing the high profile Unite the Right march in Charlottesville earlier this year which cost a woman her life.
Kessler (left in his mugshot after being arrested for assault in May and right before the alt-right march in August) has admitted punching the man
Heather Heyer, a counter protester, died after being mowed down by a driver who sped his car into the crowds.
Kessler, complaining that he received death threats after her death, went into hiding after tweeting that Heyer was a 'fat, disgusting Communist'.
Heather Heyer, a counter protester, died after being mowed down by a driver who sped his car into the crowds
The tweet said her death was proof that 'it was payback time'.
Kessler blamed the vile comments on the fact that he was under stress and had been taken Xanax.
'I repudiate the heinous tweet that was sent from my account last night. I've been under a crushing amount of stress & death threats.
'I'm taking ambien, Xanax and I had been drinking last night. I sometimes wake up having done strange things that I don't remember.'
He earlier tried to claim that he'd been hacked.
Kessler was quick to distance himself from the violence after Heyer's death. He was booed and heckled as he spoke at a press conference in the days after the riots, telling crowds at a press conference shortly after it: 'I've done nothing wrong.'
At the end of the press conference, he was punched in the face and tackled to the ground.
In August, Kessler tweeted this vile remark in the wake of Heyer's death
After facing backlash over the comment he deleted it and claimed he'd been hacked
He then said it was the result of taking Xanax and Ambien
A man sexually assaulted two young children at his parents' home after luring them away from a North Perth childcare centre with promises of treats and fun activities, but claims he can't remember what he did to them.
Vincenzo Mule enticed the four-year-old girl and five-year-old boy to follow him some 750 metres through laneways and car parks, and across busy Fitzgerald Street, to his parents' Grosvenor Road home, where he lived in a shed in April last year.
The District Court of WA heard on Tuesday that the father-of-three entered the fenced area of the childcare centre, sat on a limestone wall and smoked cigarettes, which prompted staff to question him as children were present.
But they didn't notice the 54-year-old luring the victims away.
Scroll down for video
n May 2016, chilling CCTV was released of the moment Mule led the children, aged four and five, away from the childcare centre on April 19
The court heard Mule took them to his shed, gave them icy poles and sexually abused them.
He then abandoned the children at Hyde Park, where they told a woman they'd been taken there by a man they didn't know, and she alerted authorities.
Prosecutor Maria Maddox said Mule had been watching the centre for about 20 minutes before approaching, timing it so he wouldn't be noticed.
The girl told her mother he had slapped her across the face when she said 'Stop, I don't like it' as he molested her, leaving behind scratches.
In addition to promising treats and fun activities, it was suggested Mule played a hiding game with the children.
'We were hiding from the ... ladies ... with the big man,' they told police.
Mr Gunning said his client had been depressed over relationship breakdowns and bereavements, hadn't been sleeping much and could not remember the offending because he had taken medication.
'I'm not accepting he had a memory loss,' Judge Simon Stone said.
'The likelihood of him feigning amnesia can't be ruled out.'
The children had been due to pre-record their evidence for his trial on Thursday but that was aborted
Judge Stone said Mule, who changed his plea to guilty in January, didn't want to discuss the underlying reason for his offending and there had to be an element of sexual gratification, which Mr Gunning accepted.
'He can't understand what went on that day,' the lawyer said.
The court heard the children both described what had happened to each other, so they had witnessed everything, and their personalities had changed since that day.
The boy reported feeling like he'd let down his friend and didn't protect her properly, Ms Maddox said.
Mule has been behind bars for 531 days and will be sentenced on Wednesday morning.
News / National
by Staff Reporter
The Ministry of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services says the Cyber Crime and Cyber Security Bill is a comprehensive legislation that is expected to address abuse of social media in Zimbabwe.The bill, which came as a result of wider consultations, provides for criminalisation of abuse of the social media."This bill is a solution to the growing abuse of social media. In any criminal proceedings, evidence generated from computer system or electronic communication systems shall be admissible in court," the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Engineer Samuel Kundishora said.He added that the proposed law will curb cyber crimes and increase cyber security in order to build confidence and trust in the secure use of ICTs.The abuse of cyber space is a major concern for many citizens who have suffered from cyber bullying.The coming into force of this bill is expected to bring positive change and restore sanity on the cyber space.
Former ABC presenter Yassmin Abdel-Magied slammed news outlets this week in the aftermath of the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, claiming the gunman would have been portrayed differently if 'we treated white men like brown Muslims'.
Ms Abdel-Magied, a Muslim activist, took to Twitter on Tuesday to vent her frustrations with the reporting about Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock, 64.
Paddock killed 59 people and injured more than 500 when he fired hundreds of bullets into a crowd of people attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival from his sniper's nest in the Mandalay Bay hotel on Sunday.
Scroll down for video
Muslim activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied slammed news outlets this week, claiming the Las Vegas gunman would have been portrayed differently if 'we treated white men like brown Muslims'
Comedian Dan Ilic said on Tuesday news outlets won't call Las Vegas shooter a terrorist because of white privilege
Stephen Paddock, 64, killed 59 people and injured more than 500 when he fired hundreds of bullets into a crowd of people attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival from his sniper's nest in the Mandalay Bay hotel
Ms Abdel-Magied protested the media's portrayal of Paddock to the public.
'If we treated white men like brown Muslims, news wouldn't be talk of gun laws. It would be pundits asking what makes white men so violent,' she wrote.
'White men aren't like Muslims, you might think. Yeah you're right. We don't get the luxury of being treated as individuals,' she continued.
If white men and Muslims were treated the same, news outlets 'would be taking "representatives" of white men to task, on TV, radio, in print, asking why they don't apologise for actions of white men', she said.
In a similar tone, comedian Dan Ilic, who hosted ABC's The Hungry Beast, told The Drum on Tuesday white privilege had played a part in the news coverage.
Mr Ilic told the current affairs program he didn't agree with how Paddock's horrific attack has not been labelled a terrorist act.
'The immediate thought for a lot of people when they hear a shooting like this go down, is they wonder and panic if it's a brown person,' he said.
'If it's a brown person they will call it an act of terror, but for this gentleman they basically labelled him as a man who loved to spend time on his own and listen to country music.'
'This is the very definition of white privilege.'
Mr Ilic, who hosted ABC's The Hungry Beast, spoke of his frustrations with the reporting on Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock, 64, to The Drum on Tuesday night
'If we treated white men like brown Muslims, news wouldn't be talk of gun laws. It would be pundits asking what makes white men so violent,' she wrote
The comments from Mr Ilic and Ms Abdel-Magied left viewers divided
'White men aren't like Muslims, you might think. Yeah you're right. We don't get the luxury of being treated as individuals,' she continued
The comments from Mr Ilic and Ms Abdel-Magied left viewers divided.
While several people agreed, numerous commenters slammed Mr Ilic's view on the issue.
'What a foolish, ridiculous thing for this person to say. I am astounded that the ABC isn't completely embarrassed by this. The worst mass shooting in U.S. history and this virtue signalling comedian talks white privilege?' one man said.
'There is no evidence this guy was a terrorist because there was no political motive we know of. Nothing to do with his skin colour,' another wrote.
Until Boris Johnson took to the podium, this weeks Tory conference was in danger of being the dullest in recent history.
Many took the view that the Conservative Party was still struggling to recover from its failure to win a proper majority in the General Election.
Shamefully, many MPs had stayed away indeed, fewer than 100 of the partys 316 had made the trip to Manchester. Party members many elderly and dejected were outnumbered by business lobbyists.
Until Boris Johnson took to the podium, this weeks Tory conference was in danger of being the dullest in recent history
Whats more, speeches from Cabinet ministers were, on the whole, weary, dull and mechanical. Lets be frank. Party chairman Patrick McLoughlin needs to be put out of his misery.
Some consider that Prime Minister Theresa May deserves the same fate.
As for Chancellor Philip Hammond, what can one say? Conventionally-minded, dull, smug and self-satisfied, hes guaranteed to put anyone off voting Tory for life.
By breakfast yesterday, I can testify that even loyal Tories regarded a Corbyn government as inevitable. And then along came Boris Johnson.
Party members were already queuing round the block to get in the hall two hours before Mr Johnson burst into the hall. He did not disappoint.
Indeed, the Foreign Secretary produced one of the best speeches of his political career, at a time when it has never been more urgently needed.
This was not, however, quite the speech Mr Johnsons fans had been expecting.
Those hoping that he would try to topple the Prime Minister were deeply disappointed.
The Foreign Secretary produced one of the best speeches of his political career, at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester
Mr Johnson was loyal a quality with which he is not usually associated. His well-crafted, genuinely funny and at times brilliant speech did not contain a word out of place.
It was even full of praise for the poisonous Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, whose own speech hours earlier had been full of sneering barbs at the Foreign Secretary.
And the attack on Jeremy Corbyn was conducted with a humour and finesse that put to shame Chancellor Hammonds leaden oratory.
As far as Mrs May is concerned, it was the speech she yearned for one that galvanised a Tory Party under her leadership.
Mr Johnson has a special quality, which is just as important in private as in political life. He makes people feel good about themselves. He cheers them up. He makes them laugh. He is a life-enhancer.
The quality that radiated above all else from Mr Johnson was optimism. In a masterpiece of timing by the deeply incompetent (or malicious?) Tory Party management, Mr Hammond was actually delivering another speech in another part of the conference building.
As always, the Chancellor conveyed gloom as Johnson exuded cheerfulness.
As always, Chancellor Philip Hammond (left) conveyed gloom as Johnson exuded cheerfulnes
Hammond concentrated on the threat of the future. Johnson spoke of hope and opportunity. The contrast between the two men, who have been fighting a bitter Whitehall battle over what form Brexit should take, is fascinating.
Hammond talks about Brexit in the superior tone of a Harley Street doctor discussing how best to deal with a fatal disease, going into detail about how to prolong the life of the patient while mitigating the effects of the malady, yet all the time ruling out any chance of cure.
Boris Johnson is the opposite. He exudes enjoyment of life (a heresy at Hammonds Treasury). He addressed the subject of Brexit with vim and gusto.
He made life sound fun. He dwells on the future not the past.
No wonder the Europhile Financial Times and The Economist hate him so much.
At the end of Mr Johnsons oration, the audience rose spontaneously to its feet. But it was telling that the Foreign Secretary did not stay to milk the applause or linger in the limelight. This was a loyal speech aimed at helping out the embattled Prime Minister, and not a leadership bid.
Theresa May will need to deliver a solid, capable and confident speech which shows she has the vision to govern Britain, if she is to outshine Johnson at the Tory party conference
Mr Johnson has changed the mood of Conservative Party conference, and in doing so undoubtedly extended a helping hand to Theresa May.
At the end of his speech, the conference no longer felt like a disaster. Party members can now look back at some golden moments.
To be fair, Scottish leader Ruth Davidsons speech on Monday lifted everybody present. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt made a worthwhile intellectual contribution with his serious talk on how to mend the NHS.
But it was Boris Johnson who had real impact.
Now everything depends on Theresa May today. She wont be as brilliant or as funny as Boris Johnson.
It would be unreasonable to expect that. But Mrs May will need to deliver a solid, capable and confident speech which shows she has the vision to govern Britain.
Boris Johnson will make mistakes and blunders. Thats for certain. But his speech showed that at least he has a mission and a vision.
I dont believe, by the way, that Boris Johnson really wants to replace Mrs May. I think his loyalty yesterday was genuine.
But if Mrs May fails today, a process will be set in motion that could take him into a leadership challenge and No10 without him lifting a finger.
Domino's customers have vented their outrage at the pizza-maker's decision to swap Coke for Pepsi after revamping their drinks menu.
Liam Wilson, who started the discussion on the franchise's Facebook page on Tuesday, was left furious by the swap.
'Dominos, the fact that you've changed your drink selection from Coke to Pepsi not only disappoints me but sickens me.
Liam Wilson status on Domino's Facebook page has had over 10,000 likes since it was posted
'Quite obviously you do not understand how much your pizza needs to be combined with Coke to get that quality satisfaction and Pepsi does not and will not cut it.
'Whoever the peanut was that decided that this was a good choice should be fired immediately.
'Wake up to yourselves,' he wrote.
Within hours, Mr Wilson's post had received 10,000 likes and over 2,000 comments with many in agreement with his thoughts.
'Pepsi is better then Coke but you should be drinking water,' said one commenter.
'I was just about to order a supreme pizza from Domino's. Then when I saw there was Pepsi instead of Coke. I closed my web browser. No pizza,' said another customer.
A Domino's Australia media spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the swap has been in place since September 16.
Domino's CEO for Australia and New Zealand Nick Knight in a statement said the change was because it wanted to give its customers a wider selection.
'Customers have told us they want more choice so we are proud to be rolling out our new drinks range to all stores across Australia,' said Mr Knight.
Domino's Pizza has stopped serving Coke with their pizzas since September 16 (stock image)
'We know each drink in the Schweppes range has a devoted and loyal fan base so we are excited to be offering this extensive range to our customers.'
The company said new range includes Pepsi, Pepsi Max, 7UP, Mountain Dew, Solo and Sunkist in 375ml cans and 1.25l plastic bottles, as well as Cool Ridge spring water 600ml.
It added the agreement, will see Schweppes as the exclusive provider of all soft drink to Domino's, for the next six-and-a-half years.
Personal email accounts belonging to senior White House advisers Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump were moved last week from a server hosted by Microsoft to a pair housed at the Trump Organization, the real estate company Donald Trump founded and ran before he became president.
USA Today reported Tuesday afternoon that Internet domain records show the move happened either Sept. 26 or Sept. 27.
That timeline suggests a move was completed just after the existence of the email accounts was publicly revealed.
The email addresses, linked to an 'ijkfamily.com' domain set up in December, include a third one used by members of Kushner's and Ms. Trump's personal staff.
Personal email accounts belonging to Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump were moved last week from a server hosted by Microsoft to a pair housed at the Trump Organization
The timing of the move suggests it was completed just after the existence of the email accounts was publicly revealed, on either Sept. 26 or Sept. 27
Among the materials White House officials are now combing through are 'nonpublic travel documents, internal schedules and some official White House materials,' according to Politico.
Most of them came from official White House email accounts.
The optics of official government emails residing on a private server could be politically damaging for Trump, who regularly lambasted Democrat Hillary Clinton's similar setup during the campaign season.
Clinton's privately hosted emails, however, included more than 1,200 messages later deemed classified at various levels by U.S. intelligence agencies.
There is no evidence suggesting that anything on the Kushner-Trump server is considered classified.
The first evidence of their personal accounts came just days after the Senate Intelligence Committee complained that Kushner had failed to disclose one, as it probes Russian interference in the 2016 election.
NOT THE SAME (YET): Unlike the accounts hosted on Hillary Clinton's infamous private server, there's no evidence the Trump-Kushner email accounts contain classified information
Some of the emails now hosted at the Trump Organization were sent by Ivanka Trump, while others were originated by her assistant, Bridges Lamar.
Both Kushner and Trump had access to the account and shared it with family staff.
A person familiar with the system said the shared account was used daily.
A family representative told Politico that Ivanka Trump has taken care to separate family from work matters.
'Her White House assistant did not and does not work on these matters. Her personal and work obligations, schedule, travel arrangements and contacts were and are coordinated in accordance with this separation, as she was advised to do,' according to the representative.
Kushner and Ivanka Trump set up the domain, ijkfamily.com, in December 2016 and moved it last week from Microsoft hosting to a private server
Kushner's lawyer Abbe Lowell said last week that his client had mad sure to preserve government emails from his personal account by forwarding them to his White House account.
Kushner failed to tell Senate Intelligence Committee investigators about his use of a private email account, panel members charged in an angry letter that only came to light last week because of a goof by Kushner's high-powered lawyer.
'The committee was concerned to learn of this additional email account from the news media, rather than from you, in your closed staff interview,' committee chairman Sen. Richard Burr and Vice Chair Sen. John Warner scolded Kushner in their joint letter dated Thursday.
An outraged David Koch has struggled to contain his emotions in an interview with a prominent American gun lobbyist, slamming his anti-gun control views as 'bulldust'.
The normally calm and collected Sunrise co-host battled to keep his anger in check as he debated U.S gun control with Larry Pratt, the head of 'Gun Owners of America'.
In the wake of Sunday's horror Las Vegas shooting that killed 59 and left 527 injured, Koch said Australians looking across the world looked at Americans as 'stupid'.
Questioning how anyone could consider the current rate one mass shooting a day to be normal, the TV host went head-to-head with Mr Pratt - slamming his views on the second amendment as 'stupid' before their interview ended abruptly.
Scroll down for video
Sunrise co-host David Koch has struggled to contain his emotions (pictured) in an interview with a gun lobbyist in the wake of the Las Vegas massacre, slamming his views as 'bulldust'
The normally calm and collected Sunrise co-host (left) battled to keep his anger in check as he debated U.S gun control with Larry Pratt (right), the head of 'Gun Owners of America'
Slamming the head of the lobby group, which has more than 1.5 million supporters in the U.S, Koch debated the need to implement strict Australian style gun control.
'For the average Australian our heart breaks for the victims and the families of those killed in the tragedy in Las Vegas,' Koch began.
But then another side of us says, "Why are Americans so stupid not to tighten gun laws?" You bring it on yourselves.'
'The fact of the matter is since the 1950s, all of these mass murders have occurred in places where we have pretty strict gun control including gun-free zones,' Mr Pratt claimed.
'The hotel was a gun-free zone... so yes indeed this keeps the pattern of the failure of gun control.'
Stating Nevada actually has 'some of the loosest gun laws in the world', Koch asked how Americans could continue claiming the second amendment was a good thing.
After accusing the Sunrise star of having a 'temper', the gun lobbyist ended the interview much to the bemusement of Koch and his co-host Samantha Armytage
'The second amendment is intended to keep our government at bay. And from time to time Americans have been able to keep excessive government from becoming radical,' Mr Pratt responded.
Left seething by the gun lobbyist's claims - which he labelled 'baloney' - Koch hit out at the ease with which Americans can get their hands on high-powered weapons.
'That amendment was brought in when people were using muskets!' the TV star said, struggling not to lose his composure.
'Why would any decent American need to own a machine gun?'
Claiming that human nature being the 'same' as it was centuries ago proved guns are not the problem, Mr Pratt said he believed the amendment worked 'rather nicely'.
But Koch wasn't buying it.
Stephen Paddock, the gunman responsible for America's worst ever massacre, bought his weapons from a 'Guns a Guitars' store (pictured)
Thousands of people were forced to hide as bullets rained down on them from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel
Paddock broke a window in his Mandalay Bay hotel room (pictured) and began firing onto the unsuspecting crowd
'What do you mean it's worked rather nicely? You're not keeping the government at bay, you're killing each other,' he said.
'You have a mass shooting everyday in America... that's got nothing to do with the government, you just shoot each other.'
'We are the upholder of freedom in the world,' Mr Pratt responded, to which Koch objected by saying: 'No you're not, no you're not.'
After accusing the Sunrise star of having a 'temper', the gun lobbyist ended the interview much to the bemusement of Koch and his co-host Samantha Armytage.
'They do experience tyranny in America, every single day. Yesterday was tyranny in America,' she said, before claiming the nonsensical debate had left her 'depressed'.
Swiss police confirmed on Tuesday night they were investigating a new child rape allegation against Roman Polanski.
Renate Langer, a 61-year-old German woman, said she was attacked by the controversial film director in his home in Gstaad when she was a 15-year-old schoolgirl.
The February 1972 assault is the latest in a string of similar allegations made by a total of four different women against 84-year-old Mr Polanski, who is now married with two children.
Scroll down for video
Renate Langer, pictured in the 1980s, said she was attacked by the controversial film director in his home in Gstaad when she was a 15-year-old schoolgirl
Detectives in the Swiss town of Gallen met Ms Langer last week, and she made a formal criminal complaint.
The authorities in Switzerland must now decide whether it happened too long ago to take the matter further, or whether prosecutors think they can secure a successful conviction. 'The case is being examined,' said a spokesman for Gallen police.
Mr Polanski pleaded guilty in the USA in 1977 to having unlawful sex with 13-year-old Samantha Geimer but fled the country before be could be sentenced.
He now lives almost permanently in Paris with his family, as France does not have an extradition treaty with America.
Asked by the New York Times why she did not report the matter earlier, Ms Langer said: My mother would have had a heart attack. I felt ashamed and embarrassed and lost and solo.
The February 1972 assault is the latest in a string of similar allegations made by a total of four different women against 84-year-old Mr Polanski, who is now married with two children
Both of Ms Langers parents are now dead, and she said she felt the time was right to speak out.
In August an American woman identified only as Robin M. said that Mr Polanski assaulted her in 1973 when she was 16.
And in 2010 the British actress Charlotte Lewis said she was sexually assaulted by Mr Polanski as a 16-year-old.
Lawyers for Mr Polanski refused to discuss the latest accusation. They have denied all previous claims, except for Ms Geimers.
Mr Polanski has become involved in serious legal problems during brief visits to Switzerland and Poland in the past, but judges there have always declined to extradite him to America.
Judges in California have refused to drop the outstanding case against Mr Polanski on two occasions, despite Mr Polanski considering the matter closed.
In a new interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Mr Polanski said: As far as what I did, its over. I pleaded guilty.
Ms Langer, pictured left aged 21, and right in the 1980s, claims she accepted a role in Polanskis film Che? after the first assault, and was then raped again on set in Rome
It is alleged that Ms Langer, who had a career as an actress, was first introduced to Mr Polanski while she was working for a modeling agency in Munich as a child.
Ms Langer claims that he invited her to his house in Gstaad to discuss her future career opportunities in film, and it was then she says that she was raped.
Ms Langer later accepted a small role in Mr Polanskis film Che? and was again allegedly raped by the director in Rome. This had an influence on all of my life, said Ms Langer.
Despite mainly being confined to France, Mr Polanski has won eight Cesars the French equivalent of an Oscar and won the best director Academy Award for the Holocaust movie, The Pianist.
Mr Polanski was born in Paris, but his Jewish parents moved the family back to Poland, where they were persecuted during the Nazi Holocaust.
His mother died in a concentration camp, while he managed to survive the war, mainly through pretending to be a Roman Catholic.
fracking has been banned indefinitely by the Scottish government in a move that puts its policy in opposition to that in England.
Fracking involves using water injected at high pressure to fracture rocks, releasing oil and gas.
Yesterday the Holyrood government said it had enacted a ban in the face of overwhelming public opposition.
Fracking has been banned in Scotland after 99 per cent voted No to the controversial method of extracting gas
Environmental groups praised the ban as protective of health and the environment.
But unions and business groups decried the decision as hypocritical given that gas that has been fracked is imported into Scotland from Donald Trumps America.
In addition a fracking ban and will threaten the creation of jobs.
The move comes almost exactly a year that the UK government gave the go ahead to fracking in Lancashire.
Shale gas is currently processed in Scotland at a site in Grangemouth, after having been imported from abroad, but cannot be extracted from beneath Scottish soil under the current moratorium.
Scots Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said an immediate ban would be enacted by using planning powers to extend the current moratorium indefinitely, removing the need for legislation.
The decision comes almost exactly a year after the government gave the go-ahead to frack in Lancashire
Mr Wheelhouse told MSPs: Let me be clear that the action is sufficient to effectively ban the development of unconventional oil and gas extraction in Scotland.
The decision that I am announcing today means that fracking cannot, and will not take place in Scotland.
The minister said a public consultation on the issue received more than 60,000 responses, an overwhelming 99% of which were opposed to fracking.
Conservative MSP Dean Lockhart said the decision meant Scotlands economy was being left behind and that reports had shown fracking could bring up to 4.6 billion in additional GVA and thousands of jobs.
He said: This much-needed economic boost and these jobs will now be created outside of Scotland, thanks to the SNP.
Paul Wheelhouse said an immediate ban on the controversial method would be enacted in Scotland
Friends of the Earth Scotland head of campaigns Mary Church said: This is a huge win for the anti-fracking movement, particularly for those on the frontline of this dirty industry here in Scotland, who have been working for a ban these last six years.
She said the ban would avoid potentially devastating impacts to peoples health, the climate and our natural environment.
Opponents of fracking claim that chemicals injected into the ground can end up in water supplies, that it can cause earth tremors, and that we should be focusing on renewable alternatives.
Gary Smith, the GMB unions Scotland secretary, accused the Scottish Government of being dishonest and hypocritical, adding: Scotland is importing a huge amount of shale gas from Trumps America.
If the government wants to be consistent, it will now ban shale gas imports, threatening a huge number of job losses.
Ken Cronin, Chief Executive of UK Onshore Oil and Gas, said: The Scottish Government ignores the advice of its own independent experts and prefers a future where gas will have to be imported with the damage that will do to the economy and the environment. It turns its back on job creation, skills development, an increase in tax receipts and investment in communities.
He added: This is a poor decision, ignoring Scotlands rich heritage and expertise in oil and gas.
A rescue in Tanzania saved elephants from death after they fell into a sandy pit.
The herd - three adults and two baby calfs - were discovered on September 27 in a small trench in Rungwa Game Reserve, dehydrated and unable to escape.
Manyoni natives from the Singida region quickly alarmed employers from Chinese construction company Sinohydro.
China's heroes: The construction workers arrived at the spot and carried out their rescue plan
The construction workers were located about 40 km from the reserve, and were asked to assist with saving the trapped elephants.
The multinational firm dispatched engineers and a bulldozer, more than an hour later, they brought with them them a construction digger to help with the operation.
Rescue efforts were carried out with the permission of local governors and the operators of the reserve.
Panic: The pit was so small that the elephants shoved each other and got stuck in the trench
Local sources said the elephants fell into the pit while searching for water.
In the video footage, the elephants are huddled together. The pit was so small that the elephants pushed each other in panic.
After a gruelling five hours of continuous effort, a female elephant and her baby were the first to stumble out of the pit. Two others followed them later.
Almost out: A Female elephant and her baby were the first to stumble out of the pit
Safe and sound: One of the trapped elephants raises his trucks, after being stuck for five hours
Liang Jifeng from the Tanzanian Department of Sinohydro Bureau 13 confirmed to Chinese news agency Xinhua that they were remarkably saved but one adult elephant died from lack of water.
Locals who witnessed the remarkable event applauded the Chinese company's astonishing rescue efforts and shouted 'China, China!' while the elephants slowly left, according to Xinhua.
Elephants are highly treasured in Tanzania, however according to the WWF, the general trend towards African elephants is shrinking as poaching has seen the population reduce by 90 per cent in less than 40 years.
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged additional support to promote wildlife and ecological conservation in Africa in his declaration to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation held in Johannesburg in December 2015.
Unable to take to the skies, five ostriches ran away from its owner and took the opportunity to stretch its legs down a busy highway in China's Guangdong Province.
Video footage shows the ostriches sprinting down the motorway on October 3.
To the bemusement of drivers, the road runners are running alongside cars and trucks in the way of traffic.
Breaking free: The five birds run close to each other causing havoc on the roads
Road runners: The ostriches escaped from an enclosure because its owner forgot to lock it
One driver can be heard cheering on the birds, shouting: 'Run faster! Come on!'
The ostriches broke free after their owner, Liang forgot to lock their enclosure.
Unfortunately, according to local news, four out of the five ostriches died after running nearly 50 km (30 miles) in hot weather without drinking water.
The footage shows the remaining ostrich safely with his owner.
The ostrich is the largest bird in the world and has the fastest speed of any bird. It can run at maximum speeds of about 97.5 km/h (60.6 mph).
The race is on: The five large birds ran down the busy motorway alongside other vehicles
This is the unbelievable moment a young boy has his torso stuck in a hole on a sofa headrest in eastern China.
The five-year-old boy placed his head through a hole of a convertible sofa out of curiosity at a beauty parlour and quickly got stuck.
Firefighters had to tear apart the sofa to free the struggling child.
A mischievous boy put his head through a sofa headrest hole in a beauty parlour in east China
Video posted by People's Daily Online, shows the shocking incident which reportedly happened in Suixi county of Anhui Province on September 30.
The boy, whose name has not been revealed, can be seen standing on a purple velvet sofa; however, with his head through the headrest.
Two members of staff offered help to calm the boy's emotion at the back of the sofa, whilst a woman was fanning behind.
Pang Dade, firefighter from Suixi Fire Brigade, told the reporter in the video that the sofa can turn into a massage couch, with a hole at the headrest for a better comfort.
Firefighter said the boy had a big head that could not be taken out easily from the hole
Firefighters had to break the sofa apart using a hydraulic spreader and other small tools
It's reported that the boy was playing at the salon and put his head through the hole himself.
But it's not sure if the boy's parents were at the scene during the incident.
'He is quite a big kid and his head is quite big as well. He could not take his head out after putting in the hole,' said Pang.
Pang explained that they had to use a hydraulic spreader to gain access to the headrest.
The boy had to hold his standing position until the firefighters freed him from danger
The boy was saved at last and no injuries were found on or around his head and neck
'We covered the boy's head and neck by some towels as protection,' he added.
The rescue continued as firefighters used smaller tools such as screwdrivers to break the wood around his neck.
The boy was freed after some minutes and was said to sustain no injuries.
Opinion / Columnist
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is the national police force of Zimbabwe, known until July 1980 as the British South Africa Police.The force consists of at least 40,000 officers and is head-quartered in Harare at the Police General Headquarters (PGHQ). The force is organised by province, and comprises uniformed national police referred to as Duty Uniform Branch (DUB), the plain clothes comprised Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Police Internal Security Intelligence (PISI), and traffic police (part of DUB). To date, there are 17 known provinces which are headed by a Senior Assistant Commissioner. It also includes specialist support units including the (paramilitary) Police Support Unit and riot police, a Police Internal Security and Intelligence unit (the equivalent of the Rhodesian Special Branch); and ceremonial and canine units.The Zimbabwean police used to be a force to reckon with since it's inception and transition from the colonial era to the new Zimbabwe. No cases were swept under the carpet during that time and the organization was a shining beacon. Cases were reported and the crime detection was so excellent.Police officers were well looked after and well resourced. A police station would have two serviceable vehicles with VHF radio communication system. Today the Zimbabwe Republic Police had received its share of criticism due to unprofessional and abuse of human rights. Let me start by critically looking at the global modern day policing.Globally police brutality is one of several forms of police misconduct which involves undue violence by police members. Widespread police brutality exists in many countries and territories, even those that prosecute it. Although illegal, it can be performed under the color of law.The term "police brutality" was in use in the American press as early as 1872, when the Chicago Tribune reported on the beating of a civilian under arrest at the Harrison Street Police Station.The origin of 'modern' policing based on the authority of the nation state is commonly traced back to developments in seventeenth and 18th century France, with modern police departments being established in most nations by the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.Police brutality has been witnessed in the country where overzealous police officers would pounce on innocent civilians and demonstrations during the 1998 food riots. Demonstrators have not been spared by the police when trying to control the riotous mob. Sometime last year the police used water canons to spray water and tear gassed civilians and demonstrators who were protesting under the Nera banner for election reformsRecently there were riots in Harare and the police beat people and they indiscriminately shot at pedestrians and motorists after they ruthlessly descended on protesters who were demonstrating against the deteriorating economic situation that has triggered a wave of price increases and shortages of some basic commodities. Beating demonstrators and civilians will not solve the economic woes gripping the country , but the government must find solutions to the problems. Journalists have been beaten and their cameras damaged whilst on duty covering such events.However in Zimbabwe very few cases of shooting have been recorded but the use of long reach baton sticks and tear gas are very prevalent. We have also witnessed the police shooting in parts of Southern Africa. A very good example is the Marikana shooting in South Africa.The Marikana massacre, which took place on 16 August 2012, was the single most lethal use of force by South African security forces against civilians since 1960. The shootings have been described as a massacre in the South African media and have been compared to the Sharpeville massacre in 1960. The incident also took place on the 25-year anniversary of a nationwide South African miners' strike. The massacre took place at two locations, roughly 500 metres away from each other, with 17 people fatally wounded at each of these locations. The vast majority of those killed were killed by fire from the R5 assault rifle used by the South African Police Service (SAPS).The official figure for strikers injured during the shooting was 78.The police has also been blamed for unprofessional conduct when attending , handling and preserving of prima facie evidence on cases of murder and arson. It has been noted that evidence has been lost or tempered with resulting in some murder suspects acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence.Corruption and accepting of bribes has been a major concern in the organisation. There is an outcry of bribery cases especially on road blocks where the police has been demanding exorbitant money to let commuter omnibuses and motorists pass. The ZRP has become a cash cow for the state. Motorists are forced to pay spot fines of traffic offences some of them ranging from failing to put some reflectors and a disfunctional number plate light. One can hardly travel five kilometers without coming across a police road block. The use of spikes has been widely condemned by the public and that did not conform with the modern way of policing.Tourists have complained about the presents and deployment of traffic police officers on our main and feeder roads in the country. The Minister of Tourism Cde Walter Mzembi has lambasted and condemned the heavily handedness conduct of the police force and has tried to seek audience with the Police Commissioner to reduce the number of roadblocks but it all fell on deaf ears and he lost a top position in UTWO. The spike wielding police officers have caused deaths and injuries of passengers which has painted a bad picture of the image of our force. They have deviated from their five core areas of policing and have rather concentrated on improving the revenue collection and milking the poor motorists. The organisation has been infested by arrogant and corrupt bad apples which need to be plucked away sooner than later.As we approach 2018 we ask the police to be apolitical when dealing with political motivated cases. Previously we have witnessed some sections of the police force being partisan when handling political violence cases where the opposition has been at the receiving end. Selectively application of the law has been the hobby of our police force. We would like to appeal to the Police Commissioner and his team to carry out their duties without fear and favour.Facebook - Leonard KoniWhatsApp - +27747402042Twitter - @leokoniEmail - konileonard606@gmail
Advertisement
The wreck of the Mary Rose has started to 'come down on itself' as the Tudor flagship's vast wooden beams have begun to shift, according to the ship's conservation manager.
The vessel, Henry VIII's flagship, was removed from the seabed 35 years ago and rests in a climatically controlled box in Portsmouth where conservation experts are removing the water and replacing it with a special polymer.
However, the drying process which started in 2013, has caused unwanted movement which they are now monitoring with special cameras as they try to prop up the ship using scaffolding.
Scroll down for video
The wreck of the Mary Rose has started to 'come down on itself' as the Tudor flagship's vast wooden beams have begun to shift, according to the ship's conservation manager. The vesselwas removed from the seabed 35 years ago and rests in a climatically controlled box in Portsmouth
THE MARY ROSE The vessel, Henry VIII's flagship, was put on display in the Mary Rose museum exactly 471 years after it perished in the Solent, just outside Portsmouth Harbour, on July 19, 1545. Incredibly, the starboard hull remained intact by being embedded in mud on the seabed, which prevented it from being eroded by tides and bacteria. In total, 19,000 items were carefully retrieved, including the bones of sailors, a dog called Hatch and other artefacts from the wreckage. Advertisement
The vessel, Henry VIII's flagship, went on display in the newly-revamped Mary Rose museum exactly 471 years after it perished in the Solent, just outside Portsmouth Harbour, on July 19, 1545.
After it was taken out of the water the ship was initially sprayed with water and wax to stop in rotting.
Four years ago they started the drying process - which is now mostly complete.
'However although we put enough of the (polymer) in so that there is some stability that is not to say there is not going to be any change or any movement', Dr Eleanor Schofiled, conservation manager for the Mary Rose told New Scientist Live in London.
'We only have one half of the hull so the deck beams are not attached to anything on the other side.
'If you look very closely you will see there is scaffolding in places that we have had to install because there has this movement.
'We've also had various lasers scans done on the hull and we're using those to understand the movement.
'We have a cross section of the hull and you can see through the years the hull has started to come down on itself and the deck beam has twisted since we're not spraying anymore.
After it was taken out of the water the ship was initially sprayed with water and wax to stop in rotting. Four years ago they started the drying process - which is now mostly complete. However, the drying process which started in 2013, has caused unwanted movement which they are now monitoring with special cameras as they try to prop up the ship using scaffolding
Dr Eleanor Schofiled, conservation manager for the Mary Rose told New Scientist Live in London that the flagship was beginning to 'come down on itself'. As with any type of wet wood, the Mary Roses timbers have shrunk as she has dried and this has led inevitably to some cracks
Dr Schofiled's speech prompted reports yesterday that the ship was about to collapse, but The Mary Rose Museum at Portsmouth said said these reports are inaccurate, although she would require a new support system.
'As with any type of wet wood, the Mary Roses timbers have shrunk as she has dried and this has led inevitably to some cracks.'
Talking in July 2016 after it was first unveiled to the public, historian David Starkey said: 'For the first time we can actually see the Mary Rose.
'Up to this point from the moment it was brought up in the 1980s, it has been in a state of both being preserved and conserved and to do that it had to be covered by sprays, it had to be put in a huge bag like a condom and then it had to be dried.
'And while of all that went on, there were obstacles between you, the visitor, and the ship. Now all of that has been taken away and you can see the thing, it's there, it's a three-dimensional object.'
Helen Bonser-Wilton, chief executive of the Mary Rose Trust, said in 2016 it had been a 'very exciting close to the latest chapter in her history'.
'Visitors will have stunning panoramic views of the ship from all nine galleries,' she said.
CONSERVATION OF THE MARY ROSE For decades, it was constantly coated with millions of litres of finely-sprayed, fresh water at a temperature of less than 5C (41F). That process, along with a series of wax chemicals, were used to stop the wood drying out and to inhibit bacterial activity. Then, in 1985, the ship was turned upright and titanium props were installed to support the internal structure and work was undertaken to remove as much sediment as possible. From 1994, active conservation commenced with the spraying of Polyethylene Glycol (Peg), a water-soluble polymer which can penetrate deep into the wood and support the cell walls. Then, in April 2013, the Peg sprays were turned off and the hull was kept in a state of controlled air-drying phase 100 tonnes of water during the next four to five years. Once drying was complete, the internal walls surrounding the hull were removed so visitors would be able to see a completely unobstructed view of the hull. However, the drying process has caused unwanted movement which they are now monitoring with special cameras as they try to prop up the ship using scaffolding. Advertisement
However, the drying process which started in 2013 has caused unwanted movement which they are now monitoring with special cameras as they try to prop up the ship using scaffolding
'If you look very closely you will see there is scaffolding in places that we have had to install because there has this movement', Dr Eleanor Schofiled, conservation manager for the Mary Rose told New Scientist Live in London
Since being raised in 1982 - an event watched by 60 million viewers worldwide - the hull has been kept in highly protective surroundings
'This is the culmination of decades of hard work by the Mary Rose team and we can't wait to share this stunning new experience with everyone.'
The Mary Rose, a 16th Century warship, sank in battle with the French, killing more than 500 men.
Incredibly, the starboard hull remained intact by being embedded in mud on the seabed, which prevented it from being eroded by tides and bacteria. In total, 19,000 items were carefully retrieved, including the bones of sailors, a dog called Hatch and other artefacts from the wreckage.
Since being raised in 1982 - an event watched by 60 million viewers worldwide - the hull has been kept in highly protective surroundings.
For decades, it was constantly coated with millions of litres of finely-sprayed, fresh water at a temperature of less than 5C (41F). That process, along with a series of wax chemicals, were used to stop the wood drying out and to inhibit bacterial activity.
Alex Hildred, Maritime Archaeologist, pictured with the Tudor Rose emblem which was discovered on the wreck of Henry VIII's flagship, the Mary Rose, which has now been preserved
Experts used several processes, including laser scanning, computer modelling and 3D rendering, to produce a digital image of the rose, depicting how it could have looked at the time the ship sunk
The conserved artefact (pictured) has been officially identified as the flower which was fixed to the bow of the Mary Rose
Then, in 1985, the ship was turned upright and titanium props were installed to support the internal structure and work was undertaken to remove as much sediment as possible.
From 1994, active conservation commenced with the spraying of Polyethylene Glycol (Peg), a water-soluble polymer which can penetrate deep into the wood and support the cell walls.
Then, in April 2013, the Peg sprays were turned off and the hull was kept in a state of controlled air-drying phase 100 tonnes of water during the next four to five years.
Once drying was complete, the internal walls surrounding the hull were removed so visitors would be able to see a completely unobstructed view of the hull - a phase that was seen as the culmination of the project.
Small viewing panels were replaced with floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony entered through an airlock so the ship can be seen in all its glory.
Sir Peter Luff, chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund which granted 26 million ($35 million) towards the project, said: 'Quite simply, the Mary Rose is awe-inspiring.
'After decades of hard work, this final part of the conservation jigsaw brings the Mary Rose back in to clear focus and spectacular context.'
Also included in the display is the red rose figurehead which adorned the famous ship.
The carved Tudor rose - the earliest English figurehead representing the ship's name - was retrieved from the bottom of the Solent more than a decade ago as a small piece of wood.
The conserved artefact - which still has its carvings despite years of erosion while languishing in the silt of the sea - has now been officially identified as the flower which was fixed to the bow of the Mary Rose.
The rose was found in 2003, after a group of divers working on a Ministry of Defence excavation made what would transpire to be a hugely historic discovery.
The divers had been searching the area for the ship's bowcastle and were trying to raise the Tudor ship's stem and anchor after the government applied to widen and straighten the channel.
As these pieces were being prepared for lifting, the divers came across a carved wooden artefact, which was about four feet long and shaped like a lollipop.
Unsure what it was, the wood was raised and put into a water tank at the Mary Rose Museum where it was kept without investigation.
But, more than a decade on, it has now been properly identified as the ship's emblem. This year, the Mary Rose Trust asked the University of Portsmouth for help to enhance the carvings to see what was there.
An illustration of the Mary Rose from the Anthony Roll which shows the red emblem mounted on the forecastle (circled above). In total, 19,000 items were carefully retrieved, including the bones of sailors, a dog called Hatch and other artefacts from the wreckage
Once drying was complete, the internal walls surrounding the hull were removed so visitors would be able to see a completely unobstructed view of the hull - a phase that was seen as the culmination of the project
Experts then used a series of techniques - including laser scanning, computer modelling and 3D rendering - to produce a digital image of the rose, depicting how it could have looked.
Another impression of how it might have looked is from the Anthony Roll, the only detailed surviving depiction of the ship, which shows the Tudor rose mounted on the forecastle.
The museum said: 'The combination of its size, its form and the position where it was found leaves very little doubt that this is the Tudor rose emblem shown in the Anthony Roll and therefore the first English warship 'figurehead' that was carved to represent the name of the ship.'
This picture shows the Mary Rose being raised from the bottom of the Solent, near Portsmouth Dockyard, Hampshire, in 1982. The historic event was watched by 60 million people worldwide
Britain's beloved bluebell woods could die out because of the 'poisonous' emissions from diesel cars, a leading palaeontologist has claimed.
Broadcaster and author Dr Richard Fortey said that the increase of nitrate particles in the atmosphere, caused by diesel engines and other sources, has led to the 'vigorous growth' of brambles and nettles in woodland areas.
And he said he 'fears' that bluebell woods, which are unique to the British countryside, could one day be killed off altogether as a result.
Dr Fortey said he has noticed a marked increase in the prevalence of nettles and brambles in a small patch of woodland in the Chiltern Hills that he bought in 2011.
Diesel cars could be killing the bluebell countryside which is unique to Britain due to the 'vigorous growth' of brambles and nettles
He told an audience at the Henley Literary Festival, which is sponsored by the Daily Mail, yesterday: 'I have noticed even in the six years that we have owned the wood that the growth of nettles and brambles in the wood has increased, over what used to be bare ground.
'I think that you have all heard about atmospheric nitrification, produced by diesel engines in particular but also other sources. Nitrates are fertilisers, and brambles and nettles love nitrates, so I think that woods are being over-fertilised and that is making the brambles grow more vigorously.
'We did a big weeding job on brambles and nettles in our wood to keep the bluebells. So I think there is something to be worried about and I don't think it is being widely appreciated.'
Broadcaster and author Dr Richard Fortey said that the increase of nitrate particles in the atmosphere could be partly responsible for the growth in brambles
The science writer and palaeontologist at the Natural History Museum later said that diesel emissions are 'very, very likely' to blame for the rise in brambles and nettles.
He added: 'I think it is very very likely. Nitrates are a poison to most plants and fungi but nettles, brambles and cow parsley love them. They grow so vigorously. Could this be the end of the beautiful bluebell woods which are a unique feature of the British countryside?
'I do fear it. I am fearful that one of England's glories in the spring could be lost forever.'
Dr Fortey has recently released a 'biography' of his patch of woodland, titled The Wood For The Trees.
Advertisement
A fighter plane that crashed in the English Channel during World War II has been revealed in a new 3D scan of the seabed.
The P47-D Thunderbolt has lain in 80 feet (24 metres) of water three miles (4.8 km) off Weymouth, Dorset, since it crashed during a training flight in May 1944.
The identity of the pilot is not known, although it is believed he was rescued by a fishing boat and survived the accident.
Scroll down for video
A fighter plane that crashed in the English Channel during World War II has been revealed in a new 3D scan of the seabed. A tail wheel was found over 400 feet (122 metres) from the main wreck site, where all that remains are pieces of one wing, landing gear, and an array of engine parts. Pictured is a textured model of the crash site produced using specialist software
Surviving parts of the Pratt and Whitney R-2800 engine (left and right) are particularly visible in the scans. Produced between 1941 and 1945, the Thunderbolt was used primarily by the US Air Force, the French Air Force and the RAF
P47-D THUNDERBOLT Produced between 1941 and 1945, the Thunderbolt was used primarily by the US Air Force, the French Air Force and the RAF. More than 15,600 of the craft were manufactured in this time and it served in every theatre of the war. Each plane was fitted with eight .50 calibre machine guns, and the pilot was protected by an armour plated cabin. It had a wingspan of 40 feet (12 metres) and top speed of 433 miles per hour (697 kph). Advertisement
The wreck was found by deep sea diver Grahame Knott, whose company Deeper Dorset searches for ship and aircraft wrecks off the south coast.
Mr Knott and underwater photographer Ian Brown have produced 3D images of the wreck by taking over 1,100 high-resolution images and stitching them together using specialist software.
Surviving parts of the craft's Pratt and Whitney R-2800 engine are particularly visible in the scans.
A tail wheel was found over 400 feet (122 metres) from the main wreck site, where all that remains are pieces of one wing, landing gear, and an array of engine parts.
Produced between 1941 and 1945, the Thunderbolt was used primarily by the US Air Force, the French Air Force and the RAF.
More than 15,600 of the craft were manufactured in this time and it served in every theatre of the war.
3D images of the wreck were created by taking over 1,100 high-resolution images before stitching them together using specialist software. Pictured is the engine of the wrecked craft
To create the 3D images, such as this model of the engine, the team took photos over the course of two dives at the site. Because the site was dispersed, the team used four control points to measure distance and depth. Those photos were then put together to create a scaled site map, which could be turned into a 3D model using specialist software
HOW DID THEY DO IT? To create the 3D images of the wreck, the team took over 1,100 photos over the course of two dives at the site. Because the site was dispersed, the team used four control points to measure distance and depth. Those photos were then put together to create a scaled site map, which could be turned into a 3D model using specialist software. The model is so detailed that individual markings on the plane, which cost over 60,000 ($80,000) to build, are clearly visible. Advertisement
It was fitted with eight .50 calibre machine guns, and the pilot was protected by an armour plated cabin.
It had a wingspan of 40 feet (12 metres) and top speed of 433 miles per hour (697 kph).
Mr Brown said: 'The site was first discovered by Grahame three years ago and since then we've been working hard on the project.
'From looking in the record books we found reference to the crash, which is how we found out the fate of the pilot.
'What we don't know, however, is anything else about him.
'We are now seeking to answer how he crashed: Was he flying east-west when it crashed, and did he survive the war?'
To create the 3D images, the team took photos over the course of two dives at the site.
Because the wreck was dispersed, the team used four control points to measure distance and depth.
Those photos were then put together to create a scaled site map, which could be turned into a 3D model using specialist software.
The model is so detailed that individual markings on the plane, which cost over 60,000 ($80,000) to build, are clearly visible.
Mr Brown said: 'The images were taken with such a high-resolution camera that every piece of the plane is perfectly clear.
'We're all self-funded, and the equipment doesn't come cheap, but we do it anyway simply because we love doing it.'
The P47-D Thunderbolt has lain in 80 feet (24 metres) of water three miles (4.8 km) off Weymouth, Dorset, since it crashed during a training flight in May 1944. Because of the force of impact, much of the craft (textured model pictured) is spread apart at the site, with some pieces sitting 400 feet (122 metres) from the main wreck
More than 15,600 P47-D Thunderbolts (file photo) were manufactured from 1941-45 and, the aircraft served across every theatre of World War 2
He was known for his unusual habits and pioneering philosophies.
Now, the mummified head of eccentric social thinker, Jeremy Bentham is to go on display for the first time in decades at University College London.
The Englishman's DNA will also be tested to see if he was autistic.
The mummified head of the philosopher Jeremy Bentham is to go on display for the first time in decades at University College London. Scientists are using the rare opportunity to test the Englishman's DNA to see if he was autistic
JEREMY BENTHAM Jeremy Bentham was a leading English philosopher and social thinker of the 18th and early 19th century. He was famous for his idea of 'panopticon' - a proposal for a prison in which every inmate can be watched by a guard in a central tower. He also helped establish Britain's first police force - London's Thames River Police - in 1800. The philosopher believed people should make themselves useful in both life and death, and encouraged others to donate their bodies to medical science. But after he died, the preservation of his head went wrong, leaving the head with dark and dried skin. The head was eventually deemed by staff at University College London - where Bentham has been on display since 1850 - to be too scary for the public. But it will now go back on display at the university for the first time in decades as part of a new exhibition. Advertisement
Before his death in 1832, eccentric social reformer Bentham insisted his body was preserved as an 'auto-icon' to be presented at parties if his friends were missing him.
Bentham's body has been kept in a glass case at UCL for more than 160 years after it was donated to the university in 1850.
But due to an error in the mummification process, his gruesome head was severed and kept in a safe away from view due to fears it would scare visiting members of the public.
The head is only removed once a year to check its hair and skin aren't falling off.
But it will now feature in a new exhibition at the university called 'What does it mean to be human?', which explores death and preservation.
His brain matter is also being tested to see if he had autism, a theory that arose in 2006 when experts suggested his quirky character was driven by Asperger's.
The reclusive philosopher was notably eccentric, naming his teapot Dickey, his walking stick Dapple, and keeping an elderly cat he called The Reverend Sir John Langbourne.
Biographies describing a young Bentham list him as 'having few companions his own age' and being 'morbidly sensitive.'
Autism has a strong genetic component, and is around 82 per cent heritable, with specific regions in DNA linked to traits.
Subhadra Das, curator of collections at UCL Culture, told The Telegraph: 'I think Bentham would certainly have approved of his head going on public display. It's what he intended.
'It has also allowed scientists to test his DNA to see if he was autistic.
'We want to explore what drove Bentham to donate his body, but also to address the challenges of putting this type of material on display.'
While his body remains on display at University College London, due to an error in the mummification process, Bentham's decaying head was severed and kept in a safe away from view due to fears it would scare visiting members of the public
Bentham was a leading philosopher and social thinker of the 18th and early 19th century, and was a key theorist in social and economic reform.
Before his death in 1832, social reformer Bentham insisted his body was preserved as an 'auto-icon' to be presented at parties
The philosopher was famous for his idea of 'panopticon' - a proposal for a prison in which every inmate can be watched by a guard in a central tower.
He also helped to establish Britain's first police force - London's Thames River Police - in 1800.
Bentham was an early advocate for legalising gay marriage and for the rights of women.
The philosopher believed people should make themselves useful in both life and death, and encouraged other to donate their bodies to medical science.
He was a staunch atheist and so opposed Christian burial, describing church teachings as 'nonsense on stilts'.
But after he died, the preservation of his head went wrong.
An ancient method inspired by the indigenous practices of New Zealand was used, involving the use of an air pump and sulphuric acid to 'draw off' fluids.
The process left the head with dark and dried skin, which was eventually deemed by UCL staff to be too scary for public display.
The exhibition 'What does it mean to be human? Curating Heads' is free and runs until February in the Octagon Gallery, Wilkins Building, UCL.
WAS JEREMY BENTHAM AUTISTIC? Experts are testing Jeremy Bentham's brain matter DNA more than 180 years after his death for signs of autism. The theory that arose in 2006 when experts suggested his quirky character was driven by Asperger's. Aspergers syndrome is an autistic spectrum disorder in which sufferers dread unpredictability. IQ is normally high in Asperger's sufferers, who characteristically struggle with social interaction. Bentham was notoriously suspicious of abstract terms, such as 'intuition', which he labelled fictitious entities. He was also deeply intolerant of uncertainty and unpredictability, with much of his work focussed on the banishment of chance and the consolidation of certainty', according to historian Charles Bahmueller. The reclusive philosopher was notably eccentric, naming his teapot Dickey, his walking stick Dapple, and keeping an elderly cat he called The Reverend Sir John Langbourne. Biographies describing a young Bentham list him as 'having few companions his own age' and being 'morbidly sensitive.' Advertisement
A giant metallic bunny may not be the first thing you associate with the Eiffel Tower, but a new AR project will see the two stand side by side.
Snapchat is working with renowned Jeff Koons, famed for his balloon animal sculptures, according to leaked information.
The feature, which is due to be officially announced later today, will allow visitors at world monuments to view works by the pop culture inspired American.
Scroll down for video
A giant metallic bunny may not be the first thing you associate with the Eiffel tower, but a new AR project will see the two stand side by side. Snapchat is working with renowned Jeff Koons, famed for his balloon animal sculptures, according to leaked information.
WHAT WILL THE PROJECT INVOLVE? From the leaked images, it appears that Jeff Koons artworks will be visible through the social media apps camera in select locations. This includes Hyde Park in London, the Champ de Mars in Paris, Central Park in New York and Sydney Opera House. Among them are his sculpture of Popeye, a balloon swan and a giant ball of Plasticine. Snap is also opening the feature to other artists, who can can sign up to have their works displayed in public via the app. Advertisement
News of the project came to light after Snapchat Twitter representatives began to share a URL to a new site art.snapchat.com.
Visitors to the secretive site are shown a countdown that coincides with a rare public appearance from CEO Evan Spiegel at Vanity Fair's New Establishment conference being held in Los Angeles.
But a technical oversight by Snapchat allowed users to bypass the time restrictions placed on the site, by setting the clocks on their computers for a time after the countdown was due to end.
This is a fairly basic hack that tricks websites into thinking its a future date.
Once the countdown timer was removed, it revealed an image of Koons' iconic poodle balloon animal.
A video interview with the artist was also available with some background about his work, but has since been taken down.
Other famous examples of his work taken from both the site and video have since been shared widely on social media.
News of the project came to light after Snapchat Twitter representatives began to share a URL to a new site art.snapchat.com. It displayed a countdown timer that coincides with a rare public appearance from CEO Evan Spiegel at Vanity Fair's New Establishment conference
A technical oversight by Snapchat allowed users to bypass the time restrictions. Once the countdown timer was removed, it revealed an image of Koons' iconic poodle balloon animal
The feature, which is due to be officially announced later today, will allow visitors to world monuments and other locations to view works by the pop culture inspired American artists, as well as lesser known creatives
Locations where Koons' art will be on display include Hyde Park in London, the Champ de Mars in Paris, Central Park in New York and Sydney Opera House.
Snapchat was quick to respond to the error, but once the metaphorical rabbit was of the hat the information quickly spread online.
The LA-based firm is not currently commenting on the project, but more information is expected when the timer runs out at 8pm BST (3pm ET).
From the leaked images, it appears that Jeff Koons artworks will be visible through the social media apps camera in select locations.
Among them are his sculpture of Popeye, a balloon swan and a giant ball of Plasticine.
This includes Hyde Park in London, the Champ de Mars in Paris, Central Park in New York and Sydney Opera House.
The LA-based firm is not currently commenting on the project, but more information is expected when the timer runs out. Koons' balloon dog is likely to be visible to visitor's to Manhattan's Central Park
This image shows his pile of Plasticine work on Venice Boardwalk in LA
Among other works are his sculpture of Popeye, depicted in front of the Sydney opera house
A balloon swan is shown outside the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas
Snap is also opening the feature to other artists, who can can sign up to have their works displayed as 3D objects via the app.
This could be tied into the Snap Map function.
The feature is believed to be powered by the same engine as its World Lens, which garnered over 1.5 billion views on Snapchat for a dancing hot dog.
Snap's new Sponsored World Lens ads also use the same technology.
A video interview with the artist was also available with some background about his work, but has since been taken down
A radical new egg shaped jet engine could dramatically cut fuel consumption and change air travel, it has been claimed.
French aero engine maker Safran unveiled its new 'open rotor' prototype and said it could be on planes by 2030.
The Open Rotor engine, which places previously hidden whirring parts on the outside to capture more air, was developed with European Union backing and is being tested in specially built facilities at a French military base near Marseille.
The radical new egg shaped jet engine with two sets of blades could dramatically cut fuel consumption and change air travel, it has been claimed.
HOW IT WORKS The new type of engine could help airlines cut air fares because it requires less fuel. Shaped like an elongated egg with two rows of blades at the back, the engine aims to burn 15 percent less fuel than current conventional turbofan engines, which have also improved significantly in recent years. Such engines would most likely be placed at the back of the airplane instead of under the wing, leaving room for the two rows of scimitar-shaped carbon blades to swirl in opposite directions. Advertisement
Shaped like an elongated egg with two rows of blades at the back, the engine aims to burn 15 percent less fuel than current conventional turbofan engines, which have also improved significantly in recent years.
Clara de la Torre, a top European Union research official, said the new type of engine could help airlines cut air fares because it requires less fuel.
Whether the engine enters service, however, depends on the strategies of airplane makers such as Airbus and Boeing , whose best-selling single-aisle planes are expected to be renewed in around 2030.
Such engines would most likely be placed at the back of the airplane instead of under the wing, leaving room for the two rows of scimitar-shaped carbon blades to swirl in opposite directions.
It is not the first time engine makers have looked at revisiting the design of the traditional jet engine.
U.S. engine makers looked at so-called unducted fans in the 1980s before dropping the idea when oil prices fell.
At the time, such engines were also considered too noisy.
The engines would most likely be placed at the back of the airplane instead of under the wing, leaving room for the two rows of scimitar-shaped carbon blades to swirl in opposite directions
Shaped like an elongated egg with two rows of blades at the back, the engine aims to burn 15 percent less fuel than current conventional turbofan engines, which have also improved significantly in recent years.
But the completely fresh design could become attractive as energy costs rise and regulations require fewer emissions, said Safran Chief Executive Philippe Petitcolin.
'If we want to be ready in 2030 we have to start now,' he told reporters.
'If oil prices return above $100 I think there will be much stronger interest.'
Rolls-Royce has also looked at the technology.
One of the unknowns is the reaction of passengers to seeing a double row of fast-spinning blades, rather than an engine whose moving parts are concealed.
'It is a question to which we don't yet know the answer,' Petitcolin said.
Regulators would also have to work out how to certify the engine, using existing rules for failed parts and bird strikes.
Safran is also looking at a shorter-term solution to cutting emissions and fuel consumption based on traditional engine architecture.
Its 'Ultra-High Bypass Ratio' engine would cut fuel consumption by 5-10 percent and would be ready for service by 2025.
That could coincide with Boeing's tentative plans to produce a new mid-market jet in the middle of the next decade.
Any decision to offer either engine to planemakers would be made through CFM International, Safran's joint venture with General Electric.
Beyond these ideas, Safran and others are already thinking about bolder schemes, such as hybrid electric technology and distributed power, which could usher in futuristic plane designs from 2040.
'Instead of one engine, there could be 10 or 20,' said Safran's research chief Stephane Cueille.
Kodi has called for TVAddons to be 'shut down because it brings misery to everyone' on Twitter.
TVAddons is one of the most popular libraries for add-ons on Kodi, and was suddenly shut down in June during a legal battle with Canadian TV networks.
But the developers were recently cleared in court in Canada, and the library - which can be used to stream both legal and illegal content on Kodi boxes - put back online.
Kodi's initial comment was made in response to an article tweeted by Torrent Freak speaking out against such lawsuits.
Scroll down for video
Kodi called for TVAddons to be 'shut down because it brings misery to everyone' on Twitter. It is one of the most popular libraries for add-ons on Kodi
WHAT IS KODI TV? Kodi is software that enables you to streams apps and on-demand services onto your TV. The software, which is legal, can even be downloaded onto an Amazon Fire stick. Blank boxes can be bought from most major retailers for as little as 20 ($24), with the software uploaded afterwards. Users can play BBC iPlayer, Youtube, Soundcloud and other free catch-up apps on the device. But many of the plug-ins the box offers are illegal. Be wary if the box is pre-loaded to include subscription sport, TV and movies for free. Commonly the 'fully loaded' boxes let users watch Premier League games or Sky Movies without paying a subscription fee. Advertisement
'Let's hope tvaddons gets shut down regardless cause they bring nothing but misery to everyone,' Kodi TV tweeted.
TVAddons was quick to respond, Tweeting that whoever runs Kodi's social accounts 'is definitely not in touch with your userbase'.
After TVAddons accused Kodi of not being in touch with its users, the firm tweeted again: 'At least the entire team shares this same opinion'.
TVAddons then tweeted: 'Definitely don't believe that one!'
TVAddons provided a library of more than 1,500 add-ons, which supplied both legal and illegal content.
The library was involved in a legal battle with broadcast providers, with threats of fines of up to 116,000 ($150,000).
In July it was warned that defunct Kodi add-ons - such as the then-blocked TVAddons - could turn into spy devices, according to Kodi.
An expert warned that whoever took control of banned Kodi websites could 'do whatever they wanted' to people using them.
This comes after three domains previously operated by TVAddons were handed over to a Canadian law firm.
It sparked fears the firm could be collecting information about users watching illegal content and could send it back to anti-piracy groups.
'The person [in control of] the repo could do whatever they wanted,' Kodi Project Manager Nathan Betzen told TorrentFreak.
TVAddons was quick to respond, claiming that whoever was running Kodi's social media profile was 'definitely not in touch' with its user base
After TVAddons accused Kodi of not being in touch with its users the firm tweeted again 'At least the entire team shares this same opinion'. TVAddons then tweeted: 'Definitely don't believe that one!'
'If some malware author wanted, he could easily install a watcher that reports back the user's IP address and everything they were doing in Kodi,' he said.
It is probably more likely the law firm is an anti-piracy group that is putting the domains out of action, although the law firm is yet to reveal their plans.
The issue demonstrates the dangers of not knowing where software updates are coming from.
Kodi is software that enables users to streams apps and on-demand services onto their TV.
The comment was first made in response to an article tweeted by Torrent Freak about the speaking out against abusive lawsuits
TVAddons provided a library of more than 1,500 add-ons, which supplied both legal and illegal content. The library was involved in a legal battle with a US broadcast provider, with threats of fines of up to 116,000 ($150,000)
Although the software itself is legal, it has become associated with internet piracy due to add-ons, like Navi-X, that can provide illegal content.
Under new rules, people in the UK will now face up to 10 years in prison if caught streaming illegal content.
Earlier this month it was announced Premier League bosses were debating whether to livestream games directly in a bid to end illegal streams.
TVAddons, one of the most popular libraries for add-ons on Kodi (pictured) mysteriously shut down in June without warning
WHO IS USING KODI BOXES? Over 55s are six times more likely to watch pirated video using Kodi boxes than young adults, a recent survey found. More than 25,000 adults in 30 countries were surveyed by digital security firm Irdeto. The highest percentage of Kodi users in the UK were in the 35-44 and 55+ age groups, at 18 per cent each. This is in stark contrast to the 3 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds using a Kodi box to stream pirated content. 18-24 year olds are more likely to use smartphones, tablets or laptops to access illegal content. Advertisement
Earlier in June the Digital Economy Bill warned that people making and streaming films using torrents online would be committing a criminal offence.
The ruling affects users in Europe, who will now face up to 10 years in prison if caught streaming illegal content.
In a letter to the Open Rights Group, the Intellectual Property Office said: 'It is important to note that the criminal offences apply to making material available to others, not to those just downloading material to their computers.
'Anyone seeking to enforce their rights for the downloading of material would be unlikely to refer to this legislation.
'Ten year sentences would only be applied in the most serious of criminal circumstances.'
Temporary files, like those created when media content is streamed, are technically exempt under copyright law.
Earlier in June the Digital Economy Bill warned that people making and streaming films using torrents online would be committing a criminal offence
People selling 'fully loaded' Kodi boxes exploited this legal loophole to provide illegal content.
And although the court recognised the equipment itself was not illegal, the way they are customised was and was likely to be used to access copyrighted material.
Amazon previously banned 'fully-loaded' Kodi TV boxes and other pirate devices from its global online store earlier this month.
Uranus will appear an unmistakable blue-green dot in the sky as it reaches opposition this month, likely making it visible to the naked eye, according to NASA.
This month is set to bring a number of celestial phenomena that can be seen from the ground, with Venus, Mars, and Saturn also to make appearances, as well as a meteor shower.
And next week, a house-sized asteroid will whizz past Earth at just one-eighth of the distance between our planet and the moon.
Scroll down for video
Uranus will appear an unmistakable blue-green dot in the sky as it reaches opposition this month, likely making it visible to the naked eye, according to NASA. And, it will be visible 'for sure' through binoculars
THE ORIONIDS The Orionid meteor shower will peak on October 20 a dark, moonless night.' During this time, 10-20 meteors per hour could be visible. These meteors radiate from a point near the raised club of the constellation Orion, EarthSky explains. This begins rising in the east after midnight but, as the meteors will be shooting out in all directions, they will appear in all parts of the sky. Orionid meteors are the debris left behind by Comet Halley, which last flew past Earth in 1986, and are extremely fast, travelling at about 66 kilometers (41 miles) per second, according to EarthSky. Advertisement
According to NASA, Uranus will reach opposition on October 19th, meaning the icy planet and the sun will sit on opposite sides of Earth.
During this time, it will be clearly visible in the night sky, in the constellation Pisces.
Its visible all night long and its blue-green color is unmistakable, according to Jane Houston Jones from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
It may be bright enough to see with your naked eye and for sure in binoculars.
Earlier in the month, Mars and Venus will be visible, with the two planets appearing close to each other on the 5th, before Venus rises above Mars.
Saturn will also make an appearance, sitting above the moon on October 23rd, and below it on the 24th, according to NASA.
On October 20th, the Orionid meteor shower will reach its peak.
Earlier in the month, Mars and Venus will be visible, with the two planets appearing close to each other on the 5th, before Venus rises above Mars.
According to NASA, Uranus will reach opposition on October 19th, meaning the icy planet and the sun will sit on opposite sides of Earth. During this time, it will be clearly visible in the night sky, in the constellation Pisces
And, with the dark, moonless night, roughly 10-15 meteors per hour could be visible in the predawn hours.
The bright asteroid 7 Iris will pass through the constellation Aries.
Another space rock, dubbed asteroid 2012 TC4, will make a close shave with our planet on October 12 at a distance of just 27,000 miles above the surface or, as some scientists have put it, damn close.
With this close approach, NASA will have the opportunity to test its network of observatories for its planetary defense system, in the event an asteroid did actually hit Earth.
On October 20th, the Orionid meteor shower will reach its peak. And, with the dark, moonless night, roughly 10-15 meteors per hour could be visible in the predawn hours
An asteroid the size of a house is set to narrowly skim the Earth on October 12. It was spotted by scientists this summer for the first time in five years. ESA has tracked down the giant hunk of rock (circled) which is about 15 to 30 metres (49 to 98 feet) long
'Scientists have always appreciated knowing when an asteroid will make a close approach to and safely pass the Earth because they can make preparations to collect data to characterize and learn as much as possible about it,' said Dr Michael Kelley, a scientist working on the NASA TC4 observation campaign.
The false-color Hubble Space Telescope view reveals Uranus surrounded by its four major rings and by 10 of its 17 known satellites
'This time we are adding in another layer of effort, using this asteroid flyby to test the worldwide asteroid detection and tracking network, assessing our capability to work together in response to finding a potential real asteroid threat.'
Asteroid 2012 TC4 first flitted past our planet in October 2012 at about double the distance of its next expected pass, before disappearing.
Its estimated to be 30-100 feet (10-30 meters) in size.
But, after tracking it down this summer using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile this summer, scientists now assure it will make a safe pass.
Advertisement
Stunning new satellite images have revealed the movement of the massive iceberg that calved from the Larsen C ice shelf in July.
The detailed images captured by instruments aboard NASAs Landsat 8 show the widening gap between the main shelf and the ice berg, with a thin layer of loose, floating ice in between.
Since the Delaware-sized chunk of ice, dubbed A-68, broke off the Antarctic shelf this summer, its remained unclear what will happen to the giant mass, with fears it could break up into pieces too small to track on satellite, and drift into shipping lanes.
Scroll down for video
Stunning new satellite images have revealed the movement of the massive iceberg that calved from the Larsen C ice shelf in July. The detailed images captured by instruments aboard NASAs Landsat 8 show the widening gap between the main shelf and the ice berg, with a thin layer of loose, floating ice in between
THE BIRTH OF A-68 In early July, a huge crack in Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf caused a trillion ton iceberg - the third biggest ever recorded - to break off from the icy southern continent. The huge chunk of ice, dubbed iceberg A-68, measures 5,800 square kilometres (2,240 square miles), making it around the size of Delaware, or four times the area covered by Greater London. Advertisement
The new images captured on September 16 reveal a natural color and thermal view of the main iceberg and the ice shelf.
Inside the gap, one particular iceberg stands out as much larger than the rest.
This, according to NASA, has been drifting northward in the passage since the main chunk split off.
A-68 is slowly drifting a phenomenon that has become apparent as the separation between the two large bodies of ice continues to increase.
Both images show a thin layer of frazil ice, which does not offer much resistance as winds, tides, and currents try to move the massive iceberg away from the Larsen C ice shelf, NASA explains.
In a few weeks of observations, scientists have seen the passage widen between the main iceberg and the front of the shelf.
Inside the gap, one particular iceberg stands out as much larger than the rest. This, according to NASA, has been drifting northward in the passage since the main chunk split off
This slow widening comes after an initial back-and-forth movement in July broke the main berg in two large pieces, which the US National Ice Center named A-68 and A-68B.
The collisions also produced a handful of pieces too small to be named.
Additional satellite images captured last month show how the trillion ton iceberg which broke off Antarctica has begun to drift farther out to sea.
The huge chunk of ice, dubbed A68, which is around the size of Delaware or four times the size of Greater London, made its final break back in July after a crack began to form in 2014.
Professor Stef Lhermitte, of Delft University in the Netherlands, shared some of the latest satellite images of A68 on Twitter.
Since the Delaware-sized chunk of ice, dubbed A-68, broke off the Antarctic shelf this summer, its remained unclear what will happen to the giant mass, with fears it could break up into pieces too small to track on satellite, and drift into shipping lanes. A thermal image of the iceberg is pictured
He said: 'After some initial back-and-forth movement, Larsen C's iceberg A68 seems on drift now.'
He added that the iceberg 'continues to drift', and posted a graphic comparing A68's position on Saturday to a another image taken on Wednesday.
The comparison shows a clear drift away from the Antarctic ice shelf.
Scientists have claimed that global warming did not play a role in the calving of the iceberg, according to reports in the Independent.
Dr Natalie Robinson, a marine physicist at New Zealands National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, told the site it was 'a "normal", if relatively large, calving event' and 'very different from the collapse of its neighbouring ice shelves'.
New satellite images have shown that a trillion ton iceberg which broke off Antarctica has begun to drift out to sea. Experts fear the break could see the berg disintegrate into pieces too small to track on satellite. If these drift into shipping lanes, they could pose a significant risk to vessels in the region
Professor Stef Lhermitte, of Delft University in the Netherlands, shared the latest satellite images of A68 on Twitter. The comparison shows a clear drift away from the Antarctic ice shelf.
National Centre for Earth Observation scientists David Moore shared this up to date image of the region take with the Sentinel 3 satellite on September 16
But Professor Nancy Bertler, of the Antarctic Research Centre at Victoria University of Wellington, said global warming and the hole in the ozone layer had caused the sudden break-up of 'numerous ice shelves' in the region 'some of which have been shown to have existed for 10,000 years or more'.
In early July, a huge crack in Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf caused the trillion ton iceberg - the third biggest ever recorded - to break off from the icy southern continent.
The huge chunk of ice, dubbed iceberg A-68, measures 5,800 square kilometres (2,240 square miles), making it around the size of Delaware, or four times the area covered by Greater London.
New pictures captured via satellite imagery show iceberg A-68 in stunning detail as it drifts from Antarctica, where it could remain in the open sea for years.
In early July, a huge crack in Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf caused a trillion ton iceberg to break off from the icy continent. New satellite images show the iceberg in stunning detail, including this zoomed-in view of iceberg A-68 (bottom left corner), Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf (top and righthand segments), taken in late July by the Deimos 2 satellite
WAS CLIMATE CHANGE RESPONSIBLE? Reporting this week in the Nature journal Climate Change, Dr Anna Hogg and Dr Hilmar Gudmundsson examine the events leading up to this dramatic natural phenomenon. They also discuss how calving of huge icebergs affects the stability of Antarctic ice shelves. Their article argues that a calving event is not necessarily due to changes in environmental conditions. Instead, it may simply reflect the natural growth and decay cycle of an ice shelf. Advertisement
Despite the iceberg breaking off some time between July 10-12, scientists have struggled to take images of A-68 because Antarctica is currently going through its winter season.
Since the split, researchers have relied on polar satellites like Sentinel-1, which uses radar to peer through thick cloud cover.
But a few clear days in late July gave Spanish satellite firm Deimos Imaging a visible-light view using Deimos-1 and Deimos-2 - a pair of satellites that work as a tag-team.
'These images are striking - easily the best I have seen since calving,' Adrian Luckman, a glaciologist at Swansea University and a member of the Antarctic research program Project Midas, told Business Insider.
The team's Deimos-1 satellite captures wider-angle, medium-resolution images while Deimos-2 takes zoomed-in, very-high-resolution pictures.
When combined the images can capture both vast, wide angle views of the scale of the Larsen C crack, as well as detailed up-close views of individual details.
The team's Deimos-1 satellite captures wider-angle, medium-resolution images (main image) while Deimos-2 takes zoomed-in, very-high-resolution images (insets)
The huge chunk of ice, dubbed iceberg A-68 by scientists, measures 5,800 square kilometres (2,240 square miles), making it around the size of Delaware or four times the area covered by Greater London. This wide-angle view shows iceberg A-68 (central shape) and Antarctica's Larsen C ice shelf (rest of image) and was taken by the Deimos-1 satellite in late July
The new images follow the news that cracks were spreading where the A-68 iceberg broke free from the Larsen C ice shelf.
Scientists released satellite footage of the moment the Antarctic Peninsula lost 10 per cent of its area earlier this month.
Since that time, experts have been following the fate of the huge iceberg as a rift has grown between the mainland and the mass of frozen water.
They have found that cracks are still growing on the ice shelf, and if they continue to grow, it's possible that the ice shelf could collapse.
If all of Larsen C collapses, the ice it holds back might add another 4 inches (10 cm) to global sea levels over the years.
A few clear days in July gave Spanish satellite firm Deimos Imaging a visible-light using Deimos-1 and Deimos-2 - a pair of satellites that work as a tag-team. This image shows Larsen C (left of crack) and iceberg A-68 (right of crack), taken by Deimos-2 in late July
WHAT IS ITS IMPACT? Icebergs calve from Antarctica all the time, but because this one is particularly large its path across the ocean needs to be monitored as it could pose a hazard to maritime traffic. The massive ice cube will float in water and by itself will not add to sea levels when it melts. But the real danger is from inland glaciers. Ice shelves float on the sea, extending from the coast, and are fed by slow-flowing glaciers from the land. They act as giant brakes, preventing glaciers from flowing directly into the ocean. If the glaciers held in check by Larsen C now split into the Antarctic Ocean, it could lift the global water mark by about 10 centimetres (four inches), researchers have said. Advertisement
Dr Anna Hogg, from the University of Leeds and Dr Hilmar Gudmundsson, from the British Antarctic Survey, have continued to track the iceberg, known as A68, since the July 12 breakaway.
Using the European Space Agency's (ESA) Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite, they have found that, since the calving event, the berg has started to drift away from the Larsen-C.
Open ocean is now clearly visible in the approximately five kilometre gap between the berg and the ice-shelf.
A cluster of over 11 'smaller' icebergs have also now formed, the largest of which is over eight miles (13km) long.
Dr Anna Hogg, from the University of Leeds and Dr Hilmar Gudmundsson, from the British Antarctic Survey, have continued to track the iceberg, known as A68, since the July 12 breakaway. This Sentinel-1 data shows network of cracks grow on the Larsen-C Ice-Shelf, before and after the colossal iceberg broke free
The iceberg is one of the 10 largest icebergs ever recorded. A graphic shows how the iceberg compares in size
These 'bergy bits', as the experts are describing them, have broken off both the giant iceberg and the remaining ice-shelf.
Dr Hogg, an ESA research fellow in the centre for polar observation and modelling at Leeds, said: 'The satellite images reveal a lot of continuing action on Larsen-C Ice Shelf.
'We can see that the remaining cracks continue to grow towards a feature called Bawden Ice Rise, which provides important structural support for the remaining ice shelf.
'If an ice shelf loses contact with the ice rise, either through sustained thinning or a large iceberg calving event, it can prompt a significant acceleration in ice speed, and possibly further destabilisation.
'It looks like the Larsen-C story might not be over yet.'
This image shows the view of the A68 iceberg from a European Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite image acquired on July 30
Scientists released satellite footage of the aftermath of the Antarctic Peninsula losing 10 per cent of its area earlier this month. This Sentinel-1 image shows the colossal iceberg (shown in blue) after it had broken free and the 'bergy bits' described by the experts began to break off
Walmart has accidentally leaked details of Google's new $49 mini smart speaker and Pixel 2 handset just hours before they are expected to be launched.
The shopping giant accidentally put a preorder page for the 'Google Home Mini' revealing its fabric covered design.
The images also revealed a fresh look at Google's Pixel 2 handset - even though both products are not being officially unveiled until tomorrow.
Scroll down for video
The $49 Google Home Mini is a smaller version of Google's Home speaker, featuring the same Google Assistant software.
Walmart's site describes the speaker as a 'powerful little helper' that gives you answers to questions, controls your smart home, shares weather info, and even plays music.
The images, grabbed by Droid Life, also reveal the device, which will go up against Amazon's $49 Echo Dot, weighs less than a pound and measures at 4.53 x 4.53 x 4.72 inches.
Pre-orders will cost you $49 and Walmart expects the device to arrive by October 19, when Google Home Mini in expected to be available everywhere.
The device will go up against Amazon's $49 Echo Dot
Earlier this week Google's Pixel 2 handsets have been leaked ahead if its unveiling on October 4th.
Evan Blass, renowned for leaking handsets from almost every manufacturer ahead of their launch, posted the images to his Twitter account.
Two versions of the handset will be launched, a Pixel and a Pixel XL, and the images reveal a new homescreen Google has developed for Android phones.
Evan Blass, renowned for leaking handsets from almost every manufacturer ahead of their launch, posted the images to his Twitter account today
Manufactured by HTC and LG, respectively, the handset are codenamed Walleye and Taimen, and Blass says according to a person familiar with Google's release plans, they will be released on October 19 for Pixel 2 and November 15 for Pixel 2 XL, both preceded by preorder periods.
Droid Life recently also claimed to have images of the new handset, alongside a new mini wireless speaker, and images of an updated Daydream VR headset.
The smaller Pixel 2 will be available in Kinda Blue, Just Black, and Clearly White, and will be sold with 64GB and 128GB of storage and priced at $649 and $749, respectively, according to the site.
The next generation flagship handset will be officially unveiled on Wednesday, October 4
The larger LG-made Pixel 2 XL will come in a Black & White and Just Black colors and be available with 64GB or 128GB storage.
The 64GB model will cost $849, while the 128GB model will jump to $949.
Rumours have been swirling for months about Google's next Pixel smartphones and the tech firm uploaded a short 35 second teaser to YouTube earlier this month, offering eager fans the chance to sign up to receive more information.
The minimalist video, while scant on images, makes some bold promises about some of the features fans can expect.
It is themed around the Menlo Park, California's iconic search engine.
The cryptic clip shows a user searching for various failings of their own smartphone.
The smaller Pixel 2 will be available in Kinda Blue, Just Black, and Clearly White, and will be sold with 64GB and 128GB of storage and priced at $649 and $749, respectively, according to the site.
The LG-made Pixel 2 XL will come in a 'Black & White' and 'Just Black' colors and be available with 64GB or 128GB storage, according to the latest leaks
These range from 'what's wrong with my phone's battery?' and 'why is my phone always out of storage?' to 'why does my phone take so many blurry photos?' and even 'why doesn't my phone understand me'.
Other search queries state their phone is 'slow, hot, fragile, annoying, broken, cruel, impersonal and ... dumb.'
The marketing ploy suggests that all of these problems will be answered when the new Pixel handsets are finally revealed.
If the video is to be believed, this suggests the smartphones, believed to be a Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, will feature a better battery, more storage and a better camera than its rivals.
This is in line with rumours circulating online in the leadup to the launch about the Pixel's expected features and launch date.
Droid Life also says Google will unveil a new mini smart speaker alongside its new Pixel handsets on October 4th, it is believed.
Rumours have been swirling for months about Google's next Pixel smartphones and the long wait will soon be over thanks to a new trailer. The next generation flagship handset will be officially unveiled on Wednesday, October 4
According to Droid Life, the new Google Mini Home speaker, which will take on Amazon's tiny Echo Dot, will cost just $49 when it goes on sale - making the two the same price.
It will use the same Google Assistant software as the larger Google home speaker, and be available in Chalk, Charcoal, and Coral colors.
The Google Mini Home is expected to be unveiled on October 4th, and go on sale soon after. It is believed it will cost $49, and will have the same Google Assistant as the larger Home speaker
'The Google Home Mini will be powered rather than wireless, at least according to the images here,' Droid Life said.
'You have colored bases that match the color of the top, soft portion of the unit.
'The Google Home Mini will be powered rather than wireless, at least according to the images here,' Droid Life said.
The new speaker will go head to head with the Amazon Echo Dot, shown here, and will even have the same $49 price
'So unlike the original Google Home that had swappable bases, it looks like the mini may not have that same luxury.'
The images show lights on top of each unit, which are expected to work in the same multi colored way as the lights on the larger Home speaker.
THE SMART SPEAKER WARS The mini home will take on Apple's HomePod, Amazon's Echo and Google's own, larger Home. Apple's speaker will have a higher price tag than the Amazon Echo range, which begins at $49 (49) for the Echo Dot. The speaker will provide a hub for appliances via Apple's HomeKit system and establish a centre inside the home to lock people in to using other Apple services, according to the report. A speaker might help customers stay loyal to other services such as Apple Music, Apple Watch, Apple TV and AirPods. Google's $130 (105) Home speaker is triggered by the phrase 'Hey Google' while Amazon's Echo uses 'Alexa'. Amazon's smart speaker is available in two versions - the full sized $180 (145) Echo shown here, and a smaller, $50 (40) version called the Echo Dot. Amazon Echo uses Microsoft's Bing search engine to provide additional information, while Google Home uses the company's own Google Search. Both Home and Echo are continually listening for commands, though Google and Amazon say nothing gets passed back to them until the speakers hear a keyword 'OK, Google' for Home and 'Alexa' for Echo. Google's Assistant software is also able to answer follow-up questions on the same topic, in a near-conversation style, but Echo as yet cannot. Google's larger $129 Home speaker, which launched earlier this year However, Amazon's Alexa software has a wider range of skills on offer that enable it to link up with and control more third-party devices around the home. A light comes on to remind you that it's listening. You can turn off the microphone temporarily, too. Advertisement
GOOGLE PIXEL 2 RUMOURS Leaked photos allegedly of the Google Pixel 2 give truth to some of the rumoured features. Via the photos or per the tipster, we know: The phone will have a curved screen. It has two LEDs in the camera flash. The back will be made of a glass panel. Google is ditching the headphone jack for the device. The source also reported a better in-hand feel than the original Pixel phone, The source said the device is 'sleek' and 'elegant.' It is also expected to feature a Snapdragon 836 processor. Advertisement
Most notably, serial leaker Evan Blass from Philadelphia said in a tweet back on August 24th: 'Google's second-generation Pixel handsets, powered by Snapdragon 836 SoC's, will be unveiled on October 5th.'
Mr Blass has a strong track record for predicting when new technology will be launched, as well as features on devices.
The rumours follow leaked images earlier in August, which claim to show Google's Pixel 2 handset.
According to the photos, it appears the upcoming device will, as previously predicted, have a curved screen and a glass back.
However, one thing is missing - Google is planning to follow Apple and dump the headphone jack for the new device.
Also shown in the leaked images is the presence of two LEDs in the flash and a glass panel on the back, which is smaller this time around.
While previous leaks have suggested the phone will also be equipped with a Laser autofocus feature, that can't be seen here - although it may just be too difficult to spot.
The photos, sent to Gsmarena by an unnamed tipster, show the front and back of what is clearly an early developer unit of the phone, as is indicated by the stickers on the back.
Leaked images suggest that Google is planning to follow Apple and dump the headphone jack for the new device
While the lack of headphone jack isn't seen in the photo, the source told Gsmarena the device doesn't include one.
The source also reported a better in-hand feel than the original Pixel phone, saying it is 'sleek' and 'elegant.'
The original Google Pixel phone was launched in October 2016, and the Pixel 2 is set to launch this autumn, which would make it in direct competition with Apple's iPhone 8 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.
As the company prepares for the release, it's dropping the price on the original Pixel phone.
As part of a back to school promotion, the Pixel's starting price is currently down to $524 (408) instead of $649 (506), while the Pixel XL is now priced at $569 (443) rather than $769 (600) - the company is also throwing in free Daydream View headsets for consumers who take advantage of the promotion.
Insiders have long been suggesting the Google Pixel 2 could have a curved screen display like the Samsung Galaxy S8.
Reports suggest Google is investing $880 million (709 million) in LG's flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) screens.
Increasingly curved screen are being adopted by smartphones and it seems Google want to move in this direction too, according to South Korea's Electronic Times.
The report suggests that LG is yet to sign the massive investment offer proposed by Google.
Reports suggest Google is investing $880 million (709 million) in LG's flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) screens for their Pixel 2 handset (pictured is first-generation Pixel handsets)
In March, the head of hardware at Google first confirmed that the firm is developing a second-generation Pixel for the 'premium smartphone market'.
The confirmation came from Rick Osterloh during an interview with AndroidPT.
'There is an annual rhythm in the industry,' Osterloh said in the interview.
'So, you can count on us to follow it. You can count on a successor this year, even if you don't hear a date from me now.'
Google debuted the first smartphones in its Pixel line during a conference in October 2016, a Pixel and the 5.5-inch Pixel XL.
Although the Pixel 2 release would fall around the same time as the iPhone 8, Google is focusing on the upper price segment of the market.
This may be tougher than imagined, if as speculated, the iPhone 8 turns out to cost over $1,000 (780).
Osterloh stated that 'Pixel stays premium' and the firm will 'leave lower price segments to other manufacturers'.
GOOGLE PIXEL SPECS The Pixel runs on a Snapdragon 821 2.15GHz processor. The handsets come in 32GB or 128GB models, with microSD card slots enabling an additional 256GB of storage. They have 12.3 and 8-megapixel cameras and a full HD AMOLED screen with Gorilla Glass protection. Fast charging gives 7 hours of use in 15 minutes Included is Google's AI assistant, Allo for messaging and Duo for video calls. Free online storage for pictures and video Is be available in US on Verizon and in an unlocked version from $649. Advertisement
'We believe the next big thing will be at the intersection of hardware and software,' Mr Osterloh said in October.
He also took aim at Apple, saying the phone has 'no unsightly phone bump.'
Brian Rakowski of Google said the phone was 'designed inside and out to be smart'.
He said the Pixel's camera was better than the iPhone 7.
'It's the best smartphone camera anyone has made,' he said.
Opinion / Columnist
There are those in the MDC who believe party leader Morgan Tsvangirai should take a bow on medical grounds but they have not come out to say it publicly because they fear it would be political suicide to do so as those who want Tsvangirai to hang on for their own selfish reasons will pull out a Zanupf Vote of no confidence. And Obert Gutu has called them saboteurs, issuing a chilling warning against them and their views. And these are people who claim to be democrats! You say what is on your mind and you are dealt with in one devastation.Sadly there is not one democratic party in Zimbabwe. There might be freedom of thought but there is no freedom of expression. How can an MDC government allow freedom of expression when it doesn't allow the same in its own ranks. If you are called a saboteur for having an opinion and a view inside the MDC what of outside the MDC?Obert Gutu probably thinks Tsvangirai should step down himself and that's why he goes overboard threatening others who think the same. He wants to make it seem as he loves Tsvangirai so much when he probably doesn't.Whoever loves Tsvangirai would worry a great deal about putting him to work in the state he is. Whoever loves Tsvangirai would tell him the truth no matter how much it hurts and especially when it hurts. Flattery that we usually witness in Zanupf is not love. You cannot say your best foot forward in a race is a man suffering from cancer and mean it wholeheartedly. You would obviously be lying for several reasons which have nothing to do with and far from the truth.Only one man I respect and trust for the truth in the MDC and that is Job Wiwa Sikhala who recently revealed he would not be contesting for a parliamentary seat because he has served twice as an MP and is now giving others a chance.Now that is a democrat and a man among men. That is the kind of language and thing most in the MDC do not want to hear, just like most in Zanupf.The difference between the MDC and Zanupf is now mostly in name only as the MDC have adopted most of the behavior and characteristics of Zanupf. Those who tell the truth become enemies and saboteurs.Do your part, serve and give others a chance to serve. Hazviite. Asi vanoti kune Zanupf give others a chance when they are not willing to do the same and react the same way as Zanupf when they are asked to do the same.Zanupf as a ruling party and a mini Zanupf in the opposition. Zimbabwe loses either way.
This is the latest stunning pilot to become an Instagram star.
Dutch-born Lindy Marielle Kats, 24, has amassed nearly 80,000 followers with her non-stop adventures both on-land and in the friendly skies.
Her social media page is a constant stream of glamorous images, which show her commanding a Boeing 717, posing with colleagues and holidaying in the sun.
Flying high: Dutch-born Lindy Marielle Kats, 24, has amassed nearly 80,000 followers
Other envy-inducing photos uploaded to her account - @pilot_lindy - show the blonde beauty in a slew of destination points, such as Athens, New York and Sicily.
One impressive image shows the frequent flyer in a bikini as she swims underwater with the fishes in Palermo, Italy.
Another captures her sailing on a private boat across the wilder shores of Greece.
However, it's not all glamour. One image hints at the gritty realities of flying, such as long shifts and tiring schedules that cross time zones.
Showing her looking eagerly out of the cockpit window, she captioned it: 'My face when I see the next crew arriving when my duty is finished.'
That alone clocked-up nearly 5,000 likes and a slew of comments, including one who wrote: 'Best office in the world. Can you mount a GoPro behind you and film a landing?'
Another day in the office! The blonde pilot pictured enjoying a helicopter ride over NYC
The social media star poses next to the runway of a local airport
Work and play: Lindy dresses down as she poses for a casual snap in the cockpit (left), before slipping into a bikini for a proper break on board a speedboat
Working hard: The 24-year-old concentrates as she navigates the craft over a landing strip
Glamorous lifestyle: Posing in Dubai with another glamorous mode of transport (left). Lindy poses on the engine of a plane (right)
Another flight completed! Lindy emerges from a plane after racking-up yet more air miles
'I always loved flying as a passenger but I thought it would be very difficult and expensive to become a pilot,' says Lindy.
'After doing research and talking with pilots I learned it was not impossible after all. It requires hard work, much studying and a lot of dedication, but it's definitely worth it.
'I started Instagram to share my updates with friends and family as I lived far away from them. I never expected my account to grow this big and I still can't believe there are so many people interested in my life.'
She added: 'It's amazing if I can inspire people with what I do, but I never post anything to show off.
'Besides that, I have always loved photography and Instagram is a great platform for that. I try to take high quality pictures: colourful and bright.'
This picture was captioned: 'Pulling my beloved Boeing 717 by its T-tail, no Photoshop involved! Just a matter of a lot of patience and awesome timing by the photographer'
Beach body ready: Other breath-taking photographs show Lindy soaking up the sun
Strike a pose: Now living in Italy, she regularly holidays in beauty spots such as Sicily
Tourist trail: Lindy often incorporates her own travels into her work schedule
And relax! Lindy enjoys some relaxation as she stretches out in Greek waters
Making a splash: Making the most of her day off, she swaps the skies for the deep blue seas
On a wing and a prayer: Clearly loving her job, Lindy poses on the tarmac before take-off
Taking a break from her time in the cockpit, Lindy surveys the passenger's view
Sharp-suited: The pilot gets ready for another flight across Europe - after a long break...
The Amsterdam-born professional resides in Italy and her CV reveals she's clocked up more than 1,200 flying hours.
This includes: 185 hours in a single engine C172 and PA-28, 25 hours in a multi-engine PA-34, 110 hours as a pilot in command and 1,000 hours at the helm of a Boeing 717-200.
Now branching out into YouTube territory, she's keen to encourage others to get involved.
'I have just uploaded the welcome video,' she wrote with her debut clip. 'Anyone with YouTube experience that has tips, advice, feedback for me, let me know! Hope you like it.'
Advertisement
Hold your breath and gear up for a magical underwater ride courtesy of these stunning photographs.
Scuba Diving Magazine has announced the winners of its annual Through Your Lens underwater photo contest, with some incredible shots bobbing to the surface.
Greg Lecoeur was named as the grand prize winner with his photo of gannets plunging into the sea off the coast of north Scotland.
The birds look lost in deep concentration as they dive through the water at high speed in a bid to scoop up some beakfuls of mackerel.
Another equally impressive shot, capturing a colourful coconut octopus sitting on a black sand seabed, was taken by Kevin Richter while he was diving in Indonesia. Thanks to his quick reaction, he scored first place in the compact camera category.
Scuba Diving Magazine said it had the difficult task of narrowing down more than 2,500 entries to a dozen or so winners across four categories including wide angle, macro, conceptual and compact camera. Scroll down to explore some of the most dazzling results...
Greg Lecoeur took this incredible shot of gannets diving into the water off the island of Noss in Shetland, Scotland. He said he was surrounded by thousands of gannet birds as they fed on mackerel. This incredible shot scored Lecoeur the grand prize of $1,000 and a Liveaboard trip to Fiji
On a dive in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia, Kevin Richter said he found this incredibly photogenic coconut octopus sitting on the black-sand seabed right next to his boat at a depth of just 13 feet. He says what looks like nighttime was actually a sunny afternoon and he had to act quickly as the octopus didn't stop for long. This shot won first prize in the compact camera category
Rodney Bursiel took this stunning black-and-white photograph of a whale while travelling in Tonga. He said he was focused on the mother when a calf came from behind and breached right beside him. The photo won first place in the wide angle section
Jens Troeger heads out every winter to dive with Steller sea lions off Hornby Island in British Columbia in Canada. He says that they always get super excited when they see him in the water. This shot scored third place in the wide angle category
Eduardo Acevedo took this photo of a ribbon eel in Lembeh Strait, the underwater macro capital of Indonesia. The colourful creatures usually remain hidden in small holes or caves and can show two color combinations: blue and yellow or black and yellow. The shot won second place in the macro photography category
Marc Henauer took this photograph in the waters off the Bahamas. He said he wanted to show the incredible scenery underwater as the waves created a thunderstorm-like effect. The waves meant it was too rough to cross the reef and he sat back to enjoy the show. The shot won second place in the wide angle category
Gabriel Barathieu took this photo of a squid during a solo dive in the middle of the night in the Indian Ocean. He said he was swimming in a lagoon on Mayotte, a small French island near Madagascar, for only two minutes before he came face to face with the creature, which had a small fish between its tentacles. This photo won third place in the macro category
Francesco Pacienza found a little crab in a river near his home in Altomonte, Italy. The split-perspective water shot scored him third place in the compact camera category (left). Enrico Somogyi captured a jellyfish with the sun behind it while snorkelling off Torrent de Pareis beach in Mallorca, Spain. He said it took him around 40 tries until he got the perfect shot. The image won him second place in the compact camera category (right)
Advertisement
It was one of the world's most glamorous stations - and biggest, earning the nickname the Titanic of the Mountains thanks to hundreds of doors and 200-metre platforms.
But, after years of neglect, Canfranc International Railway is now just a crumbling shell that blights the beautiful Pyrenees mountains.
Fortunately, that all looks set to change - after local officials revealed plans to repair, and reopen, the decaying relic, which straddles the French/Spanish border.
Dilapidated: The abandoned Canfranc International Railway Station, which sits on the French/Spanish border
According to a report by the BBC, the local government in Aragon - a landlocked region in northeastern Spain - has purchased the site with plans to restore it.
They were inspired by the surprise presence of 120,000 Spanish tourists who visited Canfranc between 2013 and 2017.
Local politician Alain Rousset reportedly wants the dilapidated venue to become a luxury hotel with a functioning railway line attached.
The latter vision is already part-realised thanks to a twice-daily service that operates between Saragossa and Canfranc, but the ultimate plan is to reignite tourist travel throughout the Pyrenees.
Refurbishment costs are estimated at 350million, but Roussett says this investment will be split evenly between the Spanish government and grants from the EU.
If successful, the entire project could be finished - and accessible to the public - by 2022. That's almost 100 years after it was first opened in the presence of Spain's King Alfonso XIII in 1928.
Back on track: Local officials in Spain's Aragon municipality have reportedly purchased the site with plans for a 300million revival
Stranded: A railway carriage sits frozen in snow as a fierce winter on the Pyrenees mountains takes hold
After that, the station operated successfully until the Spanish Civil War, 17 Jul 1936 1 Apr 1939, when said monarch closed its tunnels to stop arms smuggling.
At the start of World War II, Canfranc provided a vital lifeline for thousands of Jewish refugees fleeing occupied Europe.
But in 1940 Spanish Dictator Francisco Franco was pictured proudly leading Hitler along one of its wide sprawling platforms.
Impressed, the Nazi leader later took control of the station, adorning it with Swastika flags and using it to smuggle tonnes of gold his army had plundered from across Europe.
Ironically, after losing the war, Nazi war criminals used the station to evade capture.
Still popular: Although run-down, Canfranc's shell attracted 120,000 Spanish tourists between 2013 and 2017
History: In 1940 Spanish Dictator Francisco Franco was pictured proudly leading Hitler along one of its wide platforms
The station returned to business as usual in the 1950s and 1960s, but suffered from a dwindling local population. It was ultimately closed in 1970 after a train derailed, causing costly damage.
It has remained largely abandoned ever since, apart from the implementation in 1985 of underground astroparticle laboratories, which have allowed scientists to study the existence of dark matter.
Located in the former railway tunnels under nearby Monte Tobazo, the experimentation bunkers have been financed by the Spanish National Programmes of High Energy Physics and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Second life: The railway station is now used as an astroparticle physics lab with experiments taking place in tunnels deep underground
Insight: A diagram shows how the labs, where scientists research dark matter, are situated in tunnels deep below the surface
More than 50 scientists from 12 different institutions and eight countries have conducted research there, focusing on the interactions of neutrinos of cosmic origin, or dark matter, with atomic nuclei.
According to a 2015 article in Scientific American, the labs were most recently involved in a definitive study to prove - or disprove - the existence of dark matter, which scientists believe comprises 80 per cent of the mass of the universe.
They expect the results to be announced in 2018.
The beautiful and dangerous landscapes of the Canadian Rockies serve as the backdrop to new film The Mountain Between Us, a gripping tale of love and survival, starring Academy Award winner Kate Winslet.
The film tells the story of two strangers who fall for one another after surviving a plane crash, and shooting the footage was a physically demanding experience for Kate, who braved sub-zero temperatures underwater to achieve breathtaking results.
In remarkable behind-the-scenes footage, Kate, 41, is seen plunging into freezing -38 degrees waters, to capture a scene where her character Alex Martin is trapped under ice.
Scroll down for video
Superstar: Kate Winslet braved sub-zero temperatures to achieve stunning results in her new film The Mountain Between Us
Oscar-winner Kate, 41, plunges into freezing cold waters at -38 degrees in a scene where her character Alex Martin, a soon-to-be married American photojournalist, is trapped under ice
Speaking about the challenging scene, the seven-time Oscar nominee explains: 'None of it matters. It doesn't matter what it is you're being asked to do, you've got to get on with it.'
'Ice anyone?'
Kate previously revealed that she was offered a stunt double for the shoot, but refused, deciding to opt to perform the testing activity herself.
Romantic bond: The film sees the characters fall for one another following their testing ordeal
Behind the scenes footage for The Mountain Between Us, starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba (pictured), highlights the extreme conditions filmmakers braved to capture the action scenes
In the behind the scenes footage, shot at an altitude of 10,500ft on location in Canada, Kate explains how the story centres on two characters 'who don't know each other at all' before their fateful plane journey - but after discovering help is not on the way, must learn to work together if they hope to escape the wilderness alive.
While Kate plays a soon-to-be-married photojournalist, Golden Globe-winner Idris Elba plays her on screen romantic interest, surgeon Dr. Ben Bass.
The beautiful and dangerous landscapes of the Canadian Rockies serve as the backdrop to The Mountain Between Us, a gripping tale of love and survival which hits cinemas on October 12
Strangers: The pair find themselves charter a light aircraft but the voyage ends in disaster
While Idris mentions the plummeting temperatures, Kate adds: 'Nothing really prepares you for it.'
Indeed, the unpredictable weather of British Columbia - including blizzards and knee-deep snow - sets the scene for a non-traditional and visually spectacular love story that will delight thrill seekers and romance devotees alike.
Romance blossoms in the most surreal places: After the characters find themselves stranded and struggling to cling on to hope, they fall in love
The unpredictable weather of British Columbia - including blizzards and knee-deep snow - sets the scene for a spectacular love story that'll delight thrill seekers and romance devotees alike
By the end of the gruelling shoot, Kate confessed she enjoyed the experience so much '(she) didn't want to go home', adding that her director would jump at the opportunity to film scenes during the 'incredible' snow storms.
In The Mountain Between Us, Hany Abu-Assad shows the intimate moments between the two characters and their blossoming romance, while also capturing the impossibly grand scale of the landscape with his sweeping, cinematic style.
It is a visual achievement that will no doubt spell future Hollywood success for the Palestinian filmmaker taking on his first English language theatrical project.
Stranded in the snowy wilderness after a plane crash, two strangers must journey across dangerous mountain ranges in sub-zero temperatures while pushing each other to survive
THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US Stranded in the snowy wilderness after a deadly plane crash, two strangers must journey across dangerous mountain ranges in sub-zero temperatures while pushing each other to survive. As they discover their inner strength in the extreme conditions, soon-to-be-married photojournalist Alex and surgeon Dr. Ben Bass form an unlikely bond. This bond turns into love in the most challenging of circumstances. The Mountain Between Us, starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba, is released to cinemas October 12. As they discover their inner strength in the extreme conditions, soon-to-be-married photojournalist Alex Martin and surgeon Dr. Ben Bass form an unlikely bond
Hany, who helmed Oscar-nominated films Omar and Paradise Now, has also reassured audiences that there were no green screen SFX with the exception of the plane crash - relying instead on the Rockies' awe-inspiring natural surroundings.
Producer Peter Chernin explains: 'This is movie about survival, this is a movie about people being pushed to the edges of human tolerance. I don't think you could survive without falling in love'.
The Mountain Between Us is released to cinemas October 12.
He is one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
But that did not stop Harrison Ford from having fun at Ryan Gosling's expense by pretending to forget this name three times during a hilarious talk show appearance.
The thigh-slapping moment occurred when the 75-year-old appeared with the famed hunk to promote their science fiction film Blade Runner 2049.
Scroll down for video
Another unreliable Ford: Harrison pretended he could not remember Ryan Gosling's name on the Graham Norton Show
After waxing lyrical on The Graham Norton Show about the screenplay, the OAP actor said: 'As I read it I read about the character that, um, uh, Ryan? Ryan?'
Trying to be helpful, his 36-year-old co-star said: 'It's Ryan.'
Trying to continue, the Indiana Jones star added: '(Ryan) Uh, came to play and I said, with great enthusiasm I called up the producers and I said this is great, can't wait, what a great part.
'Why don't we see if we can get, um, Br.. Brian Gosling.'
Ryan then pretended to mishear, asking him, 'Did you say Brosling?'
'Why don't we see if we can get, um': The OAP actor's acted like his mind went blank
The life of Ryan: After initially struggling he started calling his co-star 'Brian'
Tickled pink: Graham Norton was loving every moment of the hilarity
After much confusiion Harrison said, 'This is a great part for Br, er, Ryan Gosling.'
He then completed his skit by saying, 'They said we'd been talking to him for months. Now wait a second - they'd only been speaking to me for weeks.
'So they probably would've gone ahead without me.'
The star's antics had his fellow guests Reese Witherspoon and Margot Robbie in stitches, while Ryan awkwardly shuffled in his seat throughout.
Harrison has literally used the young heartthrob as his punching bag, previously blaming the young pretender for walking into his fist and injuring his hand when he smacked him on the face while recording a fight scene.
He added: 'My hand was slightly injured, but I didnt hold it against him.'
His cheeky dig follows his co-star spilling the beans on the incident while promoting the forthcoming sequel.
Did he say 'Brosling': Being one of the biggest names in Hollywood was not enough to jog Harrison's memory
Blonde moment: Reese Witherspoon and Margot Robbie identified with the movie hunk
Ryan said: 'We were just doing a fight scene and, you know, it just happened. But what was funny was, when it was over, they brought ice for my face, and Harrison pushed me out of the way and stuck his fist in the ice.
'He came by afterward with this bottle of scotch, and I thought, "Oh, I knew this was coming."
'And he pulled out a glass from his pocket, poured me a glass, and walked away with the rest of the bottle.
'So I guess he felt like he didnt connect enough to earn a whole bottle.'
Blade Runner 2049 hits screens on Friday.
Punching bag: Harrison previously mocked his co-star for 'walking' into his fist during a fight scene in Blade Runner 2049
He has always been interested in fashion, but worked as a scaffolder before he shot to fame on Love Island last year.
And now off the back of the show, Alex Bowen has fulfilled his dream of creating a fashion collection by releasing his very own line, MVMNTLondon.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the 26-year-old revealed his past in designing prior to the reality show, and gushed that his fiancee Olivia Buckland is his perfect match both in romantic and fashion terms, as she shares his 'edgy' sense of style.
Scroll down for video
New range: Alex Bowen has fulfilled his dream of creating his own fashion collection by releasing his very own line, MVMNT London
Alex worked as a scaffolder in Birmingham before his six-week stint on Love Island last summer - which not only shot him to fame, but introduced him to the love of his life, Olivia.
Having been offered a huge amount of exciting opportunities since departing the Majorca villa, the hunk immediately embarked on fulfilling his dream of designing his very own clothing collection, as a keen follower of fashion.
Speaking to MailOnline ahead of the launch, the hunk revealed he has been creating his own clothes for years, and that his head was full to the brim of ideas for his own range.
Hidden talent: Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the 26-year-old revealed his past in designing prior to appearing on Love Island
Muse: He also revealed that his fiancee Olivia Buckland is his perfect match both in romantic and fashion terms, as she shares his 'edgy' sense of style
Revealing his natural flair for fashion, he explained: 'Four years ago I took an old sweatshirt, cut it in half and put it together with a T-shirt to make a cool long line top.
'I've always wanted to design, and about two months after the show I got the trademark but because I was so busy, nothing really happened with it.
'However about six months ago Olivia bought me a sketchpad and pencils and it just took off - I've still got loads of drawings in it now ready for the winter!'
Passionate: Having been offered a huge amount of exciting opportunities since departing the Majorca villa, the hunk immediately embarked on fulfilling his dream of designing his very own clothing collection, as a keen follower of fashion
Excited: Speaking to MailOnline ahead of the launch, the hunk revealed he has been creating his own clothes for years, and that his head was full to the brim of ideas for his own range
Considered: 'I just wanted to pick the best pieces and the ones that would make more of a statement for the launch,' he said of the new range
Alex's collection launched on Tuesday, and features a selection of timeless and understated pieces - including crisp pastel T-shirts and oversized jumpers.
Explaining that he wanted to inject his own sense of style into the range, he said: 'I just wanted to pick the best pieces and the ones that would make more of a statement for the launch.
'There are no big names anywhere, its all little logos on the corners or back. I didn't want to smash it in your face - I wanted the garments to speak for themselves.'
Stylish: Alex's collection is set to launch later this month, and features a selection of timeless and understated pieces - including crisp pastel T-shirts and oversized jumpers
Delighted: He revealed he is very proud of himself, for creating a high quality collection at such affordable prices - which he would have bought himself prior to fame
He also revealed he is very proud of himself, for creating a high quality collection at such affordable prices - which he would have bought himself prior to fame, and that he hopes will relate to the fans who now look up to him.
He added: 'I get young lads always messaging me saying they look up to me.
'When I was at uni and had my first job, Id be getting around 200 quid a week, and Id find a pair of jeans I like for 100 and I just wouldnt be able to afford it.
'I've always bought cheaper clothing, and I'd have to mix and match brands too whereas with my collection, you can buy a whole outfit of the same style from the same place.'
Blood, sweat and tears: While he admits his range is not rock-bottom prices, Alex assured his fans that the quality was worth it, as a result of months of hard work and dedication
While he admits his range is not rock-bottom prices, Alex assured his fans that the quality was worth it, as a result of months of hard work and dedication.
'Jeans are price around 55, as I wanted it to be high quality,' he said. 'I made sure all the colours and materials were right. I've been very in-depth!'
While he has always known what he likes, Alex did admit with a laugh that his style has come into its own since meeting his fiancee Olivia, who shares the same 'edgy and quirky' tastes.
The hunk even confessed that the pair dress each other all the time - and that she loves it when he chooses her outfits.
He laughed: 'The other week Liv was at London Fashion Week and had to get a train to a night out with my family, so I went out and bought her an outfit and she loved it!
Thoughtful: 'Jeans are price around 55, as I wanted it to be high quality,' he said. 'I made sure all the colours and materials were right. I've been very in-depth!'
Similar: While he has always known what he likes, Alex did admit with a laugh that his style has come into its own since meeting his fiancee Olivia, who shares the same 'edgy and quirky' tastes
'We get each others styles really well. If she asks me to buy her an outfit I definitely can, 8/- times out of 10, and Id let her dress me as well. We're quite quirky and quite edgy with our style.'
Alex gushed that Olivia, who he met and fell in love with on Love Island last year, is incredibly proud of his collection - but admitted the pair never thought their careers would take off like they have after the show.
He said proudly: 'For me I was just a scaffolder who lived at home with my mum, and now I have my own clothing brand, I'm living with Olivia in our own house, getting ready to marry the girl, with our own dog...
'To think this all came from that one show, is unreal. It changed my life for the better for sure.'
Peas in a pod: The hunk even confessed that the pair dress each other all the time - and that she loves it when he chooses her outfits
After a whirlwind romance on the show, Alex and Olivia later became engaged during their holiday to New York City over Christmas.
However, the Birmingham native admitted he knew he wanted to marry Olivia very early on, after spending 24 hours a day together in the Love Island villa.
Discussing his proposal, he said: 'In the villa you have no phone, literally living together 24 hours a day, for six weeks, so everything was sped up. A long time together was a short time.
'She was messing around once and showed me a photo of a ring, and I walked past a shop that had one quite similar soon after, and just bought it out straight.
Like-minded: 'We get each others styles really well. If she asks me to buy her an outfit I definitely can, 8/- times out of 10, and Id let her dress me as well. We're quite quirky and quite edgy with our style,' he said
Tasteful: 'There are no big names anywhere, its all little logos on the corners or back. I didn't want to smash it in your face - I wanted the garments to speak for themselves,' he added
'I messaged my best man who was really supportive, and I already had our trip NYC booked so he told me to do it there. It was just the perfect timing.'
Forming something of pattern however, 2017 contestants Jessica Shears and Dom Lever also recently announced their engagement - just three months after they met.
When asked whether he feels like the new couple are following their lead, Alex simply wished the pair well with their romance, and affirmed that he and Olivia were getting married for love.
He said: 'A lot of people keep talking about the Love Island wedding. Maybe Jess and Dom want that, but to me its the Alex and Olivia wedding.
'People keep saying were the first to get married from Love Island, but that doesnt even enter my head. I want to marry Olivia because I love the girl.'
Happy couple: After a whirlwind romance on the show, Alex and Olivia later became engaged during their holiday to New York City over Christmas
He then added: 'Obviously everyone has their opinions on people, Ive met them once and they seemed alright. If its genuine, I wish them all the best and if its not, it will all unfold.'
The pair are currently planning their wedding, which is scheduled for September 2018 - and Olivia even documented her day of dress shopping on TLC's Say Yes To The Dress.
Having played out most of their romance on television, Alex revealed the pair had not written off the idea of broadcasting their wedding - but that they do want certain moments to remain private.
He said: 'If it was filmed it would be nice to look back on, but Im marrying her cause I love her and want to be with her. Id want certain things to be private.
'Were in talks for something at the minute, but I want it on our terms as it's our wedding day, ahead of the rest of our lives.'
Proving their romance to only be going from strength to strength, Olivia recently revealed that she was planning to come off the pill after the wedding, in order to try for a baby.
Big plans: The pair are currently planning their wedding, which is scheduled for September 2018 - and Olivia even documented her day of dress shopping on TLC's Say Yes To The Dress
When asked about whether the pair's plans to start a family, Alex admitted it was definitely on the cards - and that he has only been made more broody by their good friends Nathan Massey and Cara de la Hoyde, who are currently expecting.
He said of his friend, and Olivia's maid of honour: 'Cara being pregnant makes me broody!
'Im 26 now. Olivia's 23, and I dont want to be an old dad, but dont want to be too young either.
'When I have a kid I want to be a really good dad and be there for them, but as soon as we get married shes gonna come off the pill and were going to let it happen naturally.'
However. unlike him and Olivia, Nathan and Cara have since split up since winning the ITV2 show last year - but Alex revealed the pair are still on good terms.
'Nathan has really stepped up to the plate,' he explained. 'They're really on it at the minute and theyve become really good friends again.'
While he hopes the pair will get back together in the future, he remained coy over the prospect of a reconciliation, adding: 'I think maybe theyre finding themselves a bit more, like they did on Love Island.'
MVMNT London is available to buy at www.mvmntlondon.co.uk.
Her passion for fashion has brought her to the French capital for a week of sartorial pleasures.
And Salma Hayek was oozing glamour and style as she stepped out at Stella McCartney's Fashion Tech Lab event as part of Paris Fashion Week on Monday.
Hollywood actress Salma, 51, sizzled in a skirt and floral blouse ensemble alongside her billionaire husband Francois-Henri Pinault, 55.
Scroll down for video
Power couple: Hollywood star Salma Hayek (right) cut a sophisticated figure with her billionaire husband Francois-Henri Pinault (left) at a Fashion Tech Lab event in Paris on Monday
Chic: Stella McCartney (pictured) hosted the event as part of Paris Fashion Week
Salma cut a sophisticated figure in a flattering skirt and a black woollen blouse emblazoned with intricate floral detail.
She completed her demure ensemble - which she also wore to the Alexander McQueen show later in the day - with a velvet-style pair of peach peep-toe wedges.
The Frida star enjoys many a runway display from the FROW thanks to her businessman husband's high-profile connections.
Sophisticated: Salma finished off her demure ensemble - which she also wore to the Alexander McQueen show later in the day (pictured) - with a velvet-style pair of peach peep-toe wedges
Friends in high places: The Frida star enjoys many a runway display from the FROW thanks to her businessman husband's high-profile connections
Main event: Pamela Anderson sizzled in a tiger-print jumpsuit and monochrome coat
Working it: A model wears a creation for the Stella McCartney Spring/Summer 2018 ready-to-wear fashion collection presented in Paris on Monday
Turning heads: Stella's fellow host, the Russian entrepreneur Miroslava Duma, also looked stunning in a maxi khaki trench-coat style buttoned dress. She cosied up to friends Francois-Henri Pinault (left) and Valerie Duport (right)
Faces of fashion: Miroslava Duma (second left) and Stella McCartney (right) hosted the event supported by pals Franois-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek (centre)
Blazer squad: Vogue's style editor-at-large Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis (left) and model Caroline De Maigret (right) both opted for chic monochrome blazers
Meanwhile Stella, 46, looked typically chic in a patterned black gown.
The fashion icon and mother of four's frock featured a high neckline, flared sleeves and a pleated skirt, with a gathered waist which showed off the designer's statuesque figure.
Accessorising with an ivory clutch bag, Stella wore her copper locks in her trademark tousled waves cascading around her shoulders.
She opted for a pared-back look on the make-up front with just a dash of mascara to accentuate her long lashes and piercing blue eyes.
Stella had already reaffirmed her world-class designer status once on Monday with her stonking display of 1980s-inspired clothes on the Paris Fashion Week runway, but was back for more at the tech event to unveil various creative projects.
Back for more: Stella had already reaffirmed her world-class designer status once on Monday with her stonking display of 1980s-inspired clothes on the Paris Fashion Week runway, but was back for more at the tech event to unveil various creative projects
Vibrant: Both Alexia Niedzielski and Arizona Muse added sparks of colour to their outfits
Presenting time: Miroslava (centre) used the event to unveil fashion projects
A la mode: Elizabeth von Guttman (left), Natalia Vodianova and Antoine Arnault (right) also showed their support for Stella and Miroslava
Vogue: Miroslava, Pamela and Stella cuddled up at the star-studded event
Stella's fellow host, the Russian entrepreneur Miroslava Duma, also looked stunning in a maxi khaki trench-coat style buttoned dress.
Baywatch's Pamela Anderson also made an appearance, sizzling in a tiger-print jumpsuit and monochrome coat.
And one of the most sought-after models of the moment, Arizona Muse, showcased her own sense of fashion in a sleep deep blue shirt.
McQueen Dream: Another of PFW's defining events was the Alexander McQueen show which also came on Monday (pictured)
Trio treat: These three models stormed the runway in contrasting frocks with an eclectic mix of frills, flares and floral flecks
She's one-half of the on-again-off-again couple who host the MTV reality show Just Tattoo Of Us.
And Charlotte Crosby has addressed relationship dramas with boyfriend Stephen Bear on the Kyle And Jackie O Show on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old revealed she and her reality TV star beau are still together, despite a tough few months that saw them part ways for a time.
Scroll down for audio
'It was just like a bomb waiting to go off at any minute': Charlotte Crosby has addressed relationship drama rumours with boyfriend Stephen Bear, speaking to the Kyle And Jackie O Show
'We are a fan of each other, we are a fan of each other,' she affirmed.
Charlotte explained to the KIIS FM hosts they had a 'bad month' where they would constantly argue, 'I'm sure a lot of couples could relate to this,' she added.
'But we actually work together as well, so it was just like a bomb waiting to go off at any minute,' she said, referring to Just Tattoo Of Us.
Still in love: The 27-year-old revealed she and her reality TV star beau are still together, despite a tough few months that saw them part ways for a time
Earlier this year Charlotte and Bear confirmed they were dating and in love.
In an interview with OK! Magazine, she said: 'I want to spend the rest of my life with Bear.'
'I would like him to be the father of my children and I'd like to marry him. He's The One and the most incredible boyfriend.'
Since then the couple have had a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship played out on social media and in the press.
Not always perfect: Charlotte explained to the KIIS FM hosts they had a 'bad month' where they would constantly argue, 'I'm sure a lot of couples could relate to this,' she added
Head over heels! Earlier in the year she told OK! Magazine, 'I want to spend the rest of my life with Bear.' She added, 'I would like him to be the father of my children and I'd like to marry him. He's The One and the most incredible boyfriend'
In August, Stephen took to Twitter to announce they had split up while in Las Vegas for the Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor fight, which took her by surprise.
He wrote: 'Sadly me and Charlotte have split up. We have had a good run but we wasn't right for each other (sic).'
The couple have since patched things up, confirming their were back together in September attending an event at Londons Brick Lane Yard.
Despite all the drama, Charlotte told the breakfast show duo: 'We had a few times where we split up and it was really quite public, so it was a bit stupid of us, but everything's fine now.'
'That bad month has passed. It was August, I'm blaming August,' she joked.
The 'Lil Beast' motorcycle once owned by Jada Pinkett Smith is back on the market - for just $5,000.
The 46-year-old sold the 2011 Yamaha Vstar 650, a gift from husband Will Smith, back in 2013 with fewer than 100 miles on the clock.
And the actress even gave the black and red hog a decent send off on Facebook, saying she was a three-wheeler girl, according to TMZ.
It's a gift: Will Smith gave wife Jada Pinkett Smith this powerful Yamaha Vstar 650 motorcycle in 2011, which she sold just two years later with 100 miles on the clock
She said in a message: 'I am saying goodbye to my "Lil Beast." I'm only sticking to my three-wheelers from now on, but it sure has been fun. She's been good to me.'
Jada now satisfies her need for speed on three wheels, dashing around town on her Can-Am Spyder RS-S instead.
The Yamaha is six years old but it might as well be brand new as its last owner only put another 2,900 miles on it in all that time.
As for her Lil Beast, it's being sold by Yamaha of Cucamonga in California priced $1,000 over market value based on its previous famous owner and low mileage.
More sedate ride: The 46-year-old now satisfies her need for speed on three wheels, dashing around town on her Can-Am Spyder RS-S instead
The fully loaded hog would've cost around $10,800 back in 2011.
Meanwhile, the mother-of-two is still busy on the big and small screen.
Jada has had a recurring role as Fish Mooney in Fox's Gotham since 2014.
She also appeared in summer hit Girls Trip with Queen Latifah, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish.
They're the controversial couple who have threatened to quit and have fallen out with their fellow The Block contestants.
And Ronnie and Georgia were celebrating on Tuesday as they received a perfect score in the guest room reveal.
Appearing on the Today show, Ronnie could hardly contain himself as he held up his ten fingers in excitement, 'We had the best time doing it. Yes it was stressful, but we made it out and we got the perfect score!' he said.
Scroll down for video
'We got the perfect score!' The Block's controversial couple Ronnie and Georgia celebrate nabbing full points for their guest room
'Stoked to get the perfect score! But a little bit irritated we had to share it to be fair' Ronnie and Georgia, who Today host Lisa Wilkinson described as a 'power couple' were matched by Elyse Knowles and her partner Josh, who also received 10 points
The pair, who Today host Lisa Wilkinson described as a 'power couple' were matched by Elyse Knowles and her partner Josh, who also received 10 points.
'Stoked to get the perfect score! But a little bit irritated we had to share it to be fair,' said Georgia.
Ronnie and Georgia were the only team to incorporate a ensuite into their design and it was a decision that paid off, with the judges describing it as 'beyond luxury.'
Now I am officially blown away said Neal Whitaker as he entered the bathroom.
The judges praised the couple for knowing how to fuse heritage and modern elements to create a bathroom that 'oozed glamour' and was 'very sexy.'
Nailed it! Ronnie and Georgia were the only team to incorporate a ensuite bathroom into their design and it was a decision that paid off
Meanwhile, in the bedroom itself, the judges claimed the feature wall was a 'major success' and loved the touch of adding the same wallpaper to the cupboard shelves.
Georgia has gone into meltdown mode after falling victim to pressure in previous weeks.
Hallway and laundry week had the couple shaking in their boots as they attempted to complete the allocated area in an excruciatingly tight time frame.
A perfect ten! The judges praised the couple for knowing how to fuse heritage and modern elements to create a bathroom that 'oozed glamour' and was 'very sexy'
Normally well ahead of the pack, the couple were running behind schedule, a point driven home by Keith who at one point informed Ronnie he had about 10 hours left of work to do with less than one hour left of power tool use to do it in.
The pressure and lack of sleep particularly got to Georgia and she broke down sobbing when she realised their renovation wasn't coming together as planned.
In tears, she exclaimed: 'I'm really tired and I'm about to cry.'
'I'm really tired and I'm about to cry' Georgia has gone into meltdown mode after falling victim to pressure in previous weeks
She added: 'I don't think I love my hallway. It's just not coming together as expected.'
In the end, the couple weren't able to completely finish their room for the first time ever.
Ukrainian police have detained a group of people suspected to be linked to a series of attacks across the country in the recent months, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avalon said here Monday.
In a statement on Facebook, Avalon wrote that the suspects were detained in Ukraine's western Transcarpathia region while they were preparing to blow up a monument to Hungarian people in the Carpathian Mountains.
Police have seized grenades from the detainees and launched criminal proceedings against them, Avakov said.
According to him, the preliminary investigation found that the arrested men were members of a criminal group that has prepared and performed five blasts and four other provocative acts since November 2016, aimed at "inciting xenophobia, religious intolerance and international conflicts" across Ukraine.
In particular, the group was behind the explosion in central Kiev during the Independence Day celebrations on Aug. 24, 2017, which injured three people, Avakov said.
According to the minister, the group has also organized a blast near a pilgrimage site for Hasidic Jews in the city of Uman in central Ukraine last month, which hurt two Israeli nationals.
In addition, the police accused the detained people of attacks on the Polish consulate in western Lutsk city and the U.S. embassy in Kiev in March and June this year respectively.
The Interior Minister has not disclosed the number of detainees, but later in the day his aide Anton Geraschenko said that three people were arrested.
The detainees face life prison sentence if the court confirms their involvement in the attacks.
With his striking looks, he is a strong fixture in front of the camera.
But Matt Bomer will head behind the lens for an upcoming episode of American Crime Story: Versace.
The 39-year-old looked to have been brought on by pal Ryan Murphy, who is the series' executive producer.
Going behind the camera: Matt Bomer, 39, will make his directorial debut on American Crime Story: Versace. He is pictured in LA in September
According to TV Line, this will mark the actor's directorial debut.
Matt will call the shots for the eighth episode of the second season, which is set for a January release.
The story follows the murder of fashion mogul Gianni Versace, who was gunned down in 1997 as he walked back to his home from a local cafe.
Taking charge: Matt will call the shots for the eighth episode of the second season, which is set for a January release. He is seen in LA in August
Matt's involvement with the Ryan-produced show should come as no surprise, as the two have frequently worked together in the past.
The Golden Globe Winner previously starred in The Normal Heart and American Horror Story. He also appeared in The New Normal and Glee.
All were either produced or created by Ryan.
Business friends: The actor looked to have been brought on by pal Ryan Murphy, 51, who is the series' executive producer. They are pictured in Beverly Hills in January 2015
Matt recently starred alongside Lily Collins in the Amazon series, The Last Tycoon.
Up next, the Missouri native will appear in the Sci-Fi drama, Jonathan.
Matt will also voice a character in B.O.O. Bureau of Otherworldly Operations, alongside Melissa McCarthy, Bill Murray and Seth Rogan, among others.
She recently confirmed she and husband Kanye West are expecting her third child via surrogate.
And Kim Kardashian certainly looked in good spirits on Monday, when she was spotted rocking a casually stylish ensemble in Los Angeles.
The 37-year-old reality star icon went braless underneath her plunging crop top to give a flash of cleavage, and swept her hair into a tight low bun - implying she had removed her famous extensions.
Scroll down for video
Stepping out: Kim Kardashian certainly looked in good spirits on Monday, when she was spotted rocking a casually stylish ensemble in Los Angeles
The reality star slicked her platinum blonde locks into a tight bun, seemingly to keep her extension-free hair out of sight.
Maintaining her usual sense of glamour in her outfit however, Kim slipped into a cropped white T-shirt tied at the bust - which gave a glimpse of her famous cleavage for all to see with its plunging neckline.
Teaming the top with high-rise tracksuit bottoms, Kim showed off her enviably toned stomach and tiny waist as she stepped out for another busy day in LA.
Low-key: The 37-year-old reality star went braless underneath her plunging crop top to give a flash of cleavage, and swept her hair into a low bun - having removed her famous extensions
She tied her look together with towering camel heels, which she handled with ease as she clambered into an SUV.
After a swirl of rumors, Kim finally confirmed in a recent Keeping Up With The Kardashians preview that she's got another baby on the way via surrogacy.
Earlier last month, TMZ had reported their surrogate is due in January, and is a 20-something who's been married five years and has two young sons.
Kim herself had carried her and Kanye's two elder children - four-year-old daughter North West and one-year-old son Saint West.
Slender: Teaming the top with high-rise tracksuit bottoms, Kim showed off her enviably toned stomach and tiny waist as she stepped out for another busy day in LA
Finishing touches: She tied her look together with towering camel heels, which she handled with ease as she clambered into an SUV
There's also speculation, kicked off by TMZ last month, that Kim's 33-year-old sister Khloe Kardashian is pregnant by her boyfriend Tristan Thompson.
Last December, Cleveland Cavalier Tristan welcomed his firstborn child - a son called Prince - by his ex-girlfriend Jordan Craig.
Kim and Khloe's 20-year-old half sister Kylie Jenner is also rumored to be pregnant by her own boyfriend Travis Scott, who is five years her senior.
Neither the Khloe pregnancy rumor nor the Kylie pregnancy rumor has been confirmed by the Kardashian-Jenner family.
He found his fiance and mother of his child Snezana Markoski by starring on The Bachelor.
But Sam Wood has revealed his reservations about Australia's newest Bachelorette Sophie Monk, admitting that he thinks she is too good for her reality star suitors.
'I don't know about the blokes. I probably shouldn't say that,' he told Nova 100's Chrissie, Sam & Browny on Tuesday.
'None of them jump out to me so far': Sam Wood has revealed his reservations about Australia's newest Bachelorette Sophie Monk, admitting that he thinks she is too good for her reality star suitors
'None of them jump out to me so far,' he confessed, prompting Chrissie Swan to joke about zealous contestant Jarrod Woodgate jumping out of a bush.
'Jarrod's got it bad. Might have gone a bit hard a bit early that one,' laughed Sam.
Indeed, fans have been left scratching their heads at the array of hopefuls debuting on The Bachelorette this season.
'Jarrod's got it bad': Chrissie Swan joked about zealous contestant Jarrod Woodgate jumping out of a bush.
Not-so-eligible bachelors? While some viewers have taken issue at the fact that the men are all younger than 37-year-old Sophie, others have questioned whether Sophie's suitors are really as eligible as they have been billed on the show
While some viewers have taken issue at the fact that the men are all younger than 37-year-old Sophie, others have questioned whether Sophie's suitors are really as eligible as they have been billed on the show.
In the weeks since the popular dating show kicked off, last month, several former flames of contestant Sam Cochrane have come forward with tales of their ill-fated romance.
One woman told Daily Mail Australia: [Sam] would often try and make me jealous, and he likened himself to Thor and tried to use that in a bid to win me over.'
'He just doesn't know when to stop and equally doesn't take well to being told 'no'': In the weeks since the popular dating show kicked off, last month, several former flames of contestant Sam Cochrane have come forward with tales of their ill-fated romance
'He just doesn't know when to stop and equally doesn't take well to being told 'no''
'It's as if he can't believe that someone would turn him down and he gets quite over the top and arrogant.'
Meanwhile, another woman said: 'He was a total jerk - would call and text constantly. He was in love with me after two days. It was a huge red flag.'
'He thinks he's destined for Hollywood... he's not': Last week, Daily Mail Australia revealed that self-described 'investor and entrepreneur' Blake Colman is a fridge mechanic that lives with his parents.
Another former lover also alleged Sam would conveniently 'misplace' his wallet on the nights they met up, forcing his date to fork out around '$200' each time.
But Sam isn't the only one to have his skeletons exposed since debuting on the show.
Last week, Daily Mail Australia revealed that self-described 'investor and entrepreneur' Blake Colman is a fridge mechanic that lives with his parents.
'He thinks he's destined for Hollywood... he's not. Blake was trying to be the villain character so he could be remembered on The Bachelorette. He wanted fame and thought Sophie was his ticket,' an insider told Daily Mail Australia.
It's the deadliest mass shooting in US history, that left 59 dead and 527 injured, at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada.
And just hours later on Monday, Keith Urban performed Bridge Over Troubled Water at a candlelight vigil in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 49-year-old's honouring of the victims, came after he Tweeted that he is 'stilled and speechless' by the horrific act.
Lending his profile: Keith Urban, 49, performed at a candlelight vigil in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, honouring the victims of the Las Vegas shooting that left 59 dead and 527 injured
Keith dressed casually, sporting a black T-shirt, jeans and a denim jacket.
The husband of Australian actress Nicole Kidman put on a heartfelt performance, belting out the lyrics to Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Understandably throughout the performance, Keith looked emotional.
Attire: Keith dressed casually, sporting a black T-shirt, jeans and a denim jacket
Lyrics: The husband of Australian actress Nicole Kidman put on a heartfelt performance, belting out the lyrics to Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water
The performance comes shortly after Keith took to Twitter, revealing that he is 'stilled and speechless' by the horrific turn of events.
The country music star posted to the social media platform: 'Stilled and speechless...Our hearts and prayers are with everyone involved and affected. - KU.'
Residents of the Nashville community woke up on Monday to hear that a deadly mass shooting took place at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.
Sunday October 1 on the popular Las Vegas strip saw 59 dead and at least 527 injured.
Emotional: Understandably throughout the performance, Keith looked emotional
Can't fathom it: The performance comes shortly after Keith took to Twitter, revealing that he is 'stilled and speechless' by the horrific turn of events
Online: The country music star posted to the social media platform: 'Stilled and speechless...Our hearts and prayers are with everyone involved and affected. - KU'
According to police, the shooter was 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock, who fired the shots from a room on the 32nd floor at the Mandalay Bay Hotel that he had checked into.
The festival that was headlining acts such as Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean and Eric Church was taking place across the street.
Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo revealed that Stephen was found dead inside his room, among an 'arsenal' of 10 firearms.
Horrific: Residents of the Nashville community woke up on Monday to hear that a deadly mass shooting took place at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Sunday October 1 on the popular Las Vegas strip saw 59 dead and at least 527 injured
She's the former Bachelorette who has made a name for herself as a media personality.
And Georgia Love is using her high public profile for good as she has joined Cosmopolitan Australia's campaign to raise awareness of the red flags that often precede domestic violence.
The 29-year-old appears in the latest issue of the magazine to show her support, 'I am so passionate about this topic because I have seen the effects of physical and emotional abuse,' she said.
'I've seen the effects of abuse and it is just not OK' Former Bachelorette Georgia Love joins campaign to raise awareness on domestic violence
'It is just not OK in any way, shape or form,' she added.
Georgia is joined by a suite of other celebrities, influencers and domestic violence survivors for the campaign.
Other stars involved include Tegan Martin, Laura Dundovic, Nicole Da Silva and Sam Frost.
The brunette shares her experience of having a friend who was in an abusive relationship.
Ofering her support: Georgia is joined by a suite of other celebrities, influencers and domestic violence survivors for the Cosmo campaign
Luckily, Georgia's friend 'was able to get out before it became even more serious,' she said, before adding: 'I don't know what could have happened if she didn't.'
The journalist said she joined the campaign because she wanted to: 'Do anything and everything I can to make sure no woman has to suffer at the hands of a so-called loved one.'
Georgia appears in the publication with a red-coloured sticker over her mouth, which signifies the red flags of violence as well as how women who are suffering or have suffered abuse feel silenced.
using her voice: The journalist said she joined the campaign because she wanted to: 'Do anything and everything I can to make sure no woman has to suffer at the hands of a so-called loved one'
Georgia and her Bachelorette beau Lee Elliott also recently announced their support of charity Polished Man, which encourages people to paint one fingernail to signify the one child that dies every minute due to violence.
The pair have both been urging people to sign up to raise funds for the charity which aims to eliminate this violence.
He's the Australian television icon who was given a 50 per cent chance of making it through quadruple heart bypass surgery alive.
But Bert Newton, 79, made it and says that 'Every morning is a bonus.'
In an interview with New Idea on Monday, the TV legend credited his wife of 43 years, Patti, for his recovery.
'Every morning is a bonus!' TV legend Bert Newton says his recovery from major heart surgery is thanks to his wife of 43 years, Patti
'Patti takes extra special care of what I do and particularly what I don't do,' he said of his 72-year-old wife.
The grandfather of four also revealed that he has suffered 'a couple of bouts of pneumonia' since his surgery.
But despite his bad run of health Bert is in good spirits.
The turnaround coincides with the recent rumoured wedding of his son Matthew to fiancee Caroline Schneiderman.
In good spirits: The grandfather of four also revealed that he has suffered 'a couple of bouts of pneumonia' since his surgery but despite his bad run of health Bert is buoyant
Last month, New Idea reported that Matthew had tied the knot with fiancee Catherine Schneiderman in an intimate New York ceremony.
'[Matthew] rang his parents prior to the big day and invited them but with Bert's health being a little strained in recent months they decided a long-haul flight to New York might not be a great idea,' a source was reported as saying.
'This is the best news ever for Bert and Patti ... they're just so happy for Matthew.'
'Patti takes extra special care of what I do and particularly what I don't do,' Bert said of his 72-year-old wife
The insider added: 'Matthew's battled a lot of demons over the years, but he finally feels like he's found his place in the world in New York with Cat.'
Catherine and Matthew first sparked engagement rumours in October, after she stepped out wearing a diamond ring.
At the time, Bert and Patti said they were overjoyed at the news.
Survivor: Despite being given a 50 per cent chance of making it through quadruple heart bypass surgery alive Australian television icon Bert did and is relishing every day since
He was unceremoniously dumped on national television last week.
But The Bachelorette's Bingham Fitz-Henry has already bounced back into the dating scene, having joined Tinder in search of a replacement for Sophie Monk.
The equestrian enthusiast's profile states that he is a 'Bachelorette reject' and, even more bizarrely, also includes a photo of himself with former flame Sophie Monk.
Would you swipe right? Bachelorette reject Bingham Fitz-Henry has already bounced back into the dating scene, having joined Tinder in search of a replacement for Sophie Monk... by using a photo of himself and Sophie as his profile picture
The photo is taken from a deleted scene from the show's first episode, in which Bingham decides to treat Sophie to a horse ride after meeting her at the mansion.
In an attempt to lure potential love interests, Bingham also included his official Bachelorette promotional photo in his profile.
It comes just a day after contestant Blake Colman emerged on dating app Bumble, despite still being in the running to win Sophie's heart.
Just a bit of horseplay? One of his profile photos is taken from a deleted scene from the show's first episode, in which Bingham decides to treat Sophie to a horse ride after meeting her at the mansion
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, the Bumble user who came across Blake's profile said they had seen him on the app 'a few weeks back, before the show started.'
'I think it is pretty interesting that you would go on a show like The Bachelorette and then keep your [dating] profile active,' they said.
'Why be on there? Pretty big spoiler right there. Probs an ego thing.'
Oops! It comes just a day after contestant Blake Colman emerged on dating app Bumble, despite still being in the running to win Sophie's heart
Sprung! Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, the Bumble user who came across Blake's profile said they had seen him on the app 'a few weeks back, before the show started'
While Blake's Bumble profile states that he is an 'entrepreneur', Daily Mail Australia has revealed that he actually worked as a fridge and air conditioning mechanic before appearing on the show.
'He isn't an 'entrepreneur' - he is a refrigeration mechanic that lives with his parents,' a well-placed source said.
The Bachelorette airs every Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm on Ten.
She's set to grace the Victoria's Secret runway for the second time, later this year.
And Georgia Fowler reminded onlookers of her appeal, during Paris Fashion Week on Monday.
The 25-year-old went sans pants, flaunting her trim pins in just an oversized black suit jacket.
If you've got it! Victoria's Secret model Georgia Fowler, 25, went sans pants and flaunted her trim pins in just a black oversized suit jacket, at Paris Fashion Week on Monday
Georgia showed off her slender figure as she posed for photos at the MENE collection celebrations.
The beauty highlighted her lean legs in an oversized black suit jacket, a glimpse of her black lace bra visible at the collar.
Georgia accessorised with edgy black boots and a chained shoulder bag.
Trim and terrific: The brunette showed off her slender figure as she posed for photos at the MENE collection celebrations. Georgia highlighted her lean legs in an oversized black suit jacket
Just a hint: A glimpse of the IMG-represented star's black lace bra was visible at the collar
Sweeping her signature brunette locks into a sleek up-do, the Kiwi-born star drew attention to her striking facial features.
A dewy complexion, defined brows, bronze eye shadow, lashings of mascara and a matte pink colour over her plump pout, finished off Georgia's look.
The sighting comes just days after the IMG-represented personality strutted her stuff down the Elie Saab runway.
Simply stunning: The sighting comes just days after Georgia strutted her stuff down the Elie Saab runway
Flirty: The social media sensation stunned in a sheer blue jewelled halterneck-style frock, with a daring split enabling her to expose her long and lean legs
Georgia stunned in a sheer blue jewelled halterneck-style frock, with strategic cut-outs drawing the eye to her slender waist.
A daring split at either side enabled the social media sensation to expose her long and lean legs.
Statement gold earrings provided an extra touch of glam to the ensemble.
Notoriety: Georgia will return to the Victoria's Secret runway for the second time later this year. The lingerie model has also made headlines thanks to her rumoured romances with lotharios Harry Styles and Leonardo DiCaprio
Georgia will return to the Victoria's Secret runway for the second time later this year.
The lingerie model has also made headlines thanks to her rumoured romances with lotharios Harry Styles and Leonardo DiCaprio.
But despite the talk, Georgia admitted to news.com.au in May that she didn't have any time for love at the moment with her career taking off.
'I'm far too busy for boys,' she told the publication, adding that she was currently single.
She's one of Australia's most in demand models, known for her enviable curves and svelte frame.
But on Monday Shanina Shaik covered up her famous figure, wearing a sleek satin ensemble to the MENE Collection Celebrations in Paris.
The 26-year-old wore a low cut sleepwear-inspired ensemble, pairing it with statement bold gold jewellery.
Sultry in satin! Lingerie model Shanina Shaik covers up her famous figure in a sleepwear-inspired white ensemble at the MENE Collection Celebrations
The natural beauty wore a pajama style white satin top, which matched her nail polish.
Shanina paired the top with a matching sleek maxi skirt, accessorising with a black handbag and gold necklace.
Wearing her hair back from her face in a simple bun, Shanina showed off her natural beauty by wearing little to no makeup.
Simple: Shanina paired the top with a matching sleek maxi skirt, accessorising with a black handbag and gold necklace
Keeping it classic: Wearing her hair back from her face in a simple bun, Shanina showed off her natural beauty by wearing little to no makeup
Shanina is back in Europe for Paris Fashion Week after spending time last month at Milan Fashion Week.
The model strutted her stuff on the runway alongside Bella and Gigi Hadid, also attending the amfAR Gala.
A health and fitness fanatic, Shanina told Elle Australia last week her biggest beauty tips were sleep and not drinking alcohol.
Busy bee: Shanina is back in Europe for Paris Fashion Week after spending time last month at Milan Fashion Week
'Sleep is so important so I ensure that I have 8 hours sleep a night,' the model told the publication.
'I also cut out alcohol in the weeks leading up to a swim shoot so this means cutting out social cocktails with my friends.'
The model is currently planning her forthcoming nuptials to fiance DJ Ruckus, the pair becoming engaged last year.
Bachelor In Paradise was finally confirmed on Monday, after weeks of speculation.
And with former lovers and rivals set to be reunited in a tropical island destination, there will be plenty of reality TV drama on offer.
As rumours continue to swirl about potential contestants, Daily Mail Australia reveals several fantasy scenarios for the explosive spin-off.
So exciting! With former lovers and rivals set to be reunited in a tropical island destination, there will be plenty of reality TV drama on offer in Bachelor In Paradise. Pictured: Nikki Gogan
Nikki Gogan - first appeared in The Bachelor 2016
Nikki Gogan is widely tipped to appear in Bachelor in Paradise, after she was reportedly seen filming a promo for the series at Sydney's Palm Beach last month.
If the rumours are true, the real estate agent would likely play peacemaker between other female contestants - and could find herself the centre of male attention.
The show could even give her the chance to rekindle her romance with Richie Strahan, who broke up with Alex Nation earlier this year and is believed to be single.
The easygoing Northam girl could also find herself pursued by country boy Sasha Mielczarek, who last month revealed he was looking for someone down to earth.
Would they get back together? The show would give Nikki the chance to rekindle her romance with Richie Strahan, who is believed to be single following his split with Alex Nation this year
Another shot at love? Unlucky-in-love Richie Strahan is also being mentioned as a possible candidate for the inaugural season of Bachelor in Paradise
Richie Strahan - first appeared in The Bachelorette 2015
Unlucky-in-love Richie Strahan is also being mentioned as a possible candidate for the inaugural season of Bachelor in Paradise.
He first appeared on The Bachelorette in 2015, placing third, before finding love with Alex Nation on The Bachelor 2016. But it didn't last.
It's possible Richie would try and reunite with Nikki - who was the favourite to win his heart last year - but would have to work hard to win her affections.
But Richie, a gentleman known to prefer blondes, could also find himself drawn to another fair-haired possible contestant, Simone Ormesher.
Will she take him back? It's possible Richie would try and reunite with Nikki - who was the favourite to win his heart last year - but would have to work hard to win her affections
She likes the drama! If she signed up to Bachelor In Paradise, former Bachelor 'villain' Keira Maguire would likely find herself in conflict with her female rivals
Keira Maguire - first appeared in The Bachelor 2016
If she signed up to Bachelor In Paradise, former Bachelor 'villain' Keira Maguire would likely find herself in conflict with her female rivals.
But while she is known to enjoy 'drama', it's possible Keira would also try to instigate a summer romance with one of the male contestants.
In fact, her unsuccessful attempt at hooking up with Kris Smith on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! earlier this year could make her even more determined.
It's possible Keira could find herself drawn to Michael Turnbull - formerly of The Bachelorette 2015 - if he also appears on the show.
The pair share a love of flashy designer labels and were photographed sharing a flirty embrace on the red carpet last November.
Future romance? It's possible Keira could find herself drawn to Michael Turnbull - formerly of The Bachelorette 2015 - if he also appears on the show
Cheeky! She's known for her strong personality, and Jen Hawke certainly wouldn't shy away from any drama between herself and the female contestants
Jen Hawke - first appeared in The Bachelor 2017
She's known for her strong personality, and Jen Hawke certainly wouldn't shy away from any drama between herself and the female contestants.
In fact, she already has a score to settle with 'Instagram rival', Keira Maguire.
The two 'villains' have been trading blows via social media for months, after Keira attacked Jen in a series of videos.
It's also possible the feisty brunette would consider rekindling her romance with former Bachelorette star Jake Ellis, who she dated last year.
Back together? It's also possible the feisty brunette would consider rekindling her romance with former Bachelorette star Jake Ellis, who she dated last year
Energetic: If a part of the Bachelor In Paradise cast, 'Tahitian goddess' Elora Murger would likely be the focus of plenty of male attention on the island
Elora Murger - first appeared on The Bachelor 2017
If a part of the Bachelor In Paradise cast, 'Tahitian goddess' Elora Murger would likely be the focus of plenty of male attention on the island.
The adventurous F45 personal trainer could also motivate her friends to exercise and explore the tropical location, which is widely believed to be Fiji.
There's no doubt the Bachelorette boys would happily join her for a beach workout - indeed, several of them already follow Elora on Instagram.
She's got moves! The adventurous F45 personal trainer could also motive her friends to exercise and explore the tropical location, which is widely believed to be Fiji
Bombshell: Simone Ormesher, a fun-loving blonde from Manchester, UK, would likely find herself popular with the male contestants if she joined Bachelor In Paradise
Simone Ormesher - first appeared in The Bachelor 2017
Simone Ormesher, a fun-loving blonde from Manchester, UK, would likely find herself popular with the male contestants if she joined Bachelor In Paradise.
The former topless waitress is also no stranger to showing off her stunning figure in bikinis, which places her at an advantage in the tropical setting.
There could also be plenty of giggles and shenanigans between Simone and Elora, as they both struck up a close friendship on The Bachelor earlier this year.
She looks amazing! The former topless waitress is also no stranger to showing off her stunning figure in bikinis, which places her at an advantage in the tropical setting
Back with the boys! Sasha Mielczarek would feel right at home if he signs up to Bachelor in Paradise, as he would likely be reuniting with several of his former Bachelorette buddies
Sasha Mielczarek - first appeared on The Bachelorette 2015
Sasha Mielczarek would feel right at home if he signs up to Bachelor in Paradise, as he would likely be reuniting with several of his former Bachelorette buddies.
It's possible single Sasha would be looking for romance and a genuine connection, with Nikki Gogan being a potential match for the construction manager.
Nikki has a down-to-earth personality, much like Sasha's ex-girlfriend Sam Frost.
But any flirtations between the pair could cause conflict with Richie Strahan, who has history with Nikki dating back to their Bachelor days.
Love quest: It's possible single Sasha would be looking for romance and a genuine connection, with Nikki Gogan being a potential match. Pictured with ex-girlfriend Sam Frost
A possible relationship? Micheal Turnbull, a runner-up on The Bachelorette 2015, could be looking for love or publicity on Bachelor In Paradise - and he may even hook up with Keira
Michael Turnbull - The Bachelorette 2015
Micheal Turnbull, a runner-up on the first season of The Bachelorette, could be looking for love or publicity on Bachelor In Paradise.
But if he does get lucky, Keira Maguire is a likely candidate for his affections as they already know each other.
Meanwhile, there would be potential for conflict between Michael and Sasha, as the former love rivals clashed over Sam Frost in 2015.
Settling a beef? Meanwhile, there would be potential for conflict between Michael and Sasha, as the former love rivals clashed over Sam Frost in 2015
A second shot? If former Bachelorette contestant Jake Ellis were to make an appearance, he could possibly reunite with former flame Jen Hawke
Jake Ellis - first appeared in The Bachelorette 2015
If former Bachelorette contestant Jake Ellis were to make an appearance, he could possibly reunite with former flame Jen Hawke.
As Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed back in April, the pair briefly dated before Jen began filming The Bachelor 2017.
But if he's over Jen, The Brisbane-based heartthrob would have no shortage of female admirers as he is considered one of the franchise's most likeable stars.
The 17th annual Chattanooga Dances concert will be presented in the Center for Creative Arts Auditorium Thursday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m.
The concert highlights the citys non-profit dance organizations along with those schools that maintain a full dance curriculum. Companies appearing on this years concert will be Ballet Tennessee, Barger Academys Movement Makers, Baylors Verve, Center for Creative Arts Project Motion, Chattanooga Ballet and GPS Terpsichord.
"The evening will showcase Chattanoogas diverse dance community with a variety of genres from both professional and student choreographers. Join us for this unique evening when Chattanoogas dance organizations appear on the same stage. Audience and dancers alike can celebrate the richness of the dance community in Chattanooga and experience a taste of what each organization has to offer. The Chattanooga Dances! concert has become an anticipated event over its history as a valuable collaborative arts experience," officials said.
Karen Wilson, director of Dance at Center for Creative Arts, sees the concert as an important partnership between Chattanoogas public and private schools as well as among the communitys diverse dance organizations.
"Kudos to CCA's Chattanooga Dances concert for bringing our dance community together annually to celebrate both our unity of passion for dance and our diversity of artistry. states Andrew Parker, Chattanooga Ballet Co. artistic director.
Chattanooga Dances is the premier regional concert for non-profit performing dance organizations and schools. It provides an exciting artistic cross-pollination for dancers/choreographers of all ages. says Cathie Kasch, director of Dance at GPS.
Brittany Johnson-Mills, programs administrator at Ballet Tennessee, said of the annual event, I am privileged to have grown up in this community and fondly remember performing as a student in many Chattanooga Dances concerts. Now that I am an adult instructor and choreographer, creating works for my students to perform, participating in Chattanooga Dances has really come full circle in my life.
Tickets are available at the door for $5. For more information, call 423-209-5942.
Bethenny Frankel arrived in Puerto Rico to aid victims of Hurricane Maria on Monday.
The reality star, 46, touched down in the U.S. territory along with four planes she chartered that carryied donations and supplies.
'This is hell,' the business mogul said during an Instagram story she shared in which she detailed the devastation of the natural disaster.
Scroll down for video
Arrival: Bethenny Frankel, 46, arrived in Puerto Rico to aid hurricane victims on Monday
Bethenny began her video slideshow in the plane on the way to the island.
As soon as she arrives, the Real Housewives of New York star started documenting the destruction of the hurricanes.
A truck carrying supplies from two of the planes arrived in a small village as people lined up immediately to receive aid.
Nightmare: 'This is hell' the business mogul exclaims during an Instagram story of herself witnessing the devastation of Hurricanes Maria and Irma
Relief:A truck carrying supplies from two of the planes arrived in a small village as people began lining up immediately to receive aid
Bethenny then visited an elementary school where 27 families have been living there for the past 11 days.
As she continued to see the horror, Bethenny repeated 'this is hell' over and over.
'l am not exaggerating, this is the worst thing I've ever seen in my entire life,' the selfless beauty exclaimed.
Devastation: 'l am not exaggerating, this is the worst thing I've ever seen in my entire life,' the selfless beauty exclaimed
Unbelievable: Bethenny came upon a group of natives that are keeping posiitve
Saving grace: She was seen helping senior citizens trapped on the island into the plane to get them home to the mainland
Bethenny met Gloria Cruz who keeps positive by saying 'We have life' even though her home was destroyed. Bethenny gave her $500.
She was also seen helping senior citizens trapped on the island into the plane to get them home to the mainland.
Bethenny pledged to personally distribute over 20,000 pounds of supplies and $50,000 in gift cards and cash during her humanitarian trip.
Outreach: Bethenny chartered four planes filled with supplies for the hurricane-stricken residents of Puerto Rico; (pictured helping earthquake victims in Mexico last week)
Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20, leaving all 3.5 million residents on the 100-mile-long island without electricity.
According to a report by CNN, Hurricane Maria is believed to have killed at least 10 people, with rescue workers describing the conditions as 'apocalyptic'.
The island was still recovering from Hurricane Irma, which had hit two weeks earlier, leaving three people dead.
Bethenny will arrive a day before President Trump with water, canned goods, diapers, baby food, medical supplies, etc.
Loading up: Bethenny posted a picture of one of the planes being loaded with supplies
Supplies: One snap shows a warehouse full of palettes of water bottles that will make their way onto the plane
She will be bringing back sick and wounded women and children on the planes for treatment in the United States.
The selfless entrepreneur is spending her own money for this venture representing her B Strong charity.
On her Instagram page, she posted pictures of the planes and supplies that will be heading down to the U.S. territory.
Helping out: Another post shows volunteers packing boxes with supplies for the victims
One snap showed a warehouse full of palettes of water bottles that will make their way onto the plane.
Another post showed volunteers packing boxes with supplies for the victims.
A photo of one of the planes was captioned: 'Paying my own way for Puerto Rico. Filling this B up w supplies.'
Bethenny has partnered with Delivering Good, Doctors4Puertorico.com, Fundacionhospitalpediatico.org, University Pediatric Hospital and Global Empowerment Mission for this amazing effort.
Early arrival: Bethenny will arrive a day before President Trump with water, canned goods, diapers, baby food, medical supplies, etc
Cash is king: The reality star will personally distribute over 20,000 pounds of supplies and $50,000 in gift cards and cash during her humanitarian trip
She was an 'It' model of the nineties, who famously shunned the limelight after she called off her engagement with billionaire businessman James Packer in 1998.
And now Tziporah Malkah, formerly known as Kate Fischer, has taken to Instagram to share an epic throwback of herself at just 15 years.
The now 43-year-old, who had a career resurgence earlier this year thanks to a stint on reality TV, shared her 1989 Follow Me magazine cover.
Can YOU guess who this model of the 90s is? A magazine cover features the current-day reality star at just 15 years
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Tziporah captioned her post: 'Follow Me Magazine 1989. Aged 15.'
Tziporah as Kate in her teen years, sported a high-neck black lace ensemble with significant bead detailing across the chest.
A pair of gold drop earrings worked as the rising model's accessory.
Former self: Tziporah, previously known as Kate Fischer, was a high-profile model of the nineties, appearing on the cover of Vogue Australia four times
On-screen: Her career continuously on the rise, she also dabbled in film and television, starring alongside Elle Macpherson, Portia de Rossi and Hugh Grant, in the Australian production Sirens
Tziporah's brunette locks were swept into an up-do, with several curly strands left to frame her face.
Gazing intently at the camera, Tziporah's facial features were enhanced with a glamorous makeup palette.
Tziporah, formerly known as Kate Fischer, was a high-profile model of the nineties, appearing on the cover of Vogue Australia four times.
Her career continuously on the rise, she also dabbled in film and television, starring alongside Elle Macpherson, Portia de Rossi and Hugh Grant, in the Australian production Sirens.
High-profile romance: But after calling off her engagement with billionaire businessman James Packer (pictured) in 1998 after five years together, Tziporah fled from the spotlight, making the United States her new home base
Back in the spotlight: It wasn't until early this year that the personality had a career resurgence, appearing on reality series I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!
Out in the jungle: Tziporah appeared on the season earlier this year, alongside The Bachelor's Keira Maguire and songstress Natalie Bassingthwaighte
But after calling off her engagement with billionaire businessman James Packer in 1998 after five years together, Tziporah fled from the spotlight, making the United States her new home base.
It wasn't until early this year that the personality had a career resurgence, appearing on reality series I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!
Tziporah was a fan favourite, and with her new status as reality star, landed radio and television appearances, as well as a cover spread for New Idea magazine.
She now lives in Toorak, Melbourne, working in the health care sector, believed to still be dating Guy Vasey, 46, a former flame who she dated as a teenager.
Making deals: Tziporah was a fan favourite, and with her new status as reality star, landed radio and television appearances, as well as a cover spread for New Idea magazine
She's set to appear in an upcoming episode of Just Tattoo Of Us.
And Imogen Anthony was recently forced to explain the inspiration behind her vast tattoo collection during a visit to her grandmother's farm.
In a lengthy Instagram post, the 26-year-old showed off her naked frame showcasing the tattoos on her arm and torso.
'There's a story behind every inking!' Imogen Anthony was recently forced to explain the inspiration behind her vast tattoo collection during a visit to her grandmother's farm
'Collection is slowly growing with a meaning or a story behind every inking,' she wrote.
'That doesn't mean you can't have meaningless tattoos though! Art is expression.'
Imogen told her legions of followers that her 80-year-old grandmother 'hates' her tattoos.
Her grandma candidly asked why she would do 'self mutilation' and said tattoos would make her look funny when she's old.
Art is expression: In a lengthy Instagram post, the 26-year-old showed off her naked frame showcasing the tattoos on her arm and torso
The glamour model explained that her tattoos symbolise memories and milestones in her life such as road trips with her mother, her favourite music, and her late goat Cheechy.
'Do what you want, life is too short to NOT express yourself in any way you find necessary (as long as it doesn't hurt others),' Imogen told her followers.
'Memories may always be in your mind, but sometimes we also like to see them, even if it's only a reminder... I think the best point I'm trying to make here is to let people be, and what will be, will be.'
Think pink! This comes after Imogen enjoyed a night out at Sydney's red-light district Kings Cross and flaunted her barely-there outfit for the camera
Many of her fans loved that she opened up about that part of her life, one commented: 'Loved reading that about you', while another said 'you are amazing young woman.'
Her heartfelt post comes after sharing her partying pictures from a night a in Sydney's Kings Cross on her social media.
Wearing a fluorescent pink wig and skimpy, backless sequinned topwith denim jeans and bedazzled boots, Imogen ensured she wouldn't get cold by bringing along a pink fur stole.
Night on the town: In another shot, Imogen was seen striking a pose with a friend revealing she was excited to make her Kings Cross comeback'
In another shot, Imogen was seen striking a pose with a friend revealing she was excited to make her 'Kings Cross comeback'.
'The Cross is making a comeback baby! But don't be a d**khead - keep it cool, be cool and stick to your own fun with your mates,' she advised.
'No one wants to get hurt... #dontbead**khead,' Imogen added referring to the recent lock-out laws imposed upon many bars and clubs in the Kings Cross area.
Clint Eastwood and Frances Fisher broke up back in 1995.
Yet they put on a happy face and beamed for the cameras as they posed at The London Hotel in West Hollywood with their daughter Francesca Eastwood.
The trio were at the joint Monday evening for the Los Angeles premiere of the new film M.F.A., in which 24-year-old Francesca stars.
Scroll down for video
Party of three: Clint Eastwood and Frances Fisher, broken up since 1995, joined their daughter Francesca Eastwood at the premiere of her film M.F.A. in Los Angeles on Monday
Francesca was chic in a robe-like white top that featured a sash that cinched it in about her enviably slim midsection, showing off her trim torso.
She'd clashed the blouse stylishly against a skintight pair of black trousers that played up her legs, and she balanced on sky-high black stilettos.
Meanwhile, her 80-year-old father had buttoned on a powder blue dress shirt and tucked it into light grey slacks, winding a brown belt about his waistline.
Emphasis: Francesca was chic in a robe-like white top that featured a sash that cinched it in about her enviably slim midsection, showing off her trim torso
He'd completed the ensemble with a pair of grey-laced navy sneakers.
Frances, 65, who'd dated Clint from 1990 until 1995, had flung on a black leather jacket dotted with patches for her daughter's big night.
She'd slid into a cleavage-baring charcoal top and matching charcoal leggings that slid into a gleaming pair of black high-heeled boots.
Smiling ear to ear: Meanwhile, her 80-year-old father had buttoned on a powder blue dress shirt and tucked it into light grey slacks, winding a brown belt about his waistline
Clint never married Frances, but he has had two marriages, once before being with Francesca's mother and once very shortly thereafter.
He's got a fleet of children by multiple mothers, including the 31-year-old actor and sex symbol Scott Eastwood, Clint's son by Jacelyn Reeves, whom he never married.
Directed by Natalie Leite, the thriller M.F.A. celebrated its world premiere this March at the South By Southwest Film Festival over in Austin, Texas.
He's currently in the running to win Sophie Monk's heart on The Bachelorette.
And after being dubbed a 'stage five clinger' by fans, it appears Jarrod Woodgate doesn't win the show.
It was reported on Tuesday that the 31-year-old vineyard manager has an active profile on the dating app, Bumble.
Scroll down for video
So he doesn't win then? The Bachelorette's 'stage five clinger' Jarrod Woodgate is on dating up Bumble
The account features a photo of a suit-clad Jarrod dancing at his sister's wedding back in 2015, which could no doubt confuse potential love interests.
Meanwhile, this week, an ex-girlfriend of Jarrod, referred to only as Amy, came forward and spoke about what it's like to date him.
She said that his onscreen portrayal is true to his personality.
What will they think? It's believed that Jarrod has a picture of himself dancing at his sister's wedding back in 2015 on profile, which could confuse potential love interests no doubt
Rejected by Sophie? The hunk is pictured on The Bachelorette with Sophie Monk, when he gifted her a pair of ugg boots
She also said she believes he is appearing on the show with the genuine intention of finding love.
'He has seen something he wants and is going for it,' Amy told New Idea.
'He couldn't give a damn about fame and fortune. Everyone wants to fall in love and be happy with that special someone, and he deserves it.'
The hairdresser began dating Jarrod in 2010 after meeting through his sister in their Victorian hometown, the publication reported.
'He wants to fall in love': Meanwhile, this week, an ex-girlfriend of Jarrod - referred to only as 32-year-old Amy- has come forward and spoke about what it's like to date him
She revealed dating the 31-year-old was a fun and romantic experience, and she was always felt looked after.
'He's a man, not a boy. He has his life set up and he's a catch,' Amy said.
Amy's insight comes after Jarrod revealed that when it comes to matters of the heart, he tends to fall too hard too soon.
Speaking to TV Week last week, the vineyard manager admitted that his last relationship ended because he was getting 'too clingy.'
She's been one of the most in demand models of Paris Fashion Week.
And Winnie Harlow was naturally in attendance at the MENE Collection Celebrations during Paris Fashion Week SS18, joined by the likes of Jasmine Sanders for the fashion bash on Monday.
The model, 23, opted for a casual ensemble, donning a double denim look including ripped jeans and a studded jacket.
Scroll down for video
Partying in style: Winnie Harlow stole the show at the MENE Collection Celebrations during Paris Fashion Week SS18 on Monday night
Winnie set off her look with a funky pair of lace-up boots and dressed the outfit down with a plain white T-shirts.
She commanded attention as she posed up a storm inside the fashion party, exuding confidence.
Jasmine plumped for an all-white ensemble, teaming a fluffy jacket with a pair of silk sportswear trousers.
White hot: Jasmine Sanders was looking lovely in an all-white silk ensemble
Double denim: Winnie 23, opted for a casual ensemble, donning a double denim look including ripped jeans and a studded jacket
Joining forces: Winnie dressed the outfit down with a plain white T-shirt, posing alongside Mohammed Al Turki
Looking good: Jasmine plumped for an all-white ensemble, teaming a fluffy jacket with a pair of silk sportswear trousers
Sports luxe: The model put a fashionable spin on her on-trend outfit
She added a fashionable twist with a pair of shiny metallic boots in keeping with the futuristic vibe of the outfit.
Also in attendance at the event was male model of the moment Jordan Barrett and Australian beauty Shanina Shaik.
Winnie was diagnosed with vitiligo around the age of four, making her among one per cent of the population who has the condition.
Silk sensation: Shanina Shaik cut an elegant figure in elegant silk co-ords
Elegant: The star accessorised with gold hoop earrings and a tiered necklace
Taking the plunge: Georgia Fowler flashed her bra in a menswear inspired blazer
Posing up a storm: Jordan Barrett and Elizabeth Sulcer were enjoying the party
Peekaboo: Male model of the moment Jordan peered out from behind a fan
She was physically taunted later in life and said a group of girls 'jumped her' in a fight, which led to her being suspended because she started skipping class.She dropped out of school at the age of 17 and never looked back.
Winnie, who was working at a call centre, was scouted on Facebook and was quickly snapped up to star in a string of campaigns and music videos
When she excelled on the 21st series of America's Next Top Model, judge Tyra Banks said that Winnie's skin breaks down barriers of what is considered beautiful.
Now Winnie, who describes her self as a 'vitiligo spokesmodel' on Instagram, is being celebrated for her distinctive look.
Partying the night away: Lameka Fox joined Jordan for their wild night out
Cosying up: Jordan and Georgina were spotted chatting the night away
She's the bubbly Australian entertainer, who always appears to be in high spirits.
And on Tuesday, Patti Newton appeared upbeat despite suffering a nasty fall in Victoria.
The 72-year-old media personality took to Instagram from a hospital bed, where she told her fans she was 'lucky' there had been 'no permanent damage.'
'So lucky no permanent damage': Patti Newton, 72, is recovering in hospital after suffering head injury from fall on Tuesday
Patti, the wife of TV legend Bert Newton, gestured a peace sign with her right hand as she lay down with a brace visible around her neck.
The former radio and television presenter captioned the image: 'Had a fall and hit my head, I'm so Lucky after Scans no permanent damage,just a sore and glued head.'
She also took the opportunity to thank hospital staff: 'Thank you to the #frankstonhospital they were just wonderful to us xx.'
'After Scans no permanent damage, just a sore and glued head': Patti, the wife of TV legend Bert Newton, gestured a peace sign with her right hand as she lay down with a brace visible around her neck
'It was the new puppy': While one friend suggested Patti had been chasing her grandkids, Patti appeared to confirm she was chasing, or playing, with her newest pup when the incident occurred
Merrilyn, believed to be a close friend of the star, commented on the upload: 'Story (sic) chasing the grand kids Patti, that'll do it every time haha!!!'
Patti responded directly to Merrilyn with: '@merrilyn1946 no it was the new puppy Billy.'
Many other followers shared their well-wishes and get-well-soons under the snap.
Loved-up! The bubbly Australian entertainer has been married to partner Bert for the past 43 years
Earlier this year, Patti's husband Bert received a quadruple heart bypass surgery, despite being given a 50 per cent chance of survival.
This week, he told New Idea 'every morning is a bonus' and credited his wife of 43 years, Patti, for his recovery.
'Patti takes extra special care of what I do and particularly what I don't do,' he said.
Patti and Bert share two children and four grandchildren.
She is no stranger to flashing her lithe physique in revealing and eccentric dresses.
And Lady Victoria Hervey put on perhaps her most bizarre appearance to date as she paid homage to a breakfast favourite while attending the Philip Colbert: New Paintings private view at London's Saatchi Gallery on Monday.
The socialite, 40, looked happy and confident as she stepped out in a quirky baked bean can design design shift dress, covered in a healthy smattering of sequins
Scroll down for video
Wow: Lady Victoria Hervey put on perhaps her most bizarre appearance to date as she paid homage to a breakfast favourite while attending the Philip Colbert: New Paintings private view at London's Saatchi Gallery on Monday
Bizarre: The socialite, 40, looked happy and confident as she stepped out in a quirky baked bean can design design shift dress, covered in a healthy smattering of sequins
The out-there garment, which retails at just under 2,000 was mocked up to look like a can of Heinz Baked Beans and even featured the iron-rich treat's 57 varieties tagline along the hem, with the neckline resembling a tin can lid.
Although highly unusual in design, Lady Victoria was actually showing her support for the artist and fashion designer Philip, with the dress' a couture piece from his pop art label, The Rodnik Band.
The star wore her platinum locks in bouncy curls, and keeping the focus on the dress, accentuated her sparkling eyes with smoky make-up, finishing off her look with a slick of pink gloss.
She added height to her look and drew attention to her toned legs with simple black stiletto heels.
Quirky: The out-there garment was mocked up to look like a can of Heinz Baked Beans and even featured the iron-rich treat's 57 varieties tagline along the hem, with the neckline resembling a tin can lid
Glittering: Although highly unusual in design, Lady Victoria was actually showing her support for the artist and fashion designer Philip, with the dress' a couture piece from his pop art label, The Rodnik Band
The outing comes after Lady Victoria flew to Kenya for a fashion photoshoot at the world famous Amboseli National Park last week.
The shoot came after she wrapped up filming for her new Celebrity Showmance on ITV2 airing from October 4.
Victoria has never been one to shy away from the cameras, as she recently hit the small screen in reality series Living with Lady Victoria.
Following Jamie O'Hara's brief appearance on the show, rumours circulated that he and Victoria were in a relationship.
Not her first time: The blonde beauty is known for her daring fashion choices (pictured in London in February 2017)
The pair were spotted kissing after a visit to Worthing, Sussex's Castle Goring in July.
Victoria also caused shockwaves in April after revealing she shared a threesome with former Spice Girls star Mel B and her estranged husband Stephen Belafonte.
The socialite was said to be terrified that their antics had been recorded by Stephen and would be leaked to the media.
'She is absolutely mortified that her sex life could become public property,' a close friend told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview.
'The last thing she wants is to star in a sordid sex tape or to have horrible details of her private life dragged through the divorce courts.'
She recently got her relationship back on track following an explosive bust up in a London nightclub.
And now Olivia Attwood, 26, is looking happier than ever as she flaunted her slender frame in Manchester in the wake of her beau Chris Hughes and Love Island alum Kem Cetinay's new song A Little Bit Leave It going to number one in the iTunes chart.
The ITV2 star looked sensational as she teased at her buxom bust in a striking lace blouse as she arrived to celeb favourite Neighbourhood for a bite to eat on Monday night.
Scroll down for video
Sizzled: Olivia Attwood, 26, is looking happier than ever as she flaunted her slender frame in Manchester
Her sheer top hinted at her black undergarments while the neck-tie detail drew attention further to her ample cleavage as it fell inbetween her chest.
All smiles for the evening out with her pal, she teamed her eye-popping look with a pair of pin-flaunting motorbike inspired leather trousers.
The blonde bombshell's skintight pants featured silver zip detail around her thighs and knee while she navigated the path in her black boots.
Keeping to her leather theme, Olivia wrapped a chic leather jacket around her statuesque frame while draping a taupe-coloured tote over her forearm.
Celebrations: Her appearance comes in the wake of her beau Chris Hughes and Love Island alum Kem Cetinay's new song A Little Bit Leave It going to number one in the iTunes chart
Stepping out: The ITV2 star looked sensational as she teased at her buxom bust in a striking lace blouse as she arrived to celeb favourite Neighbourhood for a bite to eat on Monday night
Working her trademark half up half down 'do, Olivia completed her saucy look with a dramatic smokey eye and nude lip.
Her sensational appearance comes as her beau Chris' debut single with reality star pal Kem went straight to the top of the UK iTunes chart within three hours of release.
The pair - who formed a bromance during this year's instalment of Love Island - dropped their new track Little Bit Leave It on Monday night.
Taking to Twitter to promote their track, Kem wrote: 'WE DID IT!!! Your support has been truly amazing Little Bit Leave It is OUT NOW!!!'
Beaming: All smiles for the evening out with her pal, she teamed her eye-popping look with a pair of pin-flaunting motorbike inspired leather trousers
WE DID IT!!! Your support has been truly amazing Little Bit Leave It is OUT NOW!!! #ChrisAndKemTo1 https://t.co/1rtKFZsTsQ pic.twitter.com/IojxC2tuba Kem (@KemCetinay) October 2, 2017
Success: Within hours of the song's release, it climbed to the top of the charts overtaking Sam Smith, Little Mix and Pink for the coveted number one spot
While Chris posted: 'When we bantered about 'Little Bit Leave It out October' in the villa.... Little did we know. Everyone you're all special love me and Kem.'
Within hours of the song's release, it climbed to the top of the charts overtaking Sam Smith, Little Mix and Pink for the coveted number one spot.
Kem shared following the news: 'Number #1 in 3 hours HOW HAS THIS HAPPENED! best moment in my life ever!! Support has been crazy.'
Their success comes hours after Olivia opened up about Chris' furore with Katie Price and branded the Loose Women panellist, 39, as 'delusional' and 'tragic' while tensions continue to rise between the trio.
They're back: Her sensational appearance comes as her beau Chris' debut single with reality star pal Kem went straight to the top of the UK iTunes chart within three hours of release
Cute: The pair - who formed a bromance during this year's instalment of Love Island - dropped their new track Little Bit Leave It on Monday night
Speaking to OK! Magazine, the ITV2 star admitted that she would be too 'proud' to ever text a man more than once without a response - referencing Katie's early morning messages to her beau.
'He showed me the messages whenever he got them but it wasnt something we spent much time talking about,' she shared. 'It just had a bit of a tragic feel to it. Ive never double messaged a guy in my life, Im too proud for that.'
'Chris is the first guy Ive ever dated who I have no reason to be insecure with. Katie was a bit delusional to think Chris would fancy her or cheat on me. Shes the opposite of Chriss type. I am too.
Speaking out: Their success comes hours after Olivia opened up about Chris' furore with Katie Price and branded the Loose Women panellist, 39, as 'delusional' and 'tragic' while tensions continue to rise between the trio
'Tragic': 'He showed me the messages whenever he got them but it wasnt something we spent much time talking about,' she shared. 'It just had a bit of a tragic feel to it. Ive never double messaged a guy in my life, Im too proud for that'
Adding: 'He doesnt usually like fake boobs, fake hair and loud girls. We only work because we were forced to get to know each other so well in the Love Island villa.'
The bickering began after Chris previously revealed that mother-of-five Katie had sent him 'flirty' messages in a recent interview.
Hitting back at his comments, Katie appeared outrage and called the reality star out for the comment, denying that she had ever sent anything.
Despite her claims, Chris then shared screenshots of the messages on his social media and now Olivia has said that her beau only revealed them after he was 'backed into a corner'.
Defend: Despite her claims, Chris then shared screenshots of the messages on his social media and now Olivia has said that her beau only revealed them after he was 'backed into a corner'
The Cheltenham native also appeared on Loose Women on Friday after accusing model Katie of flirting with him over text message.
Revealing all about the messages he allegedly received from her, Chris claimed she had 'repetitively' sent 'flirty' messages to him in the early hours of the morning.
He said: 'Someone asked if they were flirty messages, I said yeah, in my opinion, they are flirty, I've got a girlfriend.'
In the past: The Cheltenham native also appeared on Loose Women on Friday after accusing model Katie of flirting with him over text message (Pictured with Katie in August)
'They are flirty': He said: 'Someone asked if they were flirty messages, I said yeah, in my opinion, they are flirty, I've got a girlfriend'
Chris also revealed he would have refused to appear on Loose Women if Katie had been on the panel.
He added: 'Like she said on Twitter, she's met me once, she doesn't know me, and to message at half three in the morning and to message someone repetitively when they've not responded and they've got a girlfriend, that's flirting.'
The pair recently reconciled after a nightclub bust-up caused Olivia to flee to Germany, with Chris accusing her of dancing with another man in the club.
Chris was spotted more loved-up than every with his beau as they attended the launch of Thorpe Park's Fright Night on Thursday.
He's the Australian 'bad boy' of fashion, who has previously been linked to models Bella Hadid, Hailey Baldwin, Sofia Richie and Lara Stone.
And Jordan Barrett has been pictured mingling with a bevy of other beauties during the past month of Paris and New York Fashion Week events.
The 20-year-old hunk was most recently spotted cosying up to American model Lameka Fox while attending MENE Collection Celebrations during Paris Fashion Week on Monday.
Ladies man! Australian 'bad boy' model Jordan Barrett cuddles up to ANOTHER beautiful woman at Paris Fashion Week's MENE Collection Celebrations event on Monday
The genetically-blessed model nuzzled his head onto the stunner's shoulder as he posed for photos.
Jordan, who was just named the male model of the year by the Daily Front Row, wore a white shirt with a white denim jacket.
Lameka flaunted her enviable frame and assets in a sheer black bodice that provided a glimpse of her exposed nipples.
That's close! Jordan was spotted cosying up to American model Lameka Fox at the event, as she showed off her enviable body in a sheer black bodice that flaunted her assets and exposed nipples
Cosy! He later put on a flirtatious display with Victoria's Secret model Georgia Fowler, who previously dated musician Harry Styles
A fan? Jordan was also spotted with stylist Elizabeth Sulcer, who is married to husband Tom Palmer
The pair looked comfortable sitting next to each other at the event, as they used black fans as props for photos.
He later put on a flirtatious display with Victoria's Secret model Georgia Fowler, who previously dated musician Harry Styles.
Jordan was also spotted with stylist Elizabeth Sulcer, who is married to husband Tom Palmer.
Elizabeth showed cleavage in a glitter-soaked crop top under a silk suit jacket.
Stylish! Elizabeth showed cleavage and her taut stomach in a glitter-soaked crop top under a silk suit jacket
Fashionable friends: On Wednesday at Paris Fashion week's Isabel Marant show, Jordan also rubbed shoulder with American model Emily Ratajkowski, who looked stunning in a dark green, two piece ensemble and a pair of white heels
On Wednesday at Paris Fashion week's Isabel Marant show, Jordan also rubbed shoulder with American model Emily Ratajkowski, who looked stunning in a dark green, two piece ensemble and a pair of white heels.
However, the model sent tongues wagging when he was spotted locking lips with 62-year-old former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld at the Daily Front Row's Fashion Media Awards in New York the week prior.
He put on a cosy display, as Carine rested her head on Jordan's shoulder before they leaned in for a kiss.
The 20-year-old was at the event to accept the award for Male Model of the Year, cementing himself as one of the world's most sought after fashion identities.
He also posed with actress Bella Thorne during the event.
What's going on here? The model sent tongues wagging when he was spotted locking lips with 62-year-old former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld at the Daily Front Row's Fashion Media Awards in New York the week prior
Looking good! He also posed with actress Bella Thorne during the event
That's cheeky! Jordan uploaded saucy pictures with racy artist and photographer Alana O'Herlihy to his Instagram during New York Fashion Week, as Alana flashed her breasts to the public from a New York fire escape
Continuing with his cheeky behaviour, Jordan also uploaded saucy pictures with racy artist and photographer Alana O'Herlihy to his Instagram during New York Fashion Week.
He was spotted casually smoking and taking in the view from a New York fire escape with Alana, who is believed to be dating Bob Dylan's grandson Levi Dylan.
Known for his long list of rumoured flames, Jordan provided the view of another of his potential love connections as Alana pulled down her white singlet to publicly expose her very ample assets.
The blonde flashed a cheeky smile as she leaned over the balcony railing and proudly exposed her voluptuous bust alongside Jordan.
Past: He's the Australian 'bad boy' of fashion, who has previously been linked to models Bella Hadid, Hailey Baldwin, Sofia Richie and Lara Stone
Last month, Jordan told The Daily Telegraph that he is planning to make a foray into acting.
His first project will be starring in the short film Carte Blanche from Czech director Eva Dolezalova, shot in America.
'Hopefully if all things go well, there will be something else coming up on that side in October filming in Australia,' Jordan told the publication.
The Mike Baggetta Trio will perform at Barking Legs Theater on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Review for the Mike Baggetta Trio:
Mike Baggetta is a guitarist making some of the most beautiful and innovative music youll hear on the electric guitar. His musical style is jazz blended with rock, electronica, and country influences that creates a sound that is unique and universal simultaneously. Mike will be bringing some pretty heavy guns in bassist Jerome Harris and drummer Billy Mintz. Jerome played both bass and guitar for years with Sonny Rollins. He has also recorded and/or performed live on six continents with such jazz notables as Jack DeJohnette, Bill Frisell, Ray Anderson, Don Byron, Bobby Previte, Oliver Lake, Amina Claudine Myers, Bob Stewart, George Russell, Julius Hemphill, and Bob Moses. Billy Mintz has played in the bands of everyone from Lee Konitz in the 70s to Mike Garson (of David Bowie fame) to Charles Lloyd.
A member of the CoPAC presents series The Floor is Yours will be hosting their October event The Floor is Yours: Out in the World on Friday at 8 p.m. This monthly performance art showcase allows artists from around Chattanooga to perform uncensored. This month the theme asks the artists to reflect on what changes they want to see in the world and how to do something to make those changes possible. This month, because is it Tennessee Valley Pride and LGBT+ History Month, the Floor is Yours will also focus on the LGBT+ artists.
Other shows this October are: Mike Compton on Thursday, Joe Newberry on Friday, Oct. 13, and Burton Greene on Sunday, Oct. 22.
Scarlett Moffatt and her on/off boyfriend Like Crodden have unfollowed one another on social media - leading fans to speculate they have once again split.
The pair were an item for a year, with Luke, 28, supporting Scarlett, 26, through her I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! stint last November (which she went on to win), but split up in early 2017.
However, they rekindled the flame this summer and, despite the unfollowing that has gone on overnight, Scarlett's rep has insisted that they're 100% still together'.
Scroll down for video
Here we go again: Scarlett Moffatt UNFOLLOWS her boyfriend Luke Crodden on social media despite recent reconciliation... leading fans to assume they've split for the SECOND time this year
The precise reasoning for the unfollow isn't known with Luke last posting about Scarlett on September 10, screengrabbing a FaceTime chat between her and their dog, captioning it 'FaceTime with Mammy'.
Scarlett has not posted about Luke on Instagram since way back in the summer.
Their original split shocked fans after they declared how much they meant to each other, with Luke reported to move in with Scarlett in her new London home.
But Luke, who is a hairdresser, moved back to Newcastle with Scarlett being offered a slew of TV gigs including Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and the new season of Streetmate.
Relationship status? Despite the unfollowing that has gone on overnight, Scarlett's rep has insisted that they're 100% still together'
They decided to 'give it another go' according to a source who revealed details this summer, with Scarlett originally 'needing space from Luke during some critical months in her career'.
The source added: 'Now that Scarlett is more settled, she and Luke have been seeing a lot more of each other and have decided to make it official.'
Scarlett's rep told MailOnline: '100% still and item! No split at all. She may have been hacked [hence the unfollowing] but something completely innocent and nothing to do with them.'
Meanwhile, Scarlett's plate continues to heap with TV work.
She is now rumoured to be fronting the next season of Extra Camp - the I'm A Celeb... sister show on ITV2.
FaceTime with Mammy: The precise reasoning for the unfollow isn't known with Luke last posting about Scarlett on September 10, screengrabbing a FaceTime chat between her and their dog
It was revealed that Scarlett might be joined by her campmate from the last season of I'm A Celeb... Joel Dommett.
A source told The Sun: 'Show bosses wanted to refresh the format and give it a new lease of life.
'They feel Scarlett and Joel have great on-screen chemistry and theyre hoping the ratings will reflect that. They're a naturally funny pair together so the risk should pay off.'
Co-host? Scarlett might be joined by her I'm A Celebrity pal, hunky comedian Joel Dommett, to present the spin-off programme Extra Camp this year
Out of this world: Scarlett Moffatt has got the backing of legendary physicist Stephen Hawking over her bold time travel theory, sources claimed
A spokesman for Extra Camp declined to comment.
Elsewhere, a theory Scarlett floated while on I'm A Celeb... last year has led to an unlikely encounter with legendary physicist Stephen Hawking.
She suggested that the pyramids were designed by people from the future - a theory met with ridicule by her laughing campmates.
But Professor Hawking, 79, was reportedly impressed with the reality star's ideas and contacted her via email to suggest that she could be right.
Her theory was as follows: 'In order to travel back in time we have to go faster than light. The speed of light is the same latitude point as the tip of the great pyramid.
Hmm: The Gogglebox star, 26, suggested on I'm A Celebrity that the pyramids were designed by people from the future - a theory met with ridicule by her campmates
Theory: I'm A Celebrity winner Scarlett said in the jungle: 'I think someone from the future realised we'd need the pyramids and went back in time and built them'
'So I think someone from the future realised we'd need the pyramids and went back in time and built them.'
While her baffled campmates laughed at the theory, Scarlett seemed determined with the idea and reportedly contacted Hawking before she went to the jungle.
'Scarlett tried to contact him before the jungle, but got no reply,' a source told The Sun On Sunday.
'So she was staggered when, after she spoke, he got in touch and admitted her theory could well be right.'
The insider claimed I'm A Celebrity hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly received an email from the professor about Scarlett's theory.
He's the proud father to his three-year-old son Eric with partner Lauren Silverman.
Seeing everything through his son's eyes, Simon Cowell, 57, has now shared a nugget of advice with his offspring despite his young age, warning him already about future girlfriends and how to protect his private affairs.
The music mogul admitted that he has given his tiny tot the low-down on non-disclosure agreements - also known as NDA's - which ensures to keep love interests quiet about their relationship with a well-known name.
Scroll down for video
Warning: Simon Cowell, 57, has now shared a nugget of advice with his offspring despite his young age, warning him already about future girlfriends and how to protect his private affairs
Speaking on Fox News' OBJECTified, he shared: 'I sat Eric down and said, "I'm going to teach you three very, very important letters for when you get your first girlfriend" and I said 'It's NDA".'
'So Lauren comes in and I said, "Eric, what's the first thing you're gonna do when you get a girlfriend?" and he goes "Daddy says I have to get a NDA" and she goes "You taught him that?" and I said, "Well that's good advice."'
Despite his son only being three-years-old, Simon explained that he's already putting the groundwork in for Eric to follow in his footsteps and take over his music empire when he grows up.
He said: 'He has to take over for me. Ive put him in training. Hes down at the shows, he has the earplugs in. I would absolutely love it if he could do what I do.
Education: The music mogul admitted that he has given his tiny tot the low-down on non-disclosure agreements - also known as NDA's - which ensures to keep love interests quiet about their relationship with a well-known name
Honest: Speaking on Fox News' OBJECTified, he shared: 'I sat Eric down and said, "I'm going to teach you three very, very important letters for when you get your first girlfriend" and I said 'It's NDA"'
Aww: Simon beams as he shares a photo of an ultra sound for his now three-year-old son Eric as he calls it his favorite picture in the interview
'If he gravitates towards academics then fine - I would encourage him but I have a feeling he's gonna be more like me. I'm not going to lie, I'd love him to one day say, "Can I work for you and learn how to do it?"
'That would make me feel incredible - and then you have a legacy'.
The frank interview comes after Simon showed he counts the pennies just as much as the rest of us when a photo revealed the contents of his car boot including a McDonald's meal, some Lucozade, empty Corona bottles - and even a Bag For Life from ASDA.
The businessman showed the frugal side to his personality despite his extensive wealth after he packed up his car outside the Shooting Star Chase charity ball held at London's Dorchester Hotel on Saturday night.
Frugal mogul: Simon showed he counts the pennies just as much as the rest of us when a photo revealed the contents of his car boot after a charity bash in London on Saturday night
Cutting costs: The candid snap shows the music mogul is partial to McDonald's meals and Lucozade - while a Bag For Life from ASDA reveals he even loves a good supermarket shop
The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent judge, whose estimated net worth is $550million or 410million, according to The Richest, had been attending the star-studded ball in his capacity as Vice President of the children's hospice charity when the thrifty contents was snapped.
A bevy of other A-listers turned out for the good cause including patrons Dame Joan Collins and Sir Cliff Richard.
Simon looked on typically good form as he smiled and joked around with fans when stepped outside the venue hand in hand with the charity's fundraising director, Karen Sugarman.
Feeling good: Simon appeared to be in great spirits as he headed out of the bash with Karen later on
Main man: The X Factor judge, 57, showed the frugal side to his personality - despite his estimate net worth of 400million - after he packed up his car outside the Shooting Star Chase charity ball held at the Dorchester Hotel
Good cause: Simon (left, with fellow judge Louis Walsh, right) makes regular visits to both Shooting Star hospices to spend time with children and young people, according to the charity
If he was embarrassed by the contents of his car boot, the charmer certainly didn't let on, as he accepted people's well-wishes and requests for selfies outside the plush venue with grace.
In among the mess of the discarded Maccy D's bag and empty Corona bottles, the music industry tycoon tucked away one thing that gave away his wealth.
Simon made sure to fit into the boot a piece of valuable memorabilia he'd picked up in the ball's charity auction - a poster of the James Bond classic The Man with the Golden Gun, signed by the late Roger Moore.
But the tell-tale sign of a bulging purse and generous attitude to money didn't detract from the gravity of the rare insight into the philanthropist's life - and X Factor fans from across the country can now enjoy the pleasure of imagining him washing down a Big Mac with a healthy slosh of Lucozade.
He Asda bag a bargain: If he was embarrassed by the contents of his car boot, Simon certainly didn't let on. A Bag for Life was clearly visible under a box on the right hand side of the boot
It's been 20 years since Titanic sky-rocketed them both to fame.
And despite playing ill-fated sweethearts Rose and Jack in the 1997 blockbuster about the doomed cruise ship, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio's romantic chemistry was only ever on-screen.
Speaking on Tuesday's edition of Lorraine, Kate, 41, explained: 'I think for Leo and I it was seven months of very intense work, we were both really very young. And luckily, and this was the fortunate thing, we never fancied each other!
Scroll down for video
'We never fancied each other!' Kate Winslet reveals she and Titanic co-star Leonardo DiCaprio were 'just friends'... and that she once played with Emma Thompson's Oscar in her bathroom
Keeping it professional: Despite playing ill-fated sweethearts Rose and Jack in the 1997 blockbuster about the doomed cruise ship, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio 's romantic chemistry was only ever on-screen
'I know thats really annoying to hear, sorry. We really never did. So it did mean that we were able to have this be able to tease each other, which we still do, which is really amazing.'
It's well-documented that the pair have since remained close, despite it being two decades since they worked on Titanic.
'I can [believe its been 20 years] because Ive lived with it for 20 years,' the Oscar-winner told Lorraine Kelly. 'The lovely thing about Titanic for me now, my children and their friends their friends say, "Oh I love the bit in Titanic when you did" they are reciting lines from Titanic that, I mean, Ive long forgotten!
'Im like "Oh my god is that really what I said?" And theyre like, "Then Jack does this and then Rose does this..." and Im like goodness! I say to them, you werent born when that film was made, which makes me feel very old.
Just friends: Speaking on Tuesday's edition of Lorraine, Kate, 41, explained 'I think for Leo and I it was seven months of very intense work, we were both really very young. And luckily, and this was the fortunate thing, we never fancied each other'
Pals: It's well-documented that the pair have since remained close, despite it being two decades since they worked on Titanic
'Theres another generation of children who are enjoying it and loving it for the first time. Its like Mary Poppins I like to think.'
Kate also revealed that she once practised accepting an Oscar before she'd won one using Emma Thompson's.
'I remember going to Emma Thompsons house when I was much younger and didnt have an Oscar and her Oscar was on the back of the loo and I absolutely picked it up and absolutely went "I want to thank mum and dad"
'And then years later I was actually doing it and couldnt believe it. As I was holding it in my hand and staring at it I was thinking, Im really saying it and saying those things Ive dreamed of.
Practise makes perfect: Kate also revealed that she once practised accepting an Oscar before she'd won one using Emma Thompson's
Mentor: Kate was at Emma's house and played with her award in the toilet
'Never give up on your dreams. Im the most unlikely person that could have happened to!'
Kate followed Emma's lead and stores her Acadamy Award - which she won in 2008 for The Reader - in her downstairs loo.
'Thats the reason for it being in there. Everyone wants to hold it and say, "I want to thank my horse riding teacher and my sister for stealing my hairbrush"
'You have to give people that opportunity I think to have that little moment of fun.'
She was appearing on the show to promote The Mountain Between Us, her latest action movie that she stars alongside Idris Elba in, that sees her stranded on a mountain with him after a plane crash.
Winner: Kate won her Academy Award in 2008 for The Reader
Taking flight: She was appearing on the show to promote The Mountain Between Us, her latest action movie that she stars alongside Idris Elba [L] in, that sees her stranded on a mountain with him after a plane crash
20 years later: The Oscar-winner told Lorraine Kelly 'the lovely thing about Titanic for me now, my children and their friends their friends say, "Oh I love the bit in Titanic when you did" they are reciting lines from Titanic that, I mean, Ive long forgotten'
Of shooting on the edge of a mountain, she said: 'We didnt know what to expect out of every day. Wed have four different versions of the day on our call sheet if you couldnt fly at all we would literally just have to make stuff up, wed have to change location, change dialogue sometimes.
'It was fantastic to work in that kind of a spontaneous environment. I have to say the world is beautiful up there. I was very awe struck by just how incredible it was in the Canadian Rockies.'
She went on to add: 'The thing for me, you use so much more energy just breathing, so we were incredibly tired. I do remember coming home at night and really honestly sleeping for, a dream for most mothers, but 10 and a half hours. It was insane, just because of the amount of energy.
Pride of place: Kate followed Emma's lead and stores her Acadamy Award - which she won in 2008 for The Reader - in her downstairs loo
Success story: 'Never give up on your dreams. Im the most unlikely person that could have happened to,' she said
'Moving at any pace with any effort at altitude actually burns your chest, so that was something we had to adjust to. It was still amazing.'
And on reports she had arthritis in her toe, Kate explained: 'I did, very annoyingly, because Im quite an active person.
'My character Alex injures herself very badly, one of the injuries is her leg is just smashed to pieces, so the whole film Im limping, I was loading all of my weight into my right leg on the shoot and limping throughout, the wear and the tear and Ive got arthritis in my big toe.
'It means I have to do yoga in trainers people look at me like Im a bit weird, never mind. Doesnt matter.'
Goodfellas star Chuck Low has died aged 89.
The actor, who played Morris 'Morrie' Kesseler in Martin Scorsese's Mafia movie, passed away at his New Jersey nursing home last month, it has been revealed.
He also had small roles in The Mission, King of Comedy and Once Upon a Time in America alongside his Goodfellas co-star De Niro.
Scroll down for video
Sad news: Goodfellas star who played Morris 'Morrie' Kesseler in Martin Scorsese's Mafia movie, passed away at his New Jersey nursing home last month
Chuck had remained close to De Niro, who helped him carve out a career in Hollywood and co-starred with him in numerous films.
The star was laid to rest on September 20 in Edmonton, New York during a funeral with full military honours, The Sun reports.
Low had become a Major following 30 years as a reserve and eight in the National Guard before branching out into acting.
Sad loss: Chuck is pictured with his granddaughter at the GoodFellas film screening during the Tribeca Film Festival in 2015
De Niro and fellow Hollywood heavyweight Liam Neeson - who starred opposite Chuck in The Mission - had visited the late actor in his Allendale based nursing home.
An insider previously told the New York Post: 'De Niro showed up with a few guys, and they sounded like they were having a lot of laughs'.
Chuck first met De Niro when he became his landlord, renting out the top three floors of a building he owned on Hudson Street, New York City, to the actor.
Famous friends: De Niro and fellow Hollywood heavyweight Liam Neeson - who starred opposite Chuck in The Mission - had visited the late actor in his Allendale based nursing home
According to Mentalfloss.com, Chuck's foray into acting came when he told his friend, 'I wanna be in the movies' - and the big screen legend made it happen.
As well as his appearances in De Niro films, Chuck will be remembered for his guest role the first season of The Sopranos and his role in 2006 flick Kill the Poor.
Chuck leaves behind his daughter, Debra Low Mykrantz, son, Mitchell Low, and ex-wife Cherida Michaels.
Things were tense at camp on Australian Survivor after Tara betrayed best friend Locky to vote out Ziggy at the previous Tribal Council.
Locky was left fuming after the betrayal, with the hunky adventure guide storming around camp and slicing through coconuts on his own.
'Locky has had control for so long and now that it's gone it's like he's sulking like my 4-year-old does,' said Tara.
Scroll down for video
'He's sulking like my 4-year-old does!' Locky was cranky and frustrated after being betrayed by Tara at the beginning of Tuesday's Australian Survivor
Despite their friction, the pair managed to patch things up.
'I'm with you no matter what you've done, what you do. Like, I've got no-one else. You've got no-one else. We're in a shitty situation,' said Locky.
'Locky and I are still best friends - it's just that this is the final crunch,' Tara added in her confessional.
'Locky and I are still best friends': The twosome were able to patch things up after a chat
'Locky's got an idol!' Despite mending their friendship, Locky lied to Tara about having an idol and Tara quickly turned on him and told the other tribemates
After mending their friendship, Locky turned around and lied to Tara by telling her that he had a secret immunity idol.
While Jericho and Peter didn't believe him, both Tara and Michelle were convinced that he was telling the truth.
Locky then started working his magic, winning over Jericho by helping the flight attendant get over his fear of swimming.
I'll protect you! Locky then started working his magic, winning over Jericho by helping the flight attendant get over his fear of flying
Delighted: Jericho was more than happy to be taken under Locky's wing
'I want to win because I'm a huge competitor,' said Locky.
Sadly for Locky, the sexy 27-year-old lost the immunity challenge to Michelle.
Not only did blonde beauty Michelle win her first immunity challenge, she also got a reward in a brand new car.
'I missed that by two seconds,' huffed Locky after losing.
'I won the car! I did it!' Michelle was overjoyed to win her very first challenge, which saw her take home a car AND immunity
'Oh, my God. I have a reverse cam. I'll never hit a garbage bin again!' she exclaimed
'I won the car! I did it!' gushed Michelle. 'Oh, my God. I have a reverse cam. I'll never hit a garbage bin again!'
Once they reached Tribal Council, it was Locky's head that was on the chopping block.
He managed to convince Michelle to change her vote to Peter after bluffing about having an immunity idol, but it wasn't enough to save his skin and he was sent packing.
'I missed that by two seconds,' huffed Locky after losing to Michelle
'I lost a car, lost half a mil, lost immunity, lost my winning streak,' lamented Locky. 'I mean, couldn't go out on a bigger bombshell, could I?'
The group are now down to the final five contestants.
The series will wrap up next week with its first ever live finale, where the Sole Survivor will be revealed.
Betrayed: Tara had no problem voting out her closest ally in the game
It's the dating show that brings singles together and offers them a shot at love.
But for retired butcher Des, 67, he wasn't all that lucky when mother Peta, 59, turned him down after their first meeting on Tuesday's episode of First Dates.
Needless to say, social media erupted into a frenzy over Peta declining a second date with Des, with many taking to Twitter to express sympathy for the 'lonely' retiree.
Ouch: Retired butcher Des, 67, wasn't all that lucky when mother Peta, 59, turned him down after their first meeting on Tuesday's episode of First Dates
One Twitter user likened Des' heartbroken expression to the famous Valentine's Day episode of The Simpsons - where Lisa goes on a date with Ralph.
'It's like Ralph Wiggum in the valentine's episode. If you slow it down you can actually pinpoint the exact moment his heart breaks' the fan tweeted.
Another had similar sentiments, posting a GIF of the same scene where Ralph gets rejected by Lisa and captioning 'Des and Peta end of date went something like this.'
Other users claimed the decision was completely shocking, and that they felt a lot of remorse for Des.
If you slow it down you can actually pinpoint the exact moment his heart breaks': Some compared the moment to other TV shows
A good observation: One user posted a GIF of the scene in The Simpson's Valentine's Day episode where Ralph goes on a date with Lisa, only for her to tell Ralph she never liked him
'Poor man, feel sorry for him,' one user said.
Another claimed Peta's decision was very hurtful: 'Peta. Ouch. Brutal.'
But others also remained hopeful of Des' chances, petitioning the producers of the show to let him return to TV to get a second chance at love.
'Poor man, feel sorry for him': Other users claimed the decision was completely shocking, and that they felt a lot of remorse for Des
'Peta. Ouch. Brutal': Another claimed Peta's decision was very hurtful
'Hope Des can come back for a second chance at love, that was sad': Other's remained hopeful of Des' chances, petitioning the producers of the show to let him return to TV to get a second chance at love
'Hope Des can come back for a second chance at love, that was sad,' one user captioned with a groaning emoji.
Peta asked some very revealing questions of Des, including if he was still sexually active despite his age, to which Des replied: 'I do not have a problem.'
She turned him down afterwards despite Des saying he 'didn't want to pass up the opportunity to be with such a lovely person.'
Peta replied by thanking Des for his lovely comments, but shockingly said 'No, I can't go on a second date.'
Heartbreaking: Peta turned Des down afterwards despite him saying he 'didn't want to pass up the opportunity to be with such a lovely person'
'Noooo Des': Other users felt extreme sadness watching the events unfold
She has found herself at the centre of speculation she is now dating YouTuber Tana Mongeau, after the girls were seen putting on a VERY steamy display on social media.
But appearing to make a statement as she stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday, Bella Thorne, 19, was seen sporting a pair of trainers that had the slogan 'I love boys' printed around the edge.
Seeming to set the record straight on her relationship status with her playful footwear, the actress cut a fresh-faced appearance for her coffee run.
Scroll down for video
Making a statement? Bella Thorne, 19, was seen sporting a pair of trainers that had the slogan 'I love boys' printed around the edge as she stepped out in Los Angeles after her steamy kiss with YouTuber Tana Mongeau
Bella was pictured heading out in a casual ensemble that paired together a plain white t-shirt and fitted jeans that sheathed her slender pins and featured a rainbow design at the end of each leg.
She chose to complete her attire with her slogan shoes and left her fiery red tresses down to fall past her shoulders in a tousled style that had been swept over to one side.
Choosing to flaunt her natural beauty, Bella chose to forgo her usual war paint and appeared make-up free, with her edgy nose piercing on full view, as she grabbed an iced coffee to re-fuel.
Relaxed: Choosing to flaunt her natural beauty, Bella chose to step out make-up free, with her edgy nose piercing on full view, as she grabbed an iced coffee to re-fuel
She donned a slew of beaded bracelets on one wrist and toted her day's essentials in an animal print backpack she slung over one shoulder.
Appearing in high spirits, Bella cut a playful figure as she hammed it up in front of the cameras, flashing a smile before cheekily poking her tongue out.
Her appearance comes after the former Disney starlet had strongly suggested there was a new lady in her life when she re-tweeted photos of herself and YouTube star Tana locking lips.
Sealed with a kiss! Bella had strongly suggested there was a new lady in her life, when she retweeted photos of herself and Youtuber Tana Mongeau locking lips recently
Tongue-tied! The snapshots show the Shake It Up star donning denim and fishnets as she leans in to plant Tana with a steamy smooch that had plenty of tongue
The tweet rehashed an early post from 19-year-old vlogger Tana, who previously wrote 'I want to date @BellaThorne,' and today added a sassy followup which read 'Dreams do come true kids.'
The snapshots show the Shake It Up star donning denim and fishnets as she leans in to plant Tana with a steamy smooch that had plenty of tongue. Social media beauty Tana had posted the pics on her Instagram page, captioning the kisses with a simple 'Mineeee.'
My Own Worst Enemy star Bella had also shared a sultry video to Snapchat that showed her getting very hands on with Tana.
Teasing: The tweet rehashed an early post from vlogger Tana, who previously wrote 'I want to date @BellaThorne,' adding: 'Dreams do come true kids'
Hands on! The girls were seen getting very intimate with each other in the snaps, as they indulged in a passionate smooch
Leaving her inhibitions at the door, Bella was seen grabbing her blonde bestie's chest, before diving face first into her full cleavage.
Bella was in full club kid attire in the video, sporting Drag Race appropriate eye-shadow along with shiny cat ears for day three of the Life Is Beautiful fest in Las Vegas that the girls had been attending.
Her revealing swimwear made a generous display of her chest with a risque cut-out at the bust and came complete with a vibrant neon design.
Bella's flirty friend Tana, meanwhile, looked playfully shocked at her pal's advances - she was seen donning a plunging white crop-top with white fishnet tights that sat high on her waist and black tracksuit bottoms.
Bella has spoken candidly of her sexuality in the past and confessed in April, earlier this year, that she 'wants to date a girl'.
Getting handsy! My Own Worst Enemy star Bella had also shared a sultry video to Snapchat that showed her getting very hands on with Tana
Cheeky! Leaving her inhibitions at the door, Bella was seen grabbing her blonde bestie's chest, before diving face first into her full cleavage
She had first confirmed she is bisexual during a Twitter exchange with a fan in 2016. After sharing a photo of her kissing a female, Bella was asked if she is bisexual, to which she simply replied: 'Yes.'
But now wanting a girlfriend, the acting talent admitted she is often confused by girls that take an interest in her.
Speaking to Harper's Bazaar, she said: 'Ive done other stuff with girls, but I want to actually date a girl... I cant tell if a girl is hitting on me or she just wants to be friends.
'I dont want to flirt with a girl if she thinks Im just being her friend. What if I kiss a girl and shes like, "Oh, Im just your friend dude, I cant believe you just crossed that boundary." Im confused on what they want from me.'
Bella has previously dated the likes of Scott Disick, Gregg Sulkin, Tyler Posey and Charlie Puth.
The former Home And Away star juggles motherhood with a busy, and successful, acting career in the US.
But Tammin Susok has admitted things haven't always run smoothly for her as a mother-of-one.
Speaking to Jules Sebastian for Tea With Jules this week, the 34-year-old recalled the moment she nearly bit her sweet daughter's finger off: 'It was the worst thing I've ever done!'
'It was almost gone!' Actress Tammin Sursok describes the moment she nearly bit her three-year-old daughter Phoenix's finger off as 'the worst thing' she's EVER done
'I think I almost damaged it, it was almost gone,' the Pretty Little Liar actress reflected.
Tammin explained how the incident happened: 'She was having a fish finger and she stuck her finger in the fish finger and gave it to me and I just was like 'Mmm, yum!' and I chomped down.'
'...It was her finger and she looked at me like 'How dare you! You're my mother, you're supposed to protect me', ' she added.
'It was the worst thing I've ever done': Speaking to Jules Sebastian for Tea With Jules , the 34-year-old recalled the moment she nearly bit her sweet daughter's finger off
'She stuck her finger in the fish finger': Tammin went to take a bit from a fish finger presented to her by her young daughter(pictured), when she suddenly realised she had bitten down on a REAL finger hidden within the crumb of a fish finger
However, Tammin strongly stated her daughter was fine and that 'mum shaming and mum guilt is just boring.'
Speaking of motherhood so far, she added: ''It is tremendously, overwhelmingly, disgustingly hard, but it's also... she's (daughter Phoenix) the love of my life. It's the best thing that's ever happened to me.'
She recently launched blog Bottle And Heels, telling Jules the reason behind lunching the honest publication: 'We live in this fake world, where we always put out our highlight reels, so no one ever talks about the struggles of what they're going through.'
'Mum shaming and mum guilt is just boring!': Tammin started blog Bottle and Heels to make other women realise there is no 'right' way to parent or be a mother
Family: Tammin shares her now three-year-old daughter Phoenix with her movie producer husband Sean McEwen (pictured)
Tammin shares her now three-year-old daughter with husband Sean McEwen.
She married the movie producer in 2011, with the pair dating for four years prior.
During the chat Tammin also confirmed she's ready to have a second child, with the aim to be pregnant again next year while directing her first feature film.
Growing her brood: During the chat Tammin also confirmed she's ready to have a second child, with the aim to be pregnant again next year while directing her first feature film
She was catapulted into the limelight in July after finding romance on this summer's reality smash hit Love Island.
And now Gabby Allen, 25, has opened up in an exclusive interview with MailOnline about her whirlwind three months since leaving the Hidden Hills villa with beau Marcel Somerville, 31.
Speaking at the launch of her new fashion venture Gabby Allen X Quiz, she revealed that the pair have already discussed children, wedding bells and how moving in together has brought them closer than ever.
Scroll down for video
Loved-up: Gabby Allen, 25, has opened up in an exclusive interview with MailOnline about her whirlwind three months since leaving the Hidden Hills villa with beau Marcel Somerville, 31
The Liverpudlian beauty - who's new range launches on October 3rd - revealed that she has had conversations with Marcel about how many children they want and when.
Gabby - who moved in with her fellow Love Island star boyfriend in September - admitted that they've even had debates about where their children will attend school and insisted that these are conversations she never thought she'd have with anyone after three months of dating.
'We have talked about these things, we were debating what type of school our children will go to,' she began. 'That is a conversation I didn't think I would be having three months in.'
'Obviously we're not talking about having children right now but we've definitely discussed - because I'm a little bit younger then him - have come to an agreement (when we'll start).'
Adding: 'He said two but I said I wanted them in four so maybe three years.'
Fashion forward: Speaking at the launch of her new fashion venture Gabby Allen X Quiz, she revealed that the pair have already discussed children, wedding bells and how moving in together has brought them closer than ever
Babies on the brain: The Liverpudlian beauty - who's new range launches on October 3rd - revealed that she has had conversations with Marcel about how many children they want and when
Completely loved-up, Gabby has revealed that with endless PAs and work commitments it was difficult to make time for her rapper beau but now living together has brought them closer.
The personal trainer even added that after leaving the Mallorca villa she suffered withdrawal symptoms from being separated from Marcel as they dealt with the fame the ITV2 show brought.
She explained: 'It's literally the best thing we could have done for us. We spent so much time apart that having different bases was another obstacle in the way. By having the same base to come back to, it's going to make the world of difference.
'It was weird when we first came out, I had withdrawal symptoms and when we were in there he said "We're probably going to have a week of being apart where we'd have some space".
Looking to the future: Gabby - who moved in with her fellow Love Island star boyfriend in September - admitted that they've even had debates about where their children will attend school and insisted that these are conversations she never thought she'd have with anyone after three months of dating
Serious: 'We have talked about these things, we were debating what type of school our children will go to,' she began. 'That is a conversation I didn't think I would be having three months in'
'But since we came out, he said: "I take it back". No space needed. He's always on PAs so it's just a blessing so he's part-time at the moment.'
Now enjoying living together, Gabby already revealed that Marcel is the dream housemate but she confessed the same can't be said for herself as she insisted that they'd be living off Spaghetti Bolognese if she was left with the cooking.
'If anything I'm the nightmare because he's so tidy where I'm really messy,' she admitted. 'Well I'm going to have to try keep him happy so I won't be leaving things everywhere. I told him I refuse to do any hoovering sorry.
'Taking the washing out or doing the washing up doesn't bother me but now I have a dishwasher. I have never had a dishwasher before in London so we're both privileged.
Closer: Completely loved-up, Gabby has revealed that with endless PAs and work commitments it was difficult to make time for her rapper beau but now living together has brought them closer
Happier than ever: The personal trainer even added that after leaving the Mallorca villa she suffered withdrawal symptoms from being separated from Marcel as they dealt with the fame the ITV2 show brought
'The best thing': She explained: 'It's literally the best thing we could have done for us'
Adding: 'I'm not the best cook, I've asked him if he will cook for me. I can try but I'm not the most extravagant. I wouldn't know what flavours go with each other. I can do a good Spaghetti Bolognese so he'll have to live on that.'
In recent weeks her fellow Love Island housemates Jess Shears and Dom Lever announced their engagement and while thrilled for the couple, Gabby admitted she's in no rush to get married but wouldn't say no if Marcel got down on bended knee.
She explained: 'I don't think me and Marcel are the same as Dom and Jess, we've took our time really. There's no rush for us but he does say he's put money aside for rings.
'I'm not pressurising him now that they are engaged. I'm not like "Come propose to me" that's not how it works. I wouldn't mind waiting a while but if he did propose I'd probably would say "yeah".
Domestic bliss: Now enjoying living together, Gabby already revealed that Marcel is the dream housemate but she confessed the same can't be said for herself as she insisted that they'd be living off Spaghetti Bolognese if she was left with the cooking
Looking ahead: In recent weeks her fellow Love Island housemates Jess Shears and Dom Lever announced their engagement and while thrilled for the couple, Gabby admitted she's in no rush to get married but wouldn't say no if Marcel got down on bended knee
New venture: Following in the footsteps of her fellow Love Island stars, Gabby has launched her own fashion collection with Quiz and insisted she is beyond excited for fans to see her collaboration
'This is the most secure I've ever felt in a relationship and it's because of him. He's so calm which is good for me. We cancel each other out.'
Following in the footsteps of her fellow Love Island stars, Gabby has launched her own fashion collection with Quiz and insisted she is beyond excited for fans to see her collaboration.
Filled with luxurious materials such as sequin and velvet, her new range features a number of thigh-grazing dresses and flirty playsuits perfect for a night on the tiles, she admitted she's feeling the nerves as she launches into the style realm.
'When I got out of the villa, I would have never have thought that I would be working with any fashion label, let alone one as big as Quiz.
'They have over 300 stores around the world. It's a privilege for them to have wanted to work with me and I was quite taken aback. I helped with shapes and styles I liked. I'm so pleased with the final edit.
Adding: 'I'm a bit nervous but I have every faith in it doing well and it's exciting. I think I'm the last one out of the girls to have a range out but the best til last.'
Gabby Allen x Quiz launches in stores on Tuesday October 3th.
It was perhaps the highlight of Paris Fashion Week, marking the close of Fashion Month with a bang.
But not everything ran smoothly for luxury brand Chanel on Tuesday, as Victoria's Secret Angel Stella Maxwell struggled to keep her designer hat atop her head.
The 27-year-old beauty looked a little flummoxed as her sheer trilby hat, fashioned out of clear plastic which featured heavily in the SS18 womenswear collection, blew away.
Scroll down for video
Whoops: Not everything ran smoothly for luxury brand Chanel's SS18 collection during Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday, as Victoria's Secret Angel Stella Maxwell struggled to keep her designer hat atop her head
Stella kept her cool as her hat floated to the ground, carried by a gust of wind, and lent down to pick it up.
Continuing her strut along the catwalk, she clutched the hat in place with her hand, and bashfully kept her head bent.
Stella showcased her slender pins in her ensemble, which boasted Chanel's classic boucle tweed.
Impractical: The 27-year-old beauty looked a little flummoxed as her sheer trilby hat, fashioned out of clear plastic which featured heavily in the SS18 womenswear collection, blew away
Keeping cool: Stella kept her cool as her hat floated to the ground, carried by a gust of wind, and lent down to pick it up
Soldiering on: Continuing her strut along the catwalk, she clutched the hat in place with her hand, and bashfully kept her head bent
Plastic fantastic: Like the other models who sashayed down the runway, she donned a pair of sheer boots made out of the same plastic material as the hat
Like the other models who sashayed down the runway, she donned a pair of sheer boots made out of the same plastic material as the hat.
She wore a dramatic face of heavy blue smokey eye make-up and red lipstick, and wore her long blonde hair in a sleek centre parted pony tail.
Stella had heavenly support from fellow VS model Taylor Hill, 21, who also donned the plastic trilby hat.
Angelic support: Stella had heavenly support from fellow VS model Taylor Hill, 21, who also donned the plastic trilby hat
Vintage glamour: Taylor worked a vintage look with a pair of large dark sunglasses and diamond drop earrings, finishing her make up look with a scarlet pout
Taylor worked a vintage look with a pair of large dark sunglasses and diamond drop earrings, finishing her make up look with a scarlet pout.
The beauty showcased her sensational figure in a woven dress, which hung off her slender frame, and opted for a pair of thigh high plastic boots to give prominence to her long legs.
The ensemble was completed with two bags hanging over her shoulder; one, a tie dye large shoulder bag, the other the classic Chanel boucle style handbag fashioned out of green, red and pale pink yarn.
Pin-credible: The beauty showcased her sensational figure in a woven dress, which hung off her slender frame, and opted for a pair of thigh high plastic boots to give prominence to her long legs
Stylish: The ensemble was completed with two bags hanging over her shoulder; one, a tie dye large shoulder bag, the other the classic Chanel boucle style handbag fashioned out of green, red and pale pink yarn
Work it: Taylor looked gorgeous as she sashayed down the catwalk, having perfected her walk over her years of modelling
Joining the girls was Fashion Week newcomer Kaia Gerber, 16, who has followed in her mother Cindy Crawford's footsteps and walked for practically every major fashion house during Fashion Month.
The teen sensation showed she was a force to be reckoned with on the runway as she worked a pastel pink and blue fringed crop-top and matching blazer in the French fashion house's signature tweed design for her walk.
Pairing her colourful ensemble with a matching ivory miniskirt with matching tassels, Kaia added further height to her statuesque frame with a pair of perspex thigh-high boots.
Newcomer: Joining the girls was Fashion Week newcomer Kaia Gerber, 16, who has followed in her mother Cindy Crawford's footsteps and walked for practically every major fashion house during Fashion Month
Strut: The teen sensation showed she was a force to be reckoned with on the runway as she worked a pastel pink and blue fringed crop-top and matching blazer in the French fashion house's signature tweed design for her walk
High-fashion: Pairing her colourful ensemble with a matching ivory miniskirt with matching tassels , Kaia added further height to her tall frame with a pair of perspex thigh-high boots
Fashion force: The models owned the runway in the Grand Palais as PFW drew to a close
In its centennial year, the Junior League of Chattanooga is launching a new community impact initiative called A League of Learners. The initiative will focus on fostering lifelong learners in the Chattanooga community.
The Junior League of Chattanooga has long supported education in Hamilton County with our Mini-Grants for Teachers program, said Laura Ketcham, president of the organization. Through our new partnerships, we will provide an active volunteer base to help develop learners into leaders in our community. It is an honor and a privilege to lead such an accomplished group of women as we launch this new initiative.
During the 2017-18 school year, the Junior League of Chattanooga is collaborating with East Lake Elementary School as a new community impact partner. JLC will work with East Lake Elementary faculty, staff and parents on numerous projects including workdays, mobile food pantries, reading programs and special events.
"Through our new initiative, we look forward to partnering with educators, parents and students in our community, said Jennifer Summerlin, vice president of community engagement for JLC. By collaborating with schools like East Lake Elementary, we believe new opportunities will arise for these students to become community leaders.
JLCs initiative currently focuses on several age groups, including newborns, elementary-age students and teenagers. JLC supports these groups as they strive to overcome challenges with education.
She's about to take on the challenge of being a mother to two under two when she welcomes her second child with rocker husband Adam Levine.
And Behati Prinsloo looked as though pregnancy was suiting her down to the ground as she satisfied her cravings with a trip to the farmers' market in Beverly Hills on Sunday.
The Victoria's Secret model, 28, showed off her baby bump in a white motif tee as she strolled around the stands, sipping a freshly-squeezed orange juice while perusing the goods on offer.
Mom on the run: Behati Prinsloo looked as though pregnancy was suiting her as she satisfied her cravings with a trip to the farmers' market in Beverly Hills on Sunday
Looking happy and relaxed on her casual day out, the Namibian-born beauty kept comfortable in jade green Adidas joggers, which she wore tucked into bright neon socks.
Behati ditched her heels in favor of navy lace-up pumps, while accessorizing with dark shades and a black leather handbag with tassel detailing.
The mother-of-one wore her long honey-colored locks piled up in a high ponytail and went make-up free to showcase her radiant pregnancy glow.
Behati also carried a Sakara Life tote over her shoulder, having been relying on the healthy food company's plant-based meal plans to stay fit and healthy during her pregnancy - and no doubt to stay in tip top shape for the Victoria's Secret runway.
Bumping along: The Victoria's Secret model, 28, showed off her baby bump in a white motif tee as she strolled around the stands
Model mommy: Sipping a freshly-squeezed orange juice, the Namibian-born beauty kept comfortable in jade green Adidas joggers, carrying a Sakara Life tote over her shoulder
The underwear model announced she was expecting her second child with Maroon 5 frontman husband, Adam Levine, 38, last month.
The happy news came less than a year after the couple welcomed baby daughter Dusty Rose into the world.
Posing in a bikini to show off her bump on Instagram, Behati wrote alongside the snap: 'Round 2.'
The announcement came just weeks after Behati confirmed her return to the Victoria's Secret runway in November after taking a year off while welcoming Dusty.
The couple started dating in May 2012, and they tied the knot in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in July 2014.
Low-key: Behati ditched her heels in favor of navy lace-up pumps, while accessorizing with dark shades and a black leather handbag with tassel detailing
'Round 2': The underwear model announced she was expecting her second child with Maroon 5 frontman husband, Adam Levine, 38, last month
Behati previously described motherhood as 'next level love'.
She told People magazine: 'I think the fact that you could love a person more than you ever thought.
'I love Adam, and when you get married and you fall in love with someone, you think that theres no greater love than that love.
'And then you have a baby, and it's just next-level love.'
Happy news: The happy news came less than a year after the couple welcomed baby daughter Dusty Rose into the world (pictured in February 2017)
She's been busy filming her new action series Six in Vancouver, Canada lately.
And Olivia Munn cut a casual cool figure as she made her way through an airport during a day off from the filming the show.
The actress, 37, sported a green jacket, red shirt, and tight jeans as she strode through the transport hub on Sunday.
Take five! Olivia Munn cut a casual cool figure as she made her way through the airport in Vancouver during a day off the filming the show on Sunday
She kept her hairstyle low-key, opting for a sleek ponytail to keep her tresses out of her complexion.
And the actress accessorized the look with a pair of sunglasses and silver earrings.
Olivia had a grey purse slung over her shoulder, along with a tint of blush to bring out her features.
Currently starring as Gina in the action-packed series about Navy SEAL Team Six, Olivia said the series is significant to her as she was raised in a military family.
Well tressed: She kept her hairstyle low-key, opting for a sleek ponytail to keep her hair out of her complexion
'As someone who grew up in a military family, this show is close to my (heart emoji) and I'm so honored to be a part of it. Excited to work with this amazing cast and crew! Also, it's on @history channel which is cool af to this nerd.#sixonhistory,' she wrote on Instagram when her role was announced.
Last week the actress shared a snap of herself mid-way alongside her co-stars: 'Jump on Six #sixonhistory.'
Six also stars Barry Sloane, Kyle Schmid, and Juan Pablo Raba.
'Jump on six': Last week the actress shared a snap of herself mid-way alongside her co-stars
Some might say Yasmin Horner is just unlucky.
But the 22-year-old believes she is on the right track to international success, despite suffering a harsh blow to her confidence last year.
In an interview with Confidential on Wednesday, the upcoming Australian actor revealed that she narrowly missed out on a role in 2016 blockbuster Deadpool at the last minute.
'It reaffirmed for me that I'm on the right path as an actor': In an interview with Confidential on Wednesday, upcoming Australian actor Yasmin Horner revealed that she narrowly missed out on a role in 2016 blockbuster Deadpool at the last minute
'It reaffirmed for me that I'm on the right path as an actor,' she told the publication.
But as she gears up to return to Australia to star in the forthcoming film Christmas Down Under, directed by My Big Fat Greek Wedding star Louis Mandylor, Yasmin says her commitment to acting is second to none.
'I am used to working really hard, it's not a simple industry and there are a lot of setbacks,' Yasmin said.
'I've always been a performer and couldn't imagine doing anything else.'
'I am used to working really hard, it's not a simple industry and there are a lot of setbacks': The 22-year-old has claimed she is on the right track to international success, after suffering a harsh blow to her confidence last year
'I've always been a performer and couldn't imagine doing anything else': Yasmin is gearing up to return to Australia where she will start filming for Christmas Down Under and Mercy of Others
She is also due to star in Australian horror flick Mercy of Others, which will begin shooting in Sydney and Melbourne next March.
Yasmin first rose to fame at a young age, starring on kids channel Nickelodeon at only nine-years-old.
She has since appeared in a number of film shorts such as award-winning short film Kill Your Sons, and starred in a comedy web sketch alongside Australian comedian Neel Kolhatkar - which has reached over 1 million views.
After moving to Canada at 18-years-old to further her acting career, Yasmin was picked up by high profile management company Play Management who helped expose her to the mainstream.
Yasmin currently resides in Los Angeles.
There is already much buzz surrounding eight-episode fantasy-noir series, Carnival Row, despite the fact it won't be released until 2019.
And Cara Delevingne and Orlando Bloom looked virtually unrecognisable as they got to work on the set in Prague, Czech Republic on Monday.
Sporting freshly-dyed brunette tresses, supermodel turned actress Cara, 25, seemed in good spirits as she got to work, concealing her sensational figure in a loose fitting shirt and faux fur line boots.
Scroll down for video
Who's that girl? There is already much buzz surrounding eight-episode fantasy-noir series, Carnival Row, despite the fact it won't be released until 2019. And Cara Delevingne looked virtually unrecognisable as she got to work on the set in Prague, Czech Republic on Monday
Also throwing himself into the action was Orlando, who has grown a goatee for the part.
After arriving on set in his typical low-key ensemble of a T-shirt and jeans, the MTV Movie Award nominee wasted no time changing into a bowler hat and vintage suit.
Not seen on set, but also starring in the Amazon series are David Gyasi (Interstellar), Karla Crome (Misfits), Indira Varma (Game of Thrones), and Tamzin Merchant (Salem).
Changing up his look: Also throwing himself into the action was Orlando, who has grown a goatee for the part drastically altering his appearance
Dapper: After arriving on set in his typical low-key ensemble of a T-shirt and jeans, the MTV Movie Award nominee wasted no time changing into a bowler hat and vintage suit
The eight-episode series, directed by Paul McGuigan, is believed to be set in a neo-Victorian city where mythical creatures have gathered.
According to reports, tensions rise between the new inhabitants and the city's citizens as a murder investigation takes place after a string of unexplained killings.
Supermodel turned actress Cara Delevingne also stars in the show as Vignette Stonemoss - 'a fairy fleeing persecution'.
The series, which has been written and executive produced by Star Treck's Rene Echevarria, while Luke Cage's Paul McGuigan is set to direct and executive produce, along with Travis Beacham of Pacific Rim fame, has been snapped up by Amazon.
Bold new look: Cara's dark tresses are a drastic change from her glossy blonde locks
In a statement that followed the news, head of comedy at Amazon Joe Lewis said: 'There has never been a series like Carnival Row before.
'The scope of the storytelling combined with the uniqueness of the world, themes and aesthetics haven't been on TV before.
'A simple police investigation will lead us down a remarkable journey in a world where humans and creatures co-exist. We're so excited about what Rene, Travis and Paul are creating and we can't wait to bring it to customers.'
They have kept fans on tenterhooks as they prepare to drop the second series of the Grand Tour.
And Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have given their loyal fans a first look at the adrenaline fuelled next series of their hit show.
Images from new book: The Grand Tour: Guide To The World show the tearaway former Top Gear trio getting their cars stuck in deep mud in Mozambique, visiting the picturesque Swiss Alps and a military tank spinning in circles on a lawn in Dubai.
Scroll down for video
Rev your engines: Jeremy Clarkson (above) , Richard Hammond and James May have given their loyal fans a first look at the adrenaline fuelled second series of The Grand Tour
Recovery: A grinning Richard Hammond, 47, is seen behind the wheel of a bright red buggy, in a picture taken just before his near-fatal crash in Switzerland
A grinning Richard Hammond, 47, is seen behind the wheel of a bright red buggy, in a picture taken just before his near-fatal crash in Switzerland.
James, 54, and Jeremy, 57, are also seen laughing out loud as they comically pull Richard along on a small boat in another playful snap.
In another bizarre snap, a stony faced James is seen holding a small fish in his hand, despite being in the middle of a dirt-track road.
Looking to be in good spirits, famously outspoken Jeremy cracks a warm smile as he stands in the sun while filming the hit Amazon Prime show.
Oh dear: Images from new book: The Grand Tour: Guide To The World show the tearaway trio getting their cars stuck in deep mud in Mozambique
Spin spin: Richard is seen driving a military tank which is spinning in circles on a lawn in Dubai
Row your boat: James, 54, and Jeremy, 57, are also seen laughing out loud as they comically pull Richard along on a small boat in another playful snap
Richard has been recovering from a crash in Switzerland that was so horrific Jeremy and James feared he had died.
The star, who sustained brain injuries after a 288mph rocket car accident in 2006, was airlifted to hospital in June after flipping a 2million electric supercar which then burst into flames as he filmed the show in Switzerland.
Hammond thanked his doctors after getting back behind the wheel for the first time since the crash last month.
He has since posted two videos of himself driving cars to his three million followers on Twitter.
Bizarre: In another bizarre snap, a stony faced James is seen holding a small fish in his hand, despite being in the middle of a dirt-track road
Laugh out loud: Jeremy and James are seen having a good laugh in Switzerland
The new series will see the group travel all over the world, and visit destinations including Switzerland, Croatia, Dubai, Mozambique and New York
Despite cheating death in multiple serious accidents, Richard said it hasn't deterred him from driving supercars.
He told The Express: 'It's fine. We're all back at it. We were ahead anyway so we've been able to take advantage of that.
'We're all full functioning. We're all briefly functioning at the same time.'
She is one of the best known actresses in the industry, having shot to fame in Pretty Woman back in 1990.
But looking back at her stellar career, Julia Roberts confessed she was a 'selfish little brat' during her younger days as an actress.
Speaking to Harper's Bazaar, the A-lister, who turns 50 next month, admitted she was her own priority in her youth, but has changed since meeting her husband Daniel Moder - who she joked instills 'terror' in her if they work together.
Scroll down for video
Honest: Julia Roberts confessed she was a 'selfish little brat' during her younger days as an actress, in her stunning cover shoot with Harper's Bazaar
The blonde looked truly stunning on the cover in a sprawling red strapless gown, which displayed her delicate decolletage as she posed.
Resting her head on one hand, the actress proved her striking natural beauty and youthful complexion as she smiled softly for the camera.
Continuing with the natural feel of the shoot, Julia then swapped her gown for an equally gorgeous pastel blue ensemble, as she posed for further windswept shots against the backdrop of a beach.
Julia has carved a hugely successful career over the years, having starred in the likes of Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich and Steel Magnolias.
Natural beauty: Julia smiled softly for the camera in a number of stunning shots, as she looked back at her youth, and how she has changed since becoming a mother with the magazine
However looking back on her lengthy stint in the spotlight, Julia admitted to the magazine that she was a brat when she first shot to fame - starring in her first film at the age of 21.
She confessed: 'I was my priority, a selfish little brat running around making films.'
However, the beauty went on to admit she has completely changed, ever since she met her cinematographer love Danny, 48, and welcoming their three children - twins Hazel and Finn, 13, and son Henry, ten.
She gushed of her partner: 'It was meeting Dannyfinding my person. When I think about what makes my life my life, and makes sense and just shine inside of me, it's him. Everything has come from that for me.'
'I was a selfish little brat': Julia admitted to the magazine that she was a brat when she first shot to fame (pictured in Pretty Woman with Richard Gere in 1990), confessing: 'I was my priority'
Love of her life: However, the beauty went on to admit she has completely changed, ever since she met her cinematographer love Danny Moder, 48 (pictured together in 2015)
Yet, the Hook star did go on to joke that while the pair are happily married, Danny still instills fear into her if they ever work together on set - as he is the one person she wants to impress.
She added of their joint projects: 'There's comfort there, but also terror, which is a good combination. Terror because the person I want to impress most is looking right at me.'
Despite being one of the most well-known actresses in the industry, Julia confessed she had not worked at all this year, after turning her focus to her family.
Yet, explaining she prefers to look ahead to the future rather than on the past, the doting mother admitted she does not actively seek out acting roles, as its more 'organic' to see what falls in front of her.
Added pressure: However she did joke Danny instills 'terror' into her if they ever work together on set - as he is the one person she wants to impress (pictured together in 2013)
She revealed: 'I just wait to see what comes along, as opposed to looking for it. It makes it fun and organicthere's an almost unfair bar that a script has to attain for me to say, 'I'm going to drop everything for this.'
'Sometimes I think, 'I'm pretending my name is Jane and I work in a bank. That's kinda silly I'm a grown-up woman!'
Read more: The full interview appears in the November issue of Harper's Bazaar, on sale 6th October
Julia's last film was children's flick Smurfs: The Lost Village, and she is currently anticipating the release of comedy-drama Wonder in November - which follows a young boy with a facial difference, who tries to fit in at a new school.
Affirming to fans that she deeply considers which roles to take on, she explained: 'I didn't work for a couple of years in my twenties, because I was being offered scripts and thinking 'Is it me or is this all just crap?'
'I figured I could cover my rent and wait for something good. I'd been spoilt with some great jobs already, so I was like, 'Why do that part with that person, when I was just doing that part with these people!'
Yet, now prioritising her life to being a doting mother of three, the Duplicity star added that she is very proud of what she has achieved over the years, and would not change it for the world.
She said: 'There are great things I've accomplished and I'd be happy to accomplish more, of course, to impress my children and my husband.
'But you know what? I've been spoilt already.'
The full interview appears in the November issue of Harper's Bazaar, on sale 6th October
She's the actress famed for her comedic prowess.
And Isla Fisher, 41, displayed her sensational curves in a plunging animal print dress as she discussed her new book Marge and The Pirate Baby at Build Studio in New York City on Tuesday.
The Nocturnal Animals actress flaunted her toned legs in the thigh-flashing dress, which fanned out prettily into an A-line shape.
Scroll down for video
Gorgeous: Isla Fisher, 41, displayed her sensational curves in a plunging animal print dress as she discussed her new book Marge and The Pirate Baby at Build Studio in New York City on Tuesday
Isla's stunning dress cinched her in at her petite waist, while sheer sleeves covered her arms and fastened into tight cuffs at her wrists.
The actress added height to her frame with a pair of mauve pointed court heels, which boasted a scalloped edge.
Matching the look with a mauve leather handbag, Isla slipped on a quirky pair of clear cat eye shades to complete the ensemble.
Pretty: The Nocturnal Animals actress flaunted her toned legs in the thigh-flashing dress, which fanned out prettily into an A-line shape
Stylish: Isla's stunning dress cinched her in at her petite waist, while sheer sleeves covered her arms and fastened into tight cuffs at her wrists
The beauty styled her trademark auburn tresses into curls falling softly around her face, and painted her visage with pink-hued make-up.
Isla recently appeared on Loose Women to discuss her latest foray into the literary world, and the former Home And Away star revealed that her love for writing started in her teen years, alongside her mother.
Isla has churned out multiple books, including two teen novels called Bewitched and Seduced By Fame that were published before she found fame as an actress.
Trendy: The actress added height to her frame with a pair of mauve pointed court heels, which boasted a scalloped edge
More recently, the busy mother has veered into children's book writing, with Marge In Charge out last year and its sequel Marge And The Pirate Baby released this January.
Isla also returned from a 24 hour book promotion tour in Scotland - where her parents are from and she revealed: 'I met some cousins who I havent met before!'
However, she revealed that as of right now, she's happy living in America as 'it's easier workwise.'
Beauty: The beauty styled her trademark auburn tresses into curls falling softly around her face, and painted her visage with pink-hued make-up
Quirky: Matching the look with a mauve leather handbag, Isla slipped on a quirky pair of clear cat eye shades to complete the ensemble
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Isla for further information regarding her hectic schedule.
'I thought there weren't any comedic books for children and child literacy is something I'm really passionate about,' she said.
Isla - who was born in Oman and is of Scottish ancestry - also revealed that her parents sent her to a different school every year until her teenage years, so had to learn quickly how to adjust and make new friends.
Multi-talented: Isla recently appeared on Loose Women to discuss her latest foray into the literary world, and the former Home And Away star revealed that her love for writing started in her teen years, alongside her mother
Literary genius: Isla has churned out multiple books, including two teen novels called Bewitched and Seduced By Fame that were published before she found fame as an actress
She said: 'My parents sent me to a different school every year until I started high school. I was born in the Middle East, raised in Scotland, and emigrated to Australia.
'I had to make friends really quickly, because I was always moving schools. That's why I love books so much, they were my friend when I was the new girl.'
Isla is married to British comedian and actor, Sacha Baron Cohen, 45; the couple share three children together, daughters Olive, nine, Elula, six, and son Montgomery, two.
They have gone from strength to strength since they tied the knot six years ago.
And Rachel Weisz, 47, showed she was still completely smitten with her very own James Bond after the couple enjoyed a romantic dinner in New York City on Monday.
Current 007 Daniel Craig, 49, and his beautiful wife looked more in love than ever when they headed home holding hands.
Scroll down for video
Her very own James Bond! Rachel Weisz showed she was still completely smitten with her very own James Bond as they enjoyed a romantic dinner in New York City on Monday
The Hollywood hunk showed he has no trouble going incognito like his alter ego 007 when he sheltered his face with a flap cap.
Casually-clad Daniel cut a trendy figure in a navy polo top and a pair of blue jeans for their low-key date.
Meanwhile, his stunning wife ensured she secured the gaze of her husband with her thigh-skimming dress which featured a flower pattern.
The My Cousin Rachel star threw on a denim jacket to keep off the chill to the evening. Rachel wore her cropped locks in a loosely-tousled style for their date.
Must be love: Daniel showed he has no trouble going incognito like his alter ego 007 when he sheltered his face with a flap cap, meanwhile Rachel caught the eye in a floral frock
Daniel and Rachel have been happy together since they made their feelings known to one another and started dating in December 2010.
Sparks were flying when the couple first set their sights on each other when they filmed Dream House together.
The 2011 flick saw Rachel and Daniel play husband and wife and the pair went onto tie the knot in real life in New York in June 2011.
True love: The lovebirds keep their love life very private (pictured together in Los Angeles, November 2015)
It was a private occasion with only four guests in attendance including both their children from former relationships.
The My Cousin Rachel star gave a rare insight into the couple's private relationship in a recent interview.
Of their relationship, she told The Belfast Telegraph: 'We value our private lives.
'We discuss work a little bit but I think for any couple work dominates their conversation whatever their jobs are.
'You can't let work dominate': While the couple talk about work, it isn't their main line of conversation (pictured together in Los Angeles, January 2013)
'Sometimes you have to leave your work at work, but inevitably there are some discussions, but it can't dominate. I mean it would be boring to just talk about that.'
Daniel shares daughter Ella with his ex wife and fellow actress Fiona Loudon. The former flames were married from 1992 but they parted ways for good in 1994.
Meanwhile, Rachel shares 11-year-old son Henry with her ex lover Darren Aronofsky.
The director is currently dating Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence.
She gushed about the results of her nose job over the summer.
And Yazmin Oukhellou looked thrilled with the results of her cosmetic enhancement as she stepped filmed new scenes for TOWIE outside Temple Bar in Dublin.
The reality star, 23, was joined by Georgia Kousoulou and Amber Dowding as they explored Ireland for the upcoming show.
Scroll down for video
Pleased: Yazmin Oukhellou looked thrilled with the results of her cosmetic enhancement as she stepped filmed new scenes for TOWIE outside Temple Bar in Dublin
Clad in a plush grey faux fur bomber jacket, Yazmin cut quite the chic figure, completing her ensemble with a pair of grey skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots.
Wearing her glossy brunette hair in a sleek mid parting, she beamed, showing off her glowing face.
She was joined by Georgia, who wrapped up in a pale pink aviator jacket and ripped jeans, wearing her hair in loose golden waves.
Fellow blonde Amber opted for wintry black, keeping her look casual in a faux-fur lined bomber jacket and and skinny jeans.
What a weekend! The reality star, 23, was joined by Georgia Kousoulou and Amber Dowding as they explored Ireland for the upcoming show
Last month Yazmin was pictured leaving a clinic in Turkey covered in bandages following her cosmetic surgery.
And last week she put the results of her recent nose job on display in a candid Instagram post.
The star posed up a storm after she peeled off the wraps for the first time to debut her new look on social media.
'So the cat is finally out of the bag,' Yazmin captioned the shot. I can confirm that I had a rhinoplasty... It has only been 2 weeks and I can already see the results are going to be amazing.'
Before and after: The Essex native explained she decided to have a nose job (R) after she broke her nose (L)
The Essex native enthused about how 'amazing' the results of her rhinoplasty were going to be after decided to get the plastic surgery following an accident which left her with a broken nose.
She added: 'I had a previous broken nose and deviated septum so surgery was the only option for me. I am so glad I did it as I was nervous at first but so happy that I can now breathe properly and that the small bump has gone.'
But James Lock's girlfriend explained she wasn't encouraging people to have surgery, adding: 'As I have stated before in previous posts I am NOT telling people to run out and have cosmetic surgery due to vanity,'.
Winter chic: Clad in a plush grey faux fur bomber jacket, Yazmin cut quite the chic figure, completing her ensemble with a pair of grey skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots
New look: Wearing her glossy brunette hair in a sleek mid parting, she beamed, showing off her glowing face
'I am saying that if you want to get surgery, have been thinking about it for a long time and like me I had no other option then people should feel comfortable to and feel they won't be judged'.
Yazmin has been dating co-star James, 30, for nine months, prior to which he was previously in a long-term romance with fellow TOWIE star Danielle Armstrong.
Yazmin has joined the rest of the cast as filming on the show's eagerly awaited new series begins.
Yum! She was joined by Georgia, who wrapped up in a pale pink aviator jacket and ripped jeans, wearing her hair in loose golden waves.
Autumnal: Fellow blonde Amber opted for wintry black, keeping her look casual in a faux-fur lined bomber jacket and and skinny jeans
The duo have been going from strength to strength since embarking on a romance after his ex left the series last year.
Danielle had quit the series before Christmas in a bid to put some distance between herself and Lockie.
However, the former couple appeared to lock horns, as reports surfaced of Danni clashing with Lockie's new love and becoming embroiled in a bitter feud earlier this year.
Makeover: Last month Yazmin was pictured leaving a clinic in Turkey covered in bandages following her cosmetic surgery
Taken girl: Yazmin (right) has been dating co-star James, 30, for nine months, prior to which he was previously in a long-term romance with fellow TOWIE star Danielle Armstrong
The girls had been seen making sly digs at each other on social media and reportedly clashed while both were out at Essex hotspot Sheesh in Chigwell.
Yazmin had accused Danielle of 'dancing like an animal' in front of James and branded her beau's former flame 'embarrassing', while claiming Danielle had made an 'absolute show of herself'.
Danielle, however, denied the claims and took to Snapchat to share her side of the story, insisting she hadn't wanted to talk about her run-in with Yasmin.
Here come the blondes! Georgia Kousoulou cut a chic appearance in a wintry ensemble whilst Amber Turner was spotted about and about in Essex
Retail therapy: The trio cut a chic appearance as they enjoyed a day of shopping
'I didn't want to discuss it, I'm so happy in my little life. I've come away from all that s*** and drama. But all I keep hearing on Twitter, on Whatsapp etc is, 'Someone is talking about you again.'
I got the bill. I was on my way out and me and Yazmin had a few words - little bit heated, no fights, no rows. I left, end of.'
James and Yasmin appear to be on a similar page, as he recently confirmed he is building a house and wants his girlfriend to live with him in it when it is complete.
The reality stars recently returned from Marbella, where they filmed a latest installment of TOWIE.
Where's Megan? A dapper Pete Wicks was later seen in Brentwood bumping into Amber Turner
Turning heads: Amber put on a leggy display in her racy ensemble
Justin Bieber's bad boy reputation has prevented him from renting a house in Beverly Hills.
The Sorry hitmaker, 23, has been offering as much as $100,000 a month for accommodation in the exclusive district of Los Angeles, but homeowners in the area have reportedly spurned his offers on account of his previous behavior.
The wealthy community located near West Hollywood boasts roughly 35,000 residents with a per capita income of $193,000.
Is it too late now to say Sorry? Justin Bieber's bad boy reputation has prevented him from renting a house in Beverly Hills
A source told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column: 'Justin wants to rent a big estate, but many of the owners of the big Beverly Hills properties, which are for rent, have clubbed together to agree that nobody should rent to Justin.
'You would think that they would want the cache of having him at their homes - and Justin is offering $100,000 a month for places that aren't anywhere near worth that.
'But he and his entourage have a reputation of trashing his rental homes and then being difficult where it comes to paying for the repairs.'
As a result, Justin has instead taken to living in a hotel, leaving some of the guests open-mouthed as he's been casually walking by them on a daily basis.
Down and out in Beverly Hills: The Sorry hitmaker, 23, has been offering as much as $100,000 a month, but homeowners in the area have spurned his offers on account of his behavior
The insider added: 'He's become a resident at a hotel, where the well-heeled guests have been doing double takes seeing him at breakfast on his own with his tattoos and baggy pants.'
In 2014, Justin was forced to pay a neighbor $80,000 after he was proven to have thrown eggs from his own home in Calabasas, California.
A year later, Justin found himself in trouble again after the Beverly Hills home he'd rented was trashed during a party.
The bash was attended by a host of big-name musicians, including Nicki Minaj, French Montana and Chris Brown.
Say cheese: Bieber was arrested in Florida on January 23, 2014 for driving his Lamborghini under the influence
But it was the damage caused to the property which ultimately stole the headlines and further damaged Justin's reputation among local residents.
The What Do You Mean musician was arrested in Florida on January 23, 2014 for driving his Lamborghini under the influence.
Justin was also charged with driving with an expired license and resisting arrest when confronted by police.
The star recently canceled the remaining dates of his Purpose World Tour after rededicating his life to Christ
Senator Lamar Alexander on Monday announced Tennessees Commissioner of Education Candice McQueen, will be testifying Tuesday at a hearing of the Senate education committee, which he chairs, on innovative approaches states are pursuing in their new state plans for holding schools accountable under the Every Student Succeeds Act [ESSA] the law Senator Alexander sponsored that fixed No Child Left Behind.
In the last few years, Tennessee has led the nation in improving its schools, and in my opinion, Tennessee has done it again, Senator Alexander said. When ESSA passed the Senate in 2015, I said, Today, we are unleashing a new era of innovation and excellence in student achievement one that recognizes that the path to higher standards, better teaching and real accountability is classroom by classroom, community by community, and state by state and not through Washington, D.C. This week, the Senate education committee will hold a hearing to hear how states are innovating under the new law. Out of the first fifteen plans approved under ESSA, based upon my review and that of my staff, Tennessee was one of the nations best examples of how to take advantage of the freedom to innovate under the new law and were fortunate Tennessee's education commissioner, Candice McQueen, will testify before the education committee to talk about what Tennessee plans to do.
On August 30, the U.S. Education Department approved Tennessees new state education plan under ESSA. Senator Alexander said then, This is an exciting day for Tennessee students. With the approval of its new state plan under the Every Student Succeeds Act, Tennesseans are back in the drivers seat for decisions on how to help Tennessee students learn and how to get talented teachers into our classrooms. This new law and this new Education Department both recognize that the path to higher standards, better teaching and real accountability is through classrooms, communities, and states, where decisions are made by people closest to our children and not through a distant department in Washington, D.C.
As chairman of the Senate education committee, Senator Alexander was the primary Republican sponsor of the Every Student Succeeds Act, which passed in 2015 and reversed the trend toward a National School Board run from Washington, D.C. The legislation was called the largest devolution of federal control to states in a quarter century by the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board. The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 ends federal interference in state standards and ends the federal mandates on states to adopt the Common Core State Standards.
He welcomed his first child with wife Laura Gallacher last November.
And Russell Brand has lovingly referred to his little girl Mabel, 10 months, as somewhat of a handful - referencing her as 'beautiful, vindictive and vicious.'
Speaking on Megyn Kelly Today on Tuesday, the 42-year-old, who appeared on the show to talk about his recovery from drugs and sobriety, couldn't resist touching upon his family with the sweet statement.
Scroll down for video
'She's beautiful, vindictive and vicious': Russell Brand has lovingly referred to his little girl Mabel, 10 months, as somewhat of a handful on Tuesday
Russell, who is promoting his new book Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions, has openly discussed his marriage to Laura, 30, who he wed last month, as well as fatherhood to baby Mabel, 10 months, in the past.
Speaking on ITV's Lorraine recently, he said: 'Its so extraordinary to find such comfort and peace in a way things are obvious, getting married, having baby, I feel very relaxed, surprised but relaxed
I was watching my wife singing to our daughter, I thought wow this is happening, I am the father in this relationship, it felt beautiful.
Happy family: The TV star, 42, welcomed his first child with wife Laura Gallacher, 30, last November
Priorities: Speaking on Megyn Kelly Today on Tuesday, Russell, who appeared on the show to talk about his recovery from drugs and sobriety, couldn't resist touching upon his family with the sweet statement
New project: Russel has also been promoting his new book Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions
Loving: Russell has openly discussed his marriage to Laura, 30, who he wed last month as well as fatherhood to baby Mabel, 10 months, in the past
'Nothing she does annoys me': Russell also admitted that fatherhood had settled him down as he spoke sweetly of his little girl to Stellar Magazine recently:
When asked by Lorraine if he would have more children, Russell responded 'Oh yeah! The actual birth bit is brilliant, surprising, amazing. I saw how mental it was my wifes birth was a crazy world, I was on the periphery.
'The midwifes were dominating, I was scuttling around, jealous of the oxygen she was on.'
Russell also admitted that fatherhood had settled him down as he spoke sweetly of his little girl to Stellar Magazine recently: 'She grabs my face, closes her fist and twists it. I quite like that. Nothing she does annoys me.'
'It's just that you can't ever go, "Would you mind being on standby for an hour so I can do something else?" It's a total lack of control: she'll punch and I'll surrender'.
Dad duties: The Rock Of Ages actor has even admitted that even though he may have been viewed as a Lothario in the past, he's long been broody
Trendy: Russell was dressed in his signature rocker style as he arrived at ABC Studios in New York City on Tuesday ahead of the interview
People pleaser: He took time out to take selfies with fans
Former flame: Russell was previously married to American songstress Katy Perry from 2012-2014
The Rock Of Ages actor admitted that even though he may have been viewed as a Lothario in the past, he's long been broody.
'Ive always loved being around kids; sort of obsessively, really. I have strong relationships with all my mates kids.
'If I go to their house I sometimes spend more time with them. Because I enjoy play quite a lot and kids are willing to just put on stupid voices and muck around,' he concluded.
Russell was previously married to American songstress Katy Perry from 2010-2012.
Busy day: Russell later appeared on the The View with Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Haines and Sunny Hostin
Happy: Russell proved to be in high spirits during the interview
Chatting away: Russell joined the ladies of The View on Tuesday
Helping hand: He held panellist Whoopi Goldberg's hand in between breaks
Book signing: He later signed copies of his book at Barnes & Noble Union Square in NYC
Man in black: Russell kept it simple in an all-black outfit
He is worlds away from his most iconic role in Star Trek.
And Chris Pine swapped his space suit for chain mail armour when he filmed action packed scenes for his latest project Netflix film Outlaw King in Scotland on Tuesday.
The Hollywood heartthrob, 37, slipped into his new role with ease as he threw himself into the heart of the action outside Glasgow Cathedral.
Forget Game Of Thrones! Chris Pine was every inch the leading man as he filmed his latest project Netflix film Outlaw King in Scotland on Tuesday
Suited and booted, Chris proved he was the right man for the job of the Outlaw King Robert the Bruce in the upcoming film.
It will tell the true story of how the 14th Century Outlaw King successfully defeated a much bigger and better equipped army with his cunning nature and bravery.
The American actor looked every inch the fierce leader when he rounded up the troops on horseback.
A true leader: The Hollywood heartthrob, 37, slipped into his new role with ease as he threw himself into the heart of the action outside Glasgow Cathedral
Suited and booted: Chris proved he was the right man for the job of the Outlaw King Robert the Bruce in the upcoming film
Battle hungry: The nine-strong group of men looked fierce as they galloped towards the cathedral
Commanding the attention of his army, he stepped up to the challenge and guided the army.
The nine-strong group of men looked fierce as they galloped towards the cathedral.
Costume-clad Chris showcased his muscular frame in the slinky chain mail armour, transporting onlookers back in time to the medieval age in which the story is set.
The star looked worlds away from his Hollywood heartthrob image as he sported a bushy beard and long hair for the role.
He couldn't contain his excitement to be involved in the filming as he grinned ear-to-ear.
Different look: The star looked worlds away from his Hollywood heartthrob image as he sported a bushy beard and long hair for the role
Costume-clad: The hunk showcased his muscular frame in the slinky chain mail armour, transporting onlookers back in time to the medieval age in which the story is set
Commanding the attention: He stepped up to the challenge and guided the army
The hunk is on horseback alongside the likes of Avengers star Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the medieval drama.
The 800-year-old building is one of a number of historic locations set for filming across Scotland. They are expected to finish shooting scenes in November.
Crew first started filming in August over the summer in Linlithgow, West Lothian.
While Netflix are yet to set an official date, the movie is expected to be available on the streaming site in 2018.
Storytelling: It will tell the true story of how the 14th Century Outlaw King successfully defeated a much bigger and better equipped army with his cunning nature and bravery
In good company: The hunk is on horseback alongside the likes of Avengers star Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the medieval drama
Helping hands! Crew members were on site to help Chris off his horse as they prepared for the next scene
Time out: The hunk looked utterly relaxed between takes
Location, location, location: The 800-year-old building is one of a number of historic locations set for filming across Scotland
Kick start: Crew first started filming in August over the summer in Linlithgow, West Lothian
Due date: They are expected to finish shooting scenes in November
Daisy Lowe commanded attention on Tuesday evening as she made her first appearance at Paris Fashion Week.
The British model, 28, accentuated her slender frame with a fitted grey trouser suit while attending the Paul & Joe womenswear spring-summer 2018 show in the French capital.
A peach shirt gave the look a sophisticated flourish, while black stiletto heels rounded things off as she made her way inside, shortly after travelling to Paris from her native London.
Scroll down for video
Looking good: Daisy Lowe commanded attention on Tuesday evening as she made her first appearance at Paris Fashion Week
Adding a splash of colour to her ensemble, Daisy opted for a vivid layer of red lipstick the perfect contrast to an otherwise subdued colour palette.
A single black leather clutch proved to be a distinctive accessory, while Daisy's signature heavy fringe was one again present and correct as she mingled with guests at the event.
Her appearance in France comes shortly after an equally elegant outing at The Arts Of Wishes Gala in London on Monday evening.
Stylish: The British model, 28, accentuated her slender frame with a fitted grey trouser suit while attending the Paul & Joe womenswear spring-summer 2018 show in the French capital
The fashionista flaunted her gravity-defying cleavage in a scooped neckline of a slinky dress with a a frilled edge and semi-sheer billowing sleeves.
Not adding much to her statuesque height of 5" 8', the model sashayed through the event in simple heels.
The brunette injected drama into her ensemble with heavy smokey eye make-up and she wore her glossy locks in a loosely-tousled fashion.
Striking: A peach shirt gave the look a sophisticated flourish, while black stiletto heels rounded things off as she made her way inside, shortly after travelling to Paris from her native London
Here they come: Colour was the order of the day on the Paul & Joe runway at Paris Fashion Week on Tuesday
Finishing touches: A single black leather clutch proved to be a distinctive accessory, while Daisy's signature heavy fringe was one again present and correct as she mingled with guests at the event
Hard to miss: Models wore widely contrasting but no less distinctive ensembles at the event on Tuesday evening
In attendance: American socialite Olivia Palermo occupied a front row seat
Elsewhere Daisy is understood to be dating again after her last high profile relationship with Bradley 'Frankie' Wade, who she broke up with in November during her stint on Strictly Come Dancing.
The model was seen with a new man as they shared a smooch during a day out at a London Sunday in September.
Proving that their relationship had progressed to the meeting friends stage, the pair packed on the PDA whilst surrounded by pals.
can't wait: daisy was clearly excited to be attending the Paris fashion Week runway show
Party time: Daisy's appearance in France comes shortly after an equally elegant outing at The Arts Of Wishes Gala in London on Monday evening
She was seen to have a catch in her throat as she announced that Julia Chernogorova had become the sixth person to leave the Great British Bake Off on Tuesday night.
And coming over all emotional yet again, show host Sandi Toksvig, 59, when discussing the contestants currently competing on the Channel 4 series of the show during an appearance on ITV's Lorraine on Wednesday morning.
The comedian, who co-presents Bake Off alongside Noel Fielding, found it hard to keep her composure while watching back a clip of Julia's exit, commenting that 'even now' - many months later down the line - she still finds it hard not to tear up.
Scroll down for video
Tearing up: Sandi Toksvig, 59, came over all emotional yet again as she discussed Julia Chernogorova's exit from the Great British Bake Off on Lorraine on Wednesday morning
Filming for Bake Off wrapped earlier this year, with viewers only now getting to watch all the action that had unfolded in the tent.
Addressing the latest exit from the show on Lorraine, Sandi commended all the baker's on the 'effort they put in' to the competition, adding: 'They put their hearts and souls into it.'
She has become known for her heartfelt reactions towards all the contestants and when Lorraine Kelly pointed out how emotional Sandi had got over Julia's exit from Bake Off, Sandi's voice began to falter, as she joked she still hadn't recovered, saying: 'Ahh even now.'
Emotional: She was seen to have a catch in her throat as she announced Julia had become the sixth person to leave the competition on Tuesday night's episode of the show
Sweet: Sandi commended all the baker's on the 'effort they put in' to the competition and joked that even now she still can't watch back contestants leaving without welling up
Sandi went on to revealed that the presenting team have a WhatsApp group with all the show's contestants and that they all still keep in touch. She commented on how well she, Noel and judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith get on during filming - adding that Noel often refers to her as his 'little Danish wife'.
Her appearance on Lorraine came after fans saw Julia sent home from the Great British Bake Off after failing to impress Paul and Prue with her three creations for pastry week.
The 21-year-old from Russia, who lives in West Sussex with her husband, was told her fate by Sandi who appeared to have tears in her eyes, as she told Julia she was 'so sorry' to see her go.
Close bond: The star then went on to revealed that the Bake Off presenting team have a WhatsApp group with all the show's contestants and that they all still keep in touch
Good fun: She also commented on how well she, Noel and judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith get on during filming - adding that Noel often refers to her as his 'little Danish wife'
Emotional exit: The Great British Bake Off's Julia said she knew she "would not win or get to the final" as she became the sixth baker eliminated from the competition on Tuesday night
As she revealed the latest casualty of the Bake Off, Sandi's voice faltered, as she said: 'I have the horrible job, you are all amazing, you're down to the last seven which is incredible, somebody has to go home and it's really painful.'
Announcing the name of the sixth hopeful to be eliminated, Sandi had to regain her composure, as she stuttered Julia's name.
Bringing in Julia for a hug, an emotional Toksvig told her: 'I am so sorry, sorry sweetheart. You did amazing. You know that, right? You did incredible.'
The signature challenge, which saw the seven remaining bakers tasked with creating four savoury shortcrust pies, was Julia's first downfall, as she included baking powder in her pastry - a move later dubbed a "mistake" by Leith.
Sad: Her exit had left show host Sandi Toksvig, 59, all emotional and on announcing the result, the comedian's voice appeared to falter
Disappointed: Julia appeared to know her fate as Sandi announced the news that she had been given the boot
Tearing up: Host Sandi had tears in her eyes as she told Julia she was 'so sorry' to see her go
Hugging it out: The comedian made sure to comfort Julia, after telling this year's contestants that she had the 'painful' job of revealing who had to go
Julia came in last place in the technical challenge, due to her pasteis de nata - Portuguese custard tarts - resembling shortcrust pastry rather than the desired flaky pastry it is known for.
In the showstopper round, Julia's hand-raised pie with a hot water crust pastry base received criticism from both Hollywood and Leith.
They said her effort could have been neater, that the pastry was 'undercooked' and that her shredded chicken filling was 'dry'.
Farewell: The 21-year-old from Russia, who lives in West Sussex with her husband, failed to impress judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood with her three pasty creations
Half-baked effort: The signature challenge, which saw the seven remaining bakers tasked with creating four savoury shortcrust pies, was Julia's first downfall
Following her exit from the programme, Julia said: 'I knew that I wouldn't win or get to the final, but I enjoyed every week, and to get to over half way through the series is something I am really grateful for.
'I enjoyed every minute of it, and I would love to do it again now I have the knowledge of how it all works!'
Julia said that being named Star Baker during bread week was her highlight in the tent, and that she enjoyed getting to know Toksvig and her co-presenter Noel Fielding.
Look on the bright side: Julia said that being named Star Baker during bread week was her highlight in the tent, and that she enjoyed getting to know Toksvig and her co-presenter Noel Fielding (pictured)
She said: 'They always made me laugh and we were always on the same wavelength.
'We just got each other, and I think I made them laugh too, it was so comfortable I felt like I had known them both for a long time.
'Sandi was like my mum and I really loved her, she was so incredibly supportive.'
Julia said her family back at home in Russia have not yet been able to watch her progress on the Channel 4 show as they do not speak English, but that "hopefully I will be able to take some DVDs of the show so they can see it".
Main man: Liam, 19, was named Star Baker for his efforts in pastry week, his first time with the accolade
Well done: Prue Leith praised Liam, this year's youngest baker, as being a "genius", particularly with his flavours
She added: 'My husband Matt's family have of course been able to watch it, and his nan cries each week, and was in pieces the night I left.
'They have been so incredibly supportive, and that means so much to me.
'My husband Matt has been my rock, he is the one who has always believed in me. I would have gone crazy without him!'
Liam, 19, was named Star Baker for his efforts in pastry week, marking his first time receiving the accolade.
Leith praised Liam, this year's youngest baker, as being a "genius", particularly with his flavours.
The Great British Bake Off continues on Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
Naya Rivera and her husband Ryan Dorsey are back on.
The Glee star dismissed her divorce paperwork from the actor in late September, according to E! News.
This comes after the 30-year-old beauty had a short lived romance with Just Shoot Me actor David Spade.
They can't quit each other! Naya Rivera and her husband Ryan Dorsey are back on. The Glee star dismissed her divorce paperwork from the actor in late September, according to E! News. Seen in 2015
'She is back together with Ryan,' said a source close to the couple.
'They want to make it work for the sake of their son.'
Together they have a son named Josey, who they welcomed in September 2015.
Cute one: Together they have a son named Josey, who they welcomed in September 2015
The couple wed in Mexico in 2014.
In November 2016 she filed for divorce stating irreconcilable differences. She wanted legal and physical custody of their son with visitation rights for Dorsey.
He's so yesterday: This comes after the 30-year-old beauty had a short lived romance with Just Shoot Me actor David Spade. Seen in April
'After much consideration, we have made the decision to end our marriage,' the two stars said in a joint statement at the time.
'Our priority is and always will be our beautiful son that we share together. We will continue to be great co-parenting partners for him. We ask for respect and privacy for our family during this difficult time.'
In late March Naya and David were seen getting close at the pool at the Halekulani hotel on Waikiki beach in Hawaii.
They hugged and laughed as they got close.
Also there was Adam Sandler.
Naya made fun of the claims on social media, making it seem as if she was still single, but she was seen with David again later that spring.
In June she reportedly split from the funnyman.
Before Ryan, Naya was engaged to Big Sean in 2013 but they split within months.
She's happily expecting her third child with husband Cash Warren.
But Jessica Alba looked like a mama who means business as she headed to a meeting in Santa Monica on Tuesday.
The actress and entrepreneur, 36, showed off her beautiful baby bump in a tight black jersey dress.
Working mom: Jessica Alba looked like a mama who means business as she headed to a meeting in Santa Monica on Tuesday
The Honest Company boss added to her laid-back look by donning a pair of wire-rimmed glasses and a loose linen coat.
Even in her third-trimester Jessica - who shares daughters Honor, nine, and Haven, six, with her producer husband - looked polished and poised in her well-fitted black dress.
The Sin City star made sure her feet were well-supported in white canvas pumps and she toted her belongings in a navy leather tote bag.
Jessica wore her chestnut locks loose and went make-up free to showcase her natural pregnancy glow.
Bumping along: The actress and entrepreneur, 36, showed off her beautiful baby bump in a tight black jersey dress
Growing family! Jessica and husband Cash Warren (seen with the star's parents Mark and Cathy) have two daughters, Honor, nine, and Haven, six
The mother-of-two completed her look with a pair of gold hoop earrings.
Jessica and Cash met on the set of Fantastic Four in 2004 and were married in Los Angeles in 2008, shortly before the birth of their first daughter.
The couple announced they were expecting their third child together in July.
Cash told MailOnline last month: 'Im always impressed by how hot she is! I think she still looks really hot and shes like a hot mom. I think that always impresses me when I wake up next to her.'
He also revealed the couple are yet to discover whether they will be adding to their brood with a boy or a girl, saying: 'I think well wait and see what the surprise is.
Going strong! Jessica and Cash (pictured in February) met on the set of Fantastic Four in 2004 and were married in Los Angeles in 2008, shortly before the birth of their first daughter
'Based on my friends who all have three kids who are all of the same gender, Im imagining ours probably will go the same way. But who knows?
'Id love to have a little guy in the house to hang out with. But I dont mind being the only guy as well. Its kind of fun. But Im more the whipping boy, if you will. I get s**t from all directions!'
Jessica helped found The Honest Company, a consumer goods brand, back in 2011.
Despite being battered by lawsuits over its products' alleged ingredients and effectiveness, The Honest Company has flourished.
In 2015, the Wall Street Journal reported that the homegoods brand was worth approximately $1.7 billion and valued Alba herself at $340million.
The world was left reeling on Monday after the US experienced its most deadly mass shooting ever at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada.
And now, country music star Keith Urban, 49, has spoken out about the moment he broke the news of the massacre to his eldest daughter Sunday Rose.
After performing a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water at a candlelight vigil in Nashville, Tennessee, in the hours after the shooting, Keith shared a personal story.
'I said, 'Yeah, a lot of people (were) killed last night'': Keith Urban, 49, has spoken out about the moment he broke the news of the Las Vegas massacre to his eldest daughter Sunday Rose
'I started this morning by finding out about it and being shell-shocked all morning, getting my kids ready for school.'
'My nine-year-old, as I was driving her to school this morning, said to me, 'Dad, you seem quiet.'
'I said, 'Yeah, a lot of people (were) killed last night.' She said, 'Did you know any of them?' and I said, 'Not that I know of.'
Keith Urban and wife Nicole Kidman share two daughters, Faith Margaret, six, and Sunday Rose, nine
Attire: Keith dressed casually, sporting a black T-shirt, jeans and a denim jacket
'Then she said, 'Then why are you so sad?' I said, 'First of all, these were innocent people horrifically taken, and secondly, they're like family.'
He went on: 'It's the one thing about country music that's always been the centre of it it is community. So I did know those people, in that way.
'I feel very grateful for this moment tonight to be able to put some light in the world,' he concluded.
Lyrics: The husband of Australian actress Nicole Kidman put on a heartfelt performance, belting out the lyrics to Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water
Dressed casually in a black T-shirt, jeans and a denim jacket, Keith looked extremely emotional during the heartfelt performance and speech.
The performance came shortly after Keith took to Twitter, revealing that he is 'stilled and speechless' by the horrific turn of events.
The country music star posted to the social media platform: 'Stilled and speechless...Our hearts and prayers are with everyone involved and affected. - KU.'
Emotional: Understandably throughout the performance, Keith looked emotional
Can't fathom it: The performance comes shortly after Keith took to Twitter, revealing that he is 'stilled and speechless' by the horrific turn of events
Online: The country music star posted to the social media platform: 'Stilled and speechless...Our hearts and prayers are with everyone involved and affected. - KU'
According to police, the shooter was 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock, who fired the shots from a room on the 32nd floor at the Mandalay Bay Hotel that he had checked into.
The festival that was headlining acts such as Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean and Eric Church was taking place across the street.
Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo revealed that Stephen was found dead inside his room, among an 'arsenal' of 10 firearms.
Horrific: Residents of the Nashville community woke up on Monday to hear that a deadly mass shooting took place at the Route 91 Harvest Festival. Sunday October 1 on the popular Las Vegas strip saw 59 dead and at least 527 injured
Survivor Australia's final five evictee has revealed the raunchy pact he made with his girlfriend prior to filming the show.
Preparing for his entry on the show, Locky Gilbert and his girlfriend Jordan Cayless set an odd boundary as to how far he could go with another woman.
She told him: 'You can't let your penis touch them,' he revealed to KIIS FM on Wednesday, before confirming he didn't get intimate with co-star Tara Pitt.
'You have to do it to keep warm': Survivor Australia's final five evictee Locky Gilbert has revealed the raunchy pact he made with his girlfriend Jordan (pictured) prior to the show
It came during a chat with The Kyle and Jackie O Show, in which the 27-year-old was probed on 'cuddling Tara every night to keep warm.'
'That's not an inappropriate thing on Survivor, is it?' Jackie O Henderson asked, 'It's just a purely functional thing to stay warm.'
'Yeah, you just have to do it to keep warm at night,' Locky insisted.
Shock-jock Kyle Sandilands then replied: 'And what did your girlfriend (Jordan) think about all that? I'd imagine she'd be anti that?'
The pact: After watching previous seasons of the show, he agreed with his girlfriend that he was allowed to 'cuddle' other women but she added: 'you can't let your penis touch them'
The Perth-based adventure tour guide then laid out the pact he made with his fellow tour guide girlfriend, including: 'no touching at the waist.'
Locky revealed he watched 'a few survivors' before the show, causing his girlfriend to realise: 'oh no, you have to cuddle people?'
He continued: 'I was like "yeah, I'm probably going to have to," and she replied, "alright, well you can't let your penis touch them.'
'I probably have to': It came during a chat with The Kyle and Jackie O Show, in which the 27-year-old was probed on 'cuddling Tara (L) every night to keep warm'
Kyle praised Jordan on her understanding, saying: 'what a good woman she sounds like then, she's very open, then, is she?'
The contestant, who was evicted on Tuesday night's episode, replied: 'yes and no, yeah, she's doing really well.'
The series will wrap up next week with its first ever live finale, where the Sole Survivor will be revealed.
'Good woman': KIIS FM host Kyle Sandilands praised Jordan on her understanding, saying: 'what a good woman she sounds like then, she's very open, then, is she?'
On Tuesday's Australian Survivor, things were tense at camp after Tara betrayed best friend Locky to vote out Ziggy at the previous Tribal Council.
Locky was left fuming after the betrayal, with the hunky adventure guide storming around camp and slicing through coconuts on his own.
'Locky has had control for so long and now that it's gone it's like he's sulking like my 4-year-old does,' said Tara.
She's the Bachelor villain, known for flaunting her $35,000 plastic surgery in sultry selfies on Instagram.
And Keira Maguire jokingly hit back at a fan on social media, after being questioned about whether she was 'escorting' during a holiday in Melbourne.
'Yes I'm an escort ... what kind of question is that?' Keira replied.
'Yes I'm an escort ... bahah what kind of question is that?' The Bachelor's Keira Maguire jokingly hits back at 'offensive' X-rated accusation from fan
After posting a selfie of her posing on a bed in a Melbourne hotel room on Tuesday night, one of her followers asked: 'You escorting?'
'Yes I'm a escort ... bahah (sic) what kind of question is that,' Keira jokingly replied back on Instagram.
When contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Keira said her response was 'clearly joking' because the question was 'offensive'.
Questioned: After posting a selfie of her posing on a bed in a Melbourne hotel room on Tuesday night, one of her followers asked: 'You escorting?'
Hit back: 'Yes I'm a escort ... bahah (sic) what kind of question is that,' Keira replied back on Instagram.
Joking around: When contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Keira said her response was 'clearly joking' because the question was 'offensive'
Meanwhile, Keira is one of several former contestants widely tipped to star in the upcoming Bachelor In Paradise.
On Monday, Network 10 confirmed the series was going ahead, after weeks of speculation.
Also rumoured to star in the series, which aims to give former Bachelorette and Bachelor stars a second shot at love, are Nikki Gogan, Sasha Mielczarek and Jen Hawke.
Since first rising to fame as the 'villain' on Richie Strahan's season of The Bachelor in 2016, Keira has undergone several cosmetic procedures.
The feisty blonde has spent $35,000 on a boob and nose job, as well as lip fillers, Botox and vampire facials.
'The first night I watched the show I was sitting there like, "Ew, this is f****d," My nose is just so bad on camera,' she told NW Magazine last year.
They're Hollywood heavy-hitters who previously worked together on the Academy Award-nominated film, American Hustle.
And Christian Bale and Amy Adams reunited on the set of new Dick Cheney biopic, Backseat, when they were seen shooting somber funeral scenes for the first time in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
The actor, 43, displayed his fuller physique to take on the role of the former Vice President in the new movie, which is written and directed by Adam McKay.
Transformation: Christian Bale was seen in character as former Vice President Dick Cheney for the first time as he got to work on set in Los Angeles on Tuesday
Talented: The actor, 43, displayed his fuller physique to take on the role of the former Vice President (pictured, right, in 1975) in the new biopic Backseat
The Oscar-winning star was barely recognizable with a bit of weight added to his usually chiseled frame for the role as the storied politician.
Bale wore a short brown hairpiece in a comb-over style, similar to Cheney's hairstyle in the late 70s and early 80s, making him look uncannily like his political alter-ego.
The actor wore a black suit and tie as he filmed scenes, which looked to be of a funeral set-up early in the Cheney history.
In addition to his weight-gain, which he recently joked came about by 'eating a lot of pies, the star has bleached his eyebrows to take on the role.
Hard at work: The Oscar-winning star was barely recognizable with a bit of weight added to his usually chiseled frame for the role as the storied politician as he joined Amy Adams on set
And action! Amy wore an all-black ensemble for the outdoor scene as the Vice President's wife Lynne, which included a black dress, black coat and black tights
Hair today: Bale wore a short brown hairpiece in a comb-over style, similar to Cheney's hairstyle in the late 70s and early 80s, making him look uncannily like his political alter-ego
In later years, the politician became the CEO of Halliburton but was most notably known for being in the center of foreign policy which pursued both Afghanistan and Iraq wars.
No stranger to undergoing an image overhaul, Bale previously demonstrated his commitment to transforming for roles when he tanned and beefed up for American Psycho in 2000 and shed 70lbs for The Machinist in 2004.
Amy wore an all-black ensemble for the outdoor scene as the Vice President's wife Lynne, which included a black dress, black coat and black tights.
The star's shoulder-length ashy blonde hair was worn in retro-inspired curls and her make-up was kept minimal.
Somber: Bale wore a black suit and tie as he filmed scenes, which looked to be of a funeral set-up early in the Cheney history
Uncanny: Two little blonde girls followed the actress around on set, assumed to be portraying Liz and Mary Cheney (pictured, right, in 1978)
Controversial: The politician (pictured with wife Lynne in 2004) was notably known for being in the center of foreign policy which pursued both Afghanistan and Iraq wars
Reunited: Amy and Christian last graced the silver screen together in the 2013 crime drama American Hustle alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner
Two little blonde girls followed the actress around on set, assumed to be portraying Liz and Mary Cheney.
The film is described as 'the story of Dick Cheney, the most powerful Vice President in history, and how his policies changed the world as we know it.'
Notable stars already signed on to the film include Steve Carrell as former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsefeld and Bill Pullman as Gerald Ford's second in command, Nelson Rockefeller.
Sam Rockwell is set to portray the 43rd President, George W. Bush, and Lisa Gay Hamilton will play former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice.
What a cast! Notable stars already signed on to the film include Steve Carrell as former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsefeld and Bill Pullman as Gerald Ford's second in command, Nelson Rockefeller
Practicing: The film is described as 'the story of Dick Cheney, the most powerful Vice President in history, and how his policies changed the world as we know it'
Helping hand: Two little blonde girls followed the actress around on set, assumed to be portraying Liz and Mary Cheney
Interesting subject: The film is described as 'the story of Dick Cheney, the most powerful Vice President in history, and how his policies changed the world as we know it
Transformation: The star's shoulder-length ashy blonde hair was worn in retro-inspired curls and her make-up was kept minimal
Amy and Christian last graced the silver screen together in the 2013 crime drama American Hustle alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Renner.
In 2013, Bale told People that gaining weight for American Hustle was not difficult: 'It's easy to start with ... you're just sitting on your butt and you're eating lots of doughnuts and eating bread and everything like that.
'But you do it for two months and your body starts to rebel against you, it's just saying, "No, please," and your back is aching and there's also some problems with that.
'And then you've got to lose the weight at the end of it, you know? I wish it was simple.'
The public can support exceptional small companies in the area by nominating them for the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards.
These awards recognize small businesses in four categories: 1-20 employees, 21-50 employees, 51-200 employees and nonprofit.
The Chattanooga Chamber names four finalists in each category for a total of 12. One recipient from each category receives a Small Business Award, announced at the Chambers Small Business Awards Luncheon on Feb. 13.
Self-nominations are accepted. Submit nominations here, open until Nov. 1.
Finalist companies receive multiple benefits aside from bragging rights, including:
Recognition during event: Finalist companies are highlighted during the Small Business Awards Luncheon. More than 1,000 top business leaders, potential customers and investors attend every year.
Video telling their business story: This video, a value estimated between $2,000 and $5,000, will be shown at the event and finalists may use them for marketing.
Local media coverage: Chambers Business Trend (ChattanoogaTREND.com) magazine features finalists both online and in print.
Free EXPO booth: Finalists enjoy a free booth at EXPO Chattanooga, held in conjunction with the Small Business Awards Luncheon ($550 value).
Questions? Contact events@chattanoogacham ber.com or 423 763-4357.
Read about last years Small Business Award recipients and finalists here.
Doctor Foster had an unexpected twist but still finished as we should have known it would do: with a disappointing, confusing, finale that was not really an ending at all.
Exactly like the first series in other words, right down to another implausible, excruciating, meal.
Having spent the previous four episodes watching Gemma and Simon trying to destroy each other, what we thought was a tale of ruthless revenge veered off track into something approaching soppy reconciliation.
Scroll down for video
All over: Doctor Foster had an unexpected twist but still finished as we should have known it would do: with a disappointing, confusing, finale that was not really an ending at all
Our own lust for justice and our blood lust once again remained unsatiated.
After several menacing (promising) exchanges with Gemma and Simon threatening to kill each other through various means (stabbing, choking, using scissors or syringes), the heroine and her nemesis (our enemy) both survived.
Gemma let Simon off (again). In 2015 she had let him toddle off to London with his mistress. This time she stepped up and saved his life (twice).
Empty threats: After several menacing (promising) exchanges with Gemma and Simon threatening to kill each other through various means (stabbing, choking, using scissors or syringes), the heroine and her nemesis (our enemy) both survived
As the saying goes:
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
The real twist left viewers as stunned as Doctor Foster herself.
What you thought was the fight was merely the warning, as she put it.
The denouement was not about who would come out on top between Gemma and Simon at all, but about their son Tom.
Loved one: The denouement was not about who would come out on top between Gemma and Simon at all, but about their son Tom
The poor kid had had enough of them both and you could hardly blame him.
This time he was the one who ended up leaving them both disappearing, presumably so that Gemma and Simon could look for him.
Perhaps it was only fitting that the Doctor Foster finale left us with a feeling of confusion about what Gemma had really done and why and how we really felt about the end.
On the one hand Tom wasnt dead (as it looked as if he might be) but then neither was Simon (ditto).
Apt conclusion: Perhaps it was only fitting that the Doctor Foster finale left us with a feeling of confusion about what Gemma had really done and why and how we really felt about the end
Gemma wasnt back with Simon but you wouldnt necessarily rule it out judging by the tender way they exchanged momentos from their happy past.
During the finale Tom, Simon, and Gemma all said they just wanted an end to it.
We knew how they felt. Sadly, you suspect, the misery for all of us will go on for all of us in Series Three.
Here are the 10 main things we learnt in the finale.
1. Gemma had not run over Simon at the end of the previous episode
She sped towards him and turned the steering wheel but checked herself just in time. Pity.
Near miss: Gemma had not run over Simon at the end of the previous episode - she sped towards him and turned the steering wheel but checked herself just in time. Pity...
2. Gemma was on the verge of getting her old life back
Gemma had taken Tom back to their home, which she had finally cleared out emptying it of all traces of Simon. The school had left a message saying Tom could return having won their appeal for being expelled (despite raping one of the students). Sians message confirmed she was going back to her practice. She had a chummy dinner with Roz. Only Anna was not living across the road (in the driveway, glass of wine in hand).
Youre in the middle of something her new neighbour said when she came over to introduce herself, and her two kids, after Gemma and Simon had had yet another domestic leaving Gemma brandishing a pair of scissors. You could say that, yes. The neighbour might as well get used to it, you thought. She usually is
Back home: Gemma had taken Tom back to their home, which she had finally cleared out emptying it of all traces of Simon
3. Gemma was back with James but eventually dumped him (again)
No-one tells me what to do! Gemma blazed when Toms teacher (her patient) annoyingly told her to stay calm after Simon effectively abducted her son. Gemma chose this as the moment to dump James for once and for all (hopefully).
Tom was right, she told him. Ive messed you around time and time again and you just keep on coming back. You like fixing me the bird with the broken wing. Im not broken. Sorry were not working and it needs to stop.
Then she went to look for her son.
4. Gemma had manipulated Kate into leaving Simon (probably)
The way Simon complained about Gemma persuading Kate that he had tried to mould his new bride into being like Gemma suggested that she probably had. Whether Gemma really had bought the cufflinks he wore at their wedding or danced with Simon to Jimmy Cliff we will never know.
Simon certainly sounded convincing or convinced when he accused: You took her away from me and it wasnt for any good reason. It was revenge. It made you feel good to win. Thats all it was !
You suspect Tom knew it too.
Are you sure you didnt just want to hurt him? Punish him? he asked his mum about driving Kate and Amelie so far out of Simons life they had moved to France.
Gemma denied it but she basically lied to Tom throughout.
Face to face: Gemma had cleared the house out but still wouldnt just move away and couldnt bear to just let Simon go
5. Despite everything Simon and Gemma still couldnt bear to end it
Gemma had cleared the house out but still wouldnt just move away and couldnt bear to just let Simon go.
How does this end? she asked, having failed to end it by stabbing him with some scissors or just calling the police when he started stalking her and Tom.
It ends with us admitting with both got it wrong and getting back together, Simon told her. Were attracted to each other, so that works. We can be Toms parents again. When its just the three of us together it works. Its what I want. I think you do too - underneath.
Unfortunately you sensed he knew he was right.
6. Gemmas parents had been crushed by a lorry when she was 16
Tom knew Gemmas mum and dad had died in a car accident when she was 16 but apart from that I dont know anything.
He didnt even know what jobs they had.
For some strange reason I wanted to know how they actually died, Gemma later told Simon (as he was trying to commit suicide).
I think thats why I became a doctor
The roof of their car was crushed by a lorry.
It would have been utterly terrifying, incredibly painful and not instant.
It probably explained a lot about her.
In the know: Tom knew Gemmas mum and dad had died in a car accident when she was 16 but apart from that I dont know anything'
7. Simon had persuaded Tom to leave Gemma and move in with him and Kate by telling their son Gemma had left him on his own as a baby
I had Post-natal depression, she tried to explain to their son. It didnt occur to me he would tell you about it because I couldnt imagine the psychology of someone who would do that. Who would hold that against someone?
Well he would, obviously.
8. The syringes Gemma had prepared at the end of the first episode were to assist Simon in committing suicide
Follow the instructions, she hissed having presented him with an alternative to killing himself in front of Tom by walking into the traffic on the motorway.
9. Gemma changed her mind about letting Simon go by killing himself or at all
Dont do this, she said holding Simons hand and giving him the photos of herself and their son that he used to take with him everywhere. Simon didnt really understand why when she had only just given him them and driven back having left him to do it. After everything that had happened during the previous episodes he had a point.
Dramatic: The syringes Gemma had prepared at the end of the first episode were to assist Simon in committing suicide
10. Tom had got away from them both
No doubt Gemma would always regret driving back to stop Simon. Not because she should have let him die (debatable) but because she left Tom sitting in the car outside the hotel. Not for long though. When she marched back, thinking she had their life all sorted out, Tom had disappeared even leaving his mobile on the passenger seat.
Its fine. Its going to be OK, Gemma had told him, which was what she said in the first episode when they found out Simon and Kate had moved back. It really wasnt.
She seemed to have forgotten in last weeks show he had confessed to raping his friend Isobel, attacked his best friend Max, and trashed a cafe.
He was clearly cracking and with parents like Gemma and Simon who could blame him.
Awkward: No doubt Gemma would always regret driving back to stop Simon. Not because she should have let him die (debatable) but because she left Tom sitting in the car outside the hotel
Simon pleaded for his help.
I suppose shes told you whats happened with Kate and Amelie. I just need someone who understands me.
Simon, hes 15! Gemma protested.
SHUT UP ! Simon blazed. I was looking after my mum when I was 15. 15 is old. Stop trying to protect him. It doesnt work does it mate?
This was certainly true. Tom hadnt been protected from them at all.
Bad parenting: Simon had abducted his son and threatened to kill himself under a car
He had heard his estranged/hostile parents having hate sex and now sat through the breakfast from hell.
Simon had abducted his son, threatened to kill himself under a car.
He sat watching his dad drinking Jack Daniels and coke for breakfast while his mum made her excuses to prepare the syringes for his suicide.
I hate myself. I hate what Ive done. I hate the entire world. I hope you never feel what Im feeling now, Simon told Tom. But apart from that youre ok?
As for Gemma, he told her: even though your parents died you were luckier than me
Not ideal.
Did you really think that if Kate left him and he lost the house hed just give up?
That is was exactly what she thought.
Traumatized: Tom thought his mother had wanted him dead when he was young, or worked so hard to be away from him, while his father was either trying to destroy his mum or himself
Dad wont ever stop. Youve read stories about dads who cant see their kids. They set their house on fire. He could get a knife
Poor Tom.
He thought his mother had wanted him dead when he was young, or worked so hard to be away from him, while his father was either trying to destroy his mum or himself.
For weeks Tom had been trying to tell his mother it would be better if he left and that everything in his life was s**t, including himself the same word Simon used about himself.
Mum Im going, he said in the message he had left on her phone. I was going to move out anyway. Ive had enough of dad and you. Ive got no school. No friends left. I hate myself. I just want to start again.
Gemma had been so consumed with trying to desroy Simon she hadnt seen what was right in front of her that she was losing the person she was fighting for all along or at least had been in the beginning.
And after all that, she hadnt even finished Simon off anyway but actually saved him.
Talk about dysfunctional...
It's the last thing anyone would want to do after suffering a painful break-up.
But former flames Tiffany Scanlon and Megan Marx have decided to deal with the painful awkwardness of travelling together after embarking upon the SAME cruise tour in the Philippines this week.
The former Bachelor couple, who boarded the celebrity One Life Adventures cruise on Sunday, have been tip-toeing around each other on social media as they document their sponsored trips, despite clearly being at the same place at the same time.
Awkward! Tiffany Scanlon and Megan Marx have decided to deal with the painful awkwardness of travelling together after embarking upon the SAME cruise tour in the Philippines this week
While Megan has been taking in the tropical sights and sounds with her model pals Tegan Martin, Brooke Nash, Renae Ayris and Natalie Roser, Tiffany has been keeping to herself.
In one video shared by Tiffany to her Instagram story, ex-girlfriend Megan can even be seen standing in the background.
The trip serves as the first time Megan and Tiffany have crossed paths since their very public split.
Gal pals: While Megan has been taking in the tropical sights and sounds with her model pals Tegan Martin, Brooke Nash, Renae Ayris and Natalie Roser, Tiffany has been keeping to herself
There she is! In one video shared by Tiffany to her Instagram story, ex-girlfriend Megan can even be seen standing in the background
Late last year, the couple confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that they were a couple after debuting their romance at the 2016 Maxim Hot 100 party in Sydney
'While we were in the show, it was just a friendship. It probably wasn't until we were in Bali together that it was like 'Oh, this is more',' said Tiffany.
'We had very different experiences when we were on the show. Obviously I found Tiffany very attractive but I was there to get to know Richie,' added Megan.
Former flames: Late last year, the couple confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that they were a couple after debuting their romance at the 2016 Maxim Hot 100 party in Sydney
Their high-profile romance was short-lived, with the pair parting ways in March this year.
Just a few months later, Megan was forced to strongly denying Tiffany's allegations that she 'hooked up with one of her male ex-boyfriends'.
Meanwhile, rumours have been circulating that the pair may return to screens on the debut season of Bachelor In Paradise.
He famously dated Gigi Hadid.
And years after claiming single life was 'sweet,' Cody Simpson is clearly enjoying dipping his toes in the dating pool again, as he was spotted out on a cute lunch with a female friend this week.
The 20-year-old Australian musician was seen getting cozy with a mystery woman at a bustling West Hollywood cafe.
Getting cozy! Cody Simpson spotted out on a lunch date with a female friend before pair share an embrace and he rides off on his motorbike
After arriving at the popular establishment and parking themselves on an outdoor bench, the pair were all smiles as they chatted away.
Just minutes into their meetup, Cody got closer on the chair to his gal pal.
The blonde musician looked suave in a two-tone blue shirt, left partially open to expose his chest.
He completed the look with a pair of aviator shades and straight leg jeans, worn low and held up with a belt.
All smiles! After arriving at the popular establishment and parking themselves on an outdoor bench, the pair were all smiles as they chatted away
Up close and personal! Just minutes into their meetup, Australian musician Cody, 20, slided closer on the chair to his gal pal
Dapper! The blonde musician looked suave in a two-tone blue shirt, left partially open to expose his chest
His lunch companion opted for casual fair for the meet up, seen sporting an olive coloured singlet and cropped training pants.
The pair remained locked in conversation upon exiting the cafe, where they said their goodbyes near Cody's Honda motorbike.
They shared a warm embrace and smiled, before the surf rock artist pulled on his helmet and rode off.
Stylish! He completed the look with a pair of aviator shades and straight leg jeans, worn low and held up with a belt
Casual! His lunch companion opted for casual fair for the meet up, seen sporting an olive coloured singlet and cropped training pants
Farewell! The pair remained locked in conversation upon exiting the cafe, where they said their goodbyes near Cody's Honda motorbike
Cody was first discovered on YouTube while still in high school, he then relocated to America in 2010 to launch his pop career.
He famously dated Victoria's Secret model Gigi Hadid, 22, parting ways in May 2015.
The two previously broke up in May 2014, about a year after they first came out as an official couple.
Cody has also been linked to busty blonde model Sierra Swartz.
Rohingya Muslim refugees walk through Balukhali refugee camp in Bangladesh
A senior Myanmar minister proposed Monday to take back the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who have fled across the border after a military crackdown, Bangladesh said, but gave no details of how the huge task could be achieved.
More than half a million Rohingya have arrived in Bangladesh over the last five weeks after militant attacks on police checkposts there sparked violent reprisals, with entire villages burned to the ground.
Most are now living in desperate conditions in overcrowded camps in impoverished Bangladesh, which has repeatedly urged Myanmar to repatriate them.
On Monday Foreign Minister A.H Mahmood Ali held talks in Dhaka with a representative of Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and said the two countries had agreed to set up a working group to coordinate the repatriation of the Rohingya.
"The talks were held in a friendly atmosphere and Myanmar has made a proposal to take back the Rohingya refugees," the minister told reporters after meeting Myanmar's Minister of the Office of State Counselor Kyaw Tint Swe in Dhaka.
"The two sides have agreed to a proposal to set up a joint working group to coordinate the repatriation process."
Suu Kyi, who has been severely criticised for her failure to curb the military crackdown on the Rohingya, said in a speech last month that Myanmar would take back "verified" refugees.
This would be done according to the criteria set between the two countries in 1993, when tens of thousands of Rohingya were repatriated, she said.
The Bangladesh minister gave no timeframe for repatriation and did not say whether Myanmar would also take back the 300,000 Rohingya refugees who fled to Bangladesh during earlier violence.
He said the refugees would be verified by the joint working group, with the United Nations not involved.
"Bangladesh has proposed a bilateral agreement (with Myanmar) to help implement the repatriation," he said.
There was no immediate comment from Suu Kyi's representative, who arrived in Bangladesh early Monday and is expected to leave later in the day.
The Rohingya, a Muslim minority, do not qualify for Myanmar citizenship even though many have lived there for generations.
The army insists they are interlopers from across the border in Bangladesh.
With the latest influx, there are now more than 800,000 refugees living near Bangladesh's border with Myanmar.
The desperate conditions in the overcrowded camps have sparked concerns that epidemics, including cholera, could spread.
It remains unclear where the Rohingya would go if they were returned to Myanmar -- many of their villages have been burned down in a military operation which the United Nations has called a "textbook case of ethnic cleansing".
In a speech to the UN General Assembly last month, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed creating UN-supervised safe zones inside Myanmar to protect them.
Hasina accused Myanmar authorities of laying landmines on the border to prevent the Rohingya from returning and said the UN must take immediate measures to find a solution to the crisis.
Refugees in Bangladesh are packed into overcrowded UN and makeshift camps along the Myanmar border at increasing risk of disease
A Myanmar minister Monday proposed taking back hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled to Bangladesh after a military crackdown, Dhaka's top diplomat said, as the UN described the scale of suffering inside Rakhine state as "unimaginable".
Northern Rakhine has been torn apart by violence since August 25, when raids by Rohingya militants sparked a massive army crackdown that the UN says is tantamount to "ethnic cleansing".
Myanmar has tightly controlled access to the state since then, as the army kickback in the Buddhist-dominated country sent half a million Rohingyas fleeing to Bangladesh.
But United Nations representatives were given their first access to Rakhine since the trouble erupted, in a visit that came as Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.H Mahmood Ali held talks with Myanmar's Minister of the Office of State Counselor Kyaw Tint Swe.
On a one-day visit organised by Myanmar authorities, UN officials, diplomats and aid groups were flown by helicopter to Maungdaw, epicentre of the violence.
The UN welcomed the trip but reiterated the need for greater humanitarian access.
"The scale of the human suffering is unimaginable and the UN sends its deepest condolences to all those affected," it said, calling for an end to the "cycle of violence".
It also urged a "safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of refugees to their area of origin".
Refugees in Bangladesh are packed into overcrowded UN and makeshift camps along the Myanmar border at increasing risk of disease.
There was widespread scepticism over whether any will be able to return and it remains unclear where the Rohingya would go if they did, since many of their villages have been burnt to the ground.
But Bangladesh minister Mahmood Ali said there had been a repatriation offer in what he called "friendly" talks in Dhaka with the representative of Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
"Myanmar has made a proposal to take back the Rohingya refugees," the minister told reporters.
He gave no timeframe and did not say whether Myanmar would also take back 300,000 Rohingya refugees who fled across the border during earlier violence.
He added that the two nations had agreed to set up a joint working group to coordinate repatriation.
Suu Kyi, who has been severely criticised for her failure to curb the military crackdown, said last month that Myanmar would take back "verified" refugees.
This would be done according to criteria agreed in 1993, when tens of thousands of Rohingya were repatriated, she said.
Rohingya Muslim refugees race to collect food at Balukhali refugee camp in Bangladesh
In a statement issued late Monday by Myanmar's State Counsellor's Office, Minister Kyaw Tint Swe repeated Suu Kyi's repatriation vow.
Under that agreement nearly a quarter of a million people were repatriated from Bangladesh to Myanmar between the early 1990s and 2005, he said.
He added that issues between the two countries should be solved "bilaterally, in an amicable manner, taking into consideration of the national interests of both nations".
- No papers, no state -
A Myanmar army crackdown in the Buddhist-dominated country sent half a million Rohingyas fleeing to Bangladesh
International aid groups fear tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who remain in northern parts of Rakhine are in urgent need of food, medicine and shelter after over a month of military operations.
An EU delegation also joined the UN's whistle-stop trip to Rakhine, which took in Maungdaw and Rathedaung areas, explaining in a statement "this was not an investigation mission and could not be in the circumstances".
"We saw villages that had been burned to the ground and emptied of inhabitants. The violence must stop," it said, calling for unimpeded humanitarian and media access.
Myanmar denies the majority of the Rohingya citizenship, even though many have lived there for generations. It considers the Muslims as illegal migrants from Bangladesh.
Its insistence on verifying the Rohingya could prove a "stumbling block" to repatriation, according to Shahab Enam Khan, an international relations specialist at Jahangirnagar University.
"The Rohingya fled to Bangladesh without any legal documents and it is difficult to prove their identity," he told AFP.
Mohammad Amin, who arrived in Bangladesh on Sunday with two neighbours in a rickety boat, said he would consider returning if their safety was guaranteed.
"If they treat us as equals, we would go back," he told AFP in a coastal town near the border.
In a speech to the UN General Assembly last month, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed creating UN-supervised safe zones inside Myanmar and accused authorities of laying landmines on the border to prevent the Rohingya from returning.
Nurul Amin, a labourer who also arrived Sunday by boat with six of his family members, said they fled after Buddhist mobs threatened them with violence if they did not leave.
"If they accept us as Rohingya, and said they would not harm us, we would return," he told AFP at a refugee registration booth.
Israeli police officers carry the coffin of slain Chief Superintendent Baruch Mizrahi in 2014
A Palestinian accused of killing a senior Israeli policeman and wounding his wife and nine-year-old child was sentenced on Monday to two life terms in prison, the military announced.
Ziad Awad, who appeared before a military court in the West Bank, was found guilty of intentionally causing the death of Baruch Mizrahi by shooting at his car on April 14, 2014 near Hebron in the occupied territory.
The policeman's wife was wounded, and their child and another minor were also hit, a statement from the military said.
Awad was also sentenced to pay compensation of 275,000 shekels ($77,000, 65,500 euros).
He was also found guilty of involvement in seven other attacks targeting Israeli civilians, some of whom were injured, the army added without further details.
The court also sentenced Awad's son Izz al-Din to 20 years' jail and to pay 325,000 shekels for helping his father plan and carry out the attack.
The city of Hebron and its environs, home to 200,000 Palestinians and some 700 Jewish settlers, has seen frequent violence between Palestinians and Israeli settlers and soldiers.
Hamas, the Islamist movement that controls the Gaza Strip, and its radical ally Islamic Jihad both hailed the attack on the policeman as "heroic".
In a 27-page strategic review of MONUSCO, the UN's largest and most expensive mission, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the force was streamlining operations after the peacekeeping budget was cut
With a dangerous political standoff over elections still unresolved in the Democratic Republic of Congo, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is urging caution over further cuts to the UN peacekeeping mission there, according to a confidential report obtained by AFP on Monday.
Guterres told the Security Council that more cost-cutting could hamstring the 18,000-strong MONUSCO force in its efforts to prevent a collapse of the vast, mineral-rich African country.
In a 27-page strategic review of MONUSCO, the UN's largest and most expensive mission, Guterres said the force was streamlining operations after the peacekeeping budget was cut.
"I am confident that the changes under way in MONUSCO will yield efficiencies. Yet, member-states should exercise caution in making further cuts to the mission's budget that may compromise its ability to deliver on its core priorities," Guterres wrote.
"MONUSCO's ultimate purpose is to prevent the DRC's collapse until it ceases to pose a threat to regional and international stability," he added in the report sent to the council on Friday.
Under pressure from the United States, the Security Council in March voted to cut 2,000 troops from MONUSCO while a $600-million cut to the peacekeeping budget was agreed for this year by all UN member-states.
In his report, Guterres said holding elections would open the door to a further drawdown of forces and eventually the mission's exit after 17 years in the country.
"Yet, unless the Congolese are able to quickly overcome the current political impasse, the mission may never reach that point," he warned.
The elections would pave the way to the DR Congo's first democratic transition.
In his address to the United Nations last month, President Joseph Kabila said he was "most certainly moving towards credible, transparent and peaceful elections" and that a timetable would be announced "soon."
In power since 2001, Kabila officially ended his term in office in December, but he was allowed to remain under the deal reached on December 31 in exchange for guarantees that elections will be held.
There is little prospect that a vote will be held this year however, fueling concerns that tensions will escalate into large-scale violence.
The council is scheduled to discuss the volatile situation in the DR Congo next week.
Goldman Sachs is looking at establishing a team that could trade bitcoin and other digital currencies, said a person familiar with the bank's thinking
Goldman Sachs is exploring whether to launch a trading venture in bitcoin in response to client demand, a person familiar with the matter said Monday.
Goldman's consideration of the digital currency could give bitcoin a boost at a time when it is under criticism in China and by some large banks.
Goldman is looking at establishing a team that could trade bitcoin and other digital currencies, said a person familiar with the bank's thinking.
The venture might resemble other Goldman teams that trade euros or treasury bonds. Goldman has received interest from a variety of parties, including investment funds, insurers and corporate clients. The study is at an early stage and may not yield a decision to proceed with such a venture, the person said.
"In response to client interest in digital currencies, we are exploring how best to serve them in the space," said Goldman spokeswoman Tiffany Galvin.
Large banks like Goldman Sachs have until now avoided trading in bitcoin due to its reputation as a conduit for illicit activity.
At the same time, financial companies have been active in the development of "blockchain," the underlying technology of bitcoin, which is seen as a potentially important technology.
Bitcoin critics include JPMorgan Chase chief executive Jamie Dimon, who called the digital currency a "fraud" that will eventually "blow up."
But Morgan Stanley chief executive James Gorman offered measured praise for bitcoin last week, calling it "obviously highly speculative" but "not something that's inherently bad."
Bitcoin has retreated since breaching the psychologically important $5,000 level on September 1. On Monday, it traded at $4,375.
Little is known about the motive of Stephen Paddock, who killed 58 people and wounded nearly 500 when he rained thousands of rounds into a crowd at a country music festival in Las Vegas
US lawmakers bolstered efforts Thursday to ban devices used by the Las Vegas shooter to make his guns fire faster, while the National Rifle Association unexpectedly urged federal officials to review the legality of such modifications.
The influential pro-gun lobby group broke from its traditional outright opposition to any gun control efforts by calling on the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to consider changing the laws surrounding so-called "bump stocks."
"The NRA believes that devices designed to allow semi-automatic rifles to function like fully-automatic rifles should be subject to additional regulations," the NRA said.
The statement is a notable concession by the group, which has vehemently opposed any efforts to tighten gun laws or limit gun owners' options to modify their weapons, and it could open the door to a broader debate about bump stocks.
But should the ATF modify federal statute to make such devices illegal, the move would circumvent Congress.
As police search for more clues into what drove Stephen Paddock to murder 58 people and wound nearly 500 at a country music concert, President Donald Trump's White House also announced it was "open" to further debate about the devices.
Bump stock devices, which attach to semi-automatic rifles to increase the speed at which they can be fired, are at the center of a debate over what steps should be taken to address repeated mass shootings in the United States
The spring-loaded mechanism uses a rifle's recoil to repeatedly and rapidly pull the trigger, allowing the user to fire several hundred rounds per minute.
"Members of both parties and multiple organizations are planning to take a look at bump stocks," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters.
"We welcome that and would like to be part of that conversation."
- Chicago, Boston probed -
As Congress appeared prepared to at least consider moving forward on the first gun limits in years, it emerged that Paddock may have scoped out other major US cities for possible attacks.
Chicago's Blackstone hotel said a man by the same name had reserved a room there in August -- but never showed -- as hundreds of thousands of people were attending the outdoor concert festival Lollapalooza, including Malia Obama, daughter of the former president.
He had also conducted internet searches in Boston, reported the Boston Globe, raising the prospect that Paddock may have been plotting more attacks.
During the shooting rampage Sunday night, two bullets hit a fuel storage tank on the perimeter of Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport. But there was "almost zero" chance of fire or explosion because the tank contained a form of kerosene, which is classified as combustible but not flammable, the airport said in a Facebook posting.
The NRA and White House announcements give cover to Republican lawmakers, many of whom receive NRA funding, to back current legislation that would ban the sale of bump stocks.
"Clearly this is something we need to look into," House Speaker Paul Ryan, the top Republican in Congress, told MSNBC.
FBI investigators continue work at Las Vegas Village, site of the worst mass murder in modern US history, where shooter Stephen Paddock used semi-automatic weapons which he modified with so-called bump stocks to dramatically boost their rate of fire
House and Senate Democrats have introduced bills banning bump stocks and similar devices, like trigger cranks, that can accelerate the firing rate of a semi-automatic weapon to nearly that of a machine gun.
Senator Diane Feinstein, whose assault weapons ban was defeated in 2013, four months after the Newtown shooting where 20 elementary school children were shot dead, said she hoped now was the time Republicans could support her measure to curtail use of the devices.
"Mr. President, you know what the right thing to do is," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, calling on Trump, who visited Las Vegas Wednesday and met with victims and first responders, to support a ban on bump stocks.
While Republicans like Senators Lindsey Graham and John Cornyn were open to hearings on bump stocks, not all Republicans were on board.
"I think this is about chipping away at the Second Amendment," said Senator John Kennedy, referring to the clause in the US Constitution which guarantees citizens the right to bear arms.
Authorities meanwhile were studying the relationship between Paddock, who had no criminal record, and his girlfriend Marilou Danley, whom FBI agents questioned for clues to what drove Paddock to commit the deadliest US shooting of modern times.
- Escape planned? -
In a statement read by her attorney Matthew Lombard, the 62-year-old Danley said she had no hint of what was to come.
"He never said anything to me or took any action that I was aware of that I understood in any way to be a warning that something horrible like this was going to happen," she added.
Authorities have been at a loss as to why the 64-year-old gambler and retired accountant hauled a vast arsenal of weapons to his hotel room and launched his assault.
Stephen Paddock, seen here in an undated image, is thought to have looked for a way to escape after carrying out the deadly shooting
Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said the scale of the preparations -- including weapons, ammunition and electronics he stockpiled -- raise questions about Paddock potentially having had an accomplice, but none has been identified.
The sheriff also said he believed Paddock was seeking a way out after his murder spree.
"He was doing everything possible to see how he could escape at this point," Lombardo said.
The attack unfolded in just 10 minutes from the first shot to the last, but Paddock was not confirmed dead for more than an hour after that.
Authorities have seized 47 firearms from three locations. Several of the rifles found in his hotel room were modified with bump stocks.
Gun sellers in Las Vegas have spoken out about the ghastly shooting, but have voiced opposition to changing America's gun laws.
"It's an act of a coward, an act of a madman," Art Netherton, manager of Briarhawk Firearms and Ammunition, told AFP. But he said the call to restrict guns was a "knee-jerk reaction" by Democratic lawmakers.
Under Canberra's defence plans, its current ANZAC and Adelaide class frigates will be replaced at an estimated cost of Aus$35 billion, with Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Fincantieri, and Spain's Navantia in the running to design them.
Australia's new frigates will be equipped with a long-range missile defence system to counter threats from rogue states like North Korea, officials announced Tuesday.
Canberra in May revealed details of a massive shipbuilding strategy, its largest peacetime naval investment, including 12 new submarines and 12 offshore patrol vessels.
The Aus$89 billion (US$70 billion) package to shore up defence capabilities also featured nine new frigates.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the frigates, primarily meant for anti-submarine warfare, would be armed with Lockheed Martins Aegis combat management system together with a Saab Australia-developed tactical interface.
"Recent events in our region have proven that Australias future frigates must be equipped to defend Australia from the threat of medium and long-range missile attacks," he said, referencing North Korea.
He added that the new ships, whose construction is due to start in 2020, would be operating in "a complex and growing threat environment".
"By bringing together the proven Aegis system, with a cutting edge Australian tactical interface developed by SAAB Australia, our future frigates will have the best capability to defeat future threats above and below the surface."
The announcement comes as international alarm mounts over Pyongyang's weapons ambitions, with the rogue regime recently detonating its sixth nuclear bomb while test-firing intercontinental missiles -- saying it needs to defend itself against the threat of a US invasion.
Under Canberra's defence plans, its current ANZAC and Adelaide class frigates will be replaced at an estimated cost of Aus$35 billion, with Britain's BAE Systems, Italy's Fincantieri, and Spain's Navantia in the running to design them.
The navy's Armidale offshore patrol vessels, designed for border protection, will also be renewed and there will be 12 new submarines to replace the ageing diesel and electric-powered Collins Class fleet.
French naval contractor DCNS was last year selected to design and build them the submarines.
Previous Next
Preparing students to make informed choices about career paths and courses of study they pursue while in high school is one of the objectives of the workforce development programs for the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce.
To meet that objective, the Chamber recently held a Career Awareness Fair for 1,200 eighth graders at Cleveland State Community College. It is not too early in eighth grade to begin thinking about what careers will be available for these students and what preparation they need in order to become part of a qualified workforce for our community, Sherry Crye, director of workforce development, said.
The Career Awareness Fair consisted of exhibits from the Career Technical Education programs offered in the three local high schools, as well as some of the programs offered at Cleveland State Community College and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Business and industry exhibitors included Cleveland Utilities, Franklin Academy, Lewis Group Architects, Life Care Center of Cleveland, Lonza, and Wright Brothers Construction. Representing service careers were Bradley County Sheriffs Office, Bradley Fire and Rescue, Cleveland Fire and Rescue, Cleveland Police Department, Life Force and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency.
Eighth-graders also participated in College 101 and a Jeopardy-type game, presented by Cleveland State. These programs allowed middle-school students an opportunity to explore post-secondary options, what is needed to be a successful employee or college student, and the need for them to begin thinking about which option is best for them as they enroll in high school courses that will best prepare them post-secondary.
Law Enforcement Officers are seen at the scene of an explosion on West 23rd Street in New York, on September 18, 2016
A prosecutor in the trial of the suspect in a September 2016 Manhattan bomb attack said Monday it was a "miracle" nobody was killed.
Ahmad Khan Rahimi, a 29-year-old American of Afghan descent, is accused of planting several bombs in New Jersey and two in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.
Most of the bombs did not explode but one of the devices in Chelsea wounded 31 people when it blew up. No one was killed.
Rahimi allegedly spent months preparing bombs made of explosives and metal chips placed inside a pressure cooker -- which could be detonated using a smartphone.
According to the prosecution, he "searched the internet for how-to videos," "ordered tools and electronic equipment online" and "tested it in his backyard."
"He believed he was a soldier in a holy war against America, and New Jersey and New York City was his battling ground," said Assistant US Attorney Shawn Crowley.
"There is clear evidence of his desire to cause harm on a massive scale," he added.
The prosecution said police found a notebook containing references to Osama Bin Laden and the Islamic State group after arresting Rahimi, which was shown to jurors Monday.
It added that "more than 40" of Rahimi's fingerprints were discovered on the unexploded bombs, while witnesses were also called to explain abundant CCTV footage.
Rahimi has pleaded not guilty, with the defense claiming the prosecution is pursuing a theory of radicalization "to make its case more compelling, dramatic and seductive."
Defense attorney Meghan Gilligan did not confirm whether Rahimi will be called to the stand during the two- to three-week trial -- a move that would put him at risk of cross-examination.
Rahimi, who appeared in court wearing a blue shirt and grey trousers, was initially removed from the courtroom for trying to speak without the judge's permission.
After returning to the courtroom and apologizing, he explained his wife had not been allowed to visit him for months and that he had barely seen his children.
Judge Richard Berman promised to follow up on the issue with prison authorities.
Rahimi was seriously injured during a shoot-out that culminated in his arrest, and was hospitalized for a long period of time -- but appeared to have fully recovered.
Members of the Iraqi forces hold a flag of the Islamic State group upside down in the northern Iraqi town of Sharqat on September 22, 2017
The Islamic State group is under attack across the remaining parts of its self-proclaimed caliphate, but what happens to its thousands of fighters as their group loses grip on territory?
Facing multiple offensives, the jihadist group has lost the Libyan city of Sirte, Iraq's Mosul and Ramadi, and is now on the verge of being ousted from its former Syrian stronghold Raqa.
At its peak IS counted tens of thousands of fighters among its ranks, with US officials estimating as many as 40,000 foreign fighters travelled to join the jihadists over the years.
How many have been killed, arrested?
Forces attacking IS have regularly reported the deaths and arrests of large numbers of jihadists, but their figures are often vague and cannot be independently verified.
"We can't give an exact number of those arrested but we can say that there are a good number of them being detained by our forces," said Mustafa Bali, spokesman for the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces currently battling IS in Syria.
In Iraq's Mosul, journalists saw the bodies of jihadists killed in fighting on the streets, but they numbered no more than a few dozen at any time, far less than the hundreds authorities often said had died in combat.
Other IS fighters may have been arrested and then executed.
In July, the Human Rights Watch group accused a unit of Iraq's army of carrying out summary executions of suspected jihadist prisoners.
Hiding among civilians?
A persistent fear for forces attacking IS is that its fighters will try to blend into the civilian population, either fleeing along with the displaced or staying behind in homes.
"The problem of operatives hiding among civilians who flee is certainly a major issue," said Aymenn al-Tamimi, a research fellow at the Middle East Forum.
"Operatives might stay behind and melt into the wider civilian population to function as sleeper cells or recruit others to become part of sleeper cells as well," he told AFP.
In Syria, Bali said, some IS fighters "have been discovered in camps for the displaced via our databases".
Others have been turned in by civilians who recognised and reported them.
But some fighters slip through nonetheless, especially as "some civilians are afraid to report them, fearing revenge will be taken against them," said Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor.
Iraqi forces, like their counterparts in Syria, use a database to pick out suspected IS fighters from among civilians.
But a local Iraqi official said "a large number of Daesh elements are hiding among the population in Mosul, particularly in the Old City," using the Arabic acronym for IS.
Their presence is evidenced by "the assassinations and bombings that continue daily", said Hisham al-Hashimi, a researcher who specialises in jihadist movements.
What about foreign fighters?
The many non-Arab foreign fighters among IS's ranks may not be able to blend so easily into the fleeing civilian populations, with their features and language betraying them.
"There's a lot of (IS) foreign fighters there that don't want to give up and intend to fight very hard," the top coalition commander assisting and advising the SDF told AFP.
Foreign fighters are often those carrying out suicide attacks, added Hashimi, and by the end of any given battle "the number of them left behind is very small".
Their chances of returning home are slim, with intelligence services closely monitoring for returnees, and the Turkish border now tightly surveilled.
Charlie Winter, a senior research fellow at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence, said IS's own propaganda suggested a loosening of its once-tight rules against leaving its territory for that of the "unbelievers".
"The group has very indirectly -- but also in my opinion unambiguously -- essentially said that it is no longer impermissible to flee the IS territories," he told AFP.
Refuge in remaining IS territory?
With its territory across Syria and Iraq rapidly shrinking, IS is now concentrating its resources in the Euphrates River valley that lies along the Syria-Iraq border, experts say.
"For a long time now the centre of gravity for the Islamic State has been shifting... towards places like Mayadeen and Albu Kamal," in the east of Syria's Deir Ezzor province, said Winter.
"IS has very systematically been bulking up its infrastructure and its population in these places," he added.
He said IS had likely ensured that large numbers of fighters moved to these areas well before they were surrounded in places like Raqa and Mosul.
That means now that the fight for places like Mayadeen and Albu Kamal could be "surprisingly ferocious," he said.
burs-lar/sah/dv
Dinh Thi Mong Kha, 24, a Vietnamese woman married to a Korean man but not yet moved to South Korea, smiling as she is called on while attending a Korean language class at the Korea Center for United Nations Human Rights Policy (KOCUN) in Can Tho. There are some 40,000 Vietnamese brides in South Korea, a top destination for women looking for love and a ticket out of poverty. Many know little about the country beyond K-pop bands or Korean movies and end up marrying virtual strangers.
When baby-faced Huynh Thi Thai Muoi left her home in rural Vietnam to begin a life in South Korea with a man she barely knew, she feared it was a gamble.
She didn't speak the language, her new husband was nearly twice her age, and she knew little about her new home, but the 23-year-old high school dropout was looking for love -- and a fresh start.
"I want a new life, I want to challenge myself and see whether I can thrive or not," said Muoi, whose chubby, acne-marked cheeks make her look younger than she is.
Muoi was introduced to 43-year-old bachelor Kim Kyeong-Bok through her cousin, who is also married to a Korean, and the couple wed within days of meeting.
She is one of some 40,000 Vietnamese brides in South Korea, a top destination for women looking for love and a ticket out of poverty. Many know little about the country beyond K-pop bands or Korean movies and end up marrying virtual strangers.
But for Muoi, her new life in the city of Gwangju -- and her new husband -- have, so far, surpassed her hopes.
"My husband really loves me, more than I expected," she gushed.
Nguyen Thi Kim Han (left) joins others in reading out loud from a document during a class at the Korea Center for United Nations Human Rights Policy (KOCUN) in Can Tho. There are some 40,000 Vietnamese brides in South Korea, a top destination for women looking for love and a ticket out of poverty. Many know little about the country beyond K-pop bands or Korean movies and end up marrying virtual strangers. Mother-of-two Nguyen Thi Kim Han married a Korean man in 2007 to help her poor family, but he turned out to be a closeted gambling addict who emptied the family's bank account - twice.
Despite the language barrier, Kim is teaching her to shop and cook, and hopes she will make friends at a nearby community centre for foreign brides.
"When I first met her, I thought to myself, 'this is the woman who will become my wife'. I was very happy," explained Kim, who had rejected the first Vietnamese girl presented to him as a bride option.
- Marriage gap -
But Muoi is one of the lucky ones. Many other Vietnamese women have found their new lives are not what they dreamed: thousands have returned home divorced and unhappy.
"The women don't have enough information about either their husbands or what migrating and living in Korea would be like," said Youn Sim Kim, director of the Korea Center for United Nations Human Rights Policy (KOCUN), an NGO in southern Can Tho province where many of the brides come from.
One in five Vietnamese-Korean couples filed for divorce in 2015, according to the latest data from Statistics Korea.
"I thought life would be okay like it was in Vietnam, maybe the only difference would be the food," said Le Thi The, a divorcee now living in Can Tho.
Nguyen Thi Kim Han (right) sips on a juice as she sits with her two daughters near the Korea Center for United Nations Human Rights Policy (KOCUN) in Can Tho. There are some 40,000 Vietnamese brides in South Korea, a top destination for women looking for love and a ticket out of poverty. Many know little about the country beyond K-pop bands or Korean movies and end up marrying virtual strangers. Mother-of-two Nguyen Thi Kim Han married a Korean man in 2007 to help her poor family, but he turned out to be a closeted gambling addict who emptied the family's bank account - twice.
The honeymoon period abruptly ended days after she arrived and discovered her husband was not the man she thought he would be.
"I asked him to come home and he got mad at me, he threw all my stuff out of the house," The said.
Most Vietnamese brides usually settle in rural areas in South Korea, a prospect that has become less attractive to eligible Korean women who have streamed into fast-growing cities to climb the career ladder. An increasing number say that marriage isn't a must.
"In some of those areas there's a gender imbalance, whereby a lot of the South Korean women who are from the rural areas are migrating to urban centres, leaving a shortage," said Paul Priest, acting chief of mission at the International Organization for Migration in Vietnam.
The bulk of women filling the marriage gap come from Vietnam's Mekong Delta or rural China, largely drawn to South Korea's dizzying pace of development of the past half century.
Its annual per capita GDP is more than $27,000, some 12 times that of Vietnam, and comfortably above China's $8,000, according to World Bank data.
- Lost everything -
The headache continues for returnees to Vietnam since their divorces aren't legally recognised and their Korean-born children aren't immediately eligible to attend local schools.
Mother-of-two Nguyen Thi Kim Han married a Korean man in 2007 to help her poor family. But he turned out to be a closeted gambling addict who emptied the family's bank account -- twice.
"At first he was nice with a gentle manner, we didn't have that much money but it wasn't that important," she told AFP, sobbing.
But she later discovered he lost all their money in poor trades on the stock market.
"Not a single penny left... I was in shock," Han said.
After he did it a second time, she took the girls back to Vietnam, but struggled to get them into school, eventually managing with KOCUN's help.
New Vietnamese brides often seek help from the Korea Center for United Nations Human Rights Policy (KOCUN), which prepares them for life in Korea, with lessons on climate, culture, language and local food
Established in 2011, the centre prepares wives for life in Korea, teaching them about climate and culture, language and local food, and also supports returnees.
Most couples meet through illegal marriage brokers in Vietnam, notorious for arranging bride-viewing sessions for Korean men in seedy backrooms.
But police in Vietnam have cracked down on the brokers, and the South Korean government has tightened visa rules, so such foreign marriages are starting to decline.
Muoi is optimistic about her new relationship, but concedes her life in South Korea can be very lonely.
Some days to alleviate the boredom she joins her husband at the office, sitting quietly as he works.
Muoi talks to her family daily on the smartphone Kim bought them, but is still desperately homesick.
"Every time I think about them, I always cry," she said.
All 11,000 people who live on Ambae, in the north of the Pacific archipelago, were ordered to leave after the Manaro Voui volcano rumbled to life and rained rock and ash on villages last week
A Vanuatu volcano that sparked the evacuation of an entire island appeared to be stabilising, scientists said Tuesday, although aid workers said it was too early for villagers to return home.
All 11,000 people who live on Ambae, in the north of the Pacific archipelago, were ordered to leave after the Manaro Voui volcano rumbled to life and rained rock and ash on villages last week.
Fearing a major eruption, officials mobilised a rag-tag armada of civilian vessels to ferry residents to safety on other islands in what has been described as a "Dunkirk" style operation.
Vanuatu's official Geohazards Observatory said the threat had eased, although it maintained the volcano's status as level four, the second-highest rating.
It said the most recent observations from flyovers and seismic stations indicated the seismic activity was now limited to a lake in the volcano's crater.
"As the activity is now more settled and focused only on the new island in Lake Voui, the possibility of a large eruption affecting the whole island is now looking less likely," it said.
Red Cross spokesman Joe Cropp said the report of reduced seismic activity was "reassuring" but there were still thousands of people in emergency accommodation.
Locals can only return to Ambae when the government downgrades the threat to level three, which could take months, he said.
"We're still holding with the original plan of providing support to people for the next two weeks, then looking forward to the indefinite future," Cropp told AFP from the capital Port Vila.
"We have to plan ahead and be prepared... because we're not quite sure which way the volcano is going."
He said most of Ambae's population had now been relocated to three neighbouring islands, where they were sheltering in schools, churches and sporting grounds.
The evacuation succeeded in removing Ambae's population more than two days before the government target of Friday, Cropp added.
"You'd see people boarding a whole range of vessels," he said.
"I think the largest could take about 1,000 people and I also saw small water-taxi speedboats taking 20-30 people.
"For a really complicated evacuation of 11,000 people from a remote island it was quite impressive."
It comes as international relief efforts stepped up with the arrival of two Hercules aircraft carrying supplies, one from Australia and the other from New Zealand.
An Australian navy vessel with emergency specialists and food supplies is expected to arrive on Wednesday.
A Rohingya refugee who said he was a member of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army talks to AFP in a Bangladeshi refugee camp
Bangladesh has deployed secret police in the burgeoning refugee camps near its border with Myanmar, where Rohingya claiming to be members of a militant group say they have found fertile ground for recruitment.
Authorities in Bangladesh, which was already grappling with its own Islamist militancy problem before the latest mass influx of Rohingya refugees, have repeatedly said there are no extremists among the new arrivals.
But inside the camps are a number of self-proclaimed members of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), the group behind the August 25 attacks on police posts in Myanmar that sparked a military crackdown that the UN has likened to ethnic cleansing.
Capitalising on anger over the unrest that has forced half a million Rohingya Muslims to flee to squalid camps in Bangladesh, recruiters claim to have enlisted hundreds willing to fight back in Myanmar, where the minority faced decades of persecution.
No caption
Those allegations are hard to verify. But authorities in Bangladesh have stepped up surveillance of the border area in recent weeks.
Mohammad Halim, who says he is a recruiter for ARSA, told AFP that volunteers were trained in combat, military tactics and the use of weapons -- but he complained that they were unarmed.
"All that training seems to be vain, because we don't have weapons," Halim said in a steamy tent in Cox's Bazar, using a pseudonym to protect his identity.
"If we had arms, we'd go back to Myanmar to fight... we would drive away the military and take back our land," he told AFP.
- Waiting for orders -
The ARSA says it launched the August assault -- and a previous attack in October 2016 -- to fight back after decades of suffocating restrictions on Rohingya Muslims in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar, which denies them citizenship and free movement.
But the violence unleashed by the ARSA attacks has resulted in a massive exodus of the minority from their homes in Rakhine state.
ARSA, branded a terrorist organisation in Myanmar, is fronted by Ata Ullah, who is believed to have been born to a Rohingya family in Pakistan, and to have lived in Saudi Arabia.
Rohingya leaders have long rejected attempts by outside militants to radicalise the population.
A Rohingya Muslim refugee is fingerprinted after crossing the border from Myanmar
But observers say increasingly oppressive restrictions imposed since communal violence between Muslims and Rakhine Buddhists in 2012 have allowed support for militancy to take root.
Security experts warn that radicalisation among the Rohingya would have far-reaching consequences, especially if global extremist groups tap ethnic rivalry in Myanmar's Rakhine state and anger in the refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Refugees fleeing the latest violence -- including sizeable Hindu and Buddhist minorities -- have alleged atrocities by all sides, including mass killings and rapes.
ARSA has effectively gone underground in recent weeks, said Jahangir Alam, a newly arrived refugee who claimed he took part in the militant ambush on security forces last October.
Rohingya fighters were told to await orders and weapons, Alam said, but some in the camps were eager to avenge the slaughter of friends and family.
"We said we wanted to go back to our country. Nowhere else. We left our land and homes in Myanmar," the muscular Rohingya youth told AFP, also using an alias.
"We don't have anything here."
His testimony, and that of other Rohingya men interviewed by AFP claiming to be militants, is difficult to confirm, although they had detailed knowledge of weapons, training methods and tactics used by the insurgents.
A Myanmar policeman stands guard near a military transport helicopter in northern Rakhine state
S.M Moniruzzaman, the regional police chief overseeing the refugee camps, rejected any suggestion that Rohingya militants were operating in Bangladesh.
"With confidence and determination, I can say there is no way ARSA... is harbouring militants in Bangladesh," the Chittagong police chief told AFP, referring to the Rohingya insurgency.
The new Rohingya influx are "under surveillance", Moniruzzaman added, with plain clothes police and "reliable sources" patrolling the camps.
The army has taken over aid distribution in camps -- a move experts said could double as a security precaution.
"Definitely they must have that in the back of their mind," said Abdur Rob, head of the political science department at Dhaka's North South University.
Bangladesh is already waging its own war on Islamist militants. In recent years, homegrown radicals have butchered secular bloggers and high-profile secularists.
An attack on a Dhaka cafe left 22 dead last year, mostly foreigners, and Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told AFP this week that Bangladesh had zero tolerance for militancy.
Security experts say there are valid concerns about Rohingya militants in Bangladesh, particularly if foreign extremist networks seek to exploit the crisis by arming and radicalising Muslims.
"The Rohingya insurgency will not be immune to that," Bangladeshi militancy expert Shahab Enam Khan told AFP.
"This will have regional repercussions, and that includes Bangladesh."
Rohingya Muslim refugees walk on the Bangladeshi shoreline of the Naf river after crossing the border from Myanmar on the weekend
More than 10,000 Rohingya have massed near a crossing point with Bangladesh, Myanmar media said Tuesday, as an exodus continues to swell with food supplies low and hostility towards them surging.
The ongoing flight, that has already seen over 500,000 Rohingya enter Bangladesh since last month, casts doubt on the practicality of a Myanmar proposal aired Monday to begin repatriation of the Muslim minority.
Rakhine state has been emptied of half of its Rohingya population in weeks, and more are on the move as insecurity presses them to leave villages which have so far been spared the worst of the communal violence to rip through the state.
Over "10,000 Muslims are arriving at the western grove between Letphwekya and Kwunthpin village to emigrate to the neighbouring country," the state-backed Global new Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday.
Myanmar's government refuses to recognise the Rohingya as a distinct ethnic group, instead calling them "Muslims" or "Bengalis" -- code for illegal migrants.
Authorities have tried to reassure fleeing Rohingya that they are now safe in Rakhine, the report added, but they want to leave "of their own accord."
Villagers are running short on food, while fear in ethnic Rakhine-majority areas has been kindled by the violence and reports of death threats by their Buddhist neighbours.
"In some villages they are scared to pass by Rakhine villages," said Chris Lewa, from Rohingya advocacy group the Arakan project, told AFP.
On occasions when the Rohingya village chief decides to leave, the whole hamlet will follow, emptying a village "in just a few hours."
On Monday, Myanmar's Minister of the Office of State Counselor, Kyaw Tint Swe, told Bangladesh his country was ready to return refugees subject to a verification process agreed in the early 1990s by the neighbours.
Under that agreement nearly a quarter of a million Rohingya were repatriated from Bangladesh to Myanmar between the early 1990s and 2005, he explained.
But refugees and rights groups say the verification process relies on documents most Rohingya do not have.
The refugees also are also deeply fearful of what awaits back in Myanmar, with many recounting stories of rape, murder and arson.
Inside Rakhine, conditions are deteriorating for those left behind.
UN officials toured a conflict-hit portion of the state on Monday, noting the "unimaginable" scale of suffering.
An EU delegation accompanying them on the government-steered day trip urged for an end to the violence after seeing "villages burned to the ground and emptied of inhabitants."
Rohingya disembark from a boat on the Bangladeshi side of the Naf river: there have been reports of widespread profiteering
Bangladesh police have rescued 20 Rohingya after busting a gang which ferried the refugees from Myanmar but demanded thousands of dollars for the boat ride, an official said Tuesday.
The Rapid Action Battalion raided a village near the border with Myanmar late Monday to free the Rohingya Muslims who had been held there for a day, said Major Ruhul Amin.
The RAB chief who led the operation at Sabrung near Cox's Bazar told AFP the 20 included seven women, five men and eight children.
"They were held there by a gang of boat owners and crew who demanded 20,000 taka ($250) per person for a two-hour boat ride from Myanmar," he said.
A boat ride between Maungdaw and Bangladesh's main landing station at Shah Porir Dwip would cost no more than five dollars normally.
Amin said they arrested three members of the gang for profiteering.
The UN estimates that 507,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Rakhine into Bangladesh since late August after the latest eruption of violence in the northern Myanmar state.
Many have arrived on rickety boats crossing the Naf river, which marks the border between Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district and Rakhine.
Police said boat owners, crew and fishermen have charged exorbitant prices for the rides.
"It has become a common phenomenon" since the influx began, Amin said.
Authorities have deployed mobile courts to crack down on the profiteering gangs and handed down sentences of up to six months' jail on nearly 200 people.
"We have arrested 20 brokers and freed nearly 2,000 people in raids in the coastal villages. In one raid we rescued about 1,000 Rohingya who were held at six houses," Amin said.
Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh said the boatmen extracted every last penny from them for the ferry and threatened to throw them overboard if they refused to surrender valuables including gold ornaments
Media reports have mentioned Rohingya being held by boatmen and agents for hours in coastal villages until they made inflated payments for the trip.
Rohingya living in established refugee camps in Bangladesh have also been accused of joining the profiteering.
sa/sm
President Donald Trump wants to show that the US federal government is on top of the daunting recovery effort in Puerto Rico
Donald Trump will survey hurricane-devastated Puerto Rico Tuesday, hoping to underscore government recovery efforts and repair damage done by his contentious early response to the crisis.
Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the verdant island, residents are still short of food and largely without access to power or portable water.
Trump's wants to show that the federal government is on top of the daunting recovery effort, and that 3.4 million US citizens are not forgotten.
The administration's critics said the early response was not fast enough or large enough, prompting the pugilistic president to punch back.
He berated San Juan's mayor -- who was frequently on TV asking for help -- and suggested Puerto Ricans were "ingrates" who "want everything to be done for them."
Trump went on to accuse the media of lying about the "great job" he was doing, in a series of excoriating weekend tweets.
"We have done a great job with the almost impossible situation in Puerto Rico. Outside of the Fake News or politically motivated ingrates... people are now starting to recognize the amazing work that has been done," he wrote.
The White House fired out a series of compliments about the relief effort from political allies to try and drive home the point.
It took the unusual step of citing a gushing call between Trump and former Puerto Rican governor Luis Fortuno, who now lives in Washington and works as a lobbyist.
Luckily for the White House, few Puerto Ricans had time or -- quite literally the energy -- to read or hear of the president's barbed remarks.
But Trump's visit will be carefully choreographed to avoid any embarrassing protests.
After an early departure from Washington, Trump is expected to land at Muniz Air National Guard Base near the capital San Juan.
- Meets PR, USVI officials -
During roughly five hours on ground he and first lady Melania Trump will meet first responders, officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as survivors.
He is also expected to meet the governor of the US Virgin Islands, which were also thumped by Maria, but are not quite ready for the massive footprint of a presidential visit.
Already this storm season, Trump has visited damaged areas of Florida, Louisiana and Texas (twice).
But his trip to Puerto Rico, normally a fairly routine show of presidential empathy, has taken on outsized political meaning.
"It's been amazing what's been done in a very short period of time on Puerto Rico," Trump said defending the response.
"There's never been a piece of land that we've known that was so devastated," he claimed.
"The bridges are down, the telecommunications was nonexistent, and it's in very, very bad shape. The electrical grid, as you know, was totally destroyed."
Puerto Rico is a US territory. Though Puerto Ricans are US citizens with US passports, they can only vote in presidential primaries.
If they live on the island, they cannot vote in US presidential elections. If they are living on the mainland, they can register to vote including for president, in whichever state they live.
Three attackers hurled grenades and fired automatic weapons at the Border Security Force (BSF) base near Srinagar's airport before dawn, according to local police
Three militants who Tuesday stormed a paramilitary base near the main airport in Indian-administered Kashmir have been killed, police said, ending an hours-long gunbattle that also left a soldier dead.
Three paramilitary troopers and a police officer were injured when the attackers hurled grenades and fired automatic weapons at the Border Security Force (BSF) base next to the high-security Srinagar airport before dawn, said director-general of police S.P. Vaid.
"All the three militants have been killed. An assistant sub-inspector of BSF also died in the initial assault," Vaid told AFP.
Flights at the airport, which shares a compound wall with the base, resumed after being suspended briefly with at least one flight from New Delhi cancelled, authorities said.
Kashmir's inspector-general of police, Muneer Ahmed Khan, blamed Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed for the attack but denied some media reports that the fortified airport was the target.
He told reporters the Islamist group was a threat "because they believe in surprise suicide attacks".
In August the group claimed responsiblity after three militants stormed a police base at Pulwama in Kashmir, killing eight government personnel. The three attackers were also killed in a two-day battle.
Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947 but both claim the territory in full.
For decades rebel groups have fought Indian soldiers deployed in the territory, demanding independence or a merger of the former Himalayan kingdom with Pakistan.
Tuesday's attack came hours before an Indian soldier was killed by Pakistani fire on the de facto Kashmiri border in the mountainous Poonch district southwest of Srinagar.
The rival armies routinely target each other across the heavily militarised Line of Control that divides the territory.
On Monday the Indian army said it killed five suspected rebels in two separate gunbattles on the border.
Indian authorities said two children were also killed by Pakistani gunfire at another location along the Line of Control.
India says Pakistan initiates cross-border firing to help rebels cross into Indian-administered Kashmir to launch attacks.
Islamabad says it gives only diplomatic support to the Kashmiri campaign for self-determination.
Last week Pakistan said three civilians were killed on its side of the border in Kashmir after Indian soldiers opened fire.
A Gazan flashes a victory sign behind a large Palestinian flag as he and others await the arrival of prime minister Rami Hamdallah on a visit that has raised hopes of an end to a decade-long split
The Palestinian cabinet met in Gaza on Tuesday for the first time since 2014 in a further step towards the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority retaking control of the territory.
The meeting of the government, which is based in the occupied West Bank, comes as part of moves to end a decade-long split between the PA and the Islamist Hamas movement, which runs Gaza.
In an opening speech, Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah renewed his pledge to end the rift.
"We are here to turn the page on division, restore the national project to its correct direction and establish the (Palestinian) state," he said.
It was the first meeting of the cabinet in Gaza since November 2014, and comes a day after Hamdallah entered the territory for the first time since a unity government collapsed in June 2015.
On Monday, he met with senior Hamas figures, including leader Ismail Haniya.
After Tuesday's cabinet meeting, government spokesman Yusuf Al Mahmud said ministers discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza. No Hamas officials took part.
Mahmud warned that a full reconciliation deal would take time.
"The government does not have a magic wand," he told reporters.
More than two million people live in impoverished Gaza, which has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt for years.
Children do their homework by candlelight during one of the many power cuts that have hit Gaza since the Palestinian Authority cut payments
The sides will hold further talks next week in the Egyptian capital Cairo.
Punitive measures imposed by the PA against Hamas, including cutting electricity payments for Gaza, would remain in place pending the result of those talks, Mahmoud added.
Hamas called for the measures to be ended immediately as a show of good will.
"Our people look forward to practical steps to ease their suffering," a statement said.
Hamas has controlled Gaza since seizing it from the PA in a near civil war in 2007 and multiple previous reconciliation attempts have failed.
Last month, the Islamists announced they were willing to cede civilian control to the PA, following Egyptian pressure.
The United States and the European Union blacklist Hamas as a terrorist organisation, complicating the formation of any potential unity government.
The head of Egyptian intelligence Khaled Fawzi is to visit Gaza later on Tuesday and meet with Hamas and PA officials, including Haniya.
- 'Carefully optimistic' -
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah (C) chairs the first cabinet meeting held in Gaza since 2014 as moves intensify to end the decade-old rift between the main political factions
Tuesday's cabinet session took place at the official Gaza residence of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas in the cabinet office, hung with portraits of Abbas and historic Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Abbas himself remained in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Hamas security were on the roof of the building, while Palestinian Authority agents were deployed inside, an AFP correspondent reported.
"Today we are faced with a historic revival in which we are grappling with our wounds and elevating our unity," Hamdallah said, reaffirming that there would be no Palestinian state without Gaza.
UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov said on Monday that he was "carefully optimistic" about the reconciliation talks.
"If the region stays engaged, if Egypt's role continues and if the political parties themselves continue to show the willingness they are currently showing to work with us on this process, then it can succeed," he told AFP.
In an interview on Monday night Abbas said that while the two sides "might have wronged each other and cursed each other, today we enter a new phase."
A key issue is Hamas's powerful military wing that has fought three wars with Israel since 2008. Hamas officials reject the possibility of dissolving it.
Abbas told Egypt's CBC that there will be "one state, one system, one law and one weapon" -- in an apparent reference to Hamass military wing.
A security guard loyal to Hamas stands on duty in Gaza City next to a giant portrait of Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi, whose government has been a major force behind the latest Palestinian reconciliation effort
He also warned Hamas could not "copy or clone Hezbollah's experience in Lebanon," referring to a situation where an independent armed group exerts major influence on national politics.
The United States cautiously welcomed Hamdallah's visit, but White House special envoy Jason Greenblatt warned any Palestinian government "must unambiguously and explicitly commit to nonviolence, recognition of the State of Israel, acceptance of previous agreements and obligations between the parties and peaceful negotiations."
The Palestinian Authority has signed peace deals with Israel, but Hamas was not party to them and does not recognise Israel's right to exist.
The Planning Commission will meet Monday at 1 p.m. at the County Courthouse to hear subdivision and zoning cases:
Agenda
Opening Comments & Announcements (Chairman)
II. Subdivision Plats & Variances
Variances
1. SD 2017-71 St. Elmo Heights, Lots thru 4, 5400 Block Alabama Highway, Minimum Lot Frontage
(City of Chattanooga District 7, Hamilton County District 6)
STAFF: Approve
2. SD 2017-076-Petrovs Subdivision Lots 1 thru 3, 8400 Primerose Avenue, Minimum Suburban Infill Lot Frontage
(City of Chattanooga District 4/Hamilton County District 7)
STAFF: Deny
Preliminary Plats
3. SD 2017-053 The View at White Oak East, Lots 1 thru 44, 9100 Block Highway 58
(Hamilton County District 9)
STAFF: Approve
Preliminary and Final Plats
4. SD 2017-065 Revised Montagues Addition No. 1, Lots 1 thru 12, 1511 Washington Avenue
(City of Chattanooga District 7, Hamilton County District 4)
STAFF: Approve
5. SD 2017-067 Assurance Land Development Lots 2 thru 6, 7608 Selcer Road
(Hamilton County District 1)
STAFF: Approve with Condition
6. SD 2017-073 Hamilton Crest Subdivision, Lots 1 thru 7, Hamilton Avenue
(Chattanooga District 2, Hamilton County District 6)
STAFF: Approve
7. SD 2017-077 Petrovs Subdivision, Lots 1 thru 3, 8400 Primerose Avenue
(City of Chattanooga District 4, Hamilton County District 7)
STAFF: Deny
Final Plat
8. SD 2017-066 100 @ South Broad Lots 46 thru 56
(City of Chattanooga District 7, Hamilton County District 6)
STAFF: Approve
9. SD 2017-078 Northshore Heights Subdivision, Lots 1 thru 19, and 12 thru 33
(City of Chattanooga District 2, Hamilton County District 2)
STAFF: Approve
III. Old Business (Both Deferred from July PC meeting)
1. 2017-087 Zachery Darnell, Attorney with Cavett, Abbott & Weiss 7600, 7604, 7606, 7608 & 7610 Davidson Road & 1000 block of North Sanctuary Road City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to A-1 Urban Agricultural Zone
(City of Chattanooga District 4, Hamilton County District 7)
STAFF: Approve part; Deny part
2. 2017-088 Zachery Darnell, Attorney with Cavett, Abbott & Weiss 7600, 7604, 7606, 7608 & 7610 Davidson Road & 1000 block of North Sanctuary Road - City of Chattanooga Special Exceptions Permit: Residential Planned Unit Development
(City of Chattanooga District 4, Hamilton County District 7)
STAFF: Deny
IV. New Business
A. Rezonings, Closures/Abandonments, Special Permits, Condition Amendments
1. 2017-122 James W. Morrison Unnumbered block of Excelsior Avenue - Town of Walden Special Permit: Build on Lot Without Public Access
(Town of Walden, Hamilton County District 2)
STAFF: Approve
2. MR-2017-123 Niles Surveying 1000 block Fernway Road - City of Chattanooga Mandatory Referral: Sewer Abandonment
(City of Chattanooga District 2, Hamilton County District 2)
STAFF: Deny
3. MR-2017-124 Niles Surveying 1100 block Fernway Road City of Chattanooga Mandatory Referral: Sewer Abandonment
(City of Chattanooga District 2, Hamilton County District 2)
STAFF: Deny
4. 2017-128 Catherine Hunkapiller 4057 Mountain Creek Road City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to RZ-1 Zero Lot Line Residential Zone
(City of Chattanooga District 1, Hamilton County District 2)
STAFF: Approve with condition
5. A RESOLUTION TO AMEND ORDINANCE NUMBER 13071 T0 INCORPORATE CERTAIN PROPERTIES, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED BELOW, INTO THE DOWNTOWN FORM BASED CODE AREA BOUNDARY
6. A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE DOWNTOWN CONTEXT MAP WITHIN THE CHATTANOOGA CITY CODE, PART II, CHAPTER 38 ZONING, ARTICLE XVI DOWNTOWN FORM-BASED CODE, SECTION 38-693(2) TO ADD CERTAIN PROPERTIES, MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED BELOW, INTO THE URBAN EDGE CONTEXT AREA
7. 2017-129 Northshore Development, LLC 423 West Bell Avenue City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to E-RD-3 Urban Edge Residential Detached 3 Stories Maximum Height
(City of Chattanooga District 1, Hamilton County District 6)
STAFF: Deny
8. 2017-130 Tracye Brogdon 6214 Walden Avenue City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to R-2 Residential Zone
(City of Chattanooga District 6, Hamilton County District 5)
STAFF: Approve
9. 2017-131 MSBC Black Creek, LLC c/o Randy Stone 3800 block of Cummings Road City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-3 Residential Zone to R-T/Z Residential Townhouse/Zero Lot Line Zone
(City of Chattanooga District 1, Hamilton County District 6)
STAFF: Approve
10. 2017-132 Adamson Developers, LLC 2001, 2003 & 2005 McCallie Avenue City of Chattanooga Rezone from C-2 Convenience Commercial Zone to UGC Urban General Commercial Zone
(City of Chattanooga District 8, Hamilton County District 4)
STAFF: Approve with conditions
11. 2017-133 Rowland Development Group, LLC 801 South Greenwood Avenue City of Chattanooga Lift Conditions from Ordinance #6007 of Previous Case #1968-147
(City of Chattanooga District 9, Hamilton County District 4)
STAFF: Approve
12. 2017-134 Pratt Land & Development Company, LLC 6100 block Hixson Pike City of Chattanooga Special Exceptions Permit: Residential Planned Unit Development
(City of Chattanooga District 3, Hamilton County District 3)
STAFF: Approve
13. 2017-135 H & H Developments 4653 Cary Lane City of Chattanooga Special Exceptions Permit: Residential Planned Unit Development
(City of Chattanooga District 2, Hamilton County District 3)
STAFF: Approve with conditions
14. 2017-136 Darrell Henry 930 Horne Road Hamilton County Rezone from A-1 Agricultural District & R-2A Rural Residential District to C-3 General Business Commercial District
(Hamilton County District 3)
STAFF: Deny
15. 2017-137 Vinod Javer 2512 & 2514 Will Kelley Road City of Chattanooga Special Exceptions Permit: Residential Planned Unit Development
(City of Chattanooga District 4, Hamilton County District 8)
STAFF: Approve
16. 2017-138 ASA Engineering c/o Allen Jones 5564 Dayton Boulevard, 400 block of Gadd Road & 300 block of Allen Road City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone, R-5 Residential Zone & C-2 Convenience Commercial Zone to R-1 Residential Zone & R-T/Z Residential Townhouse/Zero Lot Line Zone
(City of Chattanooga District 1, Hamilton County District 1)
STAFF: Approve with condition
17. 2017-139 ASA Engineering c/o Allen Jones 5564 Dayton Boulevard & 300 block of Allen Road City of Chattanooga Special Exceptions Permit: Residential Planned Unit Development
(City of Chattanooga District 1, Hamilton County District 1)
STAFF: Approve with condition
18. 2017-140 James McMahon 962 & 976 Pineville Road City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-1 Residential Zone to R-4 Special Zone
(City of Chattanooga District 1, Hamilton County District 6)
STAFF: Deny
19. 2017-141 Craig Kronenberg 1601 South Holtzclaw Avenue City of Chattanooga Rezone from M-1 Manufacturing Zone to UGC Urban General Commercial Zone
(City of Chattanooga District 8, Hamilton County District 4)
STAFF: Approve
20. 2017-142 J. Robert McKenzie 515, 5521 & 525 ONeal Street City of Chattanooga Rezone from R-3 Residential Zone to R-4 Special Zone
(City of Chattanooga District 8, Hamilton County District 4)
STAFF: Approve with conditions
21. 2017-144 City of Chattanooga c/o Regional Planning Agency Property bounded on the North by Bailey Avenue, the South by Bennett Avenue, the East by South Willow Street & the West by South Hickory Street City of Chattanooga Abandonment of Institutional Planned Unit Development
(City of Chattanooga District 9, Hamilton County District 4)
STAFF: Approve
22. 2017-145 City of Chattanooga c/o Regional Planning Agency - Property bounded on the North by Bailey Avenue, the South by Bennett Avenue, the East by South Willow Street & the West by South Hickory Street City of Chattanooga R-4 Special Zone & R-T/Z Residential Townhouse/Zero Lot Line Zone Zoning Study
(City of Chattanooga District 9, Hamilton County District 4)
STAFF: Approve with conditions
V. Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items
VI. Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of September 11, 2017
The United States is reeling after at least 59 people were killed and more than 500 injured when retired accountant Stephen Paddock opened fire on thousands of concertgoers in Las Vegas before killing himself
Australia offered to help the United States reform its gun laws Tuesday after a successful two-decade clampdown on firearms in the wake of its own worst mass shooting.
The US is reeling after at least 59 people were killed and more than 500 injured when retired accountant Stephen Paddock opened fire on thousands of concertgoers in Las Vegas before killing himself.
The shocking tragedy has sparked renewed calls for weapons control, a sensitive subject in a country where the pro-gun lobby -- the National Rifle Association -- is a powerful political force.
"What we can offer is our experience," Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Tuesday, pointing to a 1996 gun buyback and ban on semi-automatic and automatic weapons.
"But at the end of the day it's going to be up to the United States legislators and lawmakers, and the United States public, to change the laws to ensure this type of incident doesn't happen again."
Australia was rocked in 1996 when gunman Martin Bryant went on the rampage armed with semi-automatic weapons at the historic Tasmanian colonial convict site of Port Arthur.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the United States must 'change the laws to ensure this type of incident doesn't happen again'
Thirty-five people died in the massacre, a turning point for a nation that traditionally had a high rate of gun ownership.
Then centre-right Liberal prime minister John Howard swiftly enacted tougher gun laws, including bans on certain weapons, a minimum ownership age, and licences.
More than 600,000 weapons were destroyed in the aftermath and while controversial at the time, gun control measures now have strong public support.
In the first national amnesty since then, which started in June and ended last weekend, more than 26,000 guns were surrendered.
While gun violence has not disappeared, there have been no further mass shootings, in contrast to the United States where they remain common.
A survey published in 2016, which examined intentional firearm death rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, found gun-related deaths and suicides had declined since 1997.
- 'Gun rights gone forever' -
James Carouso, the acting US ambassador to Australia, admitted his country could learn from Australia when it comes to gun policy.
"Every time one of these things happens, US analysts always point to what happened in Australia, and point out that your murder rate with guns has gone down drastically, and you haven't had the repeat of this sort of mass murder," he told broadcaster ABC.
"I think certainly a lot of observers in the US look to the Australian example."
he United States is reeling after at least 59 people were killed and more than 500 injured when retired accountant Stephen Paddock opened fire on thousands of concertgoers in Las Vegas before killing himself
But not the National Rifle Association, which in 2015 disputed whether Australia's gun buyback scheme and ban on semiautomatic weapons actually helped reduce rates of violent crime.
"The Australian people paid a massive price in liberty. Their reward? At best, an unexamined resolution that things were somehow better now," it said.
"Gun rights were, for all practical purposes, gone forever."
All guns in Australia must now be registered, although many arrive illegally from overseas through organised syndicates and tens of thousands of the weapons are still believed to be on the streets.
Canberra set up a new border protection agency merging operations from the customs and immigration departments in 2014, partly to better prevent illicit arms shipments.
Since then millions of dollars have been spent on improved tools to detect illegal firearms in the mail or cargo, while a police anti-gang squad has seized 5,500 illicit guns or gun parts since being established in 2013.
Despite this, the government wants to go even further to tackle the threat of extremist attacks and gangland shootings, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday saying he planned to meet with state and territory leaders this week to further strengthen measures.
Bangladesh chief justice S. K. Sinha led the decision of the Supreme Court to a landmark ruling against the government in August, and has now begun a one-month period of leave
Bangladesh's chief justice began a one-month period of leave Tuesday amid claims he was forced to go on holiday after a landmark verdict that went against the government.
Justice Minister Anisul Huq rejected widespread speculation linking S. K. Sinha's absence to the ruling, saying the top judge's decision was due to illness.
"He was formerly a cancer patient," Huq said, adding that those behind the claims "have mental problems" or "ill motives".
The head of Bangladesh's top bar association said Sinha was forced to take leave after he led the Supreme Court when it scrapped parliament's power to sack top judges.
"Our association of lawyers thinks that immense pressure has been piled on him so that he take a one-month leave," Joynul Abedin, head of Supreme Court Bar Association, told reporters.
"You know, the nation knows and the people of the world know a political party (and) the government have piled pressure on him in many ways," he said.
"We think he was sent on a one-month leave as part of this pressure. He did not take the leave ... He was forced to."
Sinha made headlines in August when the Supreme Court scrapped parliament's power to sack top judges, in a landmark verdict seen as bolstering judicial independence.
The court restored a provision which allows only a Supreme Judicial Council, led by the chief justice, to remove judges found to have breached the judicial code of conduct.
The ruling was hailed by lawyers as a crucial safeguard for a secular judiciary in the Muslim-majority nation.
Lawyers said that without the provision, top judges would have been "subservient" to the government.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina brought the constitutional change allowing parliament -- controlled by her Awami League party -- to remove top judges in 2014.
Members of the Nobel Committee for Physics announce the 2017 prize winners: Rainer Weiss, Barry Barish and Kip Thorne
US astrophysicists Barry Barish, Kip Thorne and Rainer Weiss were awarded the Nobel Physics Prize on Tuesday for the discovery of gravitational waves, the Nobel jury said.
Predicted by Albert Einstein a century ago as part of his theory of general relativity, but only detected in 2015, gravitational waves are "ripples" in the fabric of space-time caused by violent processes such as colliding black holes or the collapse of stellar cores.
Their discovery opens a door on the mysteries of the Universe.
"Their discovery shook the world," said Goran K Hansson, the head of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences which selects the Nobel recipients.
Barish, Thorne and Weiss co-created the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) at the prestigious California Institute of Technology, which has taken home 18 Nobels since the prizes were first awarded in 1901.
The first-ever direct observation of gravitational waves was made in September 2015 at LIGO, the result of an event some 1.3 billion light-years away.
Since then, the enigmatic ripples have been detected three more times: twice more by LIGO and once by the Virgo detector located at the European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) in Cascina, Italy.
"Gravitational waves spread at the speed of light, filling the Universe, as Albert Einstein described in his general theory of relativity. They are always created when a mass accelerates, like when an ice-skater pirouettes or a pair of black holes rotate around each other," the Nobel jury explained.
"Einstein was convinced it would never be possible to measure them. The LIGO project's achievement was using a pair of gigantic laser interferometers to measure a change thousands of times smaller than an atomic nucleus, as the gravitational wave passed the Earth."
Rohingya Muslim refugees walk on the Bangladeshi shoreline of the Naf river after crossing the border from Myanmar on the weekend
More than 10,000 Muslim Rohingya have massed in Myanmar near a crossing point into Bangladesh, Myanmar media said Tuesday, apparently poised to join an exodus across the border due to food shortages and fear of attacks in their mainly Buddhist homeland.
Over 500,000 Rohingya have streamed into Bangladesh in just the past five weeks, and numbers are again swelling, raising doubt about the practicality of a Myanmar proposal to begin repatriating them.
Myanmar's northern state of Rakhine has been emptied of half of its Rohingya population in weeks.
More are on the move as insecurity presses them to leave those villages which have so far been spared the worst of the violence that ripped through the state.
Attacks by Rohingya militants on August 25 spurred a ferocious Myanmar army crackdown that the UN says amounted to "ethnic cleansing".
Over 10,000 "Muslims" have arrived "between Letphwekya and Kwunthpin village to emigrate to the neighbouring country", the state-backed Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported Tuesday.
Myanmar's government refuses to recognise the Rohingya as a distinct ethnic group, instead calling them "Muslims" or "Bengalis" -- code for illegal migrants from Bangladesh.
Authorities have tried to reassure fleeing Rohingya that they are now safe in Rakhine, the report added, but they want to leave "of their own accord".
Violence appears to have ebbed in northern Rakhine, although independent reporting is still prevented by an army lockdown.
But fear has unsettled many of the Rohingya who remain, threatened by Myanmar's army and their hostile ethnic Rakhine neighbours and cut off from aid agencies.
After a brief lull in arrivals, the Bangladesh Border Guard says 4-5,000 Rohingya are now crossing each day.
"They don't want to stay (in Myanmar). They want to come here... they are being told to leave," Lieutenant-Colonel S.M Ariful Islam told AFP.
Food is also running out, with villagers too fearful to tend to their crops in case they are attacked by their neighbours.
"In some villages they are scared to pass by Rakhine villages," Chris Lewa, from Rohingya advocacy group the Arakan Project, told AFP.
- Rakhine in ruins -
Myanmar denies most Rohingya citizenship and the public in the Buddhist-majority nation does not want them back.
Myanmar's army has branded them illegal immigrants intent on imposing Islam via the country's western gateway.
On Monday Myanmar's Minister of the Office of State Counselor, Kyaw Tint Swe, told Bangladesh his country was ready to accept refugees subject to a verification process agreed in the early 1990s by the neighbours.
The minister's offer applies only to those who fled in the past year, according to a Bangladeshi official -- excluding some 300,000 Rohingya who fled earlier.
And refugees and rights groups say the verification which Myanmar wants will leave huge numbers in the squalid refugee camps in Bangladesh, since it relies on documentation which most Rohingya do not have.
The refugees are also deeply fearful of what awaits back in Myanmar, with many recounting stories of rape and mass murder at the hands of the army while their villages have been destroyed.
Relief agencies Tuesday were fighting to contain a diarrhoea outbreak around hugely overcrowded camps in Bangladesh.
A 20-bed clinic was opened at Kutupalong camp Monday for diarrhoea victims and another 60-bed facility will be set up this week.
"We have seen an increasing trend of diarrhoeal disease cases, including cases of diarrhoea with severe dehydration," said United Nations refugee agency spokesman Andrej Mahecic.
The UN said it would seek $430 million to increase operations in the camps.
Inside Rakhine, already one of Myanmar's poorest states, conditions are worsening for those left behind.
UN officials toured a conflict-hit portion of the state on Monday, noting the "unimaginable" scale of suffering and urging humanitarian access.
An EU delegation accompanying them on the government-steered day trip urged an end to the violence after seeing "villages burned to the ground and emptied of inhabitants".
burs-apj/sa/sm/amz
A WHO spokesman said the current plague outbreak had more potential than most to spread further in Madagascar since it has already affected large urban areas
The World Health Organization said Tuesday there was a "moderate risk" that a plague outbreak in Madagascar would spread to other countries in the region, but advised against travel restrictions.
The outbreak of both bubonic plague, which is spread by infected rats via flea bites, and pneumonic plague, spread person to person, has infected 133 people, killing 24 of them, since August 1, according to WHO numbers.
Madagascar has suffered plague outbreaks almost every year since 1980, often caused by rats fleeing forest fires.
But WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters the current outbreak had more potential than most to spread further in Madagascar since it has already affected large urban areas, including the capital Antananarivo.
Pneumonic plague, though rarer on the island, spreads more easily, he said, pointing out that 17 of the deaths recorded so far were due to the respiratory version of the disease.
"The overall risk of further spread at the national level is high," Lindmeier said.
At the regional level, the risk was "moderate due to frequent flights to neighbouring Indian Ocean islands", he said.
But the risk of a more international spread of the disease was "low", he said.
For this reason, Lindmeier said the WHO was for now advising against slapping any travel or trade restrictions on Madagascar.
The plague is a highly infectious disease that has killed millions of people across the world in the past before being largely wiped out.
Pneumonic plague can kill quickly, within 18-24 hours of infection if left untreated, but common antibiotics can cure it if they are given early on.
The WHO stressed that most people can recover from the plague if they are rapidly treated and urged anyone in the affected areas who notice respiratory symptoms to seek treatment, which is being provided for free.
The UN said humanitarian agencies have set up checkpoints, camps and emergency sites in the area around the Iraqi town of Hawija capable of receiving more than 70,000 people
An estimated 12,500 people have fled the northern Iraqi town of Hawija since the September launch of a military operation to dislodge the Islamic State group, the UN said Tuesday.
"Over the weekend, the number of people who have fled the fighting has increased from 7,000 displaced during the first week of the operation ... to some 12,500 people as of last night," the UN's humanitarian affairs office (OCHA) said in a statement.
"The exact number of people still in Hawiga is unknown, but could be as high as 78,000," it added.
Iraqi forces on Monday claimed the seizure of a strategic IS-held area south of Hawija.
Government forces backed by a US-led coalition and the Hashed al-Shaabi, an alliance mostly of Shiite militias, have been fighting to retake Hawija, which the jihadists captured in 2014.
The United Nations said humanitarian agencies have set up checkpoints, camps and emergency sites in the area capable of receiving more than 70,000 people who could flee the Hawija operation.
Some have reported slipping through the frontline by paying smugglers $250 (175 euros) per person, OCHA said.
An ethnic Wa woman empties a packet of 'yaba' drugs before they are set on fire during a ceremony to mark the UN's world anti-drugs day near the Thai/Myanmar border in June 2017
Two Myanmar soldiers are being questioned after they were caught with nearly two million "yaba" pills in restive Rakhine state, police said Tuesday, as the drugs trade goes on despite communal violence.
The men were held after 1.88 million tablets said to be worth around $2.8 million were found in a military vehicle in the town of Maungdaw on October 1, a senior anti-drugs officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Maungdaw is the epicentre of violence that has left hundreds dead and sent 500,000 Muslim Rohingya residents fleeing into Bangladesh.
Myanmar's army has flooded the area since August 25 in a major offensive designed to flush out Rohingya militants.
But their presence appears to have failed to slow the drug trade.
Yaba, a Thai word meaning "crazy medicine", is a concoction of methamphetamine and caffeine that has become popular among young people in Bangladesh.
Myanmar's western border zone is awash with methamphetamine, most destined for Bangladesh.
There have long been rumours of militants, security forces and local businessmen getting rich on drug trafficking -- a trade that has cut across communal rivalries.
The pills were marked with "WY and R brands", the police source added, referring to popular brands pumped out by the drug lords of Wa state.
The Wa, an ethnic group who have a large standing army and churn out most of Southeast Asia's methamphetamine, are based in the far east of Myanmar, suggesting drug routes have survived the crisis that has engulfed Rakhine.
In recent years Bangladeshi security forces have seized millions of yaba tablets from traffickers attempting to enter its Cox's Bazar area by land and sea.
Last week Bangladesh arrested three Rohingya men attempting to smuggle 800,000 meth pills into the country from Myanmar via the Naf border river at the height of the refugee crisis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (right), US ambassador Jon Huntsman (centre) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday called for "predictable and mutually beneficial" ties with the United States as he received diplomatic credentials from Washington's new ambassador to Moscow.
The US Senate last week confirmed businessman, veteran diplomat and former presidential candidate Jon Huntsman as ambassador to Russia, filling a crucial post at a time when ties are at dangerously low ebb.
"As far as bilateral ties with the United States are concerned, their current level cannot be satisfying," Putin said at the Kremlin after he received diplomatic credentials from Huntsman.
"We are in favour of constructive, predicable and mutually beneficial cooperation. We are convinced it should be based on the meticulous adherence to the principles of equality, respect of national interests and non-interference in domestic affairs."
Putin again expressed condolences to the American people following the Las Vegas shooting which killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 500.
- 'Problems of reciprocity' -
Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier Tuesday that the Russian president wanted to restore ties with the United States but stressed he could not do it alone.
"So far there are certain problems when it comes to reciprocity," Peskov told reporters.
"But we hope that with the new ambassador at the helm at least the US diplomatic mission in Moscow will be able to contribute to the restoration of our relations."
US President Donald Trump has pledged to improve ties between the two countries which slumped to their lowest point since the Cold War over the Ukraine crisis.
But allegations of collusion between Russia and members of Trump's election campaign team overshadowed those promises.
The 57-year-old Huntsman, who served as governor of Utah, has worked in numerous US administrations, notably as ambassador to China under Democrat president Barack Obama, before running unsuccessfully for president as a Republican in 2012.
Huntsman said during his confirmation hearing last week that there is "no question" Russia interfered in the US presidential race and that Moscow continues to "threaten stability" in Europe.
"I look forward to working to rebuild trust between our two countries and to strengthening the bilateral relationship based on cooperation on common interests," the new US ambassador said after the Kremlin ceremony.
"I will seek out Russian people from all walks of life to share perspectives, to relay American values, and to deepen my growing appreciation for Russia's rich and fascinating history and culture," he added.
The US embassy in Moscow said Huntsman would return to Washington for "final consultations" before assuming his post in Russia next week.
Huntsman will be performing one of the most difficult jobs on the diplomatic circuit.
One of his predecessors, Michael McFaul, left the post under a cloud after just two years in Russia.
McFaul, who left in 2014, sparked Moscow's fury with critical comments and meetings with Russian opposition leaders and was harassed by pro-Kremlin youth activists and TV channels.
His successor, career diplomat John Tefft was summoned out of retirement and served as US ambassador to Russia between 2014 and 2017.
Mohamad Tofiq Rahim, shown here in 2004, is the only person to present his candidacy for next month's presidential election Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region
An ex-minister in Iraq's first post-invasion government will be the sole candidate for the presidency of the country's autonomous Kurdish region in a November election, an official said on Tuesday.
Mohammad Tofiq Rahim, 64, a staunch opponent of current Kurdish leader Massud Barzani who has repeatedly said he will not stand again for the post, was the only person to put forward his candidacy, the autonomous region's electoral chief said.
"By the deadline for candidates on Tuesday, we had received all the documents necessary for Mohammad Tofiq Rahim to be a candidate for the presidency of Kurdistan. He is the only person to have declared himself a candidate," electoral commission head Yari Hadji Omar told AFP by telephone from the regional capital Arbil.
The Kurdish region, which last week voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence in a referendum rejected both by Baghdad and by Iraq's neighbours Turkey and Iran, will hold presidential and legislative elections on November 1.
The electoral commission has approved 21 lists of candidates for the legislative vote.
Despite repeatedly saying he would not stand for re-election, Barzani has also been seen as reluctant to cede power.
Rahim, a former member of the Kurdish peshmerga security forces, is a member of Goran, a party strongly opposed to Barzani.
The most recent presidential vote in the autonomous Kurdish region was in 2009.
Originally, a presidential term of office was four years, but in 2013 parliament extended it by two years.
A general election was held in September 2013, but Kurdish parliamentary activity has been frozen since November 2015, enabling Barzani to remain in power.
Rahim has opposed Barzani's mandate being extended.
"The commission must now examine the documents and accept his candidacy," Hadji Omar said of Rahim.
In September 2003, Rahim became industry minister in the first Iraqi cabinet that followed the US-led invasion of Iraq and overthrow of Saddam Hussein.
The September 25 referendum on Kurdish independence, a Barzani initiative, returned a resounding 92.73 percent "yes" result.
- Regional tensions -
But it also provoked a resounding "no" from Baghdad, Tehran and Ankara and sent regional tensions soaring.
Barzani's successor will have a heavy and urgent workload in the wake of the referendum result.
On Monday, Iraq and Iran -- previously sworn enemies that fought a devastating eight-year war in the 1980s -- staged joint military manoeuvres just across the border from Iraqi Kurdistan in Iran.
Iraq, Iran and Turkey all have sizeable Kurdish minorities and have taken measures to isolate Iraqi Kurdistan, including suspending international flights to and from its two main airports.
Iran has also slapped an indefinite ban on the transport of oil and energy products to and from Iraq's Kurdish region.
Officially comprising Arbil, Dohuk and Sulaimaniyah provinces, Iraqi Kurdistan also claims other territory including oil-rich Kirkuk province -- a dispute that is a major source of contention with Baghdad.
Tuesday's electoral commission announcement that only Rahim had registered to stand in the presidential election came shortly before the announcement of the death in Germany aged 83 of charismatic Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani, a former president of Iraq.
On Sunday, the Kurdish region replaced the referendum council with a body dubbed the Political Directorate of Kurdistan, seen by Barzani opponents as a way of him retaining control.
The new body includes members of the two main traditional parties, Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
But it has been criticised including by Talabani's widow Hero Ibrahim Ahmed, a PUK leader.
She has called it "a gross error" and compared it to Saddam's Revolution Command Council, the real decision-making body under the dictator while the government had no role.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would reject any reconciliation deal between the two leading Palestinian factions unless the Iran-backed Islamist movement Hamas disarmed
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday Israel would reject any reconciliation deal between the two leading Palestinian factions unless the Iran-backed Islamist movement Hamas disarmed.
"We are not prepared to accept bogus reconciliations in which the Palestinian side apparently reconciles at the expense of our existence," Netanyahu said in a statement.
"Whoever wants to make such a reconciliation, our understanding is very clear: recognise the State of Israel, disband the Hamas military arm, sever the connection with Iran -- which calls for our destruction," Netanyahu added.
Palestinian prime minister Rami Hamdallah began a three-day visit to Gaza on Monday as the two leading factions seek a reconciliation deal that could lead to a unity government.
The internationally recognised Palestinian Authority (PA) has signed a peace deal with Israel but Hamas, which runs Gaza and has fought three wars with the Jewish state since 2008, has not.
Hamas maintains a major military wing and senior officials have downplayed the idea of disarming in any reconciliation deal.
However PA president Mahmud Abbas said in an interview on Monday there would be "one state, one system, one law and one weapon" -- in an apparent reference to Hamas's military wing.
Hamilton County Department of Education announces "an urgent commitment to science education" with the expansion of the Science Sparks! standards-based curriculum.
Science Sparks! is a hands-on, engaging science curriculum that was designed by Hamilton County teacher leaders. "Teachers who take part in the professional learning receive a curriculum and a bin filled with all of the materials to teach the exciting science lessons," officials said. Last spring 40 teachers piloted the program. This year hundreds of HCDE teachers will take part in the Science Sparks! curriculum.
Looking at the data, we acknowledge science is one area we have struggled in the past, said HCDE Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson. We are taking steps to correct that through a combination of efforts, including the expansion of Science Sparks! lessons.
"In addition, federal funds have allowed the creation of a Lead Teachers for Science district-wide. Lead Teachers are typically tenured teaching professionals who have excellent teaching and leadership skills. They draw upon their teaching experience to serve as expert resources, mentors, or counselors for new and developing teachers," officials said.
It is content area that has led us to where we are, so we are making the urgently needed changes. The district performed well in literacy so we know we must focus with the same intensity to improve academic success in science and social studies, Dr. Johnson said.
Dr. Johnson and Chief of Opportunity Schools Jill Levine will speak on the importance of science education Tuesday evening at the Tennessee Aquariums Beyond the Classroom science education celebration. This is an amazing opportunity to share the details about how we are working to improve science teaching and learning. I am thrilled the Tennessee Aquarium is hosting this event to highlight such a critical aspect of today education, said Ms. Levine.
Dr. Johnson and Ms. Levine join new Tennessee Aquarium Director of Science Education Dr. Brooke Gorman and Aquarium Trustee Alison Lebovitz as featured speakers at Tuesday evening's event.
Science Sparks! by the numbers:
Elementary Schools:
340 teachers
7,700 students
Secondary Schools:
70 teachers
7,500 students
"Further details will be released once the Science Lead Teacher is selected. Lead Teachers for Social Science and Fine Arts for the district will also be hired soon," officials said.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (seen here) and Iran's Mohammad Javad Zarif met at a time of heightened Gulf tensions, with Qatari officials warning the ongoing Arab blockade would only drive Doha towards regional powerhouse Iran
Iran's foreign minister held talks with the emir of Qatar Tuesday aimed at strengthening "co-operation," nearly four months into a Saudi-led blockade against the Gulf emirate.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Iran's Mohammad Javad Zarif met at a time of heightened Gulf tensions, with Qatari officials warning the ongoing Arab blockade would only drive Doha towards regional powerhouse Iran.
Qatar's state news agency said the pair discussed the impasse in the region, which has seen Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Doha over its ties with Iran and accusations that it supports extremists.
"During the meeting, they reviewed relations of cooperation between the two countries in various fields as well as exchanged views on the current situation in the region," read the statement from Qatar News Agency.
Tuesday's visit was notable as it was Zarif's first since Qatar's political isolation began on June 5. The Iranian foreign minister on Monday visited Oman -- which has remained neutral on the Gulf crisis -- meeting with Sultan Qaboos in Muscat.
Qatar's relationship with Shiite-dominated Iran, seen as the major rival to Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, is one of the major factors underpinning the crisis between Qatar and its former allies.
Last week, Qatar's foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani warned that the political and economic boycott imposed on Qatar was pushing Doha closer to Tehran.
"They accuse Qatar of being close to Iran but with their measure... they push Qatar towards Iran. They are giving Qatar like a gift to Iran," Sheikh Mohammed said in a speech in Paris.
Doha in January 2016 had pulled its ambassador from Tehran in solidarity with Saudi Arabia over attacks on its diplomatic mission there -- attacks spurred by Riyadh's decision to execute a prominent Shiite cleric in the kingdom.
But in August, Qatar announced it was restoring full diplomatic relations with Iran by returning its ambassador.
Qatar and Iran share the worlds largest natural gas field - which Doha calls the North Field and Iran South Pars -- and which has been responsible for the emirate's dramatic transformation over the past 20 years
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on September 19, 2017
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on Cameroon to probe deadly attacks in the country's restless English-speaking region after protests leading to a symbolic declaration of independence.
At least 17 people were killed in weekend attacks in mostly French-speaking Cameroon's southwest, a region once under British rule.
Guterres "calls on the Cameroonian authorities to investigate these incidents", his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement late Monday.
He called on "political leaders on both sides to appeal to their followers to refrain from any further acts of violence, and to unequivocally condemn all actions that undermine the peace, stability and unity of the country."
Guterres also urged "representatives of the Anglophone community to ... (seek) solutions to the community's grievances, within the framework of the Cameroonian constitution."
Amnesty International said "at least" 17 people had been killed by security forces.
On Sunday, separatists used the October 1 anniversary of the official unification of the English- and French-speaking parts of Cameroon to declare independence for "Ambazonia" -- the name of the state they want to create.
Anglophones account for about a fifth of the West African nation's population of 22 million.
English-speakers complain they have suffered decades of economic inequality and social injustice at the hands of the French-speaking majority.
A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) runs to take cover from sniper shots near the central hospital of Raqa on October 1, 2017
A US-led coalition air strike killed at least 18 civilians on Tuesday in the Islamic State group's former stronghold of Raqa, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said.
"International coalition planes targeted water wells where a group of civilians were gathered in the north of Raqa city, killing at least 18 civilians," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said.
The Britain-based group said four children were among the dead.
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters, broke into Raqa in June and has since wrested 90 percent of the city from IS.
But activists say coalition strikes in support of the operation have killed hundreds of civilians and caused enormous damage.
Syrians displaced from the city of Deir Ezzor gather on the outskirts of Raqa on October 2, 2017
The coalition's spokesman Colonel Ryan Dillon said it does "everything within its power to limit harm to non-combatants and civilian infrastructure."
He said "rigorous standards" were applied to coalition targeting and "extraordinary efforts" taken to avoid civilian deaths.
"The coalition conducts a detailed assessment of each and every allegation of possible civilian casualties and we will do so for this allegation as well," he added in an email to AFP.
In late September, the coalition acknowledged the deaths of 735 civilians in its strikes on Syria and Iraq since 2014.
But activists say the toll is much higher.
Raqa has faced water shortages for months because of damage to pipelines caused by suspected coalition strikes.
Even in the early days of the Raqa assault, residents said they feared being caught in air strikes or shelling when they ventured to wells or the Euphrates River that runs south of the city to draw water.
Ex-Iraqi president and Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani, shown here in 2009, has died in Germany, officials in his party told AFP
Ex-Iraqi president and Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani died on Tuesday in Germany, officials in his party told AFP.
Talabani, 83, was Iraq's president from 2005 to 2014 and a key figure in Iraqi Kurdistan, where voters last week overwhelmingly backed independence in a disputed referendum.
"Our leader died in Germany," an official with Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) said.
A family member said Talabani's health had taken a turn for the worse and he been transported to Germany, along with his wife and two children, before the referendum.
Iraqi Kurdish lawmaker Zana Said paid tribute to Talabani as "the only president whose death saddens Arabs, Kurds and all other ethnicities".
"We pray to God that his death will help to bring back good relations between the brothers of Iraq."
Talabani's death, following a decades-old struggle for Kurdish statehood, came after Iraq's Kurds voted 92.7 percent in favour of independence in the September 25 referendum.
The vote, rejected by Baghdad as illegal, has put deep strain on ties between the Kurds and central Iraqi authorities, who have cut off international flights to the region and threatened further action.
Talabani was an avuncular politician and a skilled negotiator, who spent years building bridges between the country's divided factions, despite his efforts for Kurdish independence.
Born in 1933 in the mountain village of Kalkan, he studied law at Baghdad University and did a stint in the army before joining the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of Mullah Mustafa Barzani, father of current Kurdistan regional president Massud Barzani.
Talabani took to the hills in a first uprising against the Iraqi government in 1961 but famously fell out with Barzani, who sued for peace with Baghdad, and joined a KDP splinter faction in 1964.
Eleven years later, he established the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) after Barzani's forces, abandoned by their Iranian, US and Israeli allies, were routed by Saddam Hussein's army.
He became president in April 2005 after the first post-Saddam election in Iraq and continued in the post until 2014, when he was replaced by the current president, Fuad Masum.
Iraq's head of state plays a largely ceremonial role and is elected by members of parliament.
In August 2008, the married father of two underwent successful heart surgery in the United States, then in 2012 he was flown to Germany after suffering a stroke, casting doubt over his ability to ever return to Iraq.
He did go back in July 2014, with Iraq in crisis after the Islamic State group had taken control of swathes of the country, and was replaced by Masum following a parliamentary election.
Tsvangirai, pictured here during a visit to a village in Matabeleland North province in January this year
Zimbabwe's main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has been discharged from a South African hospital were he had been receiving medical treatment, his spokesman said Tuesday.
"He was discharged last week (on) Monday. He is now fine, he is out of danger," Luke Tamborinyoka told AFP.
Tamborinyoka declined to reveal when the former prime minister would return to Zimbabwe, saying only, "he will be back home soon."
Tsvangirai, 65, was airlifted to South Africa two weeks ago after falling ill.
The local New Day newspaper reported he had been given oxygen and a drip and had been vomiting heavily.
His party said he was undergoing a routine medical check.
The veteran opposition leader announced last year that he had been diagnosed with cancer of the colon and had begun chemotherapy.
Tsvangirai, a former trade union leader, has posed the biggest challenge to President Robert Mugabe's grip on power, and has often accused him and his government of rigging polls.
In 2008 Tsvangirai won 47.9 percent of the vote to Mugabe's 43.2 percent, which led to a run-off.
He has been endorsed by the alliance of opposition parties to stand against Mugabe in the 2018 general elections.
His adversary, 93-year-old Mugabe, regularly flies to Singapore, reportedly for health reasons. Details of his medical condition are kept under wraps, but he recently said doctors had given him a clean bill of health.
South African President Jacob Zuma, left, walked hand-in-hand with Mugabe as they arrived for bilateral talks
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe returned to South Africa on Tuesday for the first time since his wife claimed diplomatic immunity over allegedly assaulting a model in a Johannesburg hotel room.
Mugabe, 93, was not accompanied by his wife Grace as he met President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria, six weeks after the alleged attack sparked diplomatic tension between the two neighbours.
Mugabe used his opening remarks at the talks to stress the close relations between Zimbabwe and South Africa, but did not mention the incident.
"Had we had a say in the choice of a neighbour, we would have chosen you," he said, to laughter from ministers on both sides.
"We are one -- one people, one revolution, one struggle, one future," he added.
Grace Mugabe, 52, is alleged to have assaulted Gabriella Engels with an electrical extension cable at the chic Johannesburg hotel where the Mugabes' two sons, who are in their 20s, were staying.
Engels suffered cuts to her forehead and the back of her head during the alleged August 13 assault.
The first lady was granted diplomatic immunity by South African authorities and promptly flew out of the country, accompanied by her husband who had arrived for a regional summit.
Earlier, the South African police had vowed to prevent her from leaving as they considered issuing an arrest warrant.
At the time of the incident, Mugabe's two sons Robert Jnr and Chatunga were living in the Sandton business district of Johannesburg, where they have a reputation for partying.
Engels, 20, has launched a legal battle to have Grace Mugabe stripped of immunity over the alleged attack.
"We were chilling in a hotel room, and (Mugabe's sons) were in the room next door. She came in and started hitting us," Engels told local media.
In 2009, Grace Mugabe was granted immunity in Hong Kong after repeatedly punching a British photographer for taking pictures of her at a luxury hotel.
President Mugabe, who came to power in 1980, is due to stand again in elections next year, with his wife seen as one possible successor when he leaves office.
At Tuesday's talks, Zuma also made no reference to the incident and said there was "ever-growing cooperation between the two countries".
Immigration Minister Theo Francken said there was 'a problem' with the Grand Mosque in Brussels
Belgium has moved to expel an Egyptian preacher at the country's biggest mosque because he posed a "national security" threat, officials said on Tuesday.
Immigration Minister Theo Francken revoked the residency permit of the imam of the Saudi-financed Grand Mosque, near the EU headquarters in Brussels.
Belgium has been hit by several attacks since 2016, including suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State group that killed 32 people at Brussels airport and a metro station.
"Everybody knows there is a problem with the Grand Mosque in Brussels. I decided to withdraw the residency permit of the imam of this mosque," Francken told Bel-RTL.
"We have had very clear signals he is a man who is very radicalised, salafist, very conservative and dangerous for our society and national security," Francken added.
Francken did not identify the imam but his office told AFP his name is Abdelhadi Sewif, a man of Egyptian origin who has lived in Belgium for 13 years.
Belgian authorities first decided in March not to renew the imam's residence permit but he has appealed against the decision and judges will review his case on October 24, an official said.
After the deadly Brussels bombings in March last year, the mosque defended itself against charges that it was preaching a puritanical strain of Islam and was even a hotbed of extremism.
Ex-Iraqi president Jalal Talabani, shown here in Baghdad in 2009, has died in Germany
Former Iraqi president Jalal Talabani, who died Tuesday aged 83, was a charismatic leader of the Kurdish independence struggle who became Iraq's first non-Arab head of state.
The veteran pragmatist was elected by parliament to the largely ceremonial role in 2005, two years after the US invasion that toppled his sworn enemy Saddam Hussein, and stayed in the position until 2014.
He won plaudits during his tenure for trying to build bridges between Iraq's warring factions at the height of sectarian bloodletting between the Sunni and Shiite communities.
Widely known as "Mam (Uncle) Jalal", the barrel-chested Talabani performed a delicate balancing act in a fraught region and was seen as being close to both the United States and its rival Iran.
- Kurdish struggle -
Talabani long dominated Kurdish political life along with the current leader of Iraqi Kurdistan Massud Barzani.
Born in 1933 in the rustic village of Kalkan in the mountains, as a young man he was quickly seduced by the Kurdish struggle for a homeland to unite a people scattered across Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria.
After studying law at Baghdad University and doing a stint in the army, Talabani joined the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of Mullah Mustafa Barzani, Massud's father, and took to the hills in a first uprising against the Iraqi government in 1961.
But he famously fell out with Barzani after he sued for peace with Baghdad -- the start of a long and costly internecine feud among Iraqi Kurds.
Talabani joined a KDP splinter faction in 1964, and 11 years later established the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) after Barzani's forces, abandoned by their Iranian, US and Israeli allies, were routed by Saddam Hussein's army.
His long career in troubled modern Iraq witnessed some of the lowest moments in Kurdish history.
A renewed uprising in the 1980s against the Saddam regime sparked the notorious Anfal campaign of 1988 in which the army razed hundreds of Kurdish villages and gassed thousands of people.
Jalal Talabani is seen peering from behind the Iraqi national flag in July 2005 in Baghdad
More tragedy was to come in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf war, when the Kurdish uprising collapsed, prompting hundreds of thousands of people to seek refuge on the mountainous borders with Iran and Turkey in the heart of winter.
Western intervention allowed the Kurds to re-establish control over the three most northerly provinces of Iraq, but the rebel enclave fell far short of Kurdish claims for full independence amid Turkish opposition to statehood.
The rivalry between Talabani and the Barzanis, which degenerated into all-out war in 1993, finally led to rapprochement in 2002, when it became clear that Washington intended to topple Saddam.
- Health problems -
After his rise to the presidency following the first post-Saddam elections in Iraq, Talabani strived to smooth strained ties with Syria and Iran to help end their suspected support for the insurgency in Iraq.
He was chosen again as president twice in 2006 and 2010.
While he struggled to bring together Iraq's disparate factions, the married father-of-two also battled a string of health problems.
A file photo dated 24 April 1991 of Jalal al-Talabani, then leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), who died on Monday
In August 2008 he underwent succesful heart surgery in the United States and in 2012 he was flown to Germany after suffering a stroke.
Talabani eventually returned to Iraq in July 2014, just as the Islamic State group seized control of much of the country, and was replaced by his ally Fuad Masum.
The death of the veteran leader in Germany came just over a week after a controversial referendum that saw over 92 percent of Kurds vote for independence.
The ballot, rejected by Baghdad as illegal, has caused major tensions between the Kurds and central Iraqi authorities, which have cut off international flights to the region and threatened further action.
Hamas's overall leader Ismail Haniya (C-R) meets with Egyptian Intelligence Minister Khalid Fawzi at his office in Gaza City on October 3, 2017
The Palestinian cabinet met in Gaza for the first time since 2014 Tuesday, as Israel warned it would reject any reconciliation deal between the Palestinian factions unless Islamists Hamas disarm.
The meeting comes as part of moves to end a decade-long split between the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority, based in the occupied West Bank, and Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip.
The return of the PA to Gaza had been cautiously welcomed by the United States and the United Nations, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it could be a "bogus" reconciliation "at the expense of our existence".
Hamas has controlled Gaza since seizing it from the PA in a near civil war in 2007, and since then multiple reconciliation attempts have failed.
But following Egyptian pressure the Islamists announced last month they were willing to hand over civilian control to the PA, which is dominated by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah movement.
Tuesday's cabinet meeting was the first in Gaza since November 2014, and comes a day after Palestinian prime minister Rami Hamdallah entered the territory for the first time since a unity government collapsed in June 2015.
At the beginning of the meeting, which took place at the official Gaza residence of Abbas in Gaza, Hamdallah pledged to end the rift.
"We are here to turn the page on division, restore the national project to its correct direction and establish the (Palestinian) state," he said.
A Palestinian man flashes the sign for victory behind a large Palestinian flag as they gathering at the Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip for the arrival of Palestinian prime minister Rami Hamdallah and his government on October 2, 2017
Afterwards government spokesman Yusuf Al Mahmud said a full reconciliation deal would take time.
"The government does not have a magic wand," he told reporters.
Egypt has brokered the rapprochement between the two sides.
Its intelligence chief, Khaled Fawzi, visited the strip in the afternoon and met with Hamdallah and Hamas head Ismail Haniya.
In a pre-recorded speech played at the meeting, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi backed the talks.
"The whole world is waiting for your efforts to achieve reconciliation among the Palestinian people," he said.
The sides will hold further talks on Tuesday in Cairo.
- Hamas disarming -
More than two million people live in impoverished Gaza, which has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt for years.
More than two million people live in impoverished Gaza, which has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt for years
Hamas hopes to convince Egypt to ease its border restrictions, which, along with the isolation of key regional ally Qatar, have left the Islamists weak.
The Palestinian Authority has also sought to punish Hamas for setting up what was seen as a rival government, reducing electricity payments for Gazans.
A key sticking point between the two Palestinian sides will likely be Hamas's powerful military wing that has fought three wars with Israel since 2008.
The Palestinian Authority has signed peace deals with Israel, but Hamas was not party to them and does not recognise Israel's right to exist.
The United States and the European Union blacklist Hamas as a terrorist organisation, complicating the formation of any potential unity government.
Israel said any deal would be unacceptable unless Hamas disarmed.
"We are not prepared to accept bogus reconciliations in which the Palestinian side apparently reconciles at the expense of our existence," Netanyahu said in a statement.
"Whoever wants to make such a reconciliation, our understanding is very clear: recognise the State of Israel, disband the Hamas military arm, sever the connection with Iran -- which calls for our destruction."
In response Hamas said Israel was the primary beneficiary of the division.
In an interview on Monday night Abbas said there would be "one state, one system, one law and one weapon" -- in an apparent reference to Hamas's military wing.
Hamas could not "copy or clone Hezbollah's experience in Lebanon," he added, referring to a situation where an independent armed group exerts major influence on national politics.
Hamas officials reject the possibility of disarming.
Hamas leader Haniya said they were willing to "pay any price" for reconciliation but analysts say disarming would effectively mean the end of the movement.
The United States cautiously welcomed Hamdallah's visit Monday.
But US special envoy Jason Greenblatt also said any Palestinian government "must unambiguously and explicitly commit to nonviolence, recognition of the State of Israel, acceptance of previous agreements and obligations between the parties and peaceful negotiations."
UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov said he was "encouraged" by the developments and wanted to see the Palestinian Authority government exercise full control in Gaza.
"This is essential for resolving the humanitarian situation as soon as possible, most notably the crippling electricity and health crises," he said in a statement.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau travels to Washingtin next week to meet with US President Donald Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will travel to Washington next week to meet US President Donald Trump just as continental trade talks are expected to heat up, his office announced Tuesday.
The prime minister will press Trump on "international security and our vital trade and economic relationship," said a statement.
Trudeau will continue trade talks in Mexico after his Washington stop.
Canadian, Mexican and US trade representatives last week trumpeted strides made in a third round of continental free trade talks in Ottawa, but warned of challenges ahead when negotiations resume on October 11 in Washington.
At the same time, Canada-US trade relations hit a recent low over US dumping accusations levelled against Canada's forestry sector and aerospace firm Bombardier.
"We are making solid headway on bread and butter issues," Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said after five days of negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) last Wednesday.
But, she added, some of the "hardest issues or proposals" have not yet come up for discussion.
Trump ordered a renegotiation of NAFTA and threatened to pull out of the pact if the United States did not get a better deal, calling the existing 1994 accord the worst trade deal ever signed.
He has largely focused on the US-Mexico trade imbalance. But he has also pressured Canada to open up its protected dairy market.
Ottawa and Washington are among the world's closest allies and trading partners, with more than half a trillion (US) dollars worth of goods exchanged annually.
But the US Commerce Department's announcement last week that it would impose a steep countervailing duty on Bombardier's new CSeries jetliners was met with outrage.
Trudeau warned he would call off a US$5.2 billion purchase of 18 Super Hornet fighter jets to partially replace its aging fleet of F-18s if the aircraft's manufacturer Boeing did not drop its anti-dumping lawsuit against Bombardier.
He also drew a line in the sand, saying Ottawa would walk away from the trade talks if Washington insisted on a demand to nix NAFTA dispute resolution tribunals.
Trudeau previously met Trump at the White House in February.
"The United States is Canada's top economic partner, and it's important that we continue to work together to strengthen trade, investment and economic opportunity for people on both sides of our border," Trudeau said.
Immediately following his October 12-13 trip to Washington, Trudeau will head south for his first official visit to Mexico, where he will also discuss trade with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
Trudeau said he looked forward also to meeting with Pena Nieto and Mexican civil society to "deepen relations between our two countries."
An 18-unit apartment complex is being planned on McCallie Avenue at Beech Street.
The location is 2001, 2003 and 2005 McCallie.
The lots are owned by Maria Alder and Patrick Krizek. The developer is Adamson Developers.
Three two-story buildings are planned with parking in the rear by an alley.
The case goes to the Planning Commission on Monday at 1 p.m. at the County Courthouse. The staff recommendation is to approve.
Ex-Iraqi president and Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani, shown here in 2009, has died in Germany, officials in his party told AFP
Iraq's former president Jalal Talabani, a veteran leader of the struggle for Kurdish self-determination and a unifying elder statesman, died on Tuesday in Germany aged 83.
Talabani was president from 2005 to 2014 and a key figure in Iraqi Kurdistan, where voters last week overwhelmingly backed independence in a disputed referendum.
An official from Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which was initially sceptical about the vote before agreeing to it, said he had died in Germany where he was undergoing medical treatment.
A family member said his health had worsened and he been transported to Germany, along with his wife and two children, before the referendum.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, a fierce opponent of the referendum, hailed Talabani for his role in "building a federal Iraq".
"He described Iraq as a bouquet made up of several flowers," he said, referring to the country's different communities.
His political rival and the current leader of Iraqi Kurdistan, Massud Barzani, also paid his respects to Talabani.
"I lost a friend and a brother. I'm glad we fought together," said Barzani, who announced a week of mourning during which Kurdish flags would be flown at half-mast.
- 'Great void' -
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, in a statement, paid tribute to Talabani for his "great service to his country at a difficult time".
Iraqi Kurdish lawmaker Zana Said described Talabani as "the only president whose death saddens Arabs, Kurds and all other ethnicities".
"We pray to God that his death will help to bring back good relations between the brothers of Iraq."
Masrur Barzani, a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), also lamented his death.
"The disappearance of Uncle Jalal will leave a great void because he was a great political figure in both Kurdistan and Iraq," he said, using his nickname.
Jalal Talabani, shown here in 2007, was Iraq's president from 2005 to 2014
Talabani's death, following a decades-old struggle for Kurdish statehood, came after Iraq's Kurds voted 92.7 percent in favour of independence in the September 25 referendum.
The vote, rejected by Baghdad as illegal, has deeply strained ties between the Kurds and central Iraqi authorities, who have cut off international flights to the region and threatened further action.
Talabani was an avuncular politician and a skilled negotiator who spent years building bridges between the country's divided factions, despite his efforts for Kurdish independence.
- Uncle Jalal -
Born in 1933 in the mountain village of Kalkan, he studied law at Baghdad University and did a stint in the army before joining the KDP of Mullah Mustafa Barzani, father of the current Kurdistan regional president.
Talabani took to the hills in a first uprising against the Iraqi government in 1961 but famously fell out with Barzani, who sued for peace with Baghdad, and joined a KDP splinter faction in 1964.
Eleven years later, he established the PUK after Barzani's forces, abandoned by their Iranian, US and Israeli allies, were routed by Saddam Hussein's army.
US president George W. Bush greets Iraq's president Jalal Talabani during a visit to Baghdad on December 14, 2008
He became president in April 2005 after the first post-Saddam election in Iraq and continued in the post until 2014, when he was replaced by the current president, Fuad Masum.
Iraq's head of state plays a largely ceremonial role and is elected by members of parliament.
In his mountainous northern fiefdom of Sulaimaniyah, Talabani was known affectionately as Mam (Uncle) Jalal.
In August 2008, the married father of two underwent successful heart surgery in the United States, then in 2012 he was flown to Germany after suffering a stroke, casting doubt on whether he would return to Iraq.
He did go back in July 2014, with Iraq in crisis after the Islamic State group had taken control of swathes of the country, and was replaced by Masum following a parliamentary election.
A poster of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad is displayed on a home in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor in this picture taken on September 5, 2017
Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Tuesday that President Bashar al-Assad has been "victorious" in Syria's civil war and was now being courted by former enemies.
"Assad has emerged victorious in the battle," Avigdor Lieberman told Israeli news website Walla!.
"Suddenly, everyone wants to get closer to Assad," he said.
"I see that there is now a long line of countries applauding and wooing Assad, including Western (and) moderate Sunni Muslim (states)."
Assad's fortunes have changed dramatically since Russia launched a military intervention to shore up his forces in 2015 and he now appears well on top after a series of key victories.
Israel has previously called on Assad to step down, but officials have sought to avoid getting too heavily involved in the conflict.
Israel has accused Assad-backer Iran of transferring sophisticated weapons to Lebanon's Hezbollah and has sporadically struck weapons convoys to the Shiite movement inside the war-ravaged country, as well as Syrian government forces.
Israel and Syria have technically been in a state of war for decades and the Jewish state has become alarmed at the growing Iranian influence in Damascus.
Lieberman said they were hoping for increased American involvement to counterbalance the Iranian threat.
"We hope that the United States will be more active on the Syrian front and in the Middle East in general. We are on the northern front against the Russians, Iranians, Turks and Hezbollah," he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted last year Israel had carried out dozens of attacks on weapons convoys destined for Hezbollah.
"We had said before, after the signing of the peace deal, that Nepal should have a single communist party," Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal said
Nepal's Maoist party announced Tuesday an alliance with the largest communist bloc, ahead of key elections seen as the final step in the Himalayan nation's post-war transition to a federal democracy.
The two parties, with a third smaller partner, have agreed a tie up for general elections later this year, and plan to unify as a single communist party following the polls.
"We had said before, after the signing of the peace deal, that Nepal should have a single communist party. We are now finishing that incomplete process," Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal said at a press conference announcing the deal.
The Maoists have dominated Nepal's politics for more than 20 years after waging a decade-long insurgency against government forces that claimed more than 16,000 lives.
The civil war ended in a peace deal in 2006 that saw rebel leader Dahal become Nepal's first post-war prime minister.
The 240-year-old Hindu monarchy was abolished two years later beginning the Himalayan nation's transformation to a secular republic.
Three main parties -- the Maoists, the Communist Party Nepal-Union Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), and the Nepali Congress (NC) -- have since monopolised the political sphere, forming varying brittle coalitions with one another.
General elections set for next month will conclude the drawn-out peace process, allowing for the implementation of a new constitution that was agreed in 2015.
Observers hope that will usher in a new era of stability in the impoverished country, which has cycled through nine governments in a decade.
The Maoists and the CPN-UML were coalition partners for four of those governments, though the ruling coalition is currently between the former rebels and the NC.
The Maoists will be the junior partner in the upcoming alliance with the communists, fielding candidates in 40 percent of seats, with the CPN-UML taking the rest.
The tie up will be closely watched by Nepal's two large neighbours, India and China.
The staunchly nationalistic CPN-UML has aggressively courted Beijing seeking to temper the influence of Delhi, which has traditionally played the role of big brother to its small northern neighbour.
"This sets the stage for an almost two-party system in Nepal," Sudheer Sharma, editor with the Kantipur newspaper, told AFP, pitting the UML against the NC who are seen as closer to Delhi.
Pentagon chief Jim Mattis (L) testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Iran with General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Tuesday that President Donald Trump should consider sticking with the nuclear accord with Iran, which he said is in the US national interest.
Mattis's expression of support for the 2015 agreement curbing Iran's nuclear program was in sharp contrast with Trump's blunt assessment that the deal is an "embarrassment to the United States."
"If we can confirm that Iran is living by the agreement, if we can determine that this is in our best interest, then surely we should stay with it," told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"I believe at this point in time, absent indication to the contrary, it is something that the president should consider staying with," he said.
Asked whether he believed the Iran deal was in the national interest, Mattis replied: "Yes, senator, I do."
Trump must notify Congress every 90 days whether he believes that Iran is abiding by the accord and whether lifting of sanctions against Tehran, as provided for under the agreement, remains in the US national interest.
He has so far certified that Iran is in compliance but has indicated that the next deadline on October 15 will be crucial.
Iran and the other signatories -- China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany -- defend the deal as a guarantee of the peaceful, non-military purposes of Tehran's nuclear program.
But in his speech last month to the UN General Assembly, Trump raised the prospect he might pull Washington out, calling the deal an embarrassment and warning, "I don't think you've heard the last of it."
He later told reporters he had reached a decision, but would not say what course of action he intends to take.
- Risks of not certifying -
Several senior US officials, as well as observers who oppose the deal, have said that if Trump does not certify Iran's compliance it would not necessarily mean either a US withdrawal, or the end of the pact.
In the event of non-certification, the law gives Congress 60 days to decide whether to reimpose on Iran sanctions lifted in 2015 as part of the deal. Washington could use that time to pressure its European allies to reopen negotiations with Tehran.
That would be risky, however.
Iran could interpret US non-certification -- or the imposition of new or renewed sanctions -- as a violation of the deal, and resume its banned uranium enrichment program.
Reimposition of sanctions by the US Congress would spell the demise of the agreement, according to European diplomats.
Neither Tehran nor the other signatories want to renegotiate the deal, although French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested trying to add "one or two pillars" to it as a compromise.
The Americans challenge several points of the agreement, beginning with the fact that the restrictions on Iran's nuclear program gradually fall away beginning in 2025.
They also are demanding that inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency be extended to several military sites.
Beyond that, Washington argues that Iran is violating the spirit of the agreement by pressing ahead with a separate ballistic missile program and with its "destabilizing" activities in the Middle East, including Yemen and Syria.
Wells Fargo CEO Timothy Sloan defends the bank's efforts to overcome a fake accounts scandal, in Senate testimony
Wells Fargo's chief defended the bank's efforts to rectify a massive fake accounts scandal Tuesday, but faced tough questioning from senators and at least one call for his ouster.
Chief executive Tim Sloan, who was promoted to the top job in late 2016 after the scandal exploded, again apologized for the debacle, in which the bank opened as many as 3.5 million potentially phony accounts at a time when executives told Wall Street "cross selling" would boost profits.
Sloan reviewed myriad efforts to compensate affected customers, change payment incentives and better train employees.
"Wells Fargo is a better bank today than it was year ago and in a year it will be a better bank than it is today," he pledged.
The session was a follow-up to a hearing last fall in the same committee at which former chief executive John Stumpf endured bruising questions from senators from both parties and a particularly harsh dressing-down from Massachusetts Democrat Elizabeth Warren, who accused the CEO of "gutless leadership."
Stumpf stepped down three weeks after the hearing and was replaced by Sloan, a 30-year Wells veteran who served as chief operating officer when the fake accounts scandal broke.
Warren also went hard after Sloan, telling him he "should be fired" for not doing more to investigate and address the problem as signs of the scandal surfaced.
"At best you were incompetent," she said. "At worst you were complicit."
Sloan defended his response, saying the bank took some "incremental" actions early on, but misunderstood the depth of the problem.
"I have made mistakes, I haven't been perfect," he said. "The reason I'm the right person is because I have made change for 30 years."
While some Republican lawmakers also expressed astonishment at the scandal, their questions were generally fairly polite.
But Senator Sherrod Brown lambasted Wells Fargo for forcing consumers in many cases into arbitration, a behind-closed-door process that can keep corporate malfeasance from courtroom exposure and that critics say often leaves consumers paying.
Other Democrats attacked Sloan for outsourcing jobs from the US to the Philippines and for his frequent invocation of Wells Fargo's massive size, which they said implied the bank was too big to regulate. The bank has 70 million customers and employs 270,000.
"So you're too big?" Democratic Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii said to Sloan's response to a question on why the bank's charter shouldn't be revoked.
"It's only in financial services where people can make such massive errors and there doesn't appear to be any accountability," Schatz said.
Malian special forces deployed in May near the Kangaba tourist resort in Bamako, one day after suspected jihadists stormed the resort, killing two and briefly seizing more than 30 hostages
Attacks by militant Islamists against UN peacekeepers, Malian troops and French forces in Mali have surged over the past four months, with local forces suffering heavy casualties, a UN report said Tuesday.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reported an increase of more than 100 percent in attacks since June, and declared that the security situation had "significantly worsened" in the West African country.
The Security Council is due to discuss the crisis in Mali on Thursday.
In all, extremist groups carried out 75 attacks: 44 against Malian forces, 21 against the UN's MINUSMA operation and 10 against the French Barkhane mission, mostly in the north of the country.
"These figures represent an increase of 102.7 percent for all attacks," compared to the previous four months, said the report to the council.
During that period, six peacekeepers, one civilian and eight UN contractors were killed and 34 other UN personnel were injured in MINUSMA, which has earned the title of the UN's deadliest mission.
The heaviest toll, however, was suffered by Malian forces, with 39 members killed and 44 wounded. No French soldiers were killed since June but 17 were injured, compared with two in the previous four months.
- Expensive UN mission -
The United Nations has 13,000 peacekeepers in Mali, which ranks among its biggest and costliest missions, while France has 4,000 troops serving across the Sahel region with a counterterror mandate.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres met Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita at the United Nations in September
Most of the attacks were claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, a coalition of three prominent Islamist groups with ties to Al-Qaeda, the report said.
Militant groups affiliated with Mali-based fighters remain active in border areas with Burkina Faso and Niger, according to the report.
In 2012, Mali's north fell under the control of jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda who exploited an ethnic Tuareg-led rebel uprising, leading to a French-led military intervention and the UN deployment a year later.
Guterres said he was disappointed by the lack of progress in implementing a 2015 peace deal and the resumption of fighting between armed groups in northern Mali that signed the deal.
The UN chief appealed for financial and logistical support for a new regional force set up to fight jihadists in the Sahel, saying the success of the new mission could help the peace process.
France is pushing for UN funding for the new force of up to 5,000 men that is expected to begin operations later this month.
With presidential elections planned for next year, Mali's peace process must be salvaged to prevent "a descent into a vicious cycle of violence and chaos, jeopardizing the future of Mali and its chances for lasting peace," warned Guterres.
Carrying excess weight has been shown to boost the risk of 13 types of tumors
About 40 percent of all cancers in the United States -- more than 630,000 in all -- are associated with excess weight, health officials said Tuesday, urging a renewed focus on prevention.
In a nation where 71 percent of adults are either overweight or obese, the findings by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "are a cause for concern," said the agency's director Brenda Fitzgerald.
"A majority of American adults weigh more than recommended -- and being overweight or obese puts people at higher risk for a number of cancers," she said in a statement.
"By getting to and keeping a healthy weight, we all can play a role in cancer prevention."
Carrying excess weight has been shown to boost the risk of 13 types of tumors, including cancers of the esophagus, thyroid, postmenopausal breast, gallbladder, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, ovaries, uterus, colon and rectum.
The rates of these overweight- and obesity-related cancers are rising, in contrast to the overall rate of new cancer cases which has dropped since the 1990s.
Colorectal cancer was the only weight-associated cancer that decreased from 2005-2014 -- falling 23 percent, due in large part to screening, said the report.
All other cancers linked to weight rose seven percent in that decade.
About two-thirds of the 630,000 weight-associated cancers diagnosed in 2014 occurred in people aged 50 to 74.
Women were particularly susceptible, with 55 percent of all cancers diagnosed in women associated with weight, compared to 24 percent of those diagnosed in men.
According to the latest CDC data, 32.8 percent of people in the United States are overweight, and 37.9 percent are obese.
Being overweight is defined as having a body mass index of 25-29.9 kg/m2, while obesity means a BMI of 30 or above.
BMI is calculated by taking a person's weight in kilograms divided by the square of the person's height in meters.
"Kayaktivists" receive training for protesting the Kinder Morgan pipeline from Greenpeace and the Pacific Northwest activist group Mosquito Fleet in the waters just off the US-Canada border on August 26, 2017
Opponents of a pipeline from Canada's land-locked oil sands to the Pacific Coast went to court this week in a desperate bid to stop a major pipeline expansion.
American energy giant Kinder Morgan began preliminary construction this fall on a project to nearly triple the half-century-old Trans Mountain pipeline's capacity at a cost of nearly US$6 billion.
The 1,150-kilometer (715-mile) pipeline carries bitumen from Alberta's oil sands overland to the west through the mountainous province of British Columbia, with a final destination of the coastal metropolis of Vancouver where it's loaded onto tankers and shipped across the Pacific Ocean.
Building a second larger conduit on the existing line would allow for a total of 890,000 barrels of oil per day to be shipped.
But a coalition of aboriginal bands, environmental groups, municipalities and the newly-elected British Columbia provincial government is asking the Federal Court of Appeal to overturn the 2016 federal government's approval of the pipeline expansion.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs pledged Monday to continue fighting the pipeline even at the risk of being jailed, should the legal bid fail.
"We will protect the future of our children and our grandchildren," he told a cheering crowd of several hundred people at a rally outside the courtroom.
The case landed at the federal appeal court after four years of protests, lawsuits by indigenous groups and municipalities along the route, and pushback by environmentalists at National Energy Board hearings before it was finally greenlit by Ottawa in November 2016.
Pipeline proponents include the federal Canadian and provincial Alberta governments and the National Energy Board regulator.
- Economy versus environment -
They contend that expanding the Trans Mountain pipeline is in Canada's national interest -- a critical factor in its approval -- because it will boost Alberta's capacity to export oil at world prices.
They cite the creation of thousands of jobs, and say economic, social, cultural, environmental and policy implications were considered in the evaluation process.
Opponents, however, fight back with a variety of arguments, including that greater numbers of oil tankers would threaten British Columbia's pristine rainforest coastal environment, as well as its tourism and fishing economy.
They say the approval process did not fully factor in the impact of increased oil sands production on climate change. And, an increase in tanker traffic, and the risk of an oil spill, would threaten the already-endangered orcas, or killer whales.
They also argue that the previous approval process was flawed.
Some of the arguments, pro and con, will rest on technical legal aspects of the approval process.
Matthew Kirchner, a lawyer representing four indigenous tribes, told the court Monday that the approval "must be set aside" because the Coldwater band had not been fully consulted on risks to their water supply -- consultation which Canada's top court has ruled is required by law.
Lawyers for Kinder Morgan will begin their arguments Thursday, followed by the Canadian and Alberta governments and the National Energy Board.
The hearings are scheduled to last nine days, and the court was not expected to issue its ruling for several months.
It's possible that no matter the verdict, it will be appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Hamas security forces stand guard at Erez border crossing into Israel, in Beit Hanun, in the northern Gaza Strip on March 26, 2017
The Israeli army on Tuesday announced it was closing crossing points from the Palestinian territories for 11 days due to security concerns during the upcoming Jewish festival of Sukkot.
The closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, a frequent measure for major Jewish holidays, would run from midnight Tuesday (2100 GMT), with only emergency cases allowed through, the army said.
The annual Sukkot festival -- which lasts one week -- commemorates the Jewish journey through the Sinai after their exodus from Egypt.
The holiday will see thousands of worshippers head to the Wailing Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, one of the holiest sites for Jews, to pray.
The location is close to Islam's third holiest site, the Haram al-Sharif compound, known to the Jews the Temple Mount, which was the focus of angry protests in July after Israeli forces limited access over the killing of two police officers.
In the United States, there are few barriers for someone without a criminal record to build up their own personal arsenal of weapons. Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock had dozens of guns, apparently all legal.
Twenty-three guns in his hotel room. Nineteen more at home. Piles of ammunition, and devices that converted assault rifles to automatic weapons that fired like machine guns.
How did Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock, who shot and killed 59 people from his 32nd story hotel window, amass an arsenal of firearms? In the United States, and particularly in states like Nevada, it's easy. And totally legal.
Although the country is notorious for its lax gun laws, there are some restrictions on multiple sales of handguns. But if someone wants to build up a cache of rifles the way Paddock did, they could do so without anyone noticing.
Most gun sales are by federally-licensed vendors who must put buyers through background checks. The FBI will run their name through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which refers to three databases of offenders.
Those databases are not always perfect, relying on often spotty reporting from the states. Dylann Roof, the white supremacist who killed nine people in an African-American church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015, cleared a handgun purchase background check just weeks before, despite having a drug conviction on his record.
- No apparent red flags -
But if a person's record is clean -- and Paddock evidently did not raise any red flags -- he can buy as many guns as he wants.
There are some controls, points out Laura Cutilletta, the legal director at the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Licensed gun dealers, who handle perhaps 60 percent of all firearm sales, have to report multiple handgun sales to the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco. "Multiple" means two or more guns to the same purchaser within five business days.
Even then, Cutiletta says, "There is no requirement that law enforcement investigate."
Three states -- California, New York and New Jersey -- prohibit sales of more than one handgun in 30 to 90 days, with slight variations between them.
Beyond that, the country is an open market, with private sellers of used guns not having to run background checks, and no restrictions on long gun purchases.
In Nevada, where gun laws are particularly lax and enforcement more so, it would have been easy for Paddock to accumulate all the guns he had unnoticed.
"There is no way that AFT or the FBI would know," said Cutiletta.
- Easy to convert to automatic -
But what stood out in Sunday's massacre, when Paddock unloaded his guns on a crowd of 22,000 at a country music concert, was the rapid pace of fire.
According to reports, he had modified some of his guns to work like automatic weapons, like machine guns, able to shoot many hundreds of rounds a minute with one trigger pull.
Automatic weapons have been banned in the United States for three decades.
But converting a semi-automatic weapon, including the AR-15 and AK-47-type assault rifles widely available in US gun shops, into an automatic weapon is easy.
For $40 you can buy a trigger crank, a small device that can be attached to the trigger. It can make the gun fire three or four times with each turn of the crank, significantly faster than using a finger to pull the trigger.
For as little as $99, you can get a bump stock, a spring-loaded stock that, with one pull of the trigger, keeps the weapon firing using its own recoil. It can enable the weapon to fire at a rate of 600 rounds a minute or more.
Trigger cranks and bump stocks are completely legal, they even come with ATF certifications that they do not constitute an illegal conversion of the guns. According to reports Paddock had two weapons with bump stocks.
Reports citing law enforcement authorities say Paddock also had a large stock of ammunition. That side of the business is also little-regulated, with only restrictions on certain types of ammunition like armor-piercing bullets.
The Tennessee Aquariums annual underwater pumpkin carving competition will begin weekly exhibitions throughout ODDtober. Two costumed divers will enter the depths of the Aquariums Nickajack-O-Lantern Lake exhibit and carve pumpkins while huge paddlefish and other freshwater fish lurk in the waters nearby.
After the competition is complete, the public can vote for a winner when photos of both pumpkins are posted to the Aquariums Facebook page.
This event will lead off ODDtober, an entire month focused on the weird and wonderful side of nature. Guests will explore the kooky behaviors and adaptations of creatures from around the world through special programs, keeper talks and dive shows.
This year, Aquarium guests can enjoy underwater pumpkin each Saturday at 11 a.m. Ti will be held Oct. 7 and 21 in the Nickajack Lake exhibit and Oct. 14 and 28 in the River Giants exhibit.
US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis says he "fully" supports Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's efforts to find a diplomatic way out of the North Korea nuclear crisis
Pentagon chief Jim Mattis tried to clear up doubts about the US administration's North Korea strategy Tuesday, backing Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's effort to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear standoff.
Defense Secretary Mattis was speaking two days after President Donald Trump appeared to undermine his top diplomat by saying Tillerson was "wasting his time" by maintaining contacts with Kim Jong-Un's regime.
State Department officials insist Trump was not criticizing Tillerson, but pressuring Kim Jong-Un's regime to agree to discuss its disarmament while a diplomatic option remains on the table.
Mattis, in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the Pentagon stands four square behind the strategy -- and singled out Tillerson for support.
"The international community... is focused on the destabilizing threat posed by North Korea and Kim Jong-Un's relentless pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities," he said.
"The Defense Department supports fully Secretary Tillerson's efforts to find a diplomatic solution but remains focused on defense of the United States and our allies."
Tillerson has explained the strategy as one of using United Nations and US sanctions and diplomatic pressure to convince Kim of his isolation and force him to negotiate nuclear disarmament.
US officials insist publicly that they have military options to counter the threat from Pyongyang if this fails, but admit privately that these are limited and highly risky.
- 'Little Rocket Man' -
So it was hard to square Tillerson's diplomatic push with the Trump tweets that greeted him Sunday as he flew back from meeting Chinese leader in Beijing.
"I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man," Trump wrote, using his dismissive nickname for Kim.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson returned from a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to find President Donald Trump declaring his outreach to North Korea a waste of time
"Save your energy Rex, we'll do what has to be done!" he added, apparently suggesting that some kind of non-diplomatic option was back on the table.
"Being nice to Rocket Man hasn't worked in 25 years, why would it work now? Clinton failed, Bush failed, and Obama failed. I won't fail."
Kim is 33 years old and came to office in 2011.
But Trump appears to have been referring to previous US efforts to deal with the North Korean dictator's father and grandfather.
While in China, Tillerson had told reporters that he was "probing" whether the North is ready for talks on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.
"So stay tuned," he added.
"We have lines of communications to Pyongyang. We're not in a dark situation, a blackout. We have a couple, three channels open to Pyongyang. We can talk to them. We do talk to them."
This revelation appears to have triggered Trump's tweeted response -- which in turn sparked fresh rumors of tensions between the president and his top diplomat.
Critics seized upon the remarks to paint Tillerson as an outsider, scorned by Trump and unable to speak for the United States -- most scathingly in a harsh Washington Post op-ed entitled: "Donald Trump's dog."
Mattis, however, was at pains to insist that the government is working together as one to counter its most urgent threat.
"President Trump's guidance to both Secretary Tillerson and me has been very clearly that we would pursue the diplomatic efforts," he told lawmakers.
"All we are doing is probing, we are not talking with them ... So I don't see the divergence as strongly as some have interpreted it."
"When the Secretary says "probing,' he means: we're keeping our eyes open to see how sanctions, to see how the pressure campaign is affecting that government," a State Department source said privately.
Mattis noted that Trump had sent Tillerson to Beijing to work with Chinese leaders to strengthen the common diplomatic response to the crisis.
"In fact this is part of a whole-of-government, integrated effort that we have under way right now," Mattis said. "And that's what Secretary Tillerson was carrying forward for the president."
Still, dialogue appears distant, on the State Department's end.
"At some point, of course, we would like to sit down and talk with North Korea. But now is not the time to do so; they are doing too many horrible activities," added State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert.
Ja Song Nam, North Korea's UN envoy, said the country will withstand the blow of sanctions imposed over its nuclear and missile tests
North Korea's UN envoy accused the United States on Tuesday of working to block economic development and denounced sanctions imposed on poor countries as a bid to "destroy modern civilization."
Ambassador Ja Song Nam said North Korea will withstand the blow of sanctions and continue "along the road of building the socialist power by dint of the spirit of self-reliance and self-development."
Ja spoke at a debate at the General Assembly that focused on the UN's global development goals that aim to eradicate extreme poverty by 2050, advance health and promote education.
"The US is clinging to unprecedented nuclear threats and blackmail, economic sanctions and blockade to deny our rights to existence and development but they only result in our sharper vigilance and greater courage," said Ja.
The United States led the drive at the Security Council to impose two recent sets of sanctions on North Korea to punish Pyongyang over its nuclear and missile tests.
In August, the council cut off North Korea's exports of coal and other minerals and last month expanded the export ban to textile, North Korean guest workers and also capped oil exports.
Washington has also slapped unilateral sanctions on firms that do business with North Korea.
To achieve the UN's development goals, "we should immediately obliterate the high-handed measures of the US including the sanctions imposed on the developing countries," Ja said.
The US measures "are trying to destroy modern civilization and to plunge this world into the medieval darkness," he said.
According to UN figures, about 70 percent of North Korea's population lack basic services and are suffering from food shortages, partly caused by droughts, floods and landslides that have devastated agriculture.
Diane Rwigara arrives to hold a press conference in Kigali on May 3,2017. She sought to stand in elections in August and has been charged with insurrection
Rwandan prosecutors said Tuesday that a prominent critic of President Paul Kagame had been charged with inciting insurrection against the state as well as other offences.
Provisional detention was requested for Diane Rwigara, who was blocked from challenging Kagame in August's presidential election, as well as for her mother Adeline Rwigara and her sister Anne Rwigara.
"The charges include forgery of documents and signature counterfeiting by Diane, sectarian practices by Adeline Rwigara and inciting insurrection for all the three," a spokesman for the state prosecutor's office, Faustin Nkusi, told AFP.
Diane Rwigara has said they were questioned by police almost daily in the first three weeks of last month, before being detained for questioning on September 22.
There was no mention of allegations of tax evasion, which had been raised previously.
In an interview with AFP just before her detention last month, Rwigara said she was a victim of political persecution "for standing against oppression and speaking my mind."
Other critics and opposition figures have also been detained in recent weeks in what observers say is a post-election crackdown on dissent.
The refusal to allow her to run against Kagame, who won the August 4 election with 99 percent of the vote, on claims of procedural irregularities was widely criticised by Western governments and rights groups.
Rwigara is the daughter of Assinapol Rwigara, an entrepreneur who made a fortune in industry and real estate, and a main backer of Kagame's Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR) during its efforts to topple the Hutu extremist regime in 1994, ending the Rwandan genocide.
Diane Rwigara later distanced herself from the FPR after her father's death in a car accident in 2015, which she has claimed was an "assassination".
Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's gaffes have not stopped him being frequently talked of as a future prime minister
British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson came under fire Tuesday for saying Libya could become a magnet for tourists and investors -- if it can "clear the dead bodies away" first.
Reflecting on his August visit to Libya, strife-torn since a war and the eventual toppling of longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, Johnson said British businesses wanted to invest in the city of Sirte.
"They have got a brilliant vision to turn Sirte into the next Dubai," he told Conservatives attending the party's annual conference in Manchester, talking up its "bone-white sands, beautiful sea" and "brilliant young people".
"The only thing they have got to do is clear the dead bodies away," he added, before laughing.
Johnson's political career has been characterised by outspoken comments and personal controversy, which have won voters over but also led to despair among both detractors and colleagues.
His comments on Sirte, from where Islamic State militants were driven out in December, were slammed by shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry.
"For Boris Johnson to treat those deaths as a joke -- a mere inconvenience before UK business people can turn the city into a beach resort -- is unbelievably crass, callous and cruel," said Thornberry, a Labour MP.
"There comes a time when the buffoonery needs to stop, because if Boris Johnson thinks the bodies of those brave government soldiers and innocent civilians killed in Sirte are a suitable subject for throwaway humour, he does not belong in the office of foreign secretary," she added.
Johnson travelled to Tripoli and Benghazi, becoming the first British foreign minister to visit the latter city since 2011, the year Kadhafi was overthrown and killed in a NATO-backed uprising.
MP Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrats foreign affairs chief, said Johnson lacked the diplomatic skills necessary for his role and called on Prime Minister Theresa May to fire him.
"This latest unbelievably crass and insensitive comment about an issue of such importance is further proof Boris is not up to the job. May needs to get her house in order and sack him," Swinson said.
Johnson's appointment last year as Britain's top diplomat has added a global dimension to his gaffes, at a sensitive time as the country negotiates its exit from the European Union.
The foreign minister's Brexit diplomacy has seen him tell Czech newspaper Hospodarske Noviny it was "bollocks" to claim that freedom of movement of people was an EU founding principle.
He also told Italy's economic development minister the country should support Britain's access to the single market if it wants to keep selling Prosecco to the UK.
But Johnson's unorthodox approach has proven a success among Conservatives, with frequent debate about whether he will be the next party leader.
Pentagon chief Jim Mattis (L) testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Iran with General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
President Donald Trump's respected defense secretary Jim Mattis added his heavyweight support to retaining the Iran nuclear deal Tuesday, as more hawkish voices pushed for tougher action against Tehran.
Under US law, Trump must write to Congress every 90 days to certify whether or not the White House believes Iran is keeping to its side of the bargain and whether or not the US should continue to waive sanctions.
Decertifying Iran's compliance would not necessarily signal the end of the 2015 accord, as long as the US Congress does not rush to reimpose the sanctions waived under the agreement.
But as the latest deadline day approaches on October 15, Washington's warring foreign policy camps are deeply divided, and bombarding Trump's White House with wildly varying advice.
Supporters of the 2015 deal argue that it remains the best way of halting Iran's progress towards building a nuclear bomb and that Washington must stand by its international commitments or lose face with friends and foes alike.
Critics argue the pact did nothing to rein in Iran's sponsorship of proxy armies destabilizing the Middle East nor to halt its aggressive ballistic missile drive -- and will leave it free to resume nuclear enrichment from 2025.
Trump himself signalled last month, in an address to the UN General Assembly, that he intends to "decertify" Iran's compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which the accord was implemented last year.
He branded the deal, which his predecessor Barack Obama's administration signed with five more world powers and Tehran, an "embarrassment" to the United States, and warned: "I don't think you've heard the last of it."
But his most senior foreign policy advisers have been more cautious.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's department has repeatedly agreed with UN nuclear inspectors that Iran is in "technical compliance" with the accord.
And on Tuesday, Trump's Pentagon chief Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told lawmakers the deal remains in the US national interest.
"If we can confirm that Iran is living by the agreement, if we can determine that this is in our best interest, then surely we should stay with it," he told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"I believe at this point in time, absent indication to the contrary, it is something that the president should consider staying with," he said.
Asked whether he believed the Iran deal was in the national interest, Mattis replied: "Yes, senator, I do."
Iran and the other signatories -- China, Russia, France, Britain and Germany -- defend the deal as a guarantee of the non-military purposes of Tehran's nuclear program, after Iran surrendered much of its enriched uranium and exposed its plants to inspection.
- Banned missiles -
But Trump -- who told reporters last month he had reached a decision, but would not say what course of action he intends to take -- has appeared publicly to side with foreign policy hawks like his UN ambassador Nikki Haley.
Haley has argued that Iran's non-nuclear bad behavior, such as the regime's support for militia groups in Syria and Iraq and its banned missile program, justify non-certification.
And on Tuesday this banner was taken up by influential Republican senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, who will be a key figure if Congress attempts to build a new sanctions package.
"I've long advocated for declining to certify the deal to Congress again for many reasons," Cotton was to say later Tuesday, according to an advance copy of a speech he was to deliver at the Council on Foreign Relations.
"But President Trump has put it best himself: 'The Iran deal poses a direct national-security threat'," he was to say.
"The sensible course, then, is to decline to certify the deal and begin the work of strengthening it and counteracting Iranian aggression, with the threat of sanctions and military action if necessary."
Several senior US officials, as well as observers who oppose the deal, have said that if Trump does not certify Iran's compliance it would not necessarily mean a US withdrawal or the end of the pact.
In the event of non-certification, the law gives Congress 60 days to decide whether to reimpose on Iran sanctions lifted under the deal.
Washington could use the time to pressure its European allies to reopen negotiations, and lawmakers like Cotton could lobby for non-nuclear related sanctions to target Iran's other sins.
COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (AP) - The head of the United Nations' food-assistance agency on Sunday urged the international community to step up its support for the relief operation for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh or risk "a massive catastrophic disaster."
More than half a million Rohingya Muslims have fled into Bangladesh in little more than a month to escape a Myanmar military operation that has been condemned as ethnic cleansing. The crackdown was in response to a series of deadly attacks on security posts by Muslim insurgents.
Authorities have housed the refugees in a number of existing camps near the border, but the huge numbers and the sheer speed of the exodus have created acute needs, including food.
Newly arrived Rohingya girl carries food rations in Kutupalong, Bangladesh, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. Five weeks after the mass exodus of Rohingya from Myanmar began, the U.N. says the total number of arrivals in Bangladesh has now topped 501,000, and refugees are still arriving. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)
"Bangladesh alone can't handle this. The international community must rally," David Beasley, head of the U.N.'s World Food Programme, said after observing a handout of food to refugees at Kutupalong camp, near Cox's Bazar.
He said the WFP needs $75 million in the next five to six months to meet current and anticipated food needs.
"We need support from around the world because you're talking about a literal humanitarian disaster," Beasley said. "If we don't get the support we need, from health care to proper nutrition and safe water and sanitation and sheltering, this could explode into a catastrophic humanitarian disaster."
The WFP says it has already enrolled around 460,000 people in the camps in a program that gives them 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of rice every two weeks for the next six months.
A newly arrived Rohingya boy stands in line, and displays a food rations coupon while waiting to receive dry food in Kutupalong, Bangladesh, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. Some five weeks after the mass exodus of Rohingya from Myanmar began, the U.N. says the total number of arrivals in Bangladesh has now topped 501,000, and refugees are still arriving.(AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe)
BOLONGA, Italy (AP) - Pope Francis is urging Europeans not to fear unity and to put aside nationalistic and other self-interests.
Francis didn't mention the police violence during Catalonia's independence referendum Sunday on his visit to Bologna. But in a speech to university students, Francis recalled that the European Union was borne out of the ashes of war to guarantee peace.
He warned that conflicts and other interests were now threatening those founding ideals.
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Francis said: "Don't be afraid of unity! May special interests and nationalism not render the courageous dreams of the founders of the European Union in vain."
The Vatican has indicated it doesn't support the independence effort in Catalonia, denying a Catalan cleric's claim earlier that it would immediately recognize an independent Catalonia. Spain's bishops have urged dialogue in the dispute.
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Faithful wait for Pope Francis to celebrate Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (Giorgio Benvenuti/ANSA via AP)
Faithful wait for Pope Francis to celebrate Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (Giorgio Benvenuti/ANSA via AP)
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis leads Monsignor Guido Marini, the papal master of liturgical ceremonies, as he celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis is flanked by Monsignor Guido Marini, the papal master of liturgical ceremonies, as he celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis is flollowed by Monsignor Guido Marini, the papal master of liturgical ceremonies, as he arrives to celebrate Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis, left, is flanked by Monsignor Guido Marini, the papal master of liturgical ceremonies, as he celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with university students in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (L'Osservatore Romano/ Pool Photo via AP)
Pope Francis is followed by Monsignor Guido Marini, the papal master of liturgical ceremonies, as he arrives to celebrate Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
Pope Francis is flanked by Monsignor Guido Marini, the papal master of liturgical ceremonies, as he celebrates Mass at the Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Pope Francis is on a one-day visit to the northern Italian towns of Cesena and Bologna. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - The Palestinian prime minister on Monday is set to lead a large delegation of Fatah officials traveling from the West Bank to Gaza in the most ambitious attempt to reconcile with the rival Hamas militant group after a 10-year rift.
In a significant concession, Hamas has offered to turn over all governing responsibilities to Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah. But key sticking points, primarily Hamas' refusal to disarm its powerful military wing, are likely to complicate or even derail the reconciliation efforts in the coming weeks.
Hamas won legislative elections in 2006 and the following year seized control of Gaza after overrunning the Fatah-led forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Since then, Abbas' Palestinian Authority has governed only in autonomous enclaves of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, while repeated attempts to reconcile with Hamas have failed. Hamas have not held elections since.
A Palestinian Fatah member receives greetings after being released from a Hamas jail in front of the interior ministry, in Gaza City, Sunday Oct. 1, 2017. The Palestinian prime minister is set to lead a large delegation of Fatah officials traveling from the West Bank to Gaza on Monday in the most ambitious attempt to reconcile with the rival Hamas militant group after a 10-year rift that has left the Palestinians divided between two governments. Logo in Arabic reads, " the ministry of the interior and national security." (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
In previous deals, including one brokered by Egypt in 2011, both sides professed willingness to reconcile, but ultimately balked at giving up power in their respective territories.
They agreed in 2014 to form a national reconciliation government, but Hamas's shadow government has effectively continued ruling Gaza since.
But conditions have changed in recent years. Hamas has been weakened by years of an Israeli-Egyptian blockade, international isolation and three devastating wars with Israel. Gaza today is mired in poverty, with unemployment approaching 50 percent and receiving just a few hours of electricity each day.
Abbas has also stepped up the pressure, saying he will no longer pay for electricity shipments to Gaza and cutting the salaries of tens of thousands of former civil servants and policemen who have sat idle since the Hamas takeover.
With the election of a new leader, Yehiyeh Sinwar, early this year and Egypt offering to ease its blockade, which has largely shuttered the border crossing that serves as Gaza's main gateway to the outside world, Hamas now appears ready to deal.
On Sunday, Gaza was filled with a mood of optimism. Workers were painting a white fence outside Abbas' abandoned official residence, and a Palestinian flag with the government logo was painted on the front door. On a main downtown street, a huge poster of Abbas and Hamdallah hung outside a souvenir store. "Welcome to Palestine's beating heart: glorious Gaza," it said.
In another positive sign, a team of Egyptian mediators arrived and went immediately for meetings with Hamas' leadership. It was the first time an Egyptian delegation has visited Gaza since 2007. Hamas official Mushir al-Masri said the sides will continue their talks in Egypt in the coming weeks to work on a final deal.
While conditions have ripened, reconciliation could nonetheless be elusive as these committees get down to work.
"The obstacles may not appear on the first day, but the bats of darkness, those whose interests would be harmed by reconciliation, may try to sabotage it later," said Ibrahim Abrach, a Gaza political analyst.
Here is a look at the key obstacles that lie ahead:
The Militants: Hamas controls an army of an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 fighters. This militia is a virtual army, armed with rockets, machine guns and mortars, and has no desire to place itself under Abbas' command or to give up its battle against Israel.
Khalil al-Hayya, a top Hamas leader, said in a statement that "the weapon of resistance is outside all equations and was never up for discussion."
A top Fatah official, meanwhile, said Abbas will not accept a situation similar to Lebanon - where the Hezbollah militant group is the most powerful actor in the country even while a civilian government ostensibly rules.
"Abbas will not agree to be an ATM machine in Gaza," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was discussing internal Fatah deliberations.
The Workers: After Hamas took control of Gaza, Abbas ordered his roughly 75,000 employees, including teachers, civil servants and security men, to resign. Hamas quickly replaced them with 40,000 of its own loyalists.
Until recently, Abbas continued to pay his workers' salaries.
The future of these rival work forces, and who will remunerate them, is sure to be a sticking point at a time when jobs are hard to come by in Gaza.
The Border: Control of the border crossings with Israel and Egypt are a key source of power for Hamas.
These crossings determine who and what comes in and out of Gaza. Hamas has used the crossings to smuggle in contraband, assist its supporters and collect taxes.
Abbas is likely to insist on control of the borders, and Hamas is unlikely to give up this power base.
"We want to have full authority over the crossings. Would they give us that?" said the Fatah official. "In this case they won't know who is coming in and who is going out."
The Rival: Abbas' archrival, Mohammed Dahlan, has taken an increasingly active and visible role in the reconciliation efforts.
Dahlan was Abbas' security chief in Gaza. He moved to the West Bank after the Hamas takeover, but was forced into exile after a falling out with Abbas in 2011.
Based in the United Arab Emirates, Dahlan has forged good relations with wealthy Gulf countries and accumulated large sums of money to build a power base in Gaza.
Over the summer, Hamas announced a separate power-sharing plan with Dahlan that would allow the former strongman to return to Gaza. Hamas says it remains committed to this deal, while Abbas opposes any role for Dahlan.
Israel: Israel considers Hamas, which seeks Israel's destruction, a terrorist group. After fighting three bloody wars against Hamas and losing hundreds of its citizens to the group's attacks over the years, Israel is unlikely to accept any deal that ushers Hamas into the Palestinian government.
Past reconciliation attempts fumbled because of Israeli and international demands for Hamas to disarm, renounce violence and recognize Israel's right to exist. A senior Israeli official said those demands will resurface if the reconciliation efforts proceed.
He said Israel still considers Hamas to be a "ruthless, mass-murdering terrorist organization" that is trying to "gain international legitimacy" without disarming or accepting the international demands.
He spoke on condition of anonymity because the government has not officially commented on the reconciliation process.
___
Daraghmeh reported from Ramallah, West Bank. Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
A poster of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Prime minister Rami Hamdallah hangs on a street in Gaza City, Sunday Oct. 1, 2017. The Palestinian prime minister is set to lead a large delegation of Fatah officials traveling from the West Bank to Gaza on Monday in the most ambitious attempt to reconcile with the rival Hamas militant group after a 10-year rift that has left the Palestinians divided between two governments. Arabic writing on the poster reads, "Welcome to Palestine's beating heart: glorified Gaza". (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
NEW YORK (AP) - A man accused of setting off a pressure cooker bomb in New York City that injured 30 people was a "soldier in a holy war" bent on carrying out a murderous plot with maximum carnage, federal prosecutors said Monday at the start of his trial.
Ahmad Khan Rahimi researched online, bought ingredients and assembled bombs after watching how-to videos, they said.
"He designed it. He built it," Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Crowley said. "He filled it with explosives and deadly shrapnel and he planted it on the street."
FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2016 file photo, Ahmad Khan Rahimi, the man accused of setting off bombs in New Jersey and New York's Chelsea neighborhood in September, sits in court in Elizabeth, N.J. His trial opens, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017 in New York. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
Rahimi planted a pipe bomb at a charity race in Seaside Park, New Jersey, that exploded but didn't injure anyone, prosecutors said. He went back home, then took a train into Manhattan and planted two pressure cooker bombs, they said.
One didn't go off. The other, hidden near a large trash bin in the busy Chelsea neighborhood, burst at about 8:30 p.m. sending the 100-pound trash bin flying into the air. The blast shattered windows and scattered bits of metal.
Rahimi's defense attorney, Meghan Gilligan, asked jurors to keep an open mind about the case and said the government would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that her client is guilty.
"He is at the end of the day a person," who deserves an open mind from jurors, she said.
Rahimi was briefly removed from the courtroom just as his trial opened Monday.
He interrupted proceedings to speak with U.S. District Court Judge Richard Berman and was escorted out. He returned after the prosecution's opening statement and apologized for the outburst, telling the judge he hadn't been able to see his wife since his detention.
"It was not my intention to make a scene," he told Berman. He said he's barely seen his three children and hasn't seen his wife once, because she is not approved to go to the detention facility where he's held.
"Why are they preventing me from seeing my wife?" he asked the judge. Berman scolded Rahimi for making a scene and for raising the issue "one minute before we were scheduled to start this trial," but he promised he'd look into the visitation issue.
Rahimi sat down and had no other outbursts as the case progressed.
The 29-year-old who lived with his family in Elizabeth, New Jersey, is not charged with terrorism, but he has been charged with crimes including bombing a public place, using a weapon of mass destruction and interstate transportation of explosives.
He was shot by law enforcement during his arrest two days after the attacks. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.
The bomb that exploded in Chelsea knocked Helena Ayeh, an architect who was headed home, off her feet.
She told jurors Monday that she couldn't see or hear. She was bleeding heavily, and her knees were bruised. She opened her eyes and an emergency worker told her to shut them immediately. She asked if her eye was still even there.
"And she hesitated, and she said yes," Ayeh recounted Monday on the witness stand. She said she asked the woman why she hesitated.
Ayeh recalled: "And she said, 'Do you believe in God?' I said, 'Yes.' She said, 'Pray.'"
Ayeh said she'd suffered a deep cut in her right eye, and the metal barely missed slicing her eye in half. She said she eventually recovered her vision.
Photographer Jane Schreibman told jurors about calling in the second unexploded pressure cooker. She said she noticed the pot with wires sticking out on the street and a white trash bag near her home. She initially thought it was just a child's science experiment, she testified. But it nagged at her.
"It was lingering," she said, so she called 911. The bomb squad showed up and removed the device.
Jurors also saw surveillance footage of Rahimi on the street with bags, and then other later footage of him with fewer bags.
While Rahimi has not been charged with terrorism, prosecutors say his interest in jihad, terrorist attacks and terrorist organizations vastly influenced his plans. They said he was arrested carrying a notebook with writings with such passages as "the sounds of bombs will be heard in the streets."
Crowley called him a "soldier in a holy war against Americans, and New York and New Jersey were his battle grounds."
Rahimi also has been charged with attempted murder in New Jersey because authorities say he shot at police officers during his arrest. Details of the shootout won't be included in the federal trial.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - The Latest on Catalonia's independence referendum and Spain's response (all times local):
9:10 p.m.
The Spanish government says Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, in meetings with political opponents, has defended the police performance on Sunday when hundreds were injured in the crackdown on a banned referendum on Catalonia's independence.
In this Sunday, 1 Oct. 2017 photo, Spanish National Police scuffle with people trying to reach a voting site at a school assigned to be a polling station by the Catalan government in Barcelona, Spain. Catalan leaders accused Spanish police of brutality and repression while the Spanish government praised the security forces for behaving firmly and proportionately. Videos and photographs of the police actions were on the front page of news media outlets around the world. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
The main opposition leader, the Socialist Pedro Sanchez, has criticized the violence that left more than 1,300 hurt, most of them civilians.
The business-friendly Ciudadanos (Citizens) party leader Albert Rivera also met with Rajoy on Monday as the prime minister looks for consensus on how to proceed with the crisis.
A statement by the government said that Rajoy also held talks with top leaders of the European Union and with French president Emmanuel Macron to explain "the failure" of the vote attempt by the Catalan separatist government.
Rajoy told them that "the government's determination to halt the illegal referendum contributes to keeping the stability and democracy in the whole European Union."
___
6:45 p.m.
Shares in Catalonia's two main banks have dropped on Spain's main stock exchange following political uncertainty after leaders of the northeastern region pushed ahead with a secession bid.
Shares in Caixabank and Banco Sabadell each lost more than 4 percent of their value in Monday's session.
Sabadell's shares were valued at 1.67 euros, down 4.5 percent, its lowest value since April. Caixabank lost 4.4 percent to 4.05 euros per share, its lowest since June.
Uncertainty was also blamed for losses across the board in Spain's main index, the Ibex 35.
Catalan separatist leaders have pledged to seek secession after staging a referendum vote on Sunday amid a violent crackdown by Spanish police forces.
___
5:35 p.m.
Spain's Interior Ministry says that 431 National Police and Civil Guard agents suffered wounds or bruising during violent clashes with civilians in Catalonia.
The ministry says that 39 officers received immediate treatment but none was hospitalized. The remaining 392 suffered minor injuries and bruises resulting from kicks, bites and scratches.
The ministry had previously reported 33 as the number of officers injured.
More than 890 civilians were treated for injuries, most of them not serious, according to Catalan regional health authorities.
Police using batons and firing rubber bullets cleared protesters hoping to vote in Sunday's disputed referendum on the northeastern region's independence from Spain.
___
5:20 p.m.
Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis says he doesn't see the police intervention during the Catalonia referendum as heavy-handed.
Speaking ahead of an Italian-Spanish forum in Rome on Monday, Dastis said it is "a matter of interpretation."
"I don't think there was such a heavy hand, but in any case, they had to react." He said "some of the pictures are real, some of them are not real" but that police had simply reacted to the fact that people were preventing them from doing what they had been ordered to do by the courts.
He said the Spanish government would have preferred not to have seen the images, "but it was not a deliberate act of violence." Spanish riot police smashed their way into polling stations across Catalonia on Sunday trying to derail the independence referendum that the Spanish government said was illegal. The clashes injured 893 people.
___
5:15 p.m.
Amnesty International says its observers in Catalonia witnessed "excessive use of force" by Spain's national police and civil guard agents trying to stop the voting in a banned referendum.
The rights group says in an emailed statement that violence was used against people who were "passively resisting" a judge's order to impede the referendum.
Researchers saw images of some demonstrators "showing violent attitudes" against police agents, the group says, calling for an investigation that leads to criminal prosecution if necessary.
More than 890 civilians were treated for injuries, most of them not serious, according to Catalan regional health authorities. Spain's Interior Minister says that 33 police officers were also injured.
The Spanish government says no referendum took place because the independence bid by regional secessionist politicians is illegal. A constitutional court had suspended it.
___
4:35 p.m.
European Union chief Donald Tusk has appealed to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to "avoid further escalation and use of force" in the standoff over the Catalonian independence referendum.
Tusk spoke to the Spanish leader Monday, and said that even though he said shared the constitutional reasoning for not recognizing Sunday's referendum in Catalonia, he wanted the violence that marred the poll not to be repeated.
Tusk said in a Twitter message that he "appealed for finding ways to avoid further escalation and use of force."
___
3:50 p.m.
French President Emmanuel Macron is noting his attachment to Spain's "constitutional unity" one day after Catalonia's disputed independence referendum.
The French presidency said in a statement that Macron had a phone call Monday with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in which he told Rajoy that he is France's contact in Spain.
The French statement didn't comment on the violent crackdown Sunday by Spanish police trying to stop the referendum that left over 890 people and 33 police injured.
Catalonia's regional government says 90 percent of those who voted chose independence from Spain, and has called for international mediation to solve the political deadlock.
___
3:25 p.m.
Spain's interior minister has lamented the hundreds of injuries linked to the Spanish police's crackdown on the Catalan independence referendum Sunday - but he says the thousands of police reinforcements sent to the region would be staying as long as needed.
Speaking Monday on Spain's Antena 3 TV, Juan Ignacio Zoido reiterated that police acted under a judicial order to prevent the referendum from taking place. But he admitted that there were some scenes he would have preferred not to have happened.
He said that police had simply tried to remove election material, but in some cases people had resisted them Sunday.
Spain sent at least 5,000 extra National Police and National Guard officers to join the estimated 10,000 members of both forces already stationed there.
The officers fired rubber bullets and clubbed and kicked many people who took to the streets to defend the referendum that Spain insists was illegal.
___
2:15 p.m.
Serbia's president says the European Union has shown "double standards and hypocrisy" in rejecting the Catalan referendum but not the independence of ex-Serbian province of Kosovo.
Aleksandar Vucic said Monday his government supports the territorial integrity of Spain, one of five EU member nations that have not recognized Kosovo.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008, following a brutal 1998-99 war. It was backed by the United States and its allies, but not Russia and China.
Meanwhile, Poland's government has expressed hope for a "quick stabilization of the situation in Catalonia" through dialogue and compromise, "without resorting to force or street demonstrations."
But Poland's foreign ministry also described the situation in Catalonia to be Spain's "internal matter," saying "we fully respect the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and the unity of the Kingdom of Spain."
___
2 p.m.
The U.N. human rights chief is calling on Spain's government to ensure "thorough, independent and impartial investigations" into acts of violence linked to the Catalan independence referendum.
Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein says he's "very disturbed" by Sunday's violence in Catalonia. He said police responses must "at all times be proportionate and necessary."
The rights chief said in a statement Monday the situation should be resolved through political dialogue.
Catalan health officials say 893 people were treated in the hospital during Sunday's clashes with riot police who turned up to stop people from voting.
Zeid, a Jordanian prince who goes by his first name, also urged Madrid to accept "without delay" the requests of two U.N.-mandated investigators on freedom of assembly and minorities to be granted access to visit Catalonia.
Rights office spokesman Rupert Colville said the two U.N. "special rapporteurs" had previously sought the access before the weekend's violence.
___
1:40 p.m.
Catalonia's leader is calling for international mediation to solve the political deadlock over the Catalan independence referendum.
Carles Puigdemont also called on Spain's national police reinforcements to leave the northeastern region, a day after the vote on whether Catalonia should secede from Spain led to violence as police moved to stop voting.
He said the regional government will investigate responsibilities in rights violations.
Puigdemont called for the European Union to consider Catalonia's desire to break away from Spain as a regional problem, and urged Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government to accept mediation.
The Catalan president says the regional parliament will be carrying out in the next days the mandate to declare independence in the light of the "yes" victory in the referendum.
Spain's government says the referendum was illegal and that results lack any validity.
___
1:20 p.m.
Germany's foreign minister has called for urgent talks between the opposing sides in the dispute over Catalonia's independence drive.
In a statement Monday, Sigmar Gabriel said that "the pictures which reached us from Spain yesterday show how important it is to stop the spiraling escalation now."
Gabriel urged the parties to remain calm, act within the limits of the Spanish constitution and find a "politically sustainable solution."
He added that the rule of law is a fundamental pillar of the European Union and "this principles unites us, with Spain in our midst."
Gabriel said he was convinced that "Spain will be able to overcome its internal divisions if both sides can agree on a common path."
___
1 p.m.
The German government says it hopes there will be "a swift calming of the situation" in Catalonia following violence over Sunday's independence referendum.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the government said Monday that "Germany is extremely close to the Kingdom of Spain and its people," adding: "We are therefore closely watching the current dispute surrounding the status of Catalonia, and naturally also the developments yesterday."
The statement said Germany hoped the situation will resolve itself "within the framework of the Spanish constitution."
Chancellor Angela Merkel said in August that Germany was greatly interested in the stability of Spain but that the independence question was an internal matter for the country.
___
12:30 p.m.
The European Union's executive called on all sides in Spain "to now move very swiftly from confrontation to dialogue" in the wake of the violence that marred the Catalonian independence referendum Sunday.
EU spokesman Margaritis Schinas also said the Commission trusts "the leadership of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to manage this difficult process."
"These are times for unity and stability," Schinas said. "We call on all relevant players to now move very swiftly from confrontation to dialogue. Violence can never be an instrument in politics."
He said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Rajoy would talk later Monday.
Catalan officials say the poll, which Spain insists was illegal and invalid, shows that a majority who voted favor secession.
___
12:20 p.m.
Catalonia's health services have raised the number of people injured during Sunday's clashes over the independence referendum to 893.
The region's health department said Monday four people remained in Catalan hospitals, two of them in serious condition although their lives were not threatened.
The department said most of the injured suffered bruises and cuts.
Police used batons, fired rubber bullets, and clubbed and kicked many people who took to the streets to defend the referendum that Spain said was illegal and which a court had ordered officers to prevent.
___
11:30 a.m.
People in Spain's northeastern region of Catalonia have been left upset by the Spanish police's crackdown on the Catalan independence referendum. Still, many say it was right to stage the vote.
"It was a day of recognition of rights. The human right to vote," said 45-year-old office worker Olga Gil. "What the police and the Spanish state did was totally shameful. I hope what we saw was a clear message."
Spanish riot police smashed their way into polling stations across Catalonia on Sunday to try and stop the referendum on independence that the Spanish government said was illegal. Some 850 people have been treated for injuries. Catalonia said preliminary poll results showed 90 percent favored independence after under half the electorate voted.
"I am very annoyed for the both sides involved in what happened yesterday," said Eric Tigra, 56. "I think both sides involved committed grave mistakes. But we must also highlight that if the people of Catalonia go out in the streets and you don't listen to them then something is not working right."
___
10:20 a.m.
Spain's stock market and the euro are down amid concern over the potential impact of the Catalan independence vote.
The Ibex 35 index in Madrid is down 0.8 percent at 10,299 points on a day when other global markets, even elsewhere in Europe, are higher. Among the biggest losers is Banco Sabadell SA, based in the Catalan town of Sabadell, which is down 3 percent.
The euro also is down 0.6 percent at $1.1742.
Overall, investors seem to think the independence vote will be solved somehow. Analysts at UniCredit bank wrote in a report to investors on Monday that they expect the sides to negotiate "to avoid a degeneration of the crisis - taking into account that the Catalan population is highly divided about the issue."
___
10:15 a.m.
The co-leader of Germany's Green party has criticized the use of force by police during Catalonia's independence referendum.
Cem Ozdemir, who is being touted as Germany's possible next foreign minister, told the dpa news agency that "the massive police operation against people who wanted to vote is a mistake."
He was quoted Monday as saying that the violence "will only increase the political problem."
Ozdemir also called for a "serious offer of dialogue from (Spanish) Prime Minister (Mariano) Rajoy" and suggested the European Commission should mediate any talks.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has yet to publicly comment on Sunday's violence and the outcome of the referendum, which Catalonia's regional government says resulted in 90 percent of voters backing a divorce from Spain. Spain has called the referendum illegal and invalid.
___
9:20 a.m.
Catalonia's government will hold a closed-door Cabinet meeting to discuss the next steps in its plan to declare independence from Spain following a disputed referendum marred by violence. Regional officials say the vote, which Spain insists is illegal and invalid, shows that a majority favor secession.
Catalan president Carles Puigdemont will chair Monday's meeting, which is expected to consider asking the regional parliament to vote on an independence declaration later in the week.
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, meanwhile, meets with ruling party leaders before seeking a parliamentary session to discuss how to confront the country's most serious crisis in decades.
Catalonia said preliminary poll results showed 90 percent favored independence after under half the electorate voted in a day that saw around 850 people injured in clashes with police.
Catalan regional Vice-President, Oriol Junqueras, left, and Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont, attend during a protest called by pro-independence outside of the Palau Generalitat in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Catalonia's government will hold a closed-door Cabinet meeting Monday to discuss the next steps in its plan to declare independence from Spain following a disputed referendum marred by violence. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Catalan President Carles Puigdemont, center, attend a meeting at the Palau Generalitat in Barcelona, Spain, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Catalonia's government will hold a closed-door Cabinet meeting Monday to discuss the next steps in its plan to declare independence from Spain following a disputed referendum marred by violence. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spanish National Police tries to dislodge pro-referendum supporters sitting down on a street in Barcelona Sunday, Oct. 1 2017. Catalonia's planned referendum on secession is due to be held Sunday by the pro-independence Catalan government but Spain's government calls the vote illegal, since it violates the constitution, and the country's Constitutional Court has ordered it suspended. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Pro independence supporters hold up ''esteleda'' or Catalan pro independence flags, in support of the Catalonia's secession referendum, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Catalan pro-referendum supporters vowed Saturday to ignore a police ultimatum to leave the schools they are occupying for use in a referendum vote on seeking independence from Spain. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Votes are counted at a school assigned to be a referendum polling station by the Catalan government in Girona, Spain, Sunday evening, Oct. 1, 2017. During the day Spanish riot police smashed their way into polling stations to try to halt a disputed independence referendum and fired rubber bullets at protesters. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Independence supporters gather in Barcelona's main square, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Authorities say 844 people and 33 police were injured Sunday in Spanish police raids to halt the independence vote organized by the Catalan autonomous government that was declared ilegal by Spain's constitutional court. (AP Photo/Santi Palacios)
NEW YORK -- Despite being activated from the 10-day disabled list on Friday, Miguel Sano is not on the Twins' roster for tonight's American League Wild Card Game against the Yankees.
Sano, who missed more than a month with a stress reaction to his left shin suffered on Aug. 18, was originally expected to be available off the Minnesota bench for the win-or-go-home contest. However, the club will instead elect to go with 11 pitchers, as Sano struggled with his timing upon his return over the final weekend of the regular season.
Sano served as a pinch-hitter on Friday and made two starts at designated hitter against the Tigers on Saturday and Sunday, going 1-for-8 with three strikeouts while struggling with offspeed pitches.
He ran in the outfield and took batting practice in the indoor cage during the Twins' workout at Yankee Stadium on Monday, but did not hit on the field or speak to the media.
Sano, 24, batted .264/.352/.507 with 77 RBIs in 114 games in 2017, and finished second on the club with 28 home runs. He was the Twins' most potent offensive threat before the injury.
There remains a chance Sano could be on the roster if the Twins advance the AL Division Series presented by Doosan, as it was surprising he was left off the Wild Card roster.
With Sano not on the roster, the Twins went with 11 pitchers.
The game will be on ESPN
---- Source: MLB.com
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund is establishing two new companies to increase the number of pilgrims that the kingdom can host at two of Islam's holiest sites in Mecca and Medina.
Saudi investments at the holy sites are aimed at boosting revenues from tourism and offsetting the impact of lower oil prices.
The kingdom's Public Investment Fund says the companies - Rou'a Al Haram and Rou'a Al Madinah - will develop residential and commercial areas around the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the mosque in Medina where the Prophet Muhammad is buried.
The fund said on Monday that the new companies will help the kingdom accommodate between 25 million to 30 million pilgrims a year. The companies will develop 150,000 hotel rooms in both cities near the holy sites.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - The Palestinian prime minister traveled Monday to the Gaza Strip to launch an ambitious reconciliation effort with the rival Hamas militant group, receiving a hero's welcome from thousands of people as the sides moved to end a bitter 10-year rift.
Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, representing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, was joined by dozens of top officials, aides and security men on the trip from the West Bank through Israel and into Gaza to meet with the Hamas officials. It is by far the most ambitious attempt at reconciliation since Hamas seized power of the coastal strip in 2007.
The sides exchanged smiles, handshakes and pleasantries - a reflection of the changed climate that has ripened conditions for reconciliation after other failed attempts. But difficult negotiations lie ahead, and key sticking points, particularly who will control Hamas' vast weapons arsenal, could easily derail the effort.
From left to right in front row, Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar, Head of Palestinian General Intelligence Majid Faraj, Head of the Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh, Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and an Egyptian mediator hold their hands up during a meeting in Gaza City, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Prime Minister Office)
On Monday, at least, the two sides put aside their differences.
Well-wishers surrounded Hamdallah's car as it entered Gaza through the Israeli-controlled Erez border crossing, and dozens of Palestinian youths gathered alongside a barbed-wire fence to glimpse the welcoming ceremony. Some waved Palestinian or yellow Fatah flags, and many chanted Hamdallah's name.
"The only way to statehood is through unity," Hamdallah told the crowd of about 2,000. "We are coming to Gaza again to deepen the reconciliation and end the split."
Conditions in Gaza have deteriorated greatly in a decade of Hamas rule, and the feeling of hope by desperate residents was palpable Monday.
Thousands lined the streets to watch Hamdallah's 30-vehicle convoy. The crowd forced the delegation to delay its first meeting at the home of the top Fatah official in Gaza and instead take a break at a beachside hotel.
Dozens of vehicles later returned to the Shejayeh neighborhood for the lunch. Hamas' top leaders, Ismail Haniyeh and Yehiyeh Sinwar, said next to Hamdallah and West Bank security chief Majed Faraj.
"This is a day of joy," said Shaima Ahmed, 28, a women's rights activist who covered her shoulders with a Palestinian kaffiyeh. "Yes it's difficult and not easy to go forward, but we only have to be optimistic this time."
Hamas ousted the Fatah-led forces of the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in the summer of 2007, leaving the Palestinians torn between rival governments on opposite sides of Israel. Hamas has ruled Gaza, while Abbas' party has controlled autonomous enclaves in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Abbas seeks both territories, along with east Jerusalem, for a Palestinian state, and the division is a major obstacle to any possible peace deal. Israel captured all three areas in the 1967 Mideast war, although it withdrew from Gaza in 2005.
While previous reconciliation attempts have failed, years of international isolation and steadily worsening conditions in Gaza have pushed Hamas toward compromise.
In a significant concession, Hamas has offered to turn over all governing responsibilities to Hamdallah. His ministers are expected to begin taking over government ministries Tuesday, with negotiations in Cairo on more difficult issues in the coming weeks.
Hamdallah said the reconstruction of Gaza, which is still recovering from a 2014 war with Israel, would be a priority.
"We realize that the road is still long and hard. We will be faced with obstacles and challenges, but our people are able to rise again from among destruction and suffering," he said.
Several factors appear to be working in favor of reconciliation.
Under Hamas' watch, Gaza has fallen deeper into poverty, battered by a joint Israeli-Egyptian blockade and three devastating wars with Israel. Unemployment is estimated at over 40 percent, Gaza's 2 million residents are virtually barred from traveling abroad, and residents have electricity for only a few hours a day.
Sinwar, Hamas' newly elected leader, has expressed willingness to yield most power to Abbas, preferring to return to his group's roots as an armed "resistance" movement battling Israel.
The group's leadership is based entirely in Gaza, meaning they no longer have to consult with exiled leaders spread across the Arab world to make difficult decisions.
And perhaps most critically, Hamas has improved relations with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The former general took office after the military ousted then-President Mohammed Morsi in 2013.
Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, had close ties with Hamas, and el-Sissi has previously accused Hamas of cooperating with Islamic extremists in Egypt's neighboring Sinai peninsula. But the sides have grown closer in recent months, with Hamas now providing security cooperation with Egypt and el-Sissi promising to ease the blockade.
Reflecting these improved ties, Egyptian envoys attended Monday's ceremony, and posters of the Egyptian flag and el-Sissi were hoisted at major intersections.
Egypt also maintains good ties with Israel and could potentially play an important role in selling a reconciliation deal to Israel, which considers Hamas a terrorist group.
Abbas also has much to gain. The 82-year-old Palestinian leader has said the rift with Gaza is his greatest regret. Regaining control of Gaza would help him burnish his legacy, especially after years of failure in peace efforts with Israel.
Still, many obstacles lie ahead. While Hamas is eager to give up its governing responsibilities, officials say the group will not give up its arsenal of thousands of rockets and mortars aimed at Israel.
Officials close to Abbas say he will not agree to allow Hamas to become like Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group that dominates its country's politics. The sides will have to find a formula that not only is acceptable to them but which Israel would be willing to tolerate.
Israel has demanded that Hamas renounce violence and recognize its right to exist as part of any reconciliation deal.
It also remains unclear what will happen to Hamas' 40,000 civil servants, who were hired after Abbas forced his employees in Gaza to resign after the Hamas takeover. In an area with few jobs, both sides will likely want their loyalists to receive salaries.
Fatah spokesman Osama Qawasmi said the sides are up to the task.
"We believe these issues are difficult, but with our will and patience, we can resolve them," he said.
In signs of good spirits, a family named their child born in Gaza Monday after the visiting Palestinian prime minister, and the official TV station of Abbas' government broadcast its main news bulletin from Gaza for the first time in a decade since the Hamas takeover.
Donald Trump's Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt said in a statement the U.S. "welcomes efforts to create the conditions for the Palestinian Authority to fully assume its responsibilities in Gaza." It added that "any Palestinian government must unambiguously and explicitly commit to nonviolence, recognition of the state of Israel," and should also accept previous agreements between the parties.
There was no immediate comment from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, speaks during a press conference on his arrival to the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, greets his supporters on his arrival to the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, gives a press conference on his arrival to the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Palestinian security officers surround the vehicle carrying Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, on his arrival to the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah reviews an honor guard on his arrival to the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, reaches out to shake hands with a supporter on his arrival to the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Fatah supporters chant slogans while other carry a picture of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, while waiting for the Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, at the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Palestinian security officers surround the Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, while he leaves after his press conference at the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Palestinian security officers surround the Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, while he leaves after his press conference at the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Residents gather around the vehicles while welcoming the Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, while he leaves after his press conference at the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Ahmed Hilles, left, top Fatah official in Gaza, listens to Ghazi Hamad, right, Hamas official, and security officers from Fatah and Hamas, while waiting for the Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, at the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Residents welcome the coming of the Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, while he leaves after his press conference at the Palestinian side of the Beit Hanoun border crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah is surrounded by security during his visit to the Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza City, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Hamdallah is in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to end the 10-year rift between rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. (AP Photo/ Khalil Hamra)
MOSCOW (AP) - Russia's top domestic intelligence agency says it has detained members of a sleeper cell of the Islamic State group and foiled a series of terrorist attacks.
The FSB said in a statement on Monday its operatives on Saturday detained an unspecified number of men outside Moscow. The intelligence agency said the men were from Russia's majority-Muslim North Caucasus, and reported to IS members based abroad.
The FSB said they were plotting attacks targeting critical infrastructure and public events in Russia, but didn't give any details. Two improvised explosive devices, grenades and guns were found at their homes.
Similar arrests were reported in August when the FSB said suspects from Central Asia with links to the IS were plotting attacks on civilians in Moscow.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Police on the Greek island of Crete have rescued a local businessman held by kidnappers for six months.
Authorities said 54-year-old Michalis Lebidakis was freed in a raid Monday at an industrial site outside the city of Rethymno. Eight people were arrested.
Public Order Minister Nikos Toskas said Lebidakis was "tired and shaken but in good health," adding that no ransom payment had been made.
Lebidakis, who runs a plastics company, was snatched at gunpoint on March 30.
Kidnappings are rare in Greece. In 2009, shipping magnate Pericles Panagopoulos was kidnapped in Athens and released after his family paid a ransom. The kidnappers were later arrested.
PARIS (AP) - The Latest on Marseille knife attack (all times local):
5:30 p.m.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has condemned a knife attack in the French city of Marseille in which two young women were killed Sunday.
Police officers patrol outside Marseille Saint Charles train station, a day after a man fatally stabbed two women outside the train station, in Marseille, southern France, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. The assailant was killed by soldiers immediately after the attack, the latest of several targeting France. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
In a telegram to French President Emmanuel Macron, she wrote Monday that she learned of the attack "with great sadness." Merkel said "once again, innocent people fell victim to a barbaric attack by an individual."
She expressed her sympathy to the victims' families and said Germany would stand by France in the fight against terrorism. Merkel added: "I am firmly convinced that our freedom and our peaceful and respectful way of living together are stronger than any hatred."
French media reports said two cousins had come together for a weekend birthday celebration when they were stabbed at the Marseille train station.
___
3:45 p.m.
A small French town is holding a memorial for two young women stabbed to death by a suspected extremist after a weekend birthday celebration.
The mayor of Eguilles in southern France told reporters Monday that "we are traumatized" and his whole town of 8,000 people "is in deep mourning" after Sunday's attack.
Mayor Robert Dargone said the town is gathering Monday evening to honor the victims: a medical student from Eguilles and her cousin, from the Lyon region. He said their identities would not be released to save the families further trauma.
French media reports said the young women had come together for a weekend birthday celebration. They were stabbed Marseille's main train station by a man the Islamic State group claimed as its "soldier."
___
12:30 p.m.
France's main counterterrorism prosecutor says a man who fatally stabbed two women at Marseille's main train station had used seven different identities in previous encounters with police.
Prosecutor Francois Molins told reporters Monday that the suspect's most recent arrest occurred just two days before Sunday's train station stabbing. Molins said that the suspect was picked up for shoplifting and released the next day, and the case was dropped. The suspect has never been convicted in the French justice system.
The prosecutor said the victims of the attack were cousins visiting each other for a birthday celebration.
Investigators are trying to determine the attacker's real identity and whether he had links to the Islamic State group, which claimed he was one of its "soldiers." The attacker was killed by soldiers after the stabbing.
___
9:30 a.m.
French officials say a man who fatally stabbed two women at Marseille's main train station had been arrested and released the day before the attack.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for Sunday's attack, the latest of several targeting France.
Two police officials said Monday the man didn't have French residency papers and was detained for suspected shoplifting in the Lyon region Saturday before being released. The officials said he wasn't on France's extremist watch list.
The suspect, killed by police after Sunday's attack, was identified by his fingerprints. French media reports said he used multiple identity papers.
The victims were cousins between 17 and 21 years old, according to three police and judicial officials who weren't authorized to be publicly named discussing an ongoing investigation.
A police officer stands guard while passengers enter the Marseille Saint Charles train station, a day after a man fatally stabbed two women outside the train station, in Marseille, southern France, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. The assailant was killed by soldiers immediately after the attack, the latest of several targeting France. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
Police vans are parked outside Marseille Saint Charles train station, a day after a man fatally stabbed two women outside the train station, in Marseille, southern France, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. The assailant was killed by soldiers immediately after the attack, the latest of several targeting France. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
An investigative police officer works by a body under a white sheet outside Marseille 's main train station Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Marseille, southern France. A man with a knife attacked people at the main train station in the southeastern French city of Marseille on Sunday, killing two women before soldiers fatally shot the assailant, officials said. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
Passengers wait in front a line a police officers blocking the access to Marseille 's main train station Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Marseille, southern France. French police have warned people to avoid Marseille's main train station following a knife attack that made at least one dead. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
BEIT LAHIYA, Gaza Strip (AP) - The Latest on the ambitious Palestinian reconciliation effort underway as rival factions meet in Gaza (all times local):
1:50 p.m.
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has opened his trip to the Gaza Strip for meetings with rival faction with a message of reconciliation.
A Palestinian Fatah member receives greetings after being released from a Hamas jail in front of the interior ministry, in Gaza City, Sunday Oct. 1, 2017. The Palestinian prime minister is set to lead a large delegation of Fatah officials traveling from the West Bank to Gaza on Monday in the most ambitious attempt to reconcile with the rival Hamas militant group after a 10-year rift that has left the Palestinians divided between two governments. Logo in Arabic reads, " the ministry of the interior and national security." (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Minutes after entering the coastal territory, Hamdallah told a crowd of Fatah and Hamas officials that "the only way to statehood is through unity."
Hamdallah is leading a delegation from the West Bank to Gaza on Monday in the most ambitious attempt at reconciliation between the rival Palestinian factions since Hamas seized control of Gaza a decade ago.
He said: "We are coming to Gaza again to deepen the reconciliation and end the split."
Hamdallah also added that Hamas' willingness to compromise is important "and we will build more on it." He called on the international community to press Israel to ease a blockade on Gaza.
1 p.m.
The Palestinian prime minister has arrived in Gaza for the most ambitious attempt yet to reconcile the rival Palestinian factions.
Rami Hamdallah drove through the Erez Crossing on Monday, heading a large delegation of Fatah officials from the West Bank trying to end a 10-year rift with Gaza's Hamas rulers.
In a significant concession, Hamas has offered to turn over all governing responsibilities to Hamdallah. But key sticking points, primarily Hamas' refusal to disarm its powerful military wing, are likely to complicate or even derail the reconciliation efforts in the coming weeks.
Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 after overrunning the Fatah-led forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas' Palestinian Authority has since governed only in autonomous enclaves of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Repeated attempts to reconcile have failed.
A Palestinian worker paints the entrance to the cabinet's Gaza office, in Gaza City, Sunday Oct. 1, 2017. The Palestinian prime minister is set to lead a large delegation of Fatah officials traveling from the West Bank to Gaza on Monday in the most ambitious attempt to reconcile with the rival Hamas militant group after a 10-year rift that has left the Palestinians divided between two governments. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
MOSCOW (AP) - A Moscow court has sent Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny to jail for 20 days for calling for an unsanctioned protest.
Police detained Navalny on Friday, preventing him from traveling to a rally in a major Russian city that had received official permission. Charges brought against the top Kremlin foe relate to an upcoming rally in St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, which has not been sanctioned.
The Russian law on public gatherings that was hastily adopted following massive anti-government rallies in 2011-2012 carries 30 days in jail for repeated violations
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny enters a court room in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Police took Navalny into custody in Moscow on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 in an apparent bid to prevent him from joining a rally that he organized in another city, where several people were also detained. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
After he announced his presidential bid last year, Navalny, arguably Russia's most popular opposition politician, inspired a grassroots campaign in Russian regions to support his nomination.
Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny react as he addresses them during a rally in Arkhangelsk, 1200 kilometers ( 750 miles) north of Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Navalny, who announced his presidential bid last year, has organized a grassroots campaign in Russian regions to support his nomination. (Evgeny Feldman/Navalny Campaign via AP)
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, left, greets his supporters during a rally in Arkhangelsk, 1200 kilometers ( 750 miles) north of Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. Navalny, who announced his presidential bid last year, has organized a grassroots campaign in Russian regions to support his nomination. (Evgeny Feldman/Navalny Campaign via AP)
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - A Sri Lankan court has remanded a Buddhist monk who, alongside other hard-line Buddhists, stormed a U.N. safe house for Rohingya Muslims, forcing the refugees to flee for protection.
Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara says the monk, Akmeenmana Dayaratana, was arrested with another suspect on Monday. They have been remanded until Oct. 09.
Gunasekara says another five suspects in the attack were arrested and remanded on Sunday.
Sri Lankan hardliner Buddhist monk Akmeemana Dayarathana, center, escorted by police officers is being produce at a local court in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Buddhist monk was arrested over the allegations of threatening a group of Rohingya refugees who were residing in a UN run safe house last week. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
Last week, a group led by Buddhist monks stormed the safe house for 31 Rohingya Muslims who have been there since April. The monks claimed the residents were terrorists and demanded they be returned to Myanmar, prompting police to relocate them.
U.N. refugee agency said it was alarmed by the attack, while Sri Lankan government leaders called for stern legal action against the perpetrators.
SRINAGAR, India (AP) - A group of rebels fighting Indian rule stormed a paramilitary camp near the airport in disputed Kashmir early Tuesday, in a brazen attack targeting one of the region's most strategic and well-guarded zones that left at least four dead.
Police said the militants breached multiple layers of high security outside and inside the camp while exchanging intense gunfire with government forces for nearly nine hours.
At least three suspected militants and one border guard officer were killed, police Inspector-General Muneer Ahmed Khan told reporters in Srinagar, the region's main city.
Indian army soldiers arrive at the scene after a paramilitary camp was stormed by suspected rebels on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Rebels fighting Indian rule in Kashmir stormed a paramilitary camp outside a regional airport early Tuesday and at least two suspected militants were killed and three soldiers injured in the attack, police said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
At least three soldiers were injured, police said.
The rebels, dressed in military uniforms, began the attack by hurling grenades and spraying automatic gunfire at the camp, which houses a battalion of India's Border Security Force, police said. Nearby residents said they heard dozens of blasts and gunfire.
Previously, the camp served as one of several notorious interrogation centers where authorities detained, questioned and allegedly tortured suspected rebels and their sympathizers. The camp sits on a plateau next to Srinagar's main airport, separated only by barbed wire.
Officials said the airport, which is run and controlled by the military, was safe. Still, authorities suspended flights for about four hours before resuming operations around noon. At least one early morning flight from New Delhi was canceled and three others delayed.
Counterinsurgency police and paramilitary commandos rushed to the scene and armored vehicles dotted the road leading to the airport.
One militant was killed in the initial firing, a police officer said. The officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with department policy, said two other militants were killed inside the main building of the camp where they had taken refuge and were firing out at the soldiers.
Many top former bureaucrats, police officials and politicians have residences in the area.
India's Home Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the soldiers, saying in New Delhi that "it was a good operation that they have conducted," the Press Trust of India news agency reported.
Officer Khan said the militants entered the camp after they cut barbed wire, and blamed the Jaish-e-Mohammad militant group for the attack. However, no anti-India rebel group immediately commented on the fighting.
Most attacks target military and paramilitary convoys or police outposts, but rebels have staged similar attacks in recent months, including one attack in August in which four police officials, four paramilitary soldiers and two suspected militants were killed after rebels stormed a police camp, triggering daylong fighting.
Last year, the rebels mounted their deadliest attack on a military base in recent years after militants sneaked into a crucial Indian military base and killed at least 19 soldiers. The four attackers were also killed. India later retaliated, saying its special forces conducted a "surgical strike" against militants inside the Pakistani-controlled part of Kashmir. Islamabad rejected the Indian account, saying it was routine cross-border fire.
Since then, the nuclear-armed rivals have engaged in regular firing along their de facto frontier.
Anti-India rebels in Muslim-majority Kashmir have been fighting for independence or a merger with Pakistan since 1989, with the violence and subsequent Indian military crackdown claiming at least 70,000 lives since then.
The region is divided between India and Pakistan, with both claiming the territory in its entirety. India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, which Pakistan denies.
Anti-India sentiment runs deep in the region, and most people support the rebels' cause while also participating in civilian street protests against Indian control.
Smoke and dust arises from a building inside a paramilitary camp that was stormed by suspected rebels on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Rebels fighting Indian rule in Kashmir stormed the paramilitary camp outside a regional airport early Tuesday and at least two suspected militants were killed and three soldiers injured in the attack, police said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Indian army soldiers arrive at the scene after a paramilitary camp was stormed by suspected rebels on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Rebels fighting Indian rule in Kashmir stormed a paramilitary camp outside a regional airport early Tuesday and at least two suspected militants were killed and three soldiers injured in the attack, police said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Indian army soldiers arrive at the scene after a paramilitary camp was stormed by suspected rebels on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Rebels fighting Indian rule in Kashmir stormed a paramilitary camp outside a regional airport early Tuesday and at least two suspected militants were killed and three soldiers injured in the attack, police said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Indian army soldiers arrive at the scene after a paramilitary camp was stormed by suspected rebels on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Rebels fighting Indian rule in Kashmir stormed a paramilitary camp outside a regional airport early Tuesday and at least two suspected militants were killed and three soldiers injured in the attack, police said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
An Indian army soldier covers his face to avoid being photographed as he arrives at the scene after a paramilitary camp was stormed by suspected rebels on the outskirts of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Rebels fighting Indian rule in Kashmir stormed a paramilitary camp outside a regional airport early Tuesday and at least two suspected militants were killed and three soldiers injured in the attack, police said. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Six years ago, the Greater Collegedale School System began a 5K and Kids Fun Run, in honor of Sandy Erickson, a beloved teacher who taught first grade for over 20 years at A.W. Spalding Elementary School.
Ms. Erickson cared deeply for each of her students, working one-on-one to enhance their success. When diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease), she kept her cheery attitude and sense of humor, exemplifying a selflessness spirit and a heart for all students.
Officials said, "The Sandy Erickson Race for Christian Education continues to focus on providing student aid. Many of the families who attend the GCSS A.W. Spalding Elementary, Collegedale Adventist Middle School, and Collegedale Academy are only able to attend because of student aid provided through the Worthy Student Fund (WSF). This fund is critical to our mission in furthering our ministry for every student, especially those that desire, but couldnt otherwise afford to attend GCSS. This year the WSF is helping 160 students. This is only possible generosity of contributors."
The overall goal is to raise $300,000 for WSF, and the race is key in jump starting efforts. Last year, $55,173 was raised that benefited WSF. In addition, organizers had 37 sponsors and 470 registered student and community runners that participated in the event. Families and the community running together for a cause.
Officials invite the public to join them by providing assistance to those in need in a couple of ways:
Consider becoming one of our event partners through sponsorship of the Sandy Erickson Race for Christian Education. Donate today: www.sandyericksonfunrun.com
Register at www.sandyericksonfunrun.com to run/walk in the race on Sunday, Nov. 5.
Additional information, pictures and previous race results are available at www.sandyericksonfunrun.com.
Donations will be accepted until the date of the race.
SYDNEY (AP) - After looming for four years, "Carmageddon" has hit the Australian auto industry.
Toyota closed its factory in Melbourne on Tuesday, ending 54 years of production by the Japanese firm in Australia, the first country outside of Japan where the company made cars.
Iconic local brand Holden plans to shutter its factory in Adelaide on Oct. 20, ending car manufacturing in Australia.
In this photo provided by Toyota Australia, employees gather around the last Toyota car produced in Australia as it leaves the production line in Melbourne, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Toyota closed its manufacturing plant in Melbourne, ending 54 years of production by the Japanese firm in Australia, the first country outside of Japan where the company made cars. (Toyota Australia via AP)
Ford Motor Co., which pioneered Australian-based auto making in 1925, heralded its end in 2013 by announcing it would close its last two Australian manufacturing plants in 2016.
General Motors-owned Holden followed suit several months later by announcing it, too, would close down. With the loss of those two firms making the supply of locally-produced auto components unsustainable, Toyota reluctantly soon followed.
Toyota Motor Corp. has been Australia's biggest auto manufacturer for the past decade, with 70 percent of its cars exported, mostly to the Middle East. Output at the Melbourne plant peaked in 2007, when it made 149,000 cars.
When the final Camry sedan rolled off the Melbourne production line, 2,700 Toyota workers became unemployed.
"It's sunk in now. I couldn't sleep last night," Michael Spiteri, who worked at the plant for 23 years, told Fairfax media.
The closure of the Holden plant will eliminate another 3,000 jobs.
Industry analysts forecast the loss of thousands more jobs in auto-related industries. Research by the University of Adelaide has predicted a worst-case scenario of 200,000 lost jobs nationwide due to the auto industry's collapse, which would take $AUD29 billion ($22.6 billion) out of Australia's GDP annually.
Professor John Spoehr, who co-authored the University's report, said the plant closings and resulting loss of supply chains will have a wide impact.
"We haven't seen in recent history the collapse of an entire industry, but that's what is happening," Spoehr told The Associated Press.
The factory closings have raised pressure on Australia's conservative government over job losses.
"This is a sad day for these thousands of workers and their families, and it's a sad day for Australia," Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Tuesday. "Other countries, including the U.S., Germany and Sweden, contribute much more than Australia per capita to their car industries."
But Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said changing tastes were the main factor leading car manufacturers to close their Australian operations.
"People stopped buying the sedans being made in Australia," he said. "The manufacturers who've progressively closed their operations in Australia have made it clear it's not because of a failure of government subsidies."
When Toyota announced it would close the Melbourne plant, it blamed the "unfavorable Australian dollar," high manufacturing costs and meager economies of scale in Australia, a country of only 23 million people.
While Australia's resource sector remains strong, manufacturing has suffered.
The global management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group ranks Australia the worst performer among 25 nations assessed in its worldwide manufacturing cost-competitiveness index. Costs are higher than in Germany, the Netherlands and even Switzerland, and Australian manufacturing wages rose 48 per cent in the past decade while productivity fell, it says. Meanwhile, car output dropped by nearly half from about 400,000 cars in 2004.
Automakers offered retraining programs to help laid off workers find new jobs. Australian Manufacturing Workers Union's National Vehicles Secretary Dave Smith told reporters outside the Toyota factory that only about half of the 1,200 workers laid off from Ford's factories last year, have found full time employment.
The Toyota plant's closure was "a terribly sad day for the whole country, and a tough blow for the thousands of affected workers and their families," Smith said.
"This plant is more than just a car plant for them," he said. "It's a passion, it's a part of their lives."
In this photo provided by Toyota Australia the last Toyota car produced in Australia leaves the line in Melbourne, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Toyota closed its manufacturing plant in Melbourne, ending 54 years of production by the Japanese firm in Australia, the first country outside of Japan where the company made cars. (Toyota Australia via AP)
LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Las Vegas gunman transferred $100,000 overseas in the days before the attack and planned the massacre so meticulously that he even set up cameras inside the peephole of his high-rise hotel room and on a service cart outside his door, apparently to spot anyone coming for him, authorities said Tuesday.
Meanwhile, investigators are taking a harder look at the shooter's girlfriend and what she might have known about the attack at a country music festival, with the sheriff naming her a "person of interest"
The girlfriend, Marilou Danley, 62, returned to the United States from the Philippines on Tuesday night and was met at Los Angeles International Airport by FBI agents, according to a law enforcement official.
FBI agents walk on the roof of boxes inside the concert grounds where a mass shooting occurred in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Authorities are trying to determine why Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old high-stakes gambler and retired accountant, killed dozens of people at Route 91 Harvest, a country music festival, Sunday in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
The official wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Authorities are trying to determine why Stephen Paddock killed 59 people in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
They have been speaking with Danley, who was out the country at the time of the shooting, and "we anticipate some information from her shortly," Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said hours before she arrived.
Lombardo said he is "absolutely" confident authorities will find out what set off Paddock, a 64-year-old high-stakes gambler and retired accountant who killed himself before police stormed his 32nd-floor room.
Authorities released police body camera video that showed the chaos of the attack as officers tried to figure out the location of the shooter and shuttle people to safety. Amid sirens and volleys of gunfire, people yelled "they're shooting right at us" while officers shouted "go that way!"
Clark County Undersheriff Kevin McMahill said the shooting spanned between nine and 11 minutes.
Paddock transferred $100,000 to the Philippines in the days before the shooting, a U.S. official briefed by law enforcement but not authorized to speak publicly because of the continuing investigation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Investigators are still trying to trace that money and also looking into a least a dozen financial reports over the past several weeks that said Paddock gambled more than $10,000 per day, the official said.
The cameras Paddock set up at the Mandalay Bay hotel casino were part of his extensive preparations that included stockpiling nearly two dozen guns in his room before opening fire on the concert below. McMahill said the cameras included one in the peephole and two in the hallway.
"I anticipate he was looking for anybody coming to take him into custody," Lombardo said.
During the Sunday night rampage, a hotel security guard who approached the room was shot through the door and wounded in the leg.
"The fact that he had the type of weaponry and amount of weaponry in that room, it was preplanned extensively," the sheriff said, "and I'm pretty sure he evaluated everything that he did and his actions, which is troublesome."
Lombardo said the investigation is proceeding cautiously in case criminal charges are warranted against someone else.
"This investigation is not ended with the demise of Mr. Paddock," the sheriff said. "Did this person get radicalized unbeknownst to us? And we want to identify that source."
In addition to the cameras, investigators found a computer and 23 guns with him at the hotel, along with 12 "bump stock" devices that can enable a rifle to fire continuously, like an automatic weapon, authorities said. Nineteen more guns were found at Paddock's Mesquite home and seven at his Reno house.
Video shot outside the broken door of the room shows an assault-style rifle with a scope on a bipod. The sheriff said an internal investigation has been launched to find out how that footage was obtained.
Some investigators turned their focus Tuesday from the shooter's perch to the festival grounds where his victims fell.
A dozen investigators, most in FBI jackets and all wearing blue booties to avoid contaminating the scene, documented evidence at the site where gunfire rained down and country music gave way to screams of pain and terror.
"Shoes, baby strollers, chairs, sunglasses, purses. The whole field was just littered with things," said Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt after touring the site Monday. "There were bloodstains everywhere."
More than 500 people were injured in the rampage, some by gunfire, some during the chaotic escape. At least 45 patients at two hospitals remained in critical condition. All but three of the dead had been identified by Tuesday afternoon, Lombardo said.
As for what may have set Paddock off, retired FBI profiler Jim Clemente speculated that there was "some sort of major trigger in his life - a great loss, a breakup, or maybe he just found out he has a terminal disease."
Clemente said a "psychological autopsy" may be necessary to try to establish the motive. If the suicide didn't destroy Paddock's brain, experts may even find a neurological disorder or malformation, he said.
He said there could be a genetic component to the slaughter: Paddock's father was a bank robber who was on the FBI's most-wanted list in the 1960s and was diagnosed a psychopath.
"The genetics load the gun, personality and psychology aim it, and experiences pull the trigger, typically," Clemente said.
Paddock had a business degree from Cal State Northridge. In the 1970s and '80s, he worked as a mail carrier and an IRS agent and held down a job in an auditing division of the Defense Department, according to the government. He later worked for a defense contractor.
He had no known criminal record, and public records showed no signs of financial troubles, though he was said to be a big gambler.
Nevada's Gaming Control Board said it will pass along records compiled on Paddock and his girlfriend to investigators.
His brother, Eric Paddock, said he was at a loss to explain the massacre.
"No affiliation, no religion, no politics. He never cared about any of that stuff," he said outside his Florida home.
The FBI discounted the possibility of international terrorism early on, even after the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.
Eric Paddock said his brother did show a confrontational side at times: He apparently hated cigarette smoke so much that he carried around a cigar and blew smoke in people's faces when they lit up around him.
___
Brian Skoloff, Regina Garcia Cano and Sally Ho in Las Vegas; Brian Melley in Los Angeles; and Sadie Gurman and Tami Abdollah in Washington contributed to this report.
___
For complete coverage of the Las Vegas shooting, click here: -https://apnews.com/tag/LasVegasmassshooting.
People pause at a memorial set up for victims of a mass shooting in Las Vegas, Nev., on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. A gunman opened fire on an outdoor music concert on Sunday. It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, with dozens of people killed and hundreds injured, some by gunfire, some during the chaotic escape. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Mike Kordich, a firefighter from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., answers questions from his hospital bed at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Kordich was giving a severely injured person CPR when he was hit by a bullet after a gunman opened fire on an outdoor music concert on Sunday. (AP Photo/Robert Ray)
A single rose is left at the door of the Mandalay Bay hotel and casino in Las Vegas, on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. A gunman opened fire on an outdoor music concert on Sunday. It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, with dozens of people killed and hundreds injured, some by gunfire, some during the chaotic escape. (AP Photo/John Locher)
An investigator works in the room at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino where a gunman opened fire from on a music festival Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Las Vegas. The gunman killed dozens and injuring hundreds at the festival. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Debris litters a festival grounds across the street from the Mandalay Bay resort and casino Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Las Vegas. Authorities said Stephen Craig Paddock broke windows on the casino and began firing with a cache of weapons, killing dozens and injuring hundreds at a music festival at the grounds. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Kris Delarosby, right, and Colleen Anderson, left, hold Charleen Jochim, center, as they walk towards a hospital in search of information on a missing friend, Steven Berger of Minnesota, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Las Vegas. The parents of Berger, who had been missing after the mass shooting in Las Vegas, say they have been notified on Tuesday afternoon that he was killed in the attack. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
This undated photo provided by Eric Paddock shows his brother, Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock. On Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, Stephen Paddock opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Festival killing dozens and wounding hundreds. (Courtesy of Eric Paddock via AP)
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - The Latest on Catalonia's disputed independence referendum and Spain's response (all times local):
7:25 p.m.
Tens of thousands of people are joining marches across Barcelona in an outcry against police violence that has united political views that only one week ago seemed irreconcilable.
Demonstrators shake their hands as a sign of peaceful protest as they march in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Thousands of people demonstrated against the confiscation of ballot boxes and charges on unarmed civilians during Sunday's referendum, declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court, on Catalonia's secession from Spain.(AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Separatist groups and unions had initially called for strikes to be held on Tuesday in support for Catalan leaders pushing ahead with a declaration of independence from Spain. But many non-separatists were also drawn to the streets following a crackdown on a referendum vote on Sunday.
The main national unions, CCOO and UGT, rejected the strike but told workers to join protests.
In Barcelona's Catalonia and University squares, a sea of demonstrators waved flags, most of them "esteladas," embraced by those seeking secession, but there were also plenty of Spanish national flags.
Among many banners displayed, one read "Stop violence, #CataloniaIsComing" using hashtags popular in social media, and another one wondered "Where are you Europe?"
One of the biggest groups concentrated around the Spanish national police headquarters in Barcelona, where protesters called them "occupying forces" and called for Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to resign.
___
6:55 p.m.
The Royal House of Spain says that King Felipe VI is delivering an address to the nation in a televised message on Tuesday evening.
A press official in the Royal House's communications team couldn't confirm if the king would be talking about the crisis in the northeastern Catalonia region but confirmed that the address would take place at 9 p.m. (1900GMT). The official spoke anonymously in line with internal protocol.
Unscheduled addresses by kings in Spain have not been common but both Felipe VI and his father, King Juan Carlos I have delivered addresses in moments of high political tension or in the wake of terror attacks.
Years of confrontation between Catalan separatists and the central authorities led Sunday to a disputed referendum on independence that Spain considers illegal and that police cracked down on, leaving hundreds of injured.
___
4:45 p.m.
Anti-capitalist groups are forcing workers to join a mass labor stoppage in Barcelona, in protest at Sunday's police actions during a referendum on Catalonia's secession from Spain.
While thousands of peaceful protesters demonstrated against the confiscation of ballot boxes and charges on unarmed civilians, hundreds of anti-capitalist activists drifted to the city center and intimidated workers, shoppers and tourists in order to enforce the closedown of department stores, local shops, markets and restaurants.
Dispersed in groups of 50-100, they chanted aggressively at overwhelmed waitresses, pulled down shutters, and threatened workers and owners.
"I was told it would be a 24-hour stoppage for public workers, so we decided to open part-time to show our support," said 68-year-old restaurateur, Carmen Gomez. "But we are closing down for good now. They said it was for our own safety."
___
3:30 p.m.
Spain's interior minister is accusing the pro-independence Catalan government of encouraging protests against Spanish police posted to towns in the region, saying they represent "totalitarianism" and "hatred."
Juan Ignacio Zoido said Tuesday Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont is responsible for the protests after demanding police leave the region following their violent crackdown on his attempt to hold an independence referendum Sunday.
Protests have been staged against police in at least three towns, as well as in Barcelona, where thousands have protested at the gates of the national police downtown office.
In one town, Pineda del Mar, a town official said they were asking hotels to stop lodging police sent there. The town later denied this.
Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria accused Pineda del Mar town hall of "mobster behavior."
___
3:25 p.m.
Thousands of people are demonstrating in Barcelona, as labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups urge workers to hold strikes in protest at what they say was police brutality during a referendum on Catalonia's secession from Spain.
Protests started before noon outside polling stations where police action to prevent the vote two days earlier had resulted in the confiscation of ballot boxes and police charging at unarmed civilians.
Draped in a pro-independence flag, 19-year-old communications student Pol Subira headed toward a packed University Square "in order to protest against this brutal repression and fight for the right to decide our future."
"I hope this helps politicians reach an agreement." Subira said. "All this repression has achieved is to produce more independents, like a factory. The government's violence is a guarantee for independence to triumph."
___
1:55 p.m.
The famed Barcelona soccer club and the two other Catalan clubs in the Spanish soccer league are joining a strike to protest the Spanish government's actions in Catalonia's independence vote.
Barcelona says none of its professional or youth teams are practicing on Tuesday and the club headquarters is closed. The Girona soccer team also suspended practice and Espanyol is having players undergo physical training behind closed doors.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, one of the most outspoken supporters of Catalans, was harassed by fans Monday when he reported to Spain's national team training camp in Madrid ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Police had to intervene as fans chanted and held cards against him.
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui told the COPE radio station the central defender remains motivated despite the abuse from fans. He praised Pique's commitment to the national team and said there is no reason not to have him on the squad.
___
1:25 p.m.
Spain's top official in Catalonia says he laments the violence that left hundreds of civilians and police injured during a disputed independence referendum but blames the regional separatist government for "exposing citizens to danger."
Enric Millo said Tuesday that "nothing of this would have happened if the government wouldn't have declared itself in rebellion, breaking the orders of the courts and lying and tricking people."
He said Spain's National Police and Civil Guard anti-riot squads broke into schools designated as polling stations when it was clear that the regional Mossos d'Esquadra police, controlled by the Catalan government, was not carrying out a judge's orders to impede the voting.
He also accused the grassroots groups driving the independence bid, the National Catalan Assembly and Omnium Cultural, and pro-independence mayors of "plotting to break the law."
___
1:05 p.m.
Several hundred Barcelona port workers have held a demonstration outside the regional headquarters of Spain's ruling Popular Party chanting slogans against government policies and the alleged brutality of police during a disputed weekend referendum on Catalonia's secession that left hundreds of people injured.
The protest came as several small labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups urged workers throughout Catalonia to go on partial or full-day strikes to protest the police actions during Sunday's voting.
The port workers threw wads of unused ballot papers from the vote into the air in the protest outside the party's office in downtown Barcelona.
Regional police placed barriers outside the building to stop the crowd getting near the offices.
The protest lasted more than an hour.
___
12:10 a.m.
Credit ratings agency Moody's has warned that the increased tensions over the Spanish region of Catalonia's push for independence could hurt the country's overall debt worthiness.
The agency said the "ratcheting-up of tensions has negative credit implications" that could be worsened if Catalonia's regional government declares independence after claiming victory in a local referendum they organized that was deemed illegal by Spain.
Moody's said that the probability of Catalan independence remains low, mainly because it remains unclear that a majority of Catalans actually want independence. Participation in Sunday's vote was reportedly only 42 percent. It expects the sides to negotiate a deal for greater powers for the region.
The agency noted that Catalonia represents about a fifth of Spain's economy, with a high per capita GDP. So independence would seriously affect Spain's public finances.
___
11:05 a.m.
A prominent leader of Britain's vote to leave the European Union has condemned the bloc's failure to clearly condemn the police violence that marred Sunday's contested independence vote in the Spanish region of Catalonia.
Nigel Farage said "it is quite extraordinary to realize that this Union is prepared to turn a blind eye" to events in Catalonia.
He told EU lawmakers that never "did I think we would see the police of a member state of the Union injuring 900 people in an attempt to stop them going out to vote."
Farage attacked European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker for his silence about it during a speech to the assembly Tuesday, saying: "What do we get from Mister Juncker today? Not a dicky-bird."
___
10:55 a.m.
Cyprus says Spain's national sovereignty and territorial integrity need to be respected, arguing that the referendum on Catalonia's independence was carried out "in violation" of the Spanish constitution.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry of the internationally recognized south of the Mediterranean island nation said Spain's unity must be upheld as well as its constitutional order.
The ministry said "dialogue and restraint are only the way forward."
Cyprus itself was split into a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south when Turkey invaded in 1974 following a coup by supporters of union the Greece.
The latest round of talks aimed at reunifying the island collapsed last July.
___
9:35 a.m.
Turkey's foreign ministry spokesman says respect for Spain's territorial integrity is a main "principle."
Huseyin Muftuoglu said in a statement issued early Tuesday that it was important that both sides abide by Spain's laws and avoid violence.
His comment follows Sunday's independence referendum in Catalonia that Spain's courts deemed illegal. More than 800 people were injured as riot police clashed with unarmed civilians trying to cast their ballots.
Muftuoglu said Turkey believes Spain will overcome "such tests."
Turkey, which is battling a Kurdish insurgency, has strongly opposed a referendum on independence by the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in neighboring Iraq, threatening economic sanctions and military action.
___
8:45 a.m.
Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured.
The strike call comes as Catalan leaders ponder a possible declaration of independence this week following the referendum that Spain said was illegal and invalid.
Port workers were being called to demonstrate Tuesday outside the regional headquarters of Spain's ruling Popular Party while firefighters planned a rally outside the Interior Ministry's regional office in the Catalan capital of Barcelona.
Protests were also to be staged outside polling stations where police acted with force to try to prevent Sunday's poll being held.
Protesters gather outside National Police Headquarters during a one-day strike in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)
A woman pushes a baby's stroller covered with a ''estelada'' or Catalonia independence flag during a one-day strike in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Santi Palacios)
A taxi driver with a ''estelada'' or Catalonia independence flag fixed to his car, gestures as a protester helps to extend the flag during protest near the national police headquarters during a one-day strike in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)
Demonstrators gather in protest in front of Spanish police station in downtown Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes and demonstrations throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Catalan regional mossos d'esquadra police vans form a protective barrier between protesters and the national police headquarters during a one-day strike in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)
Catalan regional mossos d'esquadra police form a protective barrier between protesters and the national police headquarters during a one-day strike in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Bob Edme)
Firefighters join protesters outside the Spanish government delegation during a one-day strike in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
A woman holds a Spanish flag to support Spanish police as pro-independence protesters gather in front of the national police headquarters in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Protesters raise their arms outside the Spanish government delegation during a one-day strike in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy gestures before a meeting with Spain's main opposition Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, Monday Oct. 2, 2017. Rajoy met with Sanchez to discuss Spain's options before seeking a parliamentary session to discuss how to confront the country's most serious crisis in decades after Catalonia's referendum Sunday on breaking away from Spain.(AP Photo/Paul White)
A youth stands on a balcony with a ''estelada'' or Catalonia independence flag over his shoulders while protesters below demonstrate outside the National police headquarters during a one-day strike in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Two people hold hands with flowers during a one-day strike protest in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Labor unions and grassroots pro-independence groups are urging workers to hold partial or full-day strikes throughout Catalonia to protest alleged brutality by police during a referendum on the region's secession from Spain that left hundreds of people injured. (AP Photo/Santi Palacios)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Iran's foreign minister on Tuesday met with Qatar's ruling emir as a quartet of Arab states continues its boycott of the energy-rich nation, in part over relations that Doha maintains with Tehran.
Mohammad Javad Zarif's visit is likely to further inflame officials in Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which began their boycott nearly four months ago, on June 5.
It also comes as a new academic survey published this week suggests that the average citizens in the Arab nations of the now-fractured Gulf Cooperation Council do not see Iran as an existential threat in the same way their leaders do.
In this photo released by the state-run Oman News Agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, center, arrives in Muscat, Oman, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Zarif is visiting Oman on Monday as part of a daylong trip to speak to officials there about the wars in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, as well as other issues. (Oman News Agency via AP)
Zarif on Monday met with Omani officials, including Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who has ruled Oman since 1970 and has served as an interlocutor between the West and Iran.
On Tuesday, Iranian state media published images of Zarif in Doha meeting with Qatar's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. It marks Zarif's first trip to Qatar since the diplomatic crisis began in June.
"None of the regional crises have a military solution," Zarif said at the meeting, according to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency. All sides should "give priority to regional initiations for restoring collective stability and security."
A short report on the state-run Qatar News Agency said the two "exchanged views on the current situation in the region," without elaborating.
Qatar pulled its ambassador from Tehran in early 2016, after Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric sparked attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. The pullout was a Qatar move offering solidarity with the kingdom, which has long expressed concerns over Doha's pursuit of its own maverick foreign policy supporting Islamists, as well as being the home of the Al-Jazeera satellite news network, which ranks among the Arab world's most influential TV channels.
The boycotting nations have cut off land, sea and air routes to Qatar, a small peninsular nation that sticks out like a thumb in the Persian Gulf. In August, Qatar restored diplomatic ties after Iran sent food to Doha and allowed Qatari planes to increasingly use the Islamic Republic's airspace.
Iran and Qatar have strong shared commercial interests, namely a massive offshore natural gas field, called the South Pars Field by Tehran and the North Field by Doha. That gas field's vast reserves have made Qataris have the highest per capita income in the world. Those reserves have also funded Al-Jazeera and helped secure hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The crisis has split the hereditarily ruled nations of Gulf Cooperation Council, a regional bloc representing Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE that formed in part as a counterbalance to Iran. Kuwait has tried unsuccessfully to mediate the crisis, as has the United States, which has a major military base in Qatar.
Leaders in the Sunni Arab countries of the Gulf, those in Saudi Arabia and the UAE especially, view Iran with suspicion after its advances on the battlefields of Iraq and Syria against the Islamic State group. They also worry about Iran's nuclear program and the 2015 deal that Tehran struck with world powers over it.
But face-to-face surveys of over 4,000 GCC citizens conduced in recent months found that with the exception of Bahrain, the spread of extremist organizations like the Islamic State group and al-Qaida represented their biggest worry, said Justin Gengler, a senior researcher at the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University.
Gengler said the survey, funded by the Qatar National Research Fund before the diplomatic crisis began and conducted along with researchers from the University of Michigan, was conducted in every GCC country except the UAE. Gengler first published his results Monday in Foreign Affairs. The margin of error was below 4 percent among the surveys in each country.
Asked about the results, Gengler said Iran offered a convenient foe for Gulf nations struggling with internal problems and low global oil prices.
"If it's not the case that people feel threatened militarily by Iran, how is it that governments continue to talk about it?" Gengler told The Associated Press. "At the end of the day in the Gulf, regime stability is the No. 1 priority guiding every decision rulers make. ... Elites have their objectives and citizens have their own priorities in daily life and they don't always match up."
___
Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
___
Follow Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jongambrellap. His work can be found at http://apne.ws/2galNpz.
BEIRUT (AP) - The Islamic State group on Tuesday claimed responsibility for a pair of suicide bombings in the Syrian capital that killed 17 civilians and policemen the previous day.
In Monday's bombings, two men attacked a police station in the al-Midan neighborhood with several bombs, before one of them blew himself up, according to Syria's interior minister, Lt. Gen. Mohammad al-Shaar. He said the other bomber made it inside the compound, where police killed him, causing his bomb to explode.
The blasts damaged the lower floors of the building, and shattered the windows along one side. Blood stained the floors.
This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, shows damage after a suicide car bomber struck a police station in Damascus, Syria, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. The Al-Ikhbariyeh TV station said one bomber detonated his vehicle in front of the police station and another one managed to enter the station in the capital's al-Midan neighborhood. (SANA via AP)
The Islamic State's Aamaq news agency said the militant group carried out the al-Midan attack. The statement carried by the agency gave no other details.
The Syrian army, backed by Russia, is at war with the IS group as well as a local al-Qaida affiliate and an array of rebel groups trying to oust President Bashar Assad. The military has been steadily claiming territory from IS in central and eastern Syria recently.
Also on Tuesday, Russia's military said its airstrikes in eastern Syria this week killed more than 300 IS militants.
Russia has been a major backer of Syria's President Bashar Assad whose government troops have been advancing in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour against IS under the cover of Russian airstrikes.
Meanwhile, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces are also marching against the Islamic State group, backed by the U.S.-led coalition.
Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement early on Tuesday that its airstrikes just outside Deir el-Zour, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, killed more than 304 IS fighters and left more than 200 wounded.
The ministry said the airstrikes also hit and destroyed an IS training center, as well artillery positions, tanks and ammunition depots belonging to the militants.
In many parts of the world, the constant fear of extremist attacks has led to tighter security measures at hotels and resorts, but that is less so in the United States, where hotels are reluctant to intrude on the privacy of guests.
Security experts say the shooting attack that left at least 59 people dead in Las Vegas could lead to more cameras and more training for hotel staff.
More aggressive measures such as metal detectors or X-ray screening of guests and luggage - standard for airline travel - are less likely to gain footing in the U.S. because of cost and privacy concerns.
FILE - In this Friday, June 2, 2017, file photo, a security guard, left, inspects a man at the entrance of the hotel at the Resorts World Manila complex, in Manila, Philippines, where a gunman stormed the mall-casino complex earlier in the day. Across the globe, risks of attacks have made tight security at hotels and resorts routine. The most recent major attack in Asia, at the Resorts World Manila casino in the Philippines, shares similarities with the shooting Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Las Vegas. And in many countries in Africa and the Middle East, tighter security has been essential for years. But that is less so in the United States, where hotels are reluctant to intrude on the privacy of guests. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
Although they are private property, hotels are notably public spaces in most of the world. In many places, luxury hotels have entrances from shopping malls, and their lobbies serve as a refuge from noisy, chaotic streets.
Hotel operators in other countries are increasingly deploying armed guards, vehicle barricades, X-ray machines and other measures to reduce the risk of attack.
The King David Hotel in Jerusalem, where President Donald Trump and other foreign leaders have stayed, reportedly uses infrared cameras carried by balloons and robots in sewers to search for bombs. Windows on higher floors can withstand gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades, and the air conditioning system is designed to block attacks using poison gas.
The Resorts World Manila casino in the Philippines said it hired a security contractor, Blackpanda, and established new security protocols after a man with a gambling addiction carried out an arson attack in June that left 37 dead, the latest major incident in Asia.
Even before the attack, visitors to Resorts World - like many other hotels, office buildings and shopping malls in Manila - were required to pass through metal detectors and have their bags X-rayed. Somehow the attacker got past hotel security with an ammunition vest and assault rifle.
That was a trifling arsenal compared with the 23 guns and prodigious ammunition stockpile that 64-year-old Stephen Paddock hoarded in his room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel casino overlooking the Las Vegas Strip and a packed country music festival.
Attention is certain to focus on how Paddock was able to carefully prepare and stage his deadly attack on Sunday night.
"My guess is we will see more security cameras at many hotels and more monitoring of people who bring many large packages to a hotel room," said Bjorn Hanson, a professor of hospitality and tourism at New York University. "But I don't think one event will lead to more intrusive measures" in the U.S. such as metal detectors or X-raying guests' bags.
Hanson also believes that hotels, perhaps pressured by their insurance carriers, will increase training of staff to spot suspicious behavior or materials left in rooms. There is a model for that in training to help staff spot human trafficking, he said.
Jeffrey Price, a security expert at Metropolitan State University of Denver, said employees who clean rooms should report it to a supervisor if they see weapons, but that screening guests' bags would be difficult in a place like Las Vegas, where people having a lot of luggage is not all that unusual.
"It would be a logistical nightmare to screen everybody going into and out of the hotel room, not to mention costing billions of dollars," Price said. "That also gets into all sorts of privacy-rights issues."
Hanson and Price said people who attend major public events should take their own precautions including knowing where the exits are, having an escape route in mind and a place to meet with companions if they get separated.
The American Hotel and Lodging Association said that hotels in Las Vegas were working closely with local law enforcement after the shooting.
"Hotels have safety and security procedures in place that are regularly reviewed, tested and updated as are their emergency response procedures," the group's president, Katherine Lugar, said in a statement. "As we better understand the facts in the coming days, we will continue to work with law enforcement to evaluate these measures."
Hotels already employ security measures such as asking guests to show their room key in the lobby, and limiting access to some floors to those who have a keycard. But because the U.S. hasn't had the same experience - in frequency or ferocity - of hotel attacks in countries where security is tougher, that could make stringent measures seem less worthy when applied against a cost-benefit ratio.
Other regions can't afford or aren't willing to take the risk. For instance, Africa saw two attacks on hotels within months of each other in 2015 - 38 died in Tunisia and 18 in Mali.
Tunisia depends on tourism and seen arrivals plummet since a spate of attacks. Since 2015, hotels have beefed up police presence and brought in metal detectors.
At the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital of Bamako, there is now a scanner for bags, and vehicles are blocked from driving in front of the building.
In some cases, extra security steps were not enough.
In 2009, attackers in Indonesia smuggled explosives past security guards and metal detectors and set off a blast at the Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta that killed eight. Six years earlier, a car bomb at the Jakarta Marriott killed 12.
In India in 2008, extremists targeted two luxury hotels, a train station and restaurant in a 60-hour siege in Mumbai that left more than 160 dead.
Hotel chains operating in India including Accor, Hyatt and Marriott now use handheld trace detectors and X-ray scanners to check for explosives and contraband. The upscale Lemon Tree Hotel at New Delhi's airport brought in a facial recognition system to keep track of visitors.
Indonesia and India have strengthened hotel security since then, said Mario Hardy, CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association. Vehicles are checked, many hotels scan luggage with X-rays, and there are more security cameras.
"As consumers we may sometime see those as nuisance, but I think events such as these remind us all the importance of security measures," he said.
___
Kelvin Chan reported from Hong Kong; David Koenig reported from Dallas.
LAS VEGAS (AP) - The high-stakes gambler and retired accountant who opened fire on country music concertgoers, killing 59 of them, had transferred $100,000 to the Philippines in the days before the attack, a U.S. official said.
In addition, Stephen Paddock reported at least a dozen gambling transactions of $10,000 or more in the past several weeks before Sunday's shooting outside the Mandalay Bay hotel casino in Las Vegas, a U.S. official briefed by law enforcement told The Associated Press.
The rampage by Paddock also injured more than 500 people. Paddock, 64, killed himself as authorities closed in on him in his hotel room.
This undated photo provided by Eric Paddock shows his brother, Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock. On Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, Stephen Paddock opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Festival killing dozens and wounding hundreds. (Courtesy of Eric Paddock via AP)
More about the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history:
___
THE INVESTIGATION
Investigators want to interview Paddock's girlfriend, who was out of the country at the time of the shooting.
On Tuesday, they called Marilou Danley "a person of interest" and said the FBI was bringing her back to the U.S. on Wednesday for questioning. On Tuesday, the 62-year-old was in the Philippines.
Authorities also say Paddock placed a camera in a food service cart outside his 32nd-floor hotel room and set up cameras inside his room. Sheriff Joe Lombardo said authorities believe Paddock put them in place so he could see if law enforcement was coming to try to take him into custody.
___
THE VICTIMS
Those killed included a man celebrating his 23rd wedding anniversary, a one-time high school cheerleader and a Pennsylvania wrestling coach.
Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center said an additional victim died Tuesday afternoon. The additional fatality kept the death toll at 59 after Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg revised his earlier count of victims downward by one.
More than 500 people were injured in the attacks. Forty-eight of them, including a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl, remained in critical condition Tuesday evening, hospital officials said.
___
THE GUNMAN
So far, law enforcement and family members haven't been able to explain what motivated a multimillionaire with no evidence of criminal history to inflict so much carnage.
Retired FBI profiler Jim Clemente speculated that there was "some sort of major trigger in (Paddock's) life - a great loss, a breakup, or maybe he just found out he has a terminal disease."
He said there could also be a genetic component to the slaying: Paddock's father was a bank robber who was on the FBI's most-wanted list in the 1960s and was diagnosed as a psychopath.
Paddock's brother, Eric, said Paddock did show a confrontational side at times: He apparently hated cigarette smoke so much that he carried around a cigar and blew smoke in the faces of people who lit up around him.
___
REMEMBRANCES
A vigil was held in Orlando on Tuesday evening for the victims of the Las Vegas attacks, which surpassed the Pulse nightclub shooting as the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
A nearby church rang its bell 59 times, once for each of the people killed in Sunday's shooting.
Pulse nightclub owner Barbara Poma said the Vegas shooting takes them all back to June 12, 2016, when a gunman killed 49 people and wounded 58 in her club in what was then the nation's deadliest mass shooting.
"We will not and cannot let hate win," Poma said. "We will never get over it. We can move forward. It's our turn to pay it forward. We must continue to fight for love. It is love that must win."
___
PRESIDENT SPEAKS OUT
President Donald Trump is planning to visit Las Vegas on Wednesday to meet with survivors and law enforcement officials.
Trump spoke to reporters Tuesday as he departed for a trip to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. He called the gunman "demented" and a "very, very sick individual."
Trump said the shooting was "such a tragedy" and "unnecessary."
Asked about gun laws, the president said, "We'll be talking about gun laws as time goes by."
___
Associated Press writer Michael Balsamo contributed to this report from Las Vegas.
___
This version corrects that Paddock's home was in Mesquite, Nevada, not Mesquite, Arizona.
Investigators work at a festival grounds across the street from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Las Vegas. Authorities said Stephen Craig Paddock broke windows on the casino and began firing with a cache of weapons, killing dozens and injuring hundreds at the music festival on Sunday. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Windows are broken at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Las Vegas. Authorities said Stephen Craig Paddock broke the windows and began firing with a cache of weapons, killing dozens and injuring hundreds. (AP Photo/John Locher)
People embrace and bow their heads as nearby church bells ring during a vigil Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Orlando, Fla., to show solidarity with the victims of the shooting in Las Vegas. Authorities said Stephen Craig Paddock broke windows on a Las Vegas casino and began firing with a cache of weapons Sunday, killing dozens and injuring hundreds at a country music festival. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The Mandalay Bay resort and casino, right, overlooks an outdoor festival grounds across the street, left, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Las Vegas. Authorities said Stephen Craig Paddock broke the windows on the casino and began firing with a cache of weapons, killing dozens and injuring hundreds at a music festival at the grounds. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been re-elected as president of the country's ruling party, the Pakistan Muslim League, despite the scandal surrounding his dismissal from office.
His re-election on Tuesday came after parliament the previous day approved a bill allowing officials disqualified by courts to hold party offices.
The Supreme Court in July dismissed Sharif over concealing financial assets and he is now facing trial before an anti-corruption court.
Sharif has been re-elected as president of the country's ruling party despite the scandal surrounding his dismissal from office
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif waves to his party supporters during his Pakistan Muslim League party general council meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan
Sharif's re-election came after parliament the previous day approved a bill allowing officials disqualified by courts to hold party offices
Pakistan's opposition parties have said they would challenge the new bill in court, saying it was just a means of paving way for Sharif's stay as party president.
Also on Monday, an anti-graft tribunal postponed Sharif's indictment for a week after his children, who are co-defendants in the case, failed to appear in court.
Mattis says will try to work with Pakistan 'one more time'
President Donald Trump has grown tired of Islamabad's alleged support for militant groups
US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday the United States would try 'one more time' to work with Pakistan in Afghanistan before President Donald Trump would turn to other options to address Islamabad's alleged support for militant groups.
Relations between the two countries have been frayed over the past decade.
While officials have long questioned the role Pakistan has played in Afghanistan, the comments by Mattis are likely to cause concern in Islamabad and within the Pakistan military.
'We need to try one more time to make this strategy work with them, by, with and through the Pakistanis, and if our best efforts fail, the President is prepared to take whatever steps are necessary,' Mattis said at a House Armed Services Committee hearing.
Mattis added that he would be traveling to Islamabad soon, but did not give more details.
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis (left) speaking with Indian PM Narendra Modi, in New Delhi
'I will fly in and we will continue to try to work with them,' Mattis said.
Reuters first reported that possible Trump administration responses being discussed include expanding US drone strikes and perhaps eventually downgrading Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally.
When asked by a lawmaker whether revoking of Pakistan's major non-NATO ally was amongst the options being considered to deal with Islamabad, Mattis said: 'I am sure it will be.'
In a separate Senate hearing on Tuesday, the top US military officer said he believed Pakistan's main spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) directorate, had ties to militant groups.
'It is clear to me that the ISI has connections with terrorist groups,' Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The Pakistan embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The United States in 2012 designated the Pakistan-based Haqqani network as a terrorist organisation. The year before, US Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, then the top US military officer, caused a stir when he told Congress that the Haqqani network was a 'veritable arm' of the ISI directorate.
Pakistan argues that it has done a great deal to help the United States in tracking down terrorists and points out that it has suffered hundreds of deaths in Islamist militant attacks in response to its crackdowns.
MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson assured British Conservatives Tuesday that he supports "every syllable" of Prime Minister Theresa May's plans for Brexit.
But unity is in short supply in the U.K.'s fractious, anxious governing party - and Johnson's vow of loyalty did not quell suspicions he covets the leadership.
Johnson told delegates to the Conservative annual conference that "the whole country owes (May) a debt for her steadfastness in taking Britain forward, as she will, to a great Brexit deal."
Britain's Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, delivers his speech at the Conservative party conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester, England, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Johnson used his Tory conference speech to praise Prime Minister, Theresa May, and insist the Cabinet is entirely united behind her approach to Brexit. The Foreign Secretary, whose own "red lines" on Brexit have overshadowed the Conservative Party conference and led to calls for her to sack him from her Cabinet, paid tribute to the Prime Minister. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)
May laid out her plans for Britain's exit from the European Union in a speech last month in Florence - "on whose every syllable I can tell you, the whole Cabinet is united," Johnson said.
Johnson has spent weeks giving the opposite impression. He has been accused of undermining the prime minister - and advancing his leadership ambitions - by laying out his own distinct roadmap for Britain's exit from the European Union.
With EU divorce negotiations proceeding at a snail's pace, Johnson has positioned himself as a champion of a clean-break "hard Brexit." He wants the U.K. to adopt a low-tax, low-regulation economy outside the EU's single market, says Britain must not pay to get tariff-free trade with the EU and insists that any post-Brexit transition period should not last "a second more" than two years.
Johnson told conference delegates that it was time to stop being negative about Brexit and "treating the referendum result as though it were a plague of boils."
"It is time to be bold, and to seize the opportunities, and there is no country better placed than Britain," he said.
Johnson's Brexit stance - tougher than May's stated position - has added to uncertainty for British businesses, who want to know whether they will keep easy access to the EU market and its population of nearly half a billion.
The British Chambers of Commerce warned that businesspeople "are growing impatient with division and disorganization at the heart of the party of government."
German politician Manfred Weber, head of the biggest party group in the European Parliament, implored May on Tuesday to fire Johnson, "because we need a clear answer who is responsible for the British position."
U.K. finance minister Philip Hammond issued a warning to Johnson, telling broadcaster ITV: "Nobody is unsackable."
But May's power to silence Johnson is limited. Earlier this year she called a snap election in hopes of boosting the Conservative majority in Parliament and strengthening her hand in Brexit negotiations. But after a lackluster campaign that saw her dubbed the "Maybot," voters reduced the Conservatives to a minority administration.
May's speech wrapping up the conference in Manchester on Wednesday will be a make-or-break chance to bring the party into line.
May insisted Tuesday she was firmly in charge, saying "weak leadership is having a Cabinet of yes men." She has vowed to lead her party into the next election, due in 2022.
But many Conservatives see her as a lame duck, and a leadership challenge could come much sooner.
"All she can do is earn (the party's) tolerance for another year or two, until such time as they decide that it's time for her to go," said Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London.
Johnson is not May's only rival. Some pro-Brexit Conservatives favor lawmaker Jacob Rees-Mogg, whose combination of social conservatism and tweed-suited upper-class assurance strikes his fans as a badge of political authenticity.
Another rising star is charismatic Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who told delegates that the party "needs to get over its current nervous breakdown and man up a bit."
To add to May's woes, she and senior ministers feel they must use their conference speeches to defend capitalism against a resurgent British left.
The Labour Party under veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn surprised many in June's election by gaining votes - especially among the young - with an old-school tax-and-spend platform of nationalizing key industries, increasing public-sector pay and boosting welfare benefits.
In response, the Conservatives have announced policies aimed at younger voters, including a freeze on university fees and a 10 billion-pound ($13.3 billion) boost to a housing help-to-buy program.
Many doubt these modest measures will do much to woo young people back from Labour and reverse what some fear is a terminal Conservative decline.
"It's a bloody mess," said Ian Smith, a party member from Shrewsbury in central England. "If I look at my local party, it's a joke. It's full of ancient people and hasn't got a clue how to campaign on the ground. ... I'm 62 and I'm like a youngster there.
"I hope the last election has been a wake-up call."
Follow Jill Lawless on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/JillLawless
Britain's Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, delivers his speech at the Conservative party conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester, England, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Johnson used his Tory conference speech to praise Prime Minister, Theresa May, and insist the Cabinet is entirely united behind her approach to Brexit. The Foreign Secretary, whose own "red lines" on Brexit have overshadowed the Conservative Party conference and led to calls for her to sack him from her Cabinet, paid tribute to the Prime Minister. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)
Britain's Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, holds his head as he delivers his speech at the Conservative party conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester, England, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Johnson used his Tory conference speech to praise Prime Minister, Theresa May, and insist the Cabinet is entirely united behind her approach to Brexit. The Foreign Secretary, whose own "red lines" on Brexit have overshadowed the Conservative Party conference and led to calls for her to sack him from her Cabinet, paid tribute to the Prime Minister. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)
Britain's Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, delivers his speech at the Conservative party conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester, England, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017. Johnson used his Tory conference speech to praise Prime Minister, Theresa May, and insist the Cabinet is entirely united behind her approach to Brexit. The Foreign Secretary, whose own "red lines" on Brexit have overshadowed the Conservative Party conference and led to calls for her to sack him from her Cabinet, paid tribute to the Prime Minister. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)
AMIENS, France (AP) - French President Emmanuel Macron has used a visit to an ailing Whirlpool factory that had become a symbol of the battle for jobs as an opportunity to promote his economic policies.
The dryer factory in Amiens, northern France, was during the presidential campaign in April the site of what became known as the "battle of Whirlpool."
At the time, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen had upstaged Macron with a surprise visit to the factory, which was threatened with closure. That prompted Macron to meet with angry workers: he was booed at first, but stood his ground, patiently debating about how to stop French jobs from moving abroad.
French President Emmanuel Macron listen to Whirlpool employees during a visit at the company's factory in Amiens, France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Macron visits an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was the site of a pivotal moment in his presidential campaign, when he debated with angry workers about his strategy to stop job losses. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)
The site was then taken over in September by a local industry group that promised to maintain most of the jobs.
Macron on Tuesday welcomed the "good news" and met with employees in a relaxed atmosphere.
"We must make the French territory more attractive" to investors, he told reporters.
Macron turned Tuesday's visit into a tightly-controlled PR effort aimed at showing the impact of his economic policies. He took numerous selfies and joked with employees in front of the single press video camera allowed to cover the visit.
Macron insisted his government's budget for next year aims to cut taxes to increase French workers' purchasing power. "The middle class will benefit from it," he said.
The government plans to cut taxes by 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion) next year in hopes of boosting growth and jobs.
One key part of the plan is the scrapping of a tax on wealth that currently applies to people with more than 1.3 million euros in assets. Instead, the government wants to create a tax on real estate, in a move that it hopes will attract more wealthy French and foreign investors in the country.
France's left-wing parties and workers' unions accuse Macron, a former investment banker, of being "the president of the rich people."
"For years we taxed the successful people, and we regulated the job market with rigid rules. And what did we get? Job losses," Macron said.
A few CGT unionists symbolically gathered near the factory to protest against Macron's labor reforms, saying they weaken hard-won workers' rights.
The government last month passed changes to labor laws that make it easier for firms to hire and fire and reduce the power of national collective bargaining, prompting a series of nationwide street protests.
French President Emmanuel Macron, right, listens to a member of parliament Francois Ruffin of La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) political party as he visits the Whirlpool factory in Amiens, France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Macron visits an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was the site of a pivotal moment in his presidential campaign, when he debated with angry workers about his strategy to stop job losses. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron talks with Whirlpool employees during a visit at the company's factory in Amiens, France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Macron visits an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was the site of a pivotal moment in his presidential campaign, when he debated with angry workers about his strategy to stop job losses. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron, center right, talks with Whirlpool employees during a visit of the Whirlpool factory in Amiens, France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Macron visits an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was the site of a pivotal moment in his presidential campaign, when he debated with angry workers about his strategy to stop job losses. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)
French President Emmanuel Macron talks with Whirlpool employees during a visit at the company's factory in Amiens, France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Macron visits an ailing Whirlpool dryer factory in northern France that was the site of a pivotal moment in his presidential campaign, when he debated with angry workers about his strategy to stop job losses. (Philippe Wojazer/Pool Photo via AP)
Trade unionists protest outside the Whirlpool home appliance factory during a visit of France's President Emmanuel Macron, in Amiens, northern France, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
The district attorneys general of Tennessees Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Judicial Districts have jointly filed a lawsuit against prescription opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma L.P. and its related companies, along with Mallinckrodt LLC, Endo Health Solutions Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
Filed in Campbell County Circuit Court in Jacksboro, Tn. last Friday, the lawsuit also names two additional plaintiffs known collectively as Baby Doe by and through their Guardians Ad Litem. Additional defendants named in the filing include the (now-dissolved) Tennessee Pain Institute, two former TPI employees and a convicted drug dealer.
The Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, which includes the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Judicial Districts of Tennessee, is one of the hardest-hit areas in the opioid epidemic that is plaguing the nation, said Jared Effler, district attorney general for Tennessees Eighth Judicial District. The 15 counties within these five judicial districts border the Interstate 75 corridor, which has long been known as a major path of transportation for the illegal opioid market. Two of these counties Campbell County and Claiborne County have the third- and sixth-highest per capita opioid prescription rates for a U.S. county, respectively.
In addition to having a terrible effect on the lives of a disproportionate number of East Tennesseans, opioid addiction places an overwhelming strain on our regions finances, District Attorney General Effler said. This has led to increased costs for each of our counties policing, health care, rehabilitation, housing and criminal justice systems. We believe there is a direct correlation between East Tennessees opioid epidemic and the actions of these opioid manufacturers, and it is our intent to hold them accountable for the damage they have inflicted upon our region.
The lawsuit alleges that:
The manufacturer defendants directed their opioids to the 15 East Tennessee counties of the states Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Judicial Districts, while the criminal defendants participated in the illegal opioid drug market throughout the same judicial districts along the Interstate 75 corridor;
Purdue Pharma embarked on a fraudulent campaign to convince physicians that OxyContin created minimal risk of addiction;
As Purdues marketing efforts demonstrated success in the form of rapid increases in opioid prescriptions, Mallinckrodt, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and other opioid manufacturers joined Purdue in its fraudulent scheme;
Purdues efforts and those of the other defendants to mislead doctors and the public about the need for, and addictive nature of, opioid drugs led to an opioid epidemic, created an environment for thousands of individuals in Tennessee to become addicted to opioids, and fueled a dramatic increase in Campbell County, Tennessee, and other East Tennessee counties in the number of individuals exposed and addicted to OxyContin, Roxicodone, Opana ER and other opioids; and
The manufacturer defendants knew their products were being diverted to the illegal drug market, but did nothing to stop it choosing profit over people.
The U.S. Department of Justices drug market analyses of the Appalachia HIDTA for 2008 through 2011 detail a steady rise in law enforcement seizures of oxycodone (primarily OxyContin) in the Tennessee illegal drug market 1,069 dosage units of oxycodone seized in Tennessee in 2007 to 4,142 dosage units seized in 2010. In 2015, Tennessee doctors wrote more than 7.8 million opioid prescriptions or 1.18 for every state resident, placing Tennessee second in the nation for the number of opioid prescriptions per capita. In addition, unintentional overdose deaths, which now account for more premature deaths in Tennessee than automobile accidents, suicides or homicides, increased more than 400 percent from 1999 to 2015 (the last year for which overdose deaths have been calculated). Seventy-two percent of Tennessees overdose deaths in 2015 involved opioids.
The opioid epidemic that is currently ravaging Tennessee, Appalachia and the entire nation did not appear overnight, says J. Gerard Stranch, IV of Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC, the Nashville-based law firm that filed the lawsuit. Purdue Pharma and other opioid manufacturers have purposely misled the medical community and the general public about the need for opioids and their addictive nature, and spent years engaged in an aggressive and fraudulent scheme to push their products into a market of unsuspecting patients and physicians. The resulting opioid epidemic has caused incredible suffering for those who become or are born addicted to opioids, and it is costing millions of dollars to local governments forced to deal with the aftermath.
Tennesseans addiction to opioids has created a secondary epidemic of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome that has its epicenter in East Tennessee, said officials. NAS occurs when babies are exposed to opioids in utero and then show symptoms of withdrawal anywhere from a few minutes to a few days after birth. According to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the number of Tennessee babies born with NAS increased tenfold between 2000 and 2010. In 2016, 26 of every 1,000 East Tennessee babies were born with NAS.
So prevalent is NAS in the counties served by the five judicial districts that the number of babies born with the condition at East Tennessee Children's Hospital doubled from 2010 to 2011. The hospital, located in Knoxville the largest city along the Appalachia HIDTA, developed a new set of protocols in 2011 for treating NAS newborns that has been recognized across the country.
According to the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the average cost of care for babies born with NAS is roughly 10 times more than babies born without NAS. The average cost to stabilize an NAS newborn is nearly $63,000, while the average cost for a non-NAS newborn is approximately $7,200. For the entire state of Tennessee, the care for 660 babies born with NAS cost $41.5 million for most of 2013, compared to $4.79 million for the same number born without NAS.
The lawsuit demands judgment against the defendants for damages resulting from breaches of statutory and common law, seeks to award restitution to the plaintiffs, and requests an injunction to stop the flood of opioids to the region. The suit is the second complaint filed in Tennessee this year against Purdue Pharma and additional pharmaceutical companies. The first was filed in June in Sullivan County Circuit Court in Kingsport, Tn.
Background information, including contact information, related bios, complaint documents and media coverage of this issue, is available on www.tnbabydoe.com. This site serves as an information portal and is updated frequently.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Serbia said Tuesday that former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic, who is being tried for genocide at a U.N. tribunal, should be released provisionally from detention in The Hague, Netherlands, on health grounds.
Serbia's state TV said Tuesday that the government was responding to requests from the defense and family by issuing a guarantee that 74-year-old Mladic would not flee while undergoing hospital treatment in Serbia.
Judges at the Netherlands-based U.N. war crimes tribunal for the former Yugoslavia rejected in May a similar defense motion seeking Mladic's release for a medical treatment in Russia.
FILE - This is a Monday Dec. 5, 2016 file photo taken from video of former Bosnian Serb military chief General Ratko Mladic as he looks across the court room at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in the Hague Netherlands. Serbia says former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic, who is being tried for genocide at a U.N. tribunal, can be released provisionally on health grounds from detention in The Hague, Netherlands. The state TV said Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017 that the government was responding to requests from the defense and family, stating that 74-year-old Mladic would not flee while undergoing hospital treatment in Serbia. (ICTY Video via AP File)
Mladic had two strokes and a heart attack before he was imprisoned and his lawyers say that his condition has further deteriorated in jail.
Mladic was arrested in Serbia in 2011 after more than a decade on the run. He is charged with genocide for the massacre in Srebrenica of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys in 1995 and other atrocities of Bosnia's 1992-95 war.
MAALEH ADUMIM, West Bank (AP) - Israel's prime minister on Tuesday pledged to build thousands of new homes in one of the West Bank's biggest Jewish settlements and annex it to Israel.
The comments drew an angry condemnation from the Palestinians and created a new test for the Trump administration, which has been working for over eight months to restart peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.
Benjamin Netanyahu said during a visit to Maaleh Adumim that he was announcing a period of "enhanced development."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
"We will build thousands of housing units here," he said. "We will add the industrial zone needed and the expansion needed to allow for the advanced development of this place."
"This place will be part of the state of Israel," he added.
Netanyahu gave no specifics or timetable, suggesting that his comments may have been playing to his nationalistic base.
Facing a series of corruption investigations, Netanyahu has stepped up his hard-line rhetoric in recent weeks with attacks on the media and appeals to his core supporters. This has included two other speeches in West Bank settlements where he vowed never to uproot any of them.
The Palestinians seek the West Bank, captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, as part of a future independent state and consider all of Israel's settlements to be illegal - a position that is widely shared by the international community. Israel says the settlements' fate should be resolved through negotiations.
Maaleh Adumim is a settlement of roughly 40,000 people just east of Jerusalem. It is considered strategic because it lies in the center of the West Bank, and making it part of Israel could greatly hinder Palestinian statehood aspirations.
Nabil Shaath, a senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, called Netanyahu's comments "totally unacceptable."
"This is an attempt by Netanyahu to destroy the two-state solution and a clear refusal of any attempt to revive the peace process, especially by the United States," he said.
President Donald Trump has taken a softer line toward the settlements than his predecessors, and his key advisers, including son-in-law Jared Kushner and ambassador to Israel David Friedman, have longstanding ties to the settlement movement. Even so, Trump has still asked Israel to show restraint.
Early this year, Israel shelved a proposal to annex Maaleh Adumim under apparent pressure from the White House. Netanyahu's comments indicated that he may be preparing to revive the proposal.
Trump's Mideast envoy, Jason Greenblatt, has been in the region meeting with the sides as part of his effort to restart talks.
A White House official reiterated Trump's position that "unrestrained settlement activity does not advance the prospect for peace," but past demands for a settlement freeze also have not helped advance talks.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said Greenblatt's delegation "is focused on its substantive talks toward an enduring peace deal."
The official did not address Netanyahu's call for annexation of occupied territory.
__
Associated Press writer Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
MILAN (AP) - An Eritrean man accused of being a kingpin of a migrant smuggling ring has told a court in Palermo that his is a case of mistaken identity.
The suspect's lawyer, Michel Calantropo, said his client made the declaration as the trial for human smuggling reopened Tuesday in a new court and was combined with a parallel trial.
Calantropo has maintained that his client is not, in fact, Medhane Yehdego Mered, an alleged mastermind who profited from the smuggling of thousands of migrants from the Horn of Africa to Italy via Libya. The lawyer said his identity is Medhanie Tesfamariam Berhe.
Calantropo said he is working on getting a visa for Berhe's mother in Eritrea to travel to Italy for a DNA test to prove his identity.
LONDON (AP) - The European Court of Justice has been asked to consider whether Facebook's Dublin-based subsidiary can legally transfer users' personal data to its U.S. parent, after Ireland's top court said Tuesday that there are "well-founded concerns" the practice violates European law.
In a case brought after former U.S. defense contractor Edward Snowden revealed the extent of electronic surveillance by American security agencies, the Irish court found that Facebook's transfers may compromise the data of European citizens.
The case has far-reaching implications for social media companies and others who move large amounts of data via the internet. Facebook's European subsidiary regularly does so.
Max Schrems, front right, faces the media after leaving the High Court in Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday Oct. 3, 2017, as the legal case about social media transfer of personal data between international jurisdictions has been referred to Europe's highest court. Austrian lawyer and campaigner Max Schrems claims his privacy rights as an EU citizen have been breached through the transfer of his data by Facebook Ireland to US parent company Facebook Inc. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP)
Ireland's data commissioner had already issued a preliminary decision that such transfers may be illegal because agreements between Facebook and its Irish subsidiary don't adequately protect the privacy of European citizens. The Irish High Court is referring the case to the European Court of Justice because the data sharing agreements had been approved by the European Union's executive Commission.
Ireland's data commissioner "has raised well-founded concerns that there is an absence of an effective remedy in U.S. law . for an EU citizen whose data are transferred to the U.S. where they may be at risk of being accessed and processed by U.S. state agencies for national security purposes in a manner incompatible" with the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights, the Irish High Court said Tuesday.
Austrian privacy campaigner Maximillian Schrems, who has a Facebook account, had challenged this practice through the Irish courts because of concerns that his data was being illegally accessed by U.S security agencies.
"U.S. citizens would not be allowed to have such mass surveillance as for European citizens and we have to protect our citizens," Schrems said. "And actually, Europe protects anybody because we see it as a human right, not as a citizens' right."
Facebook said standard contract clauses provided critical safeguards and that such safeguards are used by thousands of companies to do business.
"They are essential to companies of all sizes, and upholding them is critical to ensuring the economy can continue to grow without disruption," the company said in statement.
It added that it was important that the European court "now considers the extensive evidence demonstrating the robust protections in place under standard contractual clauses and U.S. law before it makes any decision that may endanger the transfer of data across the Atlantic and around the globe."
In an earlier ruling in the case, the European Court of Justice found that the so-called Safe Harbor regime, which Facebook previously relied on when transferring data to the U.S., violated EU law because it didn't provide effective legal remedies. The Safe Harbor regime had been established in 2000 by the EU executive Commission, which found that U.S. data protection laws were adequate to protect the rights of EU citizens.
The Irish Data Commissioner decided to seek judicial review of standard contractual clauses in part because of "the very significant commercial implications arising from the value of data exchanges to EU-U.S. trading relationships."
The U.S. government and three other parties were allowed to file friend of the court briefs in the case. The others are the BSA Business Software Alliance, a trade association whose members include Apple, Microsoft and Intel; Digital Europe, which represents the region's digital technology industry; and the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a U.S. civil liberties group.
NEW YORK (AP) - A judge has acquitted a police reform activist in an unusual case where a New York City police lawyer acted as prosecutor.
Cristina Winsor was arrested during a protest in July 2016 on a disorderly conduct charge. According to the New York Daily News, (http://nydn.us/2yl3GWM ) the judge said Monday during her brief trial that police witnesses misrepresented facts later seen on video. She was cleared of the charges.
Police department lawyers stepped in to prosecute the case because the low-level court where the proceeding was held doesn't usually have prosecutors. NYPD officials have said they are tired of being sued by people in cases that start in the court.
Winsor is one of two activists challenging the unusual arrangement where the NYPD lawyers argue the cases with the blessing of the Manhattan district attorney's office.
___
Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - For teacher Elisa Aroca, Sunday was the moment Spain lost the battle for the hearts and minds of 7.5 million people living in the Catalonia region.
Aroca intended to defend her Spanish roots and cast a ballot against Catalonia breaking away from the rest of the country. But when a squad of police in riot gear marched up, roughly tossed her and other voters aside and shattered the glass entrance of the Estel School in central Barcelona to confiscate ballot boxes, she felt something break inside her.
"I felt so angry and hurt inside that I thought, 'A country that hits me wants me to stay? You don't listen to me and on top of it you hit me?' For me that is abuse," she said a day later.
On this Monday Oct.2, 2017 photo, school teacher Elisa Aroca stands in front of the Estel School in central Barcelona where National Police confiscated ballot boxes during the referendum voting. Aroca says, Spain lost the battle for the hearts and minds of Catalonia people when on Oct. 1, 2017, a squad of riot police roughly tossed her and other voters aside, shattering the glass entrance of the Estel School to confiscate ballot boxes, and she felt something break inside of her. (AP Photo/Mstyslav Chernov)
Similar indignation swept across the wealthy northeastern region, one of 17 in Spain, as police stormed through packs of voters and peaceful protesters at polling stations.
The outrage was compounded as mobile phone footage made the rounds on social media, showing officers in body armor pushing people, dragging them by the hair and hitting them with batons. Hundreds of civilians and police officers were injured. The Spanish government, acting on a judge's order to shut down the referendum, defended the response as professional and proportionate.
The ugly scenes run the risk of confirming a long-held belief among many Catalans that the region is chronically mistreated by Spain's central government despite serving as an economic driver for southern Europe - it generates a fifth of Spain's 1.1 trillion-euro economy - and having a high degree of self-governance.
Catalan officials said that 90 percent of the 2.3 million people who voted Sunday were in favor of independence. But fewer than half of those eligible to vote turned out. The vote was boycotted by most of Spain's national parties on grounds it was illegal and lacked basic guarantees, such as a census.
Polls and the most recent regional elections showed residents of Catalonia roughly split on the divisive issue of independence, but it remains to be seen how many people like Aroca are changing their minds after the events of recent weeks.
"I was crying from rage," she recalled. "Now, I was going to vote no matter what. My husband and I didn't even have to talk about it, we just looked each other in the eyes and we knew that we had to vote. And that we had to vote 'yes' (for independence)."
Born of parents from other parts of Spain, Aroca, a 40-year-old mother of two, still wants to embrace a dual identity of both Spanish and Catalan. But she says the political crisis caused by a lack of dialogue between Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Catalan regional chief Carles Puigdemont has forced her to choose.
"All bonds have been broken. Not by the referendum, but by the police," Aroca said. "I feel rage and pain. I think that is how most people feel, seeing what people are chatting about, talks I have had at work. (Sunday) night I was very sad, truly sad that it has reached this point of me wondering what kind of country my daughters will inherit."
Aroca also believes that Puigdemont and other leaders of the separatist movement are partly to blame for provoking the crackdown when they flouted court orders to stop the vote on grounds that it could violate Spain's constitution.
Puigdemont has vowed to act on the results regardless of the legality of the referendum. He is expected to present them this week to Catalonia's regional parliament, which could trigger the process of starting to break away from Spain. Such a move that would inevitably be met by a robust response from Madrid, and Spain's interior minister has said the 5,000 extra officers deployed to Catalonia will stay as long as necessary.
Ruben Satinya is afraid more clashes are coming. The 40-year-old father of one felt compelled to join the separatist camp when Spain first tried to stop the referendum.
When a judge ordered police to seal off polling stations before the vote, Satinya joined a groundswell of parents who occupied their local schools from Friday to Sunday, staying overnight in sleeping bags and organizing activities for children during the day.
The Congres-Indians School, which Satinya helped occupy, was not hit by police even though it is just a 15-minute walk from the Estel School.
But Satinya said voting amid the fear that police could descend at any moment made him feel more Catalan than ever, and convinced him that severing centuries-old ties with Spain was necessary.
The transformative experience reached its climax when the polls closed and the crowd gathered at the school joined in singing the Catalan anthem, "Els Segadors" ("The Reapers" in Catalan).
"There really is a different sentiment that sets us apart from the rest of Spain, and that was reinforced in me," he said. "Hearing Els Segadors sung by so many people, I got goose bumps. It was spectacular."
On this Monday Oct.2, 2017 photo, school teacher Elisa Aroca stands in front of the Estel School in central Barcelona where National Police confiscated ballot boxes during the referendum voting. Aroca says, Spain lost the battle for the hearts and minds of Catalonia people when on Oct. 1, 2017, a squad of riot police roughly tossed her and other voters aside, shattering the glass entrance of the Estel School to confiscate ballot boxes, and she felt something break inside of her. (AP Photo/Mstyslav Chernov)
FILE, In this Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 photo, people confronts Spanish riot police near a voting site at a school assigned to be a polling station by the Catalan government in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, 1 Oct. 2017.(AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)
In this Sunday, 1 Oct. 2017 photo, Spanish National Police block people trying to reach a voting site at a school assigned to be a polling station by the Catalan government in Barcelona, Spain. Catalan leaders accused Spanish police of brutality and repression while the Spanish government praised the security forces for behaving firmly and proportionately. Videos and photographs of the police actions were on the front page of news media outlets around the world. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
FILE, In this Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 photo Spanish National Police prevents people from entering a voting site at a school assigned to be a polling station by the Catalan government in Barcelona, Spain. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)
GLENWOOD, Iowa (AP) - A southwestern Iowa mother accused of giving her 8-year-old daughter fatal amounts of an antidepressant drug is set to stand trial in December.
Mills County court records say 34-year-old Misty Frazier, has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, child endangerment and giving prescription drugs to a minor without a prescription. The trial is set to begin Dec. 12 for the Glenwood resident.
Prosecutors say an autopsy shows the girl died in October of an overdose of the antidepressant amitriptyline, commonly sold under the brand name Elavil.
Glenwood is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of Omaha, Nebraska.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - A former spokesman for Geert Wilders has been convicted of buying cocaine, alcohol and clothes and funding personal travel with money embezzled from the Dutch anti-Islam lawmaker's party.
A court in the southern city of Maastricht said Tuesday that a former provincial lawmaker with Wilders' Party for Freedom used credit and debit cards to spend some 177,000 euros ($208,000) of the party's funds and attempting to fraudulently cover up his personal spending spree.
The court did not name the suspect in line with privacy rules, but identified him as Wilders' former spokesman.
According to the written judgment, he blamed his actions on the high pressure of his work. He was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment.
Dutch media have widely reported him to be Wilders' ex-spokesman, Michael Heemels.
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is disputing rumors about his health after an early end to the band's tour, saying he "certainly did not have a heart attack or seizure."
The 69-year-old Tyler says in a statement posted on the band's website that he's sorry for cutting the tour short, but he had to have a medical procedure that only his doctor in the United States could perform.
Aerosmith announced last week that it was canceling the tour's final four shows in Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Mexico. Tyler said in that announcement that his condition wasn't life threatening, but it was something he needed to deal with immediately.
FILE - In this May 26, 2017, file photo, singer Steven Tyler performs during an Aerosmith concert at the Koenigsplatz in Munich, Germany. In a statement posted to the band's website on Oct. 2, 2017, Tyler disputed rumors about his health surrounding an early end to the band's tour, saying he "certainly did not have a heart attack or seizure." (AP Photo/Lukas Barth, File)
___
Online:
http://www.aerosmith.com/
MOSCOW (AP) - Spain's National Court has decided to extradite a suspected Russian hacker to the United States.
Pyotr Levashov, a 37-year-old known as one of the world's most notorious hackers, was arrested earlier this year while vacationing with his family in Barcelona. U.S. authorities had requested his arrest, for they want him on fraud charges and unauthorized interception of electronic communications.
The Spanish court said Tuesday the U.S. extradition request has been approved. Russia in September filed a counter-extradition request for Levashov hours before the original extradition hearing.
Authorities in the U.S. have linked Levashov to a series of powerful botnets, or networks of hijacked computers capable of pumping out billions of spam emails.
Levashov's lawyers have alleged his arrest was politically motivated and argued that he should be tried in Spain.
As one of the first entrepreneurs to launch a small business in Chattanoogas revitalized M.L. King district, Andie Sellers Bettieville on MLK became Chattanoogas first business to participate in Solar Share as a way to support Chattanoogas environmental stewardship.
After seeing promotions for EPBs Solar Share and learning more about the value of community solar on their website, I found out how affordable participating in renewable energy can be, Ms. Sellers said. Now I get to be a part of something really cool and support Chattanoogas environmental efforts.
Ms. Sellers became a Solar Share Leader after licensing eight panels at EPBs community solar power generation facility on Holtzclaw Avenue. These panels are expected to offset 62 percent of her average power use. Launched in July 2017, Solar Share gives Chattanoogans a new choice for clean, renewable energy that lowers the barriers to solar power generation.
Im proud of Andies commitment to support Chattanoogas growing downtown economy and environmental stewardship, said EPB Commercial Energy Analyst Neal Potter. Bettieville on MLK represents how any business large or small can support our community by choosing their level of participation in renewable energy, whether its a couple of panels or to offset their entire energy needs.
Following a corporate career, Ms. Sellers pursued her dream of collecting and selling clothing and other items that reflect the vintage and rockabilly lifestyles by launching Bettieville on MLK adjacent to the growing UTC campus. While living in Oregon, Ms. Sellers became aware of the growing interest in solar power generation.
I questioned why more people in Chattanooga didnt adopt solar power, Ms. Sellers said. But after learning about the barriers, and how EPB is lowering them, I knew I wanted to be an early commercial supporter of Solar Share.
To learn more about Solar Share, click here.
NEW YORK (AP) - Joyce DiDonato was unsure at first how to approach her character of Adalgisa in Bellini's "Norma," but she knew she didn't want to play her as "sort of a stock character who's the good girl and crying all the time."
"I don't do insipid very well," the celebrated American mezzo said with a smile.
In the bel canto masterpiece set during the Roman occupation of England, Adalgisa is a novice Druid priestess who is devoted to her leader, Norma. But she has also fallen in love with the proconsul Pollione and is about to run off with him to Rome when she learns that he has secretly fathered two children by Norma. Horrified, she rejects her lover and reaffirms her loyalty to the high priestess.
This Sept. 12, 2017 photo released by the Metropolitan Opera shows Joyce DiDonato as Adalgisa, left, and Sondra Radvanovsky in a scene from Bellini's "Norma" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. "Norma," the first HD broadcast of the Met season, will be shown starting at 12:55 p.m. EDT on Saturday. ( Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera via AP)
Starting rehearsals for her first staged production of the work, which opened the Metropolitan Opera season last week, DiDonato said she found Adalgisa "a bit of an enigma." But the key to her character emerged after a few days.
"It was the idea of her utter and complete puppy-dog devotion, to her god, to Norma, to Pollione and then again to Norma," DiDonato said in an interview in her dressing room. "It's not exactly naivete but a real purity and innocence. Understanding that allowed me to give her a backbone."
She said director David McVicar had her watch Federico Fellini's 1954 film, "La Strada," and draw inspiration from the waiflike heroine played by Giulietta Masina - who, like DiDonato, wears short blond hair.
"Norma," also starring soprano Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role and tenor Joseph Calleja as Pollione with Carlo Rizzi conducting, will be broadcast live in HD to movie theaters worldwide on Saturday.
GETTING IN THE ZONE
Though DiDonato is new to the role, critics were struck by how completely she embodied the character in her physical portrayal.
"I think that element of my performing is more instinctive than my singing," DiDonato said. "I can get into the zone without thinking about it so much. Teenager or queen. Boy or girl. Dying or full of life. You know how the feet stand, how the hands express."
"What I can't bear," she said, "is to be onstage and not to feel that everything I'm doing is lining up in the same way. So in Bellini, if I'm Romeo, I need to feel like I could punch someone out in two seconds. But if it's Adalgisa, there's a delicacy, a fragility ... every element, the text, the color, the mind, the body are all telling the same story, so that everything else disappears and you see that if you go 'whoosh' she might fall over."
THE ONCE AND FUTURE ADALGISA
Though it's not indicated in the libretto, McVicar brings Adalgisa onstage to assist Norma in the Druid rites while the high priestess prays for peace in her famous "Casta diva" aria. He also has Adalgisa return for the finale to raise her hands in prayer as Norma and Pollione go to their deaths.
In DiDonato's mind there's no doubt her character has chosen a life of penance and chastity. "She's trying to make amends. So I do think she would now smell a man coming," DiDonato said. "Of course life happens, but at least when the curtain comes down I don't think there's any ambiguity in her mind. She'll probably start singing 'Casta diva' under the moonlight by herself."
LEGENDS OF THE PAST
If Adalgisa is hard to get a handle on, the role of Norma is one of the toughest challenges for a soprano in all of opera. It requires power, dexterity, an ability to sing long, smooth phrases and the dramatic presence to make the heroine's tragic fall convincing. Legendary Met Normas include Rosa Ponselle, Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, Montserrat Caballe and the very first, the renowned Wagnerian soprano Lilli Lehmann, who sang it in 1890.
Lehmann famously insisted it was "easier to sing all three Bruennhildes than one Norma," because in Wagner "you are so carried away by the dramatic emotion, the action and the scene that you do not have to think how to sing the words," but in Bellini, "you must always have a care for beauty of tone and correct emission."
WHERE TO SEE IT
"Norma," the first HD broadcast of the Met season, will be shown starting at 12:55 p.m. EDT on Saturday. A list of theaters can be found at the Met's website: www.metopera.org/hd . In the U.S. it will be repeated on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. local time.
BANGKOK (AP) - Thai police said Tuesday they are seeking an international request for the arrest of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is believed to be in England after fleeing to Dubai to evade a prison sentence.
Deputy Police Commissioner Gen. Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul said the United Arab Emirates confirmed that Yingluck went from Dubai to England. He also said he asked the international police organization Interpol on Sunday to issue a red notice - a request to locate and provisionally arrest someone pending extradition - for Yingluck.
Yingluck, whose government was ousted in a 2014 coup, was sentenced in absentia to five years' imprisonment on Sept. 27 for negligence in instituting a money-losing rice subsidy program. She fled Thailand before the verdict and has called the case against her politically motivated.
Srivara said he cited a Thai arrest warrant for Yingluck as part of the request for a red notice.
"If Interpol can issue the red notice then authorities can proceed (with the arrest)," Srivara said, but added that he could not speak for British authorities about whether they would arrest her.
Srivara refused to comment on whether Interpol would comply with the request and issue a red notice, as there could be objections that the case against Yingluck is political in nature and she could potentially qualify for political asylum.
Deputy Police spokesman Col. Krissana Pattanacharoen said Monday that police have already sent a request to Thailand's foreign ministry to revoke Yingluck's passport.
Yingluck's conviction is the latest chapter in a decade-long struggle between the country's traditional ruling class - led by royalists and the military - and the powerful political machine founded by Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a 2006 coup. Thaksin has lived in Dubai since fleeing a corruption conviction he says was politically motivated.
Thai police are also investigating their own officers who are suspected of having helped Yingluck flee. At least three police officers have been questioned so far in connection with the allegations.
Since the 2014 coup, Thailand's military government has cracked down on dissent, including exercising more control over the police, long seen as a rival for influence as well as sympathetic to the Shinawatra political machine.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Former Argentine Vice President Amado Boudou went on trial Tuesday on charges of bribery and conducting business incompatible with public office.
Boudou is accused of using shell companies and middlemen to gain control of a company that was granted contracts to print the Argentine peso. He denies any wrongdoing. The 54-year-old also served as economy minister during the 2007-2015 administration of former President Cristina Fernandez.
The trial comes just weeks before the Oct. 22 midterm legislative elections, where Fernandez is competing for a Senate seat.
FILE- In this July 31, 2014, file photo, Argentina's Vice President Amado Boudou gestures to supporters before the speech of Argentine President Cristina Fernandez at Casa Rosada Presidential Palace in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Boudou is facing trial on charges of bribery and conducting business incompatible with public office. The trial began Tuesday, Oct. 3 2017. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano, File)
Since leaving office, the populist leader has been hit by a string of corruption scandals and was indicted last year. She has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
Other former members of her cabinet have also been indicted in recent months on corruption charges.
A judicial investigation determined that Boudou acted to smooth a printing company's exit from bankruptcy and engineer its purchase by a shell company so he and other secret partners could benefit from tax exemptions and government contracts.
The shell company, The Old Fund, was led by businessman Alejandro Vandenbroele, who is accused of secretly representing Boudou in business deals.
If convicted in the trial, Boudou could be sentenced to as long as six years in prison and be banned for life from elective office.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) - More than 100 physicians, nurses and other health care professionals from New York state are heading to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.
Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo detailed the assistance Tuesday. In addition, UPS is delivering 100,000 bottles of water donated by New Yorkers. UNICEF is contributing emergency supply kits for 60,000 people that include water purification tablets, toothpaste, soap and other basic supplies.
The state has already sent members of the National Guard and state police along with Port Authority personnel and engineers to help repair the island's electrical grid. Cuomo visited Puerto Rico shortly after Hurricane Maria and says the state will do whatever it can to help.
On Tuesday Cuomo continued to criticize the federal response to the storm, saying emergency management officials should have better prepared in the days before the hurricane.
___
Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com
NEW YORK (AP) - The Latest on Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan's testimony before Congress (all times local):
11:30 a.m.
Some U.S. Senators questioning Wells Fargo's CEO say an auto insurance scandal is an example of how the bank's culture hasn't changed.
Wells Fargo acknowledged earlier this year that it signed up tens of thousands of auto loan customers up for insurance they did not need, and some of those customers who could not afford the auto insurance had their cars repossessed.
That came after a scandal over millions of accounts created without customer knowledge as bank employees tried to meet aggressive sales targets.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, said "it was amazing" for Wells Fargo to claim it puts customers first when people's cars were repossessed.
And Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat from North Dakota, expressed anger about the auto insurance scandal as well as the sales practices scandal. She said bank executives promise to look into situations and promise they care about customers. But she said, "I do not hear a level of cultural change that satisfies me today."
11 a.m.
A year later, it appears Congress remains united on at least one thing: its anger at Wells Fargo over a sales practices scandal.
Senators on both sides of the aisle expressed their continuing disappointment Tuesday as CEO Tim Sloan appeared before them, wondering whether one of the nation's largest consumer banks has truly changed its culture a year after the sales practices were exposed.
Wells Fargo has said that 3.5 million accounts were potentially opened without customers' permission between 2009 and 2016, as employees tried to meet ambitious sales targets. Sloan's predecessor, John Stumpf, testified twice in front of Congress last fall and the scandal cost him his job.
Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, said, "We are irritated at Wells Fargo. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a vocal critic of Wells Fargo, called for Sloan's firing. She said, "At best you were incompetent, at worst you were complicit," in the sales practices.
1 a.m.
Wells Fargo's chief executive will face Congress saying the bank remains "deeply sorry" for its previous sales practices, and that in the year since the scandal over them exploded it has substantially changed for the better.
The prepared comments from Tim Sloan come ahead of his scheduled appearance in front of the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday, about a year since his predecessor did the same and was grilled about the sales practices.
Wells Fargo has said that 3.5 million accounts were potentially opened without customers' permission between 2009 and 2016, as employees tried to meet ambitious sales targets. The scandal was the biggest in Wells Fargo's history. Sloan's predecessor, John Stumpf, testified twice in front of Congress last fall.
PARIS (AP) - The Latest on Sunday's knife attack at Marseille's main rail station (all times local):
6:05 p.m.
An official says a fourth person has been detained by French officers investigating the knife attack in which a Tunisian national fatally stabbed two young women in the southern port of Marseille.
Residents of Eguilles, near Marseille, southern France, are gathered in silence in front of the city hall to pay tribute to Mauranne, 20, southern France, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Mauranne and her cousin, Laura, 21, were fatally stabbed outside Marseille Saint Charles train station the day before. The assailant was killed by soldiers immediately after the attacks, the latest of several targeting France. (AP Photo)
The same judicial official had earlier said that three people were put in custody in suspicion of a criminal terrorist association and that several locations were searched in the probe.
___
5:55 p.m.
An official says three people have been detained by French officers investigating the knife attack in which a Tunisian national fatally stabbed two young women in the southern port of Marseille.
A judicial official said Tuesday that the three were put in custody in suspicion of a criminal terrorist association and that several locations were searched in the probe.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity under internal rules, wouldn't give more details.
The attacker, who had lived in Italy, was killed by soldiers after Sunday's stabbings, which were claimed by the Islamic State group. He has been identified in the Italian media as Ahmed Hanachi.
-By Philippe Sotto
___
1:20 p.m.
France's interior minister says the man who fatally stabbed two young women in Marseille appears to be a Tunisian who had lived in Italy.
Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said on France-Inter radio Tuesday that the assailant had Italian residency and a valid Tunisian passport. The attacker was killed by soldiers after Sunday's stabbings, which were claimed by the Islamic State group.
Collomb urged more information-sharing among governments about such cases.
The Paris prosecutor said one of the seven IDs the attacker used in previous encounters with French police was a Tunisian passport identifying him as Ahmed H.
Italian newspapers reported Tuesday that Italian anti-terrorism police are investigating whether the Marseille attacker had links to Tunisians involved in other European attacks who had stayed in the same area of Italy.
The Eiffel tower is seen with its lights turned off in Paris, France, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo said the Eiffel tower will turn off its lights Monday at midnight Paris hour to pay tribute to Las Vegas and Marseille victims. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)
A portrait of Mauranne, 20, who was fatally stabbed along with her cousin, Laura, 21, at the Marseille Saint Charles train station, is displayed while residents of Eguilles, near Marseille, southern France, sign the book of condolence in front of the city hall, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017. The assailant was killed by soldiers immediately after the attacks, the latest of several targeting France. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
NEW YORK (AP) - A different Wells Fargo chief executive met a similar kind of anger from Congress on Tuesday, with politicians from both major parties saying they feel the bank has done little to change its culture since a scandal over its sales practices.
Tim Sloan appeared in front of the Senate Banking Committee in Washington, D.C., about a year since his predecessor did the same to try to explain how employees trying to meet ambitious sales goals created millions of accounts without customers knowing about or authorizing them.
Sloan apologized again and said the bank was committed to its customers. Some lawmakers weren't in a forgiving mood. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat from North Dakota, expressed anger about the sales practices as well as a later auto insurance scandal involving customers signed up for coverage they didn't want.
Wells Fargo Chief Executive Officer and President Timothy Sloan testifies before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, during a hearing on Wells Fargo after one year. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
"We need to see a cultural change," Heitkamp said. "I simply don't hear it. We hear you say, 'We don't know! We will look into it! We care about the consumer!' but I do not hear a level of cultural change that satisfies me today."
Republicans were at times equally as upset.
"At least, we are irritated at Wells Fargo," said Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina.
While Sloan said he remains "deeply sorry" for its previous sales practices, he was at times combative and defensive.
In particular, he strongly defended Wells Fargo's practice of sending its customers into what's known as forced arbitration, which is when customers have to use a third party to resolve their disputes instead of filing a class-action lawsuit with others.
Asked by Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat, if Wells Fargo would consider ending that practice, Sloan responded with a curt "no."
The sales practices scandal was the biggest in Wells Fargo's history. When then-CEO John Stumpf faced Congress last fall, he was chastised for his answers and for what lawmakers saw as an attempt to shift blame. The bank's once-sterling industry reputation was in tatters, and Stumpf was eventually ousted.
Wells Fargo ended up paying $185 million to regulators and settled a class-action suit for $142 million. It's been trying to make amends with customers, politicians and the public.
Since last fall, Wells has changed its sales practices, ousted other executives and called tens of millions of customers to check on whether they truly opened the accounts.
"I apologize for the damage done to all the people who work and bank at this important American institution," Sloan said.
The scandal has only grown since Stumpf's appearance. The bank says up to 3.5 million fake accounts were opened between 2009 and 2016, up from the 2 million it acknowledged in September 2016. A report by the board of directors found the bad behavior could be traced back to as early as 2002, and that executives were aware of some sales practices problems as early as 2006.
After the sales practices came a new scandal: Wells Fargo admitted it signed up hundreds of thousands of auto loan customers for auto insurance they did not need. Some of those customers had their cars repossessed because they could not afford both the auto loan and insurance payments.
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, a vocal critic of Wells Fargo, called for Sloan's firing.
One critique of Sloan, a 29-year veteran of the bank, has been that he was the chief financial officer while the fake accounts were being created. Wells Fargo and Sloan himself have defended his role, saying he was not supervising the consumer banking division at the time and therefore was not responsible for what occurred there.
"At best you are incompetent, at worst you were complicit," Warren said. "And either way, you should be fired."
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.,, center, and Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., right, listen as Wells Fargo Chief Executive Officer and President Timothy Sloan testifies before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Wells Fargo Chief Executive Officer and President Timothy Sloan looks down as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., questions him as he testifies before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., questions Wells Fargo Chief Executive Officer and President Timothy Sloan as he testifies before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump and Puerto Rico (all times local):
12:10 a.m.
President Donald Trump says "We're going to have to wipe out" Puerto Rico's debt in the wake of destruction caused by Hurricane Maria.
President Donald Trump talks with Governor Ricardo Rossello, center, carrying his daughter in his arms after his arrival at the Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. Trump is visiting Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria.(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
He tells Fox News in an interview that: "We're going to work something out."
He goes on to say: "We have to look at their whole debt structure. You know, they owe a lot of money to your friends on Wall Street. And we're going to have to wipe that out."
The White House did not immediately respond to questions about how the president wanted to do that.
Trump spoke to Fox in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which he toured Tuesday.
Before the storm, the island's government was in the midst of bitter negotiations with creditors to restructure a portion of its $73 billion in debt. The island's previous governor had declared that debt unpayable.
___
8:45 p.m.
President Donald Trump is congratulating Puerto Rico for escaping the higher death toll of "a real catastrophe like Katrina" and heaping praise on the relief efforts of his administration without mentioning the sharp criticism the federal response has drawn.
Trump calls the recovery "really nothing short of a miracle," an assessment at odds with the despair of many still struggling to find water and food outside the capital city. The governor of Puerto Rico said late Tuesday that the official death toll has been increased to 34 from 16.
Trump pledged an all-out effort to help the island while adding, somewhat lightly, that the disaster has "thrown our budget a little out of whack."
__
6:20 p.m.
President Donald Trump says his tour of storm damage in Puerto Rico was a "terrific visit" and the residents of the U.S. island "are so thankful for what we've done."
He told reporters aboard Air Force One that "we only heard thank-yous" during the visit, and said it was "an honor" to spend time in Puerto Rico amid its recovery from Hurricane Maria.
Asked to expand on earlier comments, Trump said the U.S. needs "distributors" delivering food, water and supplies. Trump says the best people to hand out provisions are local people, but notes that many of them have lost their homes.
He says, "On a local level, we need help, but they really have responded very well."
___
4:20 p.m.
The mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, says she's hopeful that President Donald Trump and his White House have a better handle on the island's needs after visiting Tuesday.
Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz is tweeting that the meetings between local officials and White House staff were "productive." And she says she hopes new channels of communication with the White House "put in motion what is needed" to save lives.
But Cruz still was critical of Trump himself in an interview with CNN. She says he sometimes "spouts" comments "that really hurt the people of Puerto Rico." And the mayor says Trump is sometimes more "miscommunicator in chief" than commander in chief.
___
4:15 p.m.
Two Democratic congressmen who just returned from the island say conditions on many parts of the island remain dire.
Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois says President Donald Trump didn't visit mountainous interior regions where many sick and elderly people are trapped.
Guitierrez says Trump's visit is yielding video footage of people smiling and it's giving "the wrong impression of what's going on in the island."
Rep. Adriano Espaillat of New York says conditions on many parts of the island are so serious that a $20 billion relief package is needed just for starters.
__
1:50 p.m.
President Donald Trump says Puerto Rico suffered a relatively low death toll from Hurricane Maria compared with "a real catastrophe like Katrina," which killed more than a thousand people in 2005.
Trump spoke as he toured the island Tuesday. He pledged an all-out effort to help Puerto Rico.
The president said that while "every death is a horror," he drew a distinction between "a real catastrophe like Katrina" and "what happened here" in Puerto Rico, where at least 16 people died.
__
3: 15 p.m.
President Donald Trump is tossing rolls of paper towels out to a crowd of Puerto Ricans as he hands out supplies to the storm-damaged island's residents.
On his first visit to survey damage from Hurricane Maria, the president lobbed at least five rolls into a crowd gathered at Calvary Chapel. Many caught them with a smile and took cell phone photos.
Trump praised the roughly 200 people gathered there, saying there was a lot of "love" in the room.
The president also handed out flashlights and said of the recovery that "the job that's been done here is really nothing short of a miracle."
__
1:50 p.m.
President Donald Trump says Puerto Rico's electrical power, virtually knocked out by Hurricane Maria, is headed toward flickering on again.
"It's being fixed" he told reporters Tuesday during his first visit to the island. He added that the power grid was "devastated before the hurricanes even hit."
He said lots of generators have been brought to the island and most hospitals are at least partially open.
Trump said "The job that's been done here is really nothing short of a miracle."
He has come under fire for what critics said was a slow response to the devastation. Maria wiped out power to Puerto Rico's 3.4 million people and left them short of food, water and supplies.
__
1:50 p.m.
President Donald Trump has handed out supplies at a church in Puerto Rico.
About 200 local residents are at Calvary Chapel, cheering Trump as he walks in. Tables nearby were lined with supplies that included paper towels, bags of rice. Candybars, water bottles.
The president shook hands and handed people flashlights. A few times, he tossed paper towel rolls into the crowd.
Surrounded by a sea of cellphone cameras, Trump said, "There's a lot of love in this room." He called those in attendance, "Great people."
__
1:10 p.m.
President Donald Trump is touring the storm damage of San Juan and hearing the stories of residents still recovering from Hurricane Maria.
The president is visiting neighborhoods and has told one resident that the governor and the mayor are "doing a good job."
Recently, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz criticized the pace of the federal government's response and drew Trump's scorn.
The president's visit included meetings with her and other local officials. As he left the airport, the president's motorcade snaked through streets lined with downed tree limbs, mangled signs and drooping power lines. A beach was covered in debris.
Scattered groups of people gathered to watch the motorcade pass. One held a sign reading, "Climate change is real." Another's said: "You are a bad hombre."
__
12:20 p.m.
President Donald Trump is pledging to help Puerto Rico continue to recover from Hurricane Maria's devastation. He is defending his administration's handling of the disaster that knocked out power to the U.S. island's 3.4 million people.
In an airport hangar in Puerto Rico, Trump also sought praise from local officials. He repeated that they have to help with the recovery and scolded them for the costs of disaster recovery. Trump said, "I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico but you've thrown our budget a little out of whack because we've spent a lot of money on Puerto Rico."
Trump's visit comes after what critics have said was a slow response.
__
11:50 a.m.
President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, have arrived in storm-damaged Puerto Rico.
The first couple is visiting Tuesday to review the U.S. island's recovery from Hurricane Maria, which blew ashore Sept. 20. They are meeting with local and federal officials working to restore power and deliver food and supplies to Puerto Rico's 3.4 million people.
Trump's visit comes after what critics have said was a too-slow response to the crisis on the island. The president said Tuesday that local "have to give us more help" in responding to the devastation. Trump on Tuesday praised the federal response, saying, "it's now acknowledged what a great job we've done."
__
8:50 a.m.
President Donald Trump says the federal government has done a good job in Puerto Rico responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, but says local officials need to "give us more help."
Trump says Tuesday that "in Texas and in Florida we get an A-plus, and I'll tell you what, I think we've done just as good in Puerto Rico."
Trump says roads are cleared and communications are "starting to come back." He says on a "local level they have to give us more help."
The president lashed out at the mayor of San Juan after she criticized the federal response. He now says that San Juan mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz "has come back a long way."
The White House says Cruz had been invited to participate in Tuesday's events, but it was unclear whether she and the president would meet.
___
4 a.m.
President Donald Trump is meeting Tuesday with some of the 3.4 million Puerto Ricans struggling to recover from Hurricane Maria, as criticism of the federal government's sluggish response continues.
The president is expected to spend more than five hours on the ground, meeting with first responders, local officials and some of the residents struggling to recover from a hurricane that, in the president's words, left the island U.S. territory "flattened."
Trump and first lady Melania Trump are scheduled to attend briefings, visit a church, and meet with Gov. Ricardo Rossello, as well as the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. They'll also meet with Navy and Marine Corps personnel on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, listens to questions from reporters as he walks to board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md. and then on to Puerto Rico. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
NEW YORK (AP) - How far do American women need to travel in order to obtain an abortion?
A new study, billed as the first of its kind, makes those calculations state-by-state and county-by-county, revealing some striking disparities . In New York, the average distance is about three miles (five kilometers). At the other end of the scale, the average distance in Wyoming is about 168 miles (271 kilometers).
The analysis was conducted by researchers with the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights, using 2014 data on abortion clinic locations and U.S. Census population figures. The findings were published online Tuesday by the journal Lancet Public Health .
FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2013 file photo, an abortion protester stands outside the Red River Valley Women's Clinic in Fargo, N.D., the state's lone abortion facility. According to a study released on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, in Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota, at least half of women of reproductive age lived more than 90 miles (145 kilometers) from the nearest clinic providing abortion services in 2014. (AP Photo/Dave Kolpack, File)
Nationally, according to the study, half of all women of reproductive age lived within 11 miles (18 kilometers) of an abortion clinic in 2014. However, many women in rural areas lived much farther away; the study said 1 in 5 women nationwide would need to travel at least 43 miles (69 kilometers) to reach the nearest abortion clinic.
In the states with the longest average distance to travel - Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota - at least half of women of reproductive age lived more than 90 miles (145 kilometers) from the nearest clinic providing abortion services. Women in Alaska lived an average of nine miles (about 15 kilometers) from the nearest clinic, but 20 percent of women in that state would have to travel more than 150 miles (240 kilometers).
The researchers said the average distance increased between 2011 and 2014 for many women in Texas and Missouri, which imposed restrictions during that period that led to closure of some clinics. At one point recently, there was only one abortion clinic operating in Missouri; there are now two, and abortion-rights advocates are pursuing legal action to expand that number.
In a commentary in the journal, Ushma Upadhyay, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of California, San Francisco, detailed possible repercussions for women facing the long distances.
"Increased travel distance means increased costs for transport, overnight stay, lost wages from time off work, and childcare," she wrote. "For a woman who is economically disadvantaged, having to travel a long distance could put an abortion out of reach, leading her to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term."
Upadhyay suggested that access could be improved if nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives were allowed to perform abortions without a physician's supervision. Another step, she wrote, would be for the Food and Drug Administration to lift restrictions on the abortion-inducing drug mifepristone so that women could get it at pharmacies with a prescription. It's now dispensed only at clinics, hospitals and doctors' offices.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on Tuesday challenging those FDA restrictions.
___
Follow David Crary on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CraryAP
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greek officials have eased a standoff on a key bailout-related land development project by diluting demands for much of the plot at the former Athens international airport to be listed as an archaeological site.
A council of senior Culture Ministry archaeologists decided late Tuesday that only about 4.5 percent of the 620-hectare (1,500-acre) coastal area at Hellenikon should be listed.
Ancient cemeteries and a prehistoric settlement have been found in the area.
The prime urban plot was sold under the country's creditor-mandated privatization program to a consortium led by Greece's Lamda Development, which is planning an 8-billion-euro ($9.4-billion) development. The project will include a large park, housing, shopping areas and hotels.
Declaring the area an archaeological site would not fully preclude development, but could increase development costs. Tuesday's ruling requires government ratification.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Two of President Donald Trump's Cabinet members say they do not plan to reimburse the government for charter flights costing tens of thousands of dollars.
Representatives of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and Environmental Protection Agency chief Scott Pruitt say the trips were pre-approved by ethics officials in their respective agencies and were part of their official duties.
Inspectors general for the two agencies have opened inquiries into the taxpayer-funded travel.
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke speaks on the Trump Administration's energy policy at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Zinke said he's taken three charter flights while in office, including a $12,375 late-night trip from Las Vegas to his home state of Montana in June. Zinke said no commercial flight was available when he planned to fly for a speech to Western governors.
Zinke also traveled by private plane in Alaska in May and to the U.S. Virgin Islands in March. The two trips cost a total of $7,000, the Interior Department said.
The EPA said four non-commercial flights taken by Pruitt were approved by ethics lawyers. Documents show Pruitt and his staff chartered a private plane for an Aug. 4 trip from Denver to Durango, Colorado, to visit the Gold King Mine, site of a spill last year. The administrator also took three flights on government-owned planes to New York and North Dakota and a roundtrip between airports in Pruitt's native Oklahoma.
Letters released by the EPA show the flights cost a total of $58,000 and were approved by the agency's general counsel's office.
"If a reimbursement was necessary for official government travel, the EPA's Ethics Office would have told us during the approval process and we would've acted accordingly," EPA spokeswoman Liz Bowman said Friday, the same day former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price resigned over criticisim of his private travel.
Asked about reimbursements Tuesday, Bowman declined to comment and referred questions to the White House.
Heather Swift, a spokeswoman for Zinke, said Tuesday that all of Zinke's flights - including a military flight with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to view wildfires in Montana in August - were approved by career officials at the department.
"As with previous (Interior) secretaries, Secretary Zinke's travel is paid for by the government," Swift said.
Meanwhile, the independent Office of Special Counsel said it is investigating a complaint that Zinke's speech to a Las Vegas hockey team may have violated the Hatch Act, which prohibits executive branch officials from engaging in political activities. The team's owner contributed to Zinke's congressional campaigns and to Trump's inauguration.
A watchdog group, the Campaign for Accountability, filed the complaint last week.
"Rather than putting America first, Zinke is putting a top donor first," said Daniel Stevens, the group's executive director.
The Office of Special Counsel investigates whistleblower complaints involving federal employees.
___
Associated Press writer Michael Biesecker contributed to this story.
Anti-abortion congressman Tim Murphy reportedly asked his mistress who was half his age to get an abortion when he thought she might be pregnant.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Tuesday it obtained text messages between Republican U.S. Rep Murphy, 64, of Pennsylvania and Shannon Edwards, 32, a forensic psychologist.
It berated him for a pro-life post shared to his Facebook account.
The text message from January 25 from Edwards said the congressman had 'zero issue posting your pro-life stance all over the place when you had no issue asking me to abort our unborn child just last week when we thought that was one of the options,' according to the paper.
U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (pictured here in April 2014) has been accused by Shannon Edwards of asking her to abort their unborn child, despite being an advocate of the pro-life movement
Murphy admitted to having an affair with 'friend' Shannon Edwards (pictured left), while he was married to wife Nanette Missig (pictured right) Edwards has now said that pro-life advocate Murphy asked her to get an abortion
Murphy publicly posted on Facebook about how he supports the bill to protect human life
A text message from Murphy's number in response said the staff was responsible for his anti-abortion messages: 'I've never written them. Staff does them. I read them and winced. I told staff don't write any more.'
Edwards, it turned out, wasn't pregnant. Murphy's spokeswoman had no comment on the report.
Murphy is married to wife Nanette and has an adult daughter, Bevin.
The revelation came as the House on Tuesday approved Republican legislation that would make it a crime to perform an abortion after 20 weeks of fetal development.
Murphy, a member of the House Pro-Life Caucus, is among its co-sponsors. He avoided the media in Washington after voting for the legislation, and efforts by reporters to talk to him were unsuccessful.
NARAL Pro-Choice America quickly criticized 'the height of hypocrisy' displayed by Murphy's support for the legislation.
'You shouldn't have to be a member of Congress just to access your right to abortion,' said Sasha Bruce, a vice president for the pro-abortion rights group.
In the past the US congressman has been applauded by the Family Research Council for his views on abortion.
The H.R. 7 bill was passed by congress in January, which states the use of federal funds to pay for abortions will be permanently prohibited.
The law also states that federal medical facilities and health professionals aren't allowed to provide abortion services.
'I proudly sponsored and voted for this important bill to clearly stand for the dignity and value of all human life, both the born and the unborn,' said Murphy.
'Passage of H.R. 7 in the wake of the President's executive action gives me great hope we will once again be a nation committed to honoring life and ensuring American taxpayer dollars are never spent to end a life before it even begins.'
A message from January 25 from Shannon Edwards (his mistress) said the congressman had 'zero issue posting your pro-life stance all over the place when you had no issue asking me to abort our unborn child just last week when we thought that was one of the options,' according to the The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Murphy recently acknowledged his affair with Edwards, which became public as a result of her divorce proceedings.
In a press statement he said: 'Last year I became involved in an affair with a personal friend. This is nobody's fault but my own, and I offer no excuses. To the extent that there should be any blame in this matter, it falls solely upon me.
'I ask the media to respect the privacy of my family. They have done nothing wrong and deserve to be left alone,' the statement added.
The Pennsylvania politician has served eight-terms in congress, is married and has an adult daughter. Edwards, 32, is a practicing psychologist and performs evaluations of defendants for the Allegheny County court system.
Murphy and Edwards met when she volunteered to contribute to a mental health bill that was signed into law in December.
Edwards maintains that she did not begin to have a intimate relationship with Murphy until her marriage had fallen apart.
'We had a collegial and friend relationship before anything else,' Edwards told the court.
Dr Jesse Sallt, who married Edwards on July 28, 2012, however, claims that his marriage was destroyed by the affair, and filings showed that he knew Edwards was having an affair with 'a well-known political figure in the community.'
Sally said he believed the affair began in February 2016.
Murphy said that his relationship with Edwards ended last year.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - It was a phone call urging renewed scrutiny of the unsolved 1937 killings of two eastern-central Nebraska lawmen that helped lead to a re-examination and solving of the case, Nebraska investigators said Tuesday.
But it wasn't the victims' family calling for a new look. It was the son of one of the suspects.
"He called me in late December 2014," Seward County Sheriff Joe Yocum said. "He had seen a story about the case that had appeared in Nebraska Life magazine. He was convinced that his father was involved in the killing of these men."
This undated photo provided by Nebraska Life Magazine shows Boone County Sheriff Lawrence I. Smoyer. Investigators say a re-examination of long-buried case files shows that two known criminals were responsible for a shooting that killed Smoyer and another Nebraska lawman in 1937. The Nebraska Attorney General's Office announced Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, investigators consider the case solved after a three-year effort that included tracking down decades-old case files. (Nebraska Life Magazine via AP)
The Nebraska Attorney General's office is convinced, too, declaring the shooting deaths solved. Officials gathered for a news conference Tuesday in Albion to say Marion Cooley and Charles Doody - both long dead - had shot Boone County Sheriff Lawrence Smoyer and Boone County Constable William Henry Wathen outside a ranch near Albion on June 17, 1937.
That morning, Smoyer and Wathen were investigating reports of a suspicious vehicle parked at the ranch when they encountered two suspects who fired on the officers. Smoyer was shot in the head and died instantly in the ambush. Wathen returned fire, but was shot in both hips and left for dead. He was found the next day and lived another 108 days before succumbing to his injuries. Tuesday's announcement was made on the 80th anniversary of Wathen's death.
Wathen was able to give detailed accounts of the shooting, the suspects and their car and even the car's license plate. Within days, Cooley and Doody, who were already career criminals, had been identified as the top suspects.
The car used in the ambush turned out to have been stolen from Denver. It was later found in Cheyenne, Wyoming, riddled with bullets from Wathen's gun. Multiple sightings of the car and men matching the description of Cooley and Doody were reported. A plaster cast from the scene matched Cooley's footprints.
When Nebraska investigators were ready to issue an arrest warrant for the men about a year after the shooting, Doody was nowhere to be found, and Cooley was already serving a prison sentence in Colorado in an unrelated case. According to the laws at the time, Nebraska had to wait until Cooley was paroled in 1948 before Nebraska officials could take him into custody.
But by then, World War II had wreaked havoc on the case. The original investigators who would have served as witnesses had died or been killed in the war, were still in the military stationed at unknown posts or had retired to places unknown. A reorganization of the Nebraska State Sheriff's Association into what is now the Nebraska State Patrol saw the shuffling of files in the case that weren't found again until sometime in the last three years.
And as the years marched on, Cooley and Doody - who used the alias Charles Simms - served time in prisons in Colorado and California for various crimes. Officials say Cooley had no known children and died in 1965. Doody, living as Simms, married at least a couple of times and had several children, including the son who called Nebraska investigators in 2014. Doody died in 1995.
Yocum said he and state attorney general chief investigator Bill Black, who is originally from Albion, learned sometime in 2014 that they had both been occasionally investigating the case on their own. They began exchanging information on the case when Doody's son called.
Yocum and Black then began poring over old files in the case whenever they had time aside from their other cases, piecing together long-buried notes, files and evidence to confirm what investigators 80 years ago had believed - that Cooley and Doody were responsible.
Prosecutors reviewed the work against modern prosecutorial standards to close the case, said Suzanne Gage, a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Attorney General's Office.
"If these men were living, they would be charged and, we believe, would be held responsible," she said.
Yocum said he spoke to Doody's son a few days before Tuesday's announcement.
"He said he didn't want to be contacted by media," Yocum said. "All he wanted from me was any newspaper articles or any stories that were written in the local media. He also wanted me to extend an apology to the families of the deceased."
LOS ANGELES (AP) - In a headline for a story Oct. 3 about the death of the psychotherapist who created "Primal Therapy," The Associated Press erroneously reported his name. He is Arthur Janov, not Yanov.
A corrected version of the story is below:
"Primal Scream" therapist Arthur Janov dies at 93
Arthur Janov (YA'-nahv), a psychotherapist whose "primal therapy" had celebrities screaming to release their childhood traumas and spawned a best-selling book in the 1970s, has died
By ROBERT JABLON
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Arthur Janov, a psychotherapist whose "primal therapy" had celebrities screaming to release their childhood traumas and spawned a best-selling book in the 1970s, has died. He was 93.
Janov died Oct. 1 at his Malibu home from respiratory arrest following a stroke, said his wife, France Janov.
Janov, a clinical psychologist, became an international celebrity with his idea that adults repressed childhood traumas, making them neurotic and leading to problems such as mood disorders, drug addiction and even epilepsy.
He believed that what he termed "Primal Pain" could extend as far as birth.
"Coming close to death at birth or feeling unloved as a child are examples of such Pain," he wrote.
"When the Pain is too much, it is repressed and stored away. When enough unresolved Pain has occurred, we lose access to your feelings and become neurotic," he wrote. "The number one killer in the world today is not cancer or heart disease, it is repression."
His therapy method involved having people relive their traumatic memories by "regressing" to infancy or childhood in order to confront and exorcise their demons. His Southern California center provided props such as cribs and stuffed animals. Patients, who might pay thousands of dollars, would scream or shout as their supposedly pent-up traumas were revealed.
"Once you feel it, people just become themselves," his wife said. "People don't need the drugs, the smoking, the acting out... not to feel that pain."
Janov contended that the therapy could cure everything from stuttering to drug addiction to epilepsy, and might even lead to an end to war.
He included homosexuality as a curable condition, although the American Psychiatric Association took it off the list of psychiatric disorders in 1973.
His 1970 book "The Primal Scream," made him an international celebrity. His patients included John Lennon, Yoko Ono and actor James Earl Jones.
In a 1975 book, Janov called his therapy "the only hope if mankind is to survive" and suggested that what he called primal consciousness "certainly means an end to war."
As with many other emotional-release therapies of its time, primal therapy now is widely rejected by mental health professionals as unscientific and ineffectual.
However, Janov's widow said it still is practiced around the world.
"It changed so many people's lives," she said.
A Conservative MP has said the partys conference in Manchester is being targeted by fascists after pictures circulated on social media of a banner reading: Hang the Tories.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and local Labour MPs denounced the banner, which was strung across a footbridge with two human effigies dangling by their necks below.
Theresa Mays party is facing a weekend of protests in Manchester, with a national anti-austerity demonstration expected to attract thousands on Sunday and a cross-party pro-European rally due to be addressed by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable and Tory ex-minister Stephen Dorrell.
Theresa May and her Conservative colleagues were welcomed to Manchester with a 'Hang The Tories' banner
This is just wrong. We will always protect the right to protest but never to threaten, abuse or incite violence. It should come down. https://t.co/JnJEImLpTx Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) September 30, 2017
Delegates arriving at Manchester Piccadilly station on Saturday evening ahead of the conference at the Manchester Central Convention Complex were greeted by an unwelcome party protest led by a choir singing anti-Tory songs.
It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the banner, which was ironically described as charming by Conservative MP Michael Fabricant.
What a charming welcome to Manchester and the Conservative Party Conference, said Mr Fabricant.
These arent protesters, theyre fascists.
What a charming welcome to Manchester and the Conservative Party Conference.
These arent protesters, theyre fascists. pic.twitter.com/kmoNO3V2Zd Michael Fabricant (@Mike_Fabricant) September 30, 2017
Mr Burnham and Labours Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell and Ashton-under-Lyne MP Angela Rayner were quick to distance the party from the Hang the Tories message.
Mr Burnham said of the banner: This is just wrong. We will always protect the right to protest but never to threaten, abuse or incite violence. It should come down.
Ms Powell said: On behalf of our city and my constituency, were sorry about this. We disagree with and are angry with your policies, but we wish you no harm.
Welcome to Mcr Central #toryconference Conferences are part of democracy. I think Labour has better values & policies.Let's have the debate. Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) September 30, 2017
And shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said: This is disgusting and not the Manchester I know and love. Those that do this let Manchester down.
There is no suggestion that the banner was linked to the protests being organised by the Peoples Assembly Against Austerity, which is due to include speeches from actress Maxine Peake and musician Brian Eno as well as a march outside the conference centre.
Around 30 members of the Leeds-based left-wing Commoners Choir travelled to Manchester to take part in a flash mob protest at Piccadilly station.
They waved Tories Out placards as they sang songs with lyrics including: People often ask me what it is that makes me tick its Boris Johnsons head upon a stick, and: Youre nowhere if you believe Theresa May a reference to the PMs attack on citizens of nowhere.
Off to @PartisanCollect with @Commonerschoir to sing how we feel about our gvt. Then singalong march Sunday 12pm Castlefield Basin. Do come pic.twitter.com/qnckjE8lVf Jane C (@JaneClifford23) September 29, 2017
The choirs songwriter Boff Whalley said: Its meant in fun, but were trying to get a serious message across with a memorable tune.
Speaking ahead of Sundays pro-European really, Sir Vince said: It is vital that we keep up the pressure on the Government. The Conservatives are driving Britain over a cliff edge towards a reckless, extreme Brexit.
And former health secretary Mr Dorrell, chair of the European Movement UK, said: Democracy is a process, not an event.
A healthy democracy is a dialogue in which all voices should be heard. And it must allow the voters to change their mind.
The root cause of Monarchs reduction in revenue was terror attacks in Egypt and Tunisia as well as the decimation of Turkey, according to the companys boss.
Chief executive Andrew Swaffield said the airline was carrying 14% more passengers than last year for 100 million less revenue.
It was badly affected by the 2015 bombing of a Russian airliner which departed from Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt, an attack in Sousse, Tunisia, during the same year which left 30 Britons dead and a 2016 attempted coup in Turkey.
In a letter to staff which he described as the update I hoped I would never have to write, Mr Swaffield explained that the firm went into administration despite our best efforts.
Andrew Swaffield
He said Monarch attempted to pivot our airline from short-haul to long-haul to reduce losses, but was unable to find a deliverable offer from a buyer for its short-haul operations or assets.
Mr Swaffield said he was so sorry for causing huge inconvenience to customers.
He went on: We are working with the joint administrators and the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) to do everything we possibly can to help minimise disruption where we can, but are under no illusion as to the problems this will cause.
(Simon Stirrat via AP)
And many suppliers will suffer hugely as a result of our insolvency for which I am equally sorry.
Mr Swaffield told his employees that they can all hold your heads up high and be proud of what you achieved at Monarch.
He added: It has been a company that has cared for its customers and which has been like a family for many people for five decades. I cannot tell you how much I wanted to avoid this outcome and how truly sorry I am.
Theresa May joked about how her husband is no good at DIY as she made a visit to a new housing estate.
The Prime Minster and Chancellor Philip Hammond met a young couple who have just bought a starter home using the Governments Help to Buy scheme.
But during the visit to Walkden, Salford, Mrs May revealed the other Philip in her life is no handyman.
Prime Minister Theresa May visits the home of Rebecca Coulton, who bought a starter home using the Governments Help to Buy scheme, in Walkden, Salford, during the Conservative Party conference in Manchester (Hannah McKay/PA)
Rebecca Coulton said she had turned to help from her "handy" dad when jobs needing doing, although her partner Chris Leyland had helped to build a table.
Mrs May joked: "I didnt choose a DIY specialist either, I can tell you."
The Chancellor, meanwhile, urged the couple to "tell all your friends, 10 billion into the scheme" as they chatted over a cup of tea.
Ms Coulton said: "I cant recommend it enough."
Prison inmates who started a 15-hour riot which caused more than 6 million damage to Birminghams Winson Green prison have been jailed for up to nine years.
Luke Mansell, 24 and John Burton, 39, were last week found guilty of a prison mutiny which caused destruction on a grand scale, and saw more than 500 prisoners let out of their cells after inmates seized keys.
Three others, Ross Wilkinson, 24; Robert Smith, 34; Nathan Weston, 23, all admitted the same charge before a Birmingham Crown Court trial.
Order was only restored at the G4S-run jail after hundreds of specially-trained Tornado team prison officers were drafted in to quell the disturbances on December 16, last year.
Sentencing on Monday, the Recorder of Birmingham Judge Melbourne Inman QC told the men: You were unquestionably the ring-leaders and instigators of the mutiny.
The destruction you few caused and the hostility showed was replicated by the other hundreds of prisoners.
36-years jail for Birmingham prison riot ringleaders: https://t.co/UdJ3IyyeKF West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) October 2, 2017
It was your direct action in allowing you to get hold of the keys, enabled the release of all the other prisoners on the wings.
He added that there had been graphic evidence of the violence faced by prison officers, which had a profound impact on staff.
The judge said the jails wings were left uninhabitable, and there had been destruction on a grand scale.
A rioting prisoner at HMP Birmingham (West Midlands Police/PA)
He added that a clear message had to be given to anyone considering this type of action.
Burton, who had a lengthy record of 89 offences, was jailed for nine years, along with Mansell.
Mansell, on remand at the time of the riot, was convicted in February 2017 of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, for an unpalatable offence in which the victim was tied to a chair, had his penis branded with hair straighteners, was forced to eat faeces, and had a front tooth pulled out with pliers.
Wilkinson, a convicted burglar; Weston, who had been jailed for arson, and Smith, with 25 previous convictions, were each jailed for six years.
The sixth instigator, 30-year-old Grant Samed, will be sentenced in November.
Two other men; Carl Brookes, 33, and 30-year-old Ross Queen will be sentenced on Tuesday for taking an unauthorised photo in the prison, during the riot.
Duck Inn Splits & Otto Mezzo Closes, Signaling Big Changes At Rockit Ranch
By Anthony Todd in Food on Oct 3, 2017 3:58PM
Chef Kevin Hickey. Photo via Facebook.
Back in 2014, Chef Kevin Hickey (who got great reviews as the chef at Allium in the Four Seasons) made a surprising announcement - he was headed to Rockit Ranch Productions, Billy Dec's hospitality company, to run the food and beverage program. This collaboration led to some great spots: places like Bottlefork, The Duck Inn and Otto Mezzo, that were surprisingly highbrow for the company that previously didn't have much of a reputation for great food. Well, the good times are (apparently) over.
Late last week (as in Friday, at 4 p.m., the preferred time for bad news to drop), Hickey's representatives sent out an announcement that, effective immediately, he and Rockit Ranch had parted ways. The announcement was amiable-sounding, at least.
Rockit Ranch Productions and I have made the mutual decision to separate so that we can focus our energies on what we each do best. The partnership has been an honor and a privilege. We have learned, grown and been challenged. We know our friendship will carry on and we will always be there to support and enjoy in each others successes, as I am confident there will be many. As for my focus now, my center of gravity is Bridgeport. My family lives down the street from the restaurant. My son busses tables there. I want to do more to raise the profile of this South side community. To do so, I need to be present.
The big announcement at the end: The Duck Inn, which has become both a nationally-acclaimed restaurant and a Bridgeport staple, would stay open, but would become independent and owned by Hickey.
on Monday, more news broke. Otto Mezzo, the fairly-new vermouth-focused bar in River North, would also be closing. Eater reports that Brandon Phillips, who had run the beverage program, would be following Hickey and continuing to work with Duck Inn.
It's a bit surprising that the loss of a bartender (even one as great as Phillips) would cause the closing of a popular bar backed by a restaurant group, unless something else was going on. Is Rockit having difficulties? Did the bar just not perform well? Or did the group decide that highbrow food and drink just wasn't worth the bother? If so, they wouldn't be alone.
In any case, the most important thing for me is that whatever drama happened didn't take The Duck Inn and Chef Hickey down with it. That restaurant is incredibly special, and given how many closings we've endured lately, losing it might be more than Chicago can stand.
Romelu Lukaku has denied holding an excessively loud party in Beverley Hills as he was on the verge of a 75million transfer from Everton to Manchester United.
The 24-year-old striker was arrested over an excessive noise complaint after allegedly receiving five verbal warnings from police over a five-day period.
The Belgium international did not appear in court in Los Angeles on Monday but his lawyer, Robert Humphreys, entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf.
Romelu Lukaku in action
6 wins
21 Goals
6 clean sheets
And this guy is the @PremierLeague's top scorer!#MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/iX3oIeDLdf Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 2, 2017
United completed his signing eight days after his arrest by Beverley Hills Police Department officers at around 8pm on July 2 in his temporary residence in the city.
Days after the incident, he shared on Instagram a picture of himself in an apartment in the city with Old Trafford star Paul Pogba.
Commissioner Jane Godfrey, overseeing the case, ordered Lukaku to appear at Los Angeles Airport Courthouse on November 21.
LA A post shared by Romelu Lukaku (@rlukaku9) on Jul 4, 2017 at 1:19pm PDT
After the hearing, city attorney James Eckart said the striker faces both a fine and paying a sum to cover the cost of the police call-outs that occurred over five days.
Lukaku can opt not to appear in person at the hearing and can instead have a lawyer handle the misdemeanour citation on his behalf.
President Donald Trump has called the gunman who killed 59 people in Las Vegas a very, very sick individual and suggested he was ready to discuss gun laws as time goes by.
Mr Trump was speaking to reporters on Tuesday as he departed for a trip to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.
He called the gunman demented and said were looking into him very seriously before praising police in Las Vegas.
Mr Trump stressed the shooting was a tragedy.
Asked about US legislation, the president said well be talking about gun laws as time goes by.
Stephen Craig Paddock, who killed 59 people and injured 527 others, was a big-spending gambler who took 23 guns into his hotel room before opening fire on crowds attending an outdoor music festival.
Gun ownership in the US
Paddock sprayed bullets on revellers enjoying the Route 91 Harvest Festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on Las Vegas Strip.
The 64-year-old retired accountant from Mesquite, Nevada, killed himself before officers stormed Room 135 in the gold-coloured glass skyscraper.
Assistant sheriff Todd Fasulo said Paddock had 23 guns, some with scopes, in his hotel room.
Gun ownership among adults in the United States
Authorities found 19 more guns at his home in Mesquite, as well as explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
Several pounds of ammonium nitrate, a fertiliser that can be turned into explosives such as those used in the 1995 Oklahoma bombing, were discovered in his car.
Shooting timeline
Investigators believe the shooting, the most deadly in modern US history, was a lone wolf attack, and say they do not have any information to lead them to suspect there were more assailants.
Paddocks brother described the gunman as a multi-millionaire property developer who liked to gamble large amounts of money at the world-famous casinos in Las Vegas who had no known political or religious agenda.
Stephen Paddock's home in Reno, Nevada
Eric Paddock told reporters his brother often received free rooms and meals from casinos, telling reporters: He was a guy who had money.
He went on cruises and gambled.
(PA Graphics)
He told the Orlando Sentinel: We are completely dumbfounded. We cant understand what happened.
He also said their father was a bank robber who was once on the most wanted list.
Investigators are working to establish a motive for the attack, but a law enforcement official said there was no immediate indication that the massacre was connected to international terrorism.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack and said the gunman was a soldier who had converted to Islam months ago, but it provided no evidence to back up the claim.
A graphic released by Amaq News Agency, a media arm of the Islamic State group, claiming responsibility for the mass shooting in Las Vegas
Country music star Jason Aldean was performing on Sunday night at the end of the three-day festival in front of a crowd of more than 22,000 when the gunman opened fire from inside the 44-floor hotel across the street.
Paddock had checked into the hotel room on Thursday, authorities said.
People attending the country music concert described scenes of horror as they realised that what they first thought were fireworks were actually gunshots.
Harrowing video footage showed Aldean stopping his performance after an initial volley of shots could be heard.
After a pause, the gunman fired another volley, with the muzzle flashes visible from the casino as victims fell to the ground, while others fled in panic.
Eric Paddock
Jason Sorenson, of Newport Beach, California, said he first realised something was wrong when musicians left the stage.
He ran and said we saw people with blood all over their shirts.
Brandon Clack, of La Palma, California, said he heard many shots fired and the shooting that went on for a long time, like 10 minutes.
A woman cries while hiding inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after the shooting
Concertgoers fled into casinos and crammed into cars to get away from the shooting.
Barbara Magro, of Orange County, California, said they were getting into peoples trucks. I saw one with about 20 people in the back.
Police shut down busy Las Vegas Boulevard, and federal and state authorities converged on the scene.
A young woman hides inside the Sands Corporation plane hangar after the shooting
Interstate 15 was briefly closed, and flights at McCarran International Airport were suspended.
Hospital emergency rooms were jammed with the wounded.
The dead included at least three off-duty police officers from various departments who were attending the concert, authorities said.
The UKs thoughts are with the victims and the emergency services responding to the appalling attack in Las Vegas. Theresa May (@theresa_may) October 2, 2017
Two on-duty officers were wounded, one critically, police said.
Mr Fasulo said Paddock shot a security guard on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel.
In an address to the country on Monday, Mr Trump called the attack an act of pure evil and added: In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one. And it always has.
Prime Minister Theresa May wrote on Twitter: The UKs thoughts are with the victims and the emergency services responding to the appalling attack in Las Vegas.
Before Sundays massacre, the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history took place in June 2016, when a gunman who professed support for Muslim extremist groups opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd has announced a ban on the sale of acid to under 18s in the wake of a string of absolutely revolting attacks.
Amber Rudd
She also told the Tory Party conference that the sale of sulphuric acid would be drastically limited, given its use in homemade explosives.
It came as Ms Rudd made a raft of policy announcements, including:
:: Up to 15 years in prison for people who repeatedly view extremist material online
We are announcing plans to tighten the law around online radicalisation including sentences of up to 15 years for those found guilty. pic.twitter.com/IbLgxXXDAW Conservatives (@Conservatives) October 3, 2017
:: Major investment in new technology that will track down indecent images of children online and remove them at an unprecedented rate
:: A consultation on new laws around offensive weapons
Ms Rudd also told party activists in Manchester that security services had foiled seven terrorist plots this year.
Amber Rudd
The Home Secretary said that acid attacks were absolutely revolting, adding: I am also announcing a new offence to prevent the sale of acids to under 18s.
Furthermore, given its use in the production of so-called mother of Satan homemade explosives, I also announce my intention to drastically limit the public sale of sulphuric acid.
This is how we will help make our communities safer as crime changes.
She told the conference there had been an exponential surge in the volume of child sexual abuse referrals, as she unveiled a 600,000 investment in new software that trawls the web for images of child sexual abuse.
Amber Rudd
Ms Rudd said the technology will get the images taken down at an unprecedented rate.
She added: Our investment will also enable internet companies to pro-actively search for, and destroy, illegal images in their systems.
We want them to start using it as soon as they can.
Our question to them will be if not, why not. And I will demand very clear answers.
Ms Rudd also outlined a new consultation on offensive weapons, which will be published in the autumn.
New measures could include:
:: Stopping the sale of knives online to someone under the age of 18
A general view of a man in a hoodie holding a knife
:: Making it illegal to keep certain types of weapons - such as flick knives and zombie knives - at home
:: Making it illegal to sell the most harmful corrosive substances to someone under the age of 18
:: Preventing people having a corrosive substance in a public place, without good reason
Ms Rudd said: We are going to prevent children purchasing knives online, and we are going to stop people carrying acid in public if they dont have a good reason.
.@AmberRuddHR: We need the internet companies to bring forward technology solutions 1/2 #CPC17 CCHQ Press (@CCHQPress) October 3, 2017
.@AmberRuddHR: to rid their platforms of this vile terrorist material that plays such a key role in radicalisation 2/2 #CPC117 CCHQ Press (@CCHQPress) October 3, 2017
Ms Rudd said that extending the jail sentence for those viewing extremist content online would close an important gap in the legislation, with tougher sentences only applying at the moment if people have downloaded or stored the material.
President Donald Trump is facing renewed calls to tighten gun control laws after the US was inflicted with its deadliest mass shooting in recent history.
Gun ownership among adults in the United States
Politicians and entertainers from Hillary Clinton to Lady Gaga were among those to demand tightening of regulations after 59 people were killed and 527 wounded at a music concert on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday.
Stephen Paddock, 64, rained bullets down on the concert-goers from a 32nd-floor hotel room before turning a gun on himself, according to police.
(PA graphics)
Republican leaders had been trying to win concessions to relax regulations on gun silencers and to allow greater freedom for holders of permits to carry concealed weapons.
Former Democrat presidential candidate Mrs Clinton said the massacre could have been even deadlier if a silencer was used to mask the gunfire.
The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots.
Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get. Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 2, 2017
Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again. Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 2, 2017
Our grief isnt enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA (National Rifle Association), and work together to try to stop this from happening again, she added.
Nancy Pelosi, the Democrats leader in the House, wrote to Congresss most senior Republican, Paul Ryan, asking him to form a select committee on gun violence and to allow a vote for increased background checks on gun sales.
.@SpeakerRyan, its time for action. Congress must create a Select Committee on Gun Violence. pic.twitter.com/yCpMOUKJKg Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) October 2, 2017
Congress has a moral duty to address this horrific and heartbreaking epidemic, she wrote.
Today is a day for prayer, mourning and love, but it must also be a day for action.
Lady Gaga said blood is on the hands of those who have power to legislate.
This is terrorism plain and simple. Terror bares no race, gender or religion. Democrats & Republicans please unite now #guncontrol Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) October 2, 2017
Democrats & Republicans please unite now #guncontrol, she tweeted.
Ariana Grande, who was performing when 22 were killed at the Manchester Arena by a suicide bomber, added to calls.
We need love, unity, peace, gun control & for people to look at this & call this what it is = terrorism, she tweeted.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling added: The massacre of schoolchildren in Dunblane led to UK gun law reform, which is why many stunned that there was no US change after Sandy Hook.
The massacre of schoolchildren in Dunblane led to UK gun law reform, which is why many stunned that there was no US change after Sandy Hook. pic.twitter.com/VDyQ6mbXgp J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) October 2, 2017
Labour MP and former deputy leader Harriet Harman called for gun control in the US while Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston said Mr Trump should act on the evidence to honour the memory of those slain in Las Vegas.
Despite the calls for immediate action, the White House said now is not the time for a debate on control.
Firearms manufactured in the United States, 2000-2015
Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said: Today is a day for consoling the survivors and mourning those we lost.
The Scottish Government has announced a ban on fracking.
Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse confirmed the government will outlaw the controversial gas extraction technique in Scotland.
A moratorium on the practice has been in place since January 2015 and the governments decision follows extensive consultation and consideration of reports on its potential impact.
Anti-fracking protester
The Scottish Government has announced that it will ban fracking for good, read our blog about how we got here: https://t.co/8C95ISt1tu pic.twitter.com/BS367MmT3o Friends of the Earth Scotland (@FoEScot) October 3, 2017
Mr Wheelhouse said: Fracking cannot, and will not take place in Scotland.
He said it was the responsibility of the government to make decisions in the best interests of Scotland as a whole.
The minister added: I can confirm the conclusion of the Scottish Government is that we will not support the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland.
And it came to pass that Scotland DID do the right thing - we fondly remember all of your help and thank you again @MarkRuffalo https://t.co/KVPpkpJvX4 Friends of the Earth (@friends_earth) October 3, 2017
A public consultation on the issue received more than 60,000 responses, 99% of which were opposed to fracking.
Friends of the Earth Scotland head of campaigns Mary Church said: This is a victory for the environment and for local communities fighting fracking.
The Scottish Governments decision today to ban fracking will be warmly welcomed across the country and around the world.
Victory for communities across Scotland as #fracking moratorium to be turned into a ban, congrats to all the campaigners Richard Dixon (@Richard_Dixon) October 3, 2017
This is a huge win for the anti-fracking movement, particularly for those on the frontline of this dirty industry here in Scotland, who have been working for a ban these last six years.
Having put a moratorium in place more than two years ago, evaluated the evidence and consulted the people of Scotland, the Scottish Government has reached the right and sensible conclusion that the fracking industry must be banned to avoid potentially devastating impacts to peoples health, the climate and our natural environment.
Mr Wheelhouse said an immediate ban will be put in place and the Scottish Parliaments endorsement will be sought during a debate and vote following recess later this month.
Local campaigners @mcrfoe @FrackFreeManc at #cpc17 calling on Greg Clark to refuse fracking consent - email him here https://t.co/EiGmpqYUh5 pic.twitter.com/iPVkrKGcH5 North West FOE (@NorthWestFOE) October 2, 2017
Welcoming the ban, Dr Sam Gardner, acting director of WWF Scotland, said: Its excellent news the Scottish Government has listened to the thousands of people, campaigners, and politicians across the country who have been calling for a permanent ban to fracking.
The climate science is clear. The vast majority of fossil fuel reserves need to be left in the ground. Its fantastic Scottish Ministers agree that we need to start placing them off limits.
Mr Wheelhouse said the government would use planning regulations to extend the current moratorium indefinitely, removing the need for legislation.
He said: Let me be clear that the action is sufficient to effectively ban the development of unconventional oil and gas extraction in Scotland.
Conservative MSP Dean Lockhart said the decision meant Scotlands economy was being left behind and that reports had shown fracking could bring up to 4.6 billion in additional GVA and thousands of jobs.
He said: This much-needed economic boost and these jobs will now be created outside of Scotland, thanks to the SNP.
Political parties and green campaigners have argued that fracking causes damage to the environment, while others have highlighted potential economic benefits.
Gary Smith, the GMB unions Scotland secretary, accused the Scottish Government of being dishonest and hypercritical, adding: Scotland is importing a huge amount of shale gas from Trumps America.
If the government wants to be consistent, it will now ban shale gas imports, threatening a huge number of job losses.
The government has failed to explain where the two million households in Scotland using gas to heat their homes will get gas from in the future.
Worcester have signed Australian fly-half Jono Lance on a short-term deal to boost their Aviva Premiership campaign.
The 27-year-old Western Force playmaker will bolster the Warriors ranks at fly-half, alongside Tom Heathcote, Sam Olver and Jamie Shillcock.
"Jono is a player whos got vast experience at the top level having won Super Rugby titles with different clubs," said Worcester rugby director Gary Gold.
Gary Gold has added to his Worcester side
BREAKING NEWS
Warriors confirm signing of Australian fly-half Jono Lance.
https://t.co/iRy2a97Oay pic.twitter.com/D1t6fWTLlP Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) October 3, 2017
"He will help drive the competition for the number 10 jersey and were looking forward to seeing what he has to offer."
Former Queensland Reds and Waratahs fly-half Lance admitted he is looking forward to his move, adding: "Im really excited about the opportunity to represent the Warriors in the Aviva Premiership."
By Michelle Nichols
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 2 (Reuters) - A top Myanmar official appealed on Monday for democracy in the country to be given "a chance to survive" amid international anger over a military campaign against Rohingya Muslims that the United Nations has described as ethnic cleansing.
Some 507,000 Rohingya Muslim have fled to Bangladesh since insurgents attacked security posts near the border on Aug. 25, triggering fierce Myanmar military retaliation. Myanmar says more than 500 people have been killed, most of them insurgents.
National Security Adviser Thaung Tun told Reuters that he has spoken with his U.S. counterpart, H.R. McMaster, on the phone and visited members of the U.S. Congress in Washington last week. He said sanctions were not specifically discussed.
The United States called last week on countries to suspend providing weapons to Myanmar's military, but it stopped short of threatening to reimpose U.S. sanctions, which were suspended under the Obama administration.
"We need to ensure that democracy has a chance to survive in Myanmar. This is a young democracy," Thaung Tun told Reuters in an interview at the United Nations, noting that government leader and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has only been in office for 18 months.
Suu Kyi assumed power following a landslide election win after former military leaders initiated a political transition. For years, the United States and others imposed sanctions on Myanmar in support of Suu Kyi's campaign for democracy.
"We have a lot of challenges and these challenges cannot be overcome in a day. Rome wasn't built in a day. So we can't undo 50 years of challenges," said Thaung Tun, adding that he hoped to meet in person with McMaster, President Donald Trump's national security adviser, to brief him on the current situation.
"NOBODY ABOVE THE LAW"
A Trump administration official said last month the violence made it harder for the United States and Myanmar to build warmer ties, and there would likely be some "easing" in the short term, but he did not expect a return to sanctions.
Thaung Tun said he had not met privately with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley but had spoken to her briefly on the sidelines of other meetings in New York.
The U.N. Security Council met publicly last week on Myanmar for the first time since 2009. Haley said the Myanmar authorities appeared to be carrying out "a brutal, sustained campaign to cleanse the country of an ethnic minority."
She said countries should stop supplying weapons to Myanmar until the military has sufficient accountability measures.
Thaung Tun said "action has been taken against a number of policemen who exceeded their bounds in dealing with detainees."
"We have very strict instructions for the security forces to carry out their duties within the bounds of the code of conduct," he said. "Nobody is above the law."
He said that ethnic cleansing or genocide was not happening in Myanmar.
The Myanmar government has said that there have no military operations since Sept. 5. But Thaung Tun said that since then security forces have responded when attacked.
"Under the cover of night there have been some sporadic attacks and the police and the security people have been required to respond in self-defense," he said.
The Rohingya are denied citizenship and classified as illegal immigrants, despite claiming roots in Myanmar that go back centuries, with communities marginalized and subjected to bouts of communal violence over the years.
Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed on Monday to set up a "working group" to plan the repatriation of those who had fled. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Leslie Adler)
BERLIN, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Germany's departing finance minister expressed optimism that his country's democratic institutions were strong enough to withstand the arrival of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) as the third-largest party in parliament.
Wolfgang Schaueble, who is due to step down as finance minister to become president of the Bundestag parliament, told the newspaper Bild am Sonntag that AfD's 90-odd elected lawmakers would be constrained by Germany's constitution.
"I'd like to see more self-confidence," he told the newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday. "Our free, democratic system based on the rule of law is so strong that nobody can wreck it, neither from within nor from without. Anybody who tries will fail."
The 75-year-old conservative took his new job at the urging of Chancellor Angela Merkel. Her conservatives are trying to patch together a three-way coalition with the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats, who are expected to demand the position of finance minister.
Also, many in Germany's mainstream felt a senior politician was needed to rein in the first far-right party to enter parliament in 50 years. Schaueble is Germany's longest-serving parliamentarian, and his stature is second only to Merkel's in German politics.
But Schaueble said he was ready to move on: "I decided before the elections after eight years as finance minister and many years' government responsibility to take on a new task."
He added he was confident that a three-party coalition would be agreed, dismissing arguments about a formal cap on immigration as a "false argument". He defended Merkel's 2015 decision to open Germany's borders to over a million migrants fleeing war in Africa and the Middle East.
"Even our children will remember with pride the willingness to help that the Germans showed during the refugee crisis," he told the paper. (Reporting By Thomas Escritt and Victoria Bryan, editing by Larry King)
By Alexandra Valencia
QUITO, Oct 2 (Reuters) - An Ecuadorean judge on Monday ordered pre-trial detention for Vice President Jorge Glas as part of an investigation into Brazilian construction company Odebrecht's corruption scandal.
Glas, a 48-year-old electrical engineer, has been accused by senior members of the government of former President Rafael Correa of corruption while serving as a minister and vice president during seven years of Correa's government.
Judge Miguel Jurado approved a prosecutor's request for preventative detention on the grounds that Glas allegedly accepted bribes, and also agreed to freeze his assets.
Glas said the accusations lack evidence and are part of a politicized campaign against him.
"Don't worry, you don't have to search for me, I'm where I always am," Glas said via Twitter. "I'm not going to escape. Those who are innocent never flee."
Fallout from the massive Odebrecht corruption scandal has continued to sweep Latin America.
The company, which has admitted to paying bribes to win contracts in a number of countries, has already paid $3.5 billion in settlements in the United States, Brazil and Switzerland.
A close ally of leftist ex-President Rafael Correa, Glas served as Correa's vice president from 2013 and retained the position under current President Lenin Moreno.
In August he was suspended from his duties by Moreno, who accused him of not being a team player. (Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; Writing by Alexandra Ulmer Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
Oct 3 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks rose on Tuesday, led by Chinese banks and insurers after China's central bank cut reserve ratios and by materials shares after Beijing reported stronger-than-expected September factory activity.
The blue chip Hang Seng index rose 1.6 percent to 28,003.80 points by the lunch break as trading resumed following a public holiday on Monday.
The Hong Kong China Enterprises Index surged 2.8 percent to 11,211.79, heading for its biggest daily percentage gain since May 25, 2016.
"Chinese banks are anticipated to benefit from the latest central bank's move," said Steven Leung, a director from UOB Kay. "The latest move is seen to give those struggling small to medium size enterprises a breather."
China's central bank on Saturday cut the amount of cash that some banks must hold as reserves for the first time since February 2016 in a bid to encourage more lending to struggling smaller firms and energize its lacklustre private sector.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley said in a note that the move, which it estimated could release around 300 billion yuan ($45 billion) in liquidity, should support banks' net interest margins and profit growth in 2018, when the cuts take effect.
ICBC rose as much as 6.2 percent to HK$6.16, the highest since July 2015. China Construction Bank climbed 5.4 percent and Bank of China gained 4.2 percent. Ping An Insurance Group rose 2.4 percent.
Chinese markets will be shut all this week for the holiday and will not resume trade until Oct. 9.
Investors are also awaiting China's 19th Communist Party Congress, which starts on Oct. 18. The twice-in-a-decade meeting will see a key leadership reshuffle and the setting of top political and economic priorities for the next five years.
Upbeat manufacturing activity data from China at the weekend also boosted confidence.
An official survey showed the sector expanded at the fastest pace since 2012 in September as factories cranked up output to take advantage of strong demand and high prices, easing worries of a slowdown.
Hong Kong-listed gaming stocks rose after Macau casino revenue rose 16.1 percent in September from a year earlier, heading into a bumper National Holiday week which is expected to see strong visitor traffic to the world's biggest casino hub. ($1 = 6.6533 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Donny Kwok; Editing by Kim Coghill)
Man Killed In Drive-By Shooting In McKinley Park
By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Oct 3, 2017 7:59PM
A street view of the McKinley railroad viaduct near where the shooting occurred (Google Maps)
Today a man was fatally wounded in a noontime drive-by shooting in McKinley Park, police say.
A 35-year-old man, whose name hasn't been released, was traveling on foot in the 3300 block of South Damen Avenue at 12:15 p.m. today. A green SUV rolled up next to him and someone inside fired shots before fleeing, Chicago Police Department spokesperson Officer Thomas Sweeney told Chicagoist.
The man was hit in the neck. He was transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, and he was later pronounced dead. No one has been taken custody in the shooting.
Police told the Tribune that the shooting happened near a McKinley Park railroad viaduct, and the SUV fled south afterward.
KAMPALA, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Five grenades were thrown overnight at the homes of two Ugandan legislators opposed to scrapping the presidential age limit and thereby extending President Yoweri Museveni's more than 31 years in power.
The two legislators, Allan Ssewanyana and Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, have been outspoken in efforts to resist an ongoing effort to change the constitution to allow Museveni to stay on.
Museveni has been president since January 1986.
Two grenades were thrown at Ssewanyana's residence and three others at Kyagulanyi's.
Both legislators were among MPs forcefully ejected from the parliament chamber last week by Uganda's special forces.
"The grenades were thrown, so yes it happened. The police (have) already gone to the residence of Hon. Kyagulanyi and they are piecing up evidence at the scene of crime, and trying to find out what really happened," police spokesman Asan Kasingye, said.
But he dismissed as "absurd" the idea that the attacks were politically motivated.
Talking to local NBS TV, Ssewanyana said he was scared but would not give up the fight against the constitutional change.
"I can't give up and am calling upon all Ugandans not to give up because this is a serious fight. What shows the seriousness is the attacks that they have now started against us ... Attacks involving weapons," he said.
In late September, at least five Ugandan lawmakers received hospital treatment for injuries sustained while being dragged out of the parliament by plain-clothes security guards that opposition MPs said were really soldiers from Museveni's special forces.
Those clashes erupted in the chamber over the motion to end the age limit. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; Writing by Clement Uwiringiyimana Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
BRUSSELS, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Belgium took steps to expel a Saudi imam who preaches at the country's biggest mosque for spreading extremist ideology, the immigration minister said on Tuesday.
The imam's residence permit was withdrawn as a prelude to expelling him. He had lodged an appeal against that decision which, if it failed, would oblige him to leave the country, Minister Theo Francken told radio station BelRTL.
Brussels' Grand Mosque, which was leased to Saudi Arabia for 99 years in the 1960s as part of an energy deal, has faced repeated accusations from local politicians of propagating ultra-conservative forms of Islam.
"There is a problem with the Grand Mosque... I have taken the decision to withdraw the residence permit of the imam of that mosque," Francken said.
"We have had some very clear indications that he was very radicalised, Salafist and conservative. He was dangerous for our society and national security."
Francken did not name of the imam, who the ministry also declined to name when contacted by Reuters.
Authorities at the mosque were not immediately available for comment.
The Salafist movement - which is strongly influenced by Saudi Arabia's Wahhabi school of Islam - sees many other branches of the faith as heretical has been linked to militant groups such as Islamic State.
A judge will decide in the coming weeks on the imam's appeal. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; editing by John Stonestreet)
By Inna Lazareva
YAOUNDE, Oct 3 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - For Francois Xavier, July 17, 1994 will be forever etched on his memory as the day he cheated death.
"We were running through gunfire," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, seated on a courtyard bench in downtown Yaounde, Cameroon's capital. "Behind, they were shooting at us."
Amid the hubbub of children flooding out of a nearby school, Xavier's expression darkens as he recalls how he fled his native country, Rwanda.
Then a 22-year-old student, chased by soldiers from the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), he ran so hard he didn't realise he had crossed the border into Democratic Republic of Congo.
He escaped just in time. Later, his three brothers and two sisters were shot by the RPF at point-blank range.
"What is most savage and cruel is that my mother and father were standing there, watching as their children were killed," he said.
After crossing Congo alone, Xavier reached Cameroon, where he obtained refugee status. Twenty three years on, he is an established nurse anesthesiologist, and the head of the country's almost 900-strong Rwandan refugee community.
Unlike more recent refugees, often clustered in the country's East or Far North regions eking out an existence between camps and urban slums, Rwandans in the capital are a well-structured group, due in part to the strong support network they have established.
But the shadows of the 1994 genocide - in which an estimated 800,000 died, most of them Tutsis - remain hard to cast aside.
The vast majority of Cameroon's Rwandan community is ethnically Hutu, like Xavier. Some had significant links with members of the regime who took part, directly or tangentially, in the genocide against the Tutsis.
Among the refugees is a relative of a bodyguard for former Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana, whose killing when his plane was downed was a key trigger for the genocide. Another is a family member of an army general wanted for war crimes, now in hiding.
After the genocide, many Hutus were persecuted and forced to flee Rwanda as surviving Tutsis sought bloody revenge.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Over the past two decades, Rwandan refugees living in Yaounde have focused their energies on helping each other.
The president of the refugee community is supported by two deputies, two secretaries and a treasurer, alongside a council of elders charged with resolving disputes.
This self-sufficiency against the odds is borne from a traditional suspicion of outsiders and their motives, Rwandans say. It has fostered an impressive network of mutual support.
When Elizabeth Nyirazankira, 40, was attacked at a market by a machete-wielding thief, she was seriously wounded in her left arm. The refugee community collected around 2 million francs ($3,575) to help her pay medical fees and stay afloat when she could not work.
Others, growing in confidence, have decided to draw on their own traumatic experiences to reach out beyond their own group.
Veronique Sibomana struggled after arriving in Cameroon, pregnant with three young children. But once she got on her feet, she decided to help others facing similar hardship.
Today she heads a Yaounde women's refugee collective, a voluntary post working with women from Congo, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Chad, Togo, Burundi, Nigeria and Rwanda. They help provide services from psychological counselling to food aid.
Kelly Yotebieng, a medical anthropologist at Ohio State University who has spent several years studying Rwandan urban refugees in Cameroon, said they have "an incredibly strong work ethic and a sense of entrepreneurship". They place enormous value on formal education, as well as on social ties, she added.
ELECTION
But in recent months, old political tensions have resurfaced, triggered by Rwanda's presidential elections in August. For the first time, non-refugee Rwandans were allowed to vote in Yaounde, a move that outraged some.
Jean Baptiste Zikama, a Rwandan diplomat-turned-businessman of mixed Hutu-Tutsi background who settled in Cameroon in 1994, instigated the voting, seeing it as a way of strengthening the diaspora. By law, refugees were not allowed to participate.
"We thought that Rwandans who are here have the right to vote, as nationals. That's why we decided to organise it," said Zikama, taking his blue Rwandan passport from his shirt pocket.
Only about 10 percent of eligible Rwandans in Cameroon - most of whom are Hutu - voted in the August poll, with the vast majority backing Paul Kagame, Rwanda's long-standing Tutsi president.
Kagame, who has been in power for 17 years, won 98.8 percent of the vote in Rwanda. Rights groups and opponents accuse him of ruling with an iron fist, suffocating dissent and dealing ruthlessly with critics.
Some in Cameroon say the Yaounde voting uncovered the open wounds of the genocide once again. Bringing in a Rwandan diplomat from Congo Republic to help run the poll also rang an alarm bell.
Some Rwandan dissidents have been killed after fleeing abroad in cases that remain unsolved. The government denies any involvement.
"We know that wherever there is a Rwandan non-refugee diaspora, there are disappearances, assassinations," said refugee community head Xavier, who suspects there are Rwandan agents working for the authorities embedded in Cameroon. "They consider us as opposition, even if we're not involved in politics."
Madeleine Nizeyimana, 51, said the recent poll had "created something bad" by stirring up the past.
Before the genocide, she was married to a presidential intelligence agent living in an upscale district of the Rwandan capital Kigali. Today, home is a small, dark room in a back-street slum of Yaounde's Etoa-Meki neighbourhood.
Nizeyimana fled Rwanda when rockets started raining down on her street, but since the genocide, Tutsi friends back home have protected many members of her Hutu family, she said. As such, she believes simplistic interpretations should be avoided.
"Me, I can't say President Kagame is someone bad - just like I can't say that (we Hutus are) all 'good'. Each one has their faults," she said, as a mouse scurried past cooking pots on the floor.
"Just because we're refugees who are out of the country, it doesn't mean we are saints," she said. "We must get rid of all this 'ethnicity' business... It's the dirty mentality that we must wash out of our heads. We must live like brothers." (Reporting by Inna Lazareva, editing by Megan Rowling and Katy Migiro; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, climate change, resilience, women's rights, trafficking and property rights. Visit http://news.trust.org/)
BAGHDAD, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Up to 78,000 people could be trapped in Islamic State-held Hawija in northern Iraq, the United Nations said on Tuesday, as security forces push to recapture the town.
Iraq started an offensive on Sept. 21 to seize Hawija, which fell to the hands of militants after the Iraqi army collapsed in 2014 in the face of the Islamic State offensive and remains the last militant-held town in the country's north.
U.N. humanitarian spokesman Jens Laerke said the number of people who have fled the fighting has increased from 7,000 people during the first week of the operation to some 12,500 people now. But up to 78,000 remain trapped, he said.
Iraqi security officials say the militants prevent some residents from leaving, while others are afraid of escaping towards government forces because of the explosives that might have been laid by Islamic State around the town.
"We remain concerned for the lives and well-being of these vulnerable civilians and remind those doing the fighting that civilians must be protected at all times and allowed to safely leave Hawija," Laerke said.
Laerke said more people were expected to flee the fighting in areas around Hawija in the next 24 to 48 hours as security forces push into more densely populated areas.
Hawija, north of Baghdad, and a stretch of land along the Syrian border, west of the Iraqi capital, are the last stretches of territory in Iraq still in the hands of Islamic State. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Alison Williams)
By Abdi Sheikh
MOGADISHU, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Somalia has received $50 million in new aid from Saudi Arabia but the gesture does not change the central government's decision to remain neutral in Riyadh's dispute with fellow Gulf state Qatar, a senior Somali official said on Tuesday.
The money follows a visit to Riyadh last week by Somalia's president and a string of declarations of support for the Saudi side in the Gulf crisis from Somalia's semi-autonomous regions, into which Riyadh and its Gulf Arab allies have poured money.
Somali Information Minister Abdirahman Omar Osman, announcing the $50 million in Saudi aid, told Reuters that the government appreciated Saudi financial support and called the bilateral relationship "brotherly...and deep".
However, he said: "There is no need for us to side with one country over the other". A Saudi government spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain cut diplomatic and trade links - including air and shipping routes - with Qatar in June, accusing it of supporting terrorism, a charge it denies.
Qatar is the world's biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas and hosts the Gulf's biggest U.S. military base.
Unlike Saudi Arabia, Qatar is not a major trade partner for Somalia. However, Somali media say Qatar helped finance the presidential campaign of Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, elected earlier this year.
Somali neutrality is important for Qatar as Somali air space remains open for Qatar Airways, a critical lifeline against the blockade. Somalia is also strategically located on the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Somalia's position is delicate - it relies on significant trade with Saudi Arabia but is increasingly close to Turkey, which is supporting Qatar in the Gulf crisis.
Somali ties with wealthy Saudi Arabia have grown as it tries to rebuild after two decades of war and quell Islamist al-Shabaab insurgents. But Western powers and Turkey remain among the biggest and more prominent donors to Somalia. Turkey opened a military base in Mogadishu on Saturday.
Last year, Somalia received a $50 million aid pledge from Saudi Arabia on the same day it announced it was cutting relations with Saudi rival Iran. (Additional reporting by Maggie Fick in Nairobi and Stephen Kalin in Riyadh; writing by Maggie Fick; editing by Mark Heinrich)
BUDAPEST, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Hungary's Central European University, an international school embroiled in a conflict with the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, said it has agreed to cooperate with Bard College in the United States, in hopes that will help end the row.
Orban has used the conflict to fan political flames ahead of elections due in April 2018, setting conditions that appeared tailor-made to make accreditation difficult for CEU. CEU has said it will not leave Budapest.
"We have been informed that negotiations have created the basis for an agreement," CEU said in an emailed statement. "In response to the progress that has been made, CEU felt able to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bard College... to provide educational activities in New York.
"We hope that this MOU, which does not preclude future agreements with other New York-based institutions, helps to provide the basis for a speedy conclusion to this affair." (Reporting by Marton Dunai, editing by Larry King)
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON, Oct 3 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday the United States should consider staying in the Iran nuclear deal unless it were proven that Tehran was not abiding by the agreement or that it was not in the U.S. national interest to do so.
Although Mattis said he supported President Donald Trump's review of the agreement curbing Iran's nuclear program, the defense secretary's view was far more positive than that of Trump, who has called the deal agreed between Iran and six world powers in 2015 an "embarrassment."
Trump is weighing whether the pact serves U.S. security interests as he faces an Oct. 15 deadline for certifying that Iran is complying, a decision that could sink an agreement strongly supported by the other world powers that negotiated it.
"If we can confirm that Iran is living by the agreement, if we can determine that this is in our best interest, then clearly we should stay with it," Mattis told a Senate hearing.
"I believe ..., absent indications to the contrary, it is something that the president should consider staying with," Mattis added.
Earlier, when Mattis was asked whether he thought staying in the deal was in the U.S. national security interest, he replied: "Yes, senator, I do."
The White House had no immediate comment on Mattis' remarks, which once again highlighted the range of views on major policy issues within the Trump administration.
If Trump does not recertify by Oct. 15 that Iran is in compliance, congressional leaders would have 60 days to decide whether to reimpose sanctions on Tehran suspended under the accord.
That would let Congress, controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, effectively decide whether to kill the deal. Although congressional leaders have declined to say whether they would seek to reimpose sanctions, Republican lawmakers were united in their opposition to the agreement reached by Democratic former President Barack Obama.
Senator Tom Cotton, a long-time skeptic about the Iran deal, backed decertification in order to threaten Iran with more sanctions or military action.
"One thing I learned in the Army is that when you have your opponent on his knees, you drive him to the ground and choke him out," Cotton said in a speech on Tuesday to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington.
'FUNDAMENTALLY' IN COMPLIANCE
In a House of Representatives hearing on Tuesday, Mattis said Iran was "fundamentally" in compliance with the nuclear deal.
"There have been certainly some areas where they were not temporarily in that regard, but overall our intelligence community believes that they have been compliant and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) also says so," Mattis said.
Last month, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said the accord cannot be renegotiated.
Trump has said he has made a decision on what to do about the agreement but has not said what he has decided.
The prospect of Washington reneging on the agreement has worried some U.S. partners that helped negotiate it, especially as the world grapples with North Koreas nuclear and ballistic missile development.
Backers of the pact say its collapse could trigger a regional arms race, worsen Middle East tensions and discourage countries like North Korea from trusting Washington to keep its word.
The deal was signed by Britain, China, the European Union, France, Germany, Iran, Russia and the United States.
White House national security adviser H.R. McMaster has defended Trump's criticism of the nuclear agreement, saying it had the "fatal flaw" of a "sunset clause," under which some restrictions on Iran's nuclear program expire from 2025.
European ambassadors speaking in Washington last week said they would do everything possible to protect companies based in Europe and that continue to do business with Iran from reimposed U.S. sanctions.
French Ambassador Gerard Araud noted that the other countries that signed the pact had made clear they do not support renegotiating it.
J Street, a liberal pro-Israel group, said Trump did not have legitimate grounds to decertify the deal.
"If he chooses to do so anyway, he will be acting purely based on divisive politics and dangerous ideology, and endangering the security of the U.S. and our allies," Dylan Williams, vice president of government affairs for the group, said in a statement. (Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart in Washington; Additional reporting by Steve Holland and Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Yara Bayoumy and James Dalgleish)
MOSCOW, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Hundreds of Russian servicemen on Tuesday attended the funeral of a marine commander who died after being fatally injured in Syria.
Valery Fedyanin, 46, was in command of the 61st marine brigade of the Russian Northern Fleet with the rank of colonel. According to the Russian military, he was wounded in Syria's Hama province by a landmine on Sept 22.
He died in hospital on Sept 30, the latest Russian military casualty of Moscow's two-year-old operation in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad.
"He was on assignment in the Syrian Arab Republic since June 2017. On September 22, he was badly injured during a humanitarian mission and died," an officer said during the funeral ceremony at a military cemetery near Moscow.
(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova)
By Tiisetso Motsoeneng and Ed Cropley
JOHANNESBURG Oct 3 (Reuters) - The African arm of Germany's Munich Re has dropped KPMG as its auditor, the latest company to distance itself from the accountancy firm entangled in a scandal involving friends of South African President Jacob Zuma.
KMPG sacked its South African leadership last month after it found work done for companies owned by the Gupta family - a trio of Indian-born businessmen with close ties to Zuma - "fell considerably short" of its standards.
"It is well known that KPMG has faced some reputational and credibility challenges," Munich Re Africa's CEO Nico Conradie told Reuters. "I don't want to accuse them of anything but we just felt that it would be better for us if we are dealing with a new auditor in 2018".
Munich Re's decision was taken last Friday, Conradie said, weeks after the reinsurer's director, Iraj Abedian, quit, protesting over the board's decision to wait for the outcome of KPMG's internal investigation before taking any action.
Sasfin and Hulisani, both relatively small companies based in Johannesburg, said last month they would drop KPMG as their auditor, while the South African parliament has also said it would no longer use the firm.
Big financial clients such as Barclays Africa and Standard Bank are considering too whether to ditch one of biggest and most influential names in accounting.
A source with knowledge of the matter at one of South Africa's big four banks said the bank had received letters from major South African clients telling it to cut ties with KPMG.
The bank's response was to tell KMPG it had to show it had "done everything in its power to cut out the rot," including commissioning a fully independent external audit rather than the internal review it has conducted so far.
"The basic message is 'You guys can't mark your own homework'," the source said.
But the South African central bank has told the big four lenders they cannot fire KPMG because it might undermine financial stability, two sources told Reuters last week.
KPMG is one of several high-profile international companies facing questions about its work for the Indian-born Gupta brothers, who have been accused by an anti-graft watchdog of unduly influencing the awarding of government contracts.
The Guptas and Zuma deny wrongdoing and say they are victims of a politically motivated witch-hunt. The Guptas and their companies have not been charged with any crime.
KPMG, whose local unit traces its roots to Johannesburg's gold rush days in the late 19th century, is under investigation by industry watchdog Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors.
The regulator's chief executive Bernard Agulhas told lawmakers in Cape Town on Tuesday his office would fast-track the inquiry. (Additional reporting by Wendell Roelf in Cape Town; Editing by Joe Brock and Mark Potter)
By Marton Dunai
BUDAPEST, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Hungary's Central European University, an international school embroiled in a conflict with the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, said it has agreed to cooperate with Bard College in the United States, in hopes that will help end the row.
Orban has used the conflict to fan political flames before elections due in April 2018, setting conditions that appeared designed to make accreditation difficult for CEU, which said it would not leave Budapest.
But the conflict drew criticism from international partners and provoked massive protests in Budapest in the spring. Orban's political support was damaged as critics accused him of attacking academic freedom.
The government nonetheless passed a law that required international universities to have an agreement with its home country and prove they conducted educational activity there, as conditions of a dual American-Hungarian education status.
The government claimed it wanted to create a level playing field for all institutions of higher education. It said CEU, founded by the philanthropist financier George Soros, issued American degrees without operating in the United States.
CEU, which has only one campus in Budapest but accreditation in the U.S., said the bill was designed to shut it down.
Now, talks with Bard "have created the basis for an agreement," CEU said in an emailed statement. "In response to the progress that has been made, CEU felt able to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bard College... to provide educational activities in New York.
"We hope that this MOU, which does not preclude future agreements with other New York-based institutions, helps to provide the basis for a speedy conclusion to this affair."
The new turn comes after Orban launched a renewed attack against Soros, calling on Hungarians for a "national consultation to stop the Soros plan" - a perceived plot by the billionaire to interfere with Europe's immigration rules .
Soros has denied having such a plan but nevertheless became a focal point of the government's vilification campaign.
Education Secretary Laszlo Palkovics, who has denied the government wanted to shutter CEU, told the local news channel ATV that the memorandum of understanding in and of itself was insufficient to fulfil the criterion.
"Indeed, there is an agreement between CEU ... and Bard," Palkovics said. "CEU may rent some building at Bard, but that is only a condition of education activity. Only once they accredit a specific course will they fulfil the criterion.
"The authority that approved the course in Budapest must also approve that course. That will mean CEU has a course in America. We don't know of that having happened yet." (Reporting by Marton Dunai, editing by Larry King)
You are here: Home
China's cultural industry saw steady value-added growth last year that has played a bigger role in driving broad economic growth, official data showed.
In 2016, the value added of China's culture-related sectors stood at 3.08 trillion yuan (about 463.9 billion U.S. dollars), rising 13 percent from the previous year, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
The value added in the industry accounted for 4.14 percent of China's gross domestic product (GDP), up 0.17 percentage point from the share in 2015.
"Steady growth in China's cultural industry has played an important role in facilitating economic restructuring and maintaining healthy growth," the NBS said.
China is planning to develop its cultural industry into a pillar of the national economy by 2020 by upgrading its industrial structure, fostering major brands and boosting consumption.
China's GDP grew 6.9 percent in the first half of 2017, above the government's targeted annual growth of around 6.5 percent.
AMSTERDAM, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Dutch caretaker Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis said on Tuesday she was resigning after a report highlighted serious failures by her department during a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali.
The Safety Board last week issued its findings about an incident on June 6, 2016, when a mortar killed two soldiers and gravely injured a third. It concluded that the ministry had let safety and medical standards slip in favour of pursuing strategic goals.
Hennis announced her resignation during a parliamentary debate just days before the caretaker government is due to be replaced by a new coalition under Prime Minister Mark Rutte. (Reporting by Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Gareth Jones)
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON, Oct 3 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Tuesday the United States would try "one more time" to work with Pakistan in Afghanistan before President Donald Trump would turn to options to address Islamabad's alleged support for militant groups.
Relations between the two countries have been frayed over the past decade. While officials have long questioned the role Pakistan has played in Afghanistan, the comments by Mattis are likely to cause concern in Islamabad and within the Pakistan military.
"We need to try one more time to make this strategy work with them, by, with and through the Pakistanis, and if our best efforts fail, the president is prepared to take whatever steps are necessary," Mattis said at a House Armed Services Committee hearing.
Mattis added that he would be traveling to Islamabad soon, but did not give more details.
Reuters first reported that possible Trump administration responses being discussed include expanding U.S. drone strikes and perhaps eventually downgrading Pakistans status as a major non-NATO ally.
When asked by a lawmaker whether revoking Pakistan's major non-NATO ally status was amongst the options being considered to deal with Islamabad, Mattis said: "I am sure it will be."
In a separate Senate hearing on Tuesday, the top U.S. military officer said he believed Pakistan's main spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) directorate, had ties to militant groups.
"It is clear to me that the ISI has connections with terrorist groups," Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The Pakistan embassy in Washington said Islamabad had achieved success in counter-terrorism operations in its country.
"However, unless the same level of success is achieved in (Afghanistan), long lasting peace in the region will remain out of reach," the embassy said in a statement.
The United States in 2012 designated the Pakistan-based Haqqani network as a terrorist organization. The year before, U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, then the top U.S. military officer, caused a stir when he told Congress that the Haqqani network was a "veritable arm" of the ISI directorate.
U.S. officials have told Reuters that the United States will send about 3,500 additional troops to Afghanistan.
Dunford said that the current cost for the United States in Afghanistan was about $12.5 billion a year, and the new strategy would cost an additional $1.1 billion. (Reporting by Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart; Editing by Michael Perry; Editing by James Dalgleish and Cynthia Osterman)
ATHENS, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Greece has appointed Riccardo Lambiris as the new chief executive of its privatisation agency, which is trying to sell assets to comply with the terms of the country's bailouts.
Lambiris, 42, will take up the role on Oct. 16, the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations (HCAP) said in a statement. His appointment follows the resignation of Antonios Leousis, who is stepping down for personal reasons.
Privatisations have been required under Greece's international bailouts since 2010, but so far they have reaped only 4.4 billion euros ($5.17 billion) as a result mainly of political resistance and red tape.
Lambiris has long experience in business and investment banking, HCAP said, adding that he has worked at Rockwell Gold and has served as the head of the department of Mergers and Acquisitions of HSBC Bank for Greece and Cyprus. ($1 = 0.8514 euros) (Reporting by Renee Maltezou; editing by Alexander Smith)
ROME, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Italian state lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) could invest in Telecom Italia if Rome asked it to by exercising so-called golden powers, its chairman said.
Rome has launched a process against Telecom Italia (TIM) for failing to notify it that its largest shareholder Vivendi had assumed de facto control of the company, which is considered a strategic asset.
Vivendi denies its 24 percent holding has given it effective control, while TIM says it did not have to notify Rome.
There has been speculation in Italy that CDP, which owns 50 percent of rival broadband group Open Fiber, may be called on to buy a stake in Telecom Italia to protect strategic interests.
CDP Chairman Claudio Costamagna told La7 TV on Tuesday that the state lender's investment in Open Fiber remained a priority.
"But if the government asked us to enter Telecom by exercising the golden power, we would look at it to see if it was advantageous or not," he said.
Politicians have been calling on and off since 2006 for TIM's prized telecom network to be transferred to a state-controlled entity to create a neutral platform.
TIM and Open Fiber, which is jointly controlled by CDP and utility Enel, are building competing fast networks.
"Open Fiber is doing a job that is very important for our future," Costamagna said.
Italy's Industry Minister said in a newspaper interview on Saturday Italy would decide by the end of October whether there were grounds to use special powers. (Reporting by Stefano Bernabei; Writing by Stephen Jewkes; Editing by Isla Binnie and Alexander Smith)
The continuous delay in conducting Local Government and Provincial Councils polls after the expiry of their terms of office has created quite a controversy and made political parties, the public and the election monitoring NGOs impatient. The Daily Mirror spoke to Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faiszer Musthapha, the political authority who is responsible for the Local Government and PC polls and enacting of relevant legislations. Following are excerpts of the interview.
The first delimitation report was full of errors, blunders and mistakes making it extremely difficult to implement them
Our target for PC polls for the North-Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern provinces is March, 2018. The Government will hold Local Government Polls before
January 2018
Its pertinent to say that the majority of the public doesnt have a good knowledge of delimitation. Following a census, the delimitation process of electorates and wards in the local Government level takes place during which the old delimitations are effected
There are more than 50 Technical Amendments to be incorporated in the local government electoral system following the passage of the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill on August 25
The claim by the joint opposition that the Rajapaksa regime conducted polls on time and in a democratic manner doesnt hold water because the former presidents regime held elections when the time was right for the Government
Unfortunately, this report had been prepared by a team of officials doing their job in an air-conditioned office on the whims and fancies of the strong man of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa
Q The delay in finalizing the delimitation process in respect to the Provincial Councils and the passing of technical amendments for the Local Government electoral process has delayed the conducting of polls to the two political administrative bodies. How and why?
The delimitation process was delayed for more than one and half years after the first report was handed over to then Minister of Local Government, Provincial Councils and Home Affairs Minister Karu Jayasuriya in August 2015.
The then Parliamentary Select Committee chaired by Dinesh Gunawardene on local Government electoral reforms proposed the mixed electoral system; a combination of the proportional representation and the first past the post. The relevant Act No. 22 of 2012 originated based on the recommendations of the Dinesh Gunawardana Committee. This Act introduces four ways of delimitation. Diversity of population, density of population, level of economic development, and the geographical and physical factors were the matters on which delimitation was based on.
A National Delimitation Committee was appointed to look into the delimitation process recommended by the Gunawardana Select Committee. After two-and-a-half years of deliberations, it released a report in August 2015.
There had been changes in the population levels in the electorates. Earlier it was 75,000 persons for every 1,000 square miles. Later it was increased to 90,000.
Unfortunately, this report had been prepared by a team of officials doing their job in an air-conditioned office on the whims and fancies of the strong man of the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, with the SLFP being extremely favoured. In fact the recommendations of the old delimitation report were a shortcut to keep the SLFP in power at the local Government level for ever.
Almost all the political parties, a majority of local Government bodies, the civil society and the minority parties in Particular vehemently opposed this report. I as the subject minister had no option but to appoint a new committee to conduct the delimitation process in a fair, balanced and transparent manner. It was for this purpose that I, on the advice of President Maithripala Sirisena with the guidance of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, appointed the five member Asoka Peiris Committee, that represents all political parties in Parliament. This was after putting the much flawed first delimitation report to the dust bin.
I must say with gratitude that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe took much pain to obtain the consensus of all dissenting political parties in Parliament on delimitation. This was after a several rounds of discussions by all party confabs.
It is pertinent to say that the majority of the public doesnt have a fair knowledge of delimitation. Following a census, the delimitation process of electorates and wards at local Government level takes place during which the old delimitations were effected.
On PC polls, the Government wanted to conduct all elections for all 9 PCs on a single day, departing from the Rajapaksa policy of conducting PC polls on a scattered basis, a system which was advantageous to the ruling party. This highly undemocratic and corrupt electoral system gave the opportunity to pool all state resources of the Government in its favour and ensure victory.
It was a known fact that the previous regime used state vehicles, state funds, public officials, the Police and the armed forces to ensure victory at the PC polls. This was extremely disadvantageous to the opposition.
Thus, the claim by the Joint Opposition that the Rajapaksa regime conducted polls on time in a democratic manner doesnt hold water because the Rajapaksa regime held elections when the time was right for the Government.
I must say with gratitude that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe took much pain to obtain the consensus of all dissenting political parties in Parliament on delimitation. This was after a several rounds of discussions by all party confabs
Q What is this controversy regarding the technical amendments that have held back the conducting of Local Government polls?
There are more than 50 Technical Amendments to be incorporated in the Local Government Electoral System following the passage of the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill on August 25. The Government intends to pass these technical amendments this month (October) to pave the way for the conducting of Local Government Polls in December (2017) or January next year.
Our target regarding PC polls for the North-Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern provinces is March, 2018.
Q And what about the delimitation in respect of PC polls?
Yes, a de-limitation committee on Provincial Councils has to be instituted within 14 days after the passing of the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill in keeping with the law. President Maithripala Sirisena has already appointed a five-member committee which includes the three members of the National Delimitation Commission. The two other members represent the minorities. The five member delimitation committee on PCs is free to appoint technical committees if required to expedite the delimitation process.
Q Why did you appoint a committee of officials headed by Asoka Peiris to review the previous report and submit a new report?
As I pointed out earlier, the first delimitation report was full of errors, blunders and mistakes making it extremely difficult to implement it. The situation was further aggravated when almost all the political parties, the minority parties in particular, protested against the recommendations stating that the recommendations were highly disadvantageous to them. Therefore, I had no option, but to rectify the error and appoint the five member committee led by senior administrative officer Asoka Peiris.
The other 4 members were selected from the UNP, SLFP, TNA and the JVP. However, I must say that the committee had done a satisfactory job in submitting a report to eliminate the mistakes and errors found in the first report.
The difference between the JO and the opposition of another country is that they (The Opposition in a foreign country) have not stooped to this low level.
Q But the finalizing of delimitation on PCs and technical amendments for the Local Government Polls are still long overdue. Your comments?
The Government is determined to hold polls for three PCs now under the governors rule in the first quarter of 2018 and Local Government Elections before January 2018.
Q The Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Bill was passed in Parliament last month which introduces a mixed electoral system. The Bill has reduced the ratio of elected members to a PC under the first past the post system to 50% from earlier agreed 60% and increased the ratio of those who will be elected under the proportional representation system to 50% from the earlier 40%. Why is this?
This was done with the consent of all political parties except that of the JO. The minority parties wanted to increase the Proportional Representation to 50%. The increasing of PR representation will also help for a wider representation of women and youth at the PCs which is a healthy development. However, a minimum of 25% of women representation in PC is a legal requirement now.
Q Why the Joint Opposition and Mahinda Rajapaksa faction are carrying out a virulent campaign against you and the Unity Government alleging that both of you want to delay Local Government Polls and PC Polls?
It isnt a surprise at all. The JO led by the Mahinda Rajapaks faction must spread lies, fabrications, misinformation and distortions for their survival in politics. The difference between the JO and the opposition of another country is that they (The Opposition in a foreign country) have not stooped to this low level. The Opposition in other countries always are critical of the Government, but their allegations against the regime are true and their comments are productive.
I would like to draw your attention to the time when Sri Lanka in a ground breaking initiative launched its first ever fully fledged free pre-hospital care ambulance service- a gift from India- which boasted of 88 vehicles.
The JO went to town with an absolute lie stating that the entire service was manned by Indian doctors, paramedics, nurses and even drivers. This was a ruse by them to make the public believe that the whole exercise was to plant sleuths of the RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), in Sri Lanka. I mustnt elaborate more on this heinous act of the JO. The people in the country have now realized the service rendered by this ambulance service and whether there is a single Indian serving them.
The lies and misinformation spread on the proposed new Constitutional process is no different.
The Govt. intends to pass these technical amendments this month to pave the way for the conducting of Local Government Polls in December or January next year
Q Can you say with confidence that the two pieces of legislations would address the aspirations and grievances of all political parties, the voters, members of local bodies and PCs and the minority political parties?
Yes, indeed. The two pieces of legislations have been passed with the consent of all minority parties. They voted in support of the Government to pass them in Parliament. These legislations were passed with more than a two thirds majority.
Q The JO says that the Government fears conducting polls. How are SLFPs the preparations for the forthcoming Local Government and PC polls?
The Government doesnt fear conducting polls. I repeat, the Local Government Polls will be held before January 2018. The SLFP has already taken measures to select candidates for all Local Government bodies.
Party leader Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the organizations at the grassroots, district and constituent level, women and youth wings to start electioneering and get organized themselves to ensure a big victory for the SLFP. I think the UNP has also started its campaign for Local Government Polls.
While claiming that the group of 35 Myanmar refugees would be sent to third country, the Government today revealed that a total of 1,333 asylum seekers and refugees were residing in the country under the protection of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Addressing the media at the weekly media briefing today at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Head Quarters Ports and Shipping Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said according to an MoU signed between the UNHCR and the Government, the Myanmar refugees should be sent to a third country as soon as possible.
The Minister pointed out that Sri Lanka was not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and because of that and the country could not take any responsibility based on the convention.
But according to the international law countries should approach this kind issue with a humane aspect. India worked to provide temporary facilities for refugees. Though we did not sign the 1951 Refugee Convention we have worked to provide facilities for refugees since 2008, The Minister said.
He said the refugees who came to Sri Lanka in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2014 had been sent to third countries such as the US and Canada for permanent residence through the intervention of the UNHCR.
Those countries expressed willingness to grant residency to refugee as part of the UNHCR Convention, he said.
The Myanmar refugees, who recently came to the country, were from a camp in South India but not from Myanmar. The boat was captured by the Sri Lankan Navy after they entered to the Sri Lankan waters. Later the refugees were handed over to the UNHCR as usual since 2008.
After handing over the refugees to the UNHCR the Sri Lankan Government is not in a bond to provide facilities for them. All infrastructure facilities should be provided by the UNHCR.
There are 728 refugees in the country as at August 31 this year- such as 113 from Afghanistan, 7 from Iran, 8 from Maldives, 35 from Myanmar, 533 from Pakistan, 10 from Palestine, 1 from Somalia, 14 from Syria, 1 from Tunisia and 6 from Yemen.
The UNHCR had taken the responsibly to send these people to a third country.
If the people in society know the true story behind the refugee situation in the country they would not have acted like extremists, Minister Samarasinghe said. (Chaturanga Pradeep)
Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today claimed that Prof. Colvin Gunaratnes appointment as the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) was one that had been done to circumvent the SLMCs objections on SAITM.
While expressing its displeasure over the recent appointment, the GMOA said it could be viewed as Health Minister Senaratne playing his trump card in order to silence the SLMC and safeguard the SAITM institute, a duty that he had taken upon himself to accomplish by hook or by crook.
In a letter addressed to the President and the Prime Minister, the GMOA had expressed its displeasure over the Health Ministers actions and said they were dismayed to hear of Professor Gunaratnes appointment as the new Chairman of the SLMC.
Addressing a press conference in Colombo, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said it was an arbitrary decision of Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne to appoint Prof. Gunaratne to the post.
He said during an earlier occasion when Health Minister submitted Professor Gunaratnes name for the post it was rejected by both President Maithripala Sirisena and the Prime Minister after considering the strong objections posed by the GMOA.
Dr. Aluthge said Professor Gunaratne was well known for his pro-SAITM bias and his involvement in pharmaceutical industry had convinced a majority of those in the SLMC and GMOA to reject his candidacy. His unwillingness to confirm or deny these accusations had also served as proof of his culpability, Dr. Aluthge said.
The GMOA had emphasized that Prof. Gunaratnes appointment will severely affect the independence of the SLMC and will also influence the Appeal Court hearing into the SAITM issue.
Therefore, the GMOA had asked the government to reconsider its decision to appoint Prof. Gunaratne, which, according to them would do irreparable harm to the country, its citizens and the healthcare sector as a whole. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)
Video by Sanjeewa
Ancient Buddhist heritage in China enlivens Silk Road in modern form
China is featured in the world media over its Belt and Road Initiative, a project primarily associated with international trading in todays context. Little is known about the fact that the ancient Silk Route that ran across Dunhuang, China served the crosscurrents of people and cultures giving birth to the Buddhist heritage site called Mogao Grottoes.
Located around 25 kilometres off Dunhuang, Mogao caves, which speak volumes about the rich Buddhist heritage of China, evolved due to encounters with the Indus Valley civilizations through the ancient Silk Route.
The UNESCO listed the Mogao Caves as a world heritage site in 1987. Since then, China has placed the site as a high protection site. In fact, even today photography is not allowed inside the caves as flashlights of cameras can damage the historic murals and paintings
Nestled in the middle of the Gobi Desert and carved into the eastern side of Mingsha Mountains, is a long line of caves, whose walls bear numerous Buddhist murals, sculptures and statues.
The network of caves, commonly called Mogao Grottos, is now a world heritage site declared by the UNESCO.
Last month, China conducted its International Media Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative in Dunhuang, which is home to this Buddhist heritage site. It seems that the heritage site, preserved to be faithful to its original texture of murals and art works, is now used as a powerful tool of culture diplomacy played by China for fostering ties with the rest of the world in the modern context.
Dunhuang is an oasis of the Gobi Desert bordering Inner Mongolia on one side and Tibet on the other. Despite bright sunshine, the cool breeze across the desert terrain, marked by sand dunes and caravans of camels, ensures comfortable tourism for visitors today.
Carved into the mountain cliff, there are 492 caves in the Mogao Grottos housing over 2,000 sculptures and about 45,000 square metres of murals.
According to travel guides, the Mogao Grottos are divided as the Southern and Northern areas.
The Northern area comprises 243 caves used for religious practices and as living quarters of monks. Like in ancient Sri Lanka, Buddhism, which travelled to China from India along this ancient silk route, enjoyed the maximum possible patronage from the rulers of various Chinese dynasties.
They appeared to have considered it as their foremost duty to patronize the building of the places and objects of Buddhist worship. Inscriptional evidence suggests, as transpired during briefings by our travel guides, that the first cave of Mogao Grottos was built by monk Le Zun in 366AD. Afterwards, the cave constructions continued for ten dynasties starting from Northern Liang.
Along with Buddhist work of art, tourists also find paintings of camels pulling carts, vividly describing the mode of trade during the ancient era along the silk route that connected Gansu Province with Central Asia in principle at that time.
Geographically speaking, the Silk Road had been the confluence of two main cultivations at that time.
Dunhuang had been an intersection along the Road. As such, it offered an avenue not only for trading in goods but also for cross cultural exchanges at that time. It finally influenced the development of a unique Chinese tradition of art with imprints from the rest of the Buddhist world at that time.
The images, depicted in the caves built during the Northern Liang and Northern Wei Period, show the Buddha in Samadhi. The image-making culture has evolved over the following years in terms of techniques adopted for the depiction of Jataka Stories associated with the Buddhas life.
A major attraction is the 34.5 metre tall Buddha statue. Its construction started during the Tang dynasty in 695 AD. Later, it had been developed further and further during the reigns of other dynasties that followed.
Last month, China conducted its International Media Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative in Dunhuang, which is home to this Buddhist heritage site. It seems that the heritage site, preserved to be faithful to its original texture of murals and art works, is now used as a powerful tool of culture diplomacy played by China for fostering ties with the rest of the world in the modern context.
It is said that Empress We Zetian took steps in the construction of Dayun Temple in every prefecture. This Cave, housing the image of Maitreya Buddha, is considered to be the ancient Dayun Temple.
Another major attraction is Cave 148. It houses the Buddha in Nirvana posture. It had been built in 776 AD. Illustrations on the walls of this particular cave describe different Suttas including Mahaparinibbhana Sutta.
The UNESCO listed the Mogao Caves as a world heritage site in 1987. Since then, China has placed the site as a high protection site. In fact, even today photography is not allowed inside the caves as flashlights of cameras can damage the historic murals and paintings.
Not only that, the number of visitors per day is restricted to 6,000 as otherwise their inhalations and exhalations inside the cave chambers could also be harmful to the walls bearing works or art. High-tech sensor devices have been installed to monitor moisture and temperature level constantly for better preservation.
The site has gone through several cycles of damage and restorations.Some parts of paintings have been vandalised probably during times of invasion by those of different faiths.
China selected Dunhuang, the city of Mogao Grottoes, to host over 400 media personnel representing 126 countries and organisations in view of the International Media Forum on the Belt and Road Initiative. That is apparently to put Chinas vision in perspective in a historical context.
China has digitised the site. In a state-of-the-art theatre, visitors can watch the filmed versions of ancient murals, paintings and statues on digital screens for greater understanding of history.
Monk Xuanzang inspired Mogao art Also available are specially designed films showcasing ancient China. Visitors, again, are entertained with scenes describing how Gansu Province or Dunhuang for that matter prevailed at that time both as a trading spot and hotspot of invasions.
There are scenes of caravans of camels, carrying items such as silk, ceramic and tea on the one hand. On the other hand, caravans are found to return with items such as gold and gems from the other side of the world in Central Asia.
Swirling sandstorms and sword-wielding bandits on horseback are menacing. Amidst all that, come Buddhist monks on religious missions on the ancient Silk Route.
Xuanzang is one such Buddhist monk who arrived along the silk route carrying Buddhism to China. So, the ancient silk route not only served the purpose of cross-border trading of items of valuable ceramic, tea, gems and gold, but also spread the message of the Buddha across the Central Asian region to China from India.
Dunhuang is the oasis in which Xuanzang stopped. He translated Buddhist suttas. It inspired the new form of Buddhist art now visible on the walls of Mogao Grottos in the form of Buddha statues in different postures, celestial musicians, and ancient merchants. In history, the site has witnessed periods of abandonment. In 1900, a Taoist monk happened to discovered first cave.
Mr. Sampath Jayasundara Chief Executive Officer at hSenid Business Solutions
The Colombo Artificial Intelligence (AI) Meetup, organised bythe Sri Lanka Association for Artificial Intelligence (SLAAI) and hosted at Virtusa, is a quarterly forum where industry professionals discuss the latest findings in AI, related technologies andnetwork. The event attracts a diverse crowd of like-minded individuals across industries and academia with the single passion of navigating the future of AI. This latest session made it clear to all those present that as the world continues to become digitally connectedAIs role in our lives will exponentially increase. Even now disruptive forces in business are using AI in some form in their battle for dominance in their chosen industry.
Speakers at the event were Sampath Jayasundara, Chief Executive Officer at hSenid Business Solutions, and Dr.Charith Chitraranjan, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Moratuwa. The speakers were then joined on the panel by Mr. Anuradha Weeraman, Associate Director Technology, Virtusa, for a series of questions by the inquisitive audience. The session was moderated by Dr. Ajith Madurapperuma, Member of the Board of Directors at ICTA; Director, Industry Liaison Center at OUSL; and Senior Lecturer, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at OUSL.
Dr.Charith Chitraranjan Senior Lecturer at Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Moratuwa
Dr. Ajith Madurapperuma, Member - Board of Directors at ICTA; Director, Industry Liaison Center at OUSL and Senior Lecturer, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at OUSL
Anuradha Weeraman Associate Director Technology at Virtusa
Audience at AI Meetup
What does Patali know about politics that Harini doesnt know?
Sri Lanka is going through great pains to get its economy in order after the
Writer says wanted to find out how it is possible for a person to remain that popular even after electoral defeat
If you want to look at the world of politics in a totally different perspective, Rajapaksa the Sinhala Selfie, and 83 Daruwo, will help you in your quest.
The launching of the book Rajapaksa: The Sinhala Selfie was held on September 12, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI) with the participation of key figures in journalism and former Chief Justice C.V Wigneswaran. Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council C.V. Wigneswaran was the Chief Guest.
Kusal Perera, a veteran journalist and columnist, who contributes to both the Sinhalese and English newspapers, explained how he was inspired to write the book, what he calls a personal narrative.
There is no space for critical thinking in todays society, where emotion driven media decides what reality should be like -Krishan
The foremost amongst the reasons, according to Kusal, is the formidable Political will and character of the former President, who still remains a formidable personality with a considerable influence over the actions of the incumbent Government.
I wanted to find out how it is possible for a person to remain that popular even after electoral defeat, Kusal said.
He stated that he first started writing the book a month or two after the conclusion of the war. He resumed writing after the Presidential Election in 2010, stopped writing again, finally resolving to finish it in 2015 January, with the electoral results, because, to quote Kusal This is a man that can bounce back!
However, Kusal says that the book is not all or only about Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The book goes 40-50 years back in Sri Lankan political history, all the while trying to untangle hidden layers, which are intertwined.
Talking about the book, Justice Wigneswaran explained his understanding of the title of the book in his speech.
A selfie is ones own photograph. When Mahinda Rajapaksa takes one he sees not Rajapaksa but a representational Sinhala persona.
He also reminisced about his experiences with the former President, and about requests he had made as the Chief Minister in his official capacity.
I believe none of the ten requests made by me were fulfilled even though he studiously undertook to look into them favourably. Such is the Sinhala Selfie, he said.
It is a timely publication. Though the book is titled Mahinda the Sinhala Selfie, it is full of historical facts of the recent past, which traces the steps that led to the armed rebellion, he said.
Krishan Siriwardhana, the Editor of the 83 Daruwo (Children of 83), and a guest lecturer of the University of Colombo, in his speech about 83 Daruwo said that todays society was a post-truth society, where the line between reality and fiction is blurred. There is no space for critical thinking in todays society, where emotion-driven media decides what reality should be like, he stated.
Talking about the contents of the book, he explained that it contained a collection of stories covering a variety of socio-political topics.
The book explains how, even though to the children born after 1983 the world has turned into a global village due to social media and internet, they are shareholders in spreading racism and separation, he noted.
Talking about the role that social media plays in promoting discrimination in society he added:
I recently saw a Facebook Page tilted Embilipitiye Api. Todays social media, instead of breaking boundaries, creates more boundaries inside the ones that are already there, further dividing society into smaller and smaller groups.
Todays society was a post-truth society, where the line between reality and fiction is blurred
By reading this book, you do not have to agree with everything that Kusal is saying. But in it, we are presented with the view of a man who does not discriminate against race or ethnicity, Krishan said.
More than 2 million people fleeing wars or persecution have joined the ranks of the worlds refugees this year, but often face more restrictive asylum policies, including in Europe and the United States, the top U.N. refugee official said on Monday.
They include 650,000 from South Sudan and 500,000 Muslim Rohingya who have escaped violence in Myanmar for Bangladesh over the past five weeks, many of the latter stateless, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said. So far in 2017, more than 2 million people have fled their countries as refugees, Grandi told the UNHCR Executive Committee which opened a week-long meeting in Geneva.
They often arrive sick, traumatised and hungry, in remote border locations, in communities affected by poverty and under development. Many have urgent protection needs children separated from their families, men, women, girls and boys exposed to sexual and gender-based violence, he said.
GENEVA REUTERS Oct. 2
At the moment when proposals for drafting a new Constitution or amending the present Constitution are underway, it would be extremely relevant to understand the true face (nature) of the present Constitution, since it is from this premise that we will have to proceed either to abolish or amend it. Further the confusion created to obfuscate the issues demand clearance of the ground on which we stand presently. For such an understanding the observations made by Raja Wanasundara the senior most Judge who sat on the panel to adjudicate the Constitutionality of the 13th Amendment would be indispensable.
13A laid the foundation for a Federal State
Full implementation of 13A all denied powers would be brought back
The most urgent and pressing duty on us is to remove these pieces of legislation from our statute book
These observations were made by him in the report-Report of the National Revival Commission- initiated by the Patriotic National Movement and headed by him. I was the coordinating member for that Commission. This extract is from his report:
Provincial Councils Bill
We now turn to the Provincial Councils Bill. The chequered course they followed in the process of the enactment and a detailed analysis of their provisions should be made public knowledge. These Bills were apparently placed on the Order Paper of Parliament on October 9, 1987. Having normally obtained the opinion of the Attorney General under Article 77, the President proceeded to invoke the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Articles 120 and 121 to determine whether the 13th Amendment required the approval of the people at a referendum by virtue of the provisions of the Article 83
It is that difficult task we now approach. The division of the country and creation of a separate Dravidian state is being done step by step covertly and incrementally
As regards the so called majority judgment of the Chief Justice Shravanada, Justice Atukorale, Percy Colin Thome and Thambiah along with that of Justice Parinda Ranasinghe (who, by and large agreed with them, but dissented on one important matter) the wealth of informed and learned opinion in legal circles is that the reasoning in those judgments are mistaken and patently erroneous. The views of just two eminent legal experts bear this out. H.L.de Silva, one of our most eminent and distinguished lawyers and later our Resident Representative to the UN has this to say of those judgments.
It is difficult to agree with the view of the majority of the Court that the changes brought about by the 13th Amendment did not take the effect of the Constitution becoming at least quasi-federal, for the presence of certain unitary features in a constitution does not prevent the system of government from being federal in practice. In a sense, therefore, the constitution position now obtaining in Sri Lanka is not substantially different from the kind of federal system that prevails in India.
Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, now the most Senior Judge in the Supreme Court, and often acting in the office of the Chief Justice, before her elevation to the Bench and then a respected Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, expressed the following opinion when the judgment was publicized. She said:
The 13th Amendment, at the least, sets up a quasi federal structure. As Rajiv Gandhi himself described it to the Tamils, it goes beyond the Indian model
Provincial Councils are on a par with the Parliament and the Councils come within the category of subsidiary sovereign bodies. This demonstrates the division of legislative power
Secondly, Article 154,G(B) clearly points out that in a conflict between the statues of Provincial Councils and an existing law ( passed by the Parliament) with regard to a matter on the Provincial Council List, the existing law (passed by Parliament) shall remain suspended and be in operation within the Province so long as that statute is in force.
Moreover, this leads to the further argument that the provisions of the 13th Amendment are contravening Article 2 of the 1978 Constitution. Article 2 precisely announces that Sri Lanka is a unitary state, and in the present circumstances, one could argue that Provincial Councils, which are empowered to make statues which are on a par with laws made by the Parliament, and to enact statues that can suspend and render inoperative laws made by Parliament. This has made the country federal in nature. This illustrates clearly that the devolution of power has not been carried out within the framework of the Constitution.
The dissenting judgments of Justice R.S. Wanasundara, Justice O. S. M. Seneviratne and Justice I. H. de Alwis and Justice H.A.G. de Silva point out the numerous violations of the Constitution.
The 13th Amendment, at the least, sets up a quasi federal structure. As Rajiv Gandhi himself described it to the Tamils, it goes beyond the Indian model; which is a federation with strong centralization features. Indias relentless pressures continue. Within two days of the death of Prabhakaran, high Indian officials were at our doorstep to remind us to get on with the implementation of the 13th Amendment. Every visit of them here and whenever our high officials visit New Delhi, the burden of the talks is to remind us to implement the 13th Amendment plus! plus!!.
The 13th Amendment has laid the foundation for a federal state. It is a matter of time for a division to take place. The existing structure is sufficient to be used by India and the Tamils to prise open the unity of this country and divide our country. Leaving India apart, even if our own opposition had been in power, we would be having an Eelam by now. Therefore, the most urgent and pressing duty on us is to remove these pieces of legislation from our statute book. It is that difficult task we now approach. The division of the country and creation of a separate Dravidian state is being done step by step covertly and incrementally.
The existing structure is sufficient to be used by India and the Tamils to prise open the unity of this country and divide our country
What masked the federal nature of this Constitution were the non-granting of Police and land powers and the appointment of a Governor with presidential powers. With the full implementation of the 13th Amendment all those denied powers would be brought back revealing the true nature of this deceptive Constitution.
Those words of Justice Wanasudara, leaving India apart; if our own opposition had been in power, we could be having an Ealam by now keeps reverberating within me at this juncture. Dont they sound prophetic when we are beginning to realize ultimately that what matters are not who constitutes the opposition but the role
they play?
America is reeling from the worst mass shooting in its history after at least 58 people were killed and more than 515 wounded at a country music festival in Las Vegas on Sunday night.
The shooting broke out on the final night of the three-day Route 91 Harvest festival, a sold-out event attended by 22,000 and featuring top acts such as Eric Church, Sam Hunt and Jason Aldean. Police say the shooter was 64-year-old Stephen Craig Paddock, a resident of nearby Mesquite, Nevada, who opened fire on the festival taking place at Las Vegas Village from a room across the street in the Mandalay Bay Hotel at 10:08pm.
Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said that his officers breached Paddocks room on the 32nd floor and found Paddock had committed suicide inside, among an arsenal of 10 firearms. Lombardo said that Paddock shot himself. Investigators are now raiding Paddocks home in a retirement community in Mesquite, which he shared with a woman named Marilou Danley. Danley was initially called a person of interest in the shooting, but police no longer believe she was involved after contacting her early Monday morning and finding her out of the country.
Lombardo said investigations are still ongoing and police have not yet determined a motive. He was not believed to be connected to any militant group, Lombardo said.
DAILY MAIL, 2 October, 2017
The day I landed in Toronto in May, a friend drove me to Brampton's Bombay Palace in the evening.
It was crowded. Young and middle-aged Canadians of diverse origins had assembled at the venue for a 38-year-old son of Indian immigrants due to announce his bid for the leadership of the New Democratic Party (NDP).
When Jagmeet Singh, a member of Ontario's provincial legislature, arrived at the podium, he stirred the race to lead the NDP, Canada's left-leaning political group, the country's third largest.
Singh, sporting a flowing beard and a kirpan under his suit, addressed his supporters in fluent French, English and Punjabi.
He spoke about equality, love and justice for all.
Singh speaks fluent French, English and Punjabi.
"Leadership that will bring people together to build a Canada that is truly inclusive and where everyone can realize their dreams," he told his multinational, multiethnic audiences packing the banquet hall.
"That is why, my friends, today I am proud to announce that I am running to be the leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada," he said to a rapturous applause.
A lawyer from the Toronto area, Singh is a social-media star in Canada. He's known for his taste in clothing and for colourful turbans.
At Brampton's Bombay Palace, he demonstrated his appeal and ability to connect with his constituency, mostly young and from under-represented backgrounds.
His speech embodied aspiration.
"We must champion a politics of love to fight the politics of hate," said Singh.
The dapper lawyer walked the talk last month when he came across bigoted remarks at one of his town-hall meetings.
"When is your Shariah going to end? ...We know you are in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood!" screamed a white woman at a campaign event.
Singh's response to the anti-Muslim slur was disarming.
"We welcome you. We love you. We support you," he told the heckler. "Everyone in this room loves you... this room is filled with people who are loving," he said.
Singh did not seek to clarify he was not a Muslim.
"My response to Islamophobia has never been 'I'm not Muslim,'" he said in a statement later. "It has always been and will be that 'hate is wrong.'"
"Once allowed to grow, hate doesn't pick and choose, it spreads like fire," Singh wrote.
His reply jacked up his stature. And on Sunday, he became the first non-white politician to head one of Canada's major political parties.
Brought up in Newfoundland and later in Windsor, Jagmeet Singh's crowning as the president of the NDP is an astonishing achievement for the Sikh minority, which makes up less than 1.5 percent of Canada's population.
"Thank you, New Democrats. The run for prime minister begins now, he tweeted after the results of the NDP vote were announced at a party meeting in Toronto.
In fact, the real challenge for Jagmeet Singh starts here as he prepares to unseat prime minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals in the 2019 federal elections.
For that, he has to win over the centre-left vote-block which elected Trudeau to power in 2015.
Challenges are momentous.
The yelling of one irate woman he encountered at his campaign last month may grow into a supremacist chorus, given the rise of aggressive far-right in global politics.
Jagmeet Singh launching his bid to lead Canada's New Democratic Party, at Brampton in May, 2017. PC: Harmeet Shah Singh
Also, many Quebecers already see overt symbols of faith as antithetical to their province's secular polity.
Too much of a media hype over Singh's distinct - and visibly glaring - Sikh identity could boomerang in the federal fray.
The new NDP president is a game-changer in international politics.
But it's no cakewalk. He'll be walking a tightrope instead.
He must stay clear of identity politics in his journey to the office of Canada's PM.
Singh's identity is his asset. But his critics might use it as a tool of racial politics against him.
The new NDP chief came out as a composed man when he encountered disparagements by his heckler in September.
He may now face many more questions about his culture and his competence to lead Canada.
The current international narrative on the plight of Myanmars persecuted Rohingya minority has failed to recognise the roots of the present crisis or the growing transnational jihadist links of Rohingya militants, who have stepped up attacks. Contrary to the perception that the Rohingya militancy has arisen from military repression in recent years, Myanmars jihad scourge is decades old, with Rohingya Islamist violence beginning even before Myanmar gained independence in 1948.
Militancy
Rohingya militants have actually been in the vanguard of the global rise of Islamic radicalism since the early 1940s when they joined the campaign to press the British to establish Pakistan by partitioning India. It was the British who earlier moved large numbers of Rohingyas from East Bengal to work on rubber and tea plantations in Burma, now Myanmar, which was administered as a province of India until 1937 before it became a separate, self-governing colony. Rohingya migrants settled mainly in Myanmars East Bengal-bordering Arakan region (now renamed Rakhine state).
Between 1942 and the early 1950s, a civil war raged in Arakan between Muslims and Buddhists. Communal hatred spilled into violence during World War II as the Japanese military advanced into Arakan in 1942 and the British launched a counter-offensive, with local Buddhists largely siding with the Japanese and Rohingyas with the British.
Britain recruited Rohingya Muslims into its guerrilla force the so-called V Force to ambush and kill Japanese troops. When the British eventually regained control of Arakan in 1945, they rewarded Rohingya Muslims for their loyalty by appointing them to the main posts in the local government.
Emboldened by the open British support, Rohingya militants set out to settle old scores with Buddhists. And in July 1946, they formed the North Arakan Muslim League to seek the Muslim-dominated northern Arakans secession from Myanmar. In the religious bloodletting that preceded and followed the partition of India, Rohingya attacks sought to drive out Buddhists from northern Arakan as part of the campaign to join East Pakistan.
Failure to achieve that goal turned many Rohingyas to armed jihadism, with mujahideen forces in 1948 gaining effective control of northern Arakan. Government forces suppressed the revolt in the early 1950s, although intermittent mujahideen attacks continued until the early 1960s. From the 1970s onwards, however, Rohingya Islamist movements reemerged, with a series of insurgent groups rising and fading away.
Now history has come full circle in 2017, with the Myanmar military being accused of driving Rohingyas out of Rakhine state. But in a development that carries ominous security implications for the region, especially Myanmar, India and Bangladesh, Rakhine is becoming a magnet for the global jihadist movement, with Rohingya radicals increasingly being aided by militant organisations in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Illegal
The new breed of Rohingya insurgents is suspected of having links with ISIS, Lashkar-e-Taiba, al-Qaeda and even Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence. Ata Ullah, the Pakistani who heads the Rohingya terrorist group, the well-oiled Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, reportedly returned to Pakistan from an extended stay in Saudi Arabia with millions of dollars to wage jihad against Myanmar after the 2012 deadly communal riots in Rakhine.
Against this background, India is legitimately concerned about the illegal entry of over 40,000 Rohingyas since 2012, with the government telling the Supreme Court that their arrival poses a serious security threat because of the links of Rohingya militants with terrorist outfits and the ISI. Some of these militants have become active in India, according to the government.
What is particularly disturbing is the organised manner in which the Rohingyas have sneaked into India from multiple routes and then settled across the length and breadth of the country, including in sensitive places like Jammu, Kashmir Valley, Mewat, and Hyderabad. Rohingya settlements have come up even in New Delhi. Because they entered India unlawfully, the Rohingyas are illegal aliens, not refugees.
Conflict
Normally, those fleeing a conflict-torn zone tend to camp just across an international border. But in this case, the Rohingyas entered India via a third nation, Bangladesh. And then large numbers of them dispersed from West Bengal and Tripura states to different parts of India. Many of them, as the government admits, have obtained Aadhaar and other identity cards.
Still, the government is reluctant to order an inquiry into the role of internal forces in assisting the Rohingyas entry, dispersal, and settlement across India. Worse yet, it has passed the buck to the Supreme Court, with home minister Rajnath Singh saying the government would await the courts hearing and decision on the Rohingyas plea against possible deportation to Bangladesh, from where they entered. Thus far, New Delhi has all talk and no action.
Make no mistake: India is a crowded country that, nonetheless, has generously admitted asylum seekers or refugees over the years from a host of places, including Tibet, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and mainland China. India is already home to some 20 million illegal migrants from Bangladesh.
But the Rohingya aliens pose a special challenge because of the escalating jihad in Rakhine and some Rohingyas militant activities on Indian soil. The external forces fomenting jihadist attacks in Rakhine bear considerable responsibility for the Rohingyas current plight.
125 Years of Progress takes you inside The Daily Progress' archives every day in celebration of our 125 years serving Charlottesville and the rest of Central Virginia. Sponsored by Hanckel-Citizens Insurance Charlottesville
A giant pumpkin dubbed Last Chance, grown in Nelson County by William Layton, shattered the state record at the Virginia State Fair as reported in The Daily Progress on this day in 2007. Tipping the scales at 1,138 pounds, the pumpkin stood just over 4 feet high, a circumference of 13.3 feet and measuring 9.8 feet from side to side, over the top.
At night in the dark when no ones around, the monster in the yard sucks from the soil its life blood, gaining 40 pounds each evening and shooting its tendrils two feet farther every day. Like Redfield to Dracula, William Layton heeded the call of the great pumpkin named Last chance. He showed at 5:30 each morning to cover it with a tarpaulin and pump to the patch upwards of 400 gallons of water from the nearby Tye River.
I knew I had something special when it went from a tiny pumpkin to 70 pounds in the first week, Layton says, It was 600 pounds at 30 days and in 45 days was about 934 pounds.
Laytons son, William Keith Lawton Jr., took second place that year with his 824 pound entry Baby Huey.
When asked what he would do with the pumpkins after the fair, Layton remarked Im gonna make some really big jack-o-lanterns come Halloween.
Laytons Last Chance held the record until 2014 when Hank Houston of Spotsylvania broke the record with his entry at 1,203.2 pounds.
The attorney hired by the city of Charlottesville to evaluate its handling of white nationalist and Ku Klux Klan rallies this spring and summer said on Monday that he will produce an objective report by the end of the year.
In a report to Charlottesville City Council, Tim Heaphy, the former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, stressed that he wants to depersonalize his involvement in the investigation into how the city prepared and managed the controversial events.
Heaphy has faced scrutiny and questions about his ability to be objective in this case since he was hired in September.
While weve been retained by the city, the direction Ive received ... is to get the facts, wherever those facts lead, he said at Mondays council meeting. This is not a whitewash to affirm decisions that were made or meant to point a finger at any individuals. Rather, its an attempt to objectively assess what occurred.
In addition to his ties to local law enforcement officials and organizations, critics have questioned his contributions to Democratic campaigns, including Mayor Mike Signers 2015 council campaign.
The nature of attorney-client privilege also has cast doubt on Heaphys investigation. Some city officials, however, have said they want to be completely transparent about the report.
Last month, Signer said he was planning to return Heaphys $200 donation. City Manager Maurice Jones said Monday that he trusts Heaphy for his career experience and his critical eye.
Heaphy and a team of attorneys from Hunton & Williams, the law firm at which he is a partner, have interviewed witnesses and community members, reviewed submitted and open source materials and hundreds of documents, some of which have been acquired by Freedom of Information Act requests, he said.
The report, which Heaphy hopes to have ready by Thanksgiving, will include recommendations for how the city can prevent future violent protests.
After Councilor Wes Bellamy asked whether he could address specific questions in the interim, such as the allegations that law enforcement officers on Aug. 12 were ordered to stand down, Heaphy said he will wait until the end of the investigation to provide answers to complicated questions.
Theres a question of what was the direction to police, what did police hear and understand, whether or not orders were understood or interpreted. Those are contextual issues, and theyre so significant, Mr. Bellamy, that I feel like rather than answering one off questions, my strong preference is to give you a comprehensive answer, he said.
***
Before the meeting, the council met in closed session to conduct Joness annual performance review.
His current contract expires on Dec. 7, 2018.
Mondays closed session was just one part of the annual review process, and Jones and the councilors still need to establish a work plan, said City Councilor Kathy Galvin. According to his contract, the council and the manager are required to define goals and performance objectives for the proper operation of the City and the fulfillment of the councils policies.
Jones was given a three-year contract extension in 2015.
In August, a leaked confidential memo regarding a closed-session meeting led to speculation that some councilors were considering Jones termination.
Authored by Signer, with the input of every councilor but Bob Fenwick, the document seemed to show councilors were unhappy with Joness handling of the events before, during and after the Aug. 12 Unite the Right rally.
Before Mondays meeting, Signer declined to answer questions about the annual review and his opinion of Jones, citing it as a confidential personnel matter.
Within days of the memo being leaked, Jones responded to the various assertions in the document and said Signer threatened to fire both him and Police Chief Al Thomas after the two city leaders excluded the mayor from a downtown command center on Aug. 12.
Under the city form of government, the city manager is responsible for day-to-day city operations. The primary responsibility of the mayor, who is elected every two years by the council, is to oversee council meetings.
Councilor Bob Fenwick said he still has confidence in Jones, praising both he and Thomas for how they managed the Unite the Right rally.
Theyve done something for this city that no other city in this country has done; they stopped the alt-right, said Fenwick, using a name for a nascent political movement that has become associated with the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazis following the Aug. 12 rally.
***
Also on Monday, council decided that Fourth Street between Market and Water streets will be given an honorary designation recognizing Heather Heyer.
A local resident, Heyer, 32, died after a car plowed into a crowd at the intersection of 4th Street and Water Street. James A. Fields Jr., 20, of Ohio, has been charged with second-degree murder and several other charges for the incident, which injured at least 35 people.
Moments after the start of Mondays meeting, Heyers mother, Susan Bro, thanked the city for recognizing her daughter.
I deeply appreciate the honor, she said.
While some had suggested that the city could name a park for Heyer, close Fourth Street or help build a statue to honor her, Bro said she prefers a more modest memorial to her daughter.
It was my idea not to put a park associated with her name for a number of reasons, she said. And absolutely no statues ... I thought thats a little bit much. And Heather, frankly, hated statues, for a number of reasons.
Bro asked that the city also consider new memorials for African American leaders who have made an impact. She suggested the city could honor Laura Robinson, a longtime educator who died this summer at 103.
Three of the four Democratic candidates seeking the nomination for next years 5th District congressional race will come together at a forum Sunday.
Leslie Cockburn from Rappahannock County, Albemarle County resident Ben Cullop and Andrew Sneathern of Charlottesville will attend the Indivisible Charlottesville event, which will be held at The Haven from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Charlottesville resident Roger Dean Huffstetler is unable to attend the forum.
RD has been traveling around the district, talking to voters of all stripes about the direction of our country. Prior to entering the race, he promised his wife a much-needed vacation to celebrate their anniversary, according to a statement from Huffstetlers campaign.
The candidates are hoping to unseat Republican Rep. Tom Garrett, who was elected to represent the 5th District which spans from the North Carolina border to Northern Virginia in 2016.
Those who cannot make it to the forum can submit their questions via Facebook to Indivisible Charlottesvilles page.
The Las Vegas mass shooting, the deadliest in modern U.S. history, pushed gun control to the front of the neck-and-neck race for Virginia governor on Monday.
At a previously scheduled forum in Vienna , Virginia, that was held hours after a gunman killed at least 58 people and injured hundreds, Democrat Ralph Northam and Republican Ed Gillespie offered condolences.
But the partisan divide over guns in Virginia, a Southern state with a strong gun tradition that was shaken by the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, was immediately evident.
Northam, a former Army doctor who has an F rating from the National Rifle Association, decried what he called "a proliferation of guns" in society and urged gun control measures.
Gillespie, who has an A rating and an endorsement from the NRA, asked for a moment of silence, later telling reporters it was too soon to discuss policy.
Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who became one of the nation's most prominent gun control advocates after she survived a 2011 shooting in her district, cancelled plans to campaign for Northam on Monday in Virginia at gun violence prevention roundtables and meetings with volunteers.
Northam said the cancellation was out of "sensitivity" to grieving families, though Giffords and her husband , former astronaut Mark Kelly, responded to the Las Vegas violence at an afternoon press conference outside the U.S. Capitol.
"Politics matters," Kelly said at that event. "Who we elect matters. Don't let anyone tell you not to talk about politics when we talk about guns."
Americans for Responsible Solutions, Giffords' gun control group, has pledged to spend $150,000 on pro-Northam mailings.
Northam is also backed by Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund, a group bankrolled by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg that is spending at least $700,000 to elect him.
"In light of the tragedy in Las Vegas, today is a day for resolve," said Kate Folmar, an Everytown spokeswoman. "In this governor's race, Virginians have a clear choice between a candidate who believes we must do much to prevent such tragedies, Ralph Northam, and a candidate who does not, Ed Gillespie."
Meanwhile, the NRA, which had planned to run political advertising in Virginia starting Tuesday through Election Day on Nov. 7, delayed those commercials for one week, according to a media buying firm and a Richmond television station.
The gun rights group plans more than $750,000 on commercials in theRichmond and Roanoke markets, according to filings reviewed by the non-partisan Virginia Public Access Project.
The content of the ads is unclear; a spokeswoman for the NRA did not respond to requests for comment.
A source familiar with the NRA ad buy said the delay is not connected to the shootings in Las Vegas. The source insisted on anonymity because this person was not authorized to speak on the record.
This is the second time a major episode of gun violence had ripple effects on the Virginia governor's race, the nation's marquee statewide election this year.
The day after the June 13 primary, a gunman opened fire at a congressional softball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, injuring House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., and Capitol Police officers. Democrats cancelled a planned unity rally, while Republicans scrapped a victory tour in favor of a prayer in Fairfax, Virginia.
Northam said Monday that the latest tragedy required more than "thoughts and prayers."
"There is a tremendous proliferation of guns throughout this country, and there are tragedies that occur every day because of gun violence that we don't even hear about," said Northam in his speech at the forum. "We as a society need to stand up and say its time to take action, and stop talking."
He later told reporters that such actions in Virginia include requiring universal background checks for firearm purchases and reinstating a Virginia law that restricts purchases to one gun per month. That law expired in 2012.
After his forum appearance, Gillespie declined to answer questions from reporters about whether Virginia should change gun laws in light of the latest mass shooting.
"The appropriate comments and appropriate response right now is to take a moment and pray. And that's what I'm doing," said Gillespie, who appeared emotional. "There will be ample time for conversations and policy discussions and politics over the course of this campaign."
Gillespie is opposed to further restrictions on guns and said he would reverse an executive order signed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, that bans guns in government buildings.
Guns have long been a major factor in political races in Virginia, home to the NRA headquarters. Virginia had the dubious distinction of being home to the deadliest mass shooting in modern history after 32 people died in the Virginia Tech mass shootings, until a gunman killed 49 in Orlando last year.
After long avoiding gun control, Democrats running for statewide office in Virginia in the aftermath of Virginia Tech and several other mass shootings began calling for tougher laws - and found they could still win.
McAuliffe, who is barred from seeking consecutive terms under the state election, embraced his "F" rating from the NRA when he ran in 2013. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, has endorsed a series of gun control measures in Congress, and also has an "F" rating from the NRA.
Still, Republicans who control both the Congress and the Virginia General Assembly remain opposed to such efforts, calling them an infringement on Second Amendment protections.
Hillary Clinton gestures to spectators on the last day of the 2016 U.S. Democratic National Convention at Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the United States, on July 28, 2016. [Xinhua/Li Muzi]
Hillary Clinton's loss to Donald Trump last year in the American presidential election came as a shock not only to her own supporters, but to many of her opponent's supporters as well. Almost all of the polls in the weeks leading up to the election predicted a victory for Clinton, with many anticipating a significant margin of victory. With each passing day, the possibility that the businessman-turned-reality TV star would come out on top seemed increasingly unlikely. Then came Nov. 8 and its improbable result. Clinton, no doubt devastated, dropped out of sight for sometime; when she did eventually begin appearing in public again, she almost always spoke about Trump and her failure to become America's first female president.
It's understandable that Clinton needed to vent after the election. But many noted her almost total incapacity to take any responsibility for her loss; there was a whole host of other issues and people to be blamed first. Even when she did acknowledge that her campaign had made mistakes, she would immediately follow with the caveat that all campaigns do so, rendering what might have been a moment of humility into another excuse. Listening to her endlessly repeat the supposed reasons she hadn't been elected soon became tiresome, even for many left-leaning Americans.
But for Clinton, these public appearances apparently weren't enough to get her point across. On Sept. 15, her book "What Happened" was published, which, as the title suggests, details why she believes she lost to Trump. Clearly, she has a lot to say on the topic and was eager to have it said: the book's 500-plus pages were written in the ten short months since the election. Clinton has appeared on talk shows, podcasts, and elsewhere to promote her book, meaning that even if you don't read "What Happened," you still might not be able to avoid hearing Clinton talk about it.
One has to wonder if this book's existence is really necessary and if it can possibly do any good for either Clinton or the Democratic Party. Certainly, there will be strong Clinton supporters who read the book, agree with many of its now-familiar arguments, and finish it with the satisfaction of having their preexisting opinions reinforced. But these people are already staunch Democrats -- no one's being converted. On the other hand, there will be strong Trump supporters who read the book, denounce everything it has to say as a lie, and come away from it disliking Clinton even more than before. The third major group will be moderates, the people who are actually open to changing their mind, but it's hard to imagine how reading a 500-page excuse for losing will bring them further to the left. If anything, they'll likely find Clinton's victim mentality to be off-putting and may wonder if a different attitude would better suit someone who just ten months ago was the face of the Democratic Party.
Clinton's excuses for losing are predictable: The biggest offenders are James Comey, Bernie Sanders, sexism, and the release of the DNC emails by Wikileaks. James Comey (specifically his letter to Congress on Oct. 28, just before the election) and sexism may be the fairest reasons she lists. Blaming Wikileaks (which Clinton has propagandistically called "Russian Wikileaks") is also reasonable, though its influence on the election is debatable. And pointing the finger at Bernie Sanders is ridiculous and contemptible, especially considering that the DNC swayed the Democratic primary in Clinton's favor.
But none of these things really matter in the end. Any candidate who loses an election can point to reasons they failed -- had Trump lost, he could have easily compiled a litany of grievances and written his own book. There was the "hot mic incident" shortly before the election; the women accusing him of sexual harassment; the many Republicans who openly voiced their disgust with him. (Compare that with Clinton's accusation that Sanders didn't support her enough.) Events such as these -- and everything that Clinton says led to her loss -- are natural for an election. While important, they are not the only factors voters consider on election day. Bearing this in mind, it's hard not to view "What Happened" as cut-and-dried refusal on Clinton's part to accept her own shortcomings and failures.
During the week "What Happened" was published, Bernie Sanders was hard at work putting together a bill to reform the American healthcare system. While Sanders is looking to the future, Clinton is stuck in the past. We may now know "what happened," but perhaps we should instead be asking who was the better candidate in 2016 after all.
Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn
Flash
The White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on Monday that "there will be a time for policy debate" on gun control, but now is not the time.
"Today is a day for consoling the survivors, and mourning those we lost ... there's a time and place for a political debate, but now is the time to unite as a country," Sanders said during a press briefing.
"I think that there will be, certainly, time for that policy discussion to take place, but that's not the place that we're in at this moment," she added.
Sanders said U.S. President Donald Trump learned about the incident early Monday and law enforcement officials were still at a fact finding period to gather all evidence.
The White House observed a moment of silence Monday afternoon to remember those killed or wounded during the mass shooting.
Trump said in a televised speech earlier Monday that the mass shooting had been an "act of pure evil", and ordered "flag be flown at half-staff."
At least 58 people were killed and an estimated 515 people were transported to hospitals in a mass shooting at a concert in Las Vegas in the U.S. state of Nevada, police said on Monday.
The death toll made the mass shooting outside of the Mandalay Bay Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip the deadliest in modern U.S. history.
Flash
As the United States reeled from the deadliest mass shooting it has ever seen, politicians in Washington on Monday offered condolences and vowed thorough investigation into the tragedy.
U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted early morning after being briefed on the shooting, "My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting. God bless you!"
Hours after the tweet Trump appeared on television and delivered a somber remark, calling the shooting "an act of pure evil."
"In memory of the fallen, I have directed that our great flag be flown at half-staff," Trump said in a televised statement.
Following his order, flags around Washington D.C. including in the national mall, can be seen flying at half-mast.
Trump also announced a visit to the wounded city on Wednesday "to meet with law enforcement, first responders and the families of the victims," following his scheduled visit to the hurricane devastated island of Puerto Rico Tuesday.
In the afternoon, Trump and the first lady led a moment of silence on the White House south lawn, in remembrance of those unfortunate.
The sentiment was shared on Capitol Hill, as multiple members of Congress also offered their sympathies.
"We are with you during this time. The whole country stands united in our shock, in our condolences, and in our prayers," House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a statement.
Amid the condolences questions are quickly being raised on gun control, a recurring debate in the United States that followed each mass shooting the country has recently seen.
When asked about whether the administration is considering gun regulation reform, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a press briefing Monday that it was too early for such discussions.
"Today is a day for consoling the survivors, and mourning those we lost...there's a time and place for a political debate, but now is the time to unite as a country," an emotional Sanders told the briefing.
"There is currently an open and ongoing law enforcement investigation. A motive is yet to be determined. And it would be premature for us to discuss policy when we don't fully know all the facts, or what took place last night," she said.
"I think that there will be, certainly, time for that policy discussion to take place. But that's not the place that we're in at this moment," she added.
Despite the hesitation from the White House, left-wing politicians unanimously called for more gun regulations.
Hillary Clinton, the Democrat's presidential nominee in 2016, launched a pointed attack against the National Rifle Association (NRA), a major lobby group for gun rights.
"Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get," she said, adding "our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again."
Her voice was echoed by Democratic Senator from the state of Connecticut Chris Murphy, whose constituency saw the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 which killed 28 people, including 20 children.
"This must stop. It is positively infuriating that my colleagues in Congress are so afraid of the gun industry that they pretend there aren't public policy responses to this epidemic," he said in a statement.
Murphy pointed out that the number of mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year has averaged more than once a day.
Flipkart board has approved a plan to repurchase employee stock option, sources familiar with the development said. Photo: PTI
Bengaluru: In a bid to attract and retain its 6,000 employees, the Flipkart board has approved a plan to repurchase employee stock option, sources familiar with the development said.
Companies traditionally use ESOP to compensate, retain, and attract employees. "The overall corpus reserved for buyback of shares from employees is over USD 100 million," said one of the sources to Economic Times.
If the plan materialises then this will be the largest employment stock option plan by any startup in the country.
This development comes after the online retail giant raised about USD 4 billion from Japanese investor Softbank Corporation and the Chinese investor Tencent.
Employees of subsidiaries Myntra and PhonePe will also be a part of the ESOP. The plan is likely to close by December.
ESOPs are contracts between a company and its employees that allow employees to purchase a specific number of the companys shares at a fixed price within a certain period of time. Flipkarts stock options are dolled out over four years. Employees can vest in them every month after the one-year threshold.
Senior executives can make tens of crores, the sources told ET.
Bharti Airtel on Tuesday said Ghana's communications regulator has approved the merger of Bharti Ghana Ltd and Millicom Ghana Ltd (Tigo). Photo: AFP
New Delhi: Bharti Airtel on Tuesday said Ghana's communications regulator has approved the merger of Bharti Ghana Ltd and Millicom Ghana Ltd (Tigo), subject to certain conditions.
The approval from the regulatory body -- National Communications Authority -- will pave the way for creation of an entity that will be the second biggest mobile network operator in Ghana. The merger was announced in March this year.
"The National Communications Authority has given approval for the merger between Bharti Ghana (Airtel) and Millicom Ghana (Tigo) to proceed subject to some conditions," an Airtel release said.
The merged entity will have a 3G licence and 2G licence valid until January 2024 and October 2021, respectively. "The merger approval is also conditioned with an option for government participation," the statement said.
The merged company would have to submit a "network integration plan" outlining how they intend to relinquish, in phases, portion of their total spectrum allocation. The move is aimed at ensuring an equitable distribution and access to radiowaves.
"This, however, will be done in phases on geographical area basis and over a period not exceeding eighteen (18) months to avoid disruptions on the network," Airtel added.
All the numbering resources -- owned by the two companies -- will be held by the merged entity, which has also been asked by the regulator to submit a detailed customer awareness plan around the merger and related changes.
Reliance Communications Ltd's decision to call of the merger with Aircel will weigh heavy on its deal with asset manager Brookfield. Photo: PTI
Mumbai: Debt-reeling telecom operator Reliance Communication Ltds (RCom) is set to feel the repercussions of its decision to call off the merger with Aircel as asset manager Brookfield will now have to pay less than the agreed amount for a 51 per cent stake in the company as RComs asset value dropped ever since.
According to a report in Livemint, the Canadian alternative asset manager Brookfield and network operator RCom had in December agreed upon a cash payment of Rs 11,000 crore for the 51 per cent stake in the company. RCom and Brookfield are in discussions on the tower arm stake sale and are deeply engaged. The final deal value will be different due to the lack of additional Aircel tenancies, which would have come in, and will be announced in the next few weeks, said Punit Garg, president (telecom business) and executive director of RCom.
On Sunday, a statement from RCom said that the merger agreement with Aircel lapsed with mutual consent. RCom and Aircel had signed binding agreements in September 2016 for the merger of their mobile businesses.
Apart from regulatory hurdles, RCom blamed unprecedented competition as one of the reasons for the collapse of the deal. "Unprecedented competitive intensity in the Indian telecom sector together with fresh policy directives, adversely impacting bank financing for this sector, have also seriously affected industry dynamics. As a result of the various factors aforesaid, the merger agreement has lapsed," RCom said.
The company is currently saddled with a debt of USD 6.8 billion.
(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Buoyed by best monthly domestic sales in over four years, Tata Motors is ramping up production across segments to cash in on the festive season demand as it continues with efforts to turn around the business, a top
company official said.
Its domestic sales of 53,695 units in September were the highest since March 2013 when it had sold 69,160 units. Its passenger vehicles (PVs) sales of 17,286 units last month were also the highest since November 2011 of 23,540 units.
The domestic commercial vehicles (CVs) business, which saw the company's market share drop to 44.4 per cent in March this year, from a high of nearly 60 per cent five years ago, recorded an average growth of 25 per cent in July-September period this fiscal.
During this period, Tata Motors had embarked on turning around of its bleeding domestic business with the following 6-9 months being critical as against an earlier planned business transition to be achieved in the next 2-3 years.
"We are increasing our addressable market with our newly launched products in PVs and CVs. There is wider acceptance of the new SCR technology and we are ramping up production across segments," Tata Motors CEO & Managing Director Guenter Butschek told PTI.
Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is an emissions control technology system used in diesel engines, which has helped the company meet BS IV norms.
Butschek further said that the reduction in prices of vehicles as result of GST and increased customer engagements are further adding to positive consumer sentiments.
On the ongoing turnaround programme, he said: "We are committed to turning around the business with renewed focus on topline growth, increasing market share, major cost reduction initiatives and efficiency enhancements..."
These measures, he said would "help us define our market position and more importantly, be a profitable company". "As a testimony to these actions, our efforts in the second quarter have been encouraging," Butschek said.
On a standalone basis, Tata Motors had posted loss of Rs 467.05 crore for the June quarter of 2017-18 fiscal. It had registered a profit of Rs 25.75 crore in the same period of 2016-17.
In 2016-17, Tata Motors' standalone gross revenues were at Rs 49,100 crore, up 3.6 per cent from the previous year. The loss after tax, on a standalone basis, was Rs 2,480 crore compared to Rs 62 crore in the previous year.
Butschek said the CV business, which is the company's backbone has witnessed "phenomenal segment-wise performance" leading to an overall domestic sales growth of 25 per cent.
"We also continue to maintain the growth momentum in passenger vehicles and have recorded the highest sales in passenger vehicles in the last five years. We are confident that this momentum continues in the festive season," he added.
New Delhi: History will be created on television as two of India's biggest icons will come together for a candid free-flowing conversation for a Diwali special.
For the first time ever, the audience will get to witness Aamir Khan and Virat Kohli in the same frame at their candid best as both will be seen sharing their few secrets.
Aamir and Virat are both bigwigs in their own fields. Virat Kohli is known to be media shy, hence it is going to be intriguing to get a window into his life. On the other hand, Aamir Khan's quick wit has always enchanted the audience. Thereby a chat show between the two is going to be a must watch for all.
Aamir Khan, who is in the middle of promoting 'Secret Superstar', is flying down especially for one day from Singapore to shoot this special chat show on October 3.
The actor will leave on 3rd night itself to resume promotions of the movie. Aamir will be flying in from Singapore on 3rd morning and will fly to another country the same night.
The channel network airing this Diwali special has big plans in place for the promotions. The show is being planned as a mega show and in order to harp on this unique opportunity, the channel network is set to make a roadblock across various channels.
When contacted, Spokesperson of the film confirmed the news.
Produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao usnder the banner name of Aamir Khan Productions, Zee Studios, and Akash Chawla, Secret Superstar is written and directed by Advait Chandan. The film is slated to release on October 19.
Web series is slowly becoming the new fad in Ktown with directors like Balaji Mohan, Gautham Menon venturing into this new avenue, which is becoming an important medium in storytelling. Now, reports about Akshara Haasan signing up for a new web series are making rounds on social media.
The actress who recently made her debut in Tamil with Ajiths film Vivegam is allegedly in talks with Viu the makers of the web series Social starring Rana Daggubati.
However, when contacted Akshara Haasan says, No. I havent really signed in for anything yet. Although, I have been speaking with few people. Other than that there is nothing to confirm right now.
Nevertheless, she does have good opinion about the platform. We are in the new era. And I think web series is going to be taking over. It is a new medium for creating art and it pushes a lot of boundaries. I hope it works out well, she quips.
But she doesnt want the film industry to take the beating because of the rise of web platforms. I honestly hope film exhibition, as we know it, doesnt get affected because of it, because movies have their own charm. I wish films and web series shine together hand in hand peacefully.
Mumbai: Malayalam actor Dileep has finally been granted bail in the actress molestation case under strict conditions.
Dileep, whos been incarcerated for 85 days, was granted bail by a bench headed by Justice Sunil Thomas.
The actor was asked to surrender his passport and issue a bond worth rupees one lakh.
The actor, whod been denied bail a good four times, was arrested on July 10.
Dileep, eleventh accused in the case, had been arrested after the police found credible evidence connecting him to the abduction and alleged molestation of a top Malayalam actress.
The Kerala HCs move to grant bail to the actor within days of the SITs official statement submission has come as a shock to many.
The disgraced actors film Ramaleela which released amid widespread condemnation, is meanwhile running to packed houses.
The high court has imposed many restrictions on the actor, severely warning him against trying to influence witnesses or tampering evidence. Main accused Pulsar Suni is still in the custody of the state police.
The incident had occurred on February 17, when the actress was traveling to Kochi from her house in Thrissur. A gang had followed her in a tempo traveler and hit her vehicle from behind when it reached Athani near Nedumbassery.
The gang members then reportedly entered her car by force and assaulted her inside the moving vehicle over the next three hours. They are said to have clicked and recorded invasive and objectionable pictures of the actress. The Special Investigation Team had reported that Dileep was in possession of the explicit content.
Flash
As the echo of gunfire subsided and the bodies of 59 dead in Las Vegas were counted, distraught family members and gun-control advocates took center stage in America once again.
"It will never stop until we get leadership from the top that wants change," said Sandy Phillips, a national gun control advocate.
Phillips, whose 24-year-old daughter Jessica Ghawi was killed in the 2012 movie theater shooting in Aurora in the U.S state of Colorado, has dedicated her life to helping families to get over the loss of their loved ones due to mass shootings, and to fighting for gun control.
Last June, on the behest of former President Barack Obama, Phillips formed a team of parents to fly to Orlando to help families of the victims to cope with a shooting massacre in a nightclub that left 49 people dead.
Phillips told Xinhua that she might be in Las Vegas on a similar mission by week's end.
"It's time for Americans to use their voices," Phillips said. "Because we know that most Americans want to go to a church, a concert, school, a movie theater, and a nightclub, without worrying about military grade ammo being fired at them."
Phillips named locations where mass murders had occurred in the past few years, and across the country, gun control advocates were heeding her call.
. "Today is the 275th day of 2017 and there have been 273 mass shootings," House representative Judy Chu tweeted Monday.
Mass shootings are when four or more people are slain by gunfire in one incident, according to the FBI.
Chu is the first Chinese American woman elected to the U.S. Congress, serving as the representative for California's 27th congressional district for the past eight years and has consistently championed gun control.
While condolences and emotional angst flowed across America's social media Monday in the wake of Sunday night's assault on a country music concert crowd, the naysayers surfaced once again.
"Most of them (mass shootings) were Islamic radicals or crazed dems," Robin Hall tweeted.
Hall's remark was refuted by fact -- crazed white Americans with guns have perpetrated most of the recent mass shootings.
"This kind of terrorism is brought to you by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and all those who support the idea of semiautomatic weapons being in the hands of practically anyone," said Randy Hirzell, a home mover from Denver.
"More weapons and more dangerous weapons are killing us, not protecting us," said Hirzell, who tweeted, "The death rate from gun violence in the United States is on average 25 times higher than in high-income nations with sensible gun control laws."
Even former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton jumped into the debate Monday.
"Our grief isn't enough," Clinton tweeted. "We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again."
The gunman, identified as 64-year-old gambler Stephen Paddock, opened fire from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel into the crowd at an outdoor music festival where Jason Aldean was playing.
"Perhaps the saddest fact about the horrifying mass shooting in Las Vegas on Sunday night is that it won't be the last," said Stephen Silver, a San Francisco artist.
Silver posted a Las Vegas Sun editorial on Monday referencing last November's Nevada vote that "overwhelming supported universal background checks for firearms purchases."
"Now, it's time for Las Vegas-area lawmakers to go a step further to protect Nevadans and push to ban the sale of high-capacity magazines in the state," Silver said in the article.
"The media doesn't understand that anyone in the United States -- in any state besides Illinois -- can buy a machine gun -- or even more deadly weapons," Kent Harris, a NRA supporter told Xinhua.
"It takes about two years for the clearance to come through and then you can buy an automatic weapon," said Harris, who owns several machine guns.
"It's not the guns -- it's the people who are the problem," Harris said, repeating a common theme expressed by the powerful NRA.
"We're making strides state by state, but our federal laws are weakening the state laws such as silencers. It's that kind of thing that's controlled by the NRA and the gun lobby, who are exacerbating the situation and creating the mass murders," Phillips said.
"The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots," Clinton wrote. "Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get."
Pennsylvania psychiatrist Mary Pontzel tweeted Monday that "mass murderers are highly unstable individuals, some of whom are looking to be famous (or infamous), and that desire should not be rewarded, even posthumously."
Pontzel said that media coverage of (the massacres) stigmatizes others with related diagnoses, most of whom suffer greatly but rarely become dangerous enough even to harm an individual person, much less carry out a mass murder.
After the Aurora theater massacre, Tom and Caren Teves, whose son Alex was murdered in the shooting, started the now famous "no notoriety" campaign that encourages the U.S. media not to name the killers.
At a time when there is palpable tension between India and China at its borders with our military on high alert, one of the prettiest and busiest actresses in Sandalwood has reached out to a Chinese audience with a cultural exchange between the two countries! Wondering about Sandalwood's connection with China? According to sources Shanvi Srivastava has played the role of an Indian princess for a Chinese web/teleport series.
It is learnt that the 11-part web series in which Shanvi, who will be seen in at least seven parts is directed by Malays first film director AR Tompel, who is a top director of web-series in China. The title of the web-series translates to The Dark Lord. While the Chinese web-series was in search of a perfect Indian actress to portray the Indian princess role, they finally stumbled upon Shanvi, who was apt. The web-series talks about the cultural relationship between the two countries wherein the Indian princess falls for a Chinese emperor.
For those inquisitive about Cambodia, M.P. Josephs book My Driver Tulong and other Tall Tales from a Post Pol Pot Contemporary Cambodia will take you on a fascinating voyage through Cambodia and its people. A civil servant from Kerala, Joseph worked for the United Nations in Cambodia for several years. He watched the country grow from a war torn communist moth into a free market.
This is Josephs first book and its strength is that it isnt what the would-be reader expects. It is a story of a young driver Tulong and the author in a land which the author initially was reluctant to go to when the ITO International Toilers Organisation, a UN agency, asked him to set up office. The author meets Tulong who becomes the self-appointed protector of the author.
My Driver Tulong and other Tall Tales from a Post Pol Pot Contemporary Cambodia. by M.P. Joseph Partridge India pp.317, Rs 550
The author writes, Tulong was different. When confronted with threats to my person and when confronted simply with threats to my pride or power, his weapon of choice was disarming tact, suave cunningness, subtle negotiations pregnant with grave nuances. He talked softly, but pretended that I carried a big stick.
M.P. Joseph
You grow to love Tulong. And when he is dismissed, it is heartbreaking. I thought the author was unfair when it came to Tulongs dismissal. But he leaves it at that.
Narrated in the first person, the author walks the reader through stories woven along with the lands history. The book is perfect for readers who are not too interested in the detailed history of a country.
Glimpses of the hell the Khmer Rouge had unleashed on the people come forth, but they are only glimpses. This is not a book about the Khmer Rouge of Cambodia. It is a book about friendships, the people, their lives and loves. It is a book about an Indian who experienced magic in Cambodia that few are blessed to receive. Blessing isnt merely about what happens; its about what we learn from what happens and that comes across beautifully in the book.
Like Ms Lin Lin Sim, My Nea Kru Khmer who was hired by the author to teach him Khmer. At 21, she had taken on the role of the master of the house the day her father left her. Money is important to her, otherwise her family will starve. Then there is Damu, the cook from Orissa, who blends in with the Khmer people and has learnt their ways and manners so well that he is as good as any Khmer. Theres Mr Goswami, the authors friend in Cambodia, with whom the author would visit Riverside. These are stories all woven that add zing to the book.
On the downside, there are some places where the book tends to drag and you swish through some of the pages, but then thats just nitpicking. Overall, this is a book that is alive and recommended.
This is the first Japanese restaurant in the UK to be awarded three stars in the annual appraisal after previously winning two.. (Photo: Pixabay)
A nine-seat restaurant in London has won three Michelin stars, joining a select group of other British restaurants with the coveted rating.
The Araki, situated in London, was given the stars on Monday by the French gastronomic guide.
Interestingly, a meal at Araki would set you back by 300 per person.
Situated in Mayfair area, this is the first Japanese restaurant in the UK to be awarded three stars in the annual appraisal after previously winning two. It is the fifth restaurant from UK to get the coveted title.
There are only four other restaurants in the UK and Ireland with a trio of stars: Heston Blumenthals Fat Duck and Alain Rouxs Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire, Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester in Park Lane and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea.
The sushi counter was opened by Japanese chef Mitsuhiro Araki in 2014
As well as the nine counter seats, there's room for six more people in a private dining room.
Araki and wife Yoko run the restaurant with the help of just one assistant.
A not so slick thief of the night left behind his phone at a Bengaluru home he robbed.
On the night of September 29, a gang stole Rs 3 lakh and 400g worth of gold jewellery in house a in Arisinakunte village, while the owners were away, The Indian Express reported. The group came prepared. They first poisoned the family dog and waited for him to lose consciousness before they broke opened the main door and grabbed the treasures.
The owners filed a complaint with the police, when they returned home to find their belongings stolen. At the scene of the crime, police inspecting the area noticed a mobile phone that did not belong to any of the family member.
With such strong evidence in hand police hope to catch the culprit and his gang soon.
This is not the first time a thief has made such a blunder. Previously another burglar broke into the window of a garage, while the main door was wide open. CCTV footage also caught another thief attempting to rob a store only to end up having his leg stuck as the door automatically shut. He had to wait till the morning to be rescued.
The decision has opened up a lucrative new market for carmakers (Photo: Twitter)
Dubai: Ford has decided to present a Saudi Arabian activist with her dream car, after a landmark decree allowing women to drive for the first time in the ultra-conservative kingdom's history.
Ford Middle East wrote on Twitter that it had a yellow Mustang waiting to be picked up by women's rights activist Sahar Nassif -- who had declared her love for the car in an interview shortly after the royal decree was issued on September 26.
"We'd like to give you your dream car," Ford Middle East tweeted to Nassif on Friday, followed hours later by "Your Mustang awaits" with the picture of a yellow car speeding through a tunnel and the hashtag #MustangSahar.
Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced it would allow women to drive from June 2018, ending a policy that for decades had severely curbed women's mobility.
The decision has opened up a lucrative new market for carmakers, with major brands already stepping up efforts to attract customers.
In recent years a number of women activists were detained for getting behind the wheel in Saudi Arabia.
In a rare act of mass protest in the kingdom, 47 Saudi women formed a convoy and drove through the capital Riyadh in November 1990 to demonstrate against the ban on driving.
They were taken into custody and only released after their male guardians guaranteed the act would not be repeated.
The kingdom still has some of the world's tightest restrictions on women: under the state guardianship system, a male family member -- normally the father, husband or brother -- must grant permission for a woman's study, travel and other activities.
The 45-year-old, headed for India, was arrested at Colombo airport on Sunday after customs officials noticed suspicious movements. (Photo: Pixabay)
A Sri Lankan man who raised suspicion by the way he kept looking around in an airport departure lounge was found to be carrying nearly a kilogram (2.2 lb) of gold stashed in his rectum, a customs official said on Monday.
The 45-year-old, headed for India, was arrested at Colombo airport on Sunday after customs officials noticed suspicious movements, customs spokesman Sunil Jayarathne told Reuters.
The suspect was carrying 904.77 grams of gold worth 4.5 million rupees ($29,577), but was freed after payment of 100,000 rupees, he said. Such methods of smuggling were not unusual, he said.
The gold was wrapped in plastic bags inserted in to his rectum, Jayarathne said, adding that there were four bags.
This is not the first such detection and this is a common method of smuggling.
Angry residents of a municipal ward in Vadodara, on Tuesday, tied a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator to a tree and beat him up. (Photo: Youtube Screengrab | hri joshi)
Vadodara: Angry residents of a municipal ward in Vadodara, on Tuesday, tied a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator to a tree and beat him up for "failing" to prevent demolition of their slum in May by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC).
In a video of the incident that went viral, the corporator, with his clothes torn, was seen tied to a tree in Bapod area and pleading to the people gathered around him that he had no knowledge about the civic body's decision to raze the slum.
"This land belongs to the Collector (state government) and he is the one who passes an order. I am a small councillor. I have no idea about the decision taken by the municipal commissioner (regarding demolition)," the corporator, identified as Hasmukh Patel, was heard saying in Gujarati.
Patel represents Bapod (Ward number 5).
The corporator was later rescued by a team of police officers that rushed to the area and took him to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Police have confirmed that Patel was thrashed.
City Police Commissioner Manoj Sashidhar said 66 people were arrested in connection with the case and further investigation is on.
"When Hasmukh Patel was taking a round of his ward, around 20 people protested against him over a demolition carried out some months ago. They took him to a nearby area and tied him to a tree and beat him up," Sashidhar said.
The residents of the slum that was located around Nani Bapod lake under ward number 5 were given alternative houses under a government rehabilitation programme, the commissioner said, adding that the attack was not pre-planned.
Chennai: A group of truck drivers took law unto their own hands, or thats what they thought, until police rushed to the rescue of a 30-year-old man who was beaten up by the truck drivers, who suspected the man to be a thief. The incident happened near Madhavaram during the early hours of Tuesday when one of the drivers caught the man suspiciously entering into the drivers cabin of a parked truck. With bloody injuries, the man swooned to the ground before police rushed to the scene on information.
Police investigations revealed that the truck drivers turned violent, as there were several incidents in the recent past wherein, mobile phones and spare parts were stolen from parked trucks in the bays in Madhavaram and Ennore.
Two weeks ago, on September 19, a mobile phone was stolen from a truck and the drivers decided to be vigil as they suspected the thief to be either one among them or a miscreant who sneaks in during the night.
Unluckily for the man, identified as Sadiq (30) from Korukkupet, he had to bear the brunt. Police sources said Sadiq had come to visit his friend, Chandrasekar, a truck driver. He was on his way home when he mistook a man sleeping inside a truck to be his friend and ventured into it. However, the truck driver assumed the stranger to be a thief and alerted other truck drivers who ganged up and thrashed him. One of the truck drivers alerted the cops meanwhile.
Preliminary investigations suggested that he is not a thief. We have checked if he has any previous cases against him and there were none, a police officer said. Further investigations are on.
BJP's Karnataka unit hits out at actor Prakash Raj for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on those 'celebrating' the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh. (Photo: File)
Bengaluru: The BJP's Karnataka unit on Tuesday hits out at actor Prakash Raj for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on those "celebrating" the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh, saying he has shown "political immaturity."
Raj had described as "chilling" the silence of Modi on those "celebrating" the killing of Lankesh, including the ones followed by him on Twitter.
State senior BJP leader and spokesman S Suresh Kumar said, "The actor has shown his political immaturity by making a statement that suits his political ideology. Such allegations were made to win accolades."
Read: Narendra Modi bigger actor than me, says actor Prakash Raj
While questioning Modi's silence, Raj appeared to suggest on Sunday that he felt like "returning" his awards to "such actors who are acting as though nothing has happened", but later insisted that he was "not such a fool to give back the national awards."
Raj, who has acted in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil movies, had been a family friend of Gauri Lankesh, who was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Bengaluru on September 5.
The BJP spokesman also sought to know why the actor preferred to remain silent during the Cauvery agitation by saying that he is only an actor.
"If Raj wants to be active in politics, let him start his own political party. We do not want him to issue any certificate to Modi," said Kumar.
BJP Chief Amit Shah said BJP workers were victims of 'political murders'. (Photo: File)
Kannur: BJP chief Amit Shah on Tuesday announced a two-week 'padyatra' in all state capitals from Wednesday against the CPI(M)'s alleged targeting of his party's workers.
Addressing a rally in the CPI(M) bastion, also the home town of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Shah said Vijayan was responsible for the violence in the state.
BJP workers were victims of "political murders", he added.
Shah is in Kerala to launch a fortnight-long march, called Jan Raksha Yatra, by the party in the state to protest alleged political violence by the Left party.
He said his party would use democratic means to fight Left rule in the state.
"CPI(M) leader and Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan is directly responsible for all political murders in Kerala," he alleged.
As many as 120 BJP workers, 84 in Kannur alone, have been killed in the state since 2001. Fourteen people were killed in Kannur since the CPI(M) came to power last year, the BJP had said on Monday.
Gauri Lankesh was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her home in Bengaluru on the night of September 5. (Photo: PTI)
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Tuesday said that the killers of journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh have been identified. The Special Investigation Team (SIT), in-charge of the case, is gathering evidence to prove them guilty, it said.
"We know who it is," Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy told NDTV.
He, however, refused to divulge the details, saying that giving out more information could jeopardize the case.
We have got clues, but we cannot tell things to the media for now, because we should have correct evidence for the clues we have got," he told reporters at Chikkaballapura on Monday.
Lankesh was shot dead at close range by unknown assailants at her home in Bengaluru on the night of September 5.
The minister had claimed about the SIT having gathered "some clues" in connection with the case on September 9 too.
The state government, which has constituted the SIT headed by IGP (Intelligence) BK Singh, has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh to anyone who gives clues about the killing that led to outrage and protests across country.
As a political slugfest broke out over the killing, her family had pleaded against giving a political colour to it. The family had said the investigators should look into all angles behind Lankesh's killing, whether it was right wing or Naxals, as reports have emerged about a possible Naxal hand, other than suspected involvement of right-wing extremists, the ideology Gauri opposed.
Wife of Rajinikanth, Latha said only Rajinikanth can say when he is ready to make his political entry. (Photo: Latha Rajinikanth/Facebook)
Chennai: Will superstar Rajinikanth make his debut into politics? The question has turned into one of the most discussed issues in the nation today.
While his actor friend Kamal Haasan has already announced his political entry, Rajinikanth has hinted of the plunge but is yet to officially reveal a clear stand.
At an event on Tuesday, Latha Rajinikanth, wife of Rajinikanth, said that he will do only well for the people if he enters politics.
Talking to media, she went on to add, Only he can say when he is ready to make his political entry. But if he enters politics, he will do only good for the people.
She further added, "We will stand with him as a family."
Famously called as "Thalaivar" or "Ultimate Boss" by his fans, Rajinikanth, who is still guarding his political bent and decision to plunge into politics close to his chest, on Sunday used the dais at the opening of late actor Sivaji Ganesans memorial on the banks of the Adyar in Chennai to talk about politics and Kamal. The latter was also sharing the platform with him.
Earlier, Rajinikath had hinted that he may take a plunge in politics and also said the prospects of his actions were under discussion and he will announce once it is finalised.
Previously, in May, the actor had urged his fans to "prepare for war" possibly implying that he may join politics.
He had said, "When a war comes, they will come to the rescue of their motherland. I have a profession, work, duty and so do you. Go to your places, do your duty, take care of your vocation. Let us face the war when it comes."
The famed actor had also said that even though he had no particular intention of getting into politics, he would consider taking the path if that was "God's will". He claimed that if he did enter the political world, he would be truthful and not host people who merely want to make money.
In the exchange of fire, Naik Mahendra Chemjung was grievously injured and succumbed to injuries. (Representational Image)
Jammu: An Army jawan was killed on Tuesday as Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire by firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, an official said.
"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in the Krishna Ghati sector at around 1250 hours today. Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively," a defence spokesman said.
In the exchange of fire, Naik Mahendra Chemjung was grievously injured and succumbed to injuries, he added.
Chemjung, 35, belonged to Chilingdin in Nepal and is survived by his wife Nayan Kala Chemjung and a son, the spokesman said.
"Chemjung was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," he added.
On Monday, two minors were killed and 12 civilians injured in cross-border shelling by Pakistan along the LoC in Poonch district.
Five children were among the injured, the youngest being five-year-old Zobia Kousar, who was airlifted to a hospital in Jammu.
The Supreme Court indicated that it would re-consider its earlier decision to order a probe by the NIA into the 'love jihad' controversy and said prima facie it was of the view that the father cannot hold custody of his 24-year-old girl. (Photo: File)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that it would re-consider its earlier decision to order a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the 'love jihad' controversy and said prima facie it was of the view that the father cannot hold custody of his 24-year-old girl.
Giving this indication a three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Kanwilkar and DY Chandrachud also disapproved the Kerala High Courts order nullifying the marriage of Shafin Jahan with a Hindu girl Hadia alias Akhila, who converted to Islam exercising its writ jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution.
Senior counsel Dushyant Dave, appearing for Shafin Jahan, strongly opposed the order directing NIA probe.
Raising his voice, Dave said the apex court had exceeded jurisdiction and must recall order. He pointed out that two senior Muslim BJP functionaries had married Hindus and asked will it be called love jihad and would the court order investigation against them? He said the order struck at the very foundation of a multi-purpose religious society and is sending wrong signal world over.
The CJI asked Dave not to raise his voice but to advance logical and legal arguments.
The CJI said, Our preliminary view is a father cannot be seen dictating the personal life of a 24-yr-old daughter. The girl is 24 year old and it is absolutely clear that she cannot be by force under custody of her father. The father cannot say he should have 24-hour custody of her. We may appoint a custodian or send her somewhere safe.
The CJI said, We will hear logical and legal arguments on two issues - can the High Court nullify a marriage exercising jurisdiction under Article 226 and was an NIA probe necessary.
Appearing for NIA, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta brought to the notice of the court that the order for a NIA probe was passed with the consent of senior counsel Kapil Sibal, who appeared for the petitioner, Shafin Jahan.
Read: Kerala Love Jihad: Can HC annul Shafin Jahan's marriage? SC to hear plea on Oct 9
The ASG said though the NIA was not a party to the proceedings, it was made a party at the instance of the former CJI JS Khehar as the court wanted NIA to find out whether there was any pattern emerging in the love jihad case.
On August 16, the apex court had ordered the NIA probe under the supervision of retired judge RV Raveendran after the Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh informed the Court that there was prima facie material to establish that some extremist organisations linked with the banned SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) were engaged in the conversion of certain Hindu girls into Islam and their gradual radicalisation with organisations like the ISIS.
The alleged conversions had gained the sobriquet of love jihad in Kerala and the boy Shafin Jahan moved the apex court for production of his wife Akhila alias Hadiya.
In a fresh application for recall of this order, Shafin Jahan said that on August 17, 2017 activist Rahul Easwar visited the home of the girls father, where Akhila has been detained.
Easwar, after taking due consent from the family, filmed a video of the family, including Akhila in which she asks the following is this house arrest what I deserve? Whether this should be the purpose of my life.
This video clearly shows that the Detenue does not wish to be kept under house arrest. Rahul Easwar has also gone on to say to NDTV that the Detenue told him, that "she wants to live and die as a Muslim. She has also confessed in the video, "ask my father and mother, whether they torture and abuse me for following my religion and its practices.
He pointed out that on a complaint the State Human Rights Commission acting President P Mohandas himself has gone on to make a statement that Akhila is undergoing immense human rights violations at her house.
He said despite Justice Raveendran declining to supervise the probe, the NIA was preceding with the investigation and it was reported that the NIA has already found a "link". This was in clear violation of this Court's order as the investigation was to be overseen by Justice Raveendran and that without his supervision, the same cannot be undertaken and be said to be fair.
He said evidence had shown that Akhila has accepted Islam on her own free will. However, since the impugned order of the High Court of Kerala dated May 24, 2017 she has been detained against her will and her rights have been freely violated.
She remains to be in the custody of her father against her will and that he has completely cut off any and all contact between the Detenue and the outside world. In the interest of justice it would be appropriate and just to recall the order of this Court dated August 16, 2017 to the extent of the directions to NIA to investigate this matter, and direct the Detenue to be produced before this Court, he said in the application.
London/ New Delhi: Beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya who was arrested in London on Tuesday in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate, before being released on bail by Westminster Magistrates' Court.
The 61-year-old flamboyant businessman, already out on bail on an extradition warrant executed by the Metropolitan Police earlier in 2017, was released on the same bail conditions as before to appear for his trial on December 4.
Speaking to PTI outside the court room, Mallya said that has "done nothing wrong" and described the allegations against him as "fabricated".
"I deny all allegations that have been made and I will continue to deny them," he said.
"I have not eluded any court. If it is my lawful duty to be here, I'm happy to be here," he said, adding, "I've given enough evidence to prove my case."
The judge, Chief Magistrate Emma Louise Arbuthnot, said that Mallya has been freed on the "same bail conditions as before" which he must abide by.
Earlier, the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which is arguing the case against Mallya on behalf of the Indian government, had confirmed the arrest.
"Vijay Mallya has been arrested on money laundering charges and will be appearing in court today," a CPS spokesperson said.
Sources in New Delhi said the arrest was pursuant to the extradition request made by the Indian government based on money laundering charges against Mallya.
The case is being probed by the ED and the central probe agency has already filed a charge sheet against him and others in a Mumbai court.
Arbuthnot has been hearing Mallya's extradition case at Westminster Magistrates' Court on his previous arrest warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April.
He had been arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant on behalf of the Indian authorities on April 18.
He had attended a central London police station for his arrest and was released on conditional bail a few hours later after providing a bail bond worth 650,000 pounds, assuring the court of abiding by all conditions associated with extradition proceedings, such as the surrender of his passport and a ban on him possessing any travel documents.
Mallya's trial in that case is scheduled for two weeks, starting December 4.
The embattled businessman, who has been based in the UK since he fled India in March in 2016, is wanted in India for his erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines' default on loans worth nearly Rs 9,000 crore.
It remains to be seen if both cases will be clubbed together, which may lead to a delay in the trial date.
Bengaluru: Recent events at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have kindled a debate among students in the state on bringing back campus unions, which have been banned for over two decades now.
While some student leaders said a strong union is essential to highlight unreported cases on campuses, others said it will help bring out positive changes in educational reforms.
Mr Manjunath H.S., state president, NSUI, the student wing of Congress, it is high time the state government realised that the dearth of youthful and thoughtful leaders can be bridged only by allowing student politics back at varsities.
We wrote to the CM and the education minister last year after the JNU issue, but we did not receive any response. The need for campus elections and student leaders from the grassroots levels is growing and these demands cannot be ignored anymore, he said. Criticising the student councils that are formed by various managements for namesake, he said that a campus election over a managements selection is always preferred.
Drawing references to the current state and central ministries, he said, Leaders, including D.K. Shivakumar, R. Roshan Baig and Ananthkumar, got a chance to prove their mettle at the campus level and it should be open to the current student community as well.
If the reason to ban campus politics is violence, then why are parliamentary and legislative elections which lead to bigger violence and other illegal activities not stopped, asks Ravinandan B.B., state vice-president, AIDSO, the student wing of Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist).
Law and order officials should take responsibility to avoid such problems, instead of calling off the entire system. This is similar to a person cutting off his nose to spite the face, he said.
On active student politics on campuses in Kerala, Sangeeth K., a postgraduate student at a private college in the city, said, Students there know how the varsity works and whom to approach for every student-related issue. I was more aware of what was happening around when I was studying there and that helped me form strong opinions on all contemporary issues.
The attack was retaliated and terrorists are holed up inside a building inside the campus. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)
Srinagar: A group of at least three terrorists attacked a Border Security Force (BSF) camp near Srinagar Airport and the Airforce station early Tuesday morning. One BSF jawan and two terrorists were killed in the encounter at the site.
The deceased soldier is among the three troopers who were injured in the attack.
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said that two terrorists are holed up in administrative building and JCO Mess.
An encounter was underway at the camp and senior officers were monitoring the situation.
#WATCH Heavy firing at BSF 182 battalion camp, operation underway. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) #SrinagarTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/MwhIeHdzhg ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called a high-level meeting at 11:30 am to review the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
At least three terrorists barged into the campus of the BSF 182 battalion at 4:30 am on Tuesday.
Troops of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 53 Rajput Rifles, BSF and Special Operations Group (SOG) zonal have placed cordon around the building where terrorists are holed up.
Passengers are being allowed to enter the Srinagar Airport to avoid inconvenience. The flight operation, which was suspended following the attack, has not resumed yet.
Airports Authority of India and concerned airlines will take the decision on resuming air traffic.
Bengaluru: Nearly a month after journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh was shot dead in a chilling murder here on September 5, state Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy has claimed that the SIT probing the incident is much closer to finding the killer than before.
"We know who has done it (the killing) and what.... everything we know," Reddy told reporters at Chikkaballapur, 35 kms from here, on Sunday.
On Tuesday, he told Deccan Chronicle that the investigators were taking it step by step as they did not want to alert the killers. "We do not want the perpetrators to destroy the evidence. Therefore, we are not coming before the public on the information and leads that we have got in the Gauri case," Mr Reddy told Deccan Chronicle.
High level sources in the home department however told this newspaper that the " killers of Gauri Lankesh had committed multiple mistakes while executing the crime." The highly placed sources in the home department said that unlike the M.M.Kalburgi case which had no leads at all, the mistakes by the Gauri Lankesh assassins, were many and had left multiple leads. "As a result, they had left several clues." a source pointed out. This has helped the investigators to make progress in cracking the case," sources said.
Mr Reddy, however, refused to divulge further details, saying the Special Investigation Team was gathering evidence. "We have got clues, but we cannot share this with the media now because we should have correct evidence and verify the clues we have got, he said. If there is no proper evidence when we file the chargesheet in the court, it won't stand. So we are trying to collect the proper evidence.
He was speaking ahead of a major rally calling for Justice for Gauri in New Delhi on October 5. He said his comments had no bearing on the upcoming rally.
Hyderabad: The cyclonic circulation that persists over south Odisha is triggering thunderstorm activity over Telangana. The hitherto weak south-west monsoon currents have gained strength due to this upper cyclonic pressure. Telengana is under thunderstorm warning up to October 5. The districts including the capital city will receive heavy to very high intensity rainfall up to Thursday, accompanied by thunder and lightning.
The local weather bureau anticipates that the rain intensity will once again increase around October 7 and the city will witness heavy to very heavy rains. These showers will be due to the formation of fresh cyclonic circulation which would be forming over the Odisha coast. The system is most likely to move in a westerly direction, towards Telangana.
In the last 24 hours, the south-west monsoon currents have been active over Telangana. In the past three days, the state has received surplus rains; the total average recorded so far across all the districts is 25.9 cm against the normal 14.7 cm.
Hyderabad, Mahbub Nagar, Warangal, Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda and Medak have received excessive rain in the last three days. Day temperature dropped considerably due to the thunderstorm prevailing over the state. The night temperature was around 20-21 degrees Celsius.
The official withdrawal date of the south-west monsoon is October 15. But the north-east monsoon is round the corner, when many areas of the southern peninsular such as Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu receive rains.
Warning for October 4 & 5
Thunderstorm associated with heavy rains are likely to occur at isolated places in all the districts of Telangana. Hyderabad to see generally cloudy skies with one or two spells of heavy rain or thundershowers on Wednesday.
Rains likely on wednesday
The Met department, in its bulletin, predicted that thunderstorm associated with heavy rain very likely to occur at isolated places in all the districts of Telangana on Tuesday and Wednesday. During past 24 south west monsoon has been active over Telangana. Rain occurred at many places over Telangana state.
GHMC: find rain details online
GHMC Commissioner Dr B. Janardhan Reddy has appealed to the citizens to use the available technology to know the details of the rains, through the website www.imdhyderabad.gov.in where the Met Department updates the radars pictures every 10 minutes. The GHMC commissioner said people can also visit GHMCs website to know the details of water logging and vulnerable points.
Head priest of Pyditalliamma Temple, Tallapudi Bhaskara Rao, sits on a Sirimanu (wooden log) and is paraded in the streets of Vizianagaram during Sirimanotsav, as part of Pyditalliamma Jatara, in Vizianagaram on Tuesday. (Photo: DC)
Visakhapatnam: Religious fervour marked the annual Sirimanotsavam of Sri Pyditalliammavaru on Tuesday, with over 2.5 lakh devotees from various parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha and Chhattisgarh visiting Vizianagaram to seek the blessings of the presiding deity.
Hereditary trustee of the Pyditalliammavaru temple and Union civil aviation minister P. Ashok Gajapati Raju along with his family members offered prayers to the goddess in the morning session and completed the traditional rituals and they also watched the Sirimanotsav in the evening.
As per the schedule, the procession of Sirimanu started around 4 pm at Chaduru Gudi of Pyditalli and moved slowly towards the fort.
Chief priest of temple, Bantupalli Venkata Rao, sat on the top of a long pole (sirimanu) and was paraded from the temple to the fort thrice before returning to the temple.
The devotees believe that the priest is possessed and threw bananas at him. Lakhs of devotees stayed put to watch till the end of the Sirimanotasav.
The district administration, police and endowments officials made all the arrangements for the festival in view of previous experiences.
A mishap was averted as the wheels of Sirimanu cart lost balance following reckless handling of the chariot while it was returning to the temple. The alert police took steps to save the priest and others.
Traditionally, the festival is conducted on the first Tuesday after the Dasara festival. Compared to last year, more number of devotees thronged this year.
Thiruvananthapuram: Contractors have decided to take a protest march against the 18% GST imposed on civil works. Members of All Kerala LSGD Contractors' Coordination Committee will assemble in front of the Secretariat to stage a protest similar to the one held in front of all Corporations on September 26. The contractors have not been taking up any work after July 1, when GST came into being.
We get just 10% profit, and we need to pay 18% GST. The government has not taken any action even though we have been bringing this up for months now, said C. Jayachandran, chairman of the committee during a press meet. There are over 1000 civil works pending in Thiruvananthapuram and about 800 in Kochi because of the strike. We are told that we will get input tax credit. However that is no consolation, when our profit margin was as low as 10%, said vice-chairman V.R. Rajesh.
They have had meetings with all corporation mayors. In Thiruvananthapuram, Mayor V.K. Prasanth had assured them that they will not have to bear the GST, but the state will have to issue an order in this regard. Recently at a council meeting he said that while city corporation will be able to afford the increased expenditure, smaller municipalities and panchayaths might not be able to do so. The government order is being delayed to take into account the condition of all local bodies, he had said.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is a high chance that even quarries that do not even possess a valid explosive licence operate in the state with impunity. Reason: There is no mechanism in place for monitoring quarries in the state. Quarry operators, before starting operations, are required to obtain consent from the Pollution Control Board (PCB), secure an environment clearance from State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and a quarrying permit from the Department of Mining and Geology (DMG).
Intriguingly, none of these bodies has a system for periodical monitoring to check whether quarries are complying with conditions specified in the consent. The state government has issued a circular in March 2014 stating that the authority empowered to give sanction should also ensure that there is no violation of conditions. This requires physical verification by the agencies concerned. "While issuing consent to operate, the PCB will impose certain conditions to the quarry operators based on Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Environment Protection Act, 1986," says environmentalist Vikraman Bhattathiri. Further, lease holders with a minimum area of five hectare for quarrying granite building stone require environment clearance from SEIAA. The EC, too, will stipulate certain conditions to be followed by the lease holders.
However, both the PCB and SEIAA do not have a system for periodical monitoring. "With the kind of staff strength we have ,it is impossible to keep track of all the innumerable clearances that we had given across the state," a top SEIAA official said. Even a government department like DMG has no systems to monitor the adherence to Kerala Minor Minerals Cocession Rules. The DMG issues quarrying permits and leases and the permit or lease holders have to satisfy conditions specified in the permits. "The DMG does not conduct periodical inspection of quarry sites to monitor implementation of KMMC Rules. Even the CAG has pointed this out," Mr Bhattathri said. The lease violations include non-observance of safety measures, operation after expiry of permit, operating without explosive licence, and non-demarcation of quarry area.
Germany: the centre of Europe. Undoubtedly geographically; it borders more European countries than any other. But Germany is also the centre in a deeper sense. With its steadfast commitment to the European Union, strong economy, developed welfare state and stable political system, it is held up as a model to which others should aspire. In the moral realm too, it represents an ideal. It has directly experienced all the major traumas of European history most recently the two world wars and the Cold War and learned from them more profoundly than any other European nation. It knows at firsthand that nationalism and extremism lead to disaster.
Now all of this has been tarnished by the election results a little over a week ago; or has it? It was never seriously in doubt that Angela Merkels centrist Christian Democratic Union (CDU), with its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), would end up as the largest bloc. But as a German friend who works for the CDU put it, we didnt win; we just got the most votes. True: the CDU-CSU won its lowest percentage since 1949, some 33 per cent. The moderate left Social-Democrats (SPD) did even worse, with some 20 per cent, also their lowest score since 1949. The smaller parties did better. The liberal Free Democrats (FDP) re-entered the Bundestag after a four-year absence, whilst the ecologist Greens and the hard-left Die Linke (The Left) held their own. But the nastiest shock for the established parties was the arrival for the first time in the Bundestag of the AfD, the Alternativ fur Deutschland (Alternative for Germany), with nearly 13 per cent of the vote. It is now the third largest party. The AfD was founded only four years ago by academics and economists concerned that Germanys participation in Eurozone financial policies was unconstitutional. Since then it has metamorphosed into a classic hard-right party: anti-Europe, anti-immigrant and nationalistic. One of its leaders recently suggested that Germany should be proud of its soldiers achievements during the Second World War.
So what happened? The short answer is Ms Merkels decision at the end of 2015 to accept asylum-seekers from war-torn Syria. Since then over a million refugees have arrived in Germany. Hailed at the time as an example of humanity and decency, the policy has caused tensions. Some 50 per cent of Germans thought it the most important issue facing the country. The mainstream parties sought to allay their concerns with rational policies on integration and reassurances that the flow of asylum-seekers was at an end. The AfD responded with emotion: Germany faced a tsunami of refugees and impending Islamisation; a message that echoed with nearly six million Germans. Somehow we were surprised. We thought that Mutti (Mummy) Ms Merkels nickname would pull it off again; that her reputation for competence and caution would win the day. But that was just the problem. Many saw her decision to allow in so many refugees so quickly as incompetent and incautious. We thought asymmetric demobilisation Ms Merkels campaigning technique would dull emotions. This involved rarely mentioning opponents by name and welcoming their initiatives with faint praise. But this left open space for the AfD to claim that a crisis was being ignored. And deep down we thought that history had so sensitised the Germans to the dangers and unpleasantness of nationalism that never again would nationalists gain a foothold.
But our surprise was misplaced. The Germans do not live in splendid isolation. Germany is subject to the same pressures created by globalisation as other European countries. Looked at in this light, the German result is of a piece with what has happened elsewhere in Europe. In recent elections in Western Europe the Netherlands, Austria, and France the traditional parties have all declined, with the social democrats hardest hit. Faced with stagnant living standards and insecurity, the social democrats traditional working class base is no longer convinced of the virtues of moderation and cooperation. Many are now attracted instead to the easy certainties of the hard left or the hard right. Meanwhile, in the countries of the former Soviet bloc, it has become clear that liberal democracy has only shallow roots. Instead illiberal democracy has established itself, particularly in Poland and Hungary, where chauvinistic governments seek to dominate and stifle dissent. What is sometimes forgotten is that Germany too comprises a former Soviet bloc country the former German Democratic Republic and in that part of Germany the AfD did particularly well. It won roughly twice the percentage that it won elsewhere.
So what happens now? Most obviously a governing coalition has to be assembled. The process is now underway and not proving easy. The Social Democrats have ruled out re-forming the grand coalition with the CDU-CSU that governed before the election. As the junior party within it they were smothered and have consequently paid a high electoral price: a mistake not to be repeated. That leaves the so-called Jamaica coalition: the CDU-CSU (black), the FDP (yellow) and the Greens (green) the colours of the Jamaican flag. Such a coalition has never been attempted at the national level and there would be tensions within it. Elements within the CDU-CSU want to trim to the right to counter the AfD, a move the Greens and FDP would resist. The FDP is pro-business and pro-free market; the Greens are sceptical of both. Yet despite these strains there is a will to make it work. An adviser to the Greens told me that they would be responsible. No doubt, since the alternative is a minority government and probably another general election, one in which the AfDs voteshare could increase.
However, the task facing the mainstream parties is more fundamental than simply forming a coalition. They need to consider carefully how they handle the AfD phenomenon. The AfDs success needs to be kept in proportion 12.6 per cent is not an overwhelming surge. Furthermore, polls suggest that the AfDs voters are more rootless than committed to the party. As the AfD reveals itself to be incompetent over time, the rising tide could ebb. Demonising the AfD would therefore be counter-productive. Unpleasant and unprepossessing as the AfD may be, heaping abuse on the AfD will only give the party prominence and allow it to play the role of martyr. Most important, however, the mainstream parties need to address the insecurity and resentment which motivates many AfD voters without jettisoning the countrys justified reputation for tolerance and moderation. Germany is not lost far from it but it needs to do some thinking.
The patent fee model used by world No. 1 smartphone chip designer Qualcomm predominates in the tech industry and is based on how much value a technology adds to a product, but is opposed by Apple and others in Silicon Valley.
The European Union is drawing up guidelines on how much patent holders should charge for their technologies, a thorny issue that pits Apple and other users against Qualcomm and Ericsson.
Trillions of dollars in sales are at stake as regulators ponder whether a fridge maker should pay a different rate for crucial patents than a carmaker, or whether a flat, fixed rate would be fairer.
The patent fee model used by world No. 1 smartphone chip designer Qualcomm predominates in the tech industry and is based on how much value a technology adds to a product, but is opposed by Apple and others in Silicon Valley.
Other models are in use and the EU aims to set a uniform one for Europe, opening a new front in a global dispute that has already seen multiple lawsuits between Apple and Qualcomm.
Antti Peltomaki, deputy director general at the European Commission, told a conference last week that the EU hopes to finalise its guidelines by the end of the year. They will not be legally binding but could provide a basis if the EU executive decides to enact rules in future.
The move is part of the blocs broader push to set new rules of the road for internet-connected devices beyond just computers and smartphones to cover cars, home automation and energy devices, aiming to ensure job creation and other economic benefits in the so-called Internet of Things (IoT) era.
Qualcomms patent fee model is based on the widely used so-called fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) licensing model. The European Commission, however, has yet to make a final decision on which technology patent fee model it favours.
Silicon Valley tech giants have sided with Apple, as have big Asian electronics makers who work for Apple, including Foxconn Technology Group.
Qualcomm, which holds what many experts see as the world's most lucrative smartphone patent portfolio, is backed by major mobile phone and network patent holders Ericsson and Nokia.
Apple, the automotive industry and product makers say a fairer approach is to link royalties to the cost of the smallest saleable unit.
It is not reasonable to charge more for use of the very same component in a Mercedes versus a Hyundai or a car versus a bicycle. This is discriminatory based on price of the end product, both within and outside of a particular product category, Apple said of Qualcomms model in a May submission to the European Commission.
Apple and Qualcomm declined to comment for this story.
Industry estimates show IoT systems could represent a market of more than $11 trillion per year by 2025.
Theres a lot of potential value at stake, said Matthew Hunt, competition attorney with the law firm Bristows in London.
BALANCING ACT
Qualcomms royalty approach, known as use-based or value-based, is an important source of profits for other mobile pioneers such as Ericsson and Nokia.
Ericsson, once the worlds biggest mobile phone and network equipment maker, has fallen on hard times in the past decade in the face of stiff global competition. Still, with more than 42,000 patents giving it the largest number of mobile technology patents, it stands by the value-based licensing model.
We need to be able to be flexible to differentiate the price. Flexibility is absolutely necessary, Patrick Hofkens, Ericssons director of intellectual property rights policy, said.
Hofkens said that charging high royalty rates discourages product makers from adopting new innovations, while setting royalty rates too low undermines new technology developers from licensing their patents to industry standards bodies, which enable mass markets to take off.
Price differentiation allows for lower prices for applications that do not use the patented technology as intensively as others, the Ericsson executive said.
The European Commission has a tough balancing act, said Bristows Hunt.
For any model, the main difficulty is going to be how to determine a fair rate. This has proven complicated enough in the mobile telecoms industry already, and its only going to get harder with new IoT enabled products, he said.
Qualcomms approach sets royalty rates based on the proportion of added value the patented technology provides to the completed product.
Its previous patent licensing deal with Apple, for example, allowed it to take a percentage of the overall selling price for the iPhone, in exchange for supplying it with modem chips.
Lobbying group the App Association (ACT), whose sponsors include Apple, Facebook, Intel and Microsoft, urged the Commission not to rush into setting new guidelines.
IP Europe, another lobbying group whose members include Ericsson, Airbus, Nokia and Orange, says patent holders deserve a fair compensation.
When they are contributors to a platform, they have expectations of fair remuneration, the groups executive secretary Francisco Mingorance said.
Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
BlackBerry hired Kokes in mid-2014 to lead its patent monetization strategy, as the Canadian handset maker turned software company looked to turn a trove of foundational technology patents collected in its heyday into hard cash to help augment its shrunken revenue.
The man who was leading BlackBerry Ltds efforts to make money from its patent portfolio has left to join a health technology company, two sources with knowledge of the move said on Monday.
Mark Kokes left the Canadian company last month to join privately held NantWorks LLC, the sources said. NantWorks was founded in 2011 by billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong and houses a string of startups looking to transform global health information and develop next-generation pharmaceuticals.
Kokes is the second senior executive to move from BlackBerry to NantWorks this year, following the May announcement that NantHealth Inc, a publicly traded part of NantWorks, had hired BlackBerrys president for devices and emerging solutions, Ron Louks, as its chief operating officer.
BlackBerry also saw its former head of acquisition strategy exit in February.
Kokes declined to comment when contacted by Reuters. BlackBerry did not respond to a request for comment. The sources declined to be identified as the information was private.
BlackBerry hired Kokes in mid-2014 to lead its patent monetization strategy, as the Canadian handset maker turned software company looked to turn a trove of foundational technology patents collected in its heyday into hard cash to help augment its shrunken revenue.
In June 2015 the company announced a royalty-bearing license deal with Cisco Systems Inc, followed by others with Canon Inc and International Game Technology. In 2016 it filed infringement suits against Avaya, Nokia and BLU Products Inc, a manufacturer of low-end Android phones.
In its most recent quarterly earnings report, issued last Thursday, BlackBerry said that it had recognised its first revenue from three recent licensing deals with Ford Motor Co, watchmaker Timex Group and BLU.
Licensing fees in the quarter -- which also include payments the company receives for BlackBerry-branded phones made and sold by others -- were the primary driver of a software sales beat, rising to $56 million from $16 million a year earlier.
NantWorks has job postings listed on its website for several patent-related jobs, including for a vice president of intellectual property prosecution and vice president of intellectual property technology.
Kokes LinkedIn profile still lists him as leading all aspects of BlackBerrys intellectual property strategy, licensing, IP venturing, technology research and standardization activities.
The news of Kokes departure was first reported by patent business media outlet IAM.
Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.
At least 59 people were killed and more than 500 wounded in Las Vegas shooting in US (Photo: AP)
Washington: Indian-American lawmakers have called for changes in the gun control laws in the US, as they condemned the Las Vegas mass shooting, the deadliest in the countrys modern history which claimed nearly 60 lives.
Gun violence is a public health crisis that has claimed thousands of innocent lives and the Congress must do everything it can to address it, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said, hours after a gunman opened fire on a large crowd during a music concert in Las Vegas.
The American people are tired of being outraged, sending thoughts and prayers, seeing men, women and children die because the gun lobby does put profit over people, Jayapal said during her speech on the floor of the US House of Representatives on Monday.
That is not what our founders intended by the right to bear arms, the first-time lawmaker from Washington State said, as she joined several of her Congressional colleagues calling for changes in gun control laws.
With rights come responsibilities: the responsibility to stop gun sales loopholes, to enact protections that make sure our children and those with severe mental illnesses dont have access to guns, to address funding for mental health, and to oppose any efforts to make it easier to purchase silencers, Jayapal said.
The first ever Indian-American women elected to the House of Representatives said 87% of gun owners and 74% of NRA members support those commonsense solutions like criminal background checks.
I have a plea for gun owners across this country: Urge the non-resident aliens (NRA) to represent your views. Show them that you mean business by speaking out or even terminating your NRA membership. Show that you care about your fellow Americans, she said.
She added: Act now. Enough is enough.
The Las Vegas shooting on Sunday night, in which at least 59 people were killed and more than 500 wounded, has rekindled the debate on gun control laws in the US.
Nearly 12,000 Americans have been killed by guns in 273 mass shootings in 2017 so far one incident for each day, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a not-for-profit corporation that tracks gun-related violence in the US.
On an average, more than 90 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every day, a daily toll of heartbreak and tragedy in communities across the US.
Other Indian-American Congressmen too joined Jayapal in condemning the incident.
No community should have to fear going to the movies, a concert, or dropping their child off at school, said Ami Bera, the three-term Congressman from California.
In the wake of this tragedy, I hope well all be able to take the time to look for the helpers and that each of us, in our own way, will seek to help our nation heal, move forward, and work to prevent similar tragedies, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democrat Congressman from 8th district Illinois, said.
We must end this senseless violence, said Congressman Ro Khanna, Democrat Congressman from 17th district California.
In a statement, UNITED SIKHS condemned the senseless act of terror.
Its volunteers have teamed with Gurdwaras, where shelter, hot meals (langar) and other assistance is being offered to all who may need it.
Sikh taxi drivers are volunteering to drive people to their destinations safely, it said
At least 50 people died early on Monday and 515 were hospitalised with suspected gunshot wounds after a shooting at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.(Photo: AP)
Washington: The deadliest mass shooting in modern US history at Las Vegas that killed at least 58 people and injured over 500 others has rekindled the debate on gun control laws in America.
Nearly 12,000 Americans have been killed by guns in 273 mass shootings in 2017 so far one incident for each day.
On an average, more than 90 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every day, a daily toll of heartbreak and tragedy in communities across the US.
Experts believe that the last night incident, which President Donald Trump termed as an "act of pure evil", is unlikely to bridge the bitter differences between the pro- and anti-gun control law lobbies in the country.
Trump, who ran his campaign against any gun control laws, did not mention it in his two remarks on Monday during which he said that this is "a very very sad" day for him.
Responding to questions, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday that is the day of reflection and mourning and not a day to discuss political issues.
Referring to Chicago, she said gun control laws have not been helpful.
Taking a lead, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic leader, sought off a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan on creation of a Standing Committee on gun violence and passage of common-sense legislation on gun control.
"Congress has a moral duty to address this horrific and heartbreaking epidemic. Charged with the solemn duty to protect and defend the American people, we must respond to these tragedies with courage, unity and decisive action," Pelosi said in her letter to Ryan.
The Congress, she said, must pass the bipartisan King- Thompson legislation to strengthen the life-saving background checks that keep guns out of the wrong hands. But this is only a first step, she said.
"I urge you to create a Select Committee on Gun Violence to study and report back common sense legislation to help end this crisis. The bipartisan committee would make recommendations to prevent unspeakable tragedies such as the mass shooting in Las Vegas and to restore confidence in the safety of our communities," Pelosi said.
Congressman Kathy Castor said: "Certainly, we can come together to pass common sense safety requirements such as background checks and limits on civilian use of military-style weapons and to enforce the laws on the books.
"The sorrow that I and so many around the country feel for the innocent men and women whose lives were cruelly cut short by this heartless act of domestic terrorism is immeasurable".
Congressman Earl Blumenauer said: "From Orlando to Roseburg, OR and now Las Vegas, the carnage has only continued. Thoughts and prayers will not stop future tragedy. Enough is enough. My hope is that sanity will prevail, and Republican leadership in Congress will muster up the courage to act".
The right-wing and NRA messaging point that nothing could have been done to prevent the horrific attack in Las Vegas is just wrong, he said.
Over two years ago, he had released a comprehensive plan to deal with gun violence like the public health epidemic that it is, the lawmaker said, adding that the solutions should not be hard.
Congressman Andre Carson said it is time people need to stop hiding behind the false narrative that enacting common sense gun policies somehow limits the rights of law abiding Americans.
"Every day that we fail to act puts more innocent lives at risk. It is long past time to fix our gun laws. Congress has a moral responsibility to act and address the daily tragedy of gun violence in our communities," he said.
Last week, he said, Republicans planned to vote on a bill that would loosen gun laws, instead of strengthening them.
In light of the tragedy in Las Vegas, and the ongoing tragedy of gun violence in America, this could not be more inappropriate. The American people deserve a vote on legislation that will curb gun violence, including reinstating an assault weapons ban and instituting new restrictions on gun trafficking, Carson said.
Congressman Alcee L Hastings said that more than 33,000 people will die from gun violence this year.
"With each new tragedy that occurs, those who stand in the way of legislation to address our countrys gun violence epidemic are increasingly culpable for its continuation," he said.
"Trump, who ran as a champion of gun rights throughout his campaign, is unlikely to directly tackle the issue of gun control and, in fact, rolled back a restriction that made it more difficult for people with mental illnesses to purchase a gun," a report in Newsweek said.
Acts of mass gun violence, reported The Washington Post, "Have done little to change the strong partisan divide on the issue".
Most Democrats argue that the incidents heighten the need for tighter gun laws, while most Republicans think Americans should have a greater ability to protect themselves, the daily said.
US President Donald Trump said he has directed flags to be flown at half-staff in memory of victims of shooting. (Photo: AP)
Washington: President Donald Trump condemned the massacre of at least 59 Las Vegas concert goers as an "act of pure evil" Monday, but refrained from addressing calls for gun control or the motives for the worst mass shooting in recent US history.
Delivering televised remarks, Trump tried to offer consolation and called for unity -- an act that has become a grim rite of passage for modern US presidents.
Barack Obama wept as he tried to soothe the nation after the 2012 Sandy Hook primary school shooting, George W. Bush told Americans that the "nation grieves" after a similar outrage at Virginia Tech university.
Trump ordered that flags be flown at half-staff until sunset Friday, offered prayers for the victims and announced he would visit Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Later, he led White House staff on the South Lawn for a moment of silence.
"In moments of tragedy and horror, America comes together as one -- and it always has," Trump said.
Police have identified the gunman behind the Sunday night massacre -- which injured more than 500 people -- as a 64-year-old former accountant named Stephen Craig Paddock, who killed himself before a SWAT team breached his 32nd floor hotel room.
Investigators recovered at least 16 guns, including assault rifles, from Paddock's room at the Mandalay Bay, and another 18 firearms along with bomb-making materials at one of his two homes.
Officials have reacted cautiously to an Islamic State group claim that Paddock was a "soldier of the caliphate" but while his motive remained unclear, the shooting instantly rekindled the divisive national debate on gun control.
- 'Right to bear arms' -
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that now was not the time for politics, a tactic frequently used by gun advocates to diffuse public outrage.
"There's a time and place for a political debate, but now is the time to unite as a country," said Sanders.
Trump insisted, "our unity cannot be shattered by evil. Our bonds cannot be broken by violence."
But in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, that unity was difficult to find.
Trump's vanquished election rival Hillary Clinton hit out at the gun manufacturers lobby -- the National Rifle Association -- which has backed a congressional push to make it easier to obtain a gun silencer.
"The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots. Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer," tweeted Clinton, whose Democratic Party has tried in vain to introduce lasting gun control measures.
"Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again."
There have already been over 270 mass shootings in the United States this year alone, according to www.massshootingtracker.org, although the exact definition is contested.
Gun violence accounts for more than 33,000 deaths each year in the United States, and according to the latest Gallup poll, 55 percent of American voters would like to see stricter rules for buying guns.
But the issue is highly sensitive and Trump's own views have changed markedly over his years in public life.
After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, where 20 six and seven-year old children and six adults were mowed down by a disturbed 20-year-old, Trump appeared to favor stricter rules.
Back then, his predecessor Obama -- who often called Sandy Hook the worst moment of his eight year presidency -- called for the deadlock to be broken and for Congress to act.
At that time Trump tweeted: "President Obama spoke for me and every American in his remarks in #Newtown Connecticut."
But since then Trump -- whose White House bid was endorsed by the NRA -- has positioned himself as a defender of the constitutional "right to keep and bear arms."
The NRA donated an estimated $30 million to Trump's campaign in 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
US Senator Chris Murphy, who was the congressman for Sandy Hook, renewed a call for action in the wake of the Las Vegas attack.
"This must stop. It is positively infuriating that my colleagues in Congress are so afraid of the gun industry that they pretend there aren't public policy responses to this epidemic," he said.
At least 58 people died early on Monday and 515 were hospitalised with suspected gunshot wounds after a shooting at a music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. (Photo: AP)
Las Vegas: Investigators have so far found no connection between international terrorist groups and a mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed at least 58 people and injured more than 500, an FBI special agent said on Monday.
The Islamic State group, through its propaganda arm, had earlier claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming the shooter was a recently converted soldier.
Police said the attack was carried out by Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old retired accountant.
As this event unfolds we have determined to this point no connection with an international terrorist group, said Aaron Rouse, the special agent in charge of the Las Vegas office of the FBI.
Meanwhile, the deadly attack on concertgoers in Las Vegas has prompted a debate about security measures at hotels and open-air venues, but little could have been done to prevent Sunday's carnage, experts say.
The challenges lie in part in the difficulty of imposing harsh policies on places and events meant for fun and relaxation, and foiling a perpetrator bent on bloodshed.
"This was an unpreventable incident, period," said Patrick Brosnan, a former NYPD detective who now runs a private security firm called Brosnan Risk Consultants.
Brosnan and several other security experts interviewed by AFP said the shooting at a country music festival that left at least 59 people dead and more than 500 injured underscored the difficulty for law enforcement to stay one step ahead of someone planning such attacks.
The gunman, retired accountant Stephen Paddock, 64, shot at concertgoers from a room on the 32nd floor of the nearby Mandalay Bay hotel before killing himself, police said.
His motive was not immediately known.
"The ironic part of this thing is that security in Vegas is actually very good but with a halfway creative mind and a means to do something in a free country, it causes issues like this," said Tegan Broadwater, president and founder of Tactical Systems Network, a security consultancy firm based in Texas.
He said Paddock probably very easily sneaked his arsenal -- which included at least 16 rifles and ammunition -- into his room given relatively lax security measures at hotels.
"It would actually be very simple for anyone to get into a hotel on any typical day with that kind of armament because hotels don't usually vet the type of baggage that's being brought in," Broadwater told AFP. "You usually pull up to a concierge, you load your bags and you wheel them up to your room."
Any radical changes in security at hotels in Las Vegas -- a gambling hub that attracts some 43 million visitors annually -- are unlikely to be put in place for fear of driving away tourists, the experts said.
"Hotels and casinos have to find a fine balance between security and staying a welcoming place," said Jason Porter, vice president of Pinkerton, a risk management services company.
Brosnan said should hotels in Las Vegas adopt stringent security protocols that include metal detectors and searching guests' luggage, which would likely impact the region's tourism industry which generated nearly $60 billion in economic activity in 2016, according to a study by Las Vegas-based Applied Analysis.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un said that their final goal is to establish the equilibrium of real force with the US and make the US rulers dare not talk about military option for the DPRK. (Photo: File | AP)
Washington: The White House on Monday ruled out talks with North Korea except to discuss the fate of Americans held there, again appearing to rebuke Secretary of State Rex Tillerson who said Washington was directly communicating with Pyongyang on its nuclear and missile programs.
Weve been clear that now is not the time to talk, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters, reiterating a tweet from President Donald Trump at the weekend that was seen as undercutting Tillerson.
The only conversations that have taken place were that ... would be on bringing back Americans who have been detained, Sanders said. Beyond that, there will be no conversations with North Korea at this time.
Tillerson said on Saturday during a trip to China that the United States was directly communicating with North Korea on its nuclear and missile programs but that Pyongyang had shown no interest in dialogue.
Trump, who has traded insults and threats with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in recent weeks, later dismissed any prospect of talks with North Korea as a waste of time.
I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful secretary of state, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man, Trump wrote on Twitter, using his sarcastic nickname for Kim.
Save your energy, Rex, well do what has to be done! Trump wrote.
It was not the first time the White House and State Department have seemed at odds on policy issues, but when asked if Trump still had confidence in Tillerson as secretary of state, Sanders said: He does.
A senior administration official said Tillerson misspoke.
I think it was just him misspeaking. He was just acknowledging the fact that we do have channels and we might have reason to talk if North Koreas behavior changes sometime down the road, the official said.
Dialogue With North Korea?
Tillerson said in Beijing that the United States had multiple direct channels of communication with Pyongyang and that it was probing North Korea to see if it was interested in dialogue.
The top US diplomat expressed hope for reducing tensions with North Korea, which is fast advancing toward its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US mainland.
We are probing, so stay tuned, Tillerson told a small group of reporters. We ask: Would you like to talk?' He said the United States had a couple of, three, channels, open to Pyongyang.
Another US official said Tillerson may have overstated the status of US lines of communication with North Korea for the benefit of his Chinese hosts, who have been pushing the Trump administration to do more to lure Pyongyang to the negotiating table.
Trump has vowed to halt North Koreas nuclear ambitions and tensions have escalated in recent months, with Pyongyang conducting its sixth and largest nuclear test on Sept. 3. It has also threatened to test a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific.
The fate of Americans held in North Korea is also a bone of contention. The Trump administration has demanded North Korea release three US citizens it has detained: missionary Kim Dong Chul and academics Tony Kim and Kim Hak Song.
The Trump White House and State Department have taken to divergent stances on other foreign policy issues.
When a dispute over Qatar erupted this year, Trump strongly backed Gulf Arab leaders who accuse Qatar of supporting Iran as well as Islamist militants. Trump accused Qatar of being a high-level funder of terrorism even as the Pentagon and Tillerson cautioned against the military, commercial and humanitarian effects of a boycott imposed by Arab states.
Months into the dispute, Trump adopted a position more in line with that of the State Department.
The ATSB said the incident had led to some important lessons about locating missing aircraft. (Photo: AP)
Sydney: Australian search chiefs said Tuesday they now have a better understanding of where flight MH370 might be, admitting it was inconceivable that a commercial plane could vanish in the modern era.
The Malaysia Airlines jet with 239 people on board disappeared in March 2014 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, sparking a massive underwater search in the remote southern Indian Ocean which ended in January.
No trace of the aircraft was found in a 120,000 square kilometre (46,000 square mile) zone based on satellite analysis of the jet's likely trajectory after it diverted from its flight path.
"The reasons for the loss of MH370 cannot be established with certainty until the aircraft is found," the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), which led the search mission, said in its final report Tuesday.
"It is almost inconceivable and certainly societally unacceptable in the modern aviation era... for a large commercial aircraft to be missing and for the world not to know with certainty what became of the aircraft and those on board."
The hunt for the plane was the largest in history and the ATSB said the challenge was working with limited data, with only aircraft performance information and satellite communication metadata available initially.
Later during the underwater search, long-term drift studies were used to trace the origin of debris which by then had been floating for more than a year, and in some cases over two years.
But after a near three-year hunt, it said in the 440-page report that the "understanding of where MH370 may be located is better now than it has ever been".
"The underwater search has eliminated most of the high probability areas yielded by reconstructing the aircraft's flight path and the debris drift studies conducted in the past 12 months have identified the most likely area with increasing precision," it said.
Australia's national science body CSIRO released a report in April suggesting the doomed plane was "most likely" north of the former search zone in an area of approximately 25,000 square kilometres.
The ATSB agreed, having re-analysed satellite imagery taken on March 23, 2014 which identified a range of objects which may have been MH370 debris.
"This analysis complements the findings of the First Principles Review and identifies an area of less than 25,000 square kilometres which has the highest likelihood of containing MH370," it said.
Only three fragments of MH370 have been found, washed up on western Indian Ocean shores, including a two-metre wing part known as a flaperon.
A US seabed exploration firm said in August it wanted to resume the search, with relatives of passengers aboard the flight calling on Malaysia to accept the offer.
The ATSB said the incident had led to some important lessons about locating missing aircraft.
"Requirements and systems for tracking aircraft have been enhanced and will continue to be enhanced," it said.
"Steps are being taken to advance other aircraft systems including emergency locator transponders and flight recorder locator beacons."
Islamabad: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "terrorist, who has the blood of Muslims on his hands."
Asif, who was speaking in a show on Geo News, made his statement in an attempt to rebut External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who recently ripped into Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for supporting and exporting terror.
"Sushma Swaraj has accused us (Pakistan) of exporting terrorism. (However) one terrorist (in India) is the country's prime minister himself. He (Modi) has the blood of Muslims murdered in Gujarat on his hands," Asif made the statement, while talking to Geo News's Hamid Mir.
India is being "ruled by a terrorist party - the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh)," Asif further said.
These remarks have come after Sushma Swaraj ripped apart Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and said India has risen despite being the principal destination of Pakistan's nefarious export of terrorism.
"India has risen despite being the principal destination of Pakistan's nefarious export of terrorism. There have been many governments under many parties during 70 years of Indian freedom, for we have been a sustained democracy," Swaraj had said while addressing the 72nd UNGA session in New York.
"Every government has done its bit for India's development. We have marched ahead consistently without pause, in education, health and across the range of human welfare. We established scientific and technical institutions which are the pride of the world," she added.
Even if 1,000 Mahatma Gandhis, 1,00,000 Narendra Modis, all the chief ministers, the government at the Centre and the state governments come together, it (the target of Swachh Bharat or Clean India) cannot be achieved, Modi said at an event to mark the third anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission.It can only be achieved if the 125 crore people across the country join the campaign and do their bit, he said.
It can only be achieved if the 125 crore people across the country join the campaign and do their bit, he said.
Modi had launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on Mahatma Gandhis birth anniversary in 2014 a few months after he assumed office.The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) has since been overseeing the implementation of the campaign in the villages across the country, with an objective to achieve clean and open defecation
free rural India by October 2, 2019.
The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) has since been overseeing the implementation of the campaign in the villages across the country, with an objective to achieve clean and open defecation free rural India by October 2, 2019.
Clean India dream will become a reality only with the participation of the 125 crore citizens, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday.
Sources said the camp was targeted to inflict heavy casualties on security forces as it is situated in a high security area and close to the airport.
In a pre-dawn strike, fidayeen (suicide) militants attacked a Border Security Force (BSF) camp near the Srinagar International Airport.The attack led to a fierce gunfight in which three attackers and a paramilitary trooper were killed and three others injured.Sources said three to four heavily-armed fidayeen, believed to be foreign mercenaries, stormed 182 BSF headquarters at Humhama, located outside the main gate of the airport at around 4.15 am. The militants positioned themselves inside barracks of the BSF and heavy exchange of gunfire ensued between the two sides. Residents of the area said that they heard dozens of loud explosions which rattled entire Humhama and its adjoining neighbourhoods.After forcing their way into the area, the militants resorted to indiscriminate firing and threw grenades in which three BSF troopers were injured, police said. In the retaliatory action, three militants have been killed so far. One more militant is believed to be currently holed up inside a building, and an operation is underway, a police official said.Helicopters are hovering over the area and intermittent firing are going on. The area has been cordoned off, he said, adding Special Forces have been called in.
Without providing any evidence to support the claim, the Islamic State group has said the gunman in the mass shooting in Las Vegas was "a soldier" from its ranks who had converted to Islam months ago.
Authorities have yet to identify a motive for the shooting and said initially there was no evidence of any connection to international terrorism.
The extremist group has a history of exaggerated or false claims, including earlier this year, when it claimed an attack on a casino in the Philippines that turned out to have been a botched robbery carried out by a heavily indebted gambling addict.
The group's Aamaq news agency released two brief statements hours after the shooting at a country music concert that killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 500. The group later released Spanish language versions of these statements.
In a third statement released hours later, IS name the purported attacker as "Abu Abd el-Bar al-Amriki (the American)," saying he responded to calls by the group's top leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to "target the countries of the Crusader coalition" battling the extremist group in Iraq and Syria.
It added that he caused 600 casualties before he exhausted his supply of ammunition and "martyred" himself. Police have identified the shooter as Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, of Mesquite, Nevada, and have said he killed himself after the shooting. Authorities have not commented on his religious background or said what might have motivated the attack.
Most IS attacks have been carried out by much younger men.
Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said authorities believe it was a "lone wolf" attack, and the US Homeland Security Department said there was no "specific credible threat" involving other public venues in the US.
The extremist organisation has suffered a string of major setbacks in Iraq and Syria, where it has lost much of the territory it once claimed as part of a self-styled Islamic caliphate. However, the group remains active in recruiting followers on social media and has repeatedly called on its supporters to carry out attacks in Western nations.
The IS group often claims attacks by individuals inspired by its message but with no known links to the group.
Before Sunday, the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history took place in June 2016, when a gunman opened fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people. The shooter, Omar Mateen, had pledged allegiance to IS and it claimed the attack.
IS claimed the attack on a casino in the Philippines that killed dozens of people, but police later identified the attacker as a Filipino gambling addict who was $80,000 in debt, saying it was a botched robbery that was not terrorism-related.
President Ram Nath Kovind today embarked on a four-day visit to Djibouti and Ethiopia, his first trip abroad since taking office.
During his visit to the two African nations, the president is expected to sign agreements on the institutionalisation of foreign office consultation and greater economic cooperation with Ethiopia, Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs had said earlier.
Press Secretary to the President Ashok Malik has said that Djibouti is an important Indian Ocean partner country with whom India's bilateral trade stands at USD 284 million in 2016-17.
"The president is looking forward to the visit. He recognises that the Africa and Indian Ocean region are central to Indian foreign policy. That is why this region was chosen as his first foreign visit," Malik said.
India has extended a line of credit of USD 49 million to Djibouti, mainly for constructing a cement plant. It is a strategically located country just off the Gulf of Aden.
Kovind's visit will be the first by an Indian president to Ethiopia after 45 years. The last visit was by President V V Giri in 1972.
India's bilateral trade with Ethiopia in 2016 was nearly USD 1 billion. The country is among the top three foreign investors in Ethiopia with an approved investment of 4 billion dollars.
In both the countries, the president will also interact with the members of the Indian community.
The headmaster of a state government run school in Koraput district was arrested allegedly for raping a 14-year-old girl student promising to marry her, the police said today.
The 42-year-old married man was arrested yesterday following a complaint lodged by the girl's father.
The headmaster of the residential school in Nandapur block confessed during interrogation that he started a sexual relation with the girl in April with a promise to marry her, Inspector In-Charge of Padwa police station, Kailash Chandra Sethy, said.
However, the victim claimed that the headmaster first established physical relationship with her in January, Sethy said.
Koraput Collector Anupam Saha said the headmaster was suspended on the basis of on preliminary inquiry.
A thorough probe into the episode was also ordered.
Around 500 students from class I to X study in the school managed by the state's scheduled caste and scheduled tribe development department.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh today complimented the security forces for successfully eliminating the terrorists involved in an attack on a BSF camp in Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh said he has spoken to the chiefs of the Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force following the suicide attack near the Srinagar airport.
"I have spoken to the DG CRPF and DG BSF. It was a good operation that they have conducted," he told reporters here.
The home minister said one Assistant Sub Inspector of the BSF has martyred and two others were injured but they were out of danger.
A group of militants today launched a suicide attack on a BSF camp near the Srinagar Airport, killing the ASI and leaving four security personnel injured.
Two militants were killed in the gun-battle that is raging near the airport, forcing brief suspension of air traffic and closure of schools in the vicinity.
The Islamic State group on Tuesday claimed a bomb attack at a police station in the Syrian capital Damascus a day earlier that killed at least 17 people.
In a statement circulated on its social media accounts, the group said three of its fighters armed with guns, grenades and explosives were involved in the attack in the southern neighbourhood of Midan on Monday.
The Syrian interior ministry said on Monday that the attack involved two suicide bombers, one of whom managed to penetrate the police station and reach the first floor before his explosives detonated.
But a monitor reported a third explosion involved a car bomb outside the police station, and the IS claim also referred to the third attacker blowing himself up separately from the other two.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring group, said at least 17 people were killed in the attack, among them 13 police officers.
Damascus has been largely insulated from the worst of the violence during the country's brutal six-year civil war, but several bomb attacks have shaken the city.
The Midan police station has itself been targeted before. In December 2016, three police officers were wounded when a seven-year-old girl walked into the police station wearing an explosive belt that was remotely detonated.
The regime is currently waging several offensives against IS, including in the Badiya desert region and in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor.
The jihadist group is rapidly losing territory across Syria, though it retains a handful of positions, including in the Yarmuk camp in Damascus.
More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.
Security was tightened around Panchkula district court complex and Panchkula police commissioner's office today amid reports that Honeypreet Insan, the adopted daughter of jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, may surrender after remaining elusive for over a month.
Priyanka Taneja alias Honeypreet topped the list of 43 people 'wanted' by the Haryana Police in connection with the incidents of violence that left 41 people dead and several injured following Ram Rahim's conviction in two rape cases.
Honeypreet told a TV channel from an "undisclosed" location yesterday that she was seeking legal opinion on her next step and was likely to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
However, anticipating that Honeypreet might surrender before Panchkula district court, security was beefed up in the district court complex there.
All vehicles on roads approaching the court complex and Panchkula police commissioner's office were being thoroughly checked.
Meanwhile, Haryana police said their efforts to arrest Honeypreet were on.
"Our efforts to arrest her will continue," a Haryana police official said.
Honeypreet had accompanied Ram Rahim from sect headquarters at Sirsa to a special CBI court in Panchkula on August 25. After the Dera chief's conviction, she also accompanied him in a chopper to Rohtak jail. 'Papa's angel' allegedly went missing thereafter.
A lookout notice and an arrest warrant were issued by the Haryana Police against Honeypreet after she was booked at Sector 5 police station in Panchkula along with Dera functionaries Aditya Insan and Surinder Dhiman for allegedly inciting violence in Panchkula in the aftermath of the Dera head's conviction.
The Haryana Police have been conducting searches at various locations, including the India-Nepal border, to trace Honeypreet and two other key Dera functionaries - Aditya Insan and Pawan Insan.
On September 26, the Delhi High Court had dismissed the transit anticipatory bail plea of Honeypreet Insan. The court's order was based on the grounds that she had been evading arrest and hence was not entitled to any discretionary relief.
Eluding arrest for over a month, Honeypreet, the adopted daughter of jailed Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, was arrested from the outskirts of capital city Chandigarh this afternoon. Honeypreet had been on the run for the last nearly 39-days.
She was booked on charges of sedition by the police for allegedly orchestrating the widespread violence that broke out soon after the conviction of the sect chief on August 25. As many as 40 lives were lost in police firing in Panchkula and Sirsa, the epicentres of the violence. Her custodial interrogation by a team of senior officers in Panchkula was underway till filing of the story.
The Panchkula police, it appears, got the vital catch on a platter. Honeypreet evaded arrest all this while, then managed to give her side of the story on two television channels earlier today. The grapevine has it that the Punjab police eventually tipped off the Panchkula police about her whereabouts on the Zirakhpur-Patiala highways, just about 6-km from Panchkula. The special investigating team reached the spot where Honeypreet, along with another woman, were rounded up and later arrested. The duo was in an Innova car at around 3 pm when they were apprehended by the cops. Panchkula police commissioner AS Chawla said Honeypreet has been taken into custody for interrogation and would be produced before the Court on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, in her interview with a couple of TV channels, Honeypreet claimed that her relationship with her father and sect head is pious. She refuted accusations that Gurmeet Ram Rahim sexually exploited women inside the Dera. Honeypreet was on top of the list of 42 most wanted persons released by the Panchkula police. Her arrest will now bring to light her hideouts all this while and the persons who shielded her. The enigma surrounding the sect is also likely to be further unravelled.
Honeypreet said she had not fled to Nepal as was being publicized in the media. She said, she had dipped into depression after the conviction and could not comprehend what to do. She maintained that her father and jailed sect chief, sentenced to 20-years in jail for rape of two women, was innocent and the truth will prevail. I cannot believe that I am being dubbed a traitor," she told a news channel.
To say that the petition of this nature is not maintainable is not correct. I have believed for 40 years that the courts should be slow in abdicating its jurisdiction in such matters, Chief Justices Dipak Misra said.
The court's observations came in view of strong resistance put by Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on justiciability as well as maintainability of a writ petition filed by two Rohangiya Muslims Mohammad Salimullah and Mohammad Shaqir-- who challenged the Union government's decision to deport about 40,000 of their fellow immigrants to Myanmar.
Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocate F S Nariman questioned the stand taken by the government that the issue fell under the executive's domain. He also said rights guaranteed under Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution were available to all persons and not confined to citizens alone. He said the right to seek asylum was a part of universal declaration and the question of justiciability will not arise in such issues as there is a humanitarian concern.
Though India is not a signatory to the Refugee Convention, 1951, it is a signatory to several other International Conventions which accepted the principle of non-refoulement and prohibited involuntary deportation of refugees, he said. Nariman also pointed out that he was to a refugee from Burma, erstwhile Myanmar.
According to the petitioners, when there are issues with regard to human rights and safety of women and children, the question of justiciability will not arise. The question is if India should live up to an international commitment. Why not take steps so that there is protection for women and children, the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said.
The court said it would analyse all propositions on October 13. Mehta said the issue was also of constitutional law and if the country can allow an influx of such a large number of people in the country. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhawan appeared for the NHRC and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, represented for the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights to support the plea, among others.
The apex court should not abdicate its jurisdiction when concerns for protection and safety of women and children are raised with regard to Rohingya immigrants, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday.
Notwithstanding his father and Samajwadi Party (SP) patron Mulayam Singh Yadav calling him 'dhokhebaaz' (going back on the promise to hand over the reins of the party), SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav is all set to be re-elected the national president of the party in its forthcoming national convention beginning at Agra from Thursday.
SP sources here said on Tuesday that all arrangements had been made to hold the convention in the Taj city in which over 15 thousand delegates from different parts of the country were likely to take part.
Although Akhilesh had met Mulayam at latter's residence in what the sources termed an attempt to persuade him to attend the forthcoming national convention of the party at Agra, it was not yet clear if the SP patron would attend the same.
Akhilesh had while getting himself anointed as national president of the party last year, said that he would hand over the reins of the party back to Mulayam after the assembly polls.
Former SP general secretary and Akhilesh's estranged uncle Shivpal Singh Yadav has not been invited to the convention, SP sources said.
SP sources also confided that a section of the party was trying to broker a truce in the SP family and persuade Shivpal to accept Akhilesh's leadership in exchange for the post of general secretary.
Akhilesh and Shivpal had fallen out a few months before the assembly polls in the state and the former, then the chief minister had sacked the latter from the ministry. In the subsequent days the SP infighting intensified further and Akhilesh, at a hurriedly convened National Convention of the SP, also ousted Mulayam from the post of national president and anointed himself as the national president.
Sources said that the convention was likely to adopt several resolutions on the political, economic and other fields and target the BJP for its ''divisive'' and ''communal'' politics.
Ola is getting USD 2 billion funding from a group of investors that includes SoftBank Group and Tencent Holdings, said industry sources.
The funding, part of which has already come in, will help Ola bolster its position against US-based rival Uber. The two are engaged in an intense battle for leadership in the Indian market and have pumped in millions of dollars in driver incentives and discounted rides for customers.
Multiple sources, who did not wish to be identified as the discussions are private, said the round is yet to be closed and the numbers could add up to about USD 2 billion when it happens.
An announcement could be made in the next few weeks, they added.
Ola and SoftBank declined to comment on the matter while Tencent was not immediately available.
ANI Technologies -- which runs Ola -- has already raised multiple rounds of funding this year. According to documents filed with regulatory authorities, it raised over Rs 231 crore from Tekne Private Ventures through issue of preference shares in June.
In March, the SoftBank-backed Ola had raised Rs 670 crore (USD 104.4 million) in funding from investors including UC-RNT Fund, a venture between the University of California and leading industrialist Ratan Tata.
ANI Technologies, which is not a publicly-traded company, counts among its investors names like SoftBank Group, Tiger Global, Sequoia India and Accel Partners US.
Its revenues registered a stellar growth at Rs 758.23 crore during 2015-16 compared to Rs 103.77 crore in the previous fiscal.
However, it posted a consolidated loss of over Rs 2,311 crore -- about Rs 6 crore a day -- during that fiscal on account of heavy advertising and promotional expenses and other costs.
Earlier this year, SoftBank and Tencent invested in India's largest e-commerce firm, Flipkart.
The USD 2.5-billion funding in Flipkart by SoftBank was made through SoftBank Vision Fund, the world's largest technology-focused fund.
It could not be ascertained if the investment in Ola would be made by SoftBank group or via SoftBank Vision Fund.
With Vijay Mallya arrested for the second time on Indias extradition request, the CBI and ED may seek the clubbing of its two cases in a British court to expedite the process. Mallyas second arrest comes five months after the first one, which was based on charges of fraud.
He was first arrested in April in connection with the CBI case involving default of loan, which now has grown to over Rs 9,400 crore.
Bail given
He was given bail and the court posted the extradition request for hearing on December 4. Sources said Tuesdays arrest was procedural and nothing should be read into Mallya getting bail. In the first instance also, Mallya was granted bail soon after his arrest. An arrest prior to the extradition hearing is as normal as the bail, a senior official said.
Officials said all the evidence regarding falsities, misstatements and false representations of Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines and its officials had been forwarded to the authorities in UK. Before getting Mallya extradited, a number of steps need to be crossed.
The extradition process starts with the judge deciding on whether to issue a warrant of arrest. If a warrant is issued, the person is arrested and brought before the court for preliminary hearing.
This is followed by an extradition hearing following which the final decision is taken by the Secretary of State. The person facing extradition has the right to appeal to higher judiciary, including the Supreme Court there, against the decision.
Investigators in CBI and ED said that the IDBI loan was disbursed to Kingfisher Airlines despite weak financials, negative net-worth, low credit rating of the borrower company. Also, they said, the company did not satisfy the norms stipulated in the corporate loan policy of the bank.
Scores of people were injured and several vehicles were torched as violence erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Allahabad town, about 200 kilometres from here, after a senior BSP leader was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Tuesday.
According to the police sources here, BSP leader Rajesh Yadav, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2017 assembly poll against mafia don-turned-politician Vijay Mishra, was sprayed with bullets inside Tarachand Hostel in the town early in the morning.
Sources said that Yadav was accompanied by his friend Mukul Singh, who was a doctor by profession and owned a nursing home in the town when the incident occurred.
Sources said that Mukul took Yadav to his nursing home after he was shot at but the latter succumbed to his injuries on the way. Police said that Mukul was absconding after the incident.
Police said that the supporters of Yadav later indulged in heavy stone pelting and also torched around a dozen vehicles near Indian Press Crossing in the city.
A few policemen and media personnel were also injured in the stone pelting, sources said adding that the mob targeted the scribes and damaged their camera and other equipment.
Tension prevailed in the town and security personnel in strength had been deployed to maintain law and order, police officials said in Allahabad.
Police said that electoral rivalry might be behind the incident. A case was registered and investigation was on, they added.
BSP leaders here sharply condemned the killing of Yadav and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits. They also threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the police failed to arrest the perpetrators.
''The law and order situation in the state has gone from bad to worse...this government has failed to ensure the safety of the people,'' said a senior BSP leader here.
French police arrested five people, including one on a terror watchlist, after discovering a suspected home-made bomb in one of Paris's most exclusive neighbourhoods at the weekend, officials said.
Officers discovered gas cylinders with detonators attached in the hallway and outside a building in the city's western 16th district in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The five suspects, all in their 30s, remain in custody, a source close to the investigation told AFP on Tuesday.
Some are known to police for belonging to a radical movement, the source added.
Speaking to Franceinfo radio on Tuesday, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb revealed that one of the arrested men was on a police terror watchlist.
"That shows that the threat level in France is extremely high," added the minister, who said the incident and a knife attack in Marseille on Sunday that left two women dead underlined the importance of a tough new security law.
French lawmakers in the lower house of parliament were set to vote later Tuesday on a new counter-terrorism law that rights groups and UN experts have criticised for giving too much power to police and local government officials.
In Saturday's incident, a resident alerted police after finding two gas cylinders around 4:30 am (0230 GMT) in his building in the Porte d'Auteuil neighbourhood, a source close to the probe said.
Police then found another two cylinders outside the building.
A mobile phone attached to the cylinders is being investigated as a possible detonator, a security source told AFP.
A total of 241 people have been killed in a wave of jihadist attacks in France since 2015.
On September 12, Collomb said that 12 planned attacks had been foiled since the beginning of the year.
Three suspected women jihadists were arrested in September last year after the discovery of gas cylinders in a car near Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral.
In a breach of diplomatic propriety, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif has branded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist", and said the Indian government was being run by "a terrorist party".
Asif made the remarks in an appearance on Geo TV's Capital Talk show, in response to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's UN General Assembly (UNGA) speech last month, in which she had accused Pakistan of "producing and exporting terrorism".
"Pakistan Foreign Minister is a political pygmy in a powerless government kowtowing to the terror organisations. These pusillanimous comments reflect Pakistan's frustration with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successful diplomacy in exposing the terror face of Pakistan to the world. That Pakistan is getting desperate is evident from these patently foolish and irresponsible comments," BJP spokesperson G V L Narasimha Rao told PTI.
Asif made the remarks while talking about Kashmiris who have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir and civilian casualties in cross-border firing along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, the Dawn reported.
"A terrorist is their (India's) prime minister at this time. One whose hands are stained with the blood of the Muslims of Gujarat," the report quoted him as saying.
"A terrorist party is ruling them (India) - the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) is ruling them. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is like its subsidiary organisation," he said.
"But Narendra Modi is an elected 'terrorist'," Hamid Mir, the show's host, reminded Asif.
"The nation that elects a terrorist... what kind of nation is that?" the minister retorted.
Explaining his stance, Asif said, "Look at the language the Indian prime minister is using, the way Muslims are being killed over cow-related issues. And just recently, on Dussehra, they burnt the effigies of Rohingya Muslims four times," he claimed.
"In Dussehra, they burn the effigies of villains... They declared Rohingya Muslims terrorists," he stressed, adding that although India was quick to call others terrorists, "the biggest terrorist (is Modi). Muslims were raped and murdered under his supervision when he was chief minister (of Gujarat). The US had banned him," he said.
Sarjapur Road, which houses some of the best known technology companies in the world, has emerged the third fastest growing residential hub in the country.
Sarjapur, strategically located close to Electronic City in East Bengaluru, has seen property prices appreciating by 32.56% in past five years. The properties in this micromarket were priced at Rs 5,700 per sq feet at the end of July 2017, compared with Rs 4,300 per sq feet in 2012.
Among the top 10 cities, listed as the 'hottest residential investment markets' by real estate advisory ANAROCK Property Consultants, two other localities from Bengaluru make a cut as well - Kanakapura Road and Varthur. While Kanakapura Road saw an appreciation of 28.21% since 2012 from Rs 3,900 per sq feet to Rs 5,000 per sq feet, Varthur grew by 22.86% to Rs 4,300 per sq feet from Rs 3,500 per sq feet in 2012.
Mumbai's Ghodbunder Road has seen the highest appreciation of 35.21% during the period. The prices in the micromarket have shot up from Rs 7,100 per sq feet in 2012 to Rs 9,600 per sq feet at the end of July. Another micromarket from the city, Pokhran Road is at the second slot in the list, having seen a jump of 32.98% since 2012.
Sarjapura Road is one of the most sought after places across the country for office space by Multi National Corporations (MNCs). Tech bellwether Wipro has its head office in the locality. Intel Technologies, L&T Infotech, Oracle, KPMG, Ness Technologies, Microsoft, Fidelity and hundreds of other companies are located in the area.
Sarjapur Road has about 2.4 million sq feet of office space, with about 24,000 people work there, according to another real estate advisory firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). But Sarjapur Road is part of a bigget IT Ecosystem of Outer Ring Road (ORR). Along the ORR and off ORR, the road has about 2.7 million sq feet of office space just in ORRs eastern stretch in proximity to Sarjapur Road, adding another 27,000. Along with entire ORR, there is 34 million sq feet of office space translating to 3,40,000 employees.
The period 201113 was marked by hectic construction activity and it observed the launch of approximately 13,210 units on a stretch of 16.5 km starting from the Sarjapur ORR junction till Sarjapur village, according to data available with Knight Frank. The area saw launch of 1,800 units in 2016 alone.
Since 2010, around 52 companies have taken space on lease in areas of Sarjapur Road, ORR- Eastern Stretch, and on/off Old Airport Road.
In the first half of this calendar year, Microsoft alone accupied 588,784 sq feet of office space in Prestige Ferns Galaxy, located on Sarjapur Road.
Bengaluru-based IT giant Infosys acquired 202 acres of land in Sarjapur to set up an IT SEZ, but no development has taken place on this land for several years as of 2016. In October 2013, the Azim Premji Foundation announced acquisition of 50 acres of land in Sarjapur for a world-class university.
Along with Sarjapur Road, Varthur offers proximity to the key office areas in Whitefield, Electronic City and Koramangala. "Being a part of the Outer Ring Road, these two areas have benefited significantly from the growth of IT corridors along this important route.
Coupled with the affordable prices in most residential projects, both these locations will remain a hit with end-users and investors," Anuj Puri, Chairman Anarock Property Consultants said.
An unusual behaviour of the Arabian Sea has triggered a three-fold rise in widespread extreme rainfall in central India since the 1950s, scientists report.
In the last 65 years, there has been a three-fold rise in "widespread extreme rainfall events over the entire central belt of India from Gujarat and Maharashtra in the west coast to Odisha and Assam in the east, leading to a steady rise in the number of flash floods with significant socioeconomic losses.
The rise in extreme rainfall events also occurred along some parts of the Western Ghats including south Kerala, north Karnataka and Goa.
It has long been a scientific puzzle to figure out where the much-needed moisture is coming from since the total monsoon rainfall and local moisture availability decreased in the recent decades.
Indian weather scientists in collaboration with their colleagues from USA and France now cracked the code. They demonstrated that the extra moisture was flowing in from the Arabian Sea, which changed its behaviour possibly due to global warming.
Due to rapid warming in the Arabian Sea, the monsoon winds are becoming unstable. They are exhibiting a lot of fluctuations - so some days they are weak, but a few days they are very strong. This results in sudden surges of moisture transport to India, team leader Roxy Mathew Koll from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune told DH.
Floods attributed to extreme rain events in India alone amounted to losses of about $ 3 billion per year, which is 10% of the global economic losses. There have been 268 reported flooding events in India over 19502015 affecting about 825 million people, leaving 17 million homeless and killing 69,000 people
It was presumed that many of these heavy rainfall spells result from low-pressure systems that develop in the Bay of Bengal and move northwestward bringing moisture into the central India.
But with observed records showing a decline in the number of these low-pressure systems, it was a puzzle for the scientists to figure out how the extreme rains are on a rise despite a weakened monsoon and a decrease in the number of low-pressure systems over central India.
The findings suggest the ocean-atmospheric conditions which are precursors to these extreme rainfall events and occur more than a week ahead. This will help in forecasting future extreme events, he said.
The findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday.
The study demonstrates the monsoon winds (westerlies) over the northern Arabian Sea exhibit increased variability (large fluctuations), driving surges of moisture supply, leading to extreme rain episodes across the entire central Indian belt. This is due to the increased warming north of the Arabian Sea, as a result of increased human activities including carbon dioxide emissions.
The warm ocean temperatures in the northern Arabian Sea and the adjacent northwest India and Pakistan, resulting in increased moisture and also large fluctuations of the monsoon westerly wind.
Asked how it's different from previous studies that also predicted an increase in the number of extreme rainfall events in India, Koll said, There are several differences - (a) This is the only study which shows the "widespread" nature of extreme events across central India, which can lead to large-scale floods. (b) This is the only study which has provided the mechanism which has been causing these extremes (c) Most of the earlier studies point to the link between local temperatures and extremes, while we show that non-local sources such as the Arabian Sea are important.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) here is in expansion mode. To meet future needs of the growing airport, the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao wants Hyderabad Airport to be developed with international standards and also a wonderful Airport City with all the facilities.
He wanted the terminal to be extended and a second runway to be constructed following an increase in the rush of the passengers and wanted Hyderabad metro rail to be extended to the Airport.
Reviewing the aviation sector here on Tuesday, KCR suggested that since Hyderabad is becoming a venue for several international conferences, meetings, a convention centre to accommodate 12,000 people and exhibition centres should be constructed near the airport. He said for this, the state government will extend all the support and assured that he himself will be present at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Airport City.
The GMR representatives have informed the CM that as on date, the Airport is getting 400 flights a day and every year 1 crore 70-lakh passengers are using the airport. They said the growth rate of formation of the Telangana State was 7 percent and it reached 20.4 percent after the formation of the State and is expected to increase in the near future, the GMR representatives said.
The existing runway and terminal will serve 2.5 crore passengers. However, keeping in view the growth rate, there is a need to have another terminal and construction of a second runway, they said. They assured that the second runway will be built in next three years and they wanted governments cooperation in this regard, which the CM had agreed to.
GMR Group Chairman Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao has given Rs 12.28 Crore Cheque to the CM towards the state governments share of dividend (13%) from the earnings from the Airport.
The Commanders of Indian Army are expected to be briefed on the troop buildup in the Sikkim sector in the wake of the Doklam crisis at the Army commanders conference beginning here on October 9.
The week-long conference, sources said, would be having sessions in which presentation on the Doklam crisis and follow-up action would be given to the heads of the seven Army commands and the principal staff officers at the Army headquarters.
There may also be discussions on the long-term military options if the troop build-up needs to be continued for a prolonged period.
China's People's Liberation Army personnel had come to Doklam Plateau a disputed territory in Bhutan on June 16 and started building a road, ignoring the protests by Royal Bhutan Army soldiers. The Indian Army personnel from nearby Doka La post in Sikkim had intervened two days later, leading to the stand-off that continued for 72 days.
In August, Indian Army increased its troop presence along the entire Line of Actual Control in the eastern sector. Later it also moved tanks and other equipment near the northern border.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on Tuesday met Bhutan Foreign Minister Damcho Dorjee and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, amidst reports of the troop buildup, sources said.
Though China withdrew its troops from Doklam Plateau on August 28 to end the military stand-off, both New Delhi and Thimphu are keeping a close eye on the PLA's move to deploy more troops in the vicinity and repeated intrusions into the territory claimed by Bhutan. The issue, sources said, was discussed in the meetings that Jaishankar had Bhutanese officials.
The Army commanders conference has nearly 30 other agenda points including slow pace of modernisation, non-availability of small arms to the infantry troops and discrepancy in the salary following the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission recommendations.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat would address the Army commanders conference.
The Banaras Hindu University (BHU) students have demanded: immediate closure of all cases lodged against the varsity students in Varanasi after a massive police crackdown in the campus recently.
Issuing a statement here on Tuesday, they have also demanded to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the university vice-chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi who went on an indefinite leave, citing personal reasons on Monday.
The students sought the Central Government to have a re-look at all the appointments made by Tripathi during his tenure.
The Government must also ensure that the appointment of a new vice chancellor for the BHU is based on merit and not on (a candidate's) affiliation with the organisations like Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), they sought.
More than 14 students have been targeted by the Uttar Pradesh police and served notices under various FIRs that has charged the students with various Sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) which are both cognizable and non-bailable.
These FIRs are motivated to crush all voices of dissent, the BHU students said. They also demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi break his silence on the issue
The students condemned the inaction and insensitive behaviour of the Prime Minister of India, who is also the Member of Parliament from Banaras and the Ministry of Human Resource Development, they said.
Homegrown sanitaryware major HSIL (Hindware) which has evolved itself as a solutions-oriented company is bullish on its two-year-old consumer business, which expects to double revenues this year.
Last year, HSILs consumer business clocked Rs 129 crore in revenues, which is growing at 100%, en route to hit Rs 270 crore by the end of this year, primarily on the back of kitchen appliance (chimneys and hobs), water heater, and the air cooler categories.
While our base is still small, being a young company, weve been experiencing phenomenal growth. Weve added more categories and are present in seven areas of the consumer business today, HSIL President and Chief Executive (Consumer Business) Rakesh Kaul told DH.
Of its over 450 SKUs today, HSIL has a wide range of kitchen appliances and solutions including chimneys, hobs, cooktops, built-in and freestanding dishwashers, cooking range, built-in ovens, food waste disposers, induction cookers, water purifiers, and kitchen sinks collectively growing at 85-90%.
Similarly, its other growth drivers, water heaters and air coolers, are seeing big growth too. In terms of water heaters, we grew at 91% last year, whereas the industry had contracted 1%. This year, we plan to grow by 90%, against an expected industry growth of 10%, selling 1.75 lakh units. Similarly, in the air cooler category, we will sell 100,000 units this year, while were seeing a growth of 200%, Kaul said.
Hindware has been a well-known sanitaryware brand for the last 57 years, with over 16 million customers. The consumer business began as a kitchen solutions business as part of the bathroom business in 2012, and was transferred to a separate consumer business in 2015.
The consumer business sources its wares from Delhi NCR, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and is looking for OEMs in Telangana. It is present across 635 pin codes, served by 550 distributors, 4,500 retailers, 350 modern trade outlets, and 225 service centres, while 20% of its business comes through ecommerce.
The consumer business would contribute 10% to HSIL this year, while the remaining 90% would be shared by bathroom and glass.
A sum of Rs 10 crore has been allotted for various development works in Basavanagudi constituency.
Making this announcement here on Tuesday, Bengaluru Development Minister K J George who inspected the damage done by the heavy rains said he had ordered the de-silting of stormwater drains, especially in Karitimmanahalli on a priority basis so that the rainwater does not get clogged and cause health issues.
He has ordered installation of new water pipelines to prevent future problems due to waterlogging the minister added. Residents have complained against the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus stand in Srinagar where buses do not have space to enter inside due to parking of vehicles on both sides of the stand.
The minister has ordered them to clear the parking of vehicles making it easier for buses to enter the stand, said a senior BBMP official.
Since the roads in Girinagar and Weavers Colony are severely damaged, minister George has directed Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad to take up the asphalting work immediately.
The Madras High Court on Tuesday agreed to hear an objection plea on forming a one-man commission headed by a retired judge to probe the death of the late chief minister Jayalalithaa.
Advocate Vijayan raised the issue during the proceedings of the first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar. Vijayan, who represented petitioner Joseph, said the inquiry commission should be constituted only after passing a unanimous resolution in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
The present impugned governments order are illegal and passed in a mechanical manner without following the mandatory procedure as contemplated under Section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, the petitioner said.
Given the involvement of the entire state machinery in Jayalalithaas hospitalisation and treatment, the petitioner further argued that only an independent commission by the central government would be appropriate to probe the late chief ministers death.
Pleading the courts urgent consideration of the petition, the counsel said the inquiry commission of this nature should not be headed by a retired high court judge, but a retired Supreme Court judge.
However, the court said a petition should be filed properly so that it could be taken on Wednesday. Amid the Oppositions demand to set up an inquiry commission to clear the mystery over Jayalalithaas death, the Tamil Nadu government constituted a panel headed by former Madras High Court judge Justice A Arumughaswamy and asked the commission to submit its report in three months.
The Opposition DMK has also filed a contempt of court case against the state Election Commission for failing to notify local body elections on September 18, as ordered by the court.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Tamil Nadu government to decide within four weeks a plea by slain forest brigand Veerappans brother Mathaiyan for his premauture release.
He claimed that he was not considered for premauture release despite a direction by the Madras High Court on December 16, 2015. Lodged in Salem jail, the petitioner is serving life term. He was arrested in 1987.
The court disposed of the petition filed through advocate S D Dwarkanath for direction to the state to exercise its power under Article 161 of the Constitution for remission of his sentence.
It told the state government to take a decision in Mathaiyans case and intimate him. 70-year-old Mathaiyan had cited a government order from 1994 by which the state had granted the release of other life convicts who completed 20 years of imprisonment on humanitarian grounds.
India on Tuesday issued a demarche to Pakistan protesting against the death of three children due to ceasefire violation by its soldiers across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
Syed Haider Shah, the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan in New Delhi, was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), where senior diplomats served him the demarche.
The diplomats of Pakistan-Afghanistan-India division of the Ministry of External Affairs lodged with him New Delhis strong protest over the death of three children due to firing by the soldiers of his country from across the
LoC in Poonch Sector on Monday.
The MEA officials conveyed to the deputy envoy that the soldiers of his country violated the ceasefire without any provocation and thus violated the ceasefire.
Apart from the death of the three children, at least eight civilians were injured due to the violation of ceasefire at Kerni, Kasaba and Digwar villages in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.
It was conveyed that such deliberate targeting of civilians was not acceptable and was against humanitarian norms and practices, the MEA stated in a statement issued later.
The MEA officials also conveyed to Shah, New Delhis strong concern over continued unprovoked firing by Pakistan Army and Rangers across the Line of Control and the International Boundary, thus violating the ceasefire agreement of 2003.
New Delhi noted that Pakistan had violated the ceasefire along the LoC and International India altogether 503 times so far so far during 2017.
A deadly pothole on BGS flyover on the busy Mysuru Road claimed the lives of an elderly couple early on Tuesday morning and left their six-year-old granddaughter injured.
The accident occurred around 1.30 am when Anthony Joseph (55), riding a Honda Activa bike with his wife and granddaughter on pillion, veered to the right to avoid a gaping pothole. He lost control over the bike in front of Nalanda theatre and all three fell to the ground.
A Tamil Nadu Road Transport Corporation bus right behind Josephs two-wheeler, ran over him and his wife Sagai Mary (52), killing them on the spot.
Their grandchild Akuila Sherin, who fell to one side, survived with minor injuries, said Shivakumar T P, DCP Traffic (West). The couple were residents of Jagajeevanram Nagar. Passersby shifted all the three to Victoria Hospital. Anthony and Sagai were declared brought dead, while Akuila was discharged after treatment.
The couple were returning from St Marthas Hospital after getting their granddaughter treated for high fever. Police said Akuila was Josephs daughters child and stayed close to their house.
Around 11.30 pm on Monday, Josephs daughter complained that Akuila was running high fever. Joseph and Sagai reached their daughters house and took the child to hospital, police said.
Police arrested the bus driver following a complaint filed by Josephs son Ignisious Deepak. The driver has been booked for negligent driving under sections 304A of IPC and 337 and 279 of Motor Vehicles Act.
Two more motorists fell down after hitting the same killer pothole later in the day when the traffic police were inspecting the accident spot.
Take your taste buds on a tour and give back to Canyon Crest Academy with The Taste of the Village on Sunday, Oct. 8. Hosted by the Village of Pacific Highlands Ranch and the Canyon Crest Academy Foundation, this one-night event helps you find your inner foodie while supporting a local public school.
From 2-6: p.m., join in on this family-friendly event and get a taste of all that The Village has to offer, including a selection of foods from Baked Bear, Westroot Tavern, Fresh Brothers, Nothing Bundt Cake, Vitality Tap, Dolce, Breakfast Republic and Luna Grill.
A $25 ticket also includes an art display and performances by students from Canyon Crest Academy, who will directly benefit from the event proceeds.
One of our goals at the CCA Foundation is to offer opportunities for all families in our community to come together, said Stephanie Kowack, community engagement chair for the CCA Foundation. We hope you can join us to celebrate our thriving community.
Canyon Crest Academy was recently ranked the #1 high school in San Diego County. The Canyon Crest Academy Foundation, through the generosity of its donors, contributes $1 to $1.5 million to the school each year, to fulfill its mission to enrich the experience of every student every day.
The Canyon Crest Academy community appreciates the generosity of the businesses participating in Taste of the Village, who are donating their time, their food and their facilities for this event, which will both provide a wonderful performing experience for students and a boost to the many programs at the school.
We are deeply grateful for the partnership that is being created with the local businesses in the Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch and we appreciate their generosity with this and future events, said Susan Jentzsch, event coordinator and gala chair for the CCA Foundation.
Purchase your tickets today at canyoncrestfoundation.org or bit.ly/2yCOhhh
The Village at pacific Highlands Ranch is located at 13490 Pacific Highlands Ranch Pkwy, San Diego, CA 92130. Visit phrvillage.com
Save my User ID and Password
Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site.
Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site.
Oregon Door
Cox
Tim Cox was named vice president of sales and marketing at Oregon Door in Winston, Oregon. Cox joined the company in early 2010 on a temporary assignment, then was appointed sales and marketing representative for Northern California/Reno and subsequently named director of sales and marketing in 2013. He previously worked in a variety of marketing, sales and management positions.
bethany lutheran homes A Gundersen HeAltH system AffiliAte View our website and apply at www.bethanylutheranhomes.org Now Hiring: Certified Nursing Assistant Resident Care Assistant/Associate Support Aide Staff Nurse, RN or LPN RN, Assistant Director of Nursing Housekeeper Server Cook Bethany Lutheran Homes, a corporation of 10 facilities with 500+ employees offers a wide range of care, from Independent Living, Assisted Living, Dementia/Alzheimers care, High Acuity Assisted Living, to Skilled Nursing. We are affiliated with Gundersen Health System and the La Crosse Area ELCA. We have earned a reputation for exceptional care of those we serve through our unique and innovative programming and dedicated staff. We invite you to tour our web site to explore Bethany Lutheran Homes the premier provider of long term care services to the community, with locations in La Crosse, Holmen, and Onalaska, WI. On our website you will find: Brief position descriptions & qualifications for open positions, including hours and shifts available Benefits offered to employees More information about our facilities & the care they provide, including virtual tours Teamwork-Respect-Integrity-Commitment-Love EOE
Subscriber content preview
BOISE, Idaho (AP) Tourists heading to central Idaho will be in the dark if local officials get their way.
The first International Dark Sky Reserve in the United States would fill a chunk of the state's sparsely populated region that contains night skies so pristine that interstellar dust clouds are visible in the Milky Way.
. . .
Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Hosts WCC Delegation
Contact: Media Office, World Council of Churches, +41 79 507 6363
GENEVE, Oct. 3, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- A delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) concluded a solidarity visit to the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, one of Africas oldest Christian churches dating back to the year AD 329.
Photo: Peter Kenny/WCC
It was the first such visit in more than 10 years and the WCC left with a pledge to pray and work for peace between Eritrea and its neighbor Ethiopia as they attempt to resolve a border dispute.
The visit took place from 22-28 September and the group met the governing body of the Eritrean church at its offices on 24-25 September.
Leaders from the local Evangelical Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches also attended the meeting, to which local Muslim representatives also sent greetings.
WCC programme executive and convener for Africa, Dr Nigussu Legesse, and Fr Dr Daniel Buda, programme executive and coordinator for Church and Ecumenical Relations were part of the WCC delegation.
The group was met at the Asmara International Airport after midnight on 22 September by Abune Lukas, general secretary of the Holy Synod of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, and Abune Basilios, head of the church administration.
There, Buda conveyed to the members of the holy synod the greetings of WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit.
Buda said: "We are very thankful to God and to you, the leadership of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church for making this visit possible."
'Great expectations'
"We came here with great expectations and we are looking forward to having constructive dialogue and encounters with the Eritrean Orthodox Church which is our WCC member church here in Eritrea and with other churches, religious communities and state authorities," said Legesse during the synod meeting.
"This is a historic visit aimed at reviewing the situation within the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church and strengthening the relationship that has been loosened over the past several years."
He thanked the church leadership for facilitating entry visas for all members of the delegation and the reception accorded to the delegation by the archbishops on arrival at the airport in Asmara.
The WCC delegation included members of the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC), Bread for the World, Church of Sweden, and Norwegian Church Aid, ACT Alliance, and the Nairobi-based Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa (FECCLAHA).
After Sunday Mass at St Mary's Cathedral on 24 September the delegation visited the newly-built Holy Trinity Theological College.
The Eritrean church hosts accompanied the WCC delegation to ancient monasteries and archeological excavation sites that have unraveled Christian building sites dating back 1,700 years.
Archeologists told the visitors that these are vibrant proof that Christianity's ancient roots were in Africa long before evangelizers arrived from the ranks of European colonizers in the second millennium.
The Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, an Oriental Orthodox church with its headquarters in Asmara, joined the WCC in 2003. It is also a member of the AACC and FECCLAHA.
Oriental Orthodox Churches
Oriental Orthodox Churches played a strong missionary role during Christianity's early stages, and have had a leading role in the history of Christianity in Egypt and the northern part of Africa.
The autocephaly of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church was recognized by Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria after Eritrea gained its independence in 1993.
The WCC delegation visited churches around Asmara, the capital, Keren to the north west, and Massawa down at the coast on the Red Sea.
On their way to Keren, the country's third largest urban area, the WCC delegation detoured to Debra Sina, a monastery in the highlands of Eritrea in the Anseba Region.
Debra Sina, which means Mt Sinai in English, was founded in the 4th century, so it is the oldest monastery in Eritrea and one of the oldest in Africa too.
It is the site of a pilgrimage by Eritrean Orthodox believers each year in June.
The group also visited Adulis, an archeological site in the Northern Red Sea area of Eritrea, situated about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of the Red Sea port of Massawa in the Gulf of Zula as guests of local Abune Yohannes, the archbishop of the Northern and Southern Red Sea Diocese.
The Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church is the biggest church in the country and has some 2,500,000 members and 15,000 priests worldwide including diaspora churches in North America and Europe. The church has eight dioceses in Eritrea and two in the Diaspora.
WCC member churches in Eritrea
Maxol Service Station, Dublin Road, Dundalk, have been honoured in the Excellence in Customer Experience category at the company's 2016 - 2017 Excellence Awards, which took place in Quinta Do Lago, Portugal recently.
The Excellence Awards promote and reward excellence in retail standards, customer experience and community engagement throughout its network of service stations across the island of Ireland.
Colin Fee, owner of Maxol Service Station, Dublin Road, Dundalk said:
We are delighted to have won this award and of course travelling to Portugal to receive it made it even more special. At Maxol Dublin Road, Dundalk, we aim to meet our customers needs and expectations. This wouldnt be possible without our extended team, I would like to take the opportunity to thank my staff for their hard work and dedication.
Congratulating the winners, CEO of the Maxol Group, Brian Donaldson said:
I would like to congratulate Colin and his staff for reaching the highest standard of customer service in our awards. Colin and his team truly place their customers first and go that extra mile to make every visit a memorable experience. We are delighted to be partnering with Colin and enjoyed celebrating his success recently in Portugal. Well done to Colin and his team, who are excellent ambassadors for Maxol.
The Maxol Excellence Awards are now in their 20th year. Awards were presented on merit in the following categories; Excellence in Community Engagement; Customer Experience; Best Standard; and Store of the Year.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
Can social media generate fruitful business partnerships? Thats the question Dynamic Business put to 17 entrepreneurs and industry experts, this week, for our exclusive Lets Talk, investigating the value of social networking for SMEs.
Although the consensus was YES, some commentators qualified their response, pointing out that a business partnership formed on a social media platform, such as LinkedIn or Facebook, will only be fruitful if it develops organically, the benefits flow both ways, it can transcend the platform that gave birth to it, and both parties have patience and are willing to invest in the partnerships success.
One commentator noted a multiplier effect, with the potential for businesses to mine their partners networks for further partnership opportunities, while another described social media as a terrific channel for businesses to promote their new business partnerships and, in this way, increase brand currency amongst their target audience.
Read on for hot tips and actionable insights from this weeks line-up
Can social media generate fruitful business partnerships?
Sarah Moran, Co-founder & CEO, Girl Geek Academy: Social media can generate fruitful business partnerships but like fruit, you have to grow it first. You CANT start an account today and sign a contract tomorrow. Social media is a long-term, sustainable way of generating value for your business. The value comes from exposing your audience to your business incrementally over time so when an opportunity comes up you are there to close the deal.
You have to be willing to invest in building organic relationships without always expecting quick wins. Its not a numbers game. Its not about how many followers you can get, but how strong you can build the social ties so you can later lean on them to convert into business opportunities. Youre literally building relationships using online tools. I like to share things of value to my audience such as insights and industry lessons learnt so that they can understand my business culture and feel the partnership flows both ways.
When you reach out on LinkedIn (not just a place for your resume, but an emerging connection platform), comment why youre a fan of someones work and why you think its worth connecting. This will make them much more likely to respond and engage.
Rob Hango-zada, Co-Founder & Joint CEO, Shippit: Social media is a great channel for engaging your loyal followers and leveraging paid social allows a business to connect with prospects of a similar profile. We use social as a channel to announce new features, general updates and other news about our business this helps our team maintain a terrific dialogue with our customer base and reduces our reliance on email campaigns. Whilst we dont believe these announcements generate fruitful partnerships, it has been a terrific channel for announcing the partnerships we have secured which then drives increased interest in our brand. We have found LinkedIn particularly helpful in generating positive buzz around our partnerships as it creates a multiplier effect on their success.
Nazar Musa, CEO, Medical Media: Yes, absolutely. Social media provides both established businesses and start-ups a platform to share, listen to and otherwise engage with an interconnected community. It is through meaningful dialogue that businesses have the opportunity to cultivate relationships and achieve mutually beneficial partnerships.
Social platforms such as Facebook have created B2B products such as Ads Manager to help businesses target prospective leads, cost-effectively. The key to leveraging social channels is to ensure the objectives are clearly defined (and aligned to business goals), the target audience has been fleshed out and content is creative, engaging and authentic.
Mike Pritchett, CEO, Shootsta: Definitely! Social media is all about putting yourself out there into the wider community, which can prove incredibly useful when it comes to finding brands you want to align with professionally. When companies expose their brand image and personality via social media, theyre more likely to have other companies with similar values clock their presence, follow them and reach out.
At Shootsa, we have multiple partners in complementary businesses, be it hosting companies that have found us through social media or companies weve reached out to via social media or because of it. The social media accounts of existing partners are also an invaluable marketing resource. For example, weve found some of our current business partners via the social media networks of our OTHER partners. Because social media is basically a window into the life and culture of a firm, who you follow and who follows you reveals a lot about the type of business relationships you have and like to conduct.
Siobhan Hayes, Head of Marketing, easyshare: Social media continues to evolve the way we generate new business partnerships and collaborations and manage day-to-day operations as well as converse and engage with our customers. LinkedIn is an excellent way to find and speak directly to the right person in an organisation, instead of sending generic emails to shared inboxes. Facebook groups are also an easy-to-use tool for reaching out to communities and networks, which weve found to be useful. At easyshare, weve found that its our users who are really driving us to integrate social media into our day-to-day operations. The convenience and accessibility of customers communicating with us through Facebook messenger has been a key tool for us in providing more responsive customer support.
James Alexander, Co-Founder, Galileo Ventures & Founder, Incubate: For a startup with less than 100 customers (i.e. 90% of startups), social media is a fantastic way to do research and get your first customers for free. Some pro-tips
For Twitter, search for people complaining about the problem youre solving and reach out;
For LinkedIn, get to know your potential customers and watch their movements, article likes and job changes.
For Facebook, search for groups in your industry and join in on the conversation
Its important to connect authentically automated messages dont work in the early days.
Jeff McAlister, CEO, Trybooking: Social media is a good tool for building an online community inclusive of partners, brands and influencers its a faster way to reach who you want, when you want, with a more considered introduction. It can be difficult to replicate these kinds of encounters in real life where there are less abundant opportunities for connecting. However, Id be more inclined to treat social media as a starting point and not rely on it entirely (particularly as the business relationship develops). Otherwise, you risk falling into the trap of the relationship becoming transactional and not built on long-lasting values/camaraderie.
Matt Butterworth, CEO & Founder, EasyWeddings: Social media is an integral part of building fruitful business partnerships at Easy Weddings. One of the most successful ways weve been able to harness social is via a B2B Facebook group for wedding businesses, where we share content to help them improve their service. Suppliers are also able to share their ideas and network with other members in the group, building their own connections within the industry.
One of the key ways were delivering this content is via Facebook Live, whether thats a weekly tip, a new product launch with real-time demonstration, or live streaming of a presentation at one of our monthly industry events. In our experience, social media allows businesses to develop a true connection with their clients by creating community around their brand and demonstrating the human side of the business.
Maria Bellissimo-Magrin, Founder & CEO, Belgrin: It absolutely can! LinkedIn is an absolute dream for this. By personalising your connection message and following up on these, theres some excellent business opportunities to be had. Ive also made partnerships on Facebook in business groups by commenting on relevant posts and assisting where possible. You never know who will be reading through the thread.
Fleur Brown, CEO, Launch Group & Personal Brand Specialist: LinkedIn is currently the highest impact B2B platform its like a de facto personal website where people go to check out your business credentials before they meet with you or consider getting into a business relationship. To use it successfully, you need to use your personal brand to engage and make sure you shift your LinkedIn profile well beyond a recruitment-oriented set-up.
Its also more of a closing tool for your existing network than a new lead generator and its vital to post content that genuinely interests you and the audience you are hoping to engage with. Less is more. Go for less high-quality content over multiple, low-quality posts. High frequency items into the news feed are one thing, but when it comes to writing an official LinkedIn Post dont do that more than twice a month or you are getting into spammy territory. Company profiles are good to have, but dont tend to generate the same high engagement as personal profiles.
Mez Gallifuoco, Chief Product and Growth Officer, Thred Ltd: Social media if used well has the power to form very fruitful business relationships and partnerships, and leverage a unified audience. At a consumer level, social media usage is growing at a rate of 17% annually and recent studies show 90% of Australians aged between 18 and 25 are influenced by social media on where to go, eat and shop.
Smaller brands who dont have the larger marketing budgets know they need to get creative when it comes to competing with the big brands, and social media can provide just this opportunity. Some of the most successful strategies I have seen have been where businesses work with brands to create compelling content and share their following in order to get a much larger, targeted reach. This shows how we are at a stage where social media can form fruitful business relationships, which in turn can develop into consumer-brand relationships.
Rony Chiha, Founder & Managing Director, Adcreators: Social media can certainly generate rich business partnerships. Research shows that more than 50% of all sales and online enquiries are the result of social media. Consumers are becoming more and more savvy and well informed, with increased purchase decisions influenced by the recommendations of friends as well as, online reviews. Its important for businesses to establish and maintain a strong online presence across multiple social media platforms in order to engage with potential customers. Social media isnt just about reaching optimal followers; its about online engagement with them, which will subsequently create a domino effect with each of their followers.
James Hopkins, Head of Digital Marketing, Mon Purse: Facebook and Instagram are our always on marketing tools. We run multiple campaigns across Facebook and Instagram at any one time. And have seen returns as high as 60 x ROI for the business. We began using Facebook as a re-targeting tool, but having had so much success through the platform, it has quickly become a prospecting tool. We use a broad range of ad formats, including custom audiences and highly optimize ads throughout the campaigns. Instagram is a key brand platform for both organic and paid campaigns. These two platforms are a safe investment for us and have been a huge factor in the quick growth of the Mon Purse business.
Davitha Ghiassi, Head of Social, Red Agency: The arrival of Amazon means Australian e-tailers need to play on the power of social algorithms more to drive relevance in this increasingly cluttered and competitive space. Crafty content, exceptional service, pleasant P2P experiences and impactful partnerships are core differentiators online.
Social networking isnt what it used to be. Today, social serves as a mass media channel and two-way inspiration street where rather than reach lasting impressions, tailored (re)targeting tactics and speedy yet spectacular service are key. Here are three ways Aussie brands can stand out from the crowd:
Make your reason for being THEIR reason for buying. Underpin every post you publish with the purpose that sets your business apart. Tailor to the target. Drive relevance by using owned data and smart paid social media methods to fuel highly relevant customer experiences. Find fruitful partnerships. Leverage influencer marketing to co-create and publish content that makes a lasting impression.
Rafael Niesten, Co-founder, Bricks + Agent: Social networking is a great way to make connections but thats what everyone says. Its HOW you go about making those connections and their quality that counts. Unsolicited invites, as either the sender or receiver, mean little unless you think there is something in having a lot of random connections. Joining groups of people in the same business, similar field or who share an interest gives the connection a firmer starting point and is more likely to result in a genuine connection. From there, you have something to build on, and can add value to the group and find people who actually value your connection.
Scott Cooper, Global VP of Marketing, Go1: Social media is a great way to communicate with your audience, but should be used to support other marketing efforts rather than being relied on as the sole method of outbound leads. By creating an environment where you are engaging with your followers through the sharing relevant and useful content, you will be able to expand your reach, while at the same time establishing yourself as a leader in your industry. Dont fall into the trap of only running self-promotional content in an effort to increase conversions.
Helen Awali, CEO, Bookmarc & Portfolio CEO of Heads Over Heels: Social networking is a powerful connector. The future of online social sites like Bookmarc will, form our view, involve harnessing social media networking to a wider capacity to capture a greater audience. In fact, we are seeing increasing interaction from businesses discovering Bookmarc through our social media channels, which is leading to high user acquisition that is targeted. Businesses who dont utilise social networking will be left behind.
About Lets Talk
This exciting new, weekly initiative provides entrepreneurs and industry experts with a forum to share rapid-fire views on a range of issues that matter to start-ups and SMEs. Every Wednesday, we pose a themed question to a line-up of knowledgable industry figures, with a view to picking their brains for valuable insights to share with you, our readers.
See also: Lets Talk Raising capital (Parts ONE and TWO), Lets Talk Ecommerce and Lets Talk Late Payments.
This domain was recently registered at Namecheap.com. Please check back later!
Search All categories Advertising General Aerospace General Agriculture General Airlines General America - Post 9/11 General Apparel General Apple Products General Architectural General Architecture Architecture Art & Entertainments Books Celebrities Country Music Dance Magazines Movies Museums Music Music Downloads News & Talk Shows Performing Arts Photography Television Web Sites Arts/Culture General Auction General Automotive Aftermarket Classic Autos Consumer Publications General Motorcycle & Bike Racing Recreational Vehicle Repair & Service Trade Publications Blogging & Social Media Blogging & Social Media Business Advertising / Marketing Books Consumer Research Direct Marketing e-Commerce Entrepreneurs Finance Franchise Human Resources Insurance Investment Management Markets Network Marketing Online Marketing / SEO Payday Loans Public Relations Publications Real Estate Retail Stocks Supermarkets Women in Business Careers/HR General Chemical General Coaching / Mentoring Coaching / Mentoring Computers Apple Products Databases Games & Entertainment General Hosting Instruction Linux / GNU "Open Source" Macintosh Microsoft Windows PC Operating Systems Programming Security Software Tablet PCs Utilities Construction General Consumer Gifts and Collectibles Hobbies Web sites / Internet Design Graphic Design Industrial Web E-Cigarette General eCommerce General Economy General Education College / University General Home Schooling K-12 Post Graduate Technical Electronics General Email Marketing General EmailWire Press Releases Press Release Tips Employment/Careers General Engineering General Entertainment General Environment General Events / Trade Shows General Finance General Food General Franchise General Fraud / Identity Theft General Gaming General Government General Judicial Law Enforcement Legislative Local National Public Services Security State Transportation Healthcare General Home and Family Banking / Personal Finance Bereavement / Loss Home Furnishings / Interiors Landscaping & Gardening Marriage / Relationships Money Parenting Payday Loans Pets Taxes Wedding / Bridal Home Schooling General Hotels/Resorts General Household General Industry Aerospace / Defense Agriculture Apparel / Textiles Broadcast Construction / Building Electrical Food Funeral Healthcare Leisure / Hospitality Logistics / Shipping Manufacturing / Production Mining / Metals Oil / Energy Paper / Forest Products Plumbing, Heating & AC Print Media Printing Publishing Radio Restaurants Tobacco Toy Insurance General Internet/Online General Legal General Leisure General Lifestyle Beauty Dating / Singles Diet / Weight Loss Fashion Food / Beverage Health & Fitness Hotel / Resorts Pastimes Restaurants Retirement Travel & Tourism Machinery General Maritime General Medical Addiction Allergies Alternative Medicine Asthma Cancer Cardiology Chiropractic Dental Dermatology Diabetes Emergency Family Medicine General General Geriatrics Hospitals Infectious Diseases Internal Medicine Managed Care / HMO Medical Products Mental Health Neurology Nursing Nutrition OB / GYN Pediatrics Pharmaceuticals Physical Therapy Plastic Surgery Psychology Radiology / Imaging Research Sports Medicine Surgery Vision Military General Mining/Metals General Miscellaneous General Nanotechnology Nanotechnology Non-profit General Occupational Safety Occupational Safety Oil/Energy General Opinion / Editorial Opinion / Editorial Paper Products General Paper/Forest General Pharmaceuticals General Podcasting Announce Tools and Services Politics Politics Print Media General Public Utilities Public Utilities Publishing General Radio General Real Estate General Religion Christian General Islam Jewish Other Restaurants General Retail General RSS & Content Syndication RSS & Content Syndication Science and Research Science and Research Self-Help / Personal Growth Self-Help / Personal Growth Shipbuilding General Society African American Interests Asian Interests Childrens Issues Disabled Issues / Disabilities Gay / Lesbian Hispanic Mens Interests Native American Senior Citizens Social Services Teen Issues/Interests Womens Interest Software General Sports Baseball Basketball Bicycling Boating / Maritime Bowling Boxing Fishing Football Golf Hockey Hunting Martial Arts Outdoors Rugby Soccer Tennis Water Winter/Snow Sports/Fitness General Stocks General Supermarkets General Technology Biotechnology Computer Electronics Enterprise Software Games Graphics/Printing/CAD Hardware / Peripherals Industrial Information Internet Multimedia Networking Public Sector/Government Robotics Semiconductor Software Telecommunications Webmasters Telecom General Wireless Television General Tobacco General Trade General Transportation General Travel General Utilities General Volunteer Volunteer Weather Weather
Retiring police dog needs new home
Eight-year-old Saxon is retiring from the Isle of Man Constabulary's Police Dog Unit
A police dog is looking for a new home as she prepares to retire from the Isle of Man Constabulary.
The Island's Police Dog Unit says eight-year-old Saxon is no longer required for working, and the right forever home needs to be found.
Officers describe Saxon as very affectionate with people, but warn she doesn't always get on with other animals so will need to be the only pet in the house.
Those interested in offering Saxon a home can contact the Police Dog Unit through Facebook or leave a message at Police Headquarters.
Russia is interfering in Europes internal matters by encouraging active measures to destabilize and confuse governments and societies. These are often opportunistic and shaped by local conditions. Moscow, however, does not have a clear overarching strategy other than weakening the EU and NATO and creative a more fitting environment for itself.
This involves a number of tools and actors from military threats via business lobbies and spies to officials and the media. Moreover, Russia pursues different priorities in different countries, which are subject to the correlation between the strength of these countries national institutions and their vulnerability to Russian influence. Nevertheless, despite the apparent lack of a grand strategy, there is an effort to coordinate certain actions across platforms. Thus, without giving up hope for convincing the Kremlin to change its policies, Europe must focus on fixing its own vulnerabilities rather than simply hoping that the rain will stop. On top of many other things, this includes addressing democratic deficits in parts of the continent.
The European Union, however, needs to, first and foremost, understand this challenge. It needs to broaden its knowledge of hybrid warfare and invest more in intelligence and effective analysis. Second, it needs to contain the chaos by addressing the counter-intelligence gap. This can be done by agreeing on a minimum level of spending for EU member states, by educating national populations to be more critical of disinformation and by countering democratic deficit across the bloc. Third, the EU should make consistent but asymmetric responses to Russian measures name and shame individuals behind them and designate Russian organizations acting with hostile intent as foreign agents.
Understanding how the Kremlins controlled chaos works is challenging because the Russians themselves are not following any playbook, but rather improvising and seizing opportunities. Nonetheless, the key to a successful Europe-wide response is to comprehend better how it works. One of the biggest challenges is precisely to find out which activities are local or department initiatives and which are being coordinated from Moscow.
Europes current democratic deficits, internal tensions and anti-system moods all make it vulnerable to Russian influence. Europe needs to work hard on minimizing these in an age of hybrid war and go beyond its overdue efforts to spend enough on conventional military security and take a more serious and comprehensive line on defense. Moreover, spending on counter-intelligence varies from country to country, which affects not just national but also continent-wide security.
Those countries that are most at risk are largely characterized by weak or weakening institutions, and low levels of trust in their national and/or European governance. Moscow eagerly exploits these sentiments, but cannot create them. Thus, dealing with them ought to be considered a security priority, not just a political issue. Russias active engagement in European internal affairs can be characterized by bottom-up active measures from a variety of factors. Many of these initiatives come to nothing or simply diffuse but they still represent low-level tactic with which the Russians are trying to jam Western public and political discourse.
Controlling Chaos: How Russia Manages its Political War in Europe Analysis by Mark Galeotti European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
(The Analysis can be downloaded here)
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Over half, some 52%, of expats around the world have been through a repatriation process at some point, with 19% repatriating more than once.However, 48% have never repatriated and Singapore is the country with the highest proportion of expats that have never moved back home with 65% who have not been through a repatriation process.The HSBC Expat Explorer Survey also shows that the channel island of Jersey has the second highest proportion of expats that have never moved back home at 58%, followed by Malaysia at 56%.But it can be hard to severe ties with home and 32% of expats own a property in the country where they were born. Of these some 55% own it because they plan to return home and live in it at some point.And the most cited reason for expats repatriating is family or personal reasons, accounting for 32% or repatriations.When it comes to the impact moving abroad has on expats wealth Switzerland is best, followed by Norway and Germany while the Netherlands came top for family, followed by Sweden and Singapore. For quality of life New Zealand was best, followed by Spain and Portugal.The research found that the strong Swiss economy and stable political environment are appreciated by expats and the vast majority, 89%, feel confident about the economy while 78% say their earning prospects are better than at home.Switzerland is not the only economics hot spot, however. Germany performs well for career development, with 62% of expats in the country saying it is a good place to progress their career, compared with 54% globally.Some 58% of expats said they moved to New Zealand to improve their quality of life and 72% believe they are integrating well with the local people and culture. Spain and Portugal are lauded by expats for their healthy lifestyles with 58% in Spain and 57% in Portugal saying that their physical health is better as a result of the move compared to a global average of 36%.The Netherlands has overtaken Sweden as the best place to raise a family, rising nine places in one year and 76% of expat parents in the Netherlands say the health and wellbeing of their children is better than it was at home. Expat parents also praise the quality of education and childcare with 72% and 65% respectively saying it is better than at home.Last years winner, Sweden, ranks as the second best country to raise a family and 72% of expat parents rate the quality of childcare as better than at home and 71% said the process of arranging a school for their children was straightforward.Brexit and a coalition Government have had an impact on the expat view of the UK which fell 13 places to 35 this year due to a 20% drop in confidence in the economy and a 22% fall in confidence in political stability.However, expats still believe the UK offers a positive experience with 68% saying it is a good place for expats who want to progress their career compared with a global average of 54%, and 56% saying that earning prospects are better than at home compared with 50% globally.A renowned destination for expats, the United Arab Emirates moved back into the top 10 this year and 56 % of expats say they moved there to improve their earnings, compared with 22% of expats globally. The benefits of life in the UAE are not just reserved to expat finances with 55% saying their work/life balance is better than at home and for 62% their overall quality of life improved. The same goes for families, with 66% of expat parents saying their childrens quality of life is better since the move.India has recorded it best ever standing with strong ratings across a range of economic, quality of life and family measures helping it to move up 12 places. Some 63% say India is a good place to progress their career, 64% are able to save more, 43% a better quality of life and 67% found it easy to integrate.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
Organizers for Austin City Limits Music Festival and two San Antonio music festivals have vowed to keep security tight in the aftermath of a mass shooting that killed more than 50 people in Las Vegas.
Stephen Craig Paddock, the 64-year-old shooter, fired on a crowd of more than 22,000 concertgoers Sunday at Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino across the street.
As of Monday evening, at least 59 people are dead and more than 527 people were injured.
Organizers in Texas and San Antonio were loath to say whether they were stepping up security efforts in response to the Las Vegas shooting or provide details about specific measures, citing counterterrorism and law enforcement concerns.
C3 Presents producers of the Austin City Limits festival, which begins Friday and spans two weekends said the organizers and festivals security team coordinate with local law enforcement and emergency responders to plan and rehearse security and response plans.
ACL organizers have implemented tighter security measures over the years that includes pat downs, bag searches and size limits along with an enhanced presence of security and law enforcement officials in and outside of the festival at Austins Zilker Park, C3 said.
The festivals security protocols include elements that are seen and unseen, C3 said.
Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and everyone in Las Vegas who was affected by this terrible tragedy, C3 said in a statement.
A representative for Mala Luna Music Festival, which spans two days beginning Oct. 28 in the parking lot of Nelson Wolff Stadium, did not say whether festival goers would see additional security measures but said its working with area law enforcement agencies to provide a safe, secure, and positive environment for all attendees, artists and staff.
Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.
David Heard, Tech Bloc co-founder and CEO who co-founded the upcoming Botanica Music & Arts Festival, said safety was a big factor when organizers chose the Six Flags Fiesta Texas parking lot for its inaugural event March 3-4.
Some members of the Botanica team were up all night helping support their music industry colleagues and event organizers who were on the ground in Vegas, Heard said.
In the wake of this tragedy we may even plus up our already strong security plans, Heard said in a text message. But really, today our thoughts, prayers and focus is on Las Vegas and the victims of this terrible criminal act.
Representatives for Maverick Music Festival and Day for Night Festival in Houston did not return emails requesting comment.
jfechter@express-news.net | Twitter: @JFreports | The Associated Press contributed to this report.
When Nicolas Valdez steps onto the stage of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Centers theater to perform his show Conjunto Blues, itll be a full-circle moment.
The Guadalupe is where he got into both music and theater. He started taking conjunto lessons there when he was 9, and got involved with the youth theater troupe Grupo Animo there a few years later.
Im a direct product of that programming, said Valdez, 37. I have always felt like a part of the Guadalupe family, and so, Ill always recognize the privilege of having access to that kind of space. I just love to honor the legacy of all the work thats happened there over the generations.
The one-night-only performance of Conjunto Blues, a music-laced family story woven into the history of conjunto music, also marks a bit of a milestone for the Guadalupe itself. Fridays staging is a fundraiser to cover travel and production costs associated with taking the show to Los Angeles next month for the Encuentro de las Americas Festival, a three-week international celebration of Latino theater. Conjunto Blues will be staged alongside works from other parts of the U.S., Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Canada.
The Guadalupe is co-producing the L.A. staging a big deal for the once-famed theater program, which is in the midst of a revival following some fallow years.
Its really a natural progression in the growth of the theater program, said Joel Settles, who has been working to breathe new life into the Guadalupe Theater since he became director of programs in 2015.
Settles noted that the Guadalupe once hosted national Latino theater festivals and sent works on tour. Hed like to see that sort of thing happen again, and this is a step toward that goal.
We have an opportunity, and I know if I put it out there, the right folks will come knocking, said Settles, who will be in Los Angeles for part of the festival and is looking forward to making connections with other theater artists.
Abigail Vega, a San Antonio native who is involved with the festival through her work with Latinx Theatre Commons, a national initiative by artists across the country to raise the visibility of Latino works and artists, is looking forward to seeing Conjunto Blues. And shes excited to see the Guadalupe represented alongside companies from Latin America and from Dallas, the Bronx, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
These are the largest cities in this county. We should be there, said Vega. Were so used to being left out of that conversation. Now, were getting back on track.
Vega, who has seen small pieces of Conjunto Blues and is eager to see the whole thing, noted that the show has at least one thing in common with the other pieces in the festival.
Whats really cool is all the shows from the states are really representative of the areas that theyre from, she said. Pregones Theatre, the flagship Puerto Rican company from New York, is coming and telling a story about New York. And Nicolas show is so specific to South Texas. Hes bringing a piece of that culture not only for people who are familiar with it, but all the artists that are coming who have never heard of conjunto.
Educating audiences about conjunto music has always been a driving force behind the show, Valdez said.
I was doing research into the history of conjunto, and ... theres not a lot of published work (about it), he said. It became an obsession, a need for this story to be told and to reach a larger audience. Even within our Mexican-American community here, theres still a lack of understanding of our historical background and culture, so for me, it was always important to tell this story.
He has been developing the show for several years and has performed it in other cities. Hes hoping the festival will lead to more bookings.
In a way, being on that stage is going to help legitimize the work for larger spaces and larger audiences, he said.
Beyond that, theres a deeply personal aspect to the show for Valdez. The story is rooted in the close relationship he had with his grandfather, Ramon Valdez, a big fan of conjunto music who reveled in his grandsons successes as a performer. The grandfather in the show was inspired by him.
He was the one who really pushed me to play, Valdez said. He took me to all of my lessons.
His grandfather saw bits and pieces of the show as it was being developed, but he died before it was complete.
For me, its really honoring his memory and the memory of all of my family, he said. And the core of this story is that conjunto music tells the story of the Mexican-American working class. It became the soundtrack of the Mexican-American experience.
Conjunto Blues can be seen at 8 p.m. Friday at the Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe St. Tickets range from $10 to $15 at guadalupeculturalarts.org. Info, 210-271-3151.
dlmartin@express-news.net | @DeborahMartinEN
WASHINGTON Within hours of the Las Vegas shooting rampage that killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 500 others, calls for stricter gun control could be heard from the halls of Congress.
The debate has become part of the ritual of American mass shootings.
But with Republicans in control of the White House and both houses of Congress, the chances of any new gun regulations are practically nil. More likely, Congress watchers say, would be legislation loosening gun laws in the wake of the nations latest mass shooting.
Two such bills, both championed by Texas Republicans, are likely to get additional scrutiny as lawmakers come to grips with the carnage at a country music show outside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
The Hearing Protection Act, co-sponsored in January by Rep. John Carter of Round Rock, would make it easier for gun enthusiasts to affix silencers to their firearms.
The bill would remove silencers from the Internal Revenue Codes definition of firearms, which could make it easier for individuals to get them without the background checks required for many legal firearm buyers. It also would cancel a $200 tax on the devices.
The bill was singled out Monday by former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots. Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get, Clinton wrote on Twitter.
She added: Our grief isnt enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA and work together to try to stop this from happening again.
Democratic House members also took aim at the bill Monday, demanding in a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan that he pull it from consideration. The letter, signed by Michigans John Conyers and Arizonas Raul Grijalva, said, It is not enough to simply hold a moment of silence, or place U.S. flags at half-staff; rather, we believe that, in the wake of the horrific shootings last evening in Las Vegas, you must clearly state that the House will not seek to make matters worse by passing this legislation.
Carter and his supporters argue that silencers are merely intended to protect the hearing of gun owners.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas accused Democrats of playing politics with the silencer issue, a charge Republicans frequently make in the gun control debate when Democrats call for new gun restrictions in response to mass shootings.
I just think politicizing this terrible tragedy is beyond disgusting, Cornyn told reporters Monday. And I think we ought to wait a respectful period of time ... before we start getting into the push and shove of politics.
Cornyn, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, is championing another piece of gun legislation that would allow permitted gun owners to carry concealed firearms across state lines.
Cornyns Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, introduced in February, would require states to recognize gun permits from law-abiding citizens in other states.
The bill faces likely opposition from Democrats, who have enough votes in the Senate to block it. That opposition is likely to grow more resolute after Sundays massacre, the worst in the nations history.
As Americans, we remain committed to helping one another through this difficult time period, and we all remember that what unites us is always stronger than what divides us, said Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Laredo.
Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas made a vague plea to address the root causes of gun violence.
This is an important time to mourn the loss of our loved ones, she said. However, it is also an important time to act. I will work with my colleagues in Congress to consider preventive measures to alleviate tensions throughout our society and stop such egregious attacks on innocent people before they happen.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
AUSTIN The Austin Police Department is reviewing security plans for the upcoming Austin City Limits Music Festival in response to the Las Vegas mass shooting, Police Chief Brian Manley said Monday.
This plan has been months in the making, and its a plan similar to one we have used in the past; however, we cant come in the day after an event like we just saw happen in Las Vegas and not reconsider our plans and make sure that we are comfortable that we have addressed every threat possible, Manley said during a news conference.
As a police department, it is important that we pay attention to all the threats, and what we saw happen last night into this morning was something new that we havent seen before, Manley said.
Late Sunday, a gunman opened fire on a crowd of 22,000 at the Route 91 Harvest music festival from the 32nd floor of a hotel near the Las Vegas Strip, killing 58 and wounding more than 500.
ACL is a two-weekend music festival in Austin that draws thousands of people from across Texas. The music festival is held annually in Zilker Park, overlooked by the skyscrapers of downtown Austin.
C3 Presents producers of the Austin City Limits festival, which begins Friday and spans two weekends said the organizers and festivals security team coordinate with local law enforcement and emergency responders to plan and rehearse security and response plans.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement there was no information to indicate a specific credible threat involving other public venues in the country. Manley also said APD has been monitoring the internet for threats against ACL and has found none.
In San Antonio, Police Chief William McManus sought to quell anxieties among city residents and said officials here are satisfied with security at local festivals and concerts. Mala Luna is set to bring attendees to the citys West Side for a two-day music festival on Oct. 28-29.
McManus said security at any concert in San Antonio is usually tight and officers watch for abandoned backpacks and other suspicious behavior.
The Austin Police Department is anticipating state and federal assistance with policing ACL both weekends, Manley said.
We have reached out to our partners at federal and state; and I know at the federal level, we will have some participation, Manley said during the news conference. I just spoke to DPS minutes ago, and they, too, are volunteering resources to bring in this weekend as well as next weekend to assist with overall security I want to emphasize that it is important people come out and enjoy this event, and we will make this event as safe as possible partnering with other agencies.
ACL organizers have implemented tighter security measures over the years that includes pat downs, bag searches and size limits along with an enhanced presence of security and law enforcement officials in and outside of the festival at Austins Zilker Park, C3 said.
The festivals security protocols include elements that are seen and unseen, C3 said.
A representative for Mala Luna Music Festival, which spans two days beginning Oct. 28 in the parking lot of Nelson Wolff Stadium on the West Side, did not say whether festivalgoers would see additional security measures but said its working with area law enforcement agencies to provide a safe, secure, and positive environment for all attendees, artists and staff.
David Heard, Tech Bloc co-founder and CEO who co-founded the upcoming Botanica Music & Arts Festival, said safety was a big factor when organizers chose the Six Flags Fiesta Texas parking lot for its inaugural event March 3-4.
In the wake of this tragedy we may even plus up our already strong security plans, Heard said in a text message. But really, today our thoughts, prayers and focus is on Las Vegas and the victims of this terrible criminal act.
C3 echoed that in its statement: Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and everyone in Las Vegas who was affected by this terrible tragedy.
Some members of the Botanica team were up all night helping support their music industry colleagues and event organizers who were on the ground in Vegas, Heard said.
Representatives for Maverick Music Festival and Day for Night Festival in Houston did not return emails requesting comment.
Two bands that performed at the Vegas festival, Brothers of Osborne and Midland, will also be at ACL.
Both bands performed Friday in Las Vegas. Brothers of Osborne will be performing both weekends of the festival in Austin, Oct. 8 and 15. Midland will be in Austin for the second weekend of the festival, on Oct. 15.
Neither band has announced any changes to upcoming tour dates.
Eagles of Death Metal, the band performing in the Bataclan Theatre at the time of the 2015 Paris attacks that left 130 dead across the city, also is slated to play at ACL on Oct. 13.
Staff Writers Joshua Fechter and Kelsey Bradshaw contributed to this report from San Antonio.
ROOSEVELT ROADS, Puerto Rico Tasked as part of the U.S. airlift to bring critical supplies to this hurricane-ravaged island, the giant C-5M Super Galaxy from San Antonio brought its first load Sunday to this town about an hour from the capital of San Juan.
Flown by the 433rd Airlift Wing in San Antonio, the C-5 and its 11 crew members delivered two fuel trucks, their tanks three-fourths full, and an assortment of other equipment that included a large mobile generator as part of the growing military response to help the island recover from hurricanes Irma and Maria. The two disasters last month left most of Puerto Rico and its 3.4 million residents without power and water.
The crew began its mission Friday to pick up equipment in Colorado Springs, Colorado, before taking the first load to Roosevelt Roads. The C-5 was back in the air Monday night to deliver another load from Tampa, Florida, to San Juan. It then will return to San Antonio.
Theres thunderstorms in between here and there, of course, so there may be some routing around all that and some turbulence at altitude, the pilot in command, Lt. Col. James C. Miller, 47, of Boerne, told his crew, adding a moment later, Hey, I appreciate you all embracing the suck and doing it again.
The relief effort is being led by Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan of San Antonio, commander of U.S. Army North, who was appointed late last week. Military assets that include helicopters from Fort Bliss, the hospital ship USNS Comfort and a variety of cargo planes were headed toward the island Monday.
Millers C-5 was one of more than a dozen cargo planes on the ramp Monday afternoon at MacDill AFB in Tampa and was scheduled to be 10th in line to land at San Juan early today. It was taking on supplies sent by the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital for a Veterans Affairs medical facility in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
The plane will get right back into the air this week with a new crew. Whether that means more missions to Puerto Rico isnt clear, but the prospect of additional flights to help beleaguered residents on the island seems likely.
Because it has such a large cargo area, the Super Galaxy carries aircraft and equipment few others can, and a lot of it. On Sunday, only a few inches separated a fuel truck from the mobile generator. Trucks and pallets filled much of the remainder of the cargo bay. A crewman walking from the front of the plane to the back had to tip-toe past heavy wheeled vehicles and large chains with hooks that held them down.
Its always a little feeling in the back of your mind, Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Foerster said when asked about the risks of flying a plane loaded with more than 800,000 pounds of gear. Do I worry about it? No, not in the sense of these aircraft are tested, engineers came up with this weight years ago, Ive taken off with it.
The operation by this Air Force Reserve unit is the latest in a series of hurricane disaster recovery efforts going back to Harvey, which struck a large swath of the Texas Gulf Coast and inundated much of Houston. The wing flew all its planes to El Paso before Harvey made landfall in late August. It then flew missions to Houstons Ellington Field and Hobby International Airport, and it went to Florida after Hurricane Irma struck.
Now, Puerto Rico.
Id say this was my sixth hurricane mission, starting right before Harvey, Staff Sgt. Eric Ganley of San Antonio said. After that, the squadron did at least four Harvey relief missions. After Irma, I did one presidential support mission to move the vice presidents motorcade down to Fort Myers. I did one mission that went to Puerto Rico twice, and then this mission. Its all for a good cause.
Senior Airman Anthony Farias, a crew chief making his ninth mission since June, has gotten used to the pace of life aboard the C-5, one marked by uncertainty over possible aircraft breakdowns and unexpected stops that transform short-hop trips into adventures that run for days.
It takes getting used to, but he shares Ganleys sentiment about missions such this one.
This one has a different meaning, said Farias, who put an American flag above the cargo hold with Foerster, owner of a heavy construction company and 29-year Air Force veteran who delivered food and water to Houston after Harvey.
People are in desperate need of help, said Foerster, 48, of Giddings as the crew prepared for its return trip to Puerto Rico. And hopefully this will shine some light at the end of the tunnel.
sigc@express-news.net
Sandra Gomez Obregon remembers hearing the rapid pop of fireworks, but when she scanned the Las Vegas sky, there werent any colorful bursts to be found.
When the next round of loud shots echoed along the strip she slowly realized the sounds were gunfire, said the San Antonio woman who was near the scene of a mass shooting on the Las Vegas strip Sunday night.
When the noise stopped, more than 500 people had been wounded and 58 killed by the gunman who fired repeated rounds of ammunition from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino upon concert goers at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, across from the hotel.
Police found the suspected gunman, Stephen Paddock, 64, dead in his hotel room on the 32nd floor.
Obregon, a local businesswoman, was with her son, Johnathon-Joshua Mendoza in the resort city Sunday night after a business trip in Los Angeles. They were leaving their hotel, the MGM Grand, on their way to have a Sushi dinner, when they heard the barrage of gunshots.
The noise was followed by people fleeing the outdoor concert. Obregon said first, about 20 people ran their way, then they saw another 100 or so running frantically toward them.
I cant even imagine what those poor people saw, she said. Thank God, we were blessed. It was just that scary part of making sure that your family was with you, having a nice time, then this. Its just that feeling of hopelessness.
Obregon said they ran back into the hotel lobby, with hundreds running behind them. Outside, she said, people were carrying bodies into the Tropicana Hotel. She said hundreds of people were bussed away from the area for shelter.
Obregon and her son went back to their room on the 21st floor. Her son got online and monitored the updates and unfolding events. She said they were impressed with how fast the police had everything under control.
Speaking by phone Monday afternoon, they were preparing to board a plane for a flight back to San Antonio. She said the memory of the horrific sights and sounds are ones she wont soon forget.
The hardest part was seeing people running for their lives, she said, and the horror on their faces.
Lawyers: As a group, we think were pretty special. Servants of the law and all that. But in truth, theres really only one thing that sets us apart from other professionals: the attorney-client privilege (yes, yes, we can also represent others in court, but thats not the point of this post).
Few other confidentiality doctrines in the Anglo-American legal tradition even approach the sanctity of the privilege we share with our clients. Anyone can read the law and tell others what it means. The privilege, and its analogous duty to keep our clients information confidential, form the bedrock of what makes our profession what it is.
Its therefore important from time to time that we remind ourselves of the importance of the privilege and reinforce some basic common-sense steps to make sure that we dont inadvertently tell the world our clients secrets. Much of this post may state the obvious, and Im sure most readers will think to themselves, Id never do that.
However, the potential for inadvertently running afoul of the attorney-client privilege is high these days, given constantly evolving technology, fast-paced travel and the small world nature of our profession, where the degrees of separation among practitioners continue to shrink. Therefore, from time to time, we could all benefit from a refresher on the basics we learned way back in that legal ethics course in law school.
For instance, just the other day, two very seasoned attorneys one a White House special counsel, the other the personal lawyer of the President of the United States sat at a local DC eatery, openly discussing their work. I do not mean to single them out, or to in any way wade into politics. Instead, I use their conversation as an example to highlight a particular dilemma lawyers uniquely face.
Everyone chats about what they do at work. On average, we spend more time working and with our co-workers than we do at home with our loved ones. Work occupies the largest portion of our waking hours, so, of course, we talk about it. Sit and listen in any coffee shop or restaurant, and youll overhear people talking about whats happening in their office. The problem is that for members of the bar, most of what were doing at work is supposed to be kept confidential. This leads conveniently into my first bit of advice. The practice of law is like Fight Club. Whats the first rule of Fight Club? Dont Talk About Fight Club. I seem to recall that the second rule was something akin to Dont Talk About Fight Club.
Second, remember to be discreet when traveling. I spent a lot of time on planes this summer, and on almost every trip, someone from another DC law firm was sitting near me doing work. Thats certainly fine. Many of us travel a great deal, and we simply dont have the time to sit back with a good book. Plus, our phones are off, a rare opportunity to delve into a memo undisturbed. I get it. However, as airplane seats get smaller and smaller, more and more people have a nice unobstructed view of your high definition laptop screen. They can see that you work for Dewey, Cheatem and Howe, because the logo is prominently displayed on each page.
And, if they want to they can also easily read the name of your client and your recommendations for dealing with the fact that their new joint venture partner in Kazakhstan wants dividend payments sent to an account in the Cayman Islands. Yes, I appreciate that its rude to gaze at someone elses laptop, but should Emily Post be the foundation of an attorneys strategy for protecting privileged information?
Third, dont advertise to the world what youre working on.
I frequently see other lawyers in airports and on the Metro, lugging binders with their clients names prominently displayed on the spines. More often than not, the organized attorney has added a brief description of the matter. I kid you not, I have actually seen, in public, a binder that displayed a clients name with the words FCPA Investigation Nigeria printed underneath in high-visibility, bold font. That could be read from the other end of a Metro car. Yikes!
Fourth, beware autofill. We are very comfortable with email. Perhaps too comfortable. I read an article yesterday about how an attorney at a major law firm inadvertently included a reporter at the Wall Street Journal on an internal firm communication about a sensitive client matter. It will come as no surprise that the reporter published an article all about it.
To be clear, I do not intend to shame the firm in question, but the incident underscores the utter danger of email autofill. Its just so darn convenient. Like most of us, I send out dozens if not hundreds of emails a day. That wonderful autofill makes this so much easier.
Im corresponding with Gaius Julius at Cloaca Maxima Inc. for the umpteenth time today? Easy peasy! I just type in J-U-L and voila! Autofill does the rest. But Id better be wary, because my ribald college roommate has the same last name. Breezing through autofill and not double checking that the addressees are right is not so different from taking a client memo to Main Justice and reading it through a megaphone. Hyperbole? Sure, but it drives the point home.
Finally, tread carefully at conferences. Weve all linked up with clients at conferences. Its a great opportunity for a tete-a-tetes, especially if we dont work in the same city. The problem is that were all wearing name tags. And those name tags frequently display the organizations for which we work. Oh look, theres N. Discrete from Billem Harder LLP with his client at Bribes-R-Us Inc. over there in the lobby, speaking loudly about how their business unit in Topeka flew the Minister of the Interior from Corruptopia to Paris for a five-day jaunt without approval from corporate. Now thats interesting.
In sum, remember the privilege and keep it sacred. Its what makes our profession special, and our clients are counting on it.
____
Bill Steinman is a Contributing Editor of the FCPA Blog. Hes the senior partner at Steinman & Rodgers LLP, a boutique law firm in Washington, D.C. specializing in international anti-corruption compliance and investigations.
By African Horror writer, Nuzo Onoh
Nuzo Onoh
The Fantasy Coffins Ritual:
The Ga tribe of Ghana are famous for building Fantasy Coffins to bury their dead. These coffins have shapes which symbolise the interests and activities of the departed in their lifetime. So, you get beautiful coffins built with fantastical shapes like shoes, cars, animals, mobile phones, beer bottles, etc. This ensures that the final resting place of the dead is inside something they love. Awesome! I shall ask my kids to order a fantasy bottle of Irish Baileys coffin for my ashes come my time
The Turning of the Bones Ritual:
The people of Madagascar have a beautiful ritual to honour their dead. Once every seven years, in a joyous celebration, the immediate family of the dead will exhume the bodies of their beloved dead to clean and re-clothe them in lovely new garments, talk with them and bring them up to date with all thats happened in their absence. The main purpose of this ritual is to allow the souls of their ancestors to re-join the living and indulge once again in all the worldly pleasures they once knew. In the words of Brad Bernard who witnessed the death ritual first hand, One by one, the corpses are delicately pulled from the tomb and wrapped in straw floor mats... They are laid side-by-side on the flat ground to be cleaned and dressed, the names are written in faded black marker to tell them apart. Their dried burial garments are delicately pulled from their corpsesto avoid taking too much flesh. The bodies are dressed in fresh silk garments and individually whisked off by awaiting family members. The same corpse I touched in the crypt is now in her granddaughters arms, dancing in circles. She holds her grandmother delicately, crying tears of happiness and talking about her progress in school. In that moment, I heard a voice answer the granddaughters call that I still cannot explain. To this day, I dream of that moment. That voice is hard to forget.
The Grudge-Stopper Ritual:
The Banyankole tribe of Uganda hold a special death ritual for people who die harbouring a grudge against someone before their death. They bury the corpses of the grudge-holders with various objects for the grumpy spirits to keep them so occupied that theyll have no time or inclination to haunt the unfortunate victims of their grudges. These objects can be crafts, musical equipment, games, farming implements, jewellery, even a bible and books and anything else thatll ensure the grumpy dead is not left idle to cause mischief. Im guessing copies of Stephen Kings books will definitely keep my grumpy spirit happy come my time. What will be yours?
Sex and the Dead:
The Buganda tribe has a quaint tradition reserved for deceased spouses. When a spouse dies, the corpse is buried wearing the underwear of the surviving spouse. If the deceased is a man, his wife dresses him up in her underwear, while saying out loud to him that he has gone to the grave with his wife. Similarly, a man does the same when his wife dies. This death ritual deceives the ghost of the dead spouse, convincing him/her that theyve been buried with their living spouse. As a result, theyll not torment the living spouse for sex at night.
The Black Stool of the Asante:
To the Asante of Ghana, the stool is the most important object, representing power and unity. The stool also denotes the office of a high chieftain. A new chief/king is enthroned with his own special stool which he must never abandon. So, when a chief dies, the Asantes proclaim, The stool has fallen. The stool then becomes the abode of the spirit of the departed King. It is ceremonially blackened, first by smoking it, then smearing it with kitchen soot and egg yolk. From then, the black stool becomes an ancestral seat, a permanent reminder of the beloved ruler. It is guarded in a special room, where its placed on animal skins or beds and never directly on the ground. Sacrifices are made to the stool and the dead chief is immortalized and honoured with his Black Stool where his spirit resides. The black stool is offered food and libation and brought out to the public for festivals. A new chief/king must bare his chest and kneel before the black stool of his predecessor in humility and respect.
Boozing up The Ancestors:
Finally, in my wonderful Igboland, some clans still practice the culture of burying their chief or family head in an upright position with a long funnel leading from the grave right into his open mouth. The family would then feed the revered departed with palm-wine, schnapps or other spirits to ensure he continues to enjoy the intoxicating pleasures of the earthly world hes left. This form of reverence helps maintain the bonds between the departed and the living, ensuring the deceaseds name is never forgotten. As a child, I recall enjoying the wonderful libation ceremonies to my late great-grandfather amongst the extended family and clan, an event that reinforced the bonds of love and closeness amongst us. In my latest book, Dead Corpse, I touched on that beautiful burial rite amongst some other less beautiful ones.
So, thats it guys! Hope youve enjoyed discovering some of our quaint and beautiful African Burial Rites. I write on the darker rituals in my African Horror books, since we need horror to create horror. But as you can see, the death ritual is a truly beautiful one in most African cultures, even if not in my books.
About the author: Nuzo Onoh is a British Writer of African descent. She holds both a law degree and a Masters degree in Writing from The University of Warwick, England. Now recognised as the front-runner of African Horror, Nuzos latest book, Dead Corpse will be released on October 31st 2017 and is now available for pre-orders from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Dead-Corspe-Nuzo-Onoh/dp/1909484873/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_img_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FXPM37SMDSCE75V87ADE
Scott Disick and Sofia Richie's romance is hotting up.
Scott Disick and Sofia Richie
The 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' star was seen kissing the 19-year-old model - who is the daughter of Lionel Richie - as they jet-skiied in Puerto Vallarta.
After spending time at the beach in Mexico, the couple headed back to the swimming pool where they enjoyed some PDA in the hot tub.
It comes after a source insisted Scott and Sofia are "officially" hooking up.
They said: "Things became official over the past week while they were in New York City together ...
"It's so weird. Not just the age difference, but mostly the fact that Sofia had been a family friend for years, and was close to Kendall and Kylie [Jenner]."
And Sofia is said to be "smitten" with Scott.
An insider added: "Since returning to LA, Scott and Sofia are inseparable. They are spending every day together. Sofia seems smitten.
"It's obvious that she looks up to Scott. She constantly giggles around him. They are very flirty. Scott takes care of her, opens the car door and pays for everything."
Back in June, Sofia had insisted the pair were just good friends, writing on Twitter: "The last time I'm gonna say it. Scott and I are just friends. I'm single and focused on friends, family and work. #againrelax (sic)"
And in another tweet, she added: "Just so everyone can get their panties out of their a**es, Scott and I are just homies #relax (sic)"
Scott Disick split from Kourtney Kardashian, his partner of nearly a decade, back in 2015. However, the couple - who share three children, Mason, seven, Penelope, five, and Reign, two - have remained friends and are committed to co-parenting their kids.
Since his split from Kourtney, Scott has been romantically linked to a number of women including actress Bella Thorne and his former flame Chloe Bartoli.
by Charlotte Hough for www.femalefirst.co.uk
The Duke of Cambridge will leave his wife behind at home while he flies to New Zealand next week.
Duke of Cambridge
The 35-year-old royal will jet across to the other side of the world on behalf of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth to attend the country's Commemoration for the Battle of Passchendaele on October 12, but his spouse Duchess Catherine will remain in the UK as she's still battling with morning sickness.
Kensington Palace announced the news on its official Twitter account on Monday (02.10.17) night, writing: "The Duke of Cambridge, representing HM The Queen, will attend the New Zealand Commemoration for the Battle of Passchendaele on 12th October. (sic)"
It's not known how long the duke will spend in New Zealand but it's believed he won't be gone for long as he'll no doubt want to get back to his four-year-old son George - who has just started school in London - and his two-year-old daughter Charlotte, as well as his pregnant wife.
William and Catherine revealed earlier this month they were expecting their third child and confirmed the royal was suffering from acute morning sickness so had to pull out of some royal engagements.
A Kensington Palace statement read: "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."
Shortly after the statement was released, William's brother Prince Harry admitted Catherine was "OK".
He said: "I haven't seen her for a while but I think she's OK."
Ashley Walters is set to star in a revival of 'Top Boy'.
Ashley Walters
The 'Safe House' star is wanted to reprise his role as drug dealer Dushane in the crime drama series, which is expected to return to the small screen on Netflix rather than its former home on Channel 4.
According to RadioTimes.com, the streaming service are planning to make two more series of the programme, which told the story of drug and gang violence on a fictional east London estate.
An announcement is expected to be made imminently and it is thought Ronan Bennett will be involved in the script once again.
Last year, Ashley hinted Drake could be part of a 'Top Boy' revival because the US rapper is a huge fan of the series.
He previously said: "What I can say is that, behind the scenes, there's some serious work going on to make it happen, and between a lot of good people too. So it's going to happen at some point, but I can't really talk about it too much until the paper has been signed.
"Drake is involved. He's coming on board to help and try and push the situation forward. We'll see what happens! I've gone through having empty promises, and I've always relied on myself. I take whatever anyone says with a pinch of salt, but hopefully it will work out."
In 2014, Drake tweeted Ashley praising him on his performance in the programme.
He wrote: "@AshleyWalters82 is too incredible!! Everybody on Top Boy gives such incredible performances. That show is just too good. (sic)"
Ashley replied: "@Drake thank u for the support bro glad ur enjoying the show! #TopBoy #AlwaysWinning (sic)"
The original 'Top Boy' ran for two series on Channel 4 from 2011 to 2013.
Masood Ahmed is set to return to 'EastEnders'.
Nitin Ganatra, who plays Masood Ahmed
Nitin Ganatra played the lovable postman from 2007 until his departure in 2016, but he has now revealed that one year after he walked away from the BBC soap, he is due to return with some new family members in two.
The 50-year-old actor told the Metro newspaper: "It was a lovely surprise to be asked back to 'EastEnders' so soon after I left. In fact I was bowled over. When I was told Masood has still much to give to the show and is missed by the audience, it was hard to refuse.
"It is with great pride that I will grow my Masood goaty once again to help create and base an extended family around him. Exciting days to come Walford with Masood back on the Square."
Masood left Albert Square in November 2016 in order to reunite with his ex-wife Zainab and his son Kamil in Pakistan, but it turns out his journey home hasn't gone to plan, as he finds himself back in London once again.
Storyline details of his return are being kept under wraps for the time being, but it is believed that casting is underway for the new members of Masood's family, and scenes are expected to air towards the end of this year.
Nitin announced he was walking away from 'EastEnders' in September 2016, and claimed that his decision came as he wanted to explore other acting pursuits.
He said at the time: "When I trained as an actor, I set out to play many different characters and never did I know that I would be so fortunate to have found a character that I have loved playing for nine years.
"However, after thinking long and hard, I have decided that it is time to get back out there and take on some other roles. I will of course miss everyone at 'EastEnders' - I have had a brilliant time there, and who knows, one day Masood may be back."
Flights returning 110,000 passengers from overseas after Monarchs collapse will cost about 60m, according to the UK airline regulator.
More than 11,000 were scheduled to have been flown home by Monday night, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.
The government called it the biggest repatriation exercise in peacetime.
Monarch Airlines ceased trading early on Monday, leading to nearly 1,900 job losses and the cancellation of all its flights and holidays.
The collapse of the 50-year old company is the largest ever for a UK airline.
The government is set to pick up the tab for flying Monarch passengers home but is talking to card companies about sharing some of the cost.
The repatriation comes as it also emerged:
About 56,000 Monarch passengers are due to be flown back this week
More than half are in mainland Spain or on Spanish islands, according to the CAA
BBC business editor Simon Jack said Monarch had been looking at potential tie-ups with several interested parties before its collapse
Those talks were partly derailed by uncertainty surrounding the future regulation of the UK aviation industry after the Brexit vote, he said
Monarchs administrators said the airlines pension holders should see no impact from the firms collapse
What happened to Monarch?
The UKs fifth biggest airline was placed in administration at 04:00 BST on Monday a time when the airline had no planes in the air.
Passengers were then sent text messages informing them flights had been cancelled but some customers were already at airports.
Monarch, which reported a 291m loss last year, had employed about 2,100 people. About 250 staff have been retained to help with repatriation efforts.
Terror attacks in Tunisia and Egypt, increased competition, and the weak pound have been blamed for Monarchs demise.
Advice to Monarch customers
Customers in the UK yet to travel: Dont go to the airport, the CAA says
Dont go to the airport, the CAA says Customers abroad: Everyone due to fly in the next fortnight will be brought back to the UK at no cost to them. There is no need to cut short a stay. Those with flight-only bookings after 16 October are unlikely to have Atol scheme protection, so will need to make their own arrangements
Everyone due to fly in the next fortnight will be brought back to the UK at no cost to them. There is no need to cut short a stay. Those with flight-only bookings after 16 October are unlikely to have Atol scheme protection, so will need to make their own arrangements Customers currently overseas should check monarch.caa.co.uk for confirmation of their new flight details which will be available a minimum of 48 hours in advance of their original departure time
should check monarch.caa.co.uk for confirmation of their new flight details which will be available a minimum of 48 hours in advance of their original departure time All affected customers should keep checking monarch.caa.co.uk for more information
should keep checking monarch.caa.co.uk for more information The CAA also has a 24-hour helpline: 0300 303 2800 from the UK and Ireland and +44 1753 330330 from overseas
Holidaymakers and staff devastated by airline collapse
Holidaymakers and airline staff have been left devastated by the collapse of flight operator Monarch.
Hundreds of people arrived at Leeds Bradford, Gatwick, Birmingham, Luton and Manchester airports to find their flights had been cancelled.
Sky sisters
Flight attendants Katie Leary, Kate Halbo, Debbie Jackson and Charlie Winter have worked for Monarch for 19 years and call themselves the sky sisters.
It was more than just a job, it was a way of life, they said.
The friends said they felt sorry for the customers who were stranded abroad and it pained them they could not be there to bring them back home.
Bride in tears as wedding flight cancelled
Alan Jee was due to get married in Gran Canaria on Saturday and arrived at Gatwick Airport with 30 members of his family.
I have spent 20,000 on my wedding and now I cant even go and get married, he said.
I am gutted, absolutely gutted, and my missus is in tears, an emotional wreck.
Holidaymakers and staff devastated by airline collapse
What has gone wrong?
Monarch reported a loss of 291m for the year to October 2016, compared with a profit of 27m for the previous 12 months, after revenues slumped.
It had been in last-ditch talks with the CAA about renewing its licence to sell package holidays, but failed to reach a deal.
Blair Nimmo, from administrator KPMG, said its collapse was a result of depressed prices in the short-haul travel market, alongside increased fuel costs and handling charges as a result of a weak pound.
Monarchs owner, Greybull Capital, had been trying to sell part or all of its short-haul operation so it could focus on more profitable long-haul routes and said it was very sorry it had not been able to turn around its fortunes.
What have the authorities said?
The CAA has organised 34 chartered planes from 16 different airlines Easyjet and Qatar Airways among them to return passengers to the UK over the next fortnight.
Chief executive Andrew Haines said passengers would not be charged for the repatriation flights, which would match Monarchs original schedule as closely as possible, adding: There will undoubtedly be some disruption.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling described it as the biggest ever peacetime repatriation.
Mr Grayling said the Department for Work and Pensions would give support to those affected and that airlines had already told him they may seek to employ Monarch staff.
Easyjet said it would be really pleased to hire former Monarch employees, saying it had 400 cabin crew vacancies at Gatwick Airport and 100 at Luton, as well as job openings for pilots and head office staff.
Source: BBC
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has asked garment workers not to demand a higher rise in the minimum wage. As garment workers in many Asian nations get paid lesser, workers should not demand a salary hike that employers may not afford, he told garment workers in Phnom Penh recently. Else factories could move to Myanmar, Bangladesh or Laos, he said.Workers in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka get $67 a month while those in Myanmar are paid $79 and those in Laos get $110, while the Cambodian government has proposed a minimum salary of $162.67 per month for 2018, he said. Employers have proposed $161 and trade unions want $176.25.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has asked garment workers not to demand a higher rise in the minimum wage. As garment workers in many Asian nations get paid lesser, workers should not demand a salary hike that employers may not afford, he told garment workers in Phnom Penh recently. Else factories could move to Myanmar, Bangladesh or Laos, he said.#
I appeal to all workers to think about the long term. Do not kill the chicken so you can have one delicious meal. Instead, feed the chicken so it can lay eggs or produce chicks for the future, Cambodian media reports quoted the prime minister as saying.The prime minister has been meeting factory employees and workers in the last few weeks, promising populist benefits in what is seemingly an effort to garner backing for the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) from a voter base long perceived to be sympathetic to the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). (DS)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
The Earned Import Allowance Program (EIAP) is not offering enough incentives to significantly boost Dominican apparel exports to the United States eight years after it was implemented, according to the US International Trade Commission (USITC). The decline is due to increased imports from Haiti and more competition from other Western hemisphere suppliers.In 2016, US imports of woven cotton bottoms from the Dominican Republic fell 57 per cent by value to $3.5 million from $8.2 million in 2015 and fell 61 per cent by quantity to 745,000 square metre equivalents (SMEs) from 1.9 million SMEs in 2015, the USITC said In its publication Earned Import Allowance Program: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Program for Certain Apparel from the Dominican Republic; Eighth Annual Review.
The Earned Import Allowance Program (EIAP) is not offering enough incentives to significantly boost Dominican apparel exports to the United States eight years after it was implemented, according to the US International Trade Commission (USITC). The decline is due to increased imports from Haiti and more competition from other Western hemisphere suppliers. #
The review was submitted to the US House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means and the US Senate Committee on Finance on September 28, said a recent USITC press release.The EIAP allows apparel units in the Dominican Republic who use US fabric to manufacture certain apparel to earn a credit that can be used to ship eligible apparel made with non-US fabric into the United States duty free.Haiti offers lower labour costs and trade preferences that provide more sourcing flexibility and coverage for a wider range of products than the EIAP. A tariff preference level (TPL) for woven apparel from Haiti allows the use of third-country fabric up to a specified level, according to the USITC review.The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act, as amended, requires the USITC, an independent, non-partisan, fact-finding federal agency, to evaluate annually the effectiveness of the EIAP program and make recommendations for improvements.USITC recommended lowering the 2:1 ratio of US to foreign fabric to 1:1, expanding the EIAP to enable other kinds of fabrics and apparel items and changing the requirement that dyeing and finishing of eligible fabrics occur in the United States. (DS)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
Fast fashion brand Zara is all set to begin its online sales in India, one of the worlds fastest growing ecommerce markets, beginning from October 4. This is in line with the ongoing international expansion of its integrated store model. Spanish based retailer will be selling its products throughout the country via website and mobile application.
Zara has more than 2,200 stores in 93 countries and is the flagship brand of the Spanish multinational Inditex Group. The range found in all the 21 stores of Zara across eight Indian cities will be available online for selling, said Echevarria Hernandez, chief communication officer of Inditex, said in a statement.
In a span of 2-4 working days, the deliveries will be made to metro cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore, while for the remaining areas, it will take around 5-8 working days. For effective delivery system, Zara has joined hands with Gati Ltd, Delhivery Pvt. Ltd and Blue Dart Express Ltd. The standard delivery charges for orders worth less than Rs 4,000 will be Rs 299, with exchange and return for free, the company said in a statement.
Fast fashion brand Zara is all set to begin its online sales in India, one of the world's fastest growing ecommerce markets, beginning from October 4. This is in line with the ongoing international expansion of its integrated store model. Spanish based retailer will be selling its products throughout the country via website and mobile application.#
For better working of the online service, Zara will work with a warehouse in Delhi with around 50 employees.
Zara emerged as one of the fast growing lifestyle apparel brands in India and reported sales of Rs 842 crore in fiscal 2016, up 17 per cent over fiscal 2015. (RR)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
Indorama Ventures Limited (IVL), a global chemical producer, has completed the acquisition of DuraFiber Technologies Mexico Operations, S. A. DE C. V. (Durafiber), a leading Mexican producer of durable technical textiles for industrial, tire reinforcement, and specialty applications globally. This has strengthened IVL's position in automotive fibre market.
Durafiber is the sole domestic tire cord fabric producer in Mexico, and has a broad customer base and long-established relationship with major global tire companies. This strategic acquisition of Durafiber expands the breadth of IVLs tire cord fabric products, and provides the opportunity to leverage IVLs global scale and assets to capture synergies and vast market opportunities. The automotive fibre market is growing at 6 per cent CAGR in 2017-2021 and has an estimated value at around US$ 10 billion.
"We are pleased that Durafiber is now a part of the IVL family. It is an exciting opportunity to strengthen our presence in fast-growing markets in Mexico and Europe, and further enhance the companys leading position in automotive segment, where we see an enormous opportunity. With the acquisition of Durafiber, we will be best positioned to address a wide range of applications in the automotive fibre market, and expand capabilities to deliver best-in-market services to our customers. Offering customers access to a strong portfolio of industry-leading brands, along with a well-integrated of R&D and production facilities across the world are a unique global service proposal to the automotive industry. This highly differentiated value proposition will deliver greater benefits for our customers and drive forward IVLs next phase of strategic growth as the leading fiber partner for the automotive industry," Aloke Lohia, Group CEO of Indorama Ventures, said.
Indorama Ventures Limited (IVL), a global chemical producer, has completed the acquisition of DuraFiber Technologies Mexico Operations, S. A. DE C. V. (Durafiber), a leading Mexican producer of durable technical textiles for industrial, tire reinforcement, and specialty applications globally. This has strengthened IVL's position in automotive fibre market.#
"We continue implementing the transformational and value-enhancing strategy through HVA, which has delivered meaningfully and positions us well to capture the abundant synergies and business opportunities. Over the past 5 years, IVL acquired 39 plants; of which 29 are HVA. HVA businesses have contributed over 50 per cent of EBITDA in last 12 months. We have a strong platform for future growth from our global portfolio of markets and diversified revenue streams backed by strong R&D engines. This solid platform will allow us to generate top-line and bottom-line growth as well as deliver sustainable returns for our shareholders," Lohia concluded. (RR)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
Linea Johansson, Miss Sweden 2016 and one of the top models of the world, took part in a tree plantation drive carried out by Hearts@work Foundation, a project of Surat based Zenitex. Under the Clean India-Green India campaign initiated by the foundation, 200 trees of different types were planted at Sarthana Nature Park (Zoo) in textile hub of Surat.
Linea Johansson, Miss Sweden 2016 and one of the top models of the world, took part in a tree plantation drive carried out by Hearts@work Foundation, a project of Surat based Zenitex. Under the 'Clean India-Green India' campaign initiated by the foundation, 200 trees of different types were planted at Sarthana Nature Park (Zoo) in textile hub of Surat.#
Gulmohar, Jack Fruit, Lagerstroemia Speciosa, Ashok, and Bauhinia were among the trees planted on September 24. This is the foundations project no. 8 and till now more than 13,000 trees have been planted under the campaign. As a result, achieving the twin objective of fighting pollution and wishing for a greener future has gained pace in the town known for man-made textiles.
Linea Johansson, Miss Sweden 2016 and one of the top models of the world, took part in a tree plantation drive carried out by Hearts@work Foundation, a project of Surat based Zenitex. Under the 'Clean India-Green India' campaign initiated by the foundation, 200 trees of different types were planted at Sarthana Nature Park (Zoo) in textile hub of Surat.#
Planting trees barefooted, Johansson quipped, This comes naturally to me as fresh air and clean environment are in abundance in my country and so working towards that is by default.
Linea Johansson, Miss Sweden 2016 and one of the top models of the world, took part in a tree plantation drive carried out by Hearts@work Foundation, a project of Surat based Zenitex. Under the 'Clean India-Green India' campaign initiated by the foundation, 200 trees of different types were planted at Sarthana Nature Park (Zoo) in textile hub of Surat.#
Admiring the campaign, she said, It is a wonderful event wherein, an individualViral Desaiand his foundation Hearts@work have taken the initiative in the most important aspect in todays world. Desai being a young entrepreneur and having a mission and vision for the future is a commendable quality for an individual and no doubt he has been showered with so many accolades, recognitions and awards at this young age. He is a role model for the youth and emulating him is a very healthy habit for todays generation and generations to come.
Linea Johansson, Miss Sweden 2016 and one of the top models of the world, took part in a tree plantation drive carried out by Hearts@work Foundation, a project of Surat based Zenitex. Under the 'Clean India-Green India' campaign initiated by the foundation, 200 trees of different types were planted at Sarthana Nature Park (Zoo) in textile hub of Surat.#
She assured Desai, who is also CEO of Zenitex, that throughout her stay, she would like to participate in future tree plantation campaigns and other social services with Hearts@work.
Linea Johansson, Miss Sweden 2016 and one of the top models of the world, took part in a tree plantation drive carried out by Hearts@work Foundation, a project of Surat based Zenitex. Under the 'Clean India-Green India' campaign initiated by the foundation, 200 trees of different types were planted at Sarthana Nature Park (Zoo) in textile hub of Surat.#
The main coordinator of the event was decorated ex-army officer Prafull Mehta, who is the superintendent of the Nature Park. Mauna Mashruwala, the elite socialite of Surat, and Gokul Baraiya who has acted in a Gujarati film, were other guests on the occasion.
Linea Johansson, Miss Sweden 2016 and one of the top models of the world, took part in a tree plantation drive carried out by Hearts@work Foundation, a project of Surat based Zenitex. Under the 'Clean India-Green India' campaign initiated by the foundation, 200 trees of different types were planted at Sarthana Nature Park (Zoo) in textile hub of Surat.#
The participation of well-known celebrities in such farsighted and most required events motivate many others to join the drive for saving the future and making it green. (RKS)
Linea Johansson, Miss Sweden 2016 and one of the top models of the world, took part in a tree plantation drive carried out by Hearts@work Foundation, a project of Surat based Zenitex. Under the 'Clean India-Green India' campaign initiated by the foundation, 200 trees of different types were planted at Sarthana Nature Park (Zoo) in textile hub of Surat.#
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has opposed the suggestion to stop the 4 per cent government rebate on yarn exports on the basis of drawback of duties, local taxes and levies on exports. Export of yarn needs patronage, else it may lead to closure of mills on a large scale and unemployment, senior APTMA vice chairman Zahid Mazhar said.High business cost has made the spinning sector, the backbone of the textile value chain, unviable and it is incurring heavy losses now by selling yarn below its cost due to poor demand from domestic consumers. The production of yarn is substantially more than the local consumption, Mazhar said in a press release.
The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has opposed the suggestion to stop the 4 per cent government rebate on yarn exports on the basis of drawback of duties, local taxes and levies on exports. Export of yarn needs patronage, else it may lead to closure of mills on a large scale and unemployment, senior APTMA vice chairman Zahid Mazhar said.#
Only 13.28 per cent of the total yarn produced in 2016-17 and 12.44 per cent of the total yarn produced in 2015-16 were exported, according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. As the domestic industry consumes around 70 per cent of the total yarn production, a substantial amount is left unsold, and needs to be exported, he added. (DS)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
EFI Optitex, a world-leading provider of an integrated 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software platform for the apparel and textile industries, has entered in a new strategic partnership with Patrizia Pepe, owned by Tessilform, the Tuscany based company. The partnership includes the acquisition of a large configuration of 2D and 3D EFI Optitex licenses by Patrizia Pepe.
The partnership will initially drive the digital transformation of its apparel department before extending the solutions to its bags department.
As 3D is seen as a key success factor to face the new challenges of the fashion market, Patrizia Pepe chose EFI Optitex after a thorough evaluation of what the market had to offer. "EFI Optitex is a trusted partner and the well-established leader offering a cutting-edge technology and the greatest knowledge regarding best practices for adopting 2D and 3D integrated solutions," said Sebastiano Lombardo, Patrizia Pepe's general manager.
EFI Optitex, a world-leading provider of an integrated 2D & 3D CAD/CAM software platform for the apparel and textile industries, has entered in a new strategic partnership with Patrizia Pepe, owned by Tessilform, the Tuscany based company. The partnership includes the acquisition of a large configuration of 2D and 3D EFI Optitex licenses by Patrizia Pepe.#
"By incorporating EFI Optitex digital solutions into the company design and production workflows, we expect to decrease our time to market by 30 per cent, while better streamlining our internal processes and significantly reducing our costs," added Lombardo. "Moreover, we expect to launch high-quality offerings more frequently in order to meet our clients' needs."
"The partnership with Tessilform is very meaningful as Patrizia Pepe is another leading brand leveraging 3D to gain competitive advantage via digital transformation. We see the wave of 3D adoption accelerating with leaders which are leading the industry evolution," said Asaf Landau, EFI Optitex's vice president and general manager.
EFI Optitex's portfolio includes 8,000 apparel and fashion companies, including famous brands in Italy and the world. EFI Optitex software is one of the world's leading providers of integrated 2D/3D platforms that enable users to quickly create true-to-life 3D digital garments, empowering apparel and soft goods companies to revolutionise the way they develop, produce, and market their product. (RR)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk India
THE HAGUE (dpa-AFX) - Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDS-B, RDSB.L, RDSA.L, RDS-A) and its partners Eneco Holdings NV and Mitsubishi Corp. are seeking to sell a stake in two Dutch offshore wind-farm projects that may cost $1.4 billion to develop, Bloomberg reported people familiar with the matter. The report noted that the companies are looking to reduce their ownership in the Borssele III and IV wind farms by as much as 45 percent. The fourth partner, infrastructure contractor Van Oord NV, is keeping its share of the project. The move would allow the companies to scale back financial exposure to the wind farms and redeploy the cash in new projects with the potential for higher returns. Shell has said only that it is trying to draw in additional investors, refusing to detail what that may entail. Its strategy is to focus on developing the early stages of gigantic wind farms and avoid holding the assets as long term operations, which offers a steady but slower payback. With a combined capacity of 700 megawatts, the units may require investment of $1.4 billion by the time they are complete in 2020, according to estimates from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. By those calculations, a 45 percent stake may be worth roughly $630 million. None of the companies have disclosed their specific stakes in the project or their outlook for the total investment required. Shell has 50 percent, Eneco 30 percent, and both Van Oord and Mitsubishi each have 10 percent, the report said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/02/17 -- Three out of every four distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks employed blended, multi-vector approaches in the second quarter of 2017, according to Nexusguard's "Q2 2017 Threat Report." The quarterly report, which measured more than 8,300 attacks, demonstrated that hackers continued to rely on volumetric attacks to overwhelm system resources. For example, UDP-based (user datagram protocol) attacks increased by 15 percent this quarter, targeting hijacked devices connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), and overtaking SYN, HTTP Flood and other popular volumetric attacks in popularity. With the average attack rating 4.63 Gbps in size, enterprises that do not yet have access to high-capacity DDoS mitigation were most likely to suffer interruption from attacks.
IoT networks continued to be targeted by DDoS attacks during Q2, including a new botnet, Persirai, which attacked more than 1,000 different models of IP cameras. Nexusguard, the global leader in fighting malicious Internet attacks, gathers the DDoS attack data through botnet scanning, honeypots, ISPs and traffic moving between attackers and their targets that is unbiased by any single set of customers or industries. With UDP attacks growing in favor, the company recommends enterprises protect their DNS servers and employ Anycast routing technology to distribute the footprint of these DDoS attacks.
"UDP attacks can frequently act as smokescreens over other malicious behavior, such as efforts to execute remote codes, malware, or compromise personally identifiable information," said Juniman Kasman, chief technology officer for Nexusguard. "Due to the speed with which UDP attacks can overwhelm DNS servers and hijack IoT devices, rapid detection and response is critical for overcoming these types of attacks. Organizations need to protect their DNS servers, and should consider using Anycast routing technology to avoid saturating individual attack targets."
As DDoS extortionist gangs became increasingly active in several European countries, Switzerland made its first-ever appearance in the top three DDoS attacker countries. Nexusguard analysts found China was the leading source of DDoS attacks, originating 34 percent of the attacks measured and bumping the U.S. to second place, which was the source of 21 percent of DDoS attacks.
Read the full "Q2 2017 Threat Report" for more details.
About Nexusguard
Founded in 2008, Nexusguard is the global leader in fighting malicious Internet attacks. Nexusguard protects clients against a multitude of threats, including distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, to ensure uninterrupted Internet service. Nexusguard provides comprehensive, highly customized solutions for customers of all sizes, across a range of industries, and also enables turnkey anti-DDoS solutions for service providers. Nexusguard delivers on its promise to maximize peace of mind by minimizing threats and improving uptime. Visit www.nexusguard.com for more information.
Contact:
Justine Boucher
Metis Communications
+1 617-236-0500
Email Contact
Benjamin Yip
Nexusguard
Head of marketing
+1 415-299-8550
Email Contact
NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan, Oct. 3,2017 /PRNewswire/ --Infortrend Technology, Inc. (TWSE: 2495) announced its enhanced services with a revamped Service Manager and redesigned website service portals to let users easily manage and maintain their systems, conveniently access support related features, and request for technical services.
The Service Manager integrated into the central management tool "EonOne" can thoroughly monitor storage systems, which helps to identify common critical events that need help from Infortrend quickly. Furthermore, with a streamlined configuration, its setup is now easier than ever, with the user just needing to follow the setup wizard.
When an event occurs, Service Manager will judge its severity, and in the case of critical events such as hardware failure (power supply unit, drives, etc.) or firmware diagnostic errors, it will automatically deliver a warning message to notify users and create a service request to Infortrend Service Center to speed up the issue fixing process. Parts can be exchanged quickly for RMA issues, while other problems such as system issues can also be quickly and efficiently solved. Users can also manually request service through Service Manager and view request history and tracking status.
The redesigned support portals on the Infortrend website now groups all service and support related features together, allowing users to easily obtain the latest firmware, guides, and other documents, get quick answers to frequently asked questions and request for online technical support, and access various warranty and repair services policies and service requests.
"Storage system uptime is critical for business operations. With Infortrend Service Manager and our new web design for support, our services are now more responsive and easier to access, providing our customers quicker service and support," said Thomas Kao, Senior Director of Product Planning at Infortrend.
Visit the Infortrend website www.infortrend.com for easy support access.
About Infortrend
Infortrend (TWSE: 2495) has been developing and manufacturing storage solutions since 1993. With a strong emphasis on in-house design, testing, and manufacturing, Infortrend storage delivers performance and scalability with the latest standards, user friendly data services, personal after-sales support, and unrivaled value. For more Information, please visit www.infortrend.com
Infortrend and EonStor are trademarks or registered trademarks of Infortrend Technology, Inc., other trademarks property of their respective owners.
Media contact:
Infortrend Corporation
David Morarity
Tel: (408) 988-5729
E-mail: david.morarity@infortrend.com
CAMDEN (dpa-AFX) - Campbell Soup Co. (CPB) is voluntarily recalling 398 mL cans of Wolfgang Puck Organic Creamy Butternut Squash soup distributed in Canada due to the possible presence of mustard, an ingredient listed as an allergen under Canadian food regulations. The mustard ingredient is not declared on the product label. People with an allergy to mustard should not consume the recalled product. This recall does not affect any Wolfgang Puck soups distributed in the United States, including the Organic Creamy Butternut Squash soup variety. No other soups or Campbell products are affected. This recall affects 4,584 cases of product distributed in Canada. The affected product has the UPC 8 58328 76448 3. All code dates are being recalled. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Public Affairs Division Global Communications Department Toyota Motor Corporation Tel: +81-3-3817-9926
Toyota City, Japan, Oct 3, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd. (TMCA), the production and sales subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Australia, ended 54 years of manufacturing in Australia today.Approximately 3,000 people, including current employees as well as former employees, suppliers, dealers and officials from TMC attended the closure ceremony held at the Altona plant.TMCA President Dave Buttner paid tribute to departing employees, stating, "Thanks to everyone's long-standing efforts, Toyota became the top automobile manufacturer in Australia, and the vehicles produced here became a byword for quality and reliability not only in Australia but also in the world as the vehicles were exported to other regions like the Middle East."Additionally, TMCA Chairman Max Yasuda announced at the ceremony the establishment of the Toyota Community Foundation Australia Pty Ltd. to contribute to the Australia region over the long term after the end of manufacturing. The foundation is expected to start with a fund of $32 million (AUD), which is equivalent to approximately JPY2.8 billion, and will provide educational support to children. Focusing on the western Melbourne suburb where the Altona plant is located, the plan first calls to provide support to students with economic difficulties and to schools with disadvantaged educational environments. Chairman Yasuda stated, "We would like to provide young Australians the opportunity to further continue their studies and careers and support young people's dreams into the future."Akio Toyoda, TMC president, made remarks via video message. During his message, the screen showed clips of his visit to the Altona plant at the end of August, during which he encouraged employees and informed them of his gratitude directly. In his message, President Toyoda stated, "I sincerely express my gratitude for the efforts of the employees, customers, suppliers, dealers, government officials, and local communities that have supported production activities in Australia. Although the manufacturing business will end today, we will continue to make further efforts to be an automobile manufacturer that will be loved by everyone here in Australia and be supported even more than before."TMCA will shift its sales and marketing functions from Sydney to its Melbourne headquarters, as it transitions to a national sales and distribution company from 2018. The Altona plant will be re-established as a training and product development facility, leveraging previously accumulated knowledge and expertise to further develop Toyota people, products, and services. Following the decision to end manufacturing operations in Australia three years ago, TMCA has carried out re-employment assistance by providing employees with individual career consultations, job information, job fairs, job skills training, among other activities. TMCA expects to continue with these activities until the middle of 2018.About ToyotaSupported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), has endeavored since its establishment in 1937 to serve society by creating better products. As of the end of December 2013, Toyota conducts its business worldwide with 52 overseas manufacturing companies in 27 countries and regions. Toyota's vehicles are sold in more than 170 countries and regions. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.Source: ToyotaContact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Fig. 1. Learning process
Fig. 2. Overview of this technology
Hitachi Ltd Corporate Communications Tel: +81-3-3258-1111
TOKYO, Oct 3, 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) today announced the development of active-learning dialogue-data based AI technology to enable EMIEW3, Hitachi's human symbiotic service robot(1) to spontaneously "learn" how to respond to questions that it could not previously answer. EMIEW3 clarifies the meaning of enquiries with related staff through dialogue interaction, and in the process, automatically increases its dialogue contents to increase "comprehension" for appropriate responses. Hitachi is currently developing EMIEW3 with view to use in customer service and guidance settings. Using this technology, EMIEW3's dialogue contents can be enhanced by staff without specialist training, simply by responding to queries posed by EMIEW3, and was found to reduce labor-hours for this process to about one-tenth the time previously needed.(2) Further, this technology allows EMIEW3 to learn more quickly about products or facilities which may change daily, as well as increase comprehension and correctly respond to customer enquiries. Hitachi is aiming to provide even higher quality dialogue-data based solutions by using this technology.http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_HitachiAI10317Fig1.jpgFig. 1. Learning processIn recent years, in light of companies facing labor-shortage for customer service desks, there is an increasing anticipation for advanced robot-based voice-dialog solutions. Hitachi has conducted several field-tests for customer service and guidance solutions with EMIEW3(3) through which it has found that due to wide variation in how a customer query might be posed, that in some cases EMIEW3 is unable to comprehend the nature of the question, and thus unable to answer the question. To address this issue, conventionally, a system administrator would need to continuously analyze interaction logs even after commencement of the service, and regularly expand the dialog contents. Recognizing the importance of being able to efficiently expand the dialog contents after the service has been initiated, Hitachi developed active-learning AI technology that investigates questions which EMIEW3 was unable to answer, identifies the causes and clarifies questions that it did not previously understand, to enable EMIEW3 to "learn and grow" through voice-based dialog with staff. The technology developed consists of the following two points:1. Active-learning technologyMachine learning was applied to identify and spontaneously learn about components of the dialog that could not be understood. The technology analyzes the causes of unanswerable questions, and classifies them into two patterns: one where the answer is not registered, and the other, where the intention of the query was not understood due to the question being expressed in an unfamiliar form. In the first case of where the question was understood but the answer is not registered, EMIEW3 will ask a staff member for the appropriate information. In the second case where the question could not be understood due to the way it was expressed, a similar question registered in the question-answer database will be sought, and EMIEW3 will confirms with a staff member if the similar question has the same intent as the query which could not be understood. The new "response" and "query expression" learned from the staff response is then automatically registered in the question-answer database.2. Technology to efficiently use newly learned query expressionsNatural language processing techniques such as morphological analysis and syntax analysis were used to develop technology to efficiently learn new forms of expressing the query. The technology uses morphological analysis and difference detection to find interchangeable components from two different ways of asking the same question, and learns rules about diverse forms of how the same question might be posed (hereafter referred to as rephrasing). Further, syntax analysis and machine learning are used to check if incorrect rephrasing is remembered. Through this, more correct rephrasing rules are formed, and by applying this to other questions, increases the pattern of expressions which have the same meaning.As a result, log analysis by system administrators become unnecessary, and enables daily enhancement of the dialogue contents by simple on-site dialogue between staff with appropriate business knowledge and EMIEW3.Using this technology, Hitachi aims to provide higher quality correct response voice-dialog solutions to businesses with customer service desks. This technology will be demonstrated with EMIEW3 in the showcase at the Hitachi Social Innovation Forum 2017 TOKYO, to be held from 1-2 November at the Tokyo International Forum in Yurakucho, Tokyo. Demonstration field-tests will also be conducted in collaboration with the Haneda Robotics Lab*4 at as part of the Haneda Airport Robot Experiment Project.http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_HitachiAI10317Fig2.jpgFig. 2. Overview of this technology(1) Hitachi News Release issued on 8th April 2016, announcing EMIEW3 and its Robotics IT Platform http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/month/2016/04/160408.html(2) The actual reduction ratio will depend on the target business operation and the amount of data involved. The ratio given in this release is based on simulation results from help desk operation and related data within Hitachi.(3) Hitachi News Releases on EMIEW3 field tests(4) For more information on the Haneda Robotics Lab, please visit the webpage on the Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd. website. https://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp/hanedaroboticslab/en.htmlAbout Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.Source: Hitachi, Ltd.Contact:Copyright 2017 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
On 27 September 2017, the Danish Competition Council published a decision permitting Nykredit to raise the prices for a category of loans to personal customers with Nykredit Realkredit.
Based on this decision, Nykredit is now announcing price rises to about 60,000 mortgage customers. Mortgage loans with Totalkredit, which has more than 700,000 customers, will not be affected.
Read the decision of the Danish Competition Council here [in Danish]: https://www.kfst.dk/pressemeddelelser/kfst/2017/20172709-nykredits-tilsagn-om-bi dragsloft-erstattes-af-nye-tilsagn/
The new administration margins will take effect on 1 July 2018 and will exclusively apply to mortgage loans granted to personal customers of Nykredit Realkredit. The administration margins of adjustable-rate mortgages with 1-4 year funding will rise by 0.15 percentage point, while administration margins for other mortgages will increase by 0.10 percentage point. The administration margins will remain unchanged for the most secure loan type: fixed-rate repayment mortgages.
Anders Jensen, Group Managing Director of Nykredit, says:
- We are raising administration margins for a group of Nykredit Realkredit's customers who have seen lower administration margins than others for a number of years.
- About 60,000 customers will be affected by the administration margin increase. The great majority of these customers will still have a mortgage with the lowest administration margin in the market when the increase takes effect in nine months. I would like to stress that mortgage loans with Totalkredit, which has more than 700,000 customers, will not be affected.
- Our business must appropriately balance all of its income and costs. With the permission of the Danish Competition Council, we are taking a step towards striking a better balance for this group of Nykredit Realkredit loans, and this is the reason for this administration margin increase.
About the decision As a condition for Nykredit's acquisition of Totalkredit in 2003, we entered into an agreement with the Danish competition authorities to lower the prices of existing Nykredit Realkredit loans and not to raise prices without prior approval from the competition authorities. No such ceiling was agreed for the prices of Totalkredit loans.
Following an exemption granted in 2011, the ceiling was changed with effect from April 2012. The exemption expired on 31 March this year but was extended until 30 September this year.
In June 2016, Nykredit requested the Danish competition authorities to remove the price restrictions for customers of Nykredit Realkredit. Nykredit wants to treat all customers of the Group on an equal footing - meaning that customers of Nykredit Realkredit and Totalkredit will pay the same for the same loans, thereby ensuring a better balance between the income and costs of Nykredit Realkredit's loan portfolio.
The permission of the Danish Competition Council implies that Nykredit Realkredit's prices may be brought into closer alignment with those of Totalkredit.
Questions may be addressed to Anders Jensen through Nykredit Press Relations, tel +45 44 55 14 95 or +45 44 55 14 96.
Attachment:
https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=647120
Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / October 3, 2017 / Further to the announcement of 18 August 2017, the Board of SolGold (the "Board") (LSE: SOLG; TSX: SOLG) is pleased to announce that the Company has issued a prospectus in connection with its admission to listing of its ordinary shares (the "Ordinary Shares") on the Standard Listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority (the "Official List") and admission to trading on the main market for listed securities (the "Main Market") of London Stock Exchange plc (the "London Stock Exchange") (together, "Admission").
The Prospectus was approved by the UK Listing Authority on 2 October 2017 and is available to be viewed on the Company's website at: www.solgold.com.au/prospectuslisting.
Dealings in the Ordinary Shares are expected to commence at 8.00 a.m. on 6 October 2017 subject to the receipt of the necessary approval from the London Stock Exchange.
The Company's shares will continue to be registered with their existing ISIN number GB00B0WD0R35 and SEDOL number B0WD0R3. The Company's ticker symbol will continue to be SOLG. The Company's existing share certificates will remain valid.
The Company's existing shareholders should consult their own tax advisers as to the tax implications of the Company's proposed move to the Main Market.
By order of the Board
Karl Schlobohm
Company Secretary
Brisbane, Australia
CONTACTS
Mr Nicholas Mather
Tel: +61 (0) 7 3303 0665
SolGold Plc (Executive Director)
+61 (0) 417 880 448
nmather@solgold.com.au
Mr Karl Schlobohm
Tel: +61 (0) 7 3303 0661
SolGold Plc (Company Secretary)
kschlobohm@solgold.com.au
Mr Ewan Leggat / Mr Richard Morrison
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (NOMAD and Broker)
ewan.leggat@spangel.co.uk
Follow us on twitter @SolGold_plc
NOTES TO EDITORS
SolGold is a Brisbane, Australia based, dual AIM and TSX-listed (SOLG on both exchanges) copper-gold exploration and future development company with assets in Ecuador, Solomon Islands and Australia. SolGold's primary objective is to discover and define world-class copper-gold deposits. The Board and Management Team have substantial vested interests in the success of the Company as shareholders as well as strong track records in the areas of exploration, mine appraisal, and development, investment, finance and law. SolGold's experience is augmented by state of the art geophysical and modeling techniques and the guidance of porphyry copper and gold expert Dr. Steve Garwin.
SolGold was shortlisted as a nominee for the Mining Journal Explorer Achievement Award for 2016. The Company announced USD54m in capital raisings in September 2016 involving Maxit Capital LP, Newcrest International Ltd and DGR Global Ltd, and a USD41.2m raising in June of 2017 largely from Newcrest International with USD1.2m raised from Ecuadorean investors. All of these raisings were undertaken at substantial premiums to previous raisings, and SolGold currently has circa USD65 million in available cash to continue the exploration and development of its flagship Cascabel Project.
Mr Craig Jones joined the SolGold Board on 3 March 2017, nominated to the Board of SolGold by Newcrest Mining, now a 14.54% shareholder in SolGold. Mr Jones is a Mechanical Engineer and is currently the Executive General Manager Wafi-Golpu (Newcrest-Harmony MMJV). He has held various senior management and executive roles within the Newcrest Group, including General Manager Projects, General Manager Cadia Valley Operations, Executive General Manager Projects and Asset Management, Executive General Manager Australian and Indonesian Operations, Executive General Manager Australian Operations and Projects, and Executive General Manager Cadia and Morobe Mining Joint Venture. Prior to joining Newcrest, Mr Jones worked for Rio Tinto.
Cascabel, SolGold's 85% owned "World Class" (Ref: Cautionary Notice http://www.solgold.com.au/cautionary-notice/) flagship copper-gold porphyry project, is located in northern Ecuador on the under-explored northern section of the richly endowed Andean Copper Belt. SolGold owns 85% of Exploraciones Novomining S.A. ("ENSA") and approximately 5.34% of TSX-V-listed Cornerstone Capital Resources ("Cornerstone"), which holds the remaining 15% of ENSA, the Ecuadorian registered company which holds 100% of the Cascabel concession. Subject to the terms of existing agreements, Cornerstone is debt financed by SolGold for its share of costs to completion of a Feasibility Study ("Financing Option"). In terms of repayment, SolGold shall receive 90% of Cornerstone's distribution of earnings or dividends from ENSA or the Tenement to which Cornerstone would otherwise be entitled until such time as the amounts so received equal the aggregate amount of expenditures incurred by SolGold that, but for the Financing Option, would have been payable by Cornerstone, plus interest thereon from the dates such expenditures were incurred at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus 2 per cent until such time as SolGold is fully reimbursed.
The investments by Newcrest for 14.54% of SolGold endorses Ecuador as an exploration and mining destination, the management team at SolGold, the dimension, size and scale of the growing Alpala deposit, and the prospectivity of Cascabel and its multiple targets. The gold endowment, location, infrastructure, logistics are important competitive advantages offered by the project.
To date SolGold has completed geological mapping, soil sampling, rock saw channel sampling, geochemical and spectral alteration mapping over 25km2, along with an additional 9km2 of Induced Polarisation and 14km2 Magnetotelluric "Orion" surveys over the Alpala cluster and Aguinaga targets.
SolGold has completed over 42,000m of drilling and expended over USD50M on the program, which includes corporate costs and investments into Cornerstone. This has been accomplished with a workforce of up to 176 Ecuadorean workers and geoscientists, and 6 expatriate Australian geoscientists. The results of 35 holes drilled (including re-drilled holes) and assayed to date have produced some of the greatest drill hole intercepts in porphyry copper-gold exploration history, as indicated by Hole 12 (CSD-16-012) returning 1560m grading 0.59% copper and 0.54 g/t gold including, 1044m grading 0.74% copper and 0.54 g/t gold.
The average grade of all metres drilled to date on the project currently stands at 0.32% copper and 0.27 g/t gold. Intensive diamond drilling is planned for the next 12 months with 10 drill rigs expected to be operational by early 2018, targeting over 90,000m of drilling per annum.
Cascabel is characterised by fifteen (15) identified targets, "World Class" drilling intersections over 1km in length at potentially economic grades, and high copper and gold grades in richer sections, as well as logistic advantages in location, elevation, water supply, proximity to roads, port and power services; and a progressive legislative approach to resource development in Ecuador.
To date, SolGold has drill tested 4 of the 15 targets, being Alpala Northwest, Alpala Central, Hematite Hill, and Alpala Southeast. Currently drill testing of Alpala Northwest, Alpala Central and Alpala Southeast targets is underway, with drill testing of the Aguinaga target to commence in August 2017.
The Alpala deposit is open in multiple directions and the mineralized corridor marked for drill testing of the greater Alpala cluster occurs over a 2.2km strike length from Trivinio in the northwest to Cristal in the southeast. The mineralized corridor is known to be prospective over approximately 700m width.
High priority targets within the Alpala cluster, at Moran approximately 700m to the north, and at Aguinaga approximately 2.3km northeast, are closely modeled by 3D MVI magnetic signatures that currently encompass over 10Bt of magnetic rock. Based on a strong spatial and genetic relationship between copper sulphides and magnetite, this body of magnetic rock is considered to be highly prospective for significant copper and gold mineralisation, and requires drill testing.
SolGold is focusing on extending the dimensions of the Alpala deposit including Hematite Hill, Alpala South East, Cristal, Alpala Northwest and Trivinio before completing a resource estimate and drill testing of the other key targets within the Cascabel concession at Aguinaga, Tandayama-America, Alpala West, Carmen, Alpala East, Moran, Parambas, and Chinambicito.
The Company is currently planning further metallurgical testing and completion of an independent Pre-Feasibility Study at Cascabel. SolGold is investigating both high tonnage open cut and underground block caving operations, as well as a high grade / low tonnage initial underground development towards the economic development of the copper-gold deposit/s at Cascabel.
Drill hole intercepts have been updated to reflect current commodity prices, using a data aggregation method, defined by copper equivalent cut-off grades and reported with up to 10m internal dilution, excluding bridging to a single sample. Copper equivalent grades are calculated using a gold conversion factor of 0.63, determined using an updated copper price of USD3.00/pound and an updated gold price of USD1300/ounce. True widths of downhole intersections are estimated to be approximately 25-50%.
Following a comprehensive review of the geology and prospectivity of Ecuador, SolGold and its subsidiaries have also applied for additional exploration licenses in Ecuador over a number of promising porphyry copper-gold targets throughout the Country. 38 such concessions have been granted and announced to date. SolGold is negotiating external funding options which will provide the Company with the ability to have some of these projects fully funded by a third party while focusing on Cascabel.
In Queensland, Australia the Company is evaluating the future exploration plans for the Mt Perry, Rannes and Normanby projects, with drill testing of the Normanby project planned for the coming quarter. Joint venture agreements are being investigated for a joint venture partner to commit funds and carry out exploration to earn an interest in the tenements.
SolGold retains interests in its original theatre of operations, Solomon Islands in the South West Pacific, where the 100% owned, but as yet undrilled, Kuma prospect on the island of Guadalcanal exhibits surface lithocap characteristics which are traditionally indicative of a large metal-rich copper-gold intrusive porphyry system. SolGold intends in the future to apply intellectual property and experience developed in Ecuador to target additional "World Class" copper-gold porphyries at Kuma and other targets in Ecuador and Argentina.
SolGold is based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The Company listed on London's AIM Market in 2006, and dual-listed onto the TSX in July 2017 (both exchanges using the ticker code: SOLG) and currently has on issue a total of 1,516,245,686 fully-paid ordinary shares, 31,795,884 share options exercisable at 28p; 9,795,884 share options exercisable at 14p and 46,762,000 share options exercisable at 60p.
SOURCE: SolGold plc
Public Relations Department, Eisai Co., Ltd. +81-3-3817-5120
TOKYO, Jan 19, 2018 - (JCN Newswire) - Sato Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. obtained marketing and manufacturing approval for the oral antifungal agent NAILIN Capsules 100mg containing the active ingredient fosravuconazole L-lysine ethanolate (fosravuconazole) for the treatment of onychomycosis in Japan on January 19, 2018.Sato Pharma and Eisai Co., Ltd. are jointly providing information on its proper use.Fosravuconazole, the active ingredient of NAILIN Capsules 100mg, is a new triazole class oral antifungal component discovered by Eisai. Sato Pharma conducted a Phase III clinical study of the agent in patients with onychomycosis in Japan, and after confirming efficacy and safety of the agent in the study, Sato Pharma applied for marketing and manufacturing authorization in January 2017.Onychomycosis affects 1 in every 10 Japanese people, and there are an estimated approximately 11 million sufferers in Japan. With Sato Pharma now having obtained marketing and manufacturing approval for NAILIN Capsules 100mg, as an oral treatment for onychomycosis, this is the first new treatment for the disease in approximately 20 years.By providing NAILIN Capsules 100mg as a new option for the treatment of onychomycosis, Sato Pharma and Eisai will strive to fulfil the needs of onychomycosis patients and healthcare professionals.About EisaiEisai Co., Ltd. (TSE:4523; ADR:ESALY) is a research-based human health care (hhc) company that discovers, develops and markets products throughout the world. Eisai focuses its efforts in three therapeutic areas: integrative neuroscience, including neurology and psychiatric medicines; integrative oncology, which encompasses oncotherapy and supportive-care treatments; and vascular/immunological reaction. Through a global network of research facilities, manufacturing sites and marketing subsidiaries, Eisai actively participates in all aspects of the worldwide healthcare system. For more information about Eisai Co., Ltd., please visit www.eisai.com.Source: EisaiContact:Copyright 2018 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) Customer Service Center Europe GmbH (CSC Europe) has signed a 12-year Fleet Management Program (FMP) agreement with HTM Helicopter Travel Munich GmbH (HTM) for the maintenance and support of 18 PW206B2 engines. P&WC is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
"This FMP agreement with HTM is tailored to meet their particular needs and will help them optimize their maintenance costs," says Carsten Behrens, General Manager, CSC Europe. "This FMP will provide customized, hands-on support to HTM's fleet of aircraft which fly in the challenging North Sea environment."
CSC Europe is a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney Canada and MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg.
"Our PW206B engines provide us with exceptional performance and reliability," says Bernd Brucherseifer, Managing Director, HTM Helicopter Travel Munich GmbH. "The new FMP agreement with P&WC CSC Europe for our H135 helicopter fleet will allow our engines to have access to OEM-quality work scopes, repairs and materials that will keep them in top operating condition."
HTM Helicopter Travel Munich was founded in 1997 and is one of the largest helicopter companies in Germany with IFR and offshore approval. Additionally, HTM manages its own flying school. HTM employs 23 helicopters at six locations in Germany and Austria and is planning to grow this fleet further.
Tailored specifically for HTM, the FMP plan will provide personalized support to meet both their technical and commercial needs. P&WC's FMP plan is a flexible, high-value engine management solution that helps lock in lower operating costs and simplifies fleet operations management. It also serves as a financial planning tool supporting efficient cash flow management, while allowing customers to focus on their core business.
P&WC will be at Helitech International 2017, booth 10B35. Interested operators are invited to drop by the booth to speak with a marketing or customer service representative.
100,000 Reasons To Go Beyond
P&WC reached a significant milestone in April 2017, when it produced its 100,000th engine, a testament to the company's longevity and leadership in the global aerospace market. P&WC will celebrate this achievement throughout the year, recognizing all families of products as well as dedicated employees and loyal customers who, together, have marked the many accomplishments of its journey.
About Pratt & Whitney Canada
Founded in 1928, and a global leader in aerospace, P&WC is shaping the future of aviation with dependable, high-technology engines. Based in Longueuil, Quebec (Canada), P&WC is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries.
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in levels of demand in the aerospace industry, in levels of air travel, and in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production, support, performance, and realization of anticipated benefits of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.'s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Note to Editors
Follow us on Twitter (www.twitter.com/pwcanada) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/PrattWhitneyCanada) for our latest news and updates.
Contacts:
Pratt & Whitney Canada
Jennifer Barron
+1 450 647-5009
jennifer.barron@pwc.ca
www.pwc.ca
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. dollar climbed against its major counterparts in pre-European deals on Friday, after San Francisco Fed President John Williams said a rate hike in December would be appropriate in the light of incoming economic data.
Speaking to BBC, Williams penciled in three further rate hikes next year, with interest rates returned gradually to 'a normal level' of about 2.5 percent.
He appreciated the Fed Chair Yellen, saying she had done a fantastic job 'during a very difficult period of time.'
Williams said he expects Yellen's successor Powel, who assumes power in February next year, would continue to make sure that the policy makers have a strong consensus around its policy decisions and strategy.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans released tax reform bill on Thursday with key differences from a version proposed by the House of Representatives, delaying the corporate tax cut until 2019 and keeping seven individual income tax brackets.
The Senate plan leaves the number of tax brackets at seven. The lowest bracket would be unchanged at 10 percent, but the top rate would be lowered to 38.5 percent.
The bill proposes to slash the corporate rate from 35 percent to 20 percent, but that would take effect only in 2019.
Today's U.S. economic calendar is light with only University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index for November due for release.
The currency held steady against its major rivals in the Asian session, with the exception of the euro.
The greenback advanced to 1.3113 against the pound and 1.1623 against the euro, from its early lows of 1.3158 and 1.1654, respectively. The next possible resistance for the greenback is seen around 1.29 against the pound and 1.15 against the euro.
The greenback rose to 0.9955 against the franc and 113.64 against the yen, off its prior lows of 0.9927 and 113.26, respectively. On the upside, 1.02 and 114.5 are likely seen as the next resistance levels for the greenback against the franc and the yen, respectively.
The greenback bounced off to 0.7670 against the aussie, from a 3-day low of 0.7695 hit at 1:45 am ET. The greenback is seen finding resistance around the 0.75 mark.
The greenback held steady against the kiwi, after rising to a 2-day high of 0.6921 at 9:30 pm ET. The pair finished Thursday's trading at 0.6947.
On the flip side, the greenback pared gains to 1.2669 against the loonie, from an early high of 1.2686. The greenback is likely to locate support around the 1.24 area.
Looking ahead, U.K. industrial production, trade data and consruction output for September are due in the European session.
The University of Michigan's preliminary consumer sentiment index for November is set for release at 10:00 am ET.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS -- (Marketwired) -- 01/15/18 -- ATLAS Mara Limited (LSE: ATMA)
LSE: ATMA
15 January 2018
Atlas Mara Increases Stake in Union Bank of Nigeria to 48.0%
Atlas Mara Limited ("Atlas Mara" or the "Company") announces that, following completion of the previously announced rights offering in Union Bank of Nigeria ("UBN"), Atlas Mara's aggregate direct and indirect shareholding in UBN has increased from 44.5% to 48.0%. UBN completed a 49.7 billion Naira (approximately USD$163 million) rights offering on the Nigerian Stock Exchange at a price of 4.10 Naira per share. Atlas Mara fully subscribed to the rights related to its pre-existing 44.5% shareholding, and acquired through the rights issue, additional shares representing a 3.5% shareholding, at a combined cost of $75 million.
Bob Diamond, Chairman of the Board of Atlas Mara said: "We are very pleased to have increased our stake in UBN at a time when leading indicators for Nigeria's macroeconomic performance continue to show improvement. We remain tremendously excited about the prospects for UBN and committed to building a premier financial services platform in Africa."
Contact Details
Investors
Kojo Dufu, +1 212 883 4330
Media
Teneo Blue Rubicon, +44 (20) 7260 2700
Anthony Silverman
About Atlas Mara
Atlas Mara Limited (LON: ATMA) is a financial services institution listed on the London Stock Exchange. Its vision is to create sub-Saharan Africa's premier financial services institution through organic and inorganic growth by combining the best of global institutional knowledge with extensive local insights. With a presence in seven sub-Saharan Africa countries, Atlas Mara aims to be a positive disruptive force in the markets in which we operate by leveraging technology to provide innovative and differentiated product offerings, excellent customer service and accelerate financial inclusion in the countries in which the Company operates. For more information, visit www.atlasmara.com.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
Contacts:
RNS
Customer
Services
0044-207797-4400
rns@londonstockexchange.com
http://www.rns.com
BERLIN, October 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
The Rhodes Forum opens this week with a strong African presence headlining a diverse array of high-profile international speakers to discuss and seek practical solutions to major global challenges being faced today.
Presidents Goodluck Jonathan (Nigeria, 2010-15) and Dioncounda Traore (Mali, 2012-13) will address the opening plenary session on 6 October alongside Oxford University's Professor of Globalisation and Development, Ian Goldin, a former adviser to Nelson Mandela; Dominique de Villepin, Prime Minister of France (2005-07); and Vladimir Yakunin, Co-founder and Chairman of the DOC Research Institute, the independent international think tank that organises the Forum.
Speaking in Abuja ahead of the Forum, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan said:
"The challenges facing the world today - whether financial crises, armed conflicts, increasing terrorist threats and immigration on an unprecedented scale - cannot be tackled by countries or even continents in isolation. They demand profound global thinking and willingness to seek solutions through dialogue, mutual respect and open-mindedness."
"African voices must be heard in this search for common solutions that benefit the whole of mankind, and international gatherings such as the Rhodes Forum provide an essential platform for this to happen. I am looking forward to this opportunity to make substantive contributions towards solving some of the most pressing problems facing humanity today."
First convened in 2003, the Rhodes Forum brings together concerned members of the international political, business, civil society and academic communities in a spirit of dialogue and inclusivity. Every year, hundreds of participants from more than 70 countries explore the major challenges facing the world and seek concrete, applicable solutions rooted in shared values of equality, mutual respect and compassion.
Taking as its theme 'Multipolarity and Dialogue in Regional and Global Developments: Imagining Possible Futures', this year's 15th Anniversary Rhodes Forum also hosts two focal events: a Summit on Globalisation, Dialogue, and the Future of Democracy; and a Summit on Global Infrastructure Development Scenarios.
About the DOC
The Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute is an international think tank that researches and develops proposals to address key challenges faced by the international community today.
Committed to seeking dialogue-based solutions to humankind's most pressing issues, the DOC builds on the legacy and expertise of the World Public Forum Dialogue of Civilizations. We bring together global thought leaders from academia, public policy, business, and civil society in order to foster debate, share experiences, and develop sound policy recommendations.
The idea of a public forum that would promote dialogue as a means of easing and preventing conflicts, contrary to the theory of an imminent clash of civilizations, followed the adoption of key documents by the UN. On 9 November 2001, UNESCO Member States unanimously adopted the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, and the UN General Assembly presented its Global Agenda for Dialogue Among Civilizations. These resolutions laid out principles of intercultural dialogue and laid the basis of the DOC.
The World Public Forum Dialogue of Civilizations (WPF), the predecessor of DOC, was founded to advocate for this initiative and help implement its objectives. The WPF was founded in 2002 by Indian entrepreneur and visionary the late Jagdish Kapur, business leader and philanthropist Dr. Vladimir Yakunin, and the businessman Nicholas F.S. Papanicolaou. The WPF has enjoyed UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Special Consultative Status and regularly collaborates with UNESCO.
The DOC is an independent, non-partisan think tank, and receives no government funding.
Media Contacts
Agnieszka Rzepka
Press Officer
+49-30209677900
media@doc-research.org
David Hatchwell Named as Chairman
OC Forms Strategic Partnership with Cardumen Capital
(see separate release here)
OurCrowd, a leading equity crowdfunding platform has announced the launch of its Iberian operations through the establishment of a new office in Madrid's financial district of the Paseo de la Castellana, bringing the company's offices to seven countries - Israel, the U.S., Canada, Australia, Singapore, with a planned expansion in the United Kingdom.
OurCrowd has also formed a strategic partnership with Cardumen Capital, a Spanish-Israeli venture fund investing in "Deep Technologies." The fund will be managed by former head and founder of Samsung Ventures Israel, Gonzalo Martinez de Azagra and former Head of Iberia at Hilco Capital, Igor de la Sota.
The news was released at an exclusive event on the eve of one of Europe's largest tech conferences: The South Summit, providing select investors, corporate partners, and venture capitalists' insight into the successes and opportunities offered by the Startup Nation.
OurCrowd's new Madrid based office will be chaired by David Hatchwell, Chairman of EXCEM, a Madrid based Family Group, and a leader of the Jewish community in Spain. The Hatchwells have been extremely active in the technology sector and are a significant component of the Spain-Israel commercial bilateral relationship.
"I am thrilled to be joining the OurCrowd team as it continues its growth into Spain's thriving tech community," said David Hatchwell, Chairman of OurCrowd Iberia. "OurCrowd presents the Spanish market with a significant opportunity to taste what is happening in one of the most advanced markets in the world of tech: Israel, as well as offer other global startup investment opportunities. OurCrowd Spain will operate with strong local partners active in building significant companies, and as we consolidate, we will invest in Spanish tech companies seeking to bring additional leaders from the local ecosystem onto the OurCrowd platform."
"We have chosen Iberia as one of our priority markets, as Madrid is in the heart of Europe and a gateway into South America," said OurCrowd Founder CEO Jon Medved.
"During the past 30 years the commercial relations between the two countries increased rapidly as both countries have experienced high growth rates. The Spanish capital is also home to an abundance of tech talent, including three first-rate business schools, IE, IESE and Esade. OurCrowd currently has over 20,000 investors from 112 countries participating on the platform and now is the right time to disrupt the world of innovation finance by expanding our base here."
Notes to Editors
About OurCrowd: OurCrowd is the leading global equity crowdfunding platform for accredited investors. Managed by a team of seasoned investment professionals and led by serial entrepreneur Jon Medved, OurCrowd vets and selects opportunities, invests its own capital, and brings companies to its accredited membership of global investors. OurCrowd provides post-investment support to its portfolio companies, assigns industry experts as mentors, and takes board seats. The OurCrowd community of almost 20,000 investors from over 112 countries has invested over $450M into 120 portfolio companies and funds. To join OurCrowd as an accredited investor visit http://www.ourcrowd.com and click "Join." For Spanish language site: http://es.ourcrowd.com.
OurCrowd Management (UK) Limited is an Appointed Representative of Met Facilities LLP, which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. OurCrowd Management (UK) Limited is registered in England. OurCrowd Iberia is a division of Management (UK) Limited, an Appointed Representative of Met Facilities LLP authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reference number 587084). OurCrowd Management (UK) Limited is registered in England (registration number 10522689).
David Hatchwell Bio: David Hatchwell Altaras holds an MBA in International Business and Finance from New York University's Stern School of Business and is a graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in Washington DC. He is President of EXCEM Group an investment and consultancy group of companies, as well as an international investor in several areas. Mr. Hatchwell worked in the Corporate Finance department at Goldman Sachs as well as in the Treasury Department at the Republic National Bank of New York, now HSBC. From 1992 to 2000 he lived in Beijing and he developed EXCEM Grupo's operations in China for the last 15 years with more than 20 projects achieved in various sectors (from purchasing cement for export purposes to distribution of telecom equipment). In 2003 he was responsible for bringing Real Madrid to China at a very critical moment, post SARS. That year he was named Honorary Citizen of the city of Kunming (Yunnan Province). He has been a founding member of the Executive Committee of the Spain-China Foundation since 2004. Mr. Hatchwell has been a founding member of the Spain-Israel Chamber of Commerce since 2006. He has been a member of YPO (Young Presidents Organisation) since 2005 and has been a member of its Spanish Executive Committee since 2006 and presiding the Madrid Chapter from January 2012 to June 2013. Since December 2011 Mr. Hatchwell is President of the Jewish Community of Madrid. Since July 2012 Mr. Hatchwell has been a member of the Juan Antonio Samaranch Foundation, whose main goal is to get a closer approach between Spain and China, as well as the organization of sport and training activities for young people. David Hatchwell is an investor and a member of the Advisory Board of OurCrowd, the leading equity crowdfunding platform in the world since 2016. In July 2016 Mr. Hatchwell was appointed member of the Board of the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM). Since September 2016 Mr. Hatchwell is the Chairman of the Real Estate Investment Trust Sociedad de Inversion Residencial (SIR), based in Spain and specialized in Student Housing. Mr. Hatchwell and his family have contributed to various philanthropic projects in Spain, Israel and China over the last 20 years.
For press materials: http://blog.ourcrowd.com/spain
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003005320/en/
Contacts:
Press:
OurCrowd
Leah Stern, Director of Communications
UK: +44 747 019 6826 USA: +1 703 626 4310/ IL: +972 54 341 4861
leah@ourcrowd.com
First Spanish based fund to focus on Israeli startup investment
OurCrowd, a leading equity crowdfunding platform today announces that it has formed a strategic partnership with Cardumen Capital, a Spanish-Israeli venture capital fund focused on Deep Tech startup investments. The fund, authorized by the Spanish Securities Market Commission (CNMV) is led by former head of Samsung Ventures Israel, Gonzalo Martinez de Azagra, known for such investments as PrimeSense (acq. by Apple), Replay Technologies (acq. by Intel), and Corephotonics.
"Spanish investors will now have the opportunity to focus on investing in Israeli companies, building ties between Israeli and Spanish technologies," said OurCrowd CEO Jon Medved.
"We are excited for this new chapter in Spanish Israel relations," said Cardumen Co-Founder and Managing General Partner, Gonzalo Martinez de Azagra. "Together with OurCrowd, we are building a global community with an experienced team led by leading venture capitalists. Our bilateral fund will invest in pure high-tech companies, as we did at Samsung Ventures, and give access to institutional and corporate investors to these unique opportunities."
This partnership is part of a growing group of global alliances announced by OurCrowd recently, such as: United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) in Singapore, The National Australia Bank (NAB) in Australia, The Shanghai Commercial Savings Bank (SCSB) in Taiwan, Reliance Private Client in India and Innogy SE in Germany.
Notes to Editors
About OurCrowd: OurCrowd is the leading global equity crowdfunding platform for accredited investors. Managed by a team of seasoned investment professionals and led by serial entrepreneur Jon Medved, OurCrowd vets and selects opportunities, invests its own capital, and brings companies to its accredited membership of global investors. OurCrowd provides post-investment support to its portfolio companies, assigns industry experts as mentors, and takes board seats. The OurCrowd community of almost 20,000 investors from over 112 countries has invested over $450M into 120 portfolio companies and funds. To join OurCrowd as an accredited investor visit http://www.ourcrowd.com and click "Join." For Spanish language site: http://es.ourcrowd.com.
OurCrowd Management (UK) Limited is an Appointed Representative of Met Facilities LLP, which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. OurCrowd Management (UK) Limited is registered in England. OurCrowd Iberia is a division of Management (UK) Limited, an Appointed Representative of Met Facilities LLP authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reference number 587084). OurCrowd Management (UK) Limited is registered in England (registration number 10522689).
About Cardumen Capital: Cardumen Capital SGEIC, S.A. is a leading venture capital firm authorized by the Spanish Securities Market Commission (CNMV) that invests in companies with deep technologies in Israel and Spain. Managed by the former Head of Samsung Ventures Israel, Gonzalo Martinez de Azagra together with the former Head of Iberia at Hilco Capital, Igor de la Sota. With offices in Israel and Spain, Cardumen Capital focuses on areas such as Computer Vision, Artificial Inteligence, Cybersecurity or Big data among others. For more information please visit: www.cardumencapital.com / or email at: info@cardumencapital.com.
For press materials: http://blog.ourcrowd.com/spanishfund
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003005340/en/
Contacts:
Press
OurCrowd
Leah Stern, Director of Communications
UK: +44 747 019 6826 USA: +1 703 626 4310 IL: +972 54 341 4861
leah@ourcrowd.com
IRW-PRESS: Sharc International Systems Inc.: Sharc International Technology informiert uber Veranderungsschritte des Unternehmens
Sharc International Technology informiert uber Veranderungsschritte des Unternehmens
VANCOUVER, B.C., 19. Oktober 2017 - Sharc International Systems Inc., (SHARC oder das Unternehmen) (CSE: SHRC) (FWB: IWIA) (OTCQB: INTWD) freut sich, uber die aktuelle Lage des Unternehmens zu berichten und skizziert seine Strategie fur die nachste Zukunft.
SHARC hat im Zuge seiner Forschungsarbeiten der letzten sechs Jahre eine preisgekronte Technologie entwickelt, mit der Abwarme aus Abwasser ruckgewonnen werden kann. Die Methode ist nicht nur mit geringen CO2-Emissionen verbunden, sondern bietet auch wirtschaftliche Vorteile. Das heurige Jahr markiert fur das Unternehmen einen Wendepunkt, an dem der Ubergang vom Forschungs- und Entwicklungsstadium hin zur Vermarktung der innovativen Warmeruckgewinnungstechnologie vollzogen wird.
Im Zuge dieser Ubergangsphase hat das Unternehmen vor einigen Monaten auch seinen Firmennamen von International Wastewater Systems Inc. in Sharc International Systems Inc. geandert. Der neue Name tragt der Strategie des Unternehmens besser Rechnung, nachdem das Unternehmen kurz vor der Vermarktung steht und ein Verkaufs- und Implementierungsprogramms einleiten wird, das SHARC seinen Erstanbietervorteil in allen Landern der Welt sichern soll.
In diesem Zeitraum hat das Unternehmen rund 14 Systeme installiert und in mehreren Kontinenten Heiz- und Kuhlsysteme auf mehr als 5 Millionen Quadratfu Grundflache geschaffen, neue internationale Markte sondiert, die Systeme SHARC und PIRANHA im Zuge von Pilotprojekten und strengen Testverfahren weiterentwickelt und verfeinert sowie erfolgreich die effizienteste Implementierungsmethode fur unsere Technologie und unser Leistungsangebot entwickelt.
Mit seinem Fokus auf den Verkauf technischer Anlagen und den Abschluss von Warmekaufvertragen (HPAs) hat das Unternehmen ein bevorzugtes Leistungserbringungssystem entwickelt. Das effiziente Leistungserbringungssystem des Unternehmens ermoglicht SHARC eine dauerhafte Zusammenarbeit mit den Endverbrauchern, um deren Energieeffizienz zu verbessern und CO2-Emissionen zu senken.
Schottland und Kalifornien haben ein Umfeld der Akzeptanz geschaffen, da die Notwendigkeit der Erfullung gesetzlicher Auflagen zu einer verstarkten Nachfrage nach Umweltenergietechnologien gefuhrt hat. In beiden Rechtssystemen wurden ambitionierte Emissionsziele erlassen und hohe Investitionen in eine saubere Wirtschaft getatigt, um so die gesteckten Ziele zur Bekampfung des Klimawandels zu erreichen.
Schottland
Die schottische Regierung hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, ihre CO2-Emissionen durch die Implementierung von Umwelttechnologien drastisch zu senken. Die politischen Manahmen und Anreizsysteme fur erneuerbare Energien des Landes schaffen einen florierenden Absatzmarkt fur die Technologie von SHARC. Die strategische Allianz des Unternehmens mit Scottish Water, dem offentlichen Wasserversorgungsunternehmen der schottischen Regierung, hat den Weg fur funf erste Projekte geebnet. Die Bauarbeiten haben bereits begonnen und werden voraussichtlich im 3. Quartal 2018 abgeschlossen. Mit seiner internationalen Fuhrungsrolle bei der Bekampfung des Klimawandels hat Schottland auch den perfekten Standort fur SHARCs neu errichtete Firmenzentrale in Europa zur Verfugung gestellt. Von hier aus will das Unternehmen in ganz Schottland und auch in die ubrigen Lander der Europaischen Union expandieren.
Kalifornien
In Kalifornien hat die kalifornische Energiebehorde (California Energy Commission) mageblich zur aktuellen Energiepolitik des Bundesstaates und zum Ausstieg aus den fossilen Brennstoffen beigetragen. Dadurch werden ideale Marktbedingungen fur die Abwasserwarmeruckgewinnungstechnologie des Unternehmens geschaffen. Um sein Wachstum zu starken, hat SHARC mit regionalen Partnern wie Prospect Silicon Valley und RENEW Energy Partners LLC strategische Allianzen gebildet. Das Unternehmen wird in Kurze uber den aktuellen Stand im Zusammenhang mit den Title 24- und UL-Zertifizierungen informieren, die in Kalifornien Grundvoraussetzung fur Verkaufsabschlusse sind.
Die Durchfuhrung der erforderlichen Forschungs- und Entwicklungsarbeiten durch Pilotprojekte, Tests und Zertifizierungen haben zwar zu Verzogerungen bei der Umsetzung der Projekte des Unternehmens in Schottland und Kalifornien gefuhrt; diese Prozessen haben aber auch die notwendige Grundlage fur SHARC geschaffen, um eine Vermarktung und Expansion auf globaler Ebene zu ermoglichen.
CEO Lynn Mueller erklart: Sechs Jahre Planungs- und Entwicklungsarbeit an den SHARC-Systemen mit einem engagierten Team aus Technikern und Designern haben uns ermoglicht, dieses neue Kapitel aufzuschlagen. Wir freuen uns darauf, allen die von unserem Team entwickelte erstklassige Umweltenergietechnologie zu prasentieren. Gemeinsam wird es uns gelingen, verstarkt gegen den Klimawandel vorzugehen.
Uber Sharc International Systems Inc.
Sharc International Systems Inc. ist ein global fuhrendes Unternehmen im Bereich der Warmeruckgewinnung. Systeme von SHARC recyceln die Warmeenergie aus Abwassern und erzeugen hochgradig energieeffiziente und wirtschaftliche Anlagen fur das Heizen, Kuhlen und die Warmwassererzeugung in gewerblichen, privaten und industriellen Gebauden. SHARC notiert an den Borsen in Kanada (CSE: SHARC), in den Vereinigten Staaten (OTC: INTWD) und in Deutschland (Frankfurt: IWIA).
Weitere Informationen uber das Unternehmen finden Sie auf unserer Webseite unter www.sharcenergy.com oder unter unserem Firmenprofil auf der SEDAR-Website (www.sedar.com).
FUR DAS BOARD: Lynn Mueller Lynn Mueller Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Nahere Informationen erhalten Sie uber:
Zach Hillhouse Telefon: (604) 788-1091 E-Mail: zach.hillhouse@iws-sharc.com
Die CSE ubernimmt keine Verantwortung fur die Richtigkeit oder Genauigkeit dieser Meldung.
Zukunftsgerichtete Informationen
Diese Pressemeldung enthalt gewisse Aussagen, die als zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen gelten. Samtliche in dieser Pressemitteilung enthaltenen Aussagen - mit Ausnahme von historischen Fakten -, die sich auf die vom Unternehmen erwarteten Ereignisse oder Entwicklungen beziehen, gelten als zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen. Zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen sind Aussagen, die nicht auf historischen Fakten beruhen und im Allgemeinen, jedoch nicht immer, mit Begriffen wie erwartet, plant, antizipiert, glaubt, schatzt, prognostiziert, potentiell und ahnlichen Ausdrucken dargestellt werden bzw. in denen zum Ausdruck gebracht wird, dass Ereignisse oder Umstande eintreten werden, wurden, konnten oder sollten. Obwohl das Unternehmen annimmt, dass die in solchen zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen zum Ausdruck gebrachten Erwartungen auf realistischen Annahmen basieren, lassen solche Aussagen keine Ruckschlusse auf die zukunftige Performance zu. Die tatsachlichen Ergebnisse konnen wesentlich von jenen der zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen abweichen. Zu den Faktoren, die dazu fuhren konnten, dass sich die tatsachlichen Ergebnisse erheblich von jenen in den zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen unterscheiden, zahlen unter anderem regulatorische Manahmen, die Marktpreise, die erfolgreiche Forderung und Exploration, die dauerhafte Verfugbarkeit von Kapital und Finanzmittel und die allgemeine Wirtschafts-, Markt- oder Geschaftslage. Die Anleger werden darauf hingewiesen, dass solche Aussagen keine Garantie fur zukunftige Leistungen darstellen, und dass sich die tatsachlichen Ergebnisse oder Entwicklungen erheblich von jenen unterscheiden konnen, die in den zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen angenommen wurden. Zukunftsgerichtete Aussagen basieren auf den Annahmen, Schatzungen und Meinungen des Managements zum Zeitpunkt der Auerung dieser Aussagen. Sollten sich die Annahmen, Schatzungen oder Meinungen des Managements bzw. andere Faktoren andern, ist das Unternehmen nicht verpflichtet, diese zukunftsgerichteten Aussagen dem aktuellen Stand anzupassen, es sei denn, dies wird in den geltenden Wertpapiergesetzen ausdrucklich gefordert.
Die Ausgangssprache (in der Regel Englisch), in der der Originaltext veroffentlicht wird, ist die offizielle, autorisierte und rechtsgultige Version. Diese Ubersetzung wird zur besseren Verstandigung mitgeliefert. Die deutschsprachige Fassung kann gekurzt oder zusammengefasst sein. Es wird keine Verantwortung oder Haftung: fur den Inhalt, fur die Richtigkeit, der Angemessenheit oder der Genauigkeit dieser Ubersetzung ubernommen. Aus Sicht des Ubersetzers stellt die Meldung keine Kauf- oder Verkaufsempfehlung dar! Bitte beachten Sie die englische Originalmeldung auf www.sedar.com, www.sec.gov, www.asx.com.au/ oder auf der Firmenwebsite!
Die englische Originalmeldung finden Sie unter folgendem Link: http://www.irw-press.at/press_html.aspx?messageID=41188 Die ubersetzte Meldung finden Sie unter folgendem Link: http://www.irw-press.at/press_html.aspx?messageID=41188&tr=1
NEWSLETTER REGISTRIERUNG:
Aktuelle Pressemeldungen dieses Unternehmens direkt in Ihr Postfach: http://www.irw-press.com/alert_subscription.php?lang=de&isin=CA81948 A1021
Mitteilung ubermittelt durch IRW-Press.com. Fur den Inhalt ist der Aussender verantwortlich.
Kostenloser Abdruck mit Quellenangabe erlaubt.
ISIN CA81948A1021
AXC0131 2017-10-20/12:23
Energy Web Atlas leads the market with expanded LNG and pipeline data and improved import and annotation functions
HOUSTON, Jan. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --Gulf Publishing Company, a leading provider of data and technical information for the international energy industry, announced today several enhancements to the Energy Web Atlas (EWA) applications. The ESRI-based geographic information system (GIS) platform allows users to examine real-time project information, export and manipulate data, and serves as a comprehensive source of actionable project intelligence.
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/629017/Gulf_Publishing_Energy_Web_Atlas.jpg
EWA's flagship mapping platform includes detailed information on every liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, providing users with a single reference source for global LNG data as well as comprehensive global pipeline information. Additional features for the LNG platform includes:
Ability for users to import their own external data to existing EWA maps;
Capability to add custom annotation and symbols to maps; and
A new Global Shipping Ports layer that contains over 3,600 global ports with critical information including port name, channel depths and maximum vessel size.
"Providing the option for users to include their own external data, whether it's a Shape file, Excel file or URL-based data, such as ArcGIS Server, KML or WMS Service, is another way the EWA platform provides continual improvement and innovation to the marketplace," said Scott Allgood, Director of Data for Gulf Publishing Company.
An additional data platform tracking more than 500 U.S. gas processing plants, natural gas underground storage and market hubs is also available, equipping users with essential data and contacts for hundreds of facilities across the nation. Other advancements to the platform are:
A natural gas pipelines layer that includes current data such as project name, length, capacity, linked projects and important contact information;
Compressor stations layer that consists of about 1,400 stations including name, type of station, and pipeline operator information; and
Advanced spatial filtering and querying.
These subscription-based products, which are updated in real time, allow customers to interact with the latest data. Further map platforms covering renewable energy projects, downstream construction projects, and oil and gas pipeline infrastructure will be added to the Energy Web Atlas in 2018. To learn more, visit Energy Web Atlas at http://energywebatlas.com.
ABOUT GULF PUBLISHING COMPANY
For more than 100 years, Gulf Publishing Company has been the leading provider of business and technical knowledge for the global oil and gas industry. Since its formation in 1916, the company has evolved from a single publication-The Oil Weekly, which was dedicated to upstream activity in the Gulf Coast area of the United States-to a diversified information company, with coverage spanning the upstream, midstream and downstream. Headquartered in Houston, Gulf Publishing Company produces seven trade journals for the oil and gas industry: World Oil, Hydrocarbon Processing, Gas Processing, Petroleum Economist, Pipeline & Gas Journal, Pipeline News and Underground Construction.
MEDIA CONTACT
Scott Allgood, Director Data Services
Gulf Publishing Company
Scott.Allgood@EnergyWebAtlas.com
713.520.4464
ZUG, Switzerland, October 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Streamr, the decentralized peer-to-peer data sharing protocol, today announced the success of its precontribution window which reached its 5 million CHF hard cap in 25 minutes. Tokenizing real-time data, Streamr enables a new way for machines and people to trade data on a decentralized P2P network.
"The centralization of existing data infrastructure has left current systems vulnerable, concentrated, and uninspiring. As we see the explosion of decentralized apps and technologies, it is now time for real-time data from connected devices to share that independence in a robust, secure, and persistent manner. Our platform provides the missing link that makes pipe-dreams of unrestricted, unstoppable data a reality," Streamr CEO and Co-founder Henri Pihkala said.
Frustrated by the inefficiencies and limitations of traditional centralized data distribution systems, Streamr Network AG was co-founded this year by Henri Pihkala, Nikke Nylund and Risto" "Karjalainen to offer scalable, low-latency, and secure data delivery. The founding team has worked together for years building an advanced streaming analytics platform which is now being decentralized by Streamr.
Streamr CEO Henri Pihkala previously worked as a software engineer and an algorithmic trader, leading the development of several high-frequency algorithmic trading platforms. Nikke Nylund is a serial entrepreneur with several successful exits in the software sector. With a Ph.D. in Decision Sciences from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, COO Risto" "Karjalainen brings a wealth of knowledge onreal-time computing, machine learning, and behavioral finance. Karjalainen previously worked as a Quant and Portfolio Manager with JP Morgan and Merrill Lynch before immersing himself into the world of real-time data and decentralized computing.
Connecting producers and consumers, Streamr aims to create a market for real-time data. The Data Market categorizes and showcases publicly available data streams. The Streamr token, DATAcoin, is needed to access and operate the market, and to compensate nodes in the P2P network. Subscribers pay for the data with the token while producers and participants are reimbursed automatically and securely.
Advising Streamr as a Technical Expert is Julian Zawistowski, CEO and Co-Founder of Golem, the first global market for idle computer power. Recognizing the shared vision and complementary goals of the two projects, Streamr and Golem began to mutually address the technical overlap in July 2017.
"This partnership brings together some of the most innovative minds in the industry. As we collaborate with Streamr we are not only improving efficiencies but benefiting the wider community. Working simultaneously opens the door to tremendous talent and technology. The partnership will take us, one step at a time, towards a decentralized future," Zawistowski said.
A luminary in decentralized technology, Julian Zawistowski joins Streamr's stellar board of advisors, consisting of trailblazers like Wendell Davis, an early instigator for many blockchain-related companies and projects, including OmiseGO and Golem, Thomas Greco, special advisor to OmiseGO, and Dr. Luka Muller, Co-founder of MME and legal advisor to Ethereum, Consensys, and Bancor. Kimmo Halunen, Senior Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland with over 20 publications on information security and cryptography, has also joined Streamr as its Cybersecurity Advisor.
"Streamr seeks to deliver unstoppable data to unstoppable applications. We cannot do so without the continued support of our passionate community. The overwhelming success of our precontribution period is both encouraging and inspiring, and we are incredibly grateful to our early participants as well as to the wider Streamr community," added Pihkala.
Opening on September 14, the Streamr precontribution window was the first of its kind on Bitcoin Suisse, the world's leading crypto-asset broker and asset manager. Operating on a registration model, interested parties underwent a thorough Know Your Customer (KYC) evaluation prior to participating. Following this model, Streamr could proactively manage and prevent any risks associated with token sales, while also raising a substantial amount.
Bitcoin Suisse Head of ICO and Streamr advisor Nicolai Oster said, "Working closely with the Streamr team has been extraordinary, and I am proud to help them as an advisor. In my professional capacity, I see dozens of new projects every single day, and Streamr stands out as a project with terrific potential backed by deep technical experience and competence."
Following the successful precontribution period, registration for the Streamr crowd contribution period will commence on October 9, 2017, at 12 noon UTC with DATA tokens available at a rate of 1 CHF = 18.25 DATA. The overall cap for all contributions is 30 million CHF.
For more information visit www.streamr.com.
Streamr Co-Founder and CEO Henri Pihkala is available for interview
About Streamr:
Streamr, the technology stack for real-time data, aims to tokenize the value in data by enabling a new way for machines and people to trade it on a decentralized P2P network. Founded in 2017 by Henri Pihkala, Nikke Nylund and Risto" "Karjalainen, Streamr offers scalable, low-latency, and untamperable data delivery and persistence in an effort to overcome the limitations of traditional centralized real-time data platforms.
Media Contact:
Alex Sheehan
Account Supervisor
Wachsman PR
alex@wachsmanpr.com
+353-87-097-9702
CHICAGO, IL -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 --Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: MEI) ("Methode"), a global developer of custom engineered and application-specific products and solutions, announced that it has completed the acquisition of Pacific Insight Electronics Corp. ("Pacific Insight"), a global lighting, electronics and full-service solutions provider to the transportation industry, in a cash transaction. Methode funded the total consideration of approximately US$114 million with available cash and its existing credit facility. Methode expects the acquisition to be accretive to earnings in its current fiscal year ending April 28, 2018.
Methode's President and CEO Don Duda said, "With this acquisition and Methode's global scope, Pacific Insight will meet its customers' requested expansion into Asia and Europe, Methode will broaden its portfolio of advanced technologies for LED based ambient and direct lighting solutions, and the combined operations will be positioned to provide additional opportunities for all our stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders." Mr. Duda concluded, "I am delighted to officially welcome the employees of Pacific Insight to Methode Electronics, and look forward to the growth we can achieve as one company."
Pacific Insight is a global solutions provider offering design, development, manufacturing and delivery of lighting and electronic products and full service solutions to the automotive and commercial vehicle markets. A focus on design and manufacturing excellence, responsiveness and customer service has made the company a preferred partner of choice for OEMs. Lighting is fast becoming one of the most critical elements for automotive OEMs to innovate and differentiate their vehicles to attract customers. Pacific Insight's advanced technologies, including LED lighting systems and electronic modules, are driving automotive advancement and creating a better driving experience.
Methode will update guidance to include the acquisition of Pacific Insight and any other relevant factors in conjunction with its second-quarter earnings release.
The Company expects pre-tax costs related to the acquisition in the range of $4.8 million to $5.2 million, of which $1.5 million was recognized in the first quarter.
Foros acted as financial adviser to Methode. Locke Lord LLP, Stikeman Elliott LLP and Jones Day served as counsel to Methode. Ernst & Young supported Methode's due diligence process.
About Methode
Methode (NYSE: MEI) is a global developer of custom engineered and application specific products and solutions with manufacturing, design and testing facilities in Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. We design, manufacture and market devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, safety radio remote control, sensing and optical technologies to control and convey signals through sensors, interconnections and controls. Our business is managed on a segment basis, with those segments being Automotive, Interface, Power Products and Other. Our components are in the primary end markets of the automobile, computer, information processing and networking equipment, voice and data communication systems, consumer electronics, appliances, aerospace vehicles and industrial equipment industries. Further information can be found on Methode's website www.methode.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor protection provided under the securities laws. Methode undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in Methode's expectations on a quarterly basis or otherwise. The forward-looking statements in this press release involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are detailed in Methode's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as our annual and quarterly reports. Such factors may include, without limitation, the following: (1) dependence on a small number of large customers, including two large automotive customers; (2) dependence on the automotive, appliance, computer and communications industries; (3) investment in programs prior to the recognition of revenue; (4) timing, quality and cost of new program launches; (5) ability to withstand price pressure, including pricing concessions; (6) currency fluctuations; (7) customary risks related to conducting global operations; (8) ability to successfully market and sell Dabir surfaces; (9) dependence on our supply chain; (10) income tax rate fluctuations; (11) dependence on the availability and price of raw materials; (12) fluctuations in our gross margins; (13) location of a significant amount of cash outside of the U.S.; (14) the effect of a catastrophic event or significant business interruption at one of our facilities; (15) ability to keep pace with rapid technological changes; (16) a breach of our information technology systems; (17) ability to avoid design or manufacturing defects; (18) ability to compete effectively; (19) ability to protect our intellectual property; (20) ability to successfully benefit from acquisitions and divestitures; (21) the recognition of impairment charges; and (22) costs and expense due to regulations regarding conflict minerals.
For Methode:
Kristine Walczak
Dresner Corporate Services
312-780-7205
kwalczak@dresnerco.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 18, 2017) - Alternative IQ today announced the winners of the 10th Annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards, the highest honour in Canada's hedge fund industry. The awards were presented yesterday evening at a Gala Dinner at One King West Hotel in Toronto with over 150 guests in attendance.
The Gala Awards Dinner was preceded in the afternoon by THE Canadian Hedge Fund Conference at which Pension Funds, Family Offices and IIROC Dealers discussed their attitudes and intentions about investing in hedge funds, and shared their views on the trends in Canada's hedge fund industry and how the industry will grow going forward.
The Canadian Hedge Fund Awards help investors identify the most exceptional hedge funds of the year, recognizing winners in 4 categories as well as the Overall Best 2017 Canadian Hedge Fund. A total of 208 Canadian hedge funds participated in the 2017 CHFA program. The awards are based solely on quantitative performance data to June 30th, with Fundata Canada managing the collection and tabulation of the data to determine the winners. There is no nomination process or subjective assessment in identifying the winning hedge funds.
The 2017 Canadian Hedge Fund Award winners are:
Overall Best 2017 Canadian Hedge Fund:
(based on best combined 10 year annualized return and Sharpe ratio).
Place Fund Name 10 Year Return 10 Year Sharpe Ratio 1st Blair Franklin Global Credit Fund 12.17 % 3.23 2nd PH&N Absolute Return Fund 13.31 % 1.55 3rd King & Victoria Fund LP 14.88 % 1.04
Equity Focused Category
Best 1 Year Return:
1st Goodwood SPValue Fund 87.56 % 2nd Loubani Fund I LP 72.31 % 3rd AlphaNorth Partners Fund 43.63 %
Best 5 Year Return:
1st ROMC Fund 18.07 % 2nd DKAM Capital Ideas Fund 17.55 % 3rd Maxam Diversified Strategies Fund 15.90 %
Best 5 Year Sharpe Ratio:
1st Maxam Diversified Strategies Fund 2.23 2nd Exemplar Canadian Focus Portfolio 1.79 3rd Calrossie Partners Fund 1.77
Credit Focused Category:
Best 1 Year Return:
1st Picton Mahoney Special Situations Fund 24.77 % 2nd Picton Mahoney Income Opportunities Fund 23.95 % 3rd Fulcra Credit Opportunities Fund 21.54 %
Best 5 Year Return:
1st Goodwood Milford Fund 9.82 % 2nd Venator Income Fund 9.16 % 3rd RP Debt Opportunities Fund 8.88 %
Best 5 Year Sharpe Ratio:
1st RP Debt Opportunities Fund 3.22 2nd Blair Franklin Global Credit Fund 3.18 3rd Lawrence Park Credit Strategies Fund 2.26
Market Neutral Category:
Best 1 Year Return:
1st Amethyst Arbitrage Fund (Canada) 10.78 % 2nd HGC Arbitrage Fund LP 9.30 % 3rd WARATAH One 5.52 %
Best 5 Year Return:
1st CC&L Global Equity Market Neutral Fund 12.84 % 2nd CC&L Market Neutral Fund 9.96 % 3rd WARATAH One 6.41 %
Best 5 Year Sharpe Ratio:
1st WARATAH One 1.62 2nd Ross Smith Capital Investment Fund 1.53 3rd Curvature LP 1.38
Global Macro/Managed Futures/Multi-Strategy Category:
Best 1 Year Return:
1st PH&N Absolute Return Fund 16.78 % 2nd Barometer Global Macro Pool 15.79 % 3rd MacNicol & Associates Absolute Return Fund 13.08 %
Best 5 Year Return:
1st Claret Global Multi-Asset Fund 12.32 % 2nd Barometer Global Macro Pool 12.14 % 3rd PH&N Absolute Return Fund 11.70 %
Best 5 Year Sharpe Ratio:
1st JM Catalyst Fund 2.49 2nd Kensington Hedge Fund 1 2.01 3rd PH&N Absolute Return Fund 1.39
Average Performance of Canadian Hedge Funds to June 30, 2017
By Category 1 Yr Return 5 Yr Return 5 Yr Sharpe Ratio Credit Focused 10.38% 6.11% 1.69 Equity Focused 10.03% 7.01% 0.83 Market Neutral 1.52% 5.89% 1.03 Global Macro/Managed Futures/Multi-Strategy 1.64% 6.38% 0.84 All Hedge Funds in the 2017 CHFAs 7.39% 6.63% 0.96
Awards were also presented to those service providers that Canadian hedge fund managers voted most valuable to them: SGGG Fund Services received the award for top Canadian Hedge Fund Administrator, the top Canadian Prime Broker award went to CIBC Prime Services, McMillan was awarded top Canadian Law Firm and KPMG was voted the top Canadian Accounting Firm.
The 2017 Canadian Hedge Fund Awards program would not be possible without the generous support of its Sponsors:
Principal Sponsors: Fundata Canada and KPMG LLP
Table Sponsors: Apex Fund Services, SS&C CommonWealth and SGGG Fund Services,
Contributing Presenters: CIBC Capital Markets, McMillan and Sigma Analysis and Management
Associate Sponsors: Alliance Sales and Marketing, AUM Law, and Independent Review Inc, and
Media Partners: 100 Women in Finance, CAIA, Hedge Fund Alert, NEMA, and Newsfile
Help for Children was the Chosen Charity Partner for the 2017 Canadian Hedge Fund Awards program.
For more information about the annual CHFA program, the 2017 Top Contenders and the full directory of hedge funds participating in the 2017 Canadian Hedge Fund program, go to: www.alternativeiq.com or call:
Julie Makepeace
Managing Director, Alternative IQ and President, Alliance Sales and Marketing,Inc.
jmakepeace@alliancesalesandmarketing.com
416-906-3782
About Alternative IQ: Alternative IQ produces the annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards, held in Toronto each October (performance as at June 30th), the 'Winners Showcase' events which present managers of the award-winning hedge funds to investors, and various other programs and publications serving the hedge fund industry in Canada. Alternative IQ is dedicated to celebrating, supporting and expanding Canada's Hedge Fund Industry. AIQ is a division of Alliance Sales and Marketing, Inc.
About the Annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards: The Annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards were first held in 2008 and have a two-fold objective: First, to celebrate the talent and accomplishments of Canada's hedge fund industry, and second, to draw attention to Canada's hedge funds by raising the awareness of that expertise in the media and among the wider investment community.
RIMOUSKI, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 12/20/17 -- Puma Exploration Inc. (the "Company" or "Puma") (TSX VENTURE: PUM)(SSE: PUMA) has completed the second phase of a trenching program in the Murray Brook area. 29 trenches for a total of 1,900 meters were excavated at close proximity of the Murray Brook Deposit. Two (2) new showings found at respectively 100 meters west and 300 meters east from the Murray Brook Deposit (see figure 1) and will be the first priority targets. The results of the trenching program are pending.
The mineralized zones will be the sites of the first holes to be drilled in the Murray Brook area. The technical team is on site in order to get the drill sites and access road ready for the current drilling program. 5,000 meters of drilling is planned to begin at close proximity of the Deposit and will move next to the Murray Brook East Property contiguous to the Caribou Mining Lease held by Trevali Mining Corp.
Puma completed 34 trenches for a total of 3800 meters at Murray Brook East Property in the first phase of the program conducted during the fall for a total of 69 trenches in 2017. Several discoveries and observations made during the program have been helpful in the planning of the current drilling campaign. These observations include the lithologic contact between sediments (VMS host rock) and the felsic volcanics as well as mafic dikes and structures. The objective of this major trenching program was to verify the nature of the first priority targets at surface defined by Puma geologists and to locate precisely the current drilling targets. These first priority targets are based on major gravity, chargeability and Megatem (Em) anomalies identified.
Puma is proceeding with a geochemical drillcore sampling program within the footwall and hangwall zones of the Murray Brook Deposit to determine the alteration model along the favorable horizon. This alteration survey will also help defining more precisely the drilling targets.
About the Murray Brook Project
The Murray Brook Project consists of three (3) distinct contiguous areas that cover more than 18 kilometers of the favorable rocks that host the operating Caribou Mine (Trevali Mining Corp.), the Murray Brook Deposit and the past operating Restigouche Mine (Trevali Mining Corp.). From east to west, the project comprises the Murray Brook East Property (4925), the Murray Brook Mining Lease (# 252) and the Murray Brook West Property (7846) (refer to website).
The Murray Brook East and Murray Brook West Properties have been subject to various degrees of exploration and share the same potential of increasing the mineral resources defined at the Murray Brook Deposit. The Company has defined several future priority targets on these properties.
The Murray Brook deposit has a currently defined measured and indicated mineral resources of 5.28 million tonnes averaging 5.24% zinc, 1.80% lead, 0.46% copper, 68.9 g/t silver and 0.65 g/t gold. The core of the mineral resource occurs in the West Zone which is 200 meters wide, extending from surface to 300 meters vertical and the true thickness of the massive sulphide body varies from 75 meters to 100 meters. The East Zone (Copper-Gold) is 100 meters wide, also extending from surface to 300 vertical meters and is mainly mineralized with gold and copper. On February 20th 2017, a NI 43-101 report was accepted and filed on SEDAR.
About Puma Exploration Inc.
Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company with advanced precious and base metals projects in Canada. The Company's major assets consist of an option to acquire 100% beneficial interest in the Murray Brook Property, the Turgeon Zinc-Copper Project and the Nicholas-Denys Project located in New Brunswick as well as an equity interest in BWR Resources, Manitoba. Puma's objective for the coming year is to focus its exploration efforts in New Brunswick.
Qualified Persons and QC/AC
The content of this press release was prepared by Marcel Robillard, P.Geo., President and Dominique Gagne, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of Puma Exploration, qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101, who supervised the preparation and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Mr. Robillard and Mr. Gagne are not independent of the Company, as both are officers and shareholders thereof. The samples were prepared, sent, processed at ALS Val D'Or, Quebec and ALS Sudbury, Ontario. All samples were assayed by ME-ICP41 method and gold was assayed by AU-AA26 method. QA/QC are monitored by the analysis of blanks, reference material and replicate samples at a frequency of one (1) of each per 30 samples.
You can visit us on Facebook and Twitter.
Learn more by consulting www.pumaexploration.com for further information on Puma Exploration Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Puma Exploration Inc. to be materially different from actual future results and achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date the statements were made, except as required by law. Puma Exploration undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the quarterly and annual reports and in the documents submitted to the securities administration.
To view the figure associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/171220_PUM_Figure1.jpg
Contacts:
Puma Exploration Inc.
Marcel Robillard
President
(418) 724-0901
president@explorationpuma.com
www.pumaexploration.com
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- Serengeti Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: SIR)(FRANKFURT: 34S) announces that substantive agreement having been reached between the negotiating teams on all of the business terms and form and makeup of joint venture agreement for the next stage of the Kwanika project earn-in, it has granted Daewoo Minerals Canada (DMC) a thirty day extension until October 25th to provide for ratification by Daewoo's internal approval process and signature of the definitive agreement. The final agreement also remains subject to ratification by the board of Serengeti Resources and approval by the TSX-V Exchange.
Upon signature of the definitive agreement, DMC will contribute $7 million in cash plus their current 5% interest in the Kwanika project and Serengeti will contribute the balance of its Kwanika property interest to a new joint venture company to be named the Kwanika Copper Corporation (KCC), owned 65% by Serengeti and 35% by DMC. Final closing of the transaction including receipt of funds by KCC is expected within 10 days of signing at which point Serengeti will be entitled to immediately receive its Operator's fee of $700,000, representing 10% of DMC's next contribution.
"We are pleased that we have been able to settle the final terms of the Kwanika joint venture agreement with Posco Daewoo. This will be a far reaching agreement covering project advancement from completion of a Pre-Feasibility Study which is the next step, through Feasibility Study, Mine Development and Mine Operation activities from production through to eventual closure." We understand that an organization as large as Posco Daewoo has a formal decision making process that they must adhere to and are confident that the final agreement will be approved and signed within the extension timeframe," stated David Moore, Serengeti Resources President & CEO.
About Serengeti Resources Inc.
Serengeti is a mineral exploration company managed by an experienced team of professionals with a solid track record of exploration success. The Company is currently advancing its Kwanika copper-gold project in partnership with Daewoo Minerals Canada and exploring its extensive portfolio of properties in the highly prospective Quesnel Trough of British Columbia. A number of these other projects are available for option or joint venture and additional information can be found on the Company's website at www.serengetiresources.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
David W. Moore, P. Geo., President, CEO and Director
Cautionary Statement
This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities regulations. All statements other than statements of historical fact herein, including, without limitation, statements regarding exploration plans and other future plans and objectives, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and future events and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations as well as a comprehensive list of risk factors are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time via SEDAR with the Canadian regulatory agencies to whose policies we are bound. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the statements are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should conditions or our estimates change, other than as required by law and readers are further advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The information in this News Release related to the Kwanika Copper/Gold Project was derived from the PEA. Statements pertaining to projected revenues and cash flows, quantity and grade of mineralized materials, estimated mineral prices are forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that this PEA is preliminary in nature, and is based on technical and economic assumptions which will be evaluated in further studies. The PEA is based on the current (as at January 2017) Kwanika estimated resource model, which consists of material in both the indicated and inferred classifications. Inferred mineral resources are considered too speculative geologically to have technical and economic considerations applied to them. The current basis of project information is not sufficient to convert the mineral resources to mineral reserves, and mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Accordingly, there can be no certainty that the results estimated in the PEA will be realized.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Investor Relations:
Paradox Public Relations
514-341-0408
Toll free (in North America) 1-866-460-0408
info@paradox-pr.ca
Serengeti Resources Inc.
604-605-1300
info@serengetiresources.com
www.serengetiresources.com
LOS ANGELES, 2017-10-03 13:55 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advanced Bifurcation Systems ("ABS" or the "Company"), a clinical stage medical device company developing an innovative stenting platform which overcomes the limitations of current approaches for the treatment of bifurcation lesions in coronary angioplasties, today announced that the Company is planning to undertake human clinical trials in New Brunswick, Canada. The planning for these clinical trials has been initiated with the participation of Dalhousie University's Medical School (DMNB), Horizon Health Network (HHN) where the New Brunswick Heart Center is located, and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF). The introduction to these institutions was spearheaded by Opportunities NB.
Dr. Mehran Khorsandi, Chairman and Founder of Advanced Bifurcation Systems stated, "ABS is very excited about commencing clinical trials within the New Brunswick health care system. The high quality of the interventional cardiologists, combined with the excellence of the New Brunswick health care system and the institutions that support it, will provide a great resource for us when we initiate our clinical trials."
Mr. Charles Laverty, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Bifurcation Systems commented, "We believe the quality of the data from the clinical trials will mirror the strong reputation of outcomes within the New Brunswick health care system and look forward to working with this outstanding team."
"The NBHRF facilitates and supports the Health Research Enterprise in New Brunswick. We are pleased to witness the interest and commitment of ABS in medical device innovation as well as recognizing the expertise of the Specialists and health professionals at the NBHC and the HHN Research Services. The conduct of clinical research and clinical trials in New Brunswick is a great testament to our efforts at building out our health research capacity," says Dr. Bruno Battistini, President, CEO and Scientific Director of the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation.
"ONB is always looking at how to leverage New Brunswick's strengths to bring new opportunities here that will generate economic growth and skilled jobs for New Brunswickers," said ONB CEO Stephen Lund. "This province has world-class assets in the health-research sector, and it is drawing interest from innovative companies like Advanced Bifurcation Systems (ABS) Inc. We are excited to see what ABS can achieve in New Brunswick."
Upon successful completion of the human clinical trials, ABS intends to establish a manufacturing facility in New Brunswick, to serve ABS's customers globally. ABS has incorporated a Canadian subsidiary, Advanced Bifurcation Systems Canada, Inc. to support this effort.
About Advanced Bifurcation Systems
Advanced Bifurcation Systems ("ABS") is a clinical stage medical device company developing an innovative stenting platform for simple treatment of all bifurcation lesions in coronary angioplasties. ABS has developed a novel technology which overcomes the limitations of current approaches while simplifying the procedure. The Company's groundbreaking system consists of numerous differentiating features, including a unique modular independently movable dual-catheter system for provisional side-branch stenting as well as full bifurcation stenting with a proprietary crimping technology allowing for partial crimping of the main stent. For more information, go to www.advancedbifurcation.com.
About OPPORTUNITIES NB
Opportunities NB is a Crown corporation that seeks to attract and support opportunities to grow the economy and create jobs. It provides support services for businesses across the province.
About the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation
The New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF) was created in July 2008 with a mandate to co-ordinate, support and promote health research in New Brunswick. Our vision is a healthy and prosperous New Brunswick through excellence in health research and innovation. Our mission is to provide leadership and support to build health research capacity, improve the health of New Brunswickers and advance the knowledge economy.
The NBHRF is an independent organization governed by a board of directors comprised of key stakeholders from the health research community in New Brunswick. Provincial funding is provided by Business New Brunswick.
Contact:
Advanced Bifurcation Systems Charles Laverty Chief Executive Officer charles_laverty@advancedbifurcation.com (949)432-4824
Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
ROUYN-NORANDA, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- Radisson Mining Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RDS)(OTC: RMRDF)
Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.
Press release highlights:
-- The first 4 exploration drill holes have intersected gold mineralization over 200 metres along strike in the Vintage Zone, located 85 metres north of the Larder-Lake-Cadillac fault ("L-L-C"). (See figure 1) -- Significant intersections reported are: -- OB-17-42 with 13.7 g/t Au over 1.5 m -- OB-17-43 with 7.5 g/t Au over 1.5 m -- OB-17-43 with 15.0 g/t Au over 1.5 m -- OB-17-45 with 8.6 g/t Au over 1.5 m -- OB-17-47 with 4.3 g/t Au over 1.2 m
Radisson Mining Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RDS)(OTC: RMRDF) ("Radisson" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the first set of results from the exploration drill program completed as part of the ongoing 20,000 metres drill program at the Company's O'Brien gold project. The project is located along the Larder-Lake-Cadillac ("L-L-C") fault halfway between Rouyn-Noranda and Val-d'Or, two renowned mining towns in the province of Quebec, Canada. First four exploration drill holes completed in the Vintage Zone have intersected multiple high-grade gold zones hosted by a sub vertical shear vein system. The structure has been traced by drilling on over 200 metres strike length from East to West and is open in all directions.
The 5,190 metres exploration drill program completed during the summer focused on high-priority exploration targets defined outside current resources of the O'Brien gold project. Current results are from four drill holes completed north of the L-L-C in the Vintage Zone. Results are pending for 6 holes totalling 3,506 metres.
Mario Bouchard, President and CEO commented: "The results from these exploration drill holes completed in the Vintage Zone are highlighting the strong exploration potential north of the Larder-Lake-Cadillac fault on the O'Brien project. To put the significance of these results in context, one should remember that the bulk of current resources are located a few metres south of the L-L-C, in the Piche volcanic group. The data compilation of the few exploration work historically conducted on the Vintage Zone allowed Radisson to identify several high-priority exploration targets in this area of the O'Brien gold project. The fact that the company was able to identify gold mineralization over 200 metres strike length with only four drill holes speaks by itself. The current results in addition to historical information helps to demonstrate the continuity and the favourable geometry of the Vintage Zone. All intercepts remain open laterally and at depth."
Table 1 Drilling results summary on the Vintage Zone
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hole From To Length Grade Interpreted zone ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (m) (m) (m) Au ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-42 261.8 263.3 1.5 13.7 CADILLAC CONGLOMERATE(i)VG ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Including 262.3 262.8 0.5 40.9 CADILLAC CONGLOMERATE(i)VG ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-42 299.5 300.0 0.5 6.5 CADILLAC WACKE(i)VG ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-42 371.6 372.1 0.5 0.2 CADILLAC WACKE(i)VG ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-43 304.0 305.5 1.5 7.5 CADILLAC WACKE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Including 304.5 305.0 0.5 21.2 CADILLAC WACKE(i)VG ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-43 351.3 352.8 1.5 15.0 CADILLAC WACKE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Including 351.8 352.3 0.5 44.8 CADILLAC WACKE(i)VG ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-43 360.2 361.7 1.5 3.7 CADILLAC WACKE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-45 239.1 240.6 1.5 8.6 CADILLAC WACKE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-45 250.0 250.5 0.5 5.8 CADILLAC WACKE(i)VG ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-45 255.3 255.8 0.5 8.2 CADILLAC WACKE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-45 257.5 258.2 0.7 4.1 CADILLAC WACKE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- OB-17-47 168.3 169.5 1.2 4.3 CADILLAC WACKE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i)VG; Denotes presence of visible gold
Note; Results are presented as down hole width; true width are estimated between 55 to 70% of down hole thickness.
Vintage zone exploration program
The Vintage zone is a parallel zone of the O'Brien project located approximately 85 metres north of the L-L-C fault in the Cadillac Group of meta-sediments comprising sequence of polymictic conglomerate, banded iron formation (BIF) and grauwacke. In comparison, current resources of 36E and Kewagama zones are located in the Piche Group, south of the L-L-C fault. The Vintage zone saw small historical exploration programs, which were never followed upon. The company established several high-priority exploration drill targets through historical data compilation in this area of the O'Brien gold project. The first four drill holes that tested these targets were completed over a strike length of 200 metres. The new info added to the few available historical information helps to demonstrate the continuity and the favourable geometry of the Vintage zone. All intercepts remain open in all direction.
All drill cores in this campaign are NQ in size. Assays were completed on sawn half-cores, with the second half kept for future reference. The samples were analyzed using standard fire assay procedures with Atomic Absorption (AA) finish at Swastika Laboratories Ltd, in Swastika, Ontario. Samples yielding a grade higher than 5 g/t were analyzed a second time by fire assay with gravimetric finish at the same laboratory. Samples containing visible gold were analyzed with metallic sieve procedure. Standard reference materials and blank samples were inserted prior to shipment for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program.
Qualified Person
Tony Brisson, P. Geo, independent consultant, acts as a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release.
About Radisson Mining Resources Inc.
Radisson is a Quebec-based mineral exploration company. The O'Brien project, cut by the regional Larder-Lake-Cadillac Fault, is Radisson's flagship asset. The project hosts the former O'Brien Mine, considered to have been the Abitibi Greenstone Belt's highest-grade gold producer during its production (1,197,147 metric tons at 15.25 g/t Au for 587,121 ounces of gold from 1926 to 1957; InnovExplo, April 2015).
For more information on Radisson, visit our website at www.radissonmining.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain certain forward-looking information. All statements included herein, including the scheduled Closing date, but other than statements of historical fact, is forward-looking information and such information involves various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. A description of assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward looking information can be found in Radisson's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1103061_Fig1.jpg
Contacts:
Radisson Mining Resources Inc.
Hubert Parent-Bouchard
Corporate Development
819-763-9969
hpbouchard@radissonmining.com
www.radissonmining.com
Interactive 'Smart' Shelves Featuring NFC SpeedTap Tags Educate Consumers and Drive Purchasing Decisions; Program Launched in Retail Stores Across Canada
Thin Film Electronics ASA ("Thinfilm") (OSE: THIN; OTCQX: TFECY), a global leader in NFC (near field communication) mobile marketing and smart packaging solutions, today announced that GlaxoSmithKline ("GSK") (LSE/NYSE: GSK), one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies has commercially deployed Thinfilm's unique SpeedTap tags to create interactive 'smart' shelves for enhanced communication with consumers at time of purchase decision-making.
GSK introduced interactive 'smart' Flonase shelves in retail stores across Canada in an effort to educate consumers about the new product and guide them in their purchasing decision. Thinfilm's unique SpeedTap tags incorporated into shelving allows consumers to obtain product information through the tap of an NFC-enabled smartphone.
In addition to SpeedTap tags, GSK is also using Thinfilm's software platform CNECT as part of the end-to-end solution that helps dynamically manage the experience of Flonase consumers. The cloud-based platform integrates with the NFC hardware, enabling GSK to manage tags remotely, deliver custom messaging and content, view real-time consumer tapping activity, and develop valuable consumer insights through built-in analytics functionality.
"At GSK, we focus on helping people do more, feel better, and live longer. And we do that, in large part, by delivering highly effective products to the market," said Sriman Banerjee, Director R&D Respiratory Packaging for GSK. "But we also realize that connecting directly with consumers to provide unique and meaningful experiences is critical in today's market. We believe an innovative mobile technology like Thinfilm's can play a critical role in strengthening customer relationships, building brand loyalty, and driving revenue for the Flonase brand."
Flonase Allergy Relief is the first 'prescription to over-the-counter' intranasal corticosteroid spray from GSK indicated for relief of nasal and eye-related allergy symptoms as well as management of sinus pain and pressure. It is an effective medicine that relieves seasonal and year-round allergy symptoms caused by pollen, mold, dust and pets.
"We are delighted to work with GSK a global leader, an innovator, and a company that is changing the face of healthcare," said Davor Sutija, CEO of Thinfilm. "Bringing Thinfilm's NFC solutions to a valued product like Flonase is a milestone in the industry, and we look forward to helping GSK drive the brand's value by connecting directly with consumers at the time of purchase decision-making."
About Thin Film Electronics ASA
Thinfilm is a global leader in NFC mobile marketing and smart-packaging solutions using printed electronics technology. The Company creates printed tags, labels, and systems that include memory, sensors, displays, and wireless communication all at a cost-per-function unmatched by conventional electronic technologies.
Thinfilm offers end-to-end mobile marketing solutions that feature hardware, label/packaging integration services, and comprehensive cloud-based management, reporting and analytics. Collectively, these components deliver a powerful 1-to-1 digital marketing platform through which brands of all sizes can connect directly with consumers, all with the simple tap of a smartphone. The resulting disintermediation of search engines, online marketplaces, and social platforms empowers brands to control messaging, enhance consumer dialogue, build loyalty, increase engagement, and drive sales.
Thinfilm's roadmap integrates technology from a strong and growing ecosystem of partners to bring intelligence to everyday, disposable items. Its mission is to effectively extend the traditional boundaries of the Internet of Things to fuel the Internet of Everything.
Thin Film Electronics ASA is a publicly listed company in Norway with global headquarters in Oslo, Norway; US headquarters in San Jose, California; and offices in Linkoping, Sweden; San Francisco; London; and Shanghai. For more information, visit www.thinfilm.no.
About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include Voltaren, Emulgel, Aquafresh, Sensodyne, and TUMS.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: http://www.gsk.com.
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to 5-12 vphl (Norwegian Securities Trading Act).
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003005300/en/
Contacts:
For more information on Thinfilm please contact:
Thin Film Electronics ASA
Bill Cummings, +1 408-503-7312
SVP Corporate Communications
bill.cummings@thinfilm.no
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
BROOKLYN, New York, Oct. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Nanotronics, a global developer of the world's most technologically advanced automated microscope, today announced it has secured $30 million in Series D funding led by Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) with participation from current investor, Founders Fund. ICD's portfolio includes more than 40 company investments across diverse sectors with a global footprint spanning more than 50 countries. Following the completion of this current financing, Nanotronics will have raised a total of $71 million, which will accelerate the development of the company's cutting-edge optical inspection technologies and proprietary industrial enterprise software, as well as expansion into key regions of the Asian market in 2018.
"From the first Nanotronics system sold six years ago, to the over 60 factories we now operate in around the world, we are bringing our mission of delivering a convergence of the most advanced technologies back to industry," said Nanotronics founder and CEO, Dr.Matthew Putman, PhD. "Our expansion will fuel an engine of invention, and as we enable our customers to deploy better technology, Nanotronics' methods and opportunities will be further positioned at the center of the global manufacturing network."
Nanotronics provides scientists and engineers a powerful tool that seamlessly integrates into manufacturing supply chains for everything from MEMs and semiconductors to aerospace hardware, nano-medicine, and DNA sequencing and storage. Redefining the relationship between technology and manufacturing, Nanotronics' systems such as nSPEC and nSPEC3D were developed with a globally patented super-resolution; 3D imaging; precision robotics; and the most advanced software techniques for computer vision and artificial intelligence. Nanotronics' capabilities allow manufacturers to rapidly implement design and process changes, increase yields and process control, and reduce scrap and costs.
"Consumers have access to better algorithms in their smartphones than you will find inside most of the factories that make what we consume. That gap is an opportunity. Nanotronics is seizing it," remarked Founders Fund partner and Facebook, Palantir, and Nanotronics Board Director, Peter Thiel.
"This investment reaffirms ICD's strategic commitment towards technology innovation and marks the beginning of a long term partnership with Nanotronics which we believe is playing an important role in shaping the future of advanced manufacturing and inspection across global industries," said Khalifa Al Daboos, Deputy CEO of ICD.
Investment Corporation of Dubai will be joining other existing Nanotronics investors: co-founder of Skype and Kazaa Jaan Tallinn, co-founder of First Round Capital and Renaissance Technologies Howard Morgan, and media and technology mogul Kevin Wall.
About Nanotronics
Nanotronics is an Inc. 5000 company founded in 2010 byMatthew Putman, PhD and has offices inCalifornia,Ohio, andNew York. The company is venture backed by Founders Fund, Investment Corporation of Dubai, and is a personal investment of Jaan Tallinn, Howard Morgan, and Kevin Wall. Nanotronics customers include Broadcom, ST Micro, IQE, II-VI, Soraa, Applied Optoelectronics, and many others. All Nanotronics products are designed and manufactured inCalifornia. To learn more about Nanotronics, please visit: https://www.nanotronics.co/.
About Investment Corporation Dubai
ICD was established in May 2006 by decree (11) of 2006 under a mandate to consolidate and manage the Government of Dubai's portfolio of commercial companies and investments. It also provides strategic oversight by developing and implementing investment strategy and corporate governance policies with an objective to maximize stakeholder value, for the long-term benefit of the Emirate.
ICD, as the principal investment arm of the Government of Dubai currently has a portfolio that represents a cross-section of Dubai's most recognized companies, in sectors that the Government of Dubai has deemed to be strategic for the continued development of the Emirate. The sectors include financial services, transportation, energy and industries, real estate and leisure, retail and other holdings. In addition, ICD has embarked on a disciplined and sustainable strategy of global investments, which are synergistic with its existing portfolio, to extend Dubai's presence and expertise into international markets.
For more information about ICD please visit www.icd.gov.ae
Nanotronics:
Contact:Alexis Stoller
Phone: 202-997-9862
Email:alexis@nanotronics.co
FORM 8.3
PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code")
1. KEY INFORMATION
(a) Identity of the person whose positions/dealings are being disclosed: Magnetar Capital Partners LP (b) Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient N/A (c) Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree Tesco Plc (d) If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree: N/A (e) Date position held/dealing undertaken: October 2, 2017 (f) Has the discloser previously disclosed, or are they today disclosing, under the Code in respect of any other party to this offer? Yes - Booker Group Plc
2. POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
(a) Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)
Class of relevant security: 5p ordinary
ISIN: GB0008847096 Interests Short positions Number % Number % (1) Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: (2) Derivatives (other than options): 30,745,753 0.37% (3) Options and agreements to purchase/sell:
TOTAL: 30,745,753 0.37%
All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.
Details of any open derivative or option positions, or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).
(b) Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors' and other executive options)
Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists: Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:
If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.
3. DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE
(a) Purchases and sales
Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
(b) Derivatives transactions (other than options)
Class of relevant security Product description
e.g. CFD Nature of dealing
e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position Number of reference securities Price per unit Ordinary shares Swap Increasing a short position 131,530 1.8720
(c) Options transactions in respect of existing securities
(i) Writing, selling, purchasing or varying
Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
e.g. American, European etc. Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
(ii) Exercising
Class of relevant security Product description
e.g. call option Number of securities Exercise price per unit
(d) Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)
Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
e.g. subscription, conversion Details Price per unit (if applicable)
The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.
Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.
4. OTHER INFORMATION
(a) Indemnity and other dealing arrangements
Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none"
None
(b) Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives
Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
(i) the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
(ii) the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state "none" None
(c) Attachments
Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? No
Date of disclosure: October 3, 2017 Contact name: Julianna Ethell Telephone number: 847-905-4688
Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service and must also be emailed to the Takeover Panel at monitoring@disclosure.org.uk. The Panel's Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code's dealing disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.
The Code can be viewed on the Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.
NEW YORK, October 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Healthcare quality management aims to improve the effectiveness of treatments and increase the satisfaction of the patients with the services they are being provided with. For this purpose, various laws have been enacted by the governments all across the world so that the interests of the patients are protected. Healthcare quality management also seeks to reduce the cost of healthcare and reduce the instances of medical errors if not totally eliminate them. Hence, with an increasing aging population and rising costs of healthcare, quality management in healthcare is becoming increasingly important. The sole aim of healthcare quality management is to fulfil all the needs and aspirations of the patient and the system is always patient-centric.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20161114/438683LOGO )
Global Market Research Report Overview on Healthcare Quality Management @https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/healthcare-quality-management-market.asp
The global healthcare quality management market is slated to touch a value of about US$ 3,100 Mn in the year 2022 and grow at a robust CAGR during the assessment period.
A sample of this report is available upon request@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/18655
4 Forecast Highlights on Global Healthcare Quality Management Market
As per the forecast of Persistence Market Research, the physician quality reporting solutions segment is slated to touch a value of nearly US$ 850 Mn in the year 2022. This represents a robust CAGR growth during the assessment period of 2017-2022. The physician quality reporting solutions segment is estimated to account for more than one-fifth of the revenue share of the software segment by the year 2017 and is forecasted to lose market share by 2022 over 2017.
As per the forecast of Persistence Market Research, the ambulatory care centers segment will reach a value of about US$ 325 Mn in the year 2017. This represents a robust CAGR growth during the forecast period. The ambulatory care centers segment is forecasted to account for nearly one-fifth of the total revenue share of the end users segment by the end of the year 2017 and is expected to gain in market share by 2022 as compared with the year 2017.
As per the forecast of Persistence Market Research, the data management segment is slated to reach a value of nearly US$ 2,350 Mn in 2022. The data management segment is expected to gain market share by the end of the year 2022. The largest share is contributed by the North America region in the data management segment.
Persistence Market Research forecasts the cloud-based solutions segment to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% from 2017 to 2022.
View Report Table of Contents, Figures, and Tables@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/healthcare-quality-management-market/toc
The report has also included the profiles of some of the leading companies in the healthcare quality management market like Surescripts, LLC, Truven Health Analytics Inc., McKesson Corp., Medisolv, Inc., Cerner Corp., Altegra Health, Inc., Quantros, Inc., Nuance Communications, Inc., CitiusTech Inc., Premier, Inc. and Dolbey Systems, Inc.
Global Healthcare Quality Management Market Report is Available for US$ 4,900
Persistence Market Research Overview
Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance. To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.
Contact
Persistence Market Research
U.S. Sales Office:
305 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York City, NY 10007
+1-646-568-7751
United States
USA - Canada Toll-Free: 800-961-0353
Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.com
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- Midland Exploration inc. ("Midland") (TSX VENTURE: MD) is pleased to report the most recent results of a prospection campaign on the Lasalle property of its James Bay Gold project (wholly owned by Midland). The Lasalle property is located about 35 kilometers south of Hydro-Quebec's LG-3 airport and of the Trans-Taiga road. The highlight of the 2017 campaign is the discovery of three new gold showings along a gold-bearing shear zone that is several kilometers long, located at a metasediments/metavolcanics contact. The three new gold showings returned respectively 22.6 g/t Au, 7.03 g/t Au and 2.35 g/t Au.
The 2017 prospection campaign was focused in the eastern part of the Lasalle property, in an area that was not previously explored by Midland and in which gold-bearing shear zones identified to the west were interpreted as continuing. A grab sample of a silicified and foliated amphibolite containing about 1% pyrite, located in a 100 meters thick shear zone, returned 22.6 g/t Au, as well as strongly anomalous copper, bismuth and molybdenum (note that grab samples are selective by nature and values reported may not be representative of mineralized zones). Along the same shear zone, 750 meters east, another grab sample of foliated amphibolite returned 7.03 g/t Au and anomalous copper and bismuth. Finally, a further 800 meters east in the same shear zone, a grab sample of paragneiss with pyrite, galena and sphalerite stringers returned 2.35 g/t Au, 105 g/t Ag, 3.32% Pb and 5.53% Zn, along with strongly anomalous bismuth and antimony. Eighteen (18) outcrop samples collected during the 2017 campaign returned more than 0.1 g/t Au, out of a total of 132 samples.
The shear zone that hosts the new showings is located at the contact between metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks, is about 100 meters thick and is now interpreted to be more than 8 kilometers long. Along the same structure, 8 kilometers west of the new showings, the historical Lac Sirios Sud 1 showing had returned 1.93 g/t Au in a grab sample. A parallel shear zone, also located at a metavolcanics/metasediments contact, was identified by Midland in 2009 on the Golden Idol showing. This showing is located about 3 kilometers west of the new showings and had returned up to 9.09 g/t Au in grab sampling and 2.7 g/t Au over 1.0 meter in channel sampling. The new showings confirm the strong orogenic gold potential of the Lasalle property and the presence of multiple, kilometric-scale, gold-bearing shear zones. The Au-Bi-Mo-Ag-Pb-Zn elemental association also suggests a felsic magmatic-hydrothermal component to the system, in addition to the classic, shear zone hosted orogenic mineralization. This type of setting containing a superposition of distinct gold-bearing events is typical of large gold deposits.
Figures showing the location of the new gold showings can be consulted using the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1103028_1002.pdf
Quality control
Rock samples on the project are assayed by standard 30 gram fire-assaying with AA (Au-AA23) or gravimetric finish (Au-GRA21) at ALS Minerals laboratories in Val d'Or, Quebec or Sudbury, Ontario. All samples are also analysed for multi-elements, using four-acid ICP-AES method. Exploration program design and interpretation of results is performed by qualified persons employing a Quality Assurance/Quality Control program consistent with industry best practices, including the use of standards and blanks with every 20 samples.
About Midland
Midland targets the excellent mineral potential of Quebec to make the discovery of new world-class deposits of gold, platinum group elements, base metals and rare earth elements. Midland is proud to count on reputable partners such as Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Teck Resources Limited, Osisko Mining Inc., Altius Minerals Corp., SOQUEM INC., NioBay Metals Inc Japan Oil and Gas and Metals National Corporation and Abcourt Mines Inc. Midland prefers to work in partnership and intends to quickly conclude additional agreements in regard to newly acquired properties. Management is currently reviewing other opportunities and projects to build up the Company portfolio and generate shareholder value.
This press release has been prepared by Sylvain Trepanier, P.Geo., VP Exploration for James Bay and Northern Quebec at Midland, a "qualified person" as defined by NI 43-101. For further information, please consult Midland's website: www.explorationmidland.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Midland's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Midland from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.
Contacts:
Midland Exploration inc.
Gino Roger
President and Chief Executive Officer
450 420-5977
450 420-5978 (FAX)
info@midlandexploration.com
www.explorationmidland.com
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- Gen III Oil Corp. ("Gen III" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: GIII) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Grant Brown as Executive Vice President of the Company, effective October 2, 2017.
Grant Brown is a highly experienced Investment Banker and Principal Investor, having over 18 years' experience with focus on complex cross-border public market and private M&A, principal investment, strategic corporate advisory and equity and debt financing across a range of industry sectors and jurisdictions. Through his career, Mr. Brown has lead large multidisciplinary teams, building valuable partnerships and creating significant value for clients and shareholders in advising on over $40 billion of transactions.
With significant oil and gas and industrial chemicals sector experience and cross-border transaction expertise, he brings a keen understanding of the requirements and cultural sensitivities in undertaking business in a range of international jurisdictions including in South America, Latin America, the USA, Europe, Asia, Australia and South Africa.
Most recently Mr. Brown lead the M&A practice of Canaccord Genuity in Australia and was previously Managing Director at Macquarie Capital and at JPMorgan. Mr. Brown holds Bachelor's degrees in both Commerce and Science from The University of Melbourne, Australia.
Mr. Brown's team leadership, strategic decision making, business building, partnership and negotiation skills, coupled with his global M&A, principal investment, structuring and financing expertise will make an excellent addition to the Company's executive.
Mr. Greg Clarkes, CEO, stated: "We are pleased to have a senior executive of Grant's calibre join our team. His skills and experience are highly complementary to the existing management group, particularly as the Company enters an intensive period of strategic partnerships, project financing and capital markets activities in completing our first ReGen facility, and importantly executing upon our broader corporate strategy."
The Company also announces that it has granted 500,000 stock options to Mr. Brown, entitling him to purchase one common share for each option held at a price of $0.70 per share and valid for a period of two years. The options were granted pursuant to the Company's stock option plan and will vest in two equal tranches in six and twelve months.
About Gen III Oil Corporation
Gen III Oil Corporation is an innovative oil processing company with the most advanced re-refining technology in the industry, which will produce large quantities of Group III and Group II+ base oils. Gen III is developing their first full-scale facility in Bowden, Alberta with scheduled production beginning in Q4 of 2018.
On Behalf of the Board of Gen III Oil Corporation
Greg Clarkes, Chief Executive Officer
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Gen III Oil Corporation. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Contacts:
Gen III Oil Corporation
Greg Clarkes
Chief Executive Officer
(604) 806-5275
MANCHESTER, England, October 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
EDM, a leading global provider of training simulators to the civil aviation and defence sectors, announced today that the Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer (CEET) it has manufactured for China Southern Airlines has passed its Factory Acceptance Test (FAT).
Built at EDM's facility in the UK, the A330 CEET will enable China Southern Airlines' cabin crew to be fully trained in Safety and Emergency Procedures (SEP). Custom-made to the client's exact specification, the CEET's interior has replica galleys, lavatories, attendant seats and associated control panels. Fully controlled by a touch screen Instructor Operator Station (IOS), the CEET will enable crew to be highly trained in door and exit operation, evacuation procedures, pilot incapacitation, fire-fighting, cabin systems familiarisation and passenger management.
The CEET will also be fitted with SEPTRE, EDM's market-leading audio-visual system that enables even higher levels of cabin crew training through the provision of pre-programmed emergency scenarios such as aborted take-off, engine fire, gear collapse, ditching, turbulence and decompression.
The CEET will be shipped and then installed on a hydraulic motion platform at the airline's crew training facility in Guangzhou, China later this year. EDM is the world's leading manufacturer of cabin crew training simulators and enjoys a market leading position in China.
For more information about China Southern Airlines visit: www.csair.com
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 providesairlines withDoor Trainers, Cabin Service Trainers, Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainers andFull SizeMockups and defence organisations withProcedure 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.
Patent-pending software-based firewall blocks all known exploits as well as "Zero Day" attacks from penetrating HTTP and SSL/HTTPS ports on Linux web servers
Teamed with Astra Security protecting web applications RoboCyberWall provides a complete security solution
HOUSTON, Oct. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --RoboCyberWall, Inc., a provider of a proprietary precision firewall solution that protects HTTP and HTTPS (SSL) ports on Linux-based Apache2 and NGINX web servers, today unveiled its flagship product under the same name. The RoboCyberWallTM patent-pending firewallblocks all known exploits and "Zero Day" attacks on Apache2 and NGINX web servers that, according to W3Techs Web Technology Surveys, comprise more than 83 percent of all web servers worldwide. It is a simple-to-download and easy-to-install module for use with on-premise servers, cloud servers or shared hosting accounts and requires exceptionally low RAM and processor resources. It's available for license for less than $9/month.
In securing the non-application portion of the stack, RoboCyberWall provides pinpoint protection for Linux Apache2 or NGINX web server's HTTP and HTTPS ports. Typically these are ports 80 and 443, which are two of the top three most targeted ports for attack worldwide, according to Akamai's State of the Internet report.
RoboCyberWall is also proud to announce it has Partnered with Astra Security which offers a highly specialized web application firewall designed to protect Wordpress, Magento, OpenCart, Drupal, Joomla, Woocommerce.
"Firewalls today remain the critical first line of defense from ever-growing and increasingly sophisticated threats," said John R. Martinson Jr., CTO and Founder of RoboCyberWall. "Stopping a malicious program, or attacker, from gaining access to your network and information before any potential damage is done is key, and RoboCyberWall prevents breaches from happening in the first place."
RoboCyberWall, Inc. contracted with SecureWorks to perform security assessment during the period from September 5, 2017 to September 8, 2017. The objective of this engagement was to identify vulnerabilities in RoboCyberWall's systems and network security that external adversaries could exploit. During the course of the assessment, SecureWorks launched 6,593 probes and manual hack attempts on the RoboCyberWall protected server without accomplishing any breaches. The Full Report is available for review at: https://robocyberwall.com/files/RoboCyberWall_EPT_09132017.pdf
"RoboCyberWall is a particularly attractive option for small and mid-size businesses (SMBs), which are targeted much more frequently than large enterprises," said John Martinson, Sr., CEO and President of RoboCyberWall. The Verizon Data Breach Investigation Report found that 81 percent of all data breaches happen to small businesses which often lack the resources to protect business-critical data. "RoboCyberWall is a step in the direction of democratizing firewalls for all web servers and making true cyber security possible at an affordable price," said Martinson, Sr. "Enterprise firewalls are very expensive and require significant investments and IT staff to install, configure and maintain, which often puts them out of reach for most SMBs.
"'Zero Day' attacks have been impossible to protect against because older technology has to guess which packets are good and which are bad. However, RoboCyberWall has a real-time whitelisting feature that allows good packets to be immediately validated while blocking all other unknown packets. Moreover, if new content is added to a server, that information is instantly added to"the whitelist," said Martinson Jr.
"RoboCyberWall's white listing feature means zero false positives and zero bad packets make it into your Linux server, which shields your website with comprehensive protection," said Martinson Jr. "With Google blacklisting an estimated 10,000 compromised websites every day, RoboCyberWall protects your website and keeps it up and running."
RoboCyberwall is already receiving industry recognition with these recent awards:
CyberSecurity Breakthrough Awards 2017 - http://cybersecuritybreakthrough.com/
Unified Threat Management - Next Generation Firewall Solution of the Year.
http://cybersecuritybreakthrough.com/ Unified Threat Management - Next Generation Firewall Solution of the Year. Golden Bridge Awards 2017 - http://www.goldenbridgeawards.com
New Products and Services - Security Software - RoboCyberWall' Version 1.0 Bronze Winner.
RoboCyberWall is being offered as a $8.95/month subscription, licensed to users on a monthly or yearly basis. For more information about RoboCyberWall or to download please go to https://robocyberwall.com.
About RoboCyberWall, Inc.
RoboCyberWall, Inc. is a provider of the proprietary, precision, perimeter firewall solution for businesses of all sizes that achieves the ultimate in protection for the highly targeted HTTP and HTTPS ports on Linux-based Apache2 and NGINX web servers. RoboCyberWall is easy-to-download and simple-to-install. It blocks both known exploits and "Zero Day" attacks. For more information, visit https://robocyberwall.comand follow us on Twitter @robocyberwall.
About Astra Security
Astra is a plug-n-play website security suite that takes 2-minutes to setup and provides rock solid security against hackers, bots and 100+ internet threats. Astra is a completely managed firewall not requiring any manual intervention, giving business owners all the time to focus on business while Astra takes care of security. It works seamlessly with Wordpress, OpenCart, Magento, Drupal, Joomla, Woocommerce. More information at www.getAstra.com
Media Contacts:
John Martinson, Jr.
713-589-2537
press@robocyberwall.com
Video - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/566498/RCW.mp4
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/564531/RoboCyberWall_Cybersecurity_Infographic.jpg
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/564561/rcw_logo_800x521_ID_1829ae4558db_Logo.jpg
Caratube International Oil Company LLP and Mr. Devincci Salah Hourani (ICSID nARB/13/13) AWARD
The following is a statement from Derains Gharavi, Caratube and Mr. Hourani's legal representatives:
"On September 27, 2017, an ICSID Arbitral Tribunal, under auspices of the World Bank, composed of President Prof. Laurent Levy, Prof. Laurent Aynes and Prof. Jacques Sales, rendered the first Award ruling on the merits the Hourani family (including Messrs. Devincci Hourani, Issam Hourani (Khorani) and Kassem Omar)'s numerous claims against Kazakhstan, in favour of Caratube International Oil Company LLP ("Caratube") finding Kazakhstan liable under Kazakh and international law for unlawful expropriation and ordered it to pay Caratube USD 39.2 million in damages, plus USD 1,207,757.44, and well over 10 million USD in interest ("ICSID Award").
The Hourani family had its business empire expropriated by Kazakhstan in 2008 and has ever since been the target of acts of intimidation and defamation by Kazakhstan worldwide, based on what it has claimed ever since to be pretenses whereas the underlying reason is simply that it was caught in between a family and political dispute between President Nazarbayev and his then son in law, the late Mr. Rakhat Aliyev, to whom the Houranis are related by marriage.
The Hourani family has since 2008 launched a number of arbitrations against Kazakhstan and has been preparing to seek compensation for the expropriation of their businesses. The ICSID Award is the very first Award ever that has ruled on the merits of any of these claims. It was in relation to a Contract for the Exploration and Production of Hydrocarbons dated May 27, 2002 entered into by Caratube with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
The Tribunal found by majority decision, at paragraph 905 of the Award, that the termination of the Contract by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources was unlawful and in breach of Kazakh and international law as Caratube was not adequately notified of any alleged breaches of Contract before termination, and that there was in any event no evidence that Caratube had materially breached any of its obligations.
The Tribunal further added, at paragraphs 924, 926, 927 and 934 of the Award, that the termination of the Contract was made as a result of the interference of the General Prosecutor by means of correspondence to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, which was acted on as an instruction to the Ministry to terminate Caratube's Contract. It found that this constituted a sovereign interference in a private contract in violation of Kazakh and international law.
More, the Tribunal held, at paragraph 936 of the Award, that the real motivation behind the termination of the Contract was, as the Hourani family has been claiming since 2008 in relation to each and every one of their expropriated investments, not any allegedly deficient performance, but rather lied in the family and political context underlying the case, i.e. coinciding with the Hourani family's falling out of favor of Kazakhstan. As the Tribunal put it at the same paragraph: "It was the Respondent's sovereign act that caused [Caratube]'s loss of its existing rights under the Contract, rather than the latter's alleged breaches of the Contract. In particular, considering the troubling facts (especially the chronology of the facts taken as a whole) underlying this case and the evidence on the record, a majority of the Tribunal considers that the Claimants have convincingly established that the real motivation behind the termination of the Contract was not [Caratube]'s allegedly deficient performance of the Contract, but rather lies in the family and political context underlying the case. While [Caratube]'s deficient performance of its contractual obligations might not have been approved by the Respondent, it was tolerated without any material consequences attached thereto until the year 2007, thus coinciding with the Hourani family's falling out of favor with the Respondent
The holding of the tribunal, the first to ever rule on the merits of any of the takings by Kazakhstan of the Hourani family's assets, is transposable to all of the takings that occurred under the same circumstances in violation of Kazakh and international law. Kazakhstan has similarly expropriated the Hourani family's airport, pharmaceutical company, poultry industry, media and many other assets, spent so far over USD 50,000,000 (including over 17,000,000 USD in the latest Caratube ruling only) in legal, expert and lobbying fees worldwide to justify the same via post facto allegations of the most errand kind that have aggravated the Hourani family's hardship.
The Houranis, businessmen only without any involvement ever in politics, are friends of Kazakhstan and its citizens and hope that this first ever judgment on the merits by an international tribunal under the auspices of the World Bank ruling under Kazakh and international will allow prompt and fair compensation for the taking of all of their assets and the closure of all claims in the interest of all parties.
The Award is publicly available at https://www.italaw.com/sites/default/files/case-documents/italaw9324.pdf. Further enquiries should be addressed to Caratube and Mr. Hourani's legal representative, Dr. Hamid G. Gharavi, of the law firm Derains Gharavi (Paris), by email hgharavi@derainsgharavi.com or phone + 33 1 40 55 51 00."
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003005914/en/
Contacts:
Derains Gharavi
Dr. Hamid G. Gharavi, 33-1-40-55-51-00
hgharavi@derainsgharavi.com
DUBLIN and MUMBAI, India, Oct. 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Tech Mahindra, a leading provider of digital transformation, consulting and business reengineering services and solutions and UBiqube, a leading network and security orchestration software vendor, have joined hands to deliver next generation integrated SDN (software defined network) and NFV (network functions virtualization) solutions.
Through this collaboration, Tech Mahindra shall have access to UBiqube's orchestration technology for its Virtual Network Function (VNF)-Xchange program. Orchestration is the process of automatically programming the behavior of the network ensuring smooth coordination between the network's hardware and software to support applications and services.
Industries all over the world are moving towards greater automation, digitization and virtualization. However, the absence of widely accepted industry standards and the lack of integration between multi-vendor components and systems is slowing digitalization efforts of service providers. The collaboration between Tech Mahindra and UBiqube looks at addressing this technological challenge by enabling the service providers to accelerate their digitization/automation transition from legacy infrastructure to a highly versatile program by making network virtualization more efficient and seamless.
"We are extremely excited to be part of the VNF-Xchange ecosystem driven initiative. UBiqube aims to accelerate the migration from legacy infrastructure to NFV, and to provide the service provider industry with an agile solution for network and security services process automation, which is a critical step towards digitalization," says Nabil Souli, CEO of UBiqube.
"Innovative technologies in network virtualization are dramatically creating opportunities for communication service providers to deploy more efficient and agile networks. The VNF-Xchange program is the industry's premier standards driven ecosystem, and we are very excited to collaborate with UBiqube to lead this transformation to help our customers realize the value," said Peeyush Goyal, SVP of Network Services, Tech Mahindra.
As a leading solutions provider for the telcos globally, Tech Mahindra is at the forefront of driving the technological changes, which are forcing the service providers to digitalize their networks, in line with the company's D.A.V.I.D (Digitalization, Automation, Verticalization, Innovation and Disruption) strategy. 'Digitalization' is one of key tenets of the strategy with aims at helping the client organizations to RUN Better, CHANGE Faster and GROW Greater.
Tech Mahindra's VNF-Xchange platform is a key part of this strategy which facilitates adoption of SDN and NFV solutions through pre-integration, pre-certification and validation of E2E (End-to-End) solutions in a reference environment realized through its partner ecosystem.
UBiqube's service management and orchestration technology contributes to the VNF-Xchange by enabling operators' SDN/NFV transformation and modernization through seamless integration of multi-vendor technologies. The MSActivator', a DevOps enabled framework by UBiqube, realizes end-to-end services in an agile and flexible environment while the company's self-service management capabilities allow service providers or enterprise customers to orchestrate their networks through a single-pane-of-glass customer portal.
The VNF-Xchange, in collaboration with UBiqube, aims to significantly accelerate and ease the adoption of new SDN/NFV technologies.This aims at reducing the Network Solution rollout time with fully automated service orchestration lifecycle by around 30-40%.
About UBiqube
UBiqube is a global software supplier, providing vendor neutral, end-to-end network and security orchestration solutions to service providers and large and medium enterprises. Leading the digitalization of the networking industry, UBiqube developed the MSActivator', a DevOps enabled open framework for the design, automation, and orchestration of services over hybrid communication infrastructures (legacy, SDN/NFV/IoT).
UBiqube is headquartered in Dublin, with offices in France, India, UAE, Japan, and Silicon Valley, USA. For more information, visit www.ubiqube.com.
About Tech Mahindra
Tech Mahindra represents the connected world, offering innovative and customer-centric information technology experiences, enabling Enterprises, Associates and the Society to Rise'. We are a USD 4.5 billion company with 115,850+ professionals across 90 countries, helping over 864 global customers including Fortune 500 companies. Our convergent, digital, design experiences, innovation platforms and reusable assets connect across a number of technologies to deliver tangible business value and experiences to our stakeholders. Tech Mahindra is amongst the Fab 50 companies in Asia (Forbes 2016 list).
We are part of the USD 19 billion Mahindra Group that employs more than 200,000 people in over 100 countries. The Group operates in the key industries that drive economic growth, enjoying a leadership position in tractors, utility vehicles, after-market, information technology and vacation ownership.
Connect with us on www.techmahindra.com || Our Social Media Channels:
http://www.facebook.com/TechMahindra
http://twitter.com/Tech_Mahindra
http://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-mahindra
http://www.youtube.com/user/techmahindra09
Disclaimer
Certain statements in this release concerning the future prospects of Tech Mahindra Limited ("the Company" or "TechM") are forward-looking statements. These statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Company's actual results differ materially from such forward looking statements. The Company, from time to time, makes written and oral forward-looking statements based on information available with the management of the Company and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.
Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/561164/UBiqube_Logo.jpg
Logo - http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/561166/UBiqube_Tech_Mahindra_Logo.jpg
CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / October 3, 2017 / GEA Technologies Ltd., dba International Cannabrands (CSE:JUJU-A) ("GEA" or the "Company"), an Alberta corporation listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Finka Distribution, a G FarmaBrand company, to distribute Julian Marley's (son of late Reggae star Bob Marley) Ultra Premium cannabis brand, JuJu Royal, to southern California dispensaries.
Through its wholly owned subsidiary International Cannabrands Ltd., GEA holds an exclusive, long-term, worldwide license to use Julian Marley's name and image for cannabis, cannabis edibles, other derivatives, and branded merchandise relating to cannabis, including Julian's flagship brand JuJu Royal Ultra Premium Cannabis. G FarmaBrand designs, develops and acquires market-leading brands in the cannabis flower, extracts and edible product arena.
The agreement gives Finka Distribution the exclusive right to distribute select JuJu Royal products, including pre-rolls, shatter, wax, flower, CO2 cartridges, and disposable vape pens in Southern California. The agreement is for an initial term of 3 years and will automatically renew for additional three year terms unless terminated by one of the parties upon notice. Over 1,100 cannabis retail stores will now have the opportunity to carry JuJu Royal products and Finka Distribution has agreed to have the products in at least 50 outlets in Southern California by December 31, 2017. The agreement also provides Finka Distribution with a right of first refusal to distribute any new JuJu Royal products in Southern California.
"It is exciting to be working with the team of International Cannabrands and the Julian Marley JuJu Royal brand and bringing it to Southern California," said Founder of G FarmaBrand, Ata Gonzalez. "The brand's commitment to wellness and quality is why we look forward to providing the product to this market."
"As the California market moves into recreational regulated retail, we are eager to expand and distribute the most in-demand brands and products the industry has to offer," said Nicole Gonzalez, Founder of Finka Distribution. "Working with Julian Marley and his team is an honor."
"The decision to work with G FarmaBrand was strategic to our goals," expressed Co-Founder and President of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, International Cannabrands Ltd., Travis Belcher. "We are confident that this partnership will benefit all of our companies, but most importantly the patients and consumers of Southern California."
Select JuJu Royal products are now available in California, Washington, Colorado and Puerto Rico with CBD-only products available in the U.K., the birthplace of Julian Marley. The Company is looking to expand JuJu Royal into Nevada in the near future.
The JuJu Royal brand represents the natural connection between Julian Marley, Rastafarian culture, reggae music and marijuana. With Julian Marley as the brand's ambassador and the exclusive right to market the brand, the Company intends to capture a significant share of the state legalized marijuana market by licensing the brand to cannabis growers, edible manufacturers and retail stores. More information about the brand can be obtained from the JuJu Royal web site, www.jujuroyal.net.
About GEA Technologies (dba International Cannabrands):
Through its merger transaction with DropLeaf, LLC, GEA (dba International Cannabrands), acquired the exclusive right to market the JuJu Royal brand. GEA generates revenue from licensing fees, royalties and agreements with companies who ultimately distribute and sell products in the Cannabis Industry, as well from the direct sale of merchandise such as clothing, paraphernalia, posters, and other products. Through its Nevada subsidiary, International Cannabrands Ltd. (ICL), the company licenses growers, edible manufacturers, oil extractors, producers of ancillary products and apparel in the United States where cannabis has been legalized at the state level, as well as products containing CBD in the US and internationally. The Company believes as the market becomes saturated with products varying in potency and quality, that the branded products will rise to the top and the Company intends to exploit all opportunities available to realize the full value of the Julian Marley brand and to attract other brands. For more information, please contact Jeffrey Britz at (201)394-7882 or jeffrey@jujuroyal.net.
About G Farma Brands:
G FarmaLabs describes itself as the "Leader of the American Cannabis Revolution" and setting the "Standard" as the essence of what it does. G FarmaLabs' brands have become the choice for both cannabis patients and cannabis lovers everywhere. G FarmaLabs shared that its clients insist on G FarmaLabs because they know they can count on genuine service, a trusted name, and a superb cannabis product grown with professionalism, all while being expertly developed for a rich lifestyle. Whether in the recreational cannabis market like Washington and California or one of the over twenty medical marijuana states, G FarmaLabs believes its products offer exactly what its customers are looking for.
Media Inquiries
Cynthia Salarizadeh
Salar Media Group
Cynthia@salarmediagroup.com (856) 425-6160
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the distribution agreement with Finka Distribution and the future plans and objectives of the Company, are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations.
The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that the distribution agreement with Finka Distribution will result in increased sales and that any forward-looking statement will materialize and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will only update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law.
SOURCE: GEA Technologies Ltd.
HOUSTON, TX -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- OFS Portal announced today that it has now signed an Electronic Data Agreement (EDA) with over 300 Operators in the upstream oil and gas industry, including supermajors, NOCs and IOCs. As supply chain efficiencies continue to be priority for most operators in the industry, it is expected that the increase in OFS Portal's signed EDAs will continue at pace.
"Operators are really focusing on effective, efficient supply chain management and are collaborating with suppliers this year as we continue in a leaner for longer market," said Chris Welsh, OFS Portal CEO. "At our recent 15th Annual Conference operators provided insight into their supply chain business processes and improvements in procurement and supplier management. We provided suppliers and operators an open forum where they shared the strategic developments being implemented in the next 18 months in Oil & Gas."
Operators who sign the OFS Portal EDA benefit from preservation of data ownership, confidentiality and reliability of transactions between themselves and OFS Portal members.
"Supplier/Operator collaboration and the use of open standards are high on our priority list," said Welsh. "We see ourselves as working on behalf of the industry and not just for suppliers. OFS Portal is a community that includes suppliers, operators and networks."
The OFS Portal Community works with global standards and industry organizations to encourage reduced costs through promoting the PIDX industry transactional and data standards and the use of cost-effective business processes.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, OFS Portal, LLC is a member-based group of industry-leading upstream oil and gas suppliers and service providers. Current members include: Baker Hughes a GE Company, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Select Energy Services, Total Safety, and Weatherford International. Membership to OFS Portal is open to any supplier operating in the oil and gas industry. For more information, please visit www.ofs-portal.com.
Media Contact
Yvonne Pham
Marketing Manager
832.681.7315
ypham@ofs-portal.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The deadly Las Vegas mass shooting that shook America has rekindled the debate on gun-control laws. Nevada has some of the most relaxed gun laws in the country.
More than 58 people have been killed and over 500 others injured when a gunman opened fire on a large crowd at an open-air country music concert in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sunday.
It is estimated that nearly 12,000 Americans have been killed by guns in 273 mass shootings this year.
Following the attack in Las Vegas, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to Speaker Ryan calling for the creation of a Select Committee on Gun Violence and to bring the King-Thompson Background Check Legislation to the House Floor for a vote.
Late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who hails from Las Vegas, in his program on Monday said, 'When someone with a beard attacks us, we tap phones, we invoke travel bans, we build walls. But when an American buys a gun and kills other Americans then there's nothing we can do about that [because of] the second amendment, I guess,' he said while talking about the tragedy.
'Prayers are important but @SpeakerRyan @realDonaldTrump blood is on the hands of those who have power to legislate. GunControl act quickly,' tweeted Lady Gaga.
Madonna said its too easy to buy a gun in the U. S. or have access to automatic weapons. 'And this needs to stop!'
JK Rowling and Ariana Grande were the other celebrities who called for a legal control on the use of gun in America.
At a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders was asked if the massacre made the President think anything more about pursuing tighter gun laws, such as background checks. She replied saying this is the day of reflection and mourning and not the time for political or policy discussion.
Sarah Sanders pointed out that Chicago has the strictest gun laws in the country, where there were over 4,000 victims of gun-related crimes last year. 'That certainly hasn't helped there,' she told reporters.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
Executives from Claro, Digicel, Ericsson, Microsoft, Millicom, Nokia and Telefonica to Take the Stage at the Regional Event in Colombia
The GSMA today provided further details on the upcoming 2017 Mobile 360 Series Latin America conference, which will be held 31 October 2 November in Bogota, Colombia. The conference will highlight the latest technology trends and business models shaping the mobile industry across Latin America, including the Internet of Things, financial inclusion and mobile money, future networks and 5G, policy and mobile's contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"Mobile is at the very centre of innovation in Latin America, particularly as startups and small and medium enterprises digitalise their businesses," said Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA. "Mobile 360 Latin America will convene industry experts, policymakers and decision makers from across the ecosystem to discuss the key drivers for this innovation and explore how mobile can boost Latin American economies."
Additional Executives Confirmed to Speak
The GSMA announced a dozen additional speakers participating in the conference programme, including:
Minister David Luna, Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, Republic of Colombia
Luis Malvido, Executive Director HISPAM South, Telefonica
Minor Samayoa, CEO, Digicel El Salvador
Carlos Rozo, Director General, Apps.co
Andres Quintero, Colombia Country Manager, Ericsson
Mariano Amartino, LATAM Startups Director, Microsoft
Rachel Samren, EVP, Chief External Affairs Officer, Millicom
Rodrigo Diehl, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer, Millicom
Osvaldo di Campli, Latin America President, Nokia
Martin Wessel, Head of Technology Evolution, Telecom Personal Argentina
Leslie Jarrin, Managing Director Ecuador, ThoughtWorks
Belen Sanz, Permanent Representative, UN Women Colombia
These executives are the latest to join a strong roster of senior leaders from organisations across Latin America, including:
Edgar Salas, CEO, AZLOGICA
Paulo Cesar Teixeira, CEO, Claro Brasil
Michael O'Hara, Chief Marketing Officer, GSMA
Sebastian Cabello, Head of Latin America, GSMA
Mauricio Ramos, CEO, Millicom
Marcelo Cataldo, CEO, Tigo Colombia
Bibiana Aido, Permanent Representative, UN Women Ecuador and Former Minister for Equality in Spain
Alongside the conference, the regional event will also feature several themed seminars and workshops, including the "GSMA Latin America Strategy and Innovation Forum".
Spectrum and Policy Forum
Within Mobile 360 Latin America, the Spectrum and Policy Forum on Tuesday, 31 October will highlight the growing adoption of 4G networks in the region, as well as the technology and policy requirements needed for the future deployment of 5G networks and services. The forum will feature many high-level speakers including:
Daniel Bernal Salazar, Deputy Chair, Director of Regulatory Affairs, America Movil
Santiago Pardo, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Relations, America Movil
Martha Suarez, Director General, ANE Colombia
Oscar Leon, Executive Secretary, CITEL
Mario Maniewicz, Deputy Director, International Telecommunication Union's Radiocommunication Bureau
Alejandro Quiroga Lopez, Directror Legal and Public Affairs, Telecom Argentina
Jose Juan Haro, Director for Regulatory Affairs and Wholesale Business Latin America, Telefonica
Mobile Ecosystem Supporting the SDGs
Taking place on Wednesday, 1 November, the "Mobile Ecosystem Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals" seminar will showcase best practices for child online protection, disaster response and climate action, among other topics, with the following participating experts:
Jeffrey Villaveces, Head of the Colombia Information Management and Analysis Unit
Wilmer Caripe, Head of Search and Assistant Partnerships, LATAM, Google
Mauricio Arce Leon, Corporate Responsibility Manager Latin America, Millicom
Melanie Wilneder, Senior Key Account Manager, South Pole Group
Marcelo Ber, Business Children's Rights Focal Point, UNICEF Latin America
New Sponsor for Mobile 360 Latin America
BICS has recently signed on as a Silver Sponsor, joining previously confirmed supporters TigoUne (Host Sponsor), Amdocs (Silver Sponsor) and Huawei (Mobile 360 Series Global Industry Supporter).
Get Involved at Mobile 360 Latin America
Registration for Mobile 360 Latin America is currently open; individuals wishing to attend should visit www.mobile360series.com/latin-america/attend/attendee-registration/. For more information on Mobile 360 Latin America, visit www.mobile360series.com/latin-america/.
Follow the latest developments and updates on Mobile 360 Latin America on Twitter, using the M360LATAM hashtag or following @GSMALatam and @GSMAEvents, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Mobile360Series and LinkedIn on www.linkedin.com/company/gsma-mobile-360-series.
About the GSMA
The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 300 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Mobile World Congress Americas and the Mobile 360 Series of conferences.
For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003005173/en/
Contacts:
For the GSMA
Mauro Accurso, +54 (9)11 3251 9811
maccurso@gsma.com
or
Clare Fenny, +44 20 7067 0749
CFenny@webershandwick.com
or
GSMA Press Office
pressoffice@gsma.com
SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- The vast majority of cosmetic breast enhancement procedures performed every year result in a high level of patient satisfaction, states Dr. Steven H. Turkeltaub, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Scottsdale. From breast augmentation and breast lift surgery to breast reduction and augmentation-mastopexy, most patients find the outcome of their treatment to be rewarding from both a physical and psychological standpoint, often leading to improved confidence and overall self-esteem.
Despite the typical success of aesthetic breast surgery, Dr. Turkeltaub explains that there are certain instances in which a patient might want to change or improve the appearance of her breasts or address certain intrinsic issues-either immediately following the procedure or at a later point in time. This desire or need can be the result of suboptimal surgical technique, poor communications or decision-making, failure to comply with postoperative instructions, genetics, health-related issues, changes in cosmetic desires, implant integrity and other issues or simply the passage of time.
Fortunately, Dr. Turkeltaub says a secondary procedure known as breast revision surgery can usually be performed to address issues that are directly related to and/or have manifested independently after a previous breast augmentation, lift or reduction. Some of the most common reasons women may pursue breast revision surgery include:
To increase or decrease breast size
To resolve breast asymmetries or contour issues
To switch from saline to silicone breast implants (or vice versa)
To change the position of implants from subglandular to submuscular (or vice versa)
To treat capsular contracture, infection, implant malposition or pocket configuration issues
To replace leaking or ruptured implants
To remove breast implants entirely
To correct skin stretching or breast drooping
To improve the appearance of unsightly scarring or nipple-areolar complex irregularities
Ultimately, Dr. Turkeltaub notes that these are the most common reasons why an individual might seek breast revision surgery. For anyone who is unhappy with the appearance of her breasts following a previous breast procedure, he advises consulting with a reputable board-certified plastic surgeon who is highly experienced and has demonstrable results in secondary breast surgery. "Corrective procedures can be quite challenging from a surgical standpoint so choosing a plastic surgeon who has the expertise necessary to achieve exemplary outcomes in a variety of different breast revision cases is imperative to ensuring the safest, most effective treatment possible."
About Steven H. Turkeltaub, MD, PC
Dr. Turkeltaub is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the highly competitive six-year medical program at Boston University and Boston University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in general surgery at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital and his plastic surgery training at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Turkeltaub continually upholds optimal standards of excellence in all facets of his practice. In addition to primary and revision breast procedures, he offers a full gamut of facial and body treatments including eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty, mommy makeovers and skin rejuvenation.
To learn more about Dr. Turkeltaub and his practice in Scottsdale and Glendale, AZ, visit turkeltaub.com, arizonabreast.com and facebook.com/drturkeltaub. He is available for interview upon request.
To view the original source of this press release, click here: https://www.arizonabreast.com/news-room/scottsdale-plastic-surgeon-shares-common-reasons-to-seek-breast-revision-surgery/
Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3172419
Contact:
Arizona Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Scottsdale Office:
8502 E Princess Drive
Suite 240
Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
Glendale Office:
18275 N. 59th Ave.
Bldg. E, Suite 126
Glendale, AZ 85308
(480) 451-3000
Rosemont Media
(858) 200-0044
www.rosemontmedia.com
Atlanta, GA, USA and Lausanne, Switzerland (ots) -Triptodur, (triptorelin) extended release injectable suspension, has been shown to arrest or reverse the clinical signs of puberty associated with CPP via a once every six-month intramuscular (IM) injection.Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a U.S. based specialty pharmaceutical company, and Debiopharm International SA, part of Debiopharm Group, a Swiss-based global biopharmaceutical company, announced today that Triptodur (triptorelin) is now commercially available in the U.S. for the treatment of pediatric patients 2 years and older diagnosed with central precocious puberty (CPP) - a rare condition that affects one in every 5,000 to 10,000 children.(1)"We are pleased to be providing this important new treatment option for children diagnosed with CPP," said Ed Schutter, President and CEO of Arbor. "We believe that many providers, patients and parents will appreciate the convenience Triptodur offers through a once-every six-month dosing schedule."CPP is a condition that occurs when a child shows signs of puberty earlier than normal: before age 8 in girls and age 9 in boys.(2,3) Without appropriate treatment, children with CPP will be shorter in height than their peers due to premature fusion of growth plates.4 CPP has also been associated with low self-esteem and higher anxiety, irritability or withdrawal.(5-7,12)"Early puberty in a child can pose significant physical and emotional challenges throughout their life, including shorter adult stature, social, psychological and emotional effects," said Karen Klein, M.D., Pediatric Endocrinologist, University of California San Diego and Rady Children's Hospital. "With treatment, hormone levels in children with CPP may be returned to a normal level, slowing the clinical signs of puberty until an age appropriate time."Triptodur (triptorelin) is the first gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist administered through intramuscular injection (IM) to offer once-every six-month dosing.(8) This treatment helps to return hormone levels in children to a normal prepubertal level, pausing the clinical signs of puberty until an age appropriate time. GnRH agonists are the primary treatment for CPP and can help preserve time in childhood.(9)"We are very pleased to offer this well tolerated and efficacious triptorelin formulation to children suffering from central precocious puberty, for which no other 6-month GnRH agonist formulation is approved", said Eija Lundstrom, Medical Director, Debiopharm International SA.(8)Triptodur (triptorelin) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of children with CPP. In a phase III clinical trial, Triptodur (triptorelin) demonstrated a return to pre-pubertal luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in 93 percent of patients after 6 months of treatment, and in 98 percent of patients after 12 months.(10) The most common adverse reactions in clinical studies were injection site reactions, menstrual (vaginal) bleeding, hot flush, headache, cough, and infections (bronchitis, gastroenteritis, influenza, nasopharyngitis, otitis externa, pharyngitis, sinusitis, and upper respiratory tract infection). Please see Important Safety Information below.Triptorelin extended release formulations were developed by Debiopharm and are manufactured in Switzerland by Debiopharm Research & Manufacturing SA. Arbor acquired exclusive U.S. commercial rights to Triptorelin 6-month for CPP in November 2015 and it was approved by the U.S. FDA in June 2017.About Central Precocious Puberty (CPP)GnRH-dependent CPP is defined by pubertal development occurring before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys.(1-2) It is characterized by early pubertal changes such as breast development and start of menses in girls and increased testicular and penile growth in boys, appearance of pubic hair, as well as acceleration of growth velocity and bone maturation and tall stature during childhood, which often results in reduced adult height due to premature fusion of the growth plates.(11)Reliable epidemiological data on CPP worldwide is not available. The condition is a rare disease occurring in about 1 out of every 5,000 to 10,000 children.(3) Central precocious puberty is more common in girls than in boys, with a female: male ratio estimated to be between 3:1 and 23:1.(10)About TriptorelinTriptorelin is an agonist analogue of the natural gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Debiopharm has developed three sustained-release formulations (1, 3 and 6 months) of triptorelin pamoate. The 1-, 3- and 6-month formulations have been registered in numerous countries for several indications.Triptorelin was first registered in France in 1986 and is currently marketed in more than 80 countries for various indications including CPP.About TriptodurINDICATIONSTRIPTODUR is indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with central precocious puberty (CPP).IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONContraindicationsTRIPTODUR is contraindicated in:- Individuals with a known hypersensitivity to triptorelin or any other component of the product, or other GnRH agonists or GnRH.- Women who are or may become pregnant. Expected hormonal changes that occur with TRIPTODUR treatment increase the risk for pregnancy loss and fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be advised of the potential risk to the fetus.Warnings and PrecautionsInitial Rise of Gonadotropins and Sex Steroid Levels - During the early phase of therapy, gonadotropins and sex steroids rise above baseline because of the initial stimulatory effect of the drug. Therefore, a transient increase in clinical signs and symptoms of puberty, including vaginal bleeding, may be observed during the first weeks of therapy or after subsequent doses.Psychiatric Events - Psychiatric events have been reported in patients taking GnRH agonists. Postmarketing reports with this class of drugs include symptoms of emotional lability, such as crying, irritability, impatience, anger, and aggression. Monitor for development or worsening of psychiatric symptoms during treatment with TRIPTODUR.Convulsions - Post-marketing reports of convulsions have been observed in patients receiving GnRH agonists, including triptorelin. These included patients with a history of seizures, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disorders, central nervous system anomalies or tumors, and patients on concomitant medications that have been associated with convulsions such as bupropion and SSRIs. Convulsions have also been reported in patients in the absence of any of the conditions mentioned above.Adverse ReactionsIn clinical trials for TRIPTODUR, the most common adverse reactions (>4.5%) are injection site reactions, menstrual (vaginal) bleeding, hot flush, headache, cough, and infections (bronchitis, gastroenteritis, influenza, nasopharyngitis, otitis externa, pharyngitis, sinusitis, and upper respiratory tract infection).For additional safety information, consult the TRIPTODUR full Prescribing Information: http://arborpharma.com/docs/TriptodurFullProductInformation.pdfFor More InformationFor additional news or information about Triptodur (triptorelin), please visit www.Triptodur.com.About Debiopharm International SAPart of Debiopharm Group - a Swiss-headquartered global biopharmaceutical group including five companies active in the life science areas of drug development, GMP manufacturing of proprietary drugs, diagnostic tools and investment management - Debiopharm International SA is focused on the development of prescription drugs that target unmet medical needs. The company in-licenses and develops promising drug candidates. The products are commercialized by pharmaceutical out-licensing partners to give access to the largest number of patients worldwide. For more information, please visit www.debiopharm.com. We are on Twitter. Follow us @DebiopharmNews at http://twitter.com/DebiopharmNews.About Arbor Pharmaceuticals LLCArbor Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a specialty pharmaceutical company currently focused on the cardiovascular, neurology, hospital and pediatric markets as well as generics through its Wilshire division. The company has approximately 750 employees, with over 625 sales professionals that promote its products to hospitals and physicians. In addition to its extensive pipeline, the company continues to actively pursue growth through acquisition or licensing of marketed or late-stage development products. Arbor currently markets twenty-two approved NDA and ANDA products, and, along with Wilshire, has over forty products in development. For more information regarding Arbor Pharmaceuticals or any of its products, visit www.arborpharma.com or send email inquiries to info@arborpharma.com.References 1. Partsch CJ, Sippell WG. Treatment of central precocious puberty. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab.2002;16:165-189. 2. Muir A. Precocious puberty. Pediatr Rev. 2006;27:373-381. 3. Carel JC, Leger J. Clinical practice. Precocious puberty. N Engl J Med. 2008;358(22):2366-2377. 4. Carel JC, Lahlou N, Roger M & Chaussain JL. Precocious puberty and statural growth. Human Reproduction Update. 2004;10:135-147. 5. Precocious puberty. Mayo Clinic Web site. http://www.mayoclinic.o rg/diseases-conditions/precocious-puberty/symptoms-causes/dxc-2026600 3. Accessed June 21, 2017. 6. Mendle, J., et al. Detrimental Psychological Outcomes Associated with Early Pubertal Timing in Adolescent Girls. Dev Rev. 2007; 27(2): 151-171. 7. Johansson T & Ritzen EM. Very long-term follow-up of girls with early and late menarche. Endocrine Development. 2005;8:126-136. 8. Triptodur [package insert]. Atlanta, GA: Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC. http://arborpharma.com/docs/TriptodurFullProductInformation.pdf 9. Faqua JS. Treatment and outcomes of precocious puberty: an update. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98(6):2198-207. 10. Klein K, et al. Efficacy and safety of triptorelin 6-month formulation in patients with central precocious puberty. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2016;29(11):1241-1248. 11. Antoniazzi F, Zamboni G. Central precocious puberty: current treatment options. Paediatr Drugs. 2004;6:211-231. 12. Early Puberty. Lurie Children's Web site. https://www.luriechild rens.org/en-us/care-services/conditions-treatments/early-puberty/Page s/index.aspx. Accessed June 21, 2017.PP-TRIP-US-0056Originaltext: Debiopharm International SA digital press kits: http://www.presseportal.de/nr/121610 press kits via RSS: http://www.presseportal.de/rss/pm_121610.rss2Pressekontakt: Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC Contact Melissa Bond Spectrum Science Communications mbond@spectrumscience.com Tel: +1 212-468-5340Debiopharm International SA Contact Christelle von Buren Communication Coordinator christelle.vonburen@debiopharm.com Tel: +41 (0)21 321 01 11
Luxoft Holding, Inc (NYSE:LXFT), a leading provider of software development services and innovative IT solutions to a global client base, announced today the appointment of Tracy Krumme as Vice President of Investor Relations. Ms. Krumme is based in New York, and reports directly to Luxoft's CFO, Evgeny Fetisov.
Tracy Krumme has more than 25 years of experience in investor relations, financial communications, investment banking, and equity research. She has led investor relations at four public companies prior to joining Luxoft, including NCR, a Fortune-500 technology company, in addition to CECO Environmental, Fuel Tech, and Hollinger International.
Ms. Krumme has also held positions as an equity research analyst at Sandler O'Neill and Partners, an investment strategist at Prudential Securities, and an investment banker at Kidder, Peabody, and Co., in London. Ms. Krumme is a graduate of Denison University.
Mr. Fetisov said, "We are delighted to welcome Tracy to Luxoft. We believe Tracy's established reputation among the investment community, along with her accomplished financial background, will enable her to communicate the Company's strategic vision effectively. Having achieved significant growth since the Company went public, we look forward to Tracy's contributions as we continue to execute our growth strategy."
Ms. Krumme, Vice President of Investor Relations, stated "I am thrilled to join Luxoft and be part of such a dynamic organization. I look forward to actively interacting with the global investment community to expand relationships and communicate Luxoft's growth story."
About Luxoft
Luxoft Holding, Inc. (NYSE:LXFT) is a leading provider of software development services and innovative IT solutions to a global client base consisting primarily of large, multinational corporations predominantly in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific. The Company's software development services consist of core and mission critical custom software development and support, product engineering, and technology consulting. Its bespoke solutions include technology architecture selection and other consulting, proprietary products and/or standard system software and platforms, as well as implementation and maintenance. Through its services and solutions, the Company helps its clients improve their competitive position by increasing efficiency, optimizing costs, and enabling changes through disruptive digital technologies that enhance end-user experience and shorten time-to-market. The Company develops its solutions and delivers its services from 37 dedicated delivery centers worldwide. It has more than 12,800 employees across 42 offices in 21 countries within five continents North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Luxoft is incorporated in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, has its operating headquarters office in Zug, Switzerland and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit http://www.luxoft.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release of Luxoft Holding, Inc ("Luxoft") contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business and financial condition, as well as the results of operations, liquidity, plans and objectives. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "plan," "expect," "predict," "potential," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These statements are subject to, without limitation, the risk factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Luxoft's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2017 and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by Luxoft. Except as required by law, Luxoft undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this news release whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
All trademarks are recognized and are the property of their respective companies.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003006049/en/
Contacts:
Luxoft Holding, Inc
Investor Inquires
Tracy Krumme, 212-964-9900, ext. 2404
Vice President, Investor Relations
IR@luxoft.com
or
Media Inquiries
Patrick R. Corcoran, 212-964-9900 ext. 2453
Global Director, External Relations
Press@luxoft.com
Twitter: @Luxoft
DUBLIN, October 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
The "Global Artificial Joints Market Size, Market Share, Application Analysis, Regional Outlook, Growth Trends, Key Players, Competitive Strategies and Forecasts, 2017 - 2025" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.
The global artificial joints market was valued at US$ 17.13 Bn in 2016, and is expected to reach US$ 25.31 Bn by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2017 - 2025.
Based on applications, the global artificial joints market is categorized into artificial joints of knee, hip, shoulder and other. In the base year 2015, it is observed that artificial joints of knee segment holds the largest market share. Factors such growing aging population, consequently increasing incidence of age related musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis, rising obese population are majorly contributing to the demand for of knee and hip replacement surgeries, and consequently respective implants.
The artificial joints market is currently dominated by North America due to continuous increase in obese population, higher cost of implantable joints, technological advancement, rising geriatric population, upsurge in funding by government agencies and private organizations in healthcare. California, Florida and Texas are major revenue contributing regions in North America. It is observed that Europe is the second largest revenue generating segment in the global artificial joints market. Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland are major revenue contributing countries in Europe. Factors such as increasing demand for the minimally invasive surgeries, higher cost of replacement devices, growth in health expenditure and technological advancement drive the market growth in Europe.
Key Market Movements:
Factors such as increasing geriatric population, rising incidence of osteoarthritis and arthritis would further drive the market growth of global artificial joints market.
Increasing obese population, rising unhealthy eating habits which in turn result in obesity tend to increase knee and hip replacement surgeries increase the size of global artificial joints market.
Osteoarthritis is one of the ten most disabling diseases in developed countries also adults younger than age 60 undergoing total knee and hip replacement surgeries contributing the market growth in developed countries.
However, factors such as high cost of surgery, post-surgical complications and increasing awareness for some non-surgical treatment may negatively impact the market growth of global artificial joints market.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Preface
2. Executive Summary
2.1. Artificial Joints Market Snapshot
2.2. Artificial Joints Market, by Product type, 2015 (US$ Mn)
2.3. Artificial Joints Market, by Application, 2015 (US$ Mn)
2.4. Artificial Joints Market, by Geography, 2015 (Value %)
3. Global Artificial Joints Market Analysis
3.1. Artificial Joints Market Overview
3.2. Market Dynamics
3.3. Attractive Investment Proposition, 2015
3.4. Competitive Landscape Assessment, by Key Market Players
4. Global Artificial Joints Market, by Material, 2015 - 2025 (US$)
4.1. Overview
4.2. Ceramics
4.3. Alloys
4.4. Oxinium
4.5. Other
5. Global Artificial Joints Market, by Application, 2015 - 2025 (US$)
5.1. Overview
5.2. Artificial Joints of Knee
5.3. Artificial Joints of Hip
5.4. Artificial Joints of Shoulder
5.5. Other
6. Global Artificial Joints Market, by Geography, 2015 - 2025 (US$)
7. Company Profiles
Aesculap AG
AK Medical
Arthrex
Biomet, Inc.
Depuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson)
DJO Global, Inc.
Exactech, Inc.
Globus Medical
JRI Orthopaedics
Medtronic, Inc.
NuVasive, Inc.
SAMO
Smith & Nephew
Stryker Corp.
Zimmer Holdings
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/2tt32b/global_artificial
Media Contact:
Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470
For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630
For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc. ("MOBI724" or the "Company") (CSE: MOS)(CSE: MOS.CN)(CNSX: MOS)(OTCQB: MOBIF), a FinTech leader offering integrated EMV payment, Card-Linked Offers, Digital Marketing and Business Intelligence Solutions, wishes to advise investors that MOBI724's CEO, Marcel Vienneau, will be hosting a webinar on October 3, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time to provide a material management update and to answer questions. In compliance with Canadian Securities Regulations, the Company advises that management has requested, on a voluntary basis, that the trading of MOBI724 shares be temporarily halted due to the dissemination of material news and the presentation the management update webinar.
Interested parties may log in at the following web address:
Please register for MOBI724 Global Solutions (CSE: MOS) Material Management Update on Oct 3, 2017 2:00 PM EDT at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8396507792715272451
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Brought to you by GoToWebinar Webinars Made Easy
About MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc.
"We enable smart transactions anywhere"
MOBI724, a leader in the fintech industry based in Montreal (Canada), offers a unique and fully integrated suite of payment & digital marketing solutions with a combined EMV Payment, Card Linked Offers, and Digital Marketing platform that works on any card and any Mobile device. MOBI724's solutions add value to all types of transactions benefiting banks, retailers and cardholders by leveraging available user and purchasing data to increase transaction volumes and spend. MOBI724 provides a turnkey solution to its clients to capture card transactions on any Mobile device, at any point of sale or from any payment card. MOBI724 provides its customers with full and comprehensive traceability and enriched consumer data through its offering. Its solutions enables card associations, retailers, manufacturers, offer providers, Mobile operators and card issuers to create, manage, deliver and "track and measure" incentive campaigns worldwide to any Mobile device and allow its redemption at any point of sales.
Certain statements in this document, including those which express management's expectations or estimations with regard to the Company's future performance, constitute "forward-looking statements" as understood by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are, of necessity, based on a certain number of estimates and hypotheses; while management considers these to be accurate at the time they are expressed, they are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and risks on the commercial, economic and competitive levels. We advise readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other known and unknown factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Investors are advised to not rely unduly on the forward-looking statements. This advisory applies to all forward-looking statements, whether expressed orally or in writing, attributed to the Company or to any individual expressing them in the name of the Company. Unless required by law, the Company is under no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events, or other circumstances.
The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed this news release and does not accept responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy. This news release does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell any securities in the United States.
Contacts:
MOBI724 Global Solutions Inc.
Marcel Vienneau
1-514-394-5200 x 413
www.mobi724globalsolutions.com
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
Bettina Filippone: bfilippone@renmarkfinancial.com
Media - Kellie Coppin: kcoppin@renmarkfinancial.com
(416) 644-2020 or (514) 939-3989
www.renmarkfinancial.com
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / October 3, 2017 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC reminds investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against SCANA Corporation ("SCANA" or the "Company") (NYSE SCG) securities and certain of its officers, on behalf of a class who purchased SCANA shares between January 19, 2016, and September 22, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/scg.
This class action seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The complaint alleges that during the Class Period, defendants made false and misleading statements and/or failed to disclose adverse information regarding the construction of the Nuclear Project, assuring investors that costs spending was prudent and substantial progress was being made, even when cost overruns and other delays began to materialize. As a result of defendants' false statements and/or omissions, SCANA's common stock traded at artificially inflated prices during the Class Period.
On July 31, 2017, SCANA's subsidiary South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. ("SCE&G") and Santee Cooper, South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility, announced that they would abandon construction of two nuclear power plants in South Carolina, citing rising construction costs.
Then on August 11, 2017, The Post and Courier of Charleston reported that Kevin Marsh, SCANA's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, had advised state lawmakers that SCE&G might not resume construction on the nuclear power plants even if a new partner for the project was found. Following this news, SCANA's share price fell $1.32, or 2.13%, to close at $60.69 on August 11, 2017.
That same day, after the close of trading, The Post and Courier reported that a class action had been filed against SCE&G on behalf of South Carolina ratepayers, alleging that SCE&G had overcharged its customers for electricity for nearly 10 years by raising their rates to pay in advance for the construction of the company's subsequently abandoned nuclear plants.
Then on August 29, 2017, The Post and Courier reported that a second class action had been filed on behalf of SCE&G customers, accusing SCE&G and SCANA of fraud and negligence in the years preceding the decision to abandon construction of the company's nuclear power plants.
Following this news, SCANA's share price fell $0.84, or 1.39%, over the following two trading sessions, to close at $59.75 per share on August 30, 2017.
On September 22, 2017, the SC AG publicly requested that the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division launch a criminal investigation into the Nuclear Project.
SCANA's stock price has declined $20.90 per share, or 27.5%, to close at $55.22 per share on September 22, 2017, from its closing price high of $76.12 per share on July 6, 2016.
A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint you can visit the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/scg or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Investor Relations Analyst, Yael Hurwitz of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 212-697-6484. If you suffered a loss in SCANA you have until November 27, 2017 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a corporate litigation boutique. Our primary expertise is the aggressive pursuit of litigation claims on behalf of our clients. In addition to representing institutions and other investor plaintiffs in class action security litigation, the firm's expertise includes general corporate and commercial litigation, as well as securities arbitration. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Contact:
Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
Peretz Bronstein or Yael Hurwitz
212-697-6484 | info@bgandg.com
SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC
SUDBURY, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 3, 2017 / Frontier Lithium Inc. (TSX.V: FL) (the "Company") is pleased to report metallurgical results from the Company's 100% owned PAK Lithium Project (the "Project") in the Red Lake Mining District, Northwestern Ontario. The Locked Cycle Test (LCT) flotation test work was performed from a representative 500 kg master composite mineralized sample. The test work was undertaken by XPS Consulting & Testwork Services ("XPS"), a Glencore company, and based in Falconbridge, Ontario, Canada.
The comprehensive program returned favourable results, confirming the suitability and robustness of the flowsheet design. Locked cycle flotation produced lithium concentrate grades of 7.13% lithium oxide (Li2O) with a corresponding Li2O recovery of 79.4%. "The results that were obtained in our metallurgical testing have clearly demonstrated a sound understanding of the processing characteristics of the mineralized material. A future plant with optimized equipment is expected to produce similar results to the locked cycle tests undertaken by XPS," commented Trevor Walker, President and CEO of Frontier Lithium.
The program also included high intensity magnetic removal of iron that resulted in concentrate iron oxide levels of 0.1% Fe2O3. These results confirm the suitability of the material to meet the most rigorous specifications of the lithium market. "The results are analogous with the low-iron, high purity product highly sought after by discerning customers in the glass and ceramics industry - spodumene technical grade is the most stringent specification to meet and is the second largest market segment for global lithium demand," said Trevor Walker, President and CEO of Frontier Lithium. "Frontier is currently conducting a Pre-Feasibility Study, therefore this test work is a significant de-risking event for the Project. These results meet expectations from the lithium market's industrial consumers (technical grade), and consequently exceed chemical grade requirements for further upgrading to produce compounds for the lithium-ion battery market - a global market that is anxious to see a new, serious supplier in a favourable jurisdiction come online as a sustainable source for low-iron, high purity lithium."
Mr. Garth Drever, P.Geo., is the "Qualified Person" for Frontier defined under NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.
About Frontier Lithium Inc.
Frontier's goal is to become a low-cost, fully integrated lithium and tantalum producer through development of the PAK lithium deposit in Ontario, Canada. Frontier maintains a tight share structure with management ownership exceeding 30% of the Company. CAD $5 million of exploration work has been conducted from 2013 to 2017 on the deposit which boasts its lithium in a rare, high-purity, low-iron spodumene. The initial target market is the glass-ceramic industry which consumes roughly one-third of global lithium supply and is currently faced with monopolistic conditions, coupled with major lithium producers increasingly directing output toward supporting battery manufacture.
Ceramic/glass customers prefer to source technical-grade (low-iron) spodumene concentrate in excess of 7% lithium oxide (Li2O), if available, to avoid lower grade petalite concentrates, or paying much higher prices for battery grade lithium compounds.
The PAK lithium deposit remains open in all directions and Company Management is working towards developing a viable operation. The Company is currently conducting a pre-feasibility study to assess the economic viability and technical feasibility of producing lithium concentrates. Frontier's goal is to first establish a viable technical grade spodumene concentrate operation. A possible second stage of investment and longer term prospect is to further process some of PAK's output to produce the higher purity lithium compounds required for lithium battery technologies used in the electrification of transportation and electric grid storage applications.
About the PAK Lithium Project
The PAK Lithium Project lies close to the boundary between two geological sub-provinces of the western Superior geologic province in northwestern Ontario and hosts a rare metals pegmatite deposit. The deposit is an LCT (lithium- cesium- tantalum) type pegmatite. These types of pegmatites have been the principal source of hard rock lithium, tantalum, rubidium and cesium ores mined in the world but there are comparatively few commercially-viable deposits.
Frontier is actively exploring its 100% owned project which contains the Pakeagama Lake pegmatite. The PAK deposit has a current Measured and Indicated Resource of 7.89 million tonnes of 1.73% Li2O equivalent (eq.) or 1.58% Li20 and 104 ppm Ta2O5 and an Inferred Resource of 295,600 tonnes of 1.35% Li2O eq. or 1.20% Li2O and 103 ppm Ta2O5 which has a technical/ceramic grade spodumene with low inherent iron (below 0.1% Fe2O3). The deposit has adjacent zones that are enriched in tantalum and rubidium.
The deposit now has a known 500m strike length with an estimated true width varying from 10m to 125m with a sub-vertical orientation. The resource remains open to depth and along strike to the northwest and southeast.
Company Contact Information
Trevor R. Walker
President & CEO
2736 Belisle Drive Val Caron, ON. P3N 1B3 CANADA
T. +001 705.897.7622
F. +001 705.897.7618
Media Requests
Joseph Mansourian
Manager, Investor Relations
2736 Belisle Drive Val Caron, ON. P3N 1B3 CANADA
T. +001 705.618.0070
F. +001 705.897.7618
Additional information regarding Frontier Lithium is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile and on its website at www.frontierlithium.com, including various pictures of ongoing work at the project.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE: Frontier Lithium Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 3, 2017) - Bayhorse Silver Inc. (TSXV: BHS) ("Bayhorse" or the "Company") has been advised by Steinert US that the KSS 100 Ore-Sorter has met all the required certifications and is being shipped from Germany to the Bayhorse Mine site, where it is expected for installation early in November.
Mr. Levi Duncan has been appointed as The Company's Operations Manager. Mr. Duncan, of Cataldo Idaho, is a highly experienced miner and has served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He and his family have a long history of mining in Idaho's highly prolific "Silver Valley".
As new Operations Manager, he has advised that at the Bayhorse, a northerly crosscut drift being developed 50 feet below the Sunshine Zone, and 160 feet inside the main adit, (the Legend Zone") has intersected a mineralized zone 35 feet in length that is expected to extend a further 40 feet underneath and up into the Sunshine Zone. Historic sampling of 20 oz/t silver is reported on geologic maps in a winze 15 feet below the Sunshine Zone. The overall mineralized zones at the Bayhorse Mine is reported as being up to 85ft wide, averaging 30 feet in thickness, and extending for over 840 feet in length. (Herdrick, 1981)
Underground development At the Bayhorse Mine continues on three working faces:
The Sunshine Zone in the upper adit, and
50 feet below the Sunshine Zone, the newly named "Legend Zone" that appears to extend west towards the easterly end of Big Dog Zone, and
The Big Dog Zone, that the 1984 drilling results indicate is open along strike to the west.
Significant quantities of mineralized material is being stockpiled, ready for processing by the Ore-Sorter.
Bayhorse CEO Graeme O'Neill comments, "Discovering the new Legend Zone shows old time miners only highgraded the Bayhorse and did not follow the mineralization down below the zones that were originally mined. Fortunately, today we now have the modern mining and exploration methods that allow us to quickly test prospective mineralized areas, that led to the discovery of the new Legend Zone."
The Company advises it is not basing any decision to produce on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability and also advises there is increased uncertainty and specific economic and technical risks of failure associated with any production decision.
This News Release has been prepared on behalf of the Bayhorse Silver Inc. Board of Directors, which accepts full responsibility for its contents. Dr. Clay Conway, P.Geol., a Qualified Person and Director of Bayhorse has prepared, supervised the preparation of, or approved the technical content of this press release.
On Behalf of the Board.
Graeme O'Neill, President
604-684-3394
Bayhorse Silver Inc., a junior exploration company, has earned an 80% interest in the historic Bayhorse Silver Mine, Oregon, USA. Bayhorse is also earning a 75% interest in the past producing Bridging the Gap Project, consisting of ASARCO's historic Crown Point, Silver King, Ranger, Wyoming, Curlew, and Blackhawk silver/lead/zinc mines in Idaho's Silver Valley. The Company has an experienced management and technical team with extensive exploration and mining expertise.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
DUBLIN, October 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
The "Global RF Filters Market 2017-2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.
The global RF filters market to grow at a CAGR of 16.73% during the period 2017-2021.
Global RF Filters Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.
The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is Development of 5G. 5G is expected to improve performance in terms of network capacity, cost, mobile connections, latency, data rates, and coverage. 5G is the fifth-generation wireless systems or mobile networks that will provide a comprehensive IP solution to users where voice, data, and streamed multimedia can be given anywhere and anytime. 5G networks represent the future of wireless technology.
According to the report, one of the major drivers for this market is High proliferation of mobile computing devices. The demand for mobile computing devices is growing among mobile users and business travelers, who require portability and connectivity. Consumers are using these devices for several purposes such as accessing social networking apps, surfing the web, reading news, and checking emails. High internet penetration rate and the availability of high data rates at affordable speed are driving the mobile computing devices.
Further, the report states that one of the major factors hindering the growth of this market is Cyclical nature of semiconductor industry. The semiconductor industry is cyclical in nature. It constantly faces economic expansion and contraction in demand for products. Demand typically tracks end-market demand for smartphones, tablets, and other electronic equipment. It is difficult for semiconductor companies to produce microchips quickly enough to meet demand during good times. Laptop sales, for instance, are very unpredictable and can have adverse impact on the semiconductor.
Key vendors
Broadcom
Qorvo
Murata Manufacturing
TDK
Other prominent vendors
ABRACON
API Technologies
Akoustis Technologies
Bird Technologies
Oscilent
RTx Technology
Skyworks Solutions
Key Topics Covered:
Part 01: Executive Summary
Part 02: Scope Of The Report
Part 03: Research Methodology
Part 04: Introduction
Part 05: Market Landscape
Part 06: Market Segmentation By Application
Part 07: Market Segmentation By Technology
Part 08: Geographical Segmentation
Part 09: Key Leading Countries
Part 10: Decision Framework
Part 11: Drivers And Challenges
Part 12: Market Trends
Part 13: Vendor Landscape
Part 14: Key Vendor Analysis
Part 15: Appendix
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/kstg9p/global_rf_filters
Media Contact:
Research and Markets
Laura Wood, Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470
For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630
For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907
Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
Technavio market research analysts forecast the global ethylene vinyl acetate market to grow at a CAGR of close to 4% during the forecast period, according to their latest report.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003005910/en/
Technavio has published a new report on the global ethylene vinyl acetate market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)
The market study covers the present scenario and growth prospects of the global ethylene vinyl acetate market for 2017-2021. The report also lists films, foams, and adhesives as the three major application segments, of which the films segment accounted for close to 40% of the market share in 2016.
According to Kshama Upadhyay, a lead analyst at Technavio for specialty chemicals research, "The demand for EVA copolymers is increasing in the packaging sector, especially in food and medical applications, because of their non-toxic nature. EVA sheets are used for encapsulating photovoltaic cells in solar panels. Increasing support by the government for the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, drives market growth."
This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing
Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free
Technavio analysts highlight the following three market drivers that are contributing to the growth of the global ethylene vinyl acetate market:
Emergence of Asia as a manufacturing hub of EVA-based footwear
Increased use of EVA in food packaging industry
Regulations on the use of other substitutes such as PVC
Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report
Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.
Emergence of Asia as a manufacturing hub of EVA-based footwear
Easy availability of low-cost raw materials such as rubber, cotton, synthetic leather, polyester, and leather; and cheap labor have led many shoe manufacturers to relocate their production units to Asia, mainly China and India. In 2016, North Asia was the largest manufacturer of footwear.
Economic growth in Asian countries such as India, Japan, and South Korea, has led to an increase in expendable incomes. Improving lifestyles fuel the demand for EVA-based flexible foam footwear. EVA slippers and sandals are popular as they have a glossy finish and are lightweight. They are odorless, easy to mold, and are cheaper compared to natural rubber.
Increased use of EVA in food packaging industry
The ever-rising global population drives the demand for food. EVA-based food packaging retains the freshness and increases the shelf life of the foods. Rapidly changing lifestyles, especially in the urban areas of the world, fuel the demand for packaged foods. Also, EVA is used in the production of hot melt adhesives that are used for sealing in the packaging division.
Increasing disposable incomes and the growing demand for packaged commodities will fuel the demand for EVA in the food packaging segment. The adoption of advanced flexible packaging in the fish, meat, snacks, poultry, and pet food sectors will boost the consumption of EVA. The market for hot melt adhesives in the food packaging segment.
"The growing demand for convenience food will drive the demand for flexible packaging solutions such as microwaveable pouches and peel-off lids. Plastic closures for beverages, vacuum packaging, barrier shrink bags, case-ready meat packaging, and dairy and cheese packaging are some of the applications of EVA in the packaging industry," says Kshama
Regulations on the use of other substitutes such as PVC
Vinyl acetate-based copolymers are safe for human health and environment in comparison to other substitutes. In 1999, Greenpeace conducted a study at the University of Massachusetts to find suitable alternatives to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with a focus on children. It was found that medical devices, toys, and shower curtains that contain traces of vinyl chloride phthalates pose health risks. The study identified EVA copolymers as safe and cost-effective substitutes to plastic. Sierra Club, Center for Health, NYPIRG and other organizations urge retailers to minimize the use of PVC plastic and use PVC-free plastic and EVA. The suggested addition of vinyl acetate to the Proposition 65 list could decrease or reverse measures taken deliberately by retailers to provide safer PVC-free products.
Browse Related Reports:
Global Polyphenylene Oxide Market 2017-2021
Global Glucaric Acid Market 2017-2021
Global Glycolic Acid Market 2017-2021
About Technavio
Technaviois a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.
With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.
If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003005910/en/
Contacts:
Technavio Research
Jesse Maida
Media Marketing Executive
US: +1 844 364 1100
UK: +44 203 893 3200
www.technavio.com
BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - The European markets ended Friday's session in the green, bringing its recent winning streak to 3 days. The continued global rally helped the markets to extend their gains after the Dow reached a new record high yesterday and Asian markets turned in a strong performance overnight. The markets held most of their gains following the release of the weaker than expected U.S. jobs report.
Shares of automakers extended their gains from the previous session, after Thursday's better than expected U.S. auto sales. A pair of broker upgrades in the sector also helped to fuel their continued gains.
The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index advanced 0.83 percent. The Euro Stoxx 50 index of eurozone bluechip stocks increased 1.07 percent, while the Stoxx Europe 50 index, which includes some major U.K. companies, added 0.79 percent.
The DAX of Germany climbed 1.15 percent and the CAC 40 of France rose 1.05 percent. The FTSE 100 of the U.K. gained 0.37 percent and the SMI of Switzerland finished higher by 0.50 percent.
In Frankfurt, Volkswagen advanced 2.01 percent after the automaker said it would work with Silicon Valley firm Aurora to create self-driving cars. Deutsche Bank also upgraded its rating on the stock to 'Buy' from 'Hold.'
BMW climbed 1.06 percent and Daimler rose 1.04 percent.
In Paris, Peugeot increased 4.35 percent and Renault added 2.32 percent.
In London, Centrica rallied 3.07 percent after Credit Suisse gave a 'buy' rating on the stock.
easyJet gained 0.03 percent after reporting 5.5 percent growth in passenger traffic for December.
Geotechnical contractor Keller Group jumped 8.65 percent. The company said that it is in discussions to acquire Moretrench Inc., a geotechnical contracting company operating predominantly along the east coast of the U.S.
Fiat Chrysler advanced 6.35 percent in Milan, after JPMorgan upgraded its rating on the stock to 'Overweight' from 'Neutral.'
Eurozone inflation eased slightly as expected at the end of 2017 on slower growth in energy prices, suggesting that an interest rate hike from the European Central Bank is likely to be a long way off. Inflation eased marginally to 1.4 percent in December from 1.5 percent in November, flash data from Eurostat showed Friday. The rate came in line with expectations.
Eurozone producer price inflation accelerated unexpectedly in November, data from Eurostat showed Friday. Producer prices climbed 2.8 percent year-over-year in November, faster than the 2.5 percent rise in October. Economists had expected the inflation to remain stable at 2.5 percent.
Germany's retail sales rebounded in November, figures from Destatis revealed Friday. Retail sales climbed 4.4 percent year-on-year in November, reversing a revised 0.9 percent drop in October. Sales were forecast to grow 2.3 percent.
Germany's construction activity expanded at the fastest pace in four months in December, buoyed by strong growth in commercial building work, survey data from IHS Markit showed Friday. The headline Purchasing Managers' Index climbed to 53.7 in December from 53.1 in November.
France's consumer prices grew at a steady pace in December, flash data from the statistical office Insee showed Friday. Consumer prices climbed 1.2 percent year-on-year in December, the same pace of increase as seen in November.
French consumer confidence strengthened in December to the highest level in six months, survey data from the statistical office Insee showed Friday. The consumer sentiment index climbed to 105 in December from 103 in November, which was revised up from 102. Economists had expected the index to rise to 103.
UK labor productivity increased at the fastest pace in more than six years in the third quarter, the Office for National Statistics said Friday. Output per hour grew 0.9 percent sequentially in the third quarter, the largest increase since the second quarter of 2011.
Shop prices in the United Kingdom were down 0.6 percent on year in December, the British Retail Consortium said on Friday. That missed expectations for a flat reading following the 0.1 percent contraction in November.
After reporting a bigger than expected jump in employment in the previous month, the Labor Department released a report on Friday showing employment in the U.S. increased by much less than anticipated in the month of December.
The report said non-farm payroll employment climbed by 148,000 jobs in December after spiking by an upwardly revised 252,000 jobs in November. Economists had expected employment to increase by 190,000 jobs compared to the addition of 228,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month.
Meanwhile, the Labor Department said the unemployment rate came in at 4.1 percent in December, unchanged from the two previous months and in line with economists' estimates.
A report released by the Commerce Department on Friday showed the U.S. trade deficit widened more than expected in November, as the value of imports increased by more than the value of exports. The Commerce Department said the trade deficit widened to $50.5 billion in November from a revised $48.9 billion in October.
The deficit had been expected to widen to $49.5 billion from the $48.7 billion originally reported for the previous month.
For the second consecutive month, the Institute for Supply Management has released a report showing a slowdown in the pace of growth in activity in the U.S. service sector. The ISM said Friday that its non-manufacturing index dropped to 55.9 in December after falling to 57.4 in November.
While a reading above 50 still indicates growth in the service sector, economists had expected the index to inch back up to 57.6.
New orders for U.S. manufactured goods jumped by more than expected in the month of November, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Friday. The Commerce Department said factory orders surged up by 1.3 percent in November after rising by an upwardly revised 0.4 percent in October.
Economists had expected factory orders to climb by 1.1 percent compared to the 0.1 percent drop originally reported for the previous month.
Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
ORANGE COUNTY, CA / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2018 / Recognized entrepreneur and contemporary marketing expert Nicholas Kohlschreiber saw success early on as a result of his ability to utilize advanced technology to drive digital consumer traffic. Now, as the owner of a media company based in Newport Beach, Kohlschreiber continues to improve upon these techniques, and share them with others to allow for the organic proliferation of new and small businesses. Recently, the digital expert shared new tech trends that he believes will further evolve the strategies of innovative marketers.
Emerging as a concept in 2016 was cognitive marketing or the use of technology that mimics the human brain in order to improve performance. As the advantages of cognitive-based systems continue to be revealed, Kohlschreiber predicts a dramatic rise in their use. For example, when consumers appear to be exhibiting purchasing patterns that are very different from the norm, this technology would be much better at finding the behavioral characteristics that cause the unexpected actions. Marketers using cognitive software will have the capability to redesign messages so that they are different, and relevant, to each consumer. By using massive computing power and large data sets, these systems will effectively be able to identify unmet and unstated customer needs, providing brands with unprecedented promotion and product guidance.
Nicholas Kohlschreiber continued to discuss the shift from siloed channel strategies to cross-channel engagement. Traditional silo marketing promotes a different message across each distribution network, a method that has resulted in confused consumer opinions of brands. Throughout 2017, Kohlschreiber expects to see more companies become truly omnichannel and deliver one message that is shared across all outlets, offline and online. In today's era of mass media consumption, there is little point in advertising to change perception across one medium while not simultaneously doing so on the others. While it has been predicted for some time now, it seems that an integration of marketing automation with ad buying technologies may also come to fruition in 2017. The benefit of doing so is a massively increased ability to leverage data between web, email, and ad platforms in order to improve both performance and the customer experience. Compiling this data will allow marketers to garner a single view of their customer, making it easier to share attributes, interests, and behaviors between platforms.
Entrepreneur Nicholas Kohlschreiber specializes in creative marketing solutions, and together with his team of experts allows for new and small businesses to fully take advantage of their online presence in order to convert customers and spur growth. An enthusiast for originality, he believes there is always room for innovation and urges employees and clients alike to "Think Big, Go Far." From simple document preparation to a complete online multimedia driven business development strategy, Kohlschreiber strives to further the connections between small businesses and the modern communication platforms that run society.
Nick Kohlschreiber - Expert in Modern Marketing: http://www.nickkohlschreibernews.com
Nick Kohlschreiber - Business Entrepreneur & Founder of TeleTree: http://nickkohlschreiberreviews.com
Nick Kohlschreiber - Creative Marketing Solutions Expert: http://nickkohlschreibermarketing.com
Contact Information
NickKohlschreiberNews.com
www.NickKohlschreiberNews.com
contact@nickkohlschreibernews.com
Source: Nick Kohlschreiber
Technavio's latest report on the global medical cameras marketprovides an analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the market outlook from 2017-2021. Technavio defines an emerging trend as a factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or decline.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003006037/en/
Technavio has published a new report on the global medical cameras market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)
The global medical cameras market is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. The increase in the number of MIS, high incidence of cancers, and growing skin disorders will continue to drive the growth of the global medical cameras market. As the number of surgical procedures is increasing at a significant rate, manufacturers are developing advanced digital HD surgical and endoscopy cameras with three-chip technology and advanced image sensors that provide high-quality images. These images provide physicians with minute details of the inner body parts that allow them to perform the procedure efficiently. Such technological innovations are driving the growth of the global medical cameras market.
This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing
Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free
The top three emerging trends driving the global medical cameras market according to Technavio healthcare and life sciences research analysts are:
High growth potential of dermatology cameras
Emergence of digital microscopic cameras
Growing focus on service support
Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report
Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.
High growth potential of dermatology cameras
The technological advances in the dermatology cameras and an increase in the target population will drive the dermatology cameras segment in the coming future. Dermatology cameras are used to detect and diagnose melanomas and other skin-related diseases accurately.
"According to 3Gen, BCC disease is the most common form of skin cancer, and about one million cases are diagnosed annually in the US. The growing number of skin disorders increased the adoption of dermatology cameras for accurate diagnosis. Also, dermatology cameras are witnessing technical advances in terms of size, clarity, and resolution," says Barath Palada, a lead analyst at Technavio for research on orthopedics and medical devices.
Emergence of digital microscopic cameras
The global medical cameras market is witnessing technological advancements. The emergence of digital microscopic video cameras having high-resolution output will simplify the most intricate procedures of modern medicine. The high-resolution digital microscopes play an important role in treating sensitive surgeries such as spinal and other neurosurgeries.
"Digital video microscopes offer better frame rate than standard digital microscope cameras. These video cameras allow direct connection to a monitor or screen by providing high image quality live video streaming with a minimum of 1080 pixels resolution. Thus, the advanced features of the digital microscope will significantly increase its usage for surgeries," adds Barath.
Growing focus on service support
End-users such as hospitals and ASCs are purchasing advanced mydriatic fundus, dermatology, surgical, and endoscopy cameras that provide maximum usability and endurance in clinical diagnosis and treatment. The manufacturers are attracting customers by providing ideal service plans, regular training, and real-time support during the complete lifecycle period.
Stryker provides remote device management to its customers. The company's SwitchPoint Infinity 3 control system sends system alerts automatically in case of any errors. Thus, it sends maintenance information to its customer care, service, and technical support teams. Stryker's SORN Diagnostic Services remotely monitors the software status, hardware maintenance, temperature status, and the software versions of a system.
Browse Related Reports:
Global Neuroprosthetics Market 2017-2021
Global Dental Syringes Market 2017-2021
Global Venturi Masks Market 2017-2021
About Technavio
Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.
With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.
If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003006037/en/
Contacts:
Technavio Research
Jesse Maida
Media Marketing Executive
US: +1 844 361 1100
UK: +44 203 893 3200
www.technavio.com
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 3, 2017 / Datametrex AI Limited (the "Company" or "Datametrex") (TSX-V: DM) is pleased to announce that it recently became a member of the 8020 Connect community. 8020 Connect (www.8020connect.com) is the investment industry's newest and most trusted investor community. The investor platform is developed to deliver corporate information to shareholders, investment industry experts, and like-minded investors while enabling group members to interact with one another and with the corporation's management team.
Through the 8020 Connect shareholder and investor platform, Datametrex can communicate its corporate message and update advancements and financial information to all shareholders and investors in a timely and effective fashion. The 8020 Connect provides a monitored and professional environment, allowing the company to respond to questions and manage group conversations. The 8020 Connect platform and services will provide Datametrex an opportunity to expand its audience to other interested investors and industry experts worldwide.
Looking for a new way to be informed? Join our Investor Group on 8020Connect.
About Datametrex AI Limited & Nexalogy
Datametrex is a big data Company for retail, brands, and other organizations. The Company's DataTap technology captures all data sent from the POS to the receipt printer and scanner, and then sends it to the cloud, so it can be presented for key decision making. The Company is planning on integrating the DataTap environment to decentralized blockchains to further authenticate and validate the data collected.
Nexalogy unlocks valuable insights from social media data. Through its proprietary semantic clustering algorithms, it provides insights and analysis that aren't available through traditional business intelligence technology. This technology makes data more relevant and is the missing link in providing actionable social media intelligence to governments and organizations all over the world.
Jeffrey Stevens - President & COO
Phone: (647) 400-8494
Email: jstevens@datametrex.com
About 8020 Connect
8020 Connect is a social and interactive investment community which expands the way shareholders and interested investors access and gather information from public corporations. Built as a hybrid social media and shareholder and management engagement platform, corporations can direct the flow of information to prospective and existing investors through both static and dynamic content. This will allow public companies to build their investment brand and investor awareness while maintaining digital media compliance in a growing online investment community.
Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information
Some of the statements contained in this news release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "intends," "is expected," "potential," "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "should," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Actual results and developments are likely to differ and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE: Datametrex AI Limited
PARSONS, TN -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- Modern States Education Alliance, a philanthropy dedicated to making a college degree more affordable and accessible, today announced a partnership with The Ayers Foundation, an organization committed to improving the quality of life for the people of Tennessee through education, conservation and social welfare. The partnership will create additional pathways for Tennessee high school students to pursue a college education free from economic burden. The Ayers Foundation will provide an in-kind contribution of approximately $50,000 to support these students through tutoring, mentoring, college counseling and additional support services.
The Ayers Foundation, through the Ayers Scholars Program, will help implement the use of Modern States' courses in high schools within the Henderson, Decatur, Perry and Unicoi county school districts. Modern States recently launched the first-ever catalog of tuition-free online courses for 40+ core freshman subjects, which enables learners to earn traditional academic credits at more than 2,900 major colleges and universities. Taught by professors from leading universities, Modern States courses prepare students for the well-accepted Advanced Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams from the College Board.
Last month, Modern States announced it will pay exam fees to the College Board for the first 10,000 test takers, enabling students anywhere to earn up to a full year's worth of credit for free, and reducing the cost of a traditional four-year college degree by 25 percent. The philanthropy has earmarked up to 250 of the 10,000 CLEP exams for use by the Ayers Foundation in select Tennessee high schools (Lexington High School, Scotts Hill High School, Unicoi County High School, Perry County High School and Riverside High School). The Ayers Foundation will cover the cost of any remaining exams taken by students in these high schools during the 2017-2018 school year.
"Access to affordable higher education is imperative for the students of Tennessee," said Ayers Foundation President Janet Ayers. "Modern States Education Alliance is providing extraordinary quality courses taught by professors at the top of their field. We are pleased to partner with the philanthropy to ensure students in our region have access to college-level courses for real college credits. These money-saving classes and various support services can help brighten the future of many young Tennesseans."
The professors who teach the Modern States courses include faculty from some of the nation's best universities, including Columbia, Purdue, Rutgers, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Tufts, Baruch College, University of Texas, and Cal Berkeley. For example, Paul Schiff Berman, a former dean of the George Washington University Law School, teaches the "Introduction to Business Law" course for Modern States.
"It is great to have The Ayers Foundation join forces with Modern States to help make access to post-secondary education a reality for more students in Tennessee," said Steven Klinsky, founder and CEO of Modern States. "Education has been getting more expensive, with student debt now standing at $1.3 trillion. We value allies who want to create a top quality, tuition free on-ramp to further college education."
Modern States aspires to help over one million learners earn credit at no tuition cost, saving students and taxpayers approximately $1,000 per course and over $1 billion in total, while also creating a practical "on-ramp" into the traditional college system for anyone who seeks it.
About The Ayers Foundation
The Ayers Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people of Tennessee. We believe this is best accomplished by positively affecting the fields of Education, Conservation and Social Welfare. The Ayers Foundation provides grant and scholarship money to further its goals and to ensure they are carried out in perpetuity. Learn more at TheAyersFoundation.org.
About Modern States
The Modern States Education Alliance is a NYC-based philanthropy dedicated to making a college degree more affordable and attainable for everyone. Its first initiative is "Freshman Year for Free": more than 40 online college courses available tuition-free for credit, from top university professors available to anyone with an Internet connection. Students can use these courses to earn college credits by preparing for and taking AP and CLEP exams, as offered by the College Board. Learn more at ModernStates.org.
Media contact:
Jennifer Leckstrom
RoseComm for Modern States
jleckstrom@rosecomm.com
215-681-0770
Technavio has announced the top five leading vendors in their recentglobal oatmeal marketreport until 2021. This research report also lists 10 other prominent vendors that are expected to impact the market during the forecast period.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003006081/en/
Technavio has published a new report on the global oatmeal market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)
There is a large market for oatmeal in the developed nations of the West, where oatmeal is popularly consumed as a breakfast item. However, the market for oatmeal is currently expanding in many developing countries as well, owing to the rising trend of healthy eating. It can be predicted that this trend will likely increase the consumption of oatmeal and the customer base of vendors that offer oatmeal globally, over the next five years.
Competitive vendor landscape
The global oatmeal market comprises of both large and small players. There are giant brands like Kellogg, General Mills, and others in the market along with many regional and small brands. Consumers can choose their products from the options available in the market on the basis of flavor, ingredients, price, packaging, and other aspects. There is enormous potential for new entrants, but they need to distinguish their products to compete with big players. Therefore, to succeed in a tough competitive environment, it is necessary for the vendors in the market to differentiate their offerings using a clear and unique value proposition.
Manjunath Reddy, an industry expert at Technavio for research on food, says, "Global brands such as Nestle and Kellogg are trying to widen their product portfolio by upholding the trend of healthy eating. They have plans for expansion in this market, either by partnership or through acquisition of a regional brand. Instead of marketing oatmeal just as a cereal/breakfast meal, they use it in other products such as granola bars, puffs, chocolates, and protein bars. This further increase value and volume of the global oatmeal market."
This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing
Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free
Top five oatmeal market vendors
General Mills
General Mills is a global company producing food items. The company is renowned for its quality products across the world. The company has an umbrella full of a substantial number of brands. Some of its famous brands are Yoplait, Cheerios, Trice, Betty Crocker, and Colombo. The company has four major sales segments U.S. Retail, International, Convenience Stores and Foodservice and Joint Ventures.
Kellogg
Kellogg is one of the largest brands in cereal and processed and convenience food. The famous brands under its umbrella include Keebler, Special K, Frosted Flakes, and Apple Jacks. The company's main strategy is the continuous incorporation of innovation in its products and offerings. The company is trying to expand its product portfolio. The company works closely with suppliers and producers to work in a sustainable manner. The company aims at delivering products at the right time to avoid excessive lead time and to provide consistent availability of its products.
Nestle
Nestle is one of the largest food processing and manufacturing company. It has global operations with manufacturing units spread across several regions. It diverges into several business segments such as powdered and liquid beverages, milk products and ice cream, and confectionery. It includes famous brands such as KitKat, Maggi, and Boost.
Quaker Oats Company
Quaker Oats Company has been able to create a premium brand image among its customers. The main strategy of the company is to understand the taste and preferences of local customers in different regions and to devise new products accordingly. The company manufactures cereals, bars, and snacks. In all these products, oatmeal is used. Hence, the company offers a varied range of oats products.
Weetabix
Weetabix includes several brands in its portfolio such as Alpen, Oatibix, Weetabix on the go, and Oaty bars. The company focuses on breakfast meals and manufactures several products for breakfast. The company primarily focuses on the breakfast business. It aims to serve the best breakfast cereals to its customers. The company has several brands which provide oatmeal for direct consumption or use it as an ingredient in products such as mixed cereals and granola bars. The major brands in the oatmeal market are Weetabix, Ready Brek, and Alpen.
Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report
Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.
Browse Related Reports:
Global Food Additives Market 2017-2021
Sesame Seeds Market in Europe 2017-2021
Global Organic Spices Market 2017-2021
About Technavio
Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.
With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.
If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003006081/en/
Contacts:
Technavio Research
Jesse Maida
Media Marketing Executive
US: +1 844 361 1100
UK: +44 203 893 3200
www.technavio.com
IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 5, 2017 / Khang & Khang LLP (the "Firm") announces a securities class action lawsuit against Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. ("Vitamin Shoppe" or the "Company") (NYSE: VSI). Investors who purchased or otherwise acquired shares from March 1, 2017 through August 6, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period"), are encouraged to contact the Firm before the October 27, 2017 lead plaintiff motion deadline.
If you purchased Vitamin Shoppe shares during the Class Period, please contact Joon M. Khang, Esq., of Khang & Khang LLP, 4000 Barranca Parkway, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92604, by telephone at (949) 419-3834 , or by e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com.
There has been no class certification in this case yet. Until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. You may choose to take no action and remain a passive class member as well.
According to the Complaint, throughout the Class Period, Vitamin Shoppe made false and/or misleading statements, and/or failed to disclose: that the Company's retail segment was declining dramatically; that its ongoing "reinvention plan" was unsuccessful and brought more than $168 million in goodwill impairment, and it was not properly recognizing that impairment charge; and that as a result of the above, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On May 10, 2017, Vitamin Shoppe released first quarter 2017 financial results that were lower than market expectations and slashed its fiscal 2017 guidance by 45%, yet claimed the "reinvention plan" was still succeeding. Following this news, the Company's stock price fell dramatically. On August 9, 2017, the Company announced that it was taking a $168.1 million impairment charge on the goodwill being carried on its books associated with its retail segment, and that it would report a loss per share of $6.73. Also, citing "the potential increase in variability of the Company's results due to the number of initiatives being launched in the back half of the year," Vitamin Shoppe dropped its fiscal 2017 earnings per share guidance altogether. Upon release of this information, the Company's stock price decreased materially, which caused investors harm according to the Complaint.
If you wish to learn more about this lawsuit, or if you have questions about this notice or your rights, please contact Joon M. Khang, Esq., a prominent litigator for almost two decades, by telephone at (949) 419-3834 , or by e-mail at joon@khanglaw.com.
This press release may constitute Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions.
Contact
Joon M. Khang, Esq.
Telephone: 949-419-3834
Facsimile: 949-225-4474
joon@khanglaw.com
SOURCE: Khang & Khang LLP
BRUSSELS, March 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --
A host of celebrities including Ricky Gervais and Pixie Geldof have joined with Cruelty Free International alongside over 100 policymakers, retailers, scientists and animal experts to call on the EU to lead the way in securing an international end to the suffering of animals in laboratories for the sake of beauty.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150121/726834 )
The call marks the five-year 'banniversary' of the EU's progressive outlawing of the sale in Europe of new cosmetics tested on animals anywhere in the world. The move followed bans on the testing of cosmetics products on animals in 2003 and ingredients in 2009 and has inspired legislation around the world.
Leading decision-makers, influencers, companies and scientists have joined with Cruelty Free International and signed a letter addressed to European leaders and Heads of Member State governments, calling on the EU to use its influence to push for a global end to cosmetics animal testing.
Michelle Thew, CEO of Cruelty Free International, said, "Five years after the full EU testing and marketing bans came into force, the time is right to go one step further. The leadership the EU has shown deserves credit. Now it's time to work together to deliver a global end to cosmetics animal testing and eliminate cruel animal suffering."
Pixie Geldof, model, singer and animal welfare advocate, said, "A generation of young Europeans are growing up with cruelty free cosmetic products as the norm. Now we need a global ban so no animals suffer in unnecessary cosmetics tests anywhere in the world."
Jessie Macneil-Brown, Head of Global Campaigns at The Body Shop, said, "The Body Shop is proud of the part we have played in changing animal testing laws and our campaign with Cruelty Free International for a UN global ban. Enough is enough - we urge the EU to step up and help achieve a global ban to end this once and for all."
Cathryn Higgs, Head of Food Policy at Co-op, said, "For over 25 years Co-op has led the way with our commitment to produce and sell products that haven't been tested on animals. It's an issue which is close to the hearts of our customers and members. We support Cruelty Free International in their ambition to extend the EU ban to a global position, so we are proud to be one of the first signatories to this letter."
A European Parliament vote to decide whether the EU should take action in order to end cosmetics testing on animals worldwide is expected to take place within the coming weeks.
In 2017 the Cruelty Free International launched a joint-campaign with The Body Shop to engage eight million people to sign a petition calling on the UN to introduce an international convention to end the practice. The petition can be signed online at http://www.foreveragainstanimaltesting.com.
For more information, please email:
media@crueltyfreeinternational.org
telephone:+44(0)7850-510-955
According to the latest market study released by Technavio, the global smart grid cyber security market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 10% during the forecast period.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171106006141/en/
Technavio has published a new report on the global smart grid cyber security market from 2017-2021. (Graphic: Business Wire)
This research report titled 'Global Smart Grid Cyber Security Market 2017-2021' provides an in-depth analysis of the market in terms of revenue and emerging market trends. This report also includes an up to date analysis and forecasts for various market segments and all geographical regions.
This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing
Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free
The market research analysis categorizes the global smart grid cyber security market into the following type of application. They are:
Consumption
Generation
Distribution and control
Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report
Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.
Consumption
The consumption segment in the smart grid cyber security market accounted for more than 37% of the total market share in 2016. The growing electricity demand will increase the need to deploy smart grids for power supply. Smart meters, which are installed at consumer's premise, transmit consumer usage data to electric utilities. Smart meters are used for reading the power consumption in real time, provide accurate billing, and to identify electricity theft. They also allow consumers to manage electricity consumption of home appliances, which can be monitored either by a mobile application or personal computer.
According to Thanikachalam Chandrasekaran, a lead analyst at Technavio for power research, "Many government authorities have set guidelines, aimed at protecting smart meters from cyber-attacks. This leads to an increased adoption of safety measures such as data authentication and encryption, which will drive the demand for smart grid cybersecurity solutions for consumption applications over the forecast period."
Generation
In 2016, the generation segment in the smart grid cyber security market occupied for more than 34% of the total market share. The increasing demand for electricity has put pressure on utilities to produce more power. As per the US EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2017, the cumulative planned electricity generation capacity addition in the US during 2017-2021 is expected to be 40.6 GW. Renewable energy is being increasingly integrated into power generation plants. As per IEA's World Energy Outlook 2016, power generation from renewables is expected to increase from 23% of the global power generation in 2016 to 37% by 2040.
"The increase in power generation demand by EV use can be met through grid modernization, which also increases cybersecurity concerns. Protection of generation assets is of prime concern for operators. In case of a cyber-attack, failure of generation assets will lead to a severe power failure that translates to high T&D and monetary losses. Thus, the introduction of SCADA systems will fuel development in the global market," says Thanikachalam.
Distribution and control
The distribution and control segment in the smart grid cyber security market accounted for around 29% of the total market share in 2016. Power grid modernization enables grid system operators to centralize the control and monitoring of their distribution assets. Incorporation of SCADA into the grid has allowed operators to effectively manage the load and decrease the outage time, thereby increasing the reliability of the grid. SCADA system can record data and analyze it to prevent any severe incidents to occur.
The top vendors highlighted by Technavio's market research analysts in this report are:
BAE Systems
IBM
IOActive
Lockheed Martin
Browse Related Reports:
Global Solar Freezer Market 2017-2021
Global Food Contaminant Testing Market 2017-2021
Global Cleanroom Luminaires Market 2017-2021
About Technavio
Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.
With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.
If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171106006141/en/
Contacts:
Technavio Research
Jesse Maida
Media Marketing Executive
US: +1 844 364 1100
UK: +44 203 893 3200
www.technavio.com
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- Trican Well Service Ltd. ("Trican" or the "Company") (TSX: TCW) is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Baldwin as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development effective October 3, 2017. Mr. Baldwin joined Trican as Controller in October 1997 and subsequently held the positions of Manager, Finance and Treasurer. From 2008 until 2013, Mr. Baldwin held the position of Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, he served as the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
In his new role, Mr. Baldwin will be responsible for all corporate development opportunities and will continue to lead the Corporation's Human Resources, Information Technology/Information Systems, Supply Chain, Organizational Efficiency, and Legal teams as well as continue to support investor relations activities.
"Mike has been an integral part of our team that guided the Company through the last downturn and going forward, will have a key role in overseeing the strategic growth of the Company," said Mr. Dale Dusterhoft, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Trican is also pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Skilnick as Chief Financial Officer effective October 3, 2017. Mr. Skilnick joined Canyon Services Group Inc. ("Canyon") in January 2016 as Vice President and Controller and as part of the acquisition of Canyon, transitioned to Trican as Vice President, Finance on June 2, 2017. Prior to joining Canyon, Mr. Skilnick spent six years as the Chief Financial Officer of a North American drilling contractor, with an additional nine years professional experience within KPMG's audit practice and as Corporate Controller for an international exploration and production company. Mr. Skilnick is a member of both the Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta and Canada.
In his new role, Mr. Skilnick will be responsible for Trican's accounting, finance, treasury and corporate reporting functions and for supporting investor relations activities.
Mr. Dusterhoft commented that, "Rob's focus and experience on financial matters and strategic planning further bolsters and strengthens the capabilities of Trican's executive team. Rob's philosophy of maintaining a strong balance sheet and focusing on prudent financial management is aligned with the executive team's philosophy and will result in a seamless transition. Rob is a great addition to our team and will be integral to our future success."
ABOUT TRICAN
Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Trican provides a comprehensive array of specialized products, equipment and services that are used during the exploration and development of oil and gas reserves.
Contacts:
Dale Dusterhoft
Chief Executive Officer
E-mail: ddusterhoft@trican.ca
Michael Baldwin
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
E-mail: mbaldwin@trican.ca
Robert Skilnick
Chief Financial Officer
E-mail: robert.skilnick@trican.ca
Phone: (403) 266-0202
Fax: (403) 237-7716
2900, 645 - 7th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2P 4G8
Please visit our website at www.tricanwellservice.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 3, 2017) - Valens GroWorks Corp. (CSE: VGW) (the "Company") is pleased to announce a research partnership with UBC Okanagan and Thompson Rivers University. Dubbed the Cannabis Bio-products Toolbox, this collaborative research project will explore the vast range of bioproducts that can be made from the plant - these include pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, and industrial fibre.
The project has been awarded to Valens GroWork's Health Canada-licensed subsidiaries Valens Agritech and Supra THC Services, and comes with a three-year $330,000 MITACS Research Grant. Research and analysis on cannabis plants and by-products will to be supervised by Valens Agritech scientists Dr. Rob O'Brien and Dr. Yasantha Athukorala.
"Cannabis is a source of many potentially valuable products," says UBC Okanagan biology professor Michael Deyholos. "But because of its prohibition over the past decades, development of new products from cannabis has lagged behind other crops." Deyholos, whose research explores the potential of flax and hemp, says on the medicinal side of cannabis there are dozens of compounds in the plant that may have specific health benefits. "Besides these pharmaceutical compounds, there are healthful oils and proteins in the seed that we would like to enrich," he adds. "All of this requires a better understanding of the genes and chemicals already present in different strains of cannabis, and that is what this project is designed to do."
Deyholos says while cannabis is best known as a source of THC - the principal psychoactive ingredient in cannabis-the plant produces at least 90 other cannabinoids - many of which have potent biological activities. Some of these compounds are being examined for the treatment of cancer, Parkinson's disease, and other serious health conditions.
"Our team has experience in the characterization of a range of relevant biosynthetic pathways in cannabis stems," he adds. The researchers want to breed strains that are enriched in various combinations of these compounds, tailored to the needs of specific patients.
Deyholos is joined by UBC Okanagan biology professor Soheil Mahmoud, and UBC chemistry professor Paul Shipley - whose lab examines the chemistry of medicinal plants, and Thompson Rivers University chemistry professor Bruno Cinel - a natural products chemist. Together with a number of post-doctorate fellows and graduate students they will work at the Health Canada-licensed laboratories of the Company's subsidiaries Valens Agritech and Supra THC Services in Kelowna.
"It is an honour to be associated with such a collection of accomplished scientists," says Valens Agritech President and Chief Science Officer O'Brien. "The research derived from this funding will provide insights into the complexity of gene expression in cannabis and will help produce new varieties that can have a greater health impact."
This work was supported by MITACS through the MITACS Accelerate Program.
"MITACS is by far the best funding program in support of intern placement," adds O'Brien. "It is a critical component of Canada's success in the international marketplace."
About Valens GroWorks Corp.
Valens GroWorks Corp. is a CSE-listed company with an aggressive buildout strategy in progress. The Company seeks to capture a broad spectrum of medical cannabis users, and adult recreational users once legalized, as well as clinical trial and R&D clients, in pursuit of its ambitious seed-to-sale and farm-to-pharma objectives. The Company provides management, consulting, testing and support services to domestic and international licensees, as well as financial support to fully-licensed third-party operations.
The Company operates through two wholly-owned subsidiaries based in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia: Valens Agritech Ltd. ("VAL") holds a Health Canada Dealer's License and is positioning for expanded cannabis production, and Supra THC Services Inc. ("Supra"), a Health Canada licensed cannabis testing lab providing sector-leading analytical and proprietary services to Licensed Producers and ACMPR patients.
Supra, in collaboration with Thermo Fisher Scientific (Mississauga) Inc., is developing a "Centre of Excellence in Plant Based Medicine Analytics" in Kelowna, British Columbia. For more information, please visit http://valensgroworks.com, http://www.valensagritech.com and http://www.suprathc.ca.
ABOUT THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY
Thompson Rivers University is committed to participating in community partnerships that drive the knowledge and innovation economy in British Columbia's Southern Interior. Named after the view from its main Kamloops campus overlooking the junction of the North and South Thompson rivers, TRU is proud to support the nearly 26,000 students on its campuses in Kamloops and Williams Lake, and in online programming through TRU Open Learning.
With a 45-year history of excellence in education in the BC Interior, TRU prides itself on providing students with access to a research-informed education, and providing our communities with access to the benefits of scholarly, research, and creative activities that solve community problems and enrich community life.
ABOUT UBC's OKANAGAN CAMPUS
UBC's Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia's stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is a globally recognized research-intensive institution whose Okanagan campus was established in 2005.
The Okanagan campus emphasizes smaller class sizes, experiential learning, and research activity for students, combining a world-class UBC degree with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community. As part of North America's most international university, the campus is home to 9,000 students representing 98 countries.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
VALENS GROWORKS CORP.
(signed) "Tyler Robson"
Chief Executive Officer
For further information, please contact:
Greg Patchell
Telephone: +1.250.860.8634
Notice regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Corporation is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.
The CSE or other regulatory authority has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release. We seek Safe Harbour.
INDIANA, PA--(Marketwired - October 03, 2017) - First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE: FCF) announced today that it will host a conference call on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The call will be hosted by T. Michael Price, President and Chief Executive Officer. He will be joined by James R. Reske, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. First Commonwealth will issue a press release reporting its Third Quarter 2017 financial results by 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, October 25, 2017.
Conference Call Information:
What: First Commonwealth Financial Corporation Third Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call When: 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Wednesday, October 25, 2017 Where: www.fcbanking.com/investorrelations How: Live and replay webcast over the Internet or Live by Phone: 1-844-792-3645 (U.S. toll free) or 1-412-902-6636 (international toll) Replay by Phone: 1-877-344-7529 Replay Access Code: 10112938
To listen to the conference call, either dial the phone number above or go to First Commonwealth's Investor Relations webpage at www.fcbanking.com/investorrelations, click on the "Third Quarter 2017 Earnings Conference Call" link and follow the instructions. After the live presentation, the webcast will be archived on this website for at least 30 days. In addition, a replay of the call will be available approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call by dialing the replay number and entering the access code listed above. There is no charge to access this event.
To Ask Questions:
Participants can e-mail their questions to investorrelations@fcbanking.com. Questions submitted via e-mail will be accepted beginning at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, October 25, 2017, until the conclusion of the presentation.
Third Quarter 2017 Earnings Release:
The First Commonwealth Financial Corporation Third Quarter 2017 earnings press release can be accessed after 7:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at www.fcbanking.com/investorrelations. Click on "News," which can be found under the "News & Market Data" section.
About First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
First Commonwealth Financial Corporation (NYSE: FCF), headquartered in Indiana, Pennsylvania, is a financial services company with 135 banking offices in 20 counties throughout western and central Pennsylvania and northern and central Ohio, as well as a Corporate Banking Center in Cleveland, Ohio and mortgage offices in Stow and Dublin, Ohio. First Commonwealth provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking, mortgage, wealth management and insurance products and services through its subsidiaries First Commonwealth Bank and First Commonwealth Insurance Agency. For more information about First Commonwealth or to open an account today, please visit www.fcbanking.com.
Media Relations
Amy Jeffords
Assistant Vice President / Communications and Community Relations
Phone: 724-463-6806
E-mail: AJeffords@fcbanking.com
Investor Relations
Ryan M. Thomas
Vice President / Finance and Investor Relations
Phone: 724-463-1690
E-mail: RThomas1@fcbanking.com
MONTERREY, MEXICO -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. ("FEMSA") (NYSE: FMX) (BMV: FEMSAUBD) (BMV: FEMSAUB) is pleased to invite you to participate in its Third Quarter 2017 Conference Call that will be held on:
Friday, October 27, 2017
10:00 AM Eastern Time
(9:00 AM Mexico City Time)
Eduardo Padilla, Chief Corporate Officer of FEMSA, will host the call and discuss FEMSA's Third Quarter 2017 financial results, followed by a question and answer session. The quarterly results will be released on October 26 after the market's close.
To participate in the conference call please dial
Toll Free US: (888) 602 6363
International: (719) 457 2735
Conference ID: 9150893
The conference call will be webcast live through streaming audio. For details please visit www.femsa.com/investor
If you are unable to participate live, the conference call replay will be available on http://ir.femsa.com/results.cfm
FEMSA is a leading company that participates in the beverage industry through Coca-Cola FEMSA, the largest franchise bottler of Coca-Cola products in the world by volume; and in the beer industry, through its ownership of the second largest equity stake in Heineken, one of the world's leading brewers with operations in over 70 countries. In the retail industry it participates through FEMSA Comercio, comprising a Retail Division operating various small-format store chains including OXXO, a Health Division, which includes all drugstores and related operations, and a Fuel Division, operating the OXXO GAS chain of retail service stations. Additionally, through its Strategic Businesses unit, it provides logistics, point-of-sale refrigeration solutions and plastics solutions to FEMSA's business units and third-party clients.
Media Contact:
(52) 55-5249-6843
Email Contact
www.femsa.com
Investor Contact:
(52) 81-8328-6167
Email Contact
www.femsa.com/investor
321 Precision Conversions, LLC (321PC), today announced Vallair Solutions sarl; a wholly owned company of Vallair Capital S.A. (Vallair), as the launch customer for the passenger-to-freighter conversion of Airbus A321-200 aircraft including the prototype aircraft and follow-on option aircraft.
The prototype Aircraft (MSN891) was delivered by Vallair to 321PC in July. The company anticipates approval of a FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for A321-200 conversions in 2019, with EASA and CAAC validations thereafter. The Airbus A321 family includes over 1,400 aircraft already built and the A321NEO is now in production. This will generate an almost unprecedented feedstock for future conversion candidates.
Vallair, already engaged in the converted cargo aircraft market, is an ideal launch customer for 321PC. They are developing a comprehensive support network for both engines and airframe components as well as MRO services to better serve the new operators of the A321-200PCF.
321PC President Gary Warner said, "The next generation of the Precision Converted Freighter partnered with the operational experience of ATSG will provide a best-in-class freighter that will meet the needs of our customers. We are thrilled to have Vallair front and center as an integral part of this exciting new program. We look forward to the market enjoying the capability, flexibility, and efficiency of the A321-200PCF for many years to come."
"The A321PCF program is an exciting project and we are delighted to be the launch customer for this new freighter, our current activities and experiences generated by our engineers, both in Luxembourg and France, through the freighter conversion of other aircraft offers the right environment and facilities to gradually turn into a dedicated center of competence on this type," said Vallair CEO Gregoire Lebigot. "We believe the A321 provides significant competitive advantage over the established market competition due to its lower fuel consumption and better noise abatement levels. We are looking forward to building upon the success of this advanced aircraft."
About Vallair
Vallair is a fast-growing aviation company with uniquely integrated capabilities in support of end of service aircraft, engines and major components. With six complementary business units (trading leasing, aircraft teardown, aircraft MRO, engines, aero-structures, and cargo conversions), Vallair offers aircraft operators and owners around the world cost effective solutions to extend the life of their assets. Built on engineering excellence, best in class customer support, and a passion for aviation, Vallair is committed to making sure "end of service does not mean end of life".
Vallair's Cargo Conversion Business Unit: A leading player in the passenger to freighter market, with existing solutions on the Boeing 737-400 and ATR72, Vallair continues to invest and innovate in the cargo segment, aiming to provide the market with value added and cost-effective solutions. For more information, please see www.vallair.aero.
About 321 Precision Conversions
A joint venture between Precision Aircraft Solutions and Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) for the development and certification of the A321-200 passenger-to-freighter aircraft. Precision Aircraft Solutions is an aerospace major modification, products, and services company that has earned its stripes converting the 757 for industry-leading companies around the world. ATSG is a leading provider of aircraft leasing and air cargo transportation and related services to domestic and foreign air carriers and other companies that outsource their air cargo lift requirements. For more information, please see www.precisionaircraft.com and www.atsginc.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171003006587/en/
Contacts:
321 Precision Conversions and Precision Aircraft Solutions
Gary Warner, President, 503-601-3001
or
Vallair Solutions sarl
Gregoire Lebigot, CEO, (352) 26103962
QUEBEC, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 10/03/17 -- Petrolia Inc. (TSX VENTURE: PEA) ("Petrolia" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its shareholders have voted in favour of all items brought before them at the Company's annual and special meeting of shareholders held in Montreal on October 3, 2017 (the "Meeting").
The Company's shareholders approved, among other things, the re-election of its five existing directors, its continuance under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "CBCA"), the reduction of its stated capital and a plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") whereby Petrolia and Pieridae Energy Limited ("Pieridae") will amalgamate pursuant to section 192 of the CBCA, in accordance with the terms of an arrangement agreement between the Company and Pieridae (the "Arrangement Agreement"). The resolution approving the Arrangement was approved by 97.53% of the votes cast by shareholders of the Company. The shareholders of Pieridae unanimously approved the Arrangement on September 26, 2017.
A total of 46,192,169 common shares were voted at the Meeting, representing approximately 42.61% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The other matters considered at the Meeting were all approved by more than 96% of the shareholder votes and such results are reported in the Report of Voting Results filed by the Company, and accessible on its SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
As previously announced, the Arrangement includes the declaration and payment of a dividend by Petrolia on its common shares in a total amount of $9,012,002 or $0.0831 per Petrolia share based on 108,399,683 shares issued and outstanding as of the dividend record date. Shareholders wishing to receive their prorata share of such dividend must remain shareholders of Petrolia until the day following the ex-dividend date established in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). The closing date of the Arrangement and the ex-dividend date will be announced in the coming days. It is currently expected that closing will occur mid to late October. The Arrangement is subject to the final approval of the Exchange and the Superior Court of Quebec. The motion to this Court to obtain the final order approving the Arrangement is scheduled to be heard on October 11, 2017.
Continuance under the CBCA
In connection with the Arrangement, and further to Petrolia having received the requisite approval of its shareholders, Petrolia has successfully completed its continuance (the "Continuance"), effective October 3, 2017, from the Province of Quebec into the Federal jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with the provisions of the CBCA.
Resumption of Trading
Petrolia is also pleased to announce that the Exchange has approved the resumption of trading of the Petrolia common shares, and trading will resume at the opening of the market on October 4, 2017.
The trading halt was imposed by the Exchange, coinciding with the announcement of the signing of the Arrangement Agreement. The Exchange granted its conditional approval of the Arrangement on August 29, 2017. With the filing of the joint information circular by Petrolia and Pieridae (the "Information Circular"), the completion of Pieridae's financing by way of private placement and the signature of pooling agreements by the insiders of Petrolia, the Exchange has authorized the resumption of trading on Petrolia's common shares.
Definitive Anticosti Settlement Agreements
Petrolia announces having entered into definitive agreements that implement and supersede the previously announced agreement in principle reached with the Government of Quebec with respect to the cessation of oil and gas exploration and development activities on Anticosti Island, in exchange of the previously announced $20.5 million financial compensation. Further to these agreements, all of Petrolia's interests in the limited partnership and the general partner created for this project were bought back.
Additional Information
Petrolia and Pieridae are working to complete the next steps and to satisfy the conditions of the Arrangement. When additional information becomes available, a press release will be issued.
Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, the Exchange's final acceptance and the approval of the Superior Court of Quebec. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.
Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Information Circular, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Petrolia should be considered highly speculative.
About Petrolia
Petrolia is a junior oil and gas exploration company that is a leader in Quebec oil and gas prospection and its vision is to develop hydrocarbons, by people here, for here. The social and environmental dimensions are a major concern of Petrolia and its exploration process. Petrolia has 108,399,683 shares issued and outstanding.
Disclaimer
Certain statements made herein may constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or the future economic performance of Petrolia and carry known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may appreciably affect their results, economic performance or accomplishments when considered in light of the content or implications or statements made by Petrolia. Actual events or results could be significantly different. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Petrolia disclaims any intention or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Martin Belanger, P. Eng.
Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
418 657-1966
www.petrolia-inc.com
SYDNEY, October 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Assessment experts from cut-e and Aon will provide fresh insights and best practice on the use of mobile devices to attract and select graduates, the new competencies required for digital working and why the candidate experience is key at the 2017 AAGE annual graduate recruitment & development conference (25-27 October, Sydney, Australia).
cut-e is the platinum sponsor of the event, which is organised by the Australian Association of Graduate Employers (AAGE), a leading industry body. The AAGE's 29th annual conference will include keynotes, workshops and interactive discussion forums focusing on the 'bigger picture' of why employers have graduate programs and how these influence the organisational culture.
David Barrett, Chief Commercial Officer of cut-e, will present a keynote session explaining how HR and talent professionals can attract and engage the 'mobile generation' by optimising their approach to assessment and gamification, and by improving the candidate experience (11.15am, Thursday 26 October).
John Chan, Principal of Aon Talent, Rewards and Performance in Australia, will host a workshop outlining what 'digital millennials' want from their employer and how they can transform an organisation (11.30am, Thursday 26 October). John will introduce cut-e's new digital competency model, which employers can assess and develop candidates against.
"Digital competence - the attitude and ability that enables us to embrace technology, collaborate with others and work more effectively - is a new strategic priority for every organisation," said David Barrett. "Today's graduates are expected to connect with others and collaborate in a digital context. Our sessions will examine the key competencies that will enable them to do this effectively, as well as new ways that HR and talent teams can attract, engage and select the right individuals, using mobile devices and the next generation of game-based assessments."
The 2017 AAGE annual conference will be held at the Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney, Australia on 25-27 October. Register online at http://www.aageconference.com.au
Founded in 2002, cut-e (pronounced 'cute') is part of Aon Assessment Solutions, a group within Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm. cut-e provides online tests, questionnaires and gamified assessments for attraction, selection, talent management and development. Aon Assessment Solutions undertakes 30 million assessments each year in 90 countries and 40 languages.
For further information about cut-e, please visit http://www.cut-e.com or call +61(0)434-419-571.
Mfind.pl, a Poland-based insurance comparison website, received a new funding round of undisclosed amount.
Martis Consulting is the new shareholder. In conjunction with the funding, Ewa Badyga, vice president of Martis Consulting, will join mfinds supervisory board.
The company intends to use the funds to add communication and marketing expertise to the team.
Led by Bartomiej Roszkowski, CEO, Mfind.pl is an insurance comparison website that helps people save on purchase of travel insurance, medical package, travel insurance or real estate. The company, which is already cooperating with 24 insurance companies with the list still expanding, enables customers to receive from the support of counselors, both in product selection and later, when harm occurs, during the liquidation process.
Mfind is in the MCIs Internet Ventures portfolio since 2015.
FinSMEs
03/10/2017
The GST regime has brought in many changes along with the following:
Increase in the number of GST returns
Payment of tax on a monthly basis
Small and new taxpayers will find it difficult to comply with so many rules.
Hence, the government has introduced the concept of Composition Scheme. Composition Scheme is a simple and easy scheme under GST for taxpayers. Small taxpayers can get rid of tedious GST formalities and pay GST at a fixed rate of turnover. This scheme can be opted by any taxpayer whose turnover is less than Rs. 75 lakh.
Now there is an option for small and new taxpayer to opt for Composition scheme and have lesser compliance. Also, a taxpayer opting for composition scheme has to pay tax at a nominal rate.
A taxpayer whose turnover is below Rs 75 lakhs can opt in for Composition Scheme. In case of North-Eastern states and Himachal Pradesh, the limit is Rs 50 lakh.
The following people cannot opt for the scheme:
Supplier of services other than restaurant related services Manufacturer of ice cream, pan masala, or tobacco Casual taxable person or a non-resident taxable person Businesses which supply goods through an e-commerce operator
The following conditions must be satisfied in order to opt for composition scheme:
No Input Tax Credit can be claimed by a dealer opting for composition scheme The taxpayer can only make intra-state supply (sell in the same state) i.e. no inter-state supply of goods The dealer cannot supply GST exempted goods Taxpayer has to pay tax at normal rates for transactions under Reverse Charge Mechanism If a taxable person has different segments of businesses (such as textile, electronic accessories, groceries, etc.) under the same PAN, they must register all such businesses under the scheme collectively or opt out of the scheme The taxpayer has to mention the words composition taxable person on every notice or signboard displayed prominently at their place of business The taxpayer has to mention the words composition taxable person on every bill of supply issued by him.
Composition scheme: To opt in for composition scheme a taxpayer has to file Form GST CMP-01 or GST CMP-02 with the government. This can be done online after logging into the GST portal. This intimation should be given at the beginning of every Financial Year by a dealer wanting to opt for Composition Scheme.
A composition dealer cannot issue tax invoice. This is because a composition dealer cannot charge tax from their customers. They need to pay tax out of their own pocket. Hence, the dealer has to issue a Bill of Supply. The dealer should also mention composition taxable person, not eligible to collect tax on supplies at the top of the Bill of Supply.
GST rates for a composition dealer
GST Payment has to be made out of pocket. It means that a dealer opting for Composition Scheme cannot charge GST in their Invoice. The consumer/ the receiver of supplies will not be liable to pay GST to the supplier who has opted for Composition Scheme.
A dealer is required to file a quarterly return GSTR-4 by 18th of the month after the end of the quarter. Also, an annual return GSTR-9A has to be filed by 31st December of next financial year. Also, note that a dealer registered under composition scheme is not required to maintain detailed records.
The following are the advantages of registering under composition scheme:
Lesser compliance (returns, maintaining books of record, issuance of invoices) Limited tax liability High liquidity as taxes are at a lower ra
Let us now see the disadvantages of registering under GST composition scheme: A limited territory of business. The dealer is barred from carrying out inter-state transactions
No Input Tax Credit available to composition dealers The taxpayer will not be eligible to supply goods through an e-commerce portal
(This article was first published in ClearTax. You can access it here.)
Beleaguered liquor baron Vijay Mallya has been arrested after the Enforcement Directorate a filed a supplementary affidavit in the ongoing money laundering case. He was, however, immediately released on bail. The affidavit was filed in the Rs 900 crore IDBI-Kingfisher Airlines money laundering case, according to the CNBC-TV18.
The 61-year-old flamboyant businessman, already out on bail on an extradition warrant executed by the Metropolitan Police earlier this year, will be appearing before Westminster Magistrates' Court in London this afternoon where he is expected to be bailed.
"Vijay Mallya has been arrested on money laundering charges and will be appearing in court today," the spokesperson of the UK's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) was quoted as saying in a PTI report. However, the fugitive businessman was immediate released on bail, according to media reports.
The case is being probed by the ED and the central probe agency has already filed a charge sheet against him and others in a Mumbai court.
The CPS is arguing the case against Mallya on behalf of the Indian government.
Chief Magistrate Emma Louise Arbuthnot has been hearing Mallya's extradition case at Westminster Magistrates' Court on his previous arrest warrant executed by Scotland Yard in April.
Mallya's trial in that case is scheduled for two weeks, starting 4 December.
The embattled businessman, who has been based in the UK since he fled India in March last year, is wanted in India for his erstwhile Kingfisher Airlines' default on loans worth nearly Rs 9,000 crore.
It remains to be seen if both cases will be clubbed together, which may lead to a delay in the trial date.
Mallya had been arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant on behalf of Indian authorities on 18 April.
Recently media reports said in a bid to strengthen the evidence to extradite Mallya, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate are preparing a charge sheet alleging he laundered a major chunk of the Rs 6,000 crore bank loans taken for Kingfisher Airlines.
A report in The Times of India had said that the money was diverted through shell companies in seven countries, including the US, the UK, France and Ireland.
"Letters rogatory have already been sent to the US, the UK, France and Ireland and we will get complete details soon," an official was quoted as saying in the report. The official had claimed that the agencies have been able to establish the links between the shell companies and bank accounts in the seven countries.
The agencies were hoping that the latest evidence once submitted before the London court where the final extradition hearing will take place in December, they will have an airtight case. At present, in front of the UK court, the agencies have presented the charges in the nearly Rs 900 crore IDBI Bank loan default case.
The first hearing in the case took place on June 13, when December 4 had been pencilled in as a tentative final hearing date.
If the Chief Magistrate rules in favour of extradition at the end of the trial, the UK home secretary must order Mallyas extradition within two months of the appropriate day.
However, the case can go through a series of appeals before arriving at a conclusion.
India and the UK have an Extradition Treaty, signed in 1992 and in force since November 1993, under which recently a Bangladeshi national wanted in the UK on murder charges was to be extradited from India.
(With inputs from PTI)
Ride-hailing company Ola on Monday secured $2 billion in new funding from a group of investors, including SoftBank Group Corp and Tencent Holdings Ltd, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. The funding round isnt finished yet and the amount could change, the person said.
The latest round of funding is expected to help Ola build war chest to take on global giant Uber, which has been aggressively trying to win market share in India.
In November last year, Ola has raised Rs 1,675 crore from SoftBank.
The funding is also backed by venture capital fund jointly run by industrialist Ratan Tata, the University of California's investment arm and US institutional investors, Bloomberg said, citing people familiar with the deal.
SoftBank subsidiary SIMI Pacific Pte picked 12,97,945 shares valued at Rs 10 at a premium of Rs 12,895 in ANI Technologies which runs Ola filings with the Registrar of Companies showed.
The allotment of shares was done in November last year, it added. The latest funding, however, is believed to have come at a lower valuation.
According to sources, the move comes at a time when Softbank is working on selling Snapdeal, an e-commerce platform it invested heavily in India, to larger rival Flipkart.
The Bengaluru-based firm was aggressively looking at raising funds to compete with Uber, the world's most valuable start-up. After selling its Chinese business to Didi last year, Uber has now set sights on India making it one of its top priorities.
Though Indian Internet companies have seen a boom in user base, their valuations have come down as investors are now focussing on path to profitability and building a sustainable business model.
Japans SoftBank has been looking to play consolidator in the country's flourishing startup ecosystem with investments that include about $1 billion in e-commerce company Snapdeal and $70 million in grocery delivery group Grofers.
Ola and SoftBank declined to comment, while Tencent was not immediately available for comment.
Flush with private equity and venture capitalist money, many start-ups continue to have high burn rate that has been a concern for investors.
Earlier this week, India's largest e-commerce firm Flipkart raised $1.4 billion from Tencent, eBay and Microsoft in a round that saw its valuation fall from $15 billion to $11.6 billion now.
(With inputs from agencies)
New Delhi: Traders body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Monday alleged that e-commerce portals are "openly flouting FDI policy", and said it may move the court if no action is taken by the government against them.
In a statement, CAIT said it expresses "deep anguish and resentment for the lethargic attitude of the government for not taking any action against e-commerce portals for openly flouting FDI policy of the government in spite of making written complaints."
The CAIT also sent a communication to Department of Industrial Promotion and Planning (DIPP) Secretary Ramesh Abhishek saying "if no action is taken by the government, the trade body may opt for approaching court of law for obtaining justice."
The CAIT also said on 23 September it had sent a communication to Suresh Prabhu, Minister for Commerce regarding gross violation of FDI policy by e-commerce portals and the said communication was referred to Secretary, DIPP for appropriate action same day.
CAIT National President B C Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said, "So far no action has been taken against such e-commerce portals as a result of which some of them are again going to violate the FDI policy which is evident from the fact that similar big advertisements are visible for different kind of festival sales".
However, the body has not given detail of any particular e-commerce site.
The CAIT demanded immediate action against policy defaulter e-commerce companies and impose ban on working of their portal and conduct an impartial inquiry into the issues raised by the body, it said.
Auto refresh feeds
"The CBI case and the ED case is now going to be clubbed," CNN-News18 said.
According to reports, the Enforcement Directorate had filed a fresh affidavit with a London court submitting fresh evidence on the different loans that Mallya had taken from various courts in India, and how the funds were diverted.
Wanted millionaire Vijay Mallya has been arrested in relation to the ongoing money laundering case, Doordarshan News said in a tweet on Tuesday.
Mallya was arrested earlier this year in April, but the liquor baron had managed to secure a bail within three hours. Soon after a Westminster Court had granted him bail and the liquor King didn't waste any time to tweet out his victorious statement: "Usual Indian media hype. Extradition hearing in Court started today as expected," Mallya had said in his tweet.
Mallya was arrested in April as well, but was given bail in three hours
By taking my passport and arresting me, they arent getting any money, Mallya said in one of his interviews.
In one his rare interactions with media after he left India to the UK, liquor baron Vijay Mallya had repeatedly shown his defiance and blamed the Indian government, security agencies, and bankers for wrongly targeting him.
'Taking my passport won't help them get their money back,' Mallya had said
CNN-News18 said that the work in front of UK's Crown Prosecution Service, which is fighting the case for India, to highlight that Vijay Mallya is wanted in India in a court in India, that there are non-bailable warrants against him.
The Rs 900 crore loan is part of the total Rs 9,000 crore that Mallya owes to 17 banks in India. The money was lent by banks to Mallyas now defunct airline, Kingfisher Airlines, on the personal guarantee of the billionaire.
According to Mint , the "EDs case is that Rs417.29 crore of the IDBI loan had been remitted abroad and shown to be payments towards aircraft leases, rental and maintenance, servicing of aircraft parts and so on".
The ED claims that it has concrete evidence to prove dual criminality and money laundering from Vijay Mallya's part, which it has submitted to the authorities in London. Mallya's arrest was a procedural arrest as part of the new case.
The ED case is about Rs 900 crore that IDBI Bank Pvt Ltd had loaned to Vijay Mallya. According to reports, the ED had filed a charge sheet in India which named IDBI Bank officials as well as Vijay Mallya over suspected diversion of a Rs 900 crore loan given to Kingfisher Airlines.
Earlier, Vijay Mallya's lawyers had said that an arrest in a case like this is not out of the ordinary. Hearing on the bail took place at a Westminster court in London.
Vijay Mallya's arrest was not on out of the ordinary
Mallya's trial, in that case, is scheduled for two weeks, starting 4 December. India's case is being argued by UK's Crown Prosecution Service.
The ED has already filed a charge sheet against him and others in a Mumbai court.
Vijay Mallya's arrest was part of a second money laundering case that the Enforcement Directorate filed in a London court. The latest arrest is part of the evidence suggested by Indian central probe agency, ED, in a money laundering case involving the IDBI bank.
CNN-News18 said that the work in front of UK's Crown Prosecution Service, which is fighting the case for India, to highlight that Vijay Mallya is wanted in India in a court in India, that there are non-bailable warrants against him.
The Rs 900 crore loan is part of the total Rs 9,000 crore that Mallya owes to 17 banks in India. The money was lent by banks to Mallyas now defunct airline, Kingfisher Airlines, on the personal guarantee of the billionaire.
According to Mint , the "EDs case is that Rs417.29 crore of the IDBI loan had been remitted abroad and shown to be payments towards aircraft leases, rental and maintenance, servicing of aircraft parts and so on".
The ED claims that it has concrete evidence to prove dual criminality and money laundering from Vijay Mallya's part, which it has submitted to the authorities in London. Mallya's arrest was a procedural arrest as part of the new case.
The ED case is about Rs 900 crore that IDBI Bank Pvt Ltd had loaned to Vijay Mallya. According to reports, the ED had filed a charge sheet in India which named IDBI Bank officials as well as Vijay Mallya over suspected diversion of a Rs 900 crore loan given to Kingfisher Airlines.
Vijay Mallya's arrest was pursuant to the Extradition request made by Govt of India based on money laundering charges against him: Sources
According to News18, "the CBI and ED had recently uncovered that Mallya had diverted a major chunk of the Rs 6,027 crore loan, taken from a consortium of 17 banks led by SBI to several countries including US, UK, France, and Ireland". Mallya owes a total of Rs 9,000 crore (including interest) to the 17 Indian banks, and the two probing "agencies are now planning to file charge sheets and present it as evidence in the Westminster Magistrates' Court to expedite his extradition".
According to IANSt, a British court had observed in June that Indian investigation agencies had delayed evidence against Mallya in its request to extradite the former liquor baron.
Liquor baron Vijay Mallya has been arrested in London in the ongoing extradition proceedings in a court, according to a report in Doordarshan.
The arrest comes after the Enforcement Directorate submitted an affidavit in the ongoing money laundering case being heard in the court.
In a bid to strengthen the evidence to extradite the business man, the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate had recently prepared a charge sheet alleging he laundered a major chunk of the Rs 6,000 crore bank loans taken for Kingfisher Airlines.
A report in The Times of India said recently that the money was diverted through shell companies in seven countries, including the US, the UK, France and Ireland.
"Letters rogatory have already been sent to the US, the UK, France and Ireland and we will get complete details soon," an official has been quoted as saying in the report. The official has claimed that the agencies have been able to establish the links between the shell companies and bank accounts in the seven countries.
Explaining the systematic way in which Mallya duped the banks, the official said he used to pay back some part of the loan to the banks to gain their confidence to get more funds from them.
The latest evidence will be submitted before the London court where the final extradition hearing will take place in December. At present, in front of the UK court, the agencies have presented the charge s in the nearly Rs 900 crore IDBI Bank loan default case.
Earlier, in a charge sheet filed in June, the ED had alleged that Mallya had laundered amount worth Rs 1,300 crore through 13 shell companies, which he has denied. Mallya has maintained that he has not done anything wrong and huge dues to the banks have been due to the failure of the business.
The ED had also said that these shell companies had no actual activities and was fully contrlolled by Mallya with former employees of UB group being its directors.
The agency had said the only purpose of these companies were to either obtain loan or launder money and that he has huge property in the US in the name of his daughters - Leana and Tanya.
Mallya has been in self-imposed exile in the UK since March 2016. He was arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant on 18 April and is currently out on bail.
The Indian investigative agencies are seeking to extradite Mallya for allegedly defaulting on several bank loans amounting to nearly Rs 9,000 crore. This includes loan taken from IDBI Bank for Kingfisher Airlines.
The total loan sanctioned and disbursed by the IDBI Bank to KFA was Rs 860.92 crore. The ED has alleged that its money trail analysis revealed that out of the total loan of Rs 860.92 crore, sanctioned and disbursed by IDBI, Rs 423 crore has been remitted out of India.
The said payments were shown to be made towards aircraft rental leasing and maintenance, servicing and spare parts.
The ED had in an earlier charge sheet filed in the IDBI-KFA case said Mallya floated 20 shell companies, directors of which were either his personal staff or those who retired.
(With inputs from PTI)
Vijay Mallya beat his own record of securing bail after the high-profile arrest, on Tuesday, by securing bail in less than 30 minutes. Last time when he got arrested in April, it had taken some three hours for Mallyas lawyers to do the job.
Shortly after the arrest on Tuesday, legal experts had a word of caution that it doesnt necessary mean Mallyas extradition to India will happen immediately. The bullet speed bail proved that Mallyas arrest was more of procedural and it will take a long time for India before Mallya is brought back to the country to face the law of the land in the Rs 9,000-crore Kingfisher bank loan default and alleged fund diversion case.
Nevertheless, the important point is that Indias case against Mallya is now even stronger. The writing on the wall is clear for the King of Good times, whose grounded airline, Kingfisher, proved to be a nightmare to a clutch of banks. The second arrest was made after the Enforcement Directorate made a fresh affidavit with more evidence to the UK courts about the charges of fund diversion and financial irregularities allegedly conducted by Mallya. The UK court has found merit in those arguments and hence the arrest. In that sense, this is a major boost to the Narendra Modi government for which bringing Mallya back to home has become a big political issue as well.
Remember, Modi government has been pushing for Mallyas arrest and extradition for long, asking various investigative agencies to plug the loopholes as the government seeks Mallyas extradition from the UK. But, it is now clear that the road is long for the Indian authorities before Mallya is finally brought back to the country's soil. UK laws are tough to deal with in extradition cases. There are several instances from the past. The next hearing scheduled in December will give more definitive evidence about the course of the case and Mallyas fate. So, the right way to describe Mallyas second arrest today is that it is just another step towards the target but with no certainty about the final outcome of the case.
In April, Mallyas arrest was made on the basis of a request by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) but this time, according to reports, the supplementary evidence submitted against Mallya has played a critical role in his arrest. In September, the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate have found evidence of Mallya laundering a major chunk of the Rs 6,000 crore bank loans taken for Kingfisher Airlines. This fresh evidence, when submitted, will add more strength to the present case before the UK court, in addition to the existing charges.
The Kingfisher case
There are multiple dimensions to the Kingfisher-Vijay Mallya case beyond being a normal corporate-bank loan default case. The tug of war between Mallya and banks began in 2012 when Kingfisher was grounded and banks began declaring Kingfisher as an NPA (non-performing asset). But, the reasons that led to an impasse between Kingfisher and some 17 banks actually started long back when banks generously assisted Kingfisher both in the form of fund and non-fund support despite no signs of financial improvement of the carrier.
When Mallya approached the group of lenders for further lending in 2010, there was serious differences of opinion among the group of senior bankers in SBI, and other banks in the consortium, on why should they lend to the struggling airline, which has never made any profit in its eight-year-long life, yet again. But, the majority lenders decision was to take a big risk again and lend to Mallya relying on his personal guarantee.
The Mallya-banks fight intensified dramatically after the liquor king flew away from India in March last year saying he wanted to spend more time with his family. Since then, Mallya has taken a defiant approach against the charges raised by the Indian banks and the way Indian media covered this case alleging that he is being treated in an unjust manner. For the Modi government, the case soon escalated beyond a typical corporate loan default case to a big political issue.
To be sure, there are a number of bank loan default cases which are far more serious than the Kingfisher case in terms of the loan amount. But, Mallya soon became the poster boy of Indias bank loan defaulters, putting immense pressure on the Modi government to take action against him. A victory or otherwise against the battle on Mallya will send a strong signal to Indias bank loan defaulters.
Almost a year ahead of the release of their first collaboration in Sharat Katariya's film Sui Dhaaga, Varun Dhawan and Anushka Sharma released a special promo on Gandhi Jayanti to salute the Father of the Nation on behalf of the team of their film which is a Make In India initiative.
Varun and Anushka retweeted the video pushed out by the official Twitter handle of the film. The video shows both the actors singing praises for Gandhi, describing him as a self-reliant man who embodies everything that the flagship campaign of the ruling party, Make In India, is all about.
The video is interspersed with a sequence of a needle and a thread interacting with each other and revealing an outlined figure of Gandhi at the end of the video.
The two actors summed up the video by not only paying a tribute to Gandhi but also all the traditional artisans who spend their lives churning out simple yet innovative products of khadi and other material.
His greatness was & is about understanding this & speaking it out to millions. May you all find that greatness in you. Happy #GandhiJayanti pic.twitter.com/mwmeRYcLEX Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) October 2, 2017
Sui Dhaaga will reportedly see Dhawan play a labourer. The film will raise awareness about the small scale industries in India, the ingenious handloom industry, which has some of the most skilled workers.
Sui Dhaaga is co-produced by Maneesh Sharma and Aditya Chopra's Yash Raj Films. It is slated to release on 28 September, 2018.
The daughters of Maharaja Jam Sahib Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhji, the erstwhile ruler of Jamnagar, Gujarat, have sent a cease and desist notice to filmmaker Omung Kumar and Sandeep Singh, co-owners of Legend Studios, for planning to make a biopic on the king's life, The Good Maharaja, starring Sanjay Dutt in the lead role.
Mumbai Mirror reports that the late ruler's daughters Hershad Kumari and Himanshu Kumari have objected to possible distortion of facts in unofficial the biopic of their father. The same report quotes their legal representative, Faranaaz Karbhari, as saying, "The Maharaja was a public figure and if the facts are distorted, it will tarnish his image. Hence our clients have objection to the film, as no permission is sought from them."
However, while Singh confirmed that he received the notice, the same report states that he sees no reason in seeking permission from the king's family for a biopic. "Digvijaysinhji Ranjitsinhjis story is in the public domain. Even today they celebrate Maharaja Day in Poland. I didnt think we were required to take the rights from his heirs. Today, people are looking for free publicity. Whenever a project is announced, someone or the other takes on the filmmaker.
The Good Maharaja will reportedly go on the floors after a year-and-a-half, because it has to be made on a large scale with the Polish government backing it.
Theres a running joke among Telugu movie buffs that all Mahesh Babu needs is a gun, Ray-Ban goggles, and a reason to run. And viola! You have a movie.
While this might sound like bit of an exaggeration, but the truth is, no one runs in Telugu films like Mahesh Babu. You cant not notice it. If one could draw parallels, its akin to what Tom Cruise does in Hollywood films. That Mahesh Babu has often dabbled with action films, which are replete with chase sequences, has further given action choreographers a valid reason to compose more such stuff for the star.
Youve seen it in almost all his films, starting from his earliest action films like Okkadu to his recent thriller Spyder. And then, theres the never ending fascination with guns and Ray-Ban goggles. All this and a lot more, theres a case to be argued in favour of Mahesh Babu for being one of the quintessential action heroes in Telugu cinema.
In one of his earliest films as a child artiste, Koduku Dhidhina Kapuram, which was directed by his father Superstar Krishna, a young Mahesh Babu takes on a bunch of goons and in the midst of the fight sequence, theres a dialogue which says, Vaadu pillodu kaadhu. Pidugu. (He isnt a kid. Hes a thunderbolt.)
Whether it was destined that he would go on to become an action hero or not, Mahesh Babu has slowly but consciously built that image for himself.
By the time he returned as a lead hero with K Raghavendra Raos Rajakumarudu, Mahesh Babu joined the likes of Pawan Kalyan and NTR Jr, who took over the reins of Telugu cinema from the erstwhile generation. One of the defining moments in his career which cemented his place as an action hero was Gunasekhars Okkadu. The action drama was a blockbuster in 2003 and Maheshs intense portrayal of a kabaddi player, who goes all out to rescue a girl, set the ball rolling for the rest of his career.
In the late 90s and early 2000s, Tollywood saw a slew of faction-based dramas, set in the backdrop of Rayalaseema region, including Samarasimha Reddy, Narasimha Naidu, Indra, and Aadhi.
Each one of them went on to become a blockbuster in its own right. Okkadu too is partly set in Rayalaseema region; however, a gripping screenplay, along with Mahesh Babus performance, set the film apart. Another defining action film was Trivikram Srinivas Athadu and theres a good reason to believe that the acting style which Mahesh Babu imbibed in this film continues to influence him till date. Its understated and it often leaves the impression that the subtlety is lost in translation.
And then, there was Puri Jagannadhs Pokiri where his lackadaisical attitude was laced with bursts of anger and sarcasm. It worked like magic. And yes, he runs a lot in Pokiri. And there are guns too.
The film which truly changed his acting persona was Trivikram Srinivas Khaleja. The silent and brooding style was a thing of the past. Never was the actor more talkative in a film than what he was in Khaleja, and it continued in his subsequent films like Dookudu, Businessman, and Aagadu. The comic timing came as a delight to the actors fans and its become an USP in his recent films. For most part of his career, Mahesh had been flip-flopping between action dramas and family dramas, and at times, films like Srimanthudu and Dookudu had a bit of both.
For the longest time, he had been facing a barrage of questions from the media and fans about when he might play the role of a spy, a la James Bond. After all, it was his father (Superstar Krishna) who was the first to adapt James Bond like character in Telugu cinema with Gudachari 116 way back in 1966. Its almost its meant to happen. The only question is when. Even when SS Rajamouli casually asked Mahesh Babus fans if they want to see him in a character like James Bond or Alluri Seetharamaraju (again, one of Krishnas evergreen hits), the response was overwhelmingly in favour of James Bond.
Not surprisingly, when AR Murugadoss recent film Spyder was touted as a spy thriller, many believed that this would be the culmination of what he had been promising all these years. However, he sprang a surprise once again. Spyder has been termed by many as a film which lacked heroism because of how understated the performance and the character was.
Quite early in the film, Mahesh Babu says, Im not a Spiderman or a Superman. I just want to save peoples lives before something bad happens to them. Thats what makes me happy. It was the story of a hero who didnt want his heroism to be obvious. No wonder the film polarised a lot of people and the reactions have been extreme. But the character is what it is, and it was in sync with how both Mahesh Babu and Murugadoss preferred in general. Our tastes are similar and we bonded a lot over that. Both of us prefer heroes being subtle on screen, and thats what we tried to do in Spyder, Murugadoss said prior to the films release.
One film which came particularly close to having a Bond/Bourne-like action sequences was Sukumars 1-Nenokkadine, which had this elaborate chase sequence in the streets of London. Although the film bombed at the box-office, it had everything that you expect from an action hero - guns, bikes, and a hero running towards his goal.
Truth is, in an industry which relies so heavily on dialogues to convey the emotion, Mahesh Babu has carved a niche for himself by approaching it differently and being normal to a large extent. It has worked for him, so far.
But the question to be asked now is if it become a cliche now. For now, the only mantra is to keep walking. Or shall we say - Keep Running.
At the Manthan Samvaad in Hyderabad (an annual event that is held on Gandhi Jayanti, where eminent people from different walks of life talk about issues concerning the nation), speaker after speaker emphasised the need for citizens in India to speak without fear.
Just days before that (on 27 September), former Union minister Yashwant Sinha wrote in his column in The Indian Express: "I shall be failing in my national duty if I did not speak up even now against the mess the finance minister has made of the economy. I am also convinced that what I am going to say reflects the sentiments of a large number of people in the BJP and elsewhere, who are not speaking up out of fear."
One person who certainly spoke without fear, on the day of Gandhi Jayanti, was National Award winning actor Prakash Raj. Raj questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on journalist Gauri Lankesh's death, four weeks after she was murdered in cold blood. What is significant about Prakash Raj's outburst is both its content, and that he dared to speak out against the most powerful person in the country.
"We do not know who killed them (the journalists and rationalists). But we do know who is celebrating the murders. When you see that the Prime Minister of the country is following (on Twitter) those who are celebrating the murders, when he is not taking a stand against it, when he has maintained silence on the issue that silence hurts,'' said Prakash Raj. He added, "As a citizen of this country, I am disturbed, hurt and afraid by the silence of the Prime Minister. I am talking to my Prime Minister and I say, 'Your silence is chilling'. I have a right to say this.''
These are important and strong words. Prakash Raj is saying the Prime Minister has let him down with his conduct. The actor stresses on his right to state publicly, his disappointment that Modi a person extremely aware of what is happening around him chose to keep mum over Gauri's murder.
Raj's angst finds expression at a time when the rest of Bollywood, Kollywood, Sandalwood have chosen the path of silence, for they now know the price they have to pay for speaking up. Aamir Khan came under severe attack after his remarks on intolerance in 2015 and was subsequently removed as the brand ambassador of Incredible India. Shah Rukh Khan after burning his fingers similarly now plays it safe. The most influential voices of cinema have realised that the echo chamber that has been set up both online and offline, seeks a homogeneity of voices and any dissonant/out-of-sync voice is targeted viciously.
Here, Raj is seeking accountability from the Prime Minister because the Gauri Lankesh case matters to him at a personal level. Gauri was his close friend and her father the late P Lankesh was Raj's mentor. He feels betrayed by Modi's conduct; his expression of hurt similar to that of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who advised Modi that rajdharma should be followed.
If the past is anything to go by, Modi will ignore Raj's barbs. That is also because Raj despite his popularity is not the kind of figure who would be able to make people rally around him. While his pan-India popularity will ensure for him headline space, it also diffuses the political impact he may make, for the same reason. Though he hails from Karnataka, his body of work is much more in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
In the past, Raj has refrained from making strong political statements. Is this then a one-off instance, a guest appearance of sorts? Or will the actor try to build on his disappointment by allying with other Modi and BJP detractors and be to the anti-Modi space what Anupam Kher and Madhur Bhandarkar are to the pro-Modi camp?
In case Raj is looking for a longer role in the political arena, 'Kamal Haasan Political Productions' could be a possible platform, given that the two actors have worked together and are known to be friends. Raj's powerful oratory could just be the ammunition a non-saffronite Kamal Haasan may be looking for.
Prakash Raj, actor and filmmaker, kicked the figurative hornets nest on Monday, 2 October, when his speech at the inauguration of the 11th State Meet of the Democratic Youth Federation of India went viral on the internet. Speaking at the event, he lashed out at a section of people, some of whom are being followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter, who have been celebrating the murder of popular journalist Gauri Lankesh. Further, he also slammed Modi for not issuing a statement about Gauris death and condemning those who are apparently happy with this incident.
Gauris killers may not have been caught yet, but what is more distressing is those who celebrated her death. We may not be able to see Gauris killers, but we can see those who have spewed vitriol... People, who our Prime Minister follows, are also among them. We have a Prime Minister who turns a blind eye to this, Prakash Raj said, during his speech at the event, adding, I am a renowned actor, do you (Modi) think I will not be able to detect when you are acting? At least show me some respect, considering the fact that I am an actor and I will be able to tell what is the truth and what is acting.
Also read Prakash Raj maintains stance on Narendra Modi but clarifies he is not returning National Awards
Not surprisingly, the actors speech raised a storm in newsrooms, and he was soon trending on social media. Never before has the actor-and-director, who is one of the most popular actors in Telugu and Tamil cinema, been in the news for his political views. In fact, this is one of the rare instances when Prakash Raj has been in the news for a topic beyond the realm of cinema. The only other instance where he lost his cool was in October 2016 when he lashed out at a TV channel for dragging him into the Cauvery water sharing dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. While promoting his film Idolle Ramayana, when a TV channel anchor asked him about his opinion on the water dispute between the two states, Prakash Raj snapped back saying, This is a sensitive issue and it has been going on in courts for a long time. Are you trying to create a controversy by dragging me into this? Im just a filmmaker.
In his career spanning more than two decades, Prakash Raj has acted in scores of Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Kannada, and even Hindi films. Born and brought up in Bengaluru, Prakash Raj began his acting career with Doordarshan serials in Kannada like Bisilu Kudure (Kannada) and Guddada Bhootha (Tulu and Kannada), which paved the way for him to do numerous supporting roles in Kannada. Later, it was Balachander who introduced him as a lead actor with the film Duet (1994). The film which turned him into a force to reckon with was Mani Ratnams Iruvar (1997), which also fetched him a National Award for best supporting actor. The actor had played Tamizhselvan, a character clearly inspired by DMK chief M Karunanidhi. Eventually, Prakash Raj become the most sought after actor for playing negative roles in Telugu and Tamil films including Okkadu, Pokiri etc.
In recent years, Prakash Raj had openly stated that he had gotten bored of acting in films since he felt that he wasnt being challenged enough. This led him to take a long break from taking up acting roles and instead, he began directing films Dhoni, Ulavacharu Biryani, Mana Oori Ramayanam and also developing stage plays in Kannada and English. In 2015, he returned to the theatre circuit with an adaptation of a popular play by Girish Karnad. Back then, Prakash Raj had said, I had promised my guru and mentor, late BV Karanth, that I would achieve something and later come back to theatre. I want to keep my word. People close to Prakash Raj often talk about how profound his philosophy of life is: He loves poetry, literature, writing, and collecting books. In fact, its his distinct view of life and how he wants to live that makes him so charismatic," a close friend of Prakash Raj said.
That hes an emotional man is well-documented, and his outbursts of anger, at times in front of the media, are not unheard of. A few years ago, when Sreenu Vaitla dropped him from the cast of Aagadu, alleging that he misbehaved with an assistant director on the sets of the film, it led to a huge spat between them. At a press conference, Prakash Raj went on record to say that someone had been trying to sabotage his career on purpose and recited a poem, Nannu Rallo Tho Kottaku pattukoni illu kattestha, nannu kalcheyalani nippu pettaku intiki deepam chesukunta..nannu ee industry nunchi pampincheyalani tharamaku, cheraalasina chotu twaraga cheripothu. Daya chesi chepthunna, nannu champalani visham pettaku, mingesi neelakantundhi aipotha (Dont throw stones at me, Ill build a house. Dont try to burn me down, I'll light a lamp with the fire. Dont try to kick me out of the industry; Ill reach my destination sooner. Please, dont try to poison me, Ill gulp the poison down my throat and become Neelakanta). When Sreenu Vaitla ended up using the same lines as a dialogue in the film claiming that he felt it was a tribute to him from Prakash Raj, the actor shot back saying, Sreenu Vaitla is absolutely shameless. The two have buried the hatchet and moved on since then.
While he has often gotten into trouble due to his supposed high-handedness while dealing with Telugu filmmakers in the past, Prakash Raj has been apolitical in general. In fact, he was praised by the TRS government when he went adopted a village Kondareddipalle in Mahabubnagar district of Telangana. In less than two years, Prakash Raj transformed the village with a lot of developmental works, including a new school building, better roads, water connection, sanitation among other things. The actor also owns a farm house close to this village and hes known to be spending a lot of time at the farm house where he engages in with organic farming, writing, and bonding with his friends and family members.
While there hasnt been any instance, so far, where Prakash Raj spoke against the establishment, his latest tirade against the government stems from the fact that he was a close friend of Gauri Lankesh. Explaining his comments that he made at the event, Prakash Raj said, I didnt say that Ill return my National Awards, like everyone is claiming in the media. I have no intention to do that and I feel that Ive truly earned them. What Im really angry about is the fact that a section of people are celebrating the death of a journalist and some of these people are being supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As a citizen of this country, Ive every right to question the government when something is wrong. Thats all Ive done.
What Prakash Raj said is no different from what a lot of other journalists, Opposition party members had said in the days following the death of Gauri Lankesh. This has clearly got more to do with how some people are justifying the murder of a journalist, and what makes it worse is that some of them claim to be followed by Modi on Twitter. Theres certainly no reason why something like this should be encouraged in society. You dont have to be a Prakash Raj to point it out.
Veteran filmmaker Roman Polanski, who in 1977 in Zurich was arrested for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl by the name of Samantha Geimer, makes an appearance at the same place decades later. The Oscar-winning director is promoting his upcoming film Based on a True Story, at the Zurich Film Festival. Referring to the incident and his trial, he told told The Hollywood Reporter that "it's over" now.
Polanski was charged with having unlawful intercourse with a minor in 1977 after he drugged and raped Geimer, nee Gailey. He pleaded guilty to the charges and underwent psychiatric treatment along with spending 42 days in jail.
Things took a grim turn for the director the following year, after a judge reportedly decided to set an example of his case and sentence him to 50 years in prison.
After learning of these developments, he fled to Paris. Since then, there have been several pleas filed by the victim herself, requesting for the case to be dismissed. However, as per the latest development, a California judge has stated that the case would proceed, nonetheless.
As per Polanski, he has already gone through four or five times of what he was in for. He told THR that for him it is over now, as he did what he had to do plead guilty and go to jail.
New Delhi: Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to keep his promise of creating a corruption-free India and threatened to begin an agitation if Modi "did nothing" to enforce the Lokpal Bill.
Hazare, who sat on a one day satyagraha at Rajghat on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 148th birth anniversary and paid tribute to the Father of the Nation, also wrote a letter to Modi. He said that even after three years in power, the Prime Minister had not enforced the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, but had instead "hastily" passed amendments to weaken the anti-corruption law.
"I had started a movement for appointing a Lokpal. It is still incomplete. There is a need for another agitation. The government not only failed to appoint a Lokpal but has weakened the Act (The Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013)," he told reporters.
Hazare said he would launch the agitation by the end of 2017 or early 2018. "During the agitation no party or its member would be allowed to sit on stage. If someone wants to join, he can join the people," he said. He said that his volunteers will reach Ralegan Siddhi in Maharashtra to discuss on the course of the movement.
In his letter to Modi, Hazare said that while earlier it was mandatory for those covered under the Lokpal to disclose their assets as well as the assets of their family members, the amendment passed in July 2016 exempted the family members from doing so.
He also accused the prime minister of postponing the enforcement of the anti-corruption law by making "one or the other excuse". "It appears you have no intention to bring Lokpal and Lokayukta Act... And that you don't want to build a corruption-free India," Hazare wrote.
"Looking at the present situation, it appears that no efforts are being made to end corruption and establish effective democracy in the country. Instead, efforts are being made to weaken democracy and strengthen the party. Distressed by this, I will pray for the country on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary and will launch a 'satyagraha' from his footsteps," he added.
The social activist said that Modi and the BJP promised many things to the common man including an end to farmer suicides, fair price for agricultural produce, safety of women and solution to all problems of all sections of the society.
Modi also promised getting back the black money stashed abroad within 30 days of coming to power, Hazare wrote. "But neither the Lokpal and Lokayuktas were appointed, nor the citizen charter enforced. Neither the black money came back from abroad, nor the black money from within the country got exposed through demonetisation. Farmer suicides did not stop but have been increasing. They do not get fair price for their produce. There has been no action on the Swaminathan report. Women haven't got the security, respect and justice that they deserve. And when it comes to corruption, it has been increasing by the day," Hazare added.
Hazare's remarks has come at a time when BJP-led NDA government has been claiming that it did not allow any scam to take place during the past three years in power. The Modi government has also been claiming it has taken many steps to curb the menace of corruption.
New Delhi: Banaras Hindu University (BHU) registrar Neeraj Tripathi will be the officiating vice-chancellor after current incumbent Girish Chandra Tripathi proceeded on indefinite leave, two months before his tenure comes to an end.
Tripathi, who is scheduled to retire on 30 November, went on leave on Monday citing personal reasons.
According to sources, Girish Chandra Tripathi has handed over the charge to the registrar, who will hold the additional responsibility till a new vice-chancellor is appointed.
Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters on Tuesday that the university has received Girish Chandra Tripathi's application and has confirmed that he is on indefinite leave.
According to the BHU Act, if the university head goes on leave, the rector will act as the head and in the rector's absence, the varsity registrar will assume charge as vice- chancellor.
Girish Chandra Tripathi is under fire for his alleged mishandling of student protests last month.
He proceeded on leave came amid indications from top HRD Ministry sources that the central government was upset with the manner in which he handled the entire episode, including a protest by women students of BHU following an incident of alleged harassment.
Last month, a number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in a baton-charge by the police after a protest against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent in BHU, one of the 43 central universities in the country.
The ministry has already put out an advertisement inviting applications for the post of vice-chancellor.
Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Tuesday expressed sorrow over the Las Vegas gunfire deaths and called for a world based on universal brotherhood.
The Nobel Peace Laureate said such violence came out of a lack of compassion and respect for life.
At least 59 people were killed and over 500 wounded when a gunman shot at concert-goers in the American resort city on Sunday night.
Advocating religious harmony, the Dalai Lama also lauded India as "a land of diverse cultures and religions".
Despite "isolated incidents", all major religious traditions of the world existed peacefully in India which was a matter of great pride, said the Dalai Lama, who began a teaching session at the main Tibetan temple Thekchen Choeling Tsuglagkhang, in Mcleodganj in upper Dharamshala, on Tuesday.
"If you keep harbouring anger or jealousy towards others, you will be on the losing end, because you will remain mentally disturbed unless you resolve it," he said, denouncing the "myopic worldview of us-vs-them".
He called for faith based on reason and logic rather than blindly following a religion that one was born into.
While following any religion, including Buddhism, practitioners should have the full understanding of the methods and concepts of that tradition, he said.
"Desire for happiness is universal to all sentient beings. However, unlike animals, we humans have an inborn faculty of thought. Therefore, we should use this faculty to develop happiness through love and compassion," he added.
The four-day session has been organised at the request of a group of devotees from Taiwan.
Over 5,000 followers from 69 countries are attending the teachings which will conclude on 6 October.
Bhadraniya, Gujarat: An atmosphere of fear hung over a colony of Dalits in Bhadraniya village after the killing of a young man from the community for attending a Navratri garba event.
Though police immediately arrested eight persons allegedly involved in the incident, uneasiness prevailed.
Residents of Vankarvas in Bhadraniya told a visiting team of Dalit activists, led by Jignesh Mevani, late Monday night that the village elders had got the electricity connection to their locality snapped in the night to prevent relatives and others coming to meet the victim's family.
"The village sarpanch ensured there were no lights in Vankarvas after the incident so that few people could visit Jayesh's (the victim) family," Mevani, convenor of Rashtriya Dalit Adkhikar Manch, told IANS.
Mevani, who was camping in the village till past Monday midnight, said: "People are also saying some unidentified persons were lurking in the Vankarvas in the late night, possibly keeping a watch in the locality."
The village is located in Gujarat Congress president Bharatsinh Solanki's home district of Anand.
It was in the early hours of Saturday when Jayesh Solanki, 21, who lived in Vankarvas, was beaten to death allegedly by a group of people belonging to the upper Patel caste of the same village because he attended the event taking place near the local temple, police said.
Trouble began after Sanjay alias Bhimo allegedly made casteist remarks on Jayesh and abused him. Sanjay and his seven friends, all from Bhadraniya, reportedly told him, his cousin Prakash Solanki and two others, that Dalits did not have a right to attend garba programmes.
Following an altercation over this, they exchanged blows and the Patel boys later started beating up Jayesh, the police said. Jayesh's head was banged against a wall and he was severely injured. He fell unconscious and was rushed to a private hospital, where he was declared brought dead.
The accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 302 for murder, and under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Mevani, meanwhile, said various Dalit organisations will hold a public meeting in the village on Thursday to protest Jayesh's killing and submit a memorandum to the District Collector. He said attacks on Dalits had become a routine affair. He cited the instance of two incidents on 25 September and 29 September in Gandhinagar district when members of the Rajput community beat up Dalits for sporting moustaches.
Dalit community leaders organised a protest against these incidents and passed a resolution to work for the defeat of the BJP during the assembly elections due in December. "We will die the death of a dog but will not vote for the BJP in our life," pledged over 1,000 Dalit community members led by Mevani.
They also pledged to launch a campaign against what they called "Hindutva, anti-Dalit and anti-Constitution BJP".
Meanwhile, several youngsters from Dalit community have also launched a social media campaign in support of Piyush Parmar and Krunal, who were thrashed for keeping moustaches, posting selfies sporting twirled moustaches and hashtags as #Jativaadnavirodhma (In protest against casteism), #Samvidhaannasamarthanma (In support of Constitution) and #Piysushbhainasamarthanma (In support of Piyush).
A petition was filed in the Bombay High Court on Tuesday by Faisal Yusuf Banaraswala seeking a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the Elphinstone Road stampede.
Petition filed by one Faisal Yusuf Banaraswala in Bombay High Court seeking NIA investigation into #Elphistonestampede ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
A public interest litigation (PIL) was also filed in the Bombay High Court on 30 September the day after the incident happened seeking that railway officials be booked for negligence and culpable homicide in connection with the stampede.
The PIL was submitted on Friday to the high court registry by city resident Pradeep Bhalekar.
The petition has been submitted to the registry. We will mention it on 3 October, Bhalekars advocate Nitin Satpute said.
The petition sought an inquiry into the incident, urging the high court to supervise the matter and issue appropriate directions.
This is complete negligence on part of the railways. A case under section 304 (II) of the IPC for culpable homicide needs to be registered against the railway officials concerned, the petition said.
The plea also sought adequate measures to ensure safety of commuters.
The railways has to be also directed to take action against illegal hawkers and encroachers on foot over-bridges (FoB) to reduce crowding, the PIL said.
Twenty-three passengers were killed and 36 injured in a deadly rush-hour stampede that occurred on a narrow foot overbridge connecting the Elphinstone Road railway station to Parel station on 29 September.
In the wake of the disaster, railway minister Piyush Goyal promised to widen foot-over bridges across Mumbai's suburban railway system.
Previously, the demand for such a move was made in a 2015 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which specifically highlighted the structural default in the Elphinstone Road station bridge.
Various political parties slammed the government for going ahead with the ambitious Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train worth 100 crore while safety in Mumbai locals was neglected.
The Nationalist Congress Party which had earlier demanded the resignation of Goyal, held a rally on Tuesday at Mumbai's Kalwa station to condemn the incident.
Besides, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray had warned the Centre and the Maharashtra government that his party won't let even a single brick be laid for the project, until basic infrastructure is provided to Mumbai citizens.
"While people are struggling to survive in the cities, Modi is asking them to do yoga and campaign for Swachh Bharat. We will launch a 'no bullet train campaign'," Thackeray said slamming the Modi government.
With inputs from PTI
The Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, along with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, will be hosting "German Days" between 4 and 7 October at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. For the first time ever, Mumbaikars will be able to experience the convergence of German culture, lifestyle and innovation at one place.
"What we really want is for the people to experience Germany. We intend to showcase German companies, their contributions, what they stand for We wish to highlight German culture: the food, music, and lifestyle," Germany Consul General Juergen Morhard told Firstpost.
Perhaps, the first thing that will come to anyone's mind when thinking of German culture is the Oktoberfest, the historical beer festival that is held each year in Munich. While "German Days" is a new addition to Germany's ever-expanding engagement with India, the Oktoberfest will be entering its eighth edition in Mumbai.
What will make this year's Oktoberfest more authentic is the fact that the band that plays at the Munich Oktoberfest die Kirchdorfer will also be playing in Mumbai, the consul general said. Not just this, but revellers can also watch robots serving them beer!
"The Oktoberfest is in its eighth edition this year, and it seems to be getting more and more popular. What the people seem to appreciate is the authenticity of what is offered to them, be it the popular sausages that are specially flown in from Germany for the event, or even authentic German craft beer," Morhard said.
Apart from the Oktoberfest (more details here), Teutonophiles can also pursue a crash course in dancing and the explore the intriguing world of the German language: Without spending a penny.
In modern-day diplomacy, culture has become an important component of any country's foreign policy. Soft power, as it has come to be called, helps a country build international goodwill and consequently create an unique identity for itself in the league of nations.
While Oktoberfest will be a major attraction for Mumbaikars, the event is just part of the larger four-day programme, where business is expected to be the major focus area.
Germany is India's largest trade partner in Europe and the fourth largest worldwide. The total trade volume between the two countries is currently at around 20 billion euros. So, it will not be an understatement that trade has been the bedrock of the bilateral ties between India and Germany.
"Out of the more than 1500 German companies present in India, you will find a high number present at the event among them big household names such as Lufthansa, Siemens, BMW, Volkswagen, and many more," Morhard, who has held diplomatic positions in Japan, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka, said.
According to Morhard, Mumbai as the "financial hub" plays an important role in Germany's economic interests, pointing out that nearly 380 companies operate in the metropolitan area.
World over, Germany has been a nation associated with technological innovations, much like Japan. Staying true to its image, the Germans are expected to show their technological prowess in automobiles, robotics, home-appliances among and other industries.
"The event will give an opportunity to Mumbai audiences to engage, network, connect and learn about many innovative German companies who have a presence in India," an Indo-German Chamber of Commerce official told Firstpost.
Make in India Prime Minister Narendra Modi's project to make India a manufacturing hub figures prominently in Germany's business interests in India.
"Germany relies heavily, when it comes to certain industries, towards India and this campaign has added far more incentive as now exports from India are growing tremendously. Industries like textile and machinery, which India has strong foothold in and exports a lot to Europe. Thanks to Make in India, the importing processes are far more smoother and efficient," the official said.
Another field where Germany is looking to tap India's potential is education. Long known for its world-class education in the field of engineering, Germany is increasingly becoming a favoured destination for finance-related courses too.
"The number of Indian students opting Germany for higher education is rising by the year. German Days will host one such top-business university from Germany, where the students and also others can interact to know more about the courses they offer," the official said.
With UK all set to leave the European Union, Germany seems to be the leader of the 27-nation economic union. Hence, Germany becomes the focal point of India's ties with the EU. In such a scenario, ties with Germany will assume more and more strategic nature.
Morhard pointed out that India and Germany have been in a strategic partnership since 2000, when both countries adopted the Agenda for the Indo-German Partnership in the 21st Century. The focal point of the bilateral ties is the bi-annual Indo-German intergovernmental consultations, which Morhard believes is unique.
"As far as Germany and India is concerned, its safe to say that we are in touch, we are comfortable, we are working together and we are growing," the consul general said.
New Delhi: The father of a seven-year-old boy, who was found dead in a Gurugram school, on Tuesday approached the Supreme Court challenging the interim anticipatory bail granted to three Ryan International Group trustees in the case.
Barun Chandra Thakur, father of Class-II boy Pradhuman Thakur, assailed the Punjab and Haryana High Court order staying the arrest of Ryan group CEO Ryan Pinto and his parents, Group's founding chairman Augustine Pinto and Managing Director Grace Pinto, in the murder case.
The appeal, filed through advocate Sushil Tekriwal, said the grant of interim protection against their possible arrest was illegal and unconstitutional and should be set aside.
The plea has made the Central Bureau of Investigation, which is currently probing the case, the accused and the Haryana government as a party.
It alleged that the 28 September order of the high court granting interim bail was passed without hearing either CBI or the complainant's father.
Ryan Pinto and his parents had approached the high court, seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the killing of the Class II student, who was found with his throat slit in the washroom of a school run by their group on 8 September.
School bus conductor Ashok Kumar was arrested in connection with the crime the same day.
On 25 September, the high court had impleaded CBI as a respondent in the petition seeking bail for the three Ryan group trustees.
The Haryana government had recommended a CBI probe in the matter following massive outrage. The premier agency took over the probe on 22 September.
The Pintos, who are based in Mumbai, had earlier approached the Bombay High Court as they apprehended arrest in the case after the school was accused of negligence in the death of the seven-year-old.
The Bombay High Court had rejected the transit anticipatory bail applications of the three trustees but granted them interim protection from arrest for a day to enable them to file an appeal.
Within hours of giving her first interview since the Dera Sacha Sauda controversy broke out, Honeypreet Insan, the 'daughter' of controversial Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, is now in the custody of Haryana Police. She will be produced in Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday, media reports said.
However, different accounts of how Honeypreet was arrested, have emerged with the police forces of the two states appearing to be competing to take credit in the high-profile case.
A Haryana Police official told CNN-News 18, that the arrest was carried out by Haryana Police's SIT team in Punjab's Patiala district and the local police had been informed, as per the standard operating procedure. She was arrested from Zeerakhpur in Patiala.
However, initial media reports said that Honeypreet had surrendered herself in Punjab on Tuesday morning, following which the Punjab police handed over her custody to the Haryana Police. Also, in an interview with India Today, she had also expressed her desire to surrender to the police.
However, Haryana Police denied the reports and insisted that it was them who had rounded up Honeypreet. "It was the SIT team of Haryana Police that rounded up Honeypreet Insan from Punjab. It was indicated to the Punjab Police as per the SoP," Panchkula police commissioner told CNN-News18.
Haryana BJP, which is also the ruling party in the state, alleged that the Punjab administration was shielding Honeypreet, claiming that it had crucial links which could have led to her arrest, but it did not share it with its Haryana counterparts.
Meanwhile, Punjab Minister Manpreet Singh Badal rubbished such allegations. Speaking to Times Now, Badal said that Punjab and Haryana were brother states, and the Punjab Police or state authorities had no reason to do such a thing.
A court in Panchkula, adjoining Chandigarh, had on 25 September, issued arrest warrants against Honeypreet, Aditya Insan, and Pawan Insan.
All three were booked by the Haryana Police on charges of sedition, inciting violence and being involved in a conspiracy to help Dera chief Gurmeet escape after his conviction by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on 25 August on two counts of raping female disciples in 1999.
The Haryana Police had also sounded an international alert against all three.
Honeypreet, who changed her name from Priyanka Taneja, spoke to multiple news channels on Monday claiming innocence in the cases that Haryana Police is pursuing her for.
On her vanishing act, Honeypreet said that she had to go underground because she panicked after "false allegations" were leveled against her. Honeypreet also said that she was suffering from great mental trauma and depression after her 'loving father's' arrest and the mud-slinging that followed, because of which she needed time to pull herself together.
Honeypreet, in her mid-30s, has been on the run since 25 August, hours after Gurmeet was convicted. She has been the closest aide of Gurmeet since 2009. The police was on her trail for nearly a month and raids have been conducted in Nepal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Delhi, and Haryana.
According to a statement released by Haryana Police in September, she topped the list of most wanted persons in relation to the wide-spread violence in Panchkula after Gurmeet's conviction.
Earlier on 25 September, Honeypreet had moved the Delhi High Court seeking anticipatory transit bail. However, the police of Delhi and Haryana had opposed her plea on the ground that the court of competent jurisdiction would be in Haryana.
Last week, Honeypreet's former husband, Vishwas Gupta had accused her and Dera chief Gurmeet of having illicit relations and said their father-daughter relationship was a sham to fool followers.
Gurmeet has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of over Rs 30 lakh.
His conviction led to violence in Panchkula and Sirsa in Haryana, leaving 38 people dead and 264 injured. Isolated incidents of violence were also reported from Delhi and several other places in Punjab.
Honeypreet, who used to claim that she was Ram Rahim's "adopted daughter", starred as the main heroine in the five films that the Dera chief has directed, produced and in which he starred, in the last three years.
After being at large for over a month, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh's aide-de-camp and adopted daughter Honeypreet Insaan may surrender before a local court in Panchkula on Wednesday, media reports said. A few channels reported that Honeypreet could also surrender on Tuesday.
According to a statement released by Haryana Police in September, Honeypreet tops the list of most wanted persons in relation to the wide-spread violence in Panchkula after Ram Rahim's conviction in two rape cases in August.
Honeypreet, who changed her name from Priyanka Taneja, spoke to multiple news channels on Monday claiming innocence in the cases that Haryana Police is pursuing her for.
Speaking to India Today, she said, "The Honeypreet about whom the media is talking is not there. They have showed me as someone who fears herself after the whole incident. I cannot describe my present mental state. I have been called a traitor, which is absolutely wrong."
Honeypreet also dismissed claims that she plotted and instigated riots in Panchkula, saying it was not possible for her to conspire against state machinery.
Asked about her relationship with Ram Rahim, she said, "How can they malign a father and daughter's relationship? Can a father not keep his hands on his daughter? Can a daughter not love her father?" according to the report.
She is expected to surrender in a Panchkula court on Tuesday, India TV reported. However, it is not the first time since she has been evading arrest that she has expressed willingness to surrender. Last week, similar reports surfaced saying the former Dera chief's aide is likely to approach a court to make herself available to police investigations. Earlier, the police of Delhi and Haryana opposed her plea for anticipatory bail for three weeks on the ground that the court of competent jurisdiction would be in Haryana.
Thirty-eight people died and over 250 were injured in Panchkula and other areas in Haryana after followers of Ram Rahim went on a rampage near a CBI court. The former Dera chief, who used to operate out of Sirsa in Haryana, was convicted in two rape cases and sentenced by a special CBI court to 20 years' imprisonment.
Several vehicles, which belonged to the media and police, were damaged or torched by the mob, which also vandalised other public property.
New Delhi: India on Tuesday summoned Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner and issued a demarche over the death of three minors in "unprovoked firing" by Pakistani forces in the Poonch sector.
Pakistani diplomat Syed Haider Shah was summoned to the external affairs ministry by the joint secretary, in-charge of Pakistan, and it was conveyed that "such deliberate targeting of civilians was not acceptable and was against humanitarian norms and practices," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a release.
A strong protest was lodged over the death of three Indian children in "unprovoked ceasefire violation" by the Pakistani forces in the Poonch sector on Monday, it said.
Strong concern was also expressed over the continued unprovoked firing by Pakistani forces across the Line of Control and the International Boundary in violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding.
"503 such violations have been carried out by Pakistan forces so far during 2017," the ministry said.
New Delhi: The CBI on Tuesday asked RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav and his son Tejashwi Yadav to appear before it for questioning on 5-6 October in an alleged corruption case after both leaders expressed their inability to appear on given dates, the agency sources said.
The sources said Yadav and Tejashwi were earlier called on 4-5 October.
The CBI wants to question the former railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav for a contract given for the maintenance of two IRCTC hotels in 2006. Tejashwi is also made an accused in the CBI FIR pertaining to alleged corruption in the deal.
It is alleged that Yadav as Railway Minister handed over maintenance of two Railway hotels BNR Ranchi and Puri to Sujata Hotel (a company owned by Vinay and Vijay Kochhar) after receiving a bribe in the form of prime land of three acres through a benami company.
In a predawn strike on Tuesday, Jaish-e-Mohammed militants carried out a fidayeen attack on a BSF camp located near Srinagar International airport, leaving three jawans injured. Two militants have been killed in counter-terror operations so far, ANI reported. However, IANS reported that an assistant sub-inspector succumbed to his injuries taking the total death toll to three.
#FLASH: Another terrorist gunned down during ops at a building inside BSF camp near Srinagar Airport. Total 2 terrorists killed. Ops on. pic.twitter.com/GKAspWiGK1 ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
Militants managed to enter the 182 Battalion camp in the city's Humhama area, and launched the attack at 4.30 a.m., according to police sources. A security operation including Army para commandos, BSF, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and state police personnel followed the attack to flush out remaining militants. Terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the attack in one of Srinagar's most secured area.
Speaking to News18, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that anti-terror operations were over. "I have spoken to the Director General of CRPF and BSF. The operation was efficiently pulled off by the CRPF and BSF. One terrorist is yet to be neutralised." One militant was gunned down by security forces at around 7.30 am, CNN News18 reported. "A body suspected to be that of a militant was found. The identity is yet to ascertained," Director General of Police SP Vaid told PTI.
Another militant was killed during the anti-terror operations, CNN News18 reported. The attack, which began at 4.15 am amid heavy exchange of firing, ensued for the next one hour, before turning intermittent. "There was continuous firing going on for at least 55 minutes. And all of us squeezed in one room for safety. Then the sirens blared out making the situation tenser, a resident of Friends Colony located, outside the Airport, told The Economic Times.
The terrorists are holed up inside the building campus of the 182nd Battalion camp, PTI quoted BSF officials as saying. However, sources told CNN-News18 that the encounter is almost over.
According to a India Today report, there was already an intelligence input on a possible attack on the BSF camp outside the highly-guarded area around airport. Since the area of the encounter is near the airport, flights operations were suspended.
Notably, the battalion, which came under attack from militants, is entrusted with security of runway of the Srinagar airport. Kashmir Valley School, which is in vicinity of the area, was also closed as a precautionary measure, ANI reported. Adjacent to the camp is the old Srinagar air field which is been run by the Indian Air force.
The area also houses training centres of the BSF and CRPF. Passengers were stuck inside the airport premises as the area around it was cordoned off by security forces. Nevertheless, the authorities later allowed passengers to enter the airport, in order to avoid any inconvenience.
#UPDATE Srinagar: Troops of CRPF, 53 RR, BSF and SOG zonal have placed cordon around the building where terrorists are holed up. ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
#FLASH: Passengers now being allowed to move towards Srinagar airport. Way towards airport was closed earlier, after terror attack nearby. pic.twitter.com/yDwiSEJwtK ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
Speaking to CNN News18, Sharad Kumar, director of Srinagar airport, said that flights operations have begun and that the first flight from Delhi will reach Srinagar at 10.10 am. Meanwhile, home minister Rajnath Singh called for a high-level meeting in North Block at 11.30 am, ANI reported.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called a high level meeting at 11.30 am to discuss J&K issue. (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/SpvYbXqhhT ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
With inputs from PTI
08:03 (ist)
Militants holed up in a BSF building campus
The attack took place at 4.00 am and exchange of firing was going on between the militants and security forces, they said.
The terrorists are holed up inside the building campus of the 182nd Battalion camp, BSF officials said.
PTI
Indore: Expressing concern over the plight of children of Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Tuesday said resolving the humanitarian crisis is the moral responsibility of the world community and sought the intervention of the UN.
The rights activists was in the city on Tuesday as part of his countrywide tour to spread awareness about the child protection.
"If any child is being victimised during the current Rohingya crisis in Myanmar, then this is the moral responsibility of the world community to resolve this crisis," he told reporters.
Satyarthi said the United Nations should intervene to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
Stressing the need for "clear and strict" anti-child trafficking laws in India, Satyarthi said Union home minister Rajnath Singh had recently indicated that the government could move towards enacting such law.
Stating that thousands of cases pertaining to harassment of children are pending resolution, he demanded setting up of a special court in every district of the country for time-bound hearing of such cases.
Demanding a total ban on pornography in the country, Satyarthi said the government should take help of IT experts to ensure that minors cannot access such content on Internet.
The war by militants in Kashmir has been stepped up. Over the past few days, a BSF soldier was killed in Hajin, north Kashmir, and a policeman in Awantipora in the south. And on Tuesday, suicide attackers got into the most secure location in the Valley, the security camp alongside the airport.
Most of these attacks were by foreign militants who have crossed the Line of Control. Meanwhile, at least in south Kashmir, fresh young local boys continue to leave home to join them. A few disappeared from Pulwama villages this past weekend.
There is no getting away from the fact that the militant war is going to get much worse, next year if not during the rest of this autumn and winter. Apart from the local and foreign militants, regular troops of inimical neighbouring countries could get more involved than they already are perhaps less covertly.
Local soldiers in focus
Several recent attacks have systematically targeted Kashmiris who work in one or other of the armed forces or the police. There were repeated warnings that this pattern would emerge even in the viral recordings of the late militant commander Burhan Wani, more than two years ago.
It is therefore obvious that a long-planned and intensely thought-out plan is unfolding. A major step in this plan is to drive a clear divide between the local population and the armed forces, including the state police.
Morale among these forces and their families has largely held firm so far, but those who have planned what is unfolding remain undeterred. As they step up their violence, they could target other 'mainstream' sections.
Complacence
The government and the forces have shown a tendency to underestimate the challenge. They did so when mass unrest came up in 2010, more so in 2016, and again when street demonstrations complimented encounters from 2015-17. The tendency to underestimate, to pat themselves on the back, and become complacent, is visible again.
The most visible initiative of the state government over the past couple of weeks has been a tourism campaign on which vast amounts have evidently been spent. Those supporting the campaign do not seem to see the foolishness of trying to attract tourists at a time when conditions are extremely dangerous, even for locals.
Some people in south Kashmir say they try not to stir out after sunset and that, even during the day, families remain extremely tense about those who go out.
A large number of new armed forces camps have come up in south Kashmir over the past few months. Patrolling too has visibly increased. In fact, some residents of the area even say that large stretches have become akin to a cantonment.
The forces have no doubt had major successes in locating and killing most of the prominent local militants -- the kind that have a large price on their heads. On the other hand, scores of new recruits have been persuaded to return home. Yet, there is no avoiding the fact that large numbers of boys continue to join the militancy. Not just that, foreign militants have begun to show their hand in north Kashmir -- and now, even in the most secure parts of Srinagar. Large numbers of foreigners have lurked quietly in the north for the past few years.
Turning a blind eye
It is remarkable that, apart from army operations at the Line of Control to try and stop their ingress, the forces have generally not bothered with those who do get in. Now, they are not just showing their hand in north Kashmir, they are moving into Shopian and Budgam districts in south and central Kashmir. (Srinagar airport is in Budgam district.)
Their choice of those locations might turn out to be strategically significant, for Shopian and Budgam lie along the western mountain flank of the Valley -- the Pir Panjal range, which separates the Valley from the Chenab basin.
However, just like during the mass uprising that lasted for four months last year, the army and other forces brass seem to have turned Nelsons eye to lurking strategic possibilities.
The country cannot afford this. Propaganda is worthwhile if it helps one to outflank the enemy. Deluding oneself is unforgivable.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday passed certain observations in the case that has been popularly referred to as the "Kerala love jihad" case. Hearing an appeal in the Supreme Court, against a Kerala High Court order dated 24 May 2017, which annulled a marriage between a Muslim Convert and another person, the Chief Justice of India asked if the high court could prima facie annual a marriage, and adjourned the matter to 9 October so that the Additional Solicitor General of India who is arguing the matter could also be heard.
The court had earlier directed an investigation by India's National Investigative Agency (NIA) to probe into the matter and see if this was part of an alleged wider network of forcible conversions popularly known as "love jihad".
The case raises a few important questions of constitutional law. What is the extent of the parens patriae jurisdiction of the high court in so far as it concerns adults? What are the powers of a high court while disposing of a writ of habeas corpus and whether the power of the high court under Article 226 can extend to annulling a marriage?
The Kerala High Court in its final order on the case did three things:
a) It provides custody of the woman in question to her parents. Even though she is 24 years of age and, therefore, is a major under Indian law and, therefore, requires no guardian.
b) Annuls the marriage she had with one Shafin Jahan on the grounds that it was a sham.
c) Orders the police to inquire into the case and the organisations behind it.
The parens patriae jurisdiction is an inherent power vested in the Supreme Court, a high court, and the State to act in the best interests of a person who is incapable of acting on their own. In general terms, it is often invoked in the case of children or people who are of unsound mind. Sometimes, the State also invokes it in order to protect a wider class of people. The government invoked this jurisdiction when it became the principle litigant in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy case. However, it is very uncommon for a court to exercise this jurisdiction over individual adults and the decisions that they make. Usually, any court order for the welfare of a consenting adult is made only with their consent. But in this Kerala love jihad case, this was not so.
Oddly, the order of the Kerala High Court goes on to record that Hadiya/Akhila (the woman in question) was present and represented in court by counsel, however, the court proceeded to pass an order for her welfare despite her express wishes on an affidavit. Hadiya/Akhila is now in her parents "custody" and the court expressing why it exercised the parens patriae jurisdiction says at Paragraph 50 of its order:
"A girl aged 24 years is weak and vulnerable, capable of being exploited in many ways. This court exercising parens patriae jurisdiction is concerned with the welfare of a girl of her age. The duty cast on this court to ensure the safety of at least the girls who are brought before it can be discharged only by ensuring that Akhila is in safe hands."
The Kerala High Court notes that in previous cases the court had agreed that a parent could have authority over a child even after the child attains majority. It refers to the case of Lal Parameswar vs Ullas [2014 (1) KLT 937] as the basis for this reasoning. However, this author respectfully disagrees with the ratio of that case as applied in the present case. The Lal Parmeshwar case was where the Petitioner had applied to the court for a writ of habeas corpus stating that his wife was being illegally confined by her parents. The court actually explicitly records that the autonomy of a woman ought to be respected and that the sphere of parental authority after majority is limited. The court at paragraph 18 holds:
"This court comes across many such cases of alleged detentions/confinement/compulsive restraint placed on adult daughters by parents. We have taken a consistent stand that the decisional autonomy of such an adult daughter will have to be respected. An adult woman cannot be treated as chattel by this court. Her rights as an equal citizen will have to be respected and cannot be denied. In cases where we feel that the decision of such alleged detenue does not appear to be voluntary and genuine, we resort to the course of granting them time to reflect, contemplate and ponder. We give them opportunity to be accommodated in neutral venues for some period to facilitate rational and dispassionate evaluation sometimes for long periods. We give parents opportunity to counsel their children during such period. But ultimately, we do respect the decisional autonomy of such adult children. We are convinced that, that is the proper course to be followed in all cases. To do otherwise would simply be denial of (the) human rights of an adult woman to take decisions affecting her future. That would certainly be denial of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The mere fact that the decision may turn out to be incorrect, or bad does not justify the denial of the right to take a decision. We do not permit our concepts of what is right and good for them to override their own assessment of what is right and good for them. We do not permit the concept of others (including parents) of what is right and good for them to override their own concepts. Concept of right and good may vary with the times. This generation's concept of right and wrong may not find acceptance with the next. No generation or parent can claim infallibility and enforce its/his concept of right and wrong on the succeeding. Suffice it to say that we do not agree with the learned counsel that Prasadhkumar and Sreekesh (supra) concede to the parents any unbridled rights to usurp the decisional autonomy of their adult daughters and keep them in 'custody' against their desire in exercise of their parental authority or duty. We do not agree that the said decisions lay down that this court cannot exercise jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India in such a situation. We do not agree that the mere fact that the petitioner's marriage with the alleged detenu may not be strictly legal is sufficient to deny relief. At least it can be said that in the present era of social and societal development in this state such understanding of the dictum is impermissible. In the peculiar facts of those cases and to cater to the interests of justice in such situations, the courts had followed such courses while considering invocation of the jurisdiction under Article 226."
The court, however, proceeds on the basis that the confinement of a daughter by the parents even after she has attained majority is not "illegal confinement or detention" and accordingly refuses to grant a habeas corpus to the petitioner.
This, however, was not the position in the Kerala Love Jihad case. In this case, the petitioner was the father seeking custody of his daughter, who was not in the custody of another.
The court for the benefit of the woman applied this principle of parental control and invalidated her marriage and directed her to live with her parents as she had no income to support herself. The woman, in this case, was denied to live where she chooses to live. With due respect to the honourbale high court, the application for the aforesaid case law was erroneous.
However, at this point, it becomes necessary for us to discuss what exactly is a writ of habeas corpus. The writ is one of the most ancient of writs recognised under Common Law and later incorporated into our Constitution. It is generally considered the greatest safeguard a country can provide for the personal liberty of an individual and it literally translates to "bring me the body". When a person is detained, that person or their next friend can move a high court or the Supreme Court for a writ of habeas corpus. The writ directs that authority or the person detaining them to produce them before the court and the court proceeds to review their detention and if it finds that they are illegally being detained the court will let them free.
In this case, the woman's father filed for a Writ of habeas corpus stating that Akhila/Haidya was being illegally detained and could be taken out of the country. The court, however, does not deal with the question of her illegal detention. From her own affidavits before the court, she explains that she is not being detained against her will. The court then proceeds to overrule her own determination of the situation and grants "custody" of her to her parents. This goes against the main reasoning in Lal Parameswar vs Ullas [2014 (1) KLT 937] itself. Without entering a finding that Akhila/Haidya was being illegally detained, there was no basis to issue an order under the court's jurisdiction under Article 226.
The consequences of this judgment are far reaching as it implies that parents who can prove to the court that their children (who have attained majority) are living somewhere unsuitable (as determined by the court) could be returned to their parents. There is no determination of illegal detention that is required.
But there is also another question that arises in these peculiar facts and circumstances. The court by its order, invalidates the marriage between her and Shafin Jahan saying that it's a sham marriage. The law presumes that a marriage is valid unless that presumption is rebutted. In Chanmuniya vs Virendra Kumar Singh Kushwaha [(2011) 1 SCC 141], the Supreme Court recognised the doctrine under English Law and then incorporated the said doctrine in India. The question of whether a marriage is valid or not becomes a trial-able issue of fact and only a family court can determine if the marriage is valid or not as only a family court has the power to annul marriages.
A high court under 226 cannot proceed to annul a marriage it considers a sham. If that was the case, a writ for annulment of a marriage would become maintainable. A marriage is valid unless it is annulled by a family court. If Akhila/Haidya was indeed under compulsion to marry Shafin Jahan, then it would be open to her and only her to move the family court to have that marriage annulled. The law cannot allow a third party to maintain such an application. If that would be the case, anyone's marriage could be open to challenge by a third party. This, with due respect to the Kerala High Court, is a rather unsustainable proposition of law.
The Supreme Court directed an NIA investigation into the alleged matter of "Love Jihad", however, this investigation may not also prove relevant as far as the question of the marriage is concerned. For, under Indian Law, a marriage even to an unsuitable person, is still a valid marriage. The Indian Law even recognises the marriage of minors as being valid unless it has been annulled by a competent court which in this case is the family court.
The question of the validity of the marriage is not something that can be determined by a high court in a writ. The high courts order is respectfully erroneous to that extent. Along with that, respectfully, the order is also further erroneous to the extent that, failing a finding of illegal detention a writ of habeas corpus has been issued. Moreover, so, the writ has awarded the "custody" of the body of a major to her parents without her wishes being respected.
If Akhila/Haidya wishes like any other citizen of India, she should be permitted to travel where she likes and do as she pleases. The order directing that she stays only with her parents is one that in effect confines her making the order a prima facie incorrect exercise of the power to issue a writ of habeas corpus.
The judgment of the Kerala High Court warrants revisiting. The NIA aspect aside, the Supreme Court will have to answer several questions while hearing the appeal such as the question of the right of a major to marry someone of their choosing, the question of if a third party can maintain an application to annul and if a parent can maintain a writ of habeas corpus in the case of a major who is not under illegal confinement. The antecedents of Akhila/Haidyas husband are in the view of this author irrelevant for the purpose of determining the aforesaid questions. Unless there is a law that prima facie invalidates marriages people who have criminal antecedents (no such law exists), the question of such antecedents is irrelevant in so far as it is regarding a decision made by a major.
The Indian law recognises the right and liberty of all majors to do as they please, marry as per their choice, live where they please and with whomever they please in accordance with the law. This is a principle that is worth defending at all costs.
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the state government will enact a stringent law which would provide for death penalty to tighten noose around those involved in illicit liquor trade.
Underlining the perils of alcoholism, he said addiction is the root cause of one's destruction.
"A strict law will be enacted to stop illicit liquor trade. A provision of capital punishment will be made under the law for people who are involved in trading of illicit liquor or hooch," Chouhan said while addressing a programme organised on Monday by the Vishwa Gayatri Parivar on de-addiction.
He said the state government will launch various campaigns against all types of addiction.
"Madhya Pradesh will be freed from addiction by creating awareness. The government has decided that no new liquor shop or liquor factory would be set up in the state," the chief minister said.
Talking about the government's efforts in the direction of liquor-restrictions, Chouhan said beside checking on new liquor units or shops, a decision was also taken (in December 2016) that no liquor shop would be opened within the 5-km radius of banks of the Narmada river.
The number of liquor shops in the state will gradually reduce, he said.
On the organisation's de-addiction campaign, regional president of Gayatri Parivar's youth cell Anand Vijay said 15 lakh people have taken part in their signature campaign of 'addiction free Madhya Pradesh'.
Editor's note: This is the first of a four-part series on the changes in Mangaluru and coastal Karnataka's socio-political mileu over the years. The series traces the region's transformation from a tranquil coastal town to a hotbed of communal tension.
The port city of Mangaluru (or Mangalore) is an example of how historians and politicians trained in the thoughts of noted philosopher JS Mill and his indology tend to perpetuate stereotypes of Indian cities. These stereotypes are created in such a way that they would fit in the templates influenced by the historicism of the West.
Over the years, Mangaluru has earned sobriquets such as 'communal cauldron, `Hindutva laboratory or `Rome of the East. Such nicknames are disconnected from the social fabric of the city. However, if we are to examine the current narrative about Mangaluru, we see that the city has made a departure from its history.
Though the oral historians connect the growth of Muslim population to the arrival of Arab merchants, it is historically wrong, says Prof Surendra Rao, former head of the department of history, Mangalore University. The Arabs were trading with Mangaluru even before Islam. The Muslims in south India were never invaders, but were traders. They mingled well with the natives and the majority Hindu community, he says.
Things are not the same now. Whenever there is an election round the corner, politicians with an eye on community-based vote banks try to whip up hatred among different communities. Like me, many elders in Bhatkal sent emissaries in villages and Jamaats to cool nerves by asking them not to be carried away by malicious propaganda. It worked in the 2013 and 2014 elections. Our Hindu brethren did the same thing. But we both are not sure about the future. Bhatkal is a crucible of faiths; Jains, Christians, Hindus and Muslims have lived together in harmony for ages, says Dr. Zameerullah Sharief, former Principal of the Anjuman College and presently the senate member of the Karnataka Folklore University.
Citing his state award-winning poem Shamiyana, Dr. Sharief says that when a Shamiyana is stitched, fabrics from every colour are used with each colour representing each faith. There is a Hindu festival of Hanuman which is called Maruti Jatra, during which a stationary chariot is built by the devotees. Even today, our Hindu brothers ask permission of the Muslims to erect the structure, which is readily given Dr. Sharief adds.
But there were stray events of communal flare ups in the otherwise peaceful region. In 1993, Dr. Chittaranjan, a BJP MLA was gunned down by unidentified people. But both the communities rose to the occasion and tranquility returned. Similarly, three youths Riyaz, Yasin and Iqbal hailing from this town became big time terror elements by joining ranks with the Indian Mujahideen. But they could not do much to destroy the communal harmony in the region.
Mohammad Beary, a Muslim community leader said, At this point of time in national politics, we seek protection, equality and empowerment, and not just appeasement. His argument flies in the face of political parties which have always preached the politics of appeasement.
Historically, Muslims in Mangaluru were traders with some interests in industry and services. After 1970, a wave of migration to the Gulf region started. Abundant skilled labour and educated professionals from Mangaluru, Udupi, Kasargod and Kannur in Kerala joined the Gulf rush. Once the Gulf money started flowing in, the region became affluent. As was the case elsewhere, the majority of the rich happened to be Muslims, says Dr. Rao
Till the late 1980s, coastal Karnataka was proud of its religious diversity. It was a region where different faiths lived in harmony and peace. However in the 1980, when the Jan Sangh, the predecessor of todays BJP ruled the Udupi Municipal Council, they began to woo religious communities. Importantly, Udupi was the first municipality in the country which saffron forces had won with popular votes. Even so, the Hindu fundamentalists did not have much clout in the region, till it won the Mangalore Lok Sabha seat in 1991. This triggered a chain reaction, with other communities including Islam, Christianity, Jainism and Buddhism joining hands with the secular Congress.
Thereafter, around 2000, the polarisation along religious lines became more pronounced. The battle lines based on religion were drawn, with the Congress partys minority appeasement on one hand and the BJP and other Hindutva fringe groups on the other hand. The deprived class and oppressed castes, as happened elsewhere, were the first to fall prey to this divisive politics.
The growing affluence of the region grew hand-in-hand with religion. While there is no doubt that the the animal spirit of entrepreneurship have been unleashed in coastal Karnataka, a lot of money has flown into refurbishing and building places of worships. The coastal region is dotted with several well-known temples, churches, basadis and mosques that have become international pilgrimage centres.
The majority of the NRIs, irrespective of their religious affiliation, make a vow to build a place of worship. When they return home with enough money, they fulfill their promise to God, say officials of the state endowment department.
The citizens of Mangaluru are fast becoming to borrow the words of political historian Benedict Anderson an imagined community. Adding fuel to the fire are political campaigns orchestrated by the media.
M Raghuram is a Mangaluru-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters
Islamabad: Pakistan foreign minister Khawaja Asif has called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi an elected "terrorist".
Asif's comments came in his attempt to rebut Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who lashed out at Pakistan at the United Nations (UN) last month on charges of supporting and exporting terror.
In an interview to Geo News' "Capital Talk" show on Monday, Asif said
Sushma Swaraj shouldn't be accusing Pakistan of exporting terrorism as "the country (India) itself is being run by a terrorist".
"Sushma Swaraj has accused us (Pakistan) of exporting terrorism. (However) one terrorist (in India) is the country's prime minister himself," Asif said.
"Modi has the blood of Muslims murdered in Gujarat on his hands," he said. Asif also called the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) a "terrorist outfit".
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in September, Sushma Swaraj had denounced Pakistan as the "world's greatest exporter of havoc, death, and inhumanity" and accused Islamabad of being "only engaged in fighting us" and rejecting peace and dialogue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday championed Himachal Pradesh as a tourist spot and said that access to an AIIMS hospital will make tourists visit the state more frequently while laying the foundation of a new AIIMS centre in Bilaspur.
Opening of #AIIMS in Himachal Pradesh especially in this region of the state has a lot of benefits for people: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/LB9TT1rGgv ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
#WATCH live via ANI FB: PM Modi speaks at foundation stone laying ceremony of AIIMS in HP's Bilaspur https://t.co/3mo97GEPcV pic.twitter.com/jApuIOPuAl ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
"We're making a campus where over 3,000 people will work together. This is also bringing employment opportunities," Modi said while addressing a rally in Bilaspur.
The choice of venue is interesting because Himachal Pradesh is headed for polls this year, and Bilaspur is the hometown of Union Health Minister JP Nadda, who is believed to be one of the chief ministerial aspirants, wrote The Indian Express.
The opening of AIIMS in Himachal Pradesh has a lot of benefits for people, Modi said, while also championing the Indradhanush Yojna. "I congratulate JP Nadda for his efforts," he said adding that the scheme has covered significant ground in vaccination.
Apart from laying the foundation for AIIMS, Modi also launched other mega central projects in the state as well. He laid the foundation stone of an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) to be set up in Una town and inaugurated a steel processing plant of the Steel Authority of India set up with an outlay of Rs 70 crore in Kandrori town in Kangra district, via video conference from Bilaspur.
IIIT is not just a college but it is the beginning of a new era, Modi said.
Donning a Himachali cap, Modi, accompanied by Nadda, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and his cabinet colleagues and state Members of Parliament Anurag Thakur and Shanta Kumar, also launched Tata Digital Nerve Centre in Bilaspur town.
Modi also said, "There are 13 development projects in Himachal Pradesh for which Central Govt will invest Rs 15,000 Crore."
Officials said the 750-bed AIIMS would be set up with an outlay of Rs 1,350 crore with facility for a medical college with an intake capacity of 100 seats and a nursing college with 60 seats.
With inputs from IANS
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir independent legislator Engineer Rashid on Tuesday appeared before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with its ongoing probe into a terror funding case.
NIA officials said that Rashid, who represents the North Kashmir's Langate assembly constituency, arrived at the agency headquarters at around 10.30 am.
He was summoned on 28 September. The agency is investigating the alleged terror funding case involving separatist leaders, local businessmen and others.
It is for the first time that an MLA from the state had been summoned by the NIA. So far, 10 people have been arrested by the NIA.
A jawan was killed in Bhimber Gali after the Pakistan Army resorted to sniping along LoC in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district on Tuesday.
#FLASH: Naik Mahendra Chemjung lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Bhimber Gali pic.twitter.com/OYwcfqqwkY ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in the Krishna Ghati sector at around 12:50 pm on Tuesday. Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively," a defence spokesman said. In the exchange of fire, Naik Mahendra Chemjung was grievously injured and succumbed to injuries, he said.
Chemjung, 35, belonged to Chilingdin in Nepal and is survived by his wife Nayan Kala Chemjung and a son, the spokesman said. "Chemjung was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, in a predawn strike on Tuesday, Jaish-e-Mohammed militants carried out a fidayeen attack on a BSF camp located near Srinagar International airport, leaving three jawans injured. Two militants have been killed in counter-terror operations so far. Militants managed to enter the 182 Battalion camp in the city's Humhama area and launched the attack at 4.30 am, according to police sources.
Jammu and Kashmir Police IG, Munir Khan said that the successful coordination between the security forces helped eliminate the two terrorists who were holed up in a BSF compound at Humhama in Srinagar as early as possible without any collateral damage.
On Monday, two policemen were injured in Juhama area in Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district after a grenade was lobbed towards a checkpost after which a case was registered.
On 1 October, a ten-year-old boy and a teenage girl were killed while nine other civilians were injured as Pakistani troops opened fire and lobbed mortars at dozens of villages and posts along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The spokesman said Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked and heavy firing and shelling from across the border in Dhigwar, Kerni and Shahpur sectors around 6:50 am.
With inputs from PTI
Islamabad/New Delhi: In a breach of diplomatic propriety, Pakistan's foreign minister Khawaja Asif has branded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "terrorist" and said India was being run by "a terrorist party", evoking a sharp reaction from the BJP that dismissed the Pakistani minister as a "political pygmy".
Asif made the remarks in an appearance on Geo TV's Capital Talk show, in response to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj's UN General Assembly (UNGA) speech last month, in which she had accused Pakistan of "producing and exporting terrorism".
"Pakistan foreign minister is a political pygmy in a powerless government kowtowing to the terror organisations. These pusillanimous comments reflect Pakistan's frustration with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successful diplomacy in exposing the terror face of Pakistan to the world," BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao told PTI.
"Pakistan is getting desperate is evident from these patently foolish and irresponsible comments," Rao said. Asif made the remarks while talking about Kashmiris who have been killed in Jammu and Kashmir and civilian casualties in cross-border firing along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, the Dawn reported.
"A terrorist is their (India's) prime minister at this time. One whose hands are stained with the blood of the Muslims of Gujarat," the report quoted him as saying. "A terrorist party is ruling them (India) - the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) is ruling them. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is like its subsidiary organisation," he said. "But Narendra Modi is an elected 'terrorist'," Hamid Mir, the show's host, reminded Asif.
"The nation that elects a terrorist... what kind of nation is that?" the minister retorted. Explaining his stance, Asif said, "Look at the language the Indian prime minister is using, the way Muslims are being killed over cow-related issues. And just recently, on Dussehra, they burnt the effigies of Rohingya Muslims four times," he claimed.
"In Dussehra, they burn the effigies of villains... They declared Rohingya Muslims terrorists," he stressed, adding that although India was quick to call others terrorists, "the biggest terrorist (is Modi). Muslims were raped and murdered under his supervision when he was chief minister (of Gujarat). The US had banned him," he said.
New Delhi: Home minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday complimented the security forces for successfully eliminating the terrorists involved in an attack on a BSF camp in Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh said he has spoken to the chiefs of the Border Security Force and Central Reserve Police Force following the suicide attack near the Srinagar airport.
"I have spoken to the DG CRPF and DG BSF. It was a good operation that they have conducted," he told reporters.
The home minister said one assistant sub inspector of the BSF has martyred and two others were injured but they were out
of danger.
A group of militants on Tuesday launched a suicide attack on a BSF camp near the Srinagar airport, killing the ASI and leaving four security personnel injured.
Two militants were killed in the gun-battle that is raging near the airport, forcing brief suspension of air traffic and closure of schools in the vicinity.
Politicians incur the disdain of many and are called different names over their careers. But in the city of Sirohi in Rajasthan, the Bharatiya Janata Partys mandal president Suresh Sagarvanshi got called out by the 'gods' themselves.
During the performance of the Ramleela, Sagarvanshi was on the stage when the actor playing Rama, Manoj Kumar Mali, refused to shoot the arrow which burns the effigy, reported Hindustan Times. Instead, Mali accused Sagarvanshi of corruption and called him Ravana. "The actual Ravana is sitting on the stage, politicising every issue. Given this scenario, Lord Rama has to return disappointed," said Mali.
Alleging that Sagarvanshi's committee gets more grants than all other committees, Mali along with around 100 other actors in the Ramleela walked out, shouting slogans against the organisers, said the report. The organisers then had to dress a child sitting in the audience as Rama who then fired the arrow to burn the effigy.
Sagarvanshi denied the allegations as he told Hindustan Times, "The incident was incited by a handful of people to create ruckus at the celebrations." He further said that his committee will not take the grant from 2018.
Ramleela, the enactment of various chapters of the Ramayana, is performed in days around Dussehra to celebrate the symbolic victory of good over evil. It generally concludes with Rama shooting an arrow at an effigy of Ravana which then bursts into flames to portray the triumph of good over evil.
Following allegations of links of his party leaders with the Dawood Ibrahim gang in September, Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar on Tuesday came down heavily on the Thane Police claiming that the arrest of underworld don Iqbal Kaskar is just a publicity stunt.
"We enquired with party leaders and everyone said that the allegations of links with D-Gang are baseless," Pawar said at a press conference held at the party office at Ballard Pier in Mumbai. "We were also in power and we never dragged any political party or leaders' name for personal gains," he said, reacting for the first time to the allegations.
The NCP chief said that the arrest is a publicity stunt by the police officer concerned and Kaskar.
Pawar said that the police officer who arrested Ibrahim's brother gangster Kaskar from Nagpada in South Mumbai was in suspension for seven years from police service. He was referring to encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma.
"He wants to change his images and so he is doing publicity stunts," Pawar said. "These allegations are baseless and I will be personally speaking on this issue with the chief minister of state," he said.
"Even before the interrogation started, NCP's name dragged into the controversy. How can a police officer leak information to the media without proof? Just to improve the image of the officer this was done. I will appeal to the chief minister to take action against the officer who leaked the information. If anyone has any link with the underworld, police can book them. But without any evidence nobody can tamper the image of a political party for his personal interest," Pawar said.
Thane Police Commissioner Parambir Singh had earlier said that local politicians are suspected to be involved in the extortion racket although he refrained from naming them.
Police sources confirmed off the record that there are two NCP corporators from Thane who are under the radar.
Srinagar: Three heavily armed militants of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) managed to strike near the Indian Air Force (IAF) airport in Srinagar in the wee hours on Tuesday. The militants, who had recently infiltrated from across the border, had carried out a reconnaissance of the area for some days before sneaking into the Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Humhuma.
The government forces launched a timely response to neutralise the terrorists before they could enter the Srinagar airport.
One of the militants was gunned down in a tin shed of the BSF camp, another one inside the officers mess while a third one who gave a long fight was killed inside the administrative block complex of camp.
The attack came even as the lack of security at the airport was often flagged as a major issue by the Indian Air Force, and due to which the Airport Authority of India (AAI) had not been able to operate civilian flights during night hours.
The airport is used primarily by the Indian Air Force to conduct air drills of its fighter aircraft and is one of the strategically important defence facilities where civilian operations often remain suspended due to security reasons.
The IAF has not allowed construction of an industrial estate near the airport citing security as the main reason. The lack of security arrangements outside the airport has also ensured that only a limited number of 52 flights operate in the day at the international airport.
But Tuesdays attack came only after militants had carried out a survey of the area and had cut a barbed wire to sneak inside the BSF camp that is located close to the "entry gate" of the airport.
"The militants were heavily armed. They appeared to be in the age group of 20-25 years and possessed knives and cutters which they used to cut the wire and sneak into the camp that lied on the left side of drop gate. A judge lives nearby the camp and the militants carried out the initial reconnaissance before striking at the camp. While two militants were killed during the night operations only, a third militant continued to fire on the forces from inside the camp before he was killed in the afternoon," a senior police official said.
Besides the AK 47 rifles and pistols, some grenades were also recovered from the possession of the militants, said officials.
SP Vaid, Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, said that the three militants were of JeM outfit. "One assistant sub-inspector of BSF was killed during the encounter while four other security personnel received injuries," he added.
A senior police official said that militants came from the Friends Colony side of the BSF camp. The camp lies within the 500-metre outer area of the airport.
Besides state police, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and BSF also provide security at the airport and the Kashmir Frontier Office of the BSF lies close by. The Srinagar International Airport facility is used after 5 pm by IAF pilots for air drills of fighter jets and houses important arsenal including the many variants of MIG aircraft.
The runway and the air traffic control is completely manned by the Indian Air Force and it is only the "civil enclave area" which is manned by AAI. "The runway and the air traffic control is with Airforce while as apron and tunnel building is with the AAI. The airport is used for joint sorties by IAF and AAI. Due to the lack of security in the funnel area of the airport the night landing of civilian flights couldnt be carried out," said officials.
The civilian air sorties are made from 7 am to 5 pm and after that, the airport is used only by the IAF authorities for their operations.
Apart from the Srinagar International Airport, the only other strategically important airport in Kashmir is the Koil airport in Pulwama, which unlike the Srinagar airport has much heavy security arrangements.
Officials said that besides the inbound traffic of 26 civilian flights a day at the Srinagar airport, the outbound traffic is also an equal number of flights. Sharad Kumar, Director Airport, Srinagar, said that the "all operations on the airport were run normally despite the militant attack".
New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday denounced the government over a militant attack on a BSF camp near the Srinagar airport, accusing it of compromising national security.
Speaking to reporters, Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged the government had proved a "total failure".
He asked the prime minister when will his administration formulate a policy to deal with terrorism emanating from Pakistan.
"The attack is an evidence of how the Modi government has compromised and toyed with national security. The question is what is Modiji and his government doing? When will we see the 56-inch chest?" Surjewala asked.
Earlier in the day, security forces gunned down three Jaish-e-Mohammed militants who stormed a BSF camp near the high-security Srinagar airport. An assistant sub-inspector of the force was also killed in the gunfight.
Jammu and Kashmir Police IG, Munir Khan on Tuesday said that the successful coordination between the security forces helped eliminate the two terrorists who were holed up in a BSF compound at Humhama in Srinagar as early as possible without any collateral damage.
Militants had managed to enter the 182 Battalion camp in the city's Humhama area, and launched the attack at 4.30 am, according to police sources.
The two terrorists were killed, unfortunately we lost one ASI: IG Kashmir Munir Khan #SrinagarAttack pic.twitter.com/mXlbBrQhs3 ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Khan complimented the BSF for taking quick action against the militants before other reinforcements could be brought in. "The attack was effectively repulsed in first go. One terrorist was neutralised immediately," Khan said.
He also added that while one was killed, two other terrorists were able to sneak through the administrative block of the BSF camp due to darkness.
"The operation began when the attack was detected. Afterwards, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF joined in. The 53 Rashtriya Rifles helped in cordon the outer area during the operation," Khan said.
He also said that at least one of the terrorists was hiding in the administrative block of the BSF compound before he was eliminated. BSF lost one of its ASIs in the attack.
Jaish-e-Mohammed is likely behind the attack, said Khan, adding that these terrorists had infiltrated through Pakistan's Shakargarh district in July. Khan also added that the Jammu and Kashmir Police is looking for at least six to seven terrorists who had infiltrated in July.
We are looking for 6-7 terrorists and we need to neutralise them very fast: IGP Kashmir Munir Khan pic.twitter.com/EQsWdd7J8j ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
Khan, however, clarified that there was no attack on the airport (as initial reports had claimed) and requested scribes to apply restraint while reporting in the initial stages of an operation.
"There was no attack on the airport. I request the media to be responsible. It is a serious issue which may harm tourism in the state," Khan said.
Khan said that militant attacks can be expected in the state as long as Pakistan is India's neighbour.
Airport operations were suspended in the morning due to the gunfight but later resumed as security forces managed to limit the action around the building where the militants were holed up. "Normal flight operations have resumed and passengers were boarding flights," said director, Airport Authority of India, Srinagar, Sharad Kumar. The camp which came under attack on Tuesday belonged to BSF's 182 battalion specifically entrusted with the security of the runway of the Srinagar airport.
Home minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated security personnel for successfully neutralising the terrorists. "I have spoken to the Director General of CRPF and BSF. The operation was efficiently pulled off by the CRPF and BSF. One terrorist is yet to be neutralised," he told News18.
With inputs from PTI
United Nations: 'The legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela is that they were exemplars of the fundamental belief that the drivers of conflict are all amenable to non-violent solutions,' India's Permanent Representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said on the International Day of Non-Violence. He further said that it is this belief that underpins the activities of the UN.
At an event held at the UN headquarters in New York to commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence, the top Indian diplomat said the three leaders advocated non-violence to usher social and political changes that were national in nature.
Yet their approach of peaceful, non-violent resolution of differences resonates globally, he said.
"The achievements of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela demonstrate that the outcome of non-violent change, achieved through persuasion rather than coercion, are durable," Akbaruddin said at the meeting which was addressed by representatives from several countries in addition to Miroslav Lajcak, President of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly.
The UN General Assembly had on 17 June, 2007 voted to establish 2 October the birth day of Mahatma Gandhi as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Referring to the remarks made by other leaders at the UN's commemorative event, Akbaruddin said the discussion are an effort to seek pathways to tackle the situation the world is confronted with. It is imbued with the hope that the concept of non-violence, which is as old as civilisation, can provide a path forward, he said.
As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills. All I have done is to try experiments in both, on as vast a scale as I could," he said.
Observing that the message of non-violence is therefore needed more today than ever, Lajcak said, "Unfortunately, we are not yet living in the world that Gandhi dreamt of. Many actors still use violence as their tool of choice. Every day there is new evidence of the destruction and human suffering, which result from this choice"
"Intolerance and hate speech are features of our world and International human rights and humanitarian law are constantly violated," Lajcak said.
"Conflicts, violent extremism, and terrorism don't show any signs of decreasing. Even the planet is suffering from a violence of sorts, due to the harmful impact of human activities," he added.
The Gandhi Memorial centre in a Maryland suburb of Washington DC in cooperation with Embassy of India had a special evening of celebrations to mark the 148th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Early in the morning, the Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, offered flora; tributes to the apostle of peace to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi located in front of the Embassy premises.
In New York, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan joined hands with the Consulate General of India, to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti at the Gandhi Statue in Union Square Park. The programme included offering of floral tribute and singing of Gandhiji's favourite bhajans by the students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
Gandhi Foundation of US and Indian Consulate in Atlanta celebrated International Day of Non-violence at the historic Gandhi statue.
Mahatma Gandhi Memorial of North Texas celebrated Gandhi's birthday on 1 October at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Plaza in Irving, Dallas, with a large number of people participating in "Gandhi Peace Walk."
Rabindranath Tagore described it as 'a teardrop on the cheek of eternity', Rudyard Kipling as 'the embodiment of all things pure, all things holy, and all things unhappy', and every middle-school General Knowledge teacher in India as 'one of the seven wonders of the world'.
None of that seems enough for the Uttar Pradesh government however, as media outlets reported on Monday that it had omitted the iconic Mughal monument from its list of key attractions.
The Times of India describes the booklet titled 'Uttar Pradesh Paryatan - Apaar Sambhavanaayein' (UP Tourism - Unlimited Possibilities) as a 32-page glossy booklet with the Ganga Aarti of Varanasi on its cover. It has ostensibly been printed to promote tourist spots in Uttar Pradesh, but misses out on the most famous one. It does however find place for Gorakhnath temple, where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is the presiding priest.
The booklet was released by Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguna to mark six months of the Yogi Adityanath government, according to a report in NDTV.
But the government seemed to backtrack: Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh insisted that there was 'some miscommunication which has undermined the monument' while Joshi insisted that the Taj Mahal was a part of the state's cultural heritage and a key priority for the state government, according to the report.
Yogi government inching away from Taj Mahal
In June, Yogi Adityanath while speaking about souvenirs given to foreign dignitaries had said that Taj Mahal and other minarets do not reflect Indian culture, according to a report in The Telegraph.
The report also quoted Patna University history teacher Daisy Narayan as saying that "the period from 1206 to 1760 is considered as the 'Islamic era' of Indian history by some people, especially of a particular political stripe. It is very shocking that the Taj Mahal, which is our national heritage monument, is being claimed as not as part of our culture."
The monument also failed to find mention in the government's first budget in the special section 'Hamari Sanskritik Virasat' (Our Cultural Heritage) incorporated in the finance ministers 63-page budget speech. The exclusion had led to criticism of the government as academics and historians asked for promotion of the state's composite multi-faith culture.
Athar Siddiqui of the Centre For Objective Research And Development had said that "The identification of heritage with Hindu identity is in complete contradiction with UPs 'Sanjhi Virasat' (Shared Heritage)."
In December 2016, six Agra lawyers had asked the Civil Court to declare the Taj Mahal a Hindu temple. The petition had also asked for permission for Hindus to perform puja in the monument. The issue was resolved only after Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma told Parliament: "The government has not found any evidence which can suggest that Taj Mahal was a Hindu temple of Shiva."
The issue garnered international attention as well. Dawn, in an editorial, stated that the Taj Mahal had become a part of the campaign to erase India's Islamic heritage. It cited historian KN Panikkar who in his lecture 'Outsider As Enemy' said that the BJP is "saffronising research institutions". He said that the ruling party was revising school textbooks "to introduce a communal view of the past, highlighting the achievements and contribution of the Hindus and undermining or misrepresenting the role of others."
Taj Mahal, ever popular with tourists
The Taj Mahal is still one of India's top tourist draws. In 2016, it was visited by 6.2 million visitors.
It is also a hit with celebrities with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Hillary Clinton, Mark Zuckerberg, Tom Cruise and Kevin Durant visiting in just the last few years.
In 2015, the government said 23 percent of tourists visit the monument.
According to this Firstpost article, for years, the Taj Mahal has been the biggest revenue-spinner for Indian tourism. And yet, the Adityanath government doesn't want to include it in its tourism booklet. There couldn't have been a more nauseating example of the beast of bigotry eating its own tail, the article opines.
Discolouration problems
The tomb needs the government's help if it is to retain its pristine beauty. Heavy traffic, wood-burning crematoriums, smoke from neighbouring factories and Agras growing population have resulted in the monument turning yellow.
While some measures like the replacement of all wood-burning crematoriums near the Taj Mahal with cleaner electric ones and the banning of cow dung burning have been taken, there is still a desperate need for the government to step up.
It's track record is hardly encouraging: It has already faced the Supreme Court's wrath for "messing up" the beauty of the Mughal architecture.
As these new developments show a seeming lack of interest on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government in promoting the Taj Mahal, the fate of one of India's most iconic structures seems bleak.
Editor's note: This copy was originally published on 3 October after the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh left the Taj Mahal out of its tourism department booklet. It is being republished in light of BJP MLA Sangeet Som declaring the Taj Mahal a "blot on India culture" and built by "traitors".
The Taj Mahal has become to the Hindutva brigade what the Bamiyan Buddhas were to the Taliban and Palmyra was to the Islamic State. In the dark recesses of their minds, this architectural marvel has come to represent many things imagined grievances, bigotry, and inferiority masquerading as the desire to claim cultural superiority. If all this wasn't toxic enough, their targetting of the Taj is also a classical symptom of the powerless rage that forces its perpetrators to vent their anger on lifeless objects, secure in the belief that monuments can't hit back.
The Yogi Adityanath government's recent decision to leave the Taj out of its tourism department booklet is yet another reminder of the deep-seated anxiety of this brigade. The Taj is among the seven wonders of the world. It is a prominent UNESCO heritage site. For decades, people from across the world have made arduous journeys for a glimpse of the Taj. Almost a fourth of visitors to India travel to Agra to see the Taj. In many parts of the world, no montage of India's cultural and architectural beauty is complete without the Taj being its centrepiece. For years, it has been the biggest revenue-spinner for Indian tourism. And yet, the Adityanath government doesn't want to include it in its tourism booklet. There couldn't have been a more nauseating example of the beast of bigotry eating its own tail.
The Yogi government's decision to ignore the Taj in promotional literature isn't the first sign of its monumental discomfort. A few days ago, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister had argued that the Taj doesn't represent Indian culture a flawed argument to the core. All across the world the Taj is seen as a symbol of love. Only Adityanath can explain why he doesn't want India to be identified with a symbol of love. Perhaps, for the bigots, hatred is the defining emotion and, if it wants to sell it as a symbol of India, the BJP doesn't need to look farther beyond Ayodhya and the structure its kar sevaks destroyed.
A few months later, the Yogi government left it out of the budget allocated for preserving the state's cultural heritage. It found no mention in the special section 'Hamari Sanskratik Virasat' incorporated in the 2017-18 budget, getting sidelined for purported Hindu monuments and tourism circuits.
Obviously, the venom against the Taj in the government's mind, body and soul runs deep and thick.
This is, of course, a pervert, myopic way of looking at history. Discriminating against people on the basis of caste, creed and religion is gross injustice, a manifestation of psychological malaise. But, carving up monuments on the basis of religion is plain hilarious, a sad joke on what goes on inside minds consumed by hatred, inferiority, revenge lust and bigotry.
There is also an element of hypocrisy to this 'everything Mughal is an anathema' argument of the bigots. While they call for the defacement of the Taj and other Mughal-era monuments, speeches made from the Red Fort another legacy of the Mughals trigger nationalistic glee and a lot of chest-thumping.
Frankly, if the Hindutva brigade hates the Mughal era monuments so much, why can't it drum up support for a surgical strike on them, give a call to its kar sevaks to do to the Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid and Fatehpur Sikri what it did to the Babri Masjid years ago? If you have the mind of the Taliban, why not summon the courage to put it in action and do a Bamiyan?
The BJP's discomfort with Indian history is well-known. It is one of the perils of learning it in a shakha or, as is the fashion these days, through tutorials mass forwarded on Whatsapp. When you do that, the only thing you are capable of is looking at everything through the coloured glasses of religion. When that happens, the burning desire is not for understanding, learning and taking pride, but for erasing it and ensuring eternal sunshine of the bigoted mind.
Unfortunately, the Adityanath government's latest directive would achieve nothing except exposing its own biases. The Taj does not require any introduction to the world. It, unlike the Gorakhnath Mutt, does not require a hardsell from the government. For years it has drawn people who believe in love to India and to Agra.
Those who think India's syncretic culture is synonymous with love will continue to visit the Taj. Haters can check out the Uttar Pradesh government's new booklet for various options.
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Congress on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not fulfilling his poll promises and demanded a white paper about the government's performance at the BJP rally at Bilaspur on Tuesday.
Hitting out at Modi on the eve of his visit to the state, HPCC general secretary Naresh Chauhan said the people wanted to know what the government had done in the past three and a half years and when the "achhe din" would come.
Talking to reporters, Chauhan said Modi had visited the state twice in the past but the people had got nothing except "false promises" even as the employment opportunities had reduced and prices had gone up.
He claimed that instead of removing poverty, the NDA government was removing the poor.
He claimed that Modi addressed people through "Mann ki Baat" but failed to read their hearts and that it was high time the prime minister understood the actual needs of the people and provided them employment.
"Prices of commodities are touching the sky but the government was only worried about Ambani and Adani. GST and demonetisation ruined the economy but the government was describing it as a surgical strike on black money," he claimed.
He accused the central government of making false claims about development, saying the Congress governments had carried out massive development and that would be its poll plank in the upcoming Assembly polls in the state.
On the return of expelled leaders into the Congress, he said that those who were keen to come back into the party only to contest elections were not welcome.
The rebels, who had worked or contested elections against party candidates, would have to apply to block and district committees who would send recommendations to the PCC for appropriate action.
The final decision would be taken by the disciplinary committee, he added.
There are four former MLAs and 33 other leaders seeking re-entry into the party.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has already supported the demand for taking back the rebels without any riders and cases of these leaders are pending with the disciplinary committee.
BJP president Amit Shah lashed out at Kerala's CPM and blamed the party for supporting political violence in the state as he flagged off the Janaraksha Yatra in Payyannur, Kannur on Tuesday.
"End of CPM will herald the end of political violence," Shah said, while calling out to BJP workers to end the violence in the state.
The BJP president also said that wherever CPM ruled be it Kerala, West Bengal or Tripura political violence followed. He had previously said that more than 120 workers of the BJP had succumbed to death in Kerala due to political violence and further blamed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the killings of his party's workers.
#BREAKING We have now embarked on a journey to end communism in India. CPI(M) is known for its politics of violence: Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/kqiGVFFJHT News18 (@CNNnews18) October 3, 2017
As part of a 154-kilometre yatra that started on Tuesday and will go on till 17 October, Shah walked seven kilometres in Kannur.
On Thursday, he will join the march to walk another eight kilometres with the state BJP president Kummanam Rajasharan and others.
The yatra which will end in Thiruvananthapuram will cover 11 districts in Kerala and is seen as a strong move to tap into Kerala's vote bank.
Earlier during the day, Shah also announced a two-week 'padyatra' in all state capitals from Wednesday against the CPM's alleged targeting of his party's workers, PTI reported.
On Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath will also join the BJP president. Other ministers who will address the march at different venues include Nirmala Sitharaman, Smriti Irani and Ananth Kumar, The Hindustan Times reported.
"CPM should self introspect. Why did their presence disappear from the world and is disappearing from India, too? The reason is political violence. On one side, Congress is disappearing and on other side BJP is progressing with our ideology," he said.
"More the mud of violence, more the lotus will bloom," he had said.
To pay a tribute to the slain BJP workers in Kannur, a photo exhibition was also held, reported The Indian Express.
Despite issues, BJP managed to bring all its prominent allies together during the yatra. Just before Shah's arrival, BDJS general secretary Subhash Vasuasserted his party's support for BJP in the fight against political violence.
Kannur: BJP president Amit Shah offered prayers at the famous Rajarajeswara Temple in Taliparamba.
The senior BJP leader arrived at Mangalore airport early this morning and reached the temple by road from Bakel, an official in the party's state media department said.
He was accompanied by state BJP leaders. Shah was received by temple authorities.
The BJP president, who spent 30 minutes at the temple, offered a golden pot to the deity. The Rajarajeswara Temple at Taliparamba is a famous Shiva temple in North Malabar.
After offering prayers, Shah proceeded to Payyannur to launch the 15-day march in the state against the alleged 'red terrorism' unleashed by the Left party against BJP and Sangh Parivar workers.
BJP National President Shri @AmitShah will launch #JanaRakshaYatra in Kerala tomorrow against leftist violence. pic.twitter.com/ux0g4y5aV8 Office of Amit Shah (@AmitShahOffice) October 2, 2017
The Janaraksha Yatra (people's protection march) from Payyannur will travel through the state before culminating in Thiruvananthapuram on 17 October.
Several Union ministers will also participate in the march under the theme of "All have to live!! Against Jihadi-Red Terror."
As many as 120 BJP workers, 84 in Kannur alone, have been killed in the state since 2001 with 14 of them in the chief minister's home town since he took over the reigns last year, the BJP has alleged.
The CPM has, in turn, accused the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of resorting to violence and denied the involvement of its government and leadership in political killings.
In a bid to kick-start the anti-Left campaign in Kerala, BJP national president Amit Shah made sharp allegations against the ruling CPM over political violence and blamed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the killings of party workers in state.
"I can tell, based on figures, politics violence started from the time communist party came to power. Wherever the communist party has come to power, the region has suffered. Look at West Bengal and Tripura. Political violence is there too. Left always paralyses the state it rules," Shah said, as he addressed a gathering.
The BJP chief said that whenever Kerala had CPM in power, there was an alliance government which would prefer violence. "I want to ask: Who is behind these murders in Kannur? The chief minister is responsible for the political killings," he said.
He claimed that the human rights activists in the nation were selective when it came to what they supported. "You turn your eyes away when our workers die. Why is there no march in Delhi? Violence has no colour. More than 120 workers of the BJP have succumbed due to political violence so far. What was their fault? They were working for the betterment of Kerala," he said.
Shah hailed BJP's ideology for encouraging people to join as workers. "When I was introducing self to families of the deceased workers, I noticed many families who have had multiple members killed, have another member standing with the BJP. Their shahadat (martyrdom) will never go waste," Shah said.
Shah, who is to flag off Janaraksha Yatra led by BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan, at Payyannur in the northern district of Kasargod, said that the ultimate aim of the padyatra is to create awareness of the killings of BJP workers.
"CPM should self introspect. Why did their presence disappear from the world and is disappearing from India, too? The reason is political violence. On one side, Congress is disappearing and on other side BJP is progressing with our ideology," he said. "More the mud of violence, more the lotus will bloom," he added.
Shah also assured his party workers and volunteers that the BJP would fight the war with CPM till the end and that would emerge victorious.
"Our path is not of violence. Our path that of connecting the public. Based on our ideology, the public would be enlightened. We must all unite against the rule of Left government," he said.
Ahead of the launch of the yatra, three BJP workers decorating a part of the National Highway 66 were attacked by unidentified men on Monday.
During the address, Shah alleged that the attackers were CPM workers and said that they also destroyed BJP flags in the district.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath is set to increase the saffron stand with his visit to Kerala on Wednesday. According to Times Now, Adityanath will be in predominant Muslim Mallapuram.
With inputs from PTI
Hyderabad: The BJP would highlight "failures" of the TRS government in its campaign for the 2019 assembly elections in Telangana, state BJP president K Laxman said in Hyderabad on Tuesday. He said the party will build its campaign for the next Lok Sabha as well as the state assembly polls on its improved organisational strength and would also bank on the welfare and development programmes of the Narendra Modi government.
Referring to BJP's national organisational general secretary Ram Lal's recent three-day visit to the state, Laxman quoted him as saying that the party is organisationally stronger in Telangana now in comparison with Haryana and Assam earlier.
BJP captured power in Haryana and Assam though it was considered to be organisationally weak in these two states, Laxman told reporters. Ram Lal held deliberations with the party leaders at various levels during his visit. Laxman said the BJP would like to improve its organisational strength right from the booth level.
He said the party is planning to organise a public meeting in Hyderabad in January next year, wherein activists from each polling booth will come to the event on five motorcycles.
He said the BJP aims to increase its state membership from the present 18 lakh to at least 25 lakh by the next year. BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav will be visiting the state on 14-15 October. BJP president Amit Shah would visit the state in January next year after the conclusion of assembly polls in Gujarat, Laxman said.
Asked about the comments of south Indian actor Prakash Raj, who reportedly questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the killing of Karnataka journalist Gauri Lankesh, Laxman said the actor should know that law and order is a state subject.
BJP Hyderabad unit president and MLC N Ramachandra Rao said the party would soon organise a rally in the city to protest the killing of BJP-ABVP-RSS activists in the Left-ruled Kerala.
The BJP would try to conduct a peaceful protest at the CPM's office in Hyderabad, he said.
He asked why the intellectuals, who targeted RSS over the killing of a "woman journalist in Karnataka without proof", have "closed their eyes" on the political murders in Kerala.
Bengaluru: The BJP's Karnataka unit has constituted a 17-member manifesto committee in the run-up to the state Assembly election due early next year.
The committee is headed by former minister and MLA from the city S Suresh Kumar.
MPs Shivakumar Udasi and L Prabhakar Kore, and MLAs Basavaraj Bommai, Lakshamana Savadi and Ashwathnarayan, are members of the committee.
The party, which has announced its state unit president BS Yeddyurappa as its chief ministerial candidate, has set a target to win 150 seats in the 2018 Assembly polls.
The ruling Congress has not announced its chief ministerial candidate yet, but has said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will lead the party in the polls.
JDS will be led by former chief minister and party's state unit president HD Kumaraswamy.
In the current Assembly, out of total 225 seats with one nominated member, the Congress has 123 MLAs, BJP 44, JD(S) 40, and rest are from smaller parties and independents.
According to BJP sources, Yeddyurappa is likely to contest from a constituency in a north Karnataka district this time, with an intention to attract more votes towards the party from the region.
Shikaripura in Shivamogga district is Yeddyurappa's constituency.
Sounding the poll bugle in the state, BJP president Amit Shah had on a visit to the state in August declared that the party stands united.
He is scheduled to visit Mangaluru on Wednesday.
Shah's call for unity within the state unit had come amid the open bickerings between some of the party leaders until recently that had embarrassed the party.
Yeddyurappa had come under criticism from a section of partymen over his alleged "arbitrary style" of functioning with another senior leader KS Eshwarappa openly flagging the issue until both were told to shun open display of differences.
Amethi : Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will be on a three-day visit to his constituency Amethi from Wednesday, Congress leaders said in Amethi. Gandhi will also visit his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi's constituency Raebareli.
The Congress vice president's trip to his parliamentary constituency generated headlines after district authorities in Amethi suggested a postponement citing security concerns. However, they gave the go-ahead on Monday.
Giving details of his schedule, Congress leaders said Gandhi would land in Lucknow on Wednesday and leave for Amethi by road, stopping at villages to meet people before staying the night at the Munshiganj guest house.
On 5 October, he is scheduled to hold a janta darshan (a programme to meet people to hear their grievances) at the guest house and meet party workers at Rajiv Gandhi college in Tiloi and in Salon before calling it a day at the Bhuemau (Raebareli) guest house.
On the last day of his visit, he will hold a janta darshan in Raebareli and meet workers there.
Reuters
Equifax Inc was alerted in March to the software security vulnerability that led to hackers obtaining personal information of more than 140 million Americans but took months to patch it, its former CEO said in testimony to be delivered to Congress on Tuesday.
It appears that the breach occurred because of both human error and technology failures, former CEO Richard Smith said in written testimony released on Monday by the Energy and Commerce Committee.
Separately, Equifax said late Monday that an outside review determined about 2.5 million additional US consumers were potentially impacted, for a revised total of 145.5 million.
The company said the review also found that just 8,000 Canadian citizens were impacted, rather than up to 100,000 Canadians, as previously announced.
Equifax was alerted to the breach by the US Homeland Security Department on 9 March, Smith said in the testimony, but it was not patched.
On 15 March, Equifaxs information security department ran scans that should have identified any systems that were vulnerable to the software issue but did not, the testimony said.
As a result, the vulnerability remained in an Equifax web application much longer than it should have, Smith said. It was this unpatched vulnerability that allowed hackers to access personal identifying information.
In his testimony, Smith said it appears the first date hackers accessed sensitive information may have been on 13 May. He said between 13 May and 30 July, there is evidence to suggest that the attacker(s) continued to access sensitive information.
Smith said security personnel noticed suspicious activity on 29 July and disabled the web application on 30 July, ending the hacking. He said he was alerted the following day, but was not aware of the scope of the stolen data.
On 2 Aug, the company alerted the FBI and retained a law firm and consulting firm to provide advice. Smith notified the boards lead director on 22 Aug.
Smith, 57, said he was retiring last week and would forgo this years bonus as criticism mounts over the attack, which was not made public until 7 Sept and has prompted investigations by multiple federal and state agencies, including a criminal probe by the US Justice Department.
I am here today to apologise to the American people myself, he said.
Smith also apologised for the companys response after the data breach was made public, including the rollout of our website and call centers, which in many cases added to the frustration of American consumers.
He also said another well-known, independent expert consulting firm has been retained to perform a top-to-bottom assessment of the companys information security systems.
Smith will testify at three separate congressional hearings this week.
tech2 News Staff
For the simple reason that the Earth is closer to the Sun than Saturn, humans can only observe the day side of Saturn even with the more powerful telescopes on Earth or in orbit around our planet. Probes, such as the Cassini mission by NASA, ESA and ASI allow researchers to image Saturn from the far side, as well as capture data using the various scientific instruments on board. Till another mission is sent to Saturn, the observations and images captured by Cassini will be the last close up data set of Saturn available to scientists.
The image was captured on 7 June 2017 using the wide angle camera on board. The spacecraft was at a distance of about 1.21 million kilometers from the gas giant when the image was captured. Cassini was looking towards the Sun lit side of the rings from about seven degrees above the plane of the rings. After the end of the Cassini mission, NASA has released an image of a Sun lit crescent on Enceladus, as well as the final observations of the Yin-Yang moon, Iapetus.
NASA's Cassini spacecraft ended was concluded in September 2015 after studying the gas giant for thirteen years. There was not enough fuel on board for the ground stations to maintain control of the spacecraft, and there was a possibility that Cassini could drift into one of the moons of Saturn. Some of these moons, including Enceladus and Titan may harbour life.
Hardy microbes piggybacking on Cassini could have created havoc in these alien ecosystems, which is why Cassini ended its mission with a fiery plunge into the Saturnian atmosphere. Although the spacecraft has become one with the planet that it studied for so long, the observations and images captured by the spacecraft is expected to continue to provide data for scientific studies for decades into the future.
Sheldon Pinto
After the launch of its new Pixel brand last year, Google has scheduled another date for its hardware event, where everyone is expecting the successors of the Pixel, and the Pixel XL to be announced. The unveiling is set for 4 October, where Google will announce not just the successors to the Pixel lineup, but others, including a smaller version of the Google Home connected speaker, an all-new Pixelbook and even a refreshed Daydream View VR headset.
But like every year, the focus is on the new smartphones, as it will be interesting to see what Google has achieved with the successors of the Pixel and the Pixel XL, tagged by the rumour mills as the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL.
There isn't much
From what we can gather from the various rumours and leaks we have seen so far, there really isn't much.
Both the Pixel 2 (built by HTC) and the Pixel 2 XL (built by LG), may not be all that special. This is because both devices are expected to pack in specifications, similar to most premium flagship smartphones already out in the market. There is the expected 'Edge sense' feature on the Pixel 2, but I cannot think of many who have used it on the HTC U11 to begin with.
From the latest rumour, there is a big possibility that Google has missed out on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 836. Last year, Google had an advantage for being the first brand to use a Qualcomm 821, where every other brand was stuck with an 820 chipset. The new chip was about 10 percent faster than the older one, and no matter how much one tried to justify its price vs value quotient, the Pixel had the latest chip and it was enough to get everyone excited.
If Google does not show up with the 836, it may not have anything to talk about on stage in terms of hardware, which is not a good thing coming from a brand that owns Android and a brand, which is looking to establish itself in the premium hardware segment.
Lacks the 'Wow' factor
Leaks have been pouring in over the build-up to the launch. And pretty much nothing is left to be known onthe design front, if one goes by the leaker's past record. The latest leak from tipster Evan Blass, showcases the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL designs from the front and back. Indeed, it leaves little to the imagination as well. While we have seen leaked images with similar handsets in the past (including one with a photograph of both the glass screens), they somehow do not inspire, or look special in any way with their windowed back panels.
There's the Pixel 2 that redefines the term 'bezel' with thick bezels at the top and the bottom, which would make a Sony Xperia XZ1 cringe. And it arrives at a time when handsets like the bezel-less Samsung Galaxy S8, the Essential PH-1, and the LG V30 exist.
If you thought that the bezels were way too thick, think about Google's premium pricing. Google launched the Pixel (the smaller smartphone) in India at Rs 57,000 and this was for the base version with 32 GB of storage. So yes, we can expect the Pixel 2 to be priced similarly when it arrives in India. So if you have been criticising Apple for pricing the iPhone 8 a bit too high (at Rs 64,000) considering that it features a brand new chipset and is also able to shoot 4K video at 60 fps, think again because the Pixel 2 with the Snapdragon 835 could also scale similar price points.
The bigger Pixel 2 XL looks a bit more like the flagships we have today with a taller 18:9, 6-inch display. However, this one too has bezels running around the front face, and does by no means qualify as a bezel-less nor an edge-to-edge display. One piece of good news that comes with Pixel 2 XL, is app support for taller displays like those on the S8+ and the V30 since Google has a taller display of its own now.
Where are my dual cameras?
There's is also a chance that Google may fall short of everyone's expectations. All the leaked renders we have seen so far, reveal a single camera at the back. It is an area where not many would complain about, because Google did a great job with the Pixel on the camera front, beating every single smartphone out there with its camera performance. In fact it was better than the Apple iPhone 7 Plus in the low light photography department when we tested it last year. But every other manufacturer today (including Apple and Samsung) has switched to dual cameras this year. They are functional in the form of a portrait mode delivering images with an enhanced depth of field and most also offer an optical zoom as a part of the package.
Google could redefine the way manufacturers use a single camera by offering both a software-driven portrait mode and a digital zoom, but it will need a class-leading sensor to pull this off. For now, we are just speculating, but let's just hope that Google does have a few camera tricks to show.
Software
It is obvious, that the new Pixel smartphones will be blessed with latest version of Android 8.0 Oreo. But as with the camera app, we can expect more with some added software touches as well, those that should make the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL special. From the leaked renders, there appears to be a new widget, the odd placement of the Google search widget at the very bottom and lack of a 'Google Now pill icon' (at the top left), like we have seen with previous Pixel models.
We are also expecting to see Google's ARCore games or apps being demoed on stage at the launch. ARCore should be Google's wild card, (if nothing else) as it does not have any exciting hardware news to talk about from the leaks seen so far. The consumer technology (as opposed to Tango's more scientific approach), puts software hard at work and brings augmented reality capabilities to existing and future Android phones.
Almost a month ago, Apple launched the iPhone X. While sales have yet to commence, it is easy to conclude, that Apple has upped its game with the iPhone X, bringing it close, if not, at par with top Android offerings. You have an edge-to-edge, all-screen OLED display that is HDR 10 compatible, the fastest chipset on a smartphone in existence, 4K recording at 60 fps and a new FaceID unlock system (that fans may or may not be most kicked about). Google will need to top all of these, if it wants to stay relevant in the hardware space.
Will Google surprise us? We shall find out tomorrow.
PTI
An experimental robotic farm run by UK scientists has been harvested for the first time, yielding about five tonnes of spring barley. Everything from start to finish - including sowing, fertilising, collecting samples and harvesting - has been done by autonomous vehicles on the farm, researchers said. Researchers from the Harper Adams University in the UK believe that the robotic technology improve yields in agriculture, which is necessary to avoid food crisis with the growing population in coming years.
For the project, dubbed Hands Free Hectare, researchers used commercially available agriculture machines and software used to guide amateur drones. "In agriculture, nobody has really managed to solve the problem of autonomy," said Jonathan Gill, mechatronics researcher at Harper Adams University, who led the project. The researchers purchased several small-size agricultural machines, including a tractor and a combine, a machine for harvesting grain crops, the Live Science reported.
They then fitted the machines with actuators, electronics and robotic technology that would allow them to control the machines without the presence of a human operator. "The vehicles navigate entirely based on the GPS, and they are just essentially driving towards targets that we predetermined," said Martin Abell, of Precision Decisions, an agricultural company that partnered with the university.
"At different GPS targets, there are different actions designed to be carried out," Abell said. The Harper Adams team plans to use the robotically harvested spring barley to make a limited batch of "hands- free" beer that will be distributed to the projects partners.
tech2 News Staff
Facebook is under increasing scrutiny for disrupting the democratic process in America by allowing vested interests to exploit the divisions in American society. Facebook has acknowledged that political ads spread through its platform has advertisements on the platform meant to spread disinformation and increase political discord originated from accounts associated with Russia. Russia has officially denied any involvement in efforts to game the 2016 US presidential election.
Facebook has indicated that close to 10 million users in the US saw ads linked to a troll farm originating in Russia. The ads were meant to exploit and escalate racial and political divisions in the United States. Facebook has committed to hire 1,000 people to ensure that future advertisements do not disrupt a democratic process. Executives from Facebook, Google and Twitter have been asked to testify to the US Congress about Russian political interference in the presidential election.
3,000 ads generated by accounts controlled by entities in Russia have gone under the scanner, and Facebook has promised increased transparency on political ads in the future. The early review of these ads by congressional investigators reveal some of the actual contents of the ads, even though their exact purpose remains unknown.
According to a report in the Washington Post, the ads included photos of a black woman dry firing a rifle, which is pulling the trigger without loading the weapon with a bullet. There were images of Hillary Clinton behind bars, advertisements that used harsh language, images of illegal immigrants, and civil rights groups who voted for Clinton.
The ads exploited tools available to Facebook advertisers that allows content to be targeted by various parameters. The advertisements can target individuals by age, gender, location and even interest. The kind of content used by the troll farm indicates the cunning nature of the Russian operation, which essentially boils down to racist propaganda, meant to exploit divisions in American society. The operation has been ongoing for two years.
While Russia has denied any involvement in the campaign, a big data analytics company has taken credit for successfully reaching to and turning around voters. Cambridge Analytica used a combination of psychographic profiling, post targeting and surveys to support Trump's presidential campaign. The dark posts created by the campaign could be viewed only by the targeted village or neighborhood, down to an individual level. The content was adjusted on a daily basis, and was delivered to key battleground states. The campaign by Cambridge Analytica is believed to be separate from the alleged Russian campaign, and as such is not a part of the review by congressional investigators.
After the surprise victory by Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, Facebook was accused of spreading fake news and political disinformation. Mark Zuckerberg had then called it a "crazy" idea that Facebook had any influence on the election, but Barack Obama asked Facebook to take the allegations and the threat of political disinformation seriously.
Nearly a year later, Trump would accuse Facebook of colluding with news agencies and having an an anti-trump agenda, an allegation that Mark Zuckerberg denied.
Last Sunday was Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews, and Mark Zuckerberg asked for forgiveness for the divisions created because of the activity on his platform, and committed to do better.
Reuters
Luxury electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc said on Monday its deliveries rose 4.5 percent in the third quarter from the prior-year period, but said production bottlenecks had left the company behind its planned ramp-up for the new Model 3 mass-market sedan.
Tesla said it delivered 26,150 vehicles in the third quarter, including 14,065 Model S vehicles and 11,865 Model X cars, up 17.7 percent from the second quarter of this year.
The Palo Alto, California-based company delivered just 220 Model 3 sedans and produced 260 during the quarter. In July, it began production of the Model 3, which starts at $35,000 half the starting price of the Model S.
Tesla had said in its second-quarter financial report that it expects to achieve a rate of 5,000 Model 3 vehicles per week by the end of 2017. The automaker also said it expects at some point in 2018 to further ramp to a rate of 10,000 Model 3 vehicles per week, and an annual production rate in excess of 500,000 vehicles.
It is important to emphasize that there are no fundamental issues with the Model 3 production or supply chain, Tesla said in a statement. We understand what needs to be fixed and we are confident of addressing the manufacturing bottleneck issues in the near term.
Tesla said it was on track to deliver around 100,000 S and X models this year.
But Tesla said on Monday that a handful of systems at its Fremont, California, car plant and its battery factory in Reno, Nevada, have taken longer to activate than expected.
The automaker said 4,820 Model S and X vehicles were in transit to customers at the end of the third quarter and would be counted with its fourth-quarter figures.
Washington: Defence Secretary Jim Mattis told lawmakers on Tuesday that the Afghanistan security forces are fully engaged in combat military operations for the first time during the 16-year-old war and are suffering fewer casualties as they continue to improve their competence on the battlefield.
During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Mattis sought to assure members that President Donald Trump's new strategy for Afghanistan represents the best approach for winning America's longest war.
Mattis said that the Afghan forces are becoming bolder in combat because they know US and NATO forces are using airpower to strike the Taliban and other militants on "the high ground." That frees up the Afghans to "take the fight to the enemy," Mattis said.
Senator John McCain, R-Ariz, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, lectured Mattis and Dunford at the opening of the hearing for failing to provide lawmakers with detailed information about Trump's strategy.
McCain declared that it was "bizarre" that Mattis and Dunford, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, did not submit written testimony before the hearing started. That's common practice for administration witnesses testifying before congressional committees.
"We want to be your partners," McCain said. "But this committee will not be a rubber stamp for any policy or president. We must be well-informed. We must be convinced of the merits of the administration's actions. And unfortunately, we still have far more questions than answers about this new strategy."
Trump unveiled his new strategy for Afghanistan in August and said American troops would "fight to win" by attacking enemies, "crushing" Al-Qaeda, and preventing terrorist attacks against Americans.
But Trump's description of a win in Afghanistan notably did not include defeating the Taliban. He indicated that after an effective military effort it eventually may be possible to reach a political settlement in Afghanistan that includes elements of the Taliban.
Although Trump insisted he would not talk about numbers of troops, he hinted he would embrace the Pentagon's proposal to boost troop numbers by nearly 4,000, augmenting the roughly 8,400 Americans currently stationed there.
Mattis told the committee that more than 3,000 additional American forces will be arriving in the coming months to expand the training of the Afghan forces. The combined US and NATO troop contingent currently in the country is about 13,500.
Trump also singled out Pakistan for harboring Taliban leaders and other militants that are battling American troops in Afghanistan. Trump's tough words about Pakistan, a troubled US security partner, infuriated Islamabad, which has denied the country provides safe havens for the Taliban.
But US officials and analysts have long said Pakistan tolerates the presence of the Afghan Taliban and the allied Haqqani network, which are leading the insurgency against Afghan and US forces.
The administration said last month that it was holding up the release of USD 255 million in military assistance for Pakistan until it cracked down on extremist groups that threaten Afghanistan.
London: An honour bestowed on Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi by the city of Oxford has been withdrawn as a reaction to her perceived inadequate response to the plight of Rohingya Muslims in the country.
The 'Freedom of Oxford' had been granted to the de facto leader of Myanmar in 1997 for her "long struggle for democracy" by the Oxford City Council.
A cross-party motion was unanimously passed by the council on Monday which said it was "no longer appropriate" for her to hold the honour.
Oxford City Council leader Bob Price supported the motion to remove her honour and confirmed it was an "unprecedented step" for the local authority.
The city council will hold a special meeting to confirm that the honour is removed on 27 November.
Suu Kyi, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, has close links to the city of Oxford, having lived in Park Town with her family and earlier attended St Hugh's College from 1964 until 1967.
The city council's move comes days after her alma mater, St Hugh's, removed her portrait from the main college entrance.
While the exact reasons for the portrait's removal were attributed to a new replacement, there is a wider view that the allegations of ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya Muslims fleeing their homes to Bangladesh is likely to be behind the move.
Nearly 5,00,000 people belonging to Myanmar's Rohingya minority have been displaced after violence allegedly instigated by the country's military, causing a major humanitarian crisis.
Suu Kyi has been Myanmar's state counsellor, a position similar to prime minister, since April, 2016.
She spent years under house arrest as a campaigner for democracy while Myanmar was ruled by a military dictatorship.
She became a worldwide icon for freedom before leading her National League for Democracy to victory in open elections in November, 2015.
The UK government has made repeated calls for her take a more firm stance on the violence being suffered by the Rohingyas.
Canberra: Australian investigators on Tuesday released their final report on the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, saying the inability to bring closure for victims families was a "great tragedy" and "almost inconceivable" in the modern age.
It has now been three-and-a-half years since MH370 and its 239 passengers and crew disappeared en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on 8 March, 2014, reported The Guardian.
The report was released by the the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the agency that coordinated the largest and most expensive underwater search in history.
"It remains a great tragedy and we wish that we could have brought complete closure to the bereaved," ATSB chief commissioner, Greg Hood, said.
"I hope, however, that they can take some solace in the fact that we did all we could do to find answers."
The report found the reasons for the loss of MH370 could not be established with any certainty until it was found.
"It is almost inconceivable and certainly societally unacceptable in the modern aviation era with 10 million passengers boarding commercial aircraft every day, for a large commercial aircraft to be missing and for the world not to know with certainty what became of the aircraft and those on board."
The operation to find MH370 was suspended in January after 1,046 days, the Guardian reported.
The suspension followed an unsuccessful underwater search 2,800km off the coast of Western Australia, which used a deep-sea sonar search over 120,000 square kilometre.
Following the underwater search, a re-analysis of satellite imagery had narrowed the plane's likely resting place to an area of less than 25,000 square kilometre, the ATSB said.
The location of the Boeing 777 has become one of aviation's greatest mysteries, unable to be solved by a multinational effort involving ships and aircraft from countries including India, China, the US and Australia.
MH370 veered off course and continued to fly for seven hours but sent no automatic transmissions after the first 38 minutes of flight.
The plane's last known position was recorded at the northern tip of Sumatra.
Even as the Islamic State is losing major territory in Iraq and Syria, the group is actively claiming responsibility for every attack and bomb blast in the world. It enjoyed a brief moment of glory after claiming the Las Vegas shooting on Monday, where 59 people were killed and 527 injured. Without providing any evidence, the organisation said that the gunman was a soldier from its ranks, who converted to Islam months ago.
The FBI, however said that it has found no such connection so far. Authorities believe that there is no connection to international terrorism. Terrorist experts told CNBC that it seems the group is desperate for attention and will claim just about everything. "They have lost so much territory, and they fear they are becoming irrelevant," said Colin Clarke, a political scientist and terrorism expert. Since losing Mosul, experts say, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for several incidents with which it has nothing to do.
However, some other experts who track the group closely told The Hill that when it comes to attacks in the West, if the Islamic State is claiming responsibility, there is some kind of connection between the perpetrator and the group.
However, the 2015 attack in which 14 people were killed in San Bernardino, California says otherwise. According to initial reports, the shooters, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, were confirmed as followers of the group, the then FBI director James Comey later said no evidence has been found of the couple being part of an organised cell or having any contact with overseas terror groups, The Independent reported.
Interestingly, these are not the only instances when the Islamic State's claims have been less than authentic. It has a history of exaggerated and in some cases, of false claims.
More recently, the group claimed responsibility for an attack at a casino in Manila, Philippines in June this year that left 37 people dead. The police has repeatedly denied that the incident was terror-related. "They have this reputation of claiming all atrocities all over the world to perpetuate themselves to gain global notoriety," CNN quoted Oscar Albayalde, police chief for the Manila area, as saying.
The police later said that the man behind the attack was hooked to gambling and was $80,000 in debt. Albayalde said that the attacker's family's account corroborate the belief that it was not an act of terrorism. He added that the man had sold off property, including a vehicle, to support his gambling habit of at least several years and his family had grown so concerned they had asked casinos in the capital to ban him.
Jerusalem gun attack
The knife-and-gun attack that killed a policewoman in Jerusalem in June this year was claimed by the Islamic State. However, Haaretz reported that Israel defense forces have cast a doubt over this claim of responsibility. Military sources said that the assailants were part of a "classic local cell" and did not belong to a terror organisation.
Hamas also dismissed the involvement of the Islamic State calling it "one of the Israeli intelligence's fabrications." He said it was a move to "confuse the media and distort the reputation of the Palestinian resistance." He also confirmed that one of the attackers was a member of Hamas, according to Newsweek.
Ohio State University attack
Even though the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack at Ohio State Univeristy in Novermber, 2016, calling the student who drove his car into pedestrians and slashed people with a knife a "soldier" of the terrorist group, investigators have not found any strong evidence linking the attacker to militant groups, according to AP.
A federal official said that investigators had seen no evidence so far that the militant group's role was anything more than inspirational.
Pulse nightclub shooting
An American man who had allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State killed 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando in June 2016 and the terror organisation immediately claimed responsibility.
Amaq said that "the attack that left more than one hundred dead and wounded was carried out by an Islamic State fighter." An Islamic State-run radio station also labelled the shooter, Omar Mateen, as "one of the soldiers of the caliphate in America," according to TIME.
This came after reports saying Mateen called 911 before the attack in order to swear his allegiance to the terror group. While confirming that Mateen had indeed called 911, FBI did not verify what the shooter had said.
The Central Intelligence Agency chief, however, was not able to uncover any link between Mateen and the Islamic State. "We have not been able to uncover any direct link between that individual, Mateen, and a foreign terrorist organisation," the chief told a US Senate intelligence committee, according to The Guardian.
Copenhagen shooting
A shooting in Copenhagen in September 2016, when two police officers were shot was also claimed by the Islamic State. The group's news agency Amaq said the attacker was "a soldier of the Islamic State who carried out the operation in response to calls to target coalition states." However, the Danish police ruled out a terror angle to the incident.
The police identified the shooter as a Danish citizen who appeared to sympathise with Islamic extremists, though they said this didn't play any role in the shooting, AP reported.
These numerous unverified claims, as CBC News states, gives the militants publicity, and in the case of the Orlando massacre, draws attention away from the group's recent losses in Iraq and Syria. Howeverm dismissing reports of false claims, Rita Katz, the director of the SITE Intelligence Group told NPR that that they have not yet found a real lie from the Islamic State. "Despite the fact that they are a terrorist organisation, they want to provide their followers and supporters with authentic information," she said.
The terror organisation does not distinguish between a direct attack and lone wolf attacks carried out independently based on the group's propaganda. "You can have somebody who had no direct ties to the Islamic State whatsoever, at least that we're aware of someone who was inspired by the Islamic State but not actually directed by them at all Islamic State is equally willing to claim them all," said Thomas Joscelyn, senior editor of the counterterrorism publication The Long War Journal.
With inputs from agencies
Canada continues to churn out personable and social media-friendly politicians as media darling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau now faces competition from Jagmeet Singh, a 38-year-old criminal lawyer with a certain sartorial flair.
Singh was named leader of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP) on Sunday, the country's third biggest political force after Justin Trudeau's Liberals and the Conservatives. He won almost 54 percent of votes in the first round of voting against three other candidates.
After being named NDP leader, he tweeted, "Im officially launching my campaign to be the next Prime Minister of Canada."
Singh was born into a Punjabi Indian family in Scarborough, Ontario. He often wears a brightly coloured turban and usually wears a kirpan, a knife carried by Sikh men which is banned in certain places in Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Singh on his election. "I look forward to speaking soon and working together for Canadians," he wrote on Twitter.
Singh is a member of the Ontario provincial member parliament, not of the federal parliament in Ottawa meaning he cannot press Trudeau during the daily question period. He hinted during his campaign he would not immediately seek a seat, which would require the resignation of an elected official to give him a place in a constituency where he could easily win.
Singh creates the same kind of buzz that Trudeau does
Like the photogenic prime minister, Singh has been splashed across the pages of a glossy style magazine GQ in his case, Vogue in Trudeaus and generates the same kind of buzz that Trudeau does despite a smaller platform as a provincial legislator in Ontario.
He uses Twitter (@theJagmeetSingh) to make policy announcements and statements a series of tweets explaining why he wanted to be party leader went viral in June and was featured on BuzzFeed while his YouTube channel showcases legislative work.
Using fashion to disarm people and create conversation
Singh, who said as a young man he was subject to random stops by police, says the racial discrimination he suffered in his youth gives him an edge over his rivals.
There are a lot of Canadians that have faced certain struggles in their lives... they see in me someone who understands those struggles, he said at a vegan restaurant in between events.
His practice of wearing natty suits and turbans that vary from shocking pink to lime green dates back to his lawyer days when he was trying to dispel negative perceptions. His solution was to stand out as much as possible. It disarms people and it creates conversations. So fashion for me has been used as a tool to engage people, to disrupt their normal notions of someone who looks like me, he said.
Viral video
Singh catapulted to online fame after a video of his calm response to an anti-Islam tirade by a woman at a campaign event in Brampton, Ontario received much approbation.
The woman, who identified herself as Jennifer in the video, thrust herself in front of Singh before he was about to speak and said, "We know you're in bed with Sharia. We know you're in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood."
Despite efforts by the organisers and supporters to take her aside, Jennifer refused to be removed and threatened to call the police.
Instead of responding aggressively to her boisterous attack, Singh calmly responded to the crowd: "We believe in love and courage... We don't want to be intimidated by hate, we don't want hatred to ruin a positive event... So let's show people how to treat someone with love: We welcome you. We love you. We support you."
A video of the exchange went viral and has received over 7 lakh views and shared over 4,000 times on Facebook. Brampton Focus, a local news outlet, caught the exchange on camera and uploaded it on its Facebook page which can be viewed here:
The video shows his supporters chanting "Jagmeet" and "love and courage" before breaking into applause.
The India (dis)connection
Singh is known to be forthright on issues and has earlier criticised US President Donald Trump's travel ban as well as has spoken out against India's treatment of minorities, according to The Times of India. In 2013, he was denied a visa to visit India. According to Singh, he had been selected as Sikh of the Year by two NGOs and had to visit Amritsar for the award ceremony.
In 2016, he had moved motion in the Ontraio Assembly seeking to describe the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as genocide, reported Hindustan Times. The motion in a slightly different form was passed in 2017 after it was brought by a Liberal Party MPP. Singh spoke during the debate, severely criticising the Indian government.
In 2017, he accused India of interfering with his campaign by using its influence to stop members of his community from backing him.
These reasons have garnered him support from pro-Khalistan elements as well, says Hindustan Times. In fact, when the NDP leadership results were announced, a leading separatist figure, Sukhminder Singh Hansra, was present in the room.
Electoral chances
While Singh has won the initial voting, he will have an uphill battle when he challenges Trudeau's governing Liberal Party in the next election. Singh's party has just 44 of the 338 seats in Parliament. The party lags well behind the centrist Liberals and right-leaning Conservatives in political fundraising this year, according to Elections Canada data. Singh will now focus on rallying supporters and targeting centre-left voters who helped propel Trudeaus Liberals to a decisive victory in 2015.
There are hurdles ahead. Singh needs to persuade voters that his party can form a government, although it has never held power federally. There are also questions over whether he will have success in Quebec, Canadas mainly French-speaking province, where overt signs of faith are frowned upon.
Singhs most realistic hope is to take over the party and win enough seats in 2019 to deprive Trudeau of his majority in Parliament. That would leave the Liberals dependent on the NDP, who could then demand concessions in return for support.
Ipsos Public Affairs pollster Darrell Bricker calls Singh a dangerous candidate for Trudeau, especially in the Toronto region which accounts for about 20 percent of Parliament seats. "When you look at what happens here, if he can have any impact on the vote at all its a threat," he said.
With inputs from agencies
Sydney: Australia offered to help the United States reform its gun laws on Tuesday after a successful two-decade clampdown on firearms in the wake of its own worst mass shooting.
The US is reeling after at least 59 people were killed and more than 500 injured when retired accountant Stephen Paddock opened fire on thousands of concertgoers in Las Vegas before killing himself.
The shocking tragedy has sparked renewed calls for weapons control, a sensitive subject in a country where the pro-gun lobby the National Rifle Association is a powerful political force.
"What we can offer is our experience," Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said Tuesday, pointing to a 1996 gun buyback and ban on semi-automatic and automatic weapons.
"But at the end of the day it's going to be up to the United States legislators and lawmakers, and the United States public, to change the laws to ensure this type of incident doesn't happen again."
Australia was rocked in 1996 when gunman Martin Bryant went on the rampage armed with semi-automatic weapons at the historic Tasmanian colonial convict site of Port Arthur.
Thirty-five people died in the massacre, a turning point for a nation that traditionally had a high rate of gun ownership.
Then centre-right Liberal prime minister John Howard swiftly enacted tougher gun laws, including bans on certain weapons, a minimum ownership age, and licences.
More than 6,00,000 weapons were destroyed in the aftermath and while controversial at the time, gun control measures now have strong public support.
In the first national amnesty since then, which started in June and ended last weekend, more than 26,000 guns were surrendered.
While gun violence has not disappeared, there have been no further mass shootings, in contrast to the United States where they remain common.
A survey published in 2016, which examined intentional firearm death rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, found gun-related deaths and suicides had declined since 1997.
James Carouso, the acting US ambassador to Australia, admitted his country could learn from Australia when it comes to gun policy.
"Every time one of these things happens, US analysts always point to what happened in Australia, and point out that your murder rate with guns has gone down drastically, and you haven't had the repeat of this sort of mass murder," he told broadcaster ABC.
"I think certainly a lot of observers in the US look to the Australian example."
But not the National Rifle Association, which in 2015 disputed whether Australia's gun buyback scheme and ban on semiautomatic weapons actually helped reduce rates of violent crime.
"The Australian people paid a massive price in liberty. Their reward? At best, an unexamined resolution that things were somehow better now," it said.
"Gun rights were, for all practical purposes, gone forever."
All guns in Australia must now be registered, although many arrive illegally from overseas through organised syndicates and tens of thousands of the weapons are still believed to be on the streets.
Canberra set up a new border protection agency merging operations from the customs and immigration departments in 2014, partly to better prevent illicit arms shipments.
Since then millions of dollars have been spent on improved tools to detect illegal firearms in the mail or cargo, while a police anti-gang squad has seized 5,500 illicit guns or gun parts since being established in 2013.
Despite this, the government wants to go even further to tackle the threat of extremist attacks and gangland shootings, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Tuesday saying he planned to meet with state and territory leaders this week to further strengthen measures.
Washington: British prime minister Theresa May on Monday called US president Donald Trump and conveyed her condolences after at least 58 people were killed at a concert in Las Vegas, the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.
Trump thanked May and praised the first responders in Las Vegas for their immediate and continued actions, the White House said in a statement.
At least 58 people were killed and 515 others injured on Sunday night when a gunman went on a shooting rampage from the 32nd floor of a hotel on a concert attended by thousands of people.
This is the deadliest shooting incident in modern US history.
Meanwhile in a statement, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau offered his deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones and friends in the Las Vegas shooting and prayed for a fast and full recovery for the many injured.
"We stand with the United States, and share their pain and horror at such a senseless and cowardly act of violence," he said.
"Las Vegas has long been celebrated by people from around the globe, including many Canadians. We grieve with this city and the United States. Such acts only strengthen our resolve to stand together, united. This city is a destination for people from around the world, and we are following up on reports of Canadian victims. Consular officials are in close contact with local authorities," Trudeau added.
Americans across the country have expressed shock at the tragic incident.
"America woke up this morning to heartbreaking news. This evil tragedy horrifies us all. To the people of Las Vegas and to the families of the victims, we are with you during this time. The whole country stands united in our shock, in our condolences, and in our prayers," said Congressman Paul Ryan, Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
"This morning, our nation awoke to news of the largest mass shooting in our history. All of America grieves for the innocent men and women whose lives were cruelly cut short by this tragedy, and our prayers are with the families of those wounded and missing," said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi.
It is particularly despicable that this attack was carried out during a concert, transforming an evening of music and celebration into a heartbreaking and horrific night of violence, Pelosi said, adding that "Our nation will never allow fear and violence to bow us or break our spirits".
Communities across the US will feel the pain of this violence personally as several off-duty police officers attended the concert, one of whom was wounded, said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.
Heartbroken by the terror in Las Vegas. Everyone must be outraged at this latest shooting and they must act, Senator Ben Cardin said.
"Congress must act. States must act. Weapons of war should not be in the hands of civilians. We see the deadly results in Las Vegas just as we saw it in Orlando and Blacksburg, San Bernardino, Aurora, Sandy Hook, the streets of Baltimore, and elsewhere across this great country.
"We need to do everything in our power to stop the carnage of these shootings," Cardin said. Senator Tom Carper said that it is critical that federal, state and local law enforcement officials work together to get to the bottom of this attack.
"This is yet another brutal reminder that we must be vigilant here at home against threats of terrorism and face the grim reality that our gun safety laws need to be reexamined," he said.
Las Vegas: Investigators worked feverishly on Tuesday to find out why a retired accountant gunned down at least 59 people and wounded over 500 others at an open-air concert in Las Vegas, raking the crowd with bullets from a 32nd-floor hotel room packed with weapons.
As America grappled with the deadliest mass shooting in its history, officials reacted cautiously to an Islamic State group claim that Stephen Craig Paddock, 64, had carried out Sunday night's massacre on behalf of the jihadist group.
Police said Paddock, who had no criminal record, smashed windows in his hotel room shortly after 10 pm on Sunday and trained bursts of automatic weapons fire on thousands of people attending a country music concert down below.
In footage of the massacre broadcast on CNN, the sustained rattle of gunfire is heard as people scream and bolt for cover with little idea of where the shots were coming from.
"We saw bodies down. We didn't know if they had fallen or had been shot," said Ralph Rodriguez, an IT consultant from Pomona Valley near Los Angeles, who was at the concert with a group of friends.
"People started grabbing their loved-ones and just strangers, and trying to help them get out of the way," he said.
In a statement on online, Islamic State claimed Paddock was one of its "soldiers" but the FBI said it had found no such connection so far with the local sheriff describing him as a lone "psychopath."
Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said Paddock fired through the door of his hotel room and hit a security guard in the leg.
But when a SWAT team stormed the room where Paddock had been staying since 28 September, they found he had killed himself.
Inside the room were 23 firearms including automatic weapons, he said.
Investigators also found another 19 firearms along with explosives and several thousand rounds of ammo at Paddock's house in Mesquite, Nevada, some 130 km away.
Lombardo said they had discovered several pounds of an explosive called tannerite at the house as well as ammonium nitrate, a type of fertiliser, in his car.
He said the death toll had risen to 59, with another 527 people wounded.
But the gunman's motive remains unclear.
"We're hunting down and tracing every single clue that we can get on his background," the sheriff said at a late-night briefing.
So far, investigators had found no manifesto or anything else to explain Paddock's actions, he said.
"This individual is a lone wolf and I don't know how it could have been prevented," he said earlier.
"I can't get into the mind of a psychopath at this point."
As the investigation continued, details started to emerge in the media about some of the victims a kindergarten teacher from California who married her childhood sweetheart; a Tennessee nurse; a high school secretary from New Mexico and a cheerleader, also from California.
Monday night, there were vigils of solidarity with the dead and the wounded.
The Empire State Building went dark, as did the Eiffel Tower and much of the Las Vegas strip itself.
President Donald Trump denounced what he called "an act of pure evil" and said he would visit Las Vegas on Wednesday.
But the White House pushed back at calls to reopen the US debate on tighter gun controls.
"A motive is yet to be determined and it would be premature for us to discuss policy when we don't fully know all of the facts or what took place last night," Trump's spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.
Lombardo said Paddock had apparently used some kind of hammer to smash the window of his hotel room before opening fire on the crowd of some 22,000 people.
Islamic State, which provided no evidence for its claims, described him as a "soldier of the caliphate" saying he converted to Islam several months ago and went by the name Abu Abdel Bar al-Amriki "The American."
But the Federal Bureau of Investigation said it had found no such link so far. "We have determined to this point no connection with an international terrorist group," FBI special agent Aaron Rouse said.
CIA spokesman Jonathan Liu said the intelligence community was aware of the claim but advised "caution on jumping to conclusions before the facts are in."
At least 59 people were killed and 527 injured when a gunman opened fire on concert-goers Sunday night in Las Vegas.
Here's what we know about the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history:
What happened
A crowd of more than 22,000 people was listening to country music star Jason Aldean at the Route 91 Harvest Festival when bursts of automatic gunfire erupted around 10.08 pm local time.
Police said the lone shooter opened fire with multiple weapons on concert-goers from his 32nd floor room at the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino across the street on the famed Las Vegas Strip.
"People started grabbing their loved-ones and just strangers, and trying to help them get out of the way," said Ralph Rodriguez, IT consultant who was at the concert with a group of friends.
The gunman
Police identified the gunman as Stephen Craig Paddock, a wealthy retired former accountant from Mesquite, Nevada, around 130 kilometers northeast of Las Vegas.
The sole suspect in the shooting, the 64-year-old Paddock killed himself in his hotel room as a police SWAT team was about to break in.
Police recovered at least 16 rifles from his room, and later found a weapons cache including over 18 firearms, explosives and several thousand rounds of ammo at his home in Mesquite.
A former accountant and a licensed private pilot, police said Paddock had had no known brushes with the law.
Eric Paddock, the gunman's elder brother, told local media he could not fathom what motivated him.
Stephen Paddock regularly played high-stakes video poker but was wealthy and had "no religious affiliation, no political affiliation," the brother said.
Deadliest US mass shooting ever
Las Vegas Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said 59 people had been confirmed dead and 527 wounded.
The toll could yet rise but the Las Vegas Strip shooting is already the deadliest ever in the United States, exceeding the toll of 49 killed at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida in June 2016.
Motive
The Islamic State group, without providing evidence, claimed that Paddock was one of its "soldiers", who went by the nom de guerre Abu Abdel Bar al-Amriki "The American".
He converted to Islam several months ago, the group said.
The FBI said it had found no such connection so far, and the local sheriff described him as a lone "psychopath."
Political reaction
In a televised address, Donald Trump described the massacre as an "act of pure evil" but said it would not shatter the nation's "unity."
Trump refrained from addressing the unproven IS claim of responsibility, or calls for gun control and the White House said it would be "premature" to reopen the US debate on tighter gun restrictions.
Trump led White House staff and senior US officials in a moment of silence on the South Lawn of the White House, and announced he would visit Las Vegas on Wednesday.
A day after a lone shooter Stephen Paddock killed 59 people at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, in what is called the worst gun-related violence in US history, the ongoing debate on gun control has been reignited. While condemning Monday's attack, US president Donald Trump said that it is "premature" to talk about introducing tougher gun control laws.
While Trump's predecessor Barack Obama tried to bring in tougher gun control laws, it is easier said than done, and there is a primary reason for it.
The right to hold guns is as old as the American State itself. In 1791, the United States Congress passed the second amendment to the Constitution. The amendment allowed every citizen to bear arms and ammunition. Gun culture is so deep-rooted in US that at least 74 percent of Americans believe holding a gun is essential to their sense of freedom.
Laws differ from state to state
However, being a truly federal state, rules governing arms and ammunition differ from state to state.
Nevada, the state where the shootout took place, has one of the most relaxed gun laws in the United States. Nevada's laws are so liberal that a citizen does not even need to have a license to bear arms. The state also does not limit the number of guns a person can possess.
On the other hand, California is known to have some of the strictest laws on guns in the United States. In California, the biggest state in the US, a person needs to pass a universal background check and wait for at least 10 days before he could lay his hands on his guns. Moreover, a person needs to pass a written safety test before buying a gun.
Strictest and easiest place to buy a gun
If ranked on a scale of strictest to the loosest gun control laws, California, Connecticut and New Jersey are some of the strictest place to procure a gun.
On the other hand, states like Louisiana, Mississippi and Arizona come on the lower end of gun control laws, where one can buy a firearm online without undergoing a background check.
Three states prohibit carrying of firearms openly in public California, Florida and Illinois as well as the District of Columbia. Notably, 31 states allow open carry, while 15 others require a license for doing so. Many states allow their citizens to bear arms, although in a concealed manner.
In the US, it is legal to purchase three types of guns: handguns, shotguns and rifles, The Atlantic article noted.
However, looking at its potential to inflict large-scale damage, the US in the 80s, regulated automatic weapons.
Loopholes in the law
In 1993, the Brady law came into effect, which required federal arms dealers to do background checks before selling firearms. However, this law has been "gun law loophole", as a large number of dealers do not conduct background checks before selling their firearms. In addition, there are those dealers who do not have a federal license but yet sell firearms.
Nevertheless, in 2004, the US law to manufacture certain semi-automatic weapons like AK 47s expired. With this, loopholes in the federal law only increased.
While the federal legislation in 1986 made the sale of fully automatic weapons illegal, there is always a chance to convert a semi-automatic rifle into an automatic weapon. Reports now suggest that Paddock may have used the same method to turn his semi-automatic weapon into an automatic one.
Australia an example to follow for the US?
After the latest instance of mass shooting, Australia's foreign minister Julie Bishop said that her country is ready to help the US in formulating a stricter gun control policy.
Under John Howard, we implemented the national firearms agreement this prohibited semiautomatic and automatic weapons. We had that national gun buyback scheme. We can share our experience, Bishop was quoted by The Daily Telegraph as saying.
With inputs from AFP
Washington: Indian-American lawmakers have called for changes in the gun control laws in the US, as they condemned the Las Vegas mass shooting, the deadliest in the country's modern history which claimed nearly 60 lives. Gun violence is a public health crisis that has claimed thousands of innocent lives and the Congress must do everything it can to address it, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said, hours after a gunman opened fire on a large crowd during a music concert in Las Vegas.
The American people are tired of being outraged, sending thoughts and prayers, seeing men, women and children die because the gun lobby does put profit over people, Jayapal said during her speech on the floor of the US House of Representatives on Monday.
"That is not what our founders intended by the 'right to bear arms'," the first-time lawmaker from Washington State said, as she joined several of her Congressional colleagues calling for changes in gun control laws.
"With rights come responsibilities: the responsibility to stop gun sales loopholes, to enact protections that make sure our children and those with severe mental illnesses don't have access to guns, to address funding for mental health, and to oppose any efforts to make it easier to purchase silencers," Jayapal said.
The first ever Indian-American women elected to the House of Representatives said 87 per cent of gun owners and 74 per cent of NRA members support those commonsense solutions like criminal background checks.
"I have a plea for gun owners across this country: Urge the non-resident aliens (NRA) to represent your views. Show them that you mean business by speaking out or even terminating your NRA membership. Show that you care about your fellow Americans," she said.
She added: "Act now. Enough is enough." The Las Vegas shooting on Sunday night, in which at least 59 people were killed and more than 500 wounded, has rekindled the debate on gun control laws in the US.
Nearly 12,000 Americans have been killed by guns in 273 mass shootings in 2017 so far one incident for each day, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a not-for-profit corporation that tracks gun-related violence in the US.
On an average, more than 90 Americans lose their lives to gun violence every day, a daily toll of heartbreak and tragedy in communities across the US. Other Indian-American Congressmen too joined Jayapal in condemning the incident.
No community should have to fear going to the movies, a concert, or dropping their child off at school, said Ami Bera, the three-term Congressman from California.
"In the wake of this tragedy, I hope we'll all be able to take the time to look for the helpers and that each of us, in our own way, will seek to help our nation heal, move forward, and work to prevent similar tragedies," Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democrat Congressman from 8th district Illinois, said.
"We must end this senseless violence," said Congressman Ro Khanna, Democrat Congressman from 17th district California. In a statement, UNITED SIKHS condemned the "senseless act" of terror.
Its volunteers have teamed with Gurdwaras, where shelter, hot meals (langar) and other assistance is being offered to all who may need it. Sikh taxi drivers are volunteering to drive people to their destinations safely, it said.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on 3 October. It is being updated in light of the Denver Walmart shooting that took place on Thursday morning.
At least two people were killed after a shootout inside a Walmart in a Denver suburb.
Lack of proper gun control and not-very-heavy security at events, like the Denver Walmart shootout or the Las Vegas shooting, means that little could have been done to prevent the carnage.
According to security experts, the challenges lie in part in the difficulty of imposing harsh policies on places and events meant for fun and relaxation, and foiling a perpetrator bent on bloodshed.
Investigators recovered at least 16 guns, including assault rifles, from Las Vegas shooter Stephen Paddock's room at the Mandalay Bay, and another 18 firearms along with bomb-making materials at one of his two homes.
There have already been over 270 mass shootings in the United States this year alone, according to www.massshootingtracker.org, although the exact definition is contested, reported AFP.
Gun violence accounts for more than 33,000 deaths each year in the United States, and according to the latest Gallup poll, 55 percent of American voters would like to see stricter rules for buying guns.
But the issue is highly sensitive and US president Donald Trump's own views have changed markedly over his years in public life.
After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, where 20 six and seven-year old children and six adults were mowed down by a disturbed 20-year-old, Trump appeared to favor stricter rules.
Back then, his predecessor Obama who often called Sandy Hook the worst moment of his eight year presidency called for the deadlock to be broken and for Congress to act.
At that time Trump tweeted: "President Obama spoke for me and every American in his remarks in #Newtown Connecticut."
But since then Trump whose White House bid was endorsed by the National Rifle Association (NRA) has positioned himself as a defender of the constitutional "right to keep and bear arms."
The NRA donated an estimated $30 million to Trump's campaign in 2016, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Apart from the fact that the US is one of the few countries in which the right to bear arms is constitutionally protected, the US also has six times as many firearm homicides as Canada and nearly 16 times as many as Germany, according to Vox.
Moreover, gun control has a direct link with firearm homicides in the US as the article further pointed out that states with more guns have more gun deaths.
America no stranger to horrible mass shootings
The demand for stricter gun control is not a new one. People have been demanding stricter laws for a long time. Instead, stricter gun control is still absent and America has witnessed some horrible crimes because of that.
In June 2016, a gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun opened fire inside a crowded Florida nightclub, killing at least 50 people before dying in a gunfight with SWAT officers.
The suspect exchanged gunfire with an officer working at the gay club known as Pulse at around 2 am, when more than 300 people were inside, again making heavy security arrangements difficult.
In 2015, 14 people were killed in San Bernardino when Syed Rizwan Farook (28) and his wife Tashfeen Malik (27) opened fire at a social services centre. They fled the scene but died hours later in a shootout with the police.
Before the Sandy Hook tragedy, in 2009, US military psychiatrist Maj Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire at the Fort Hood military processing centre, killing 13 persons and severely injuring 38 others before being shot and captured.
In 2007, Seung-Hui Cho, a student at Virginia Tech, shot dead 32 people in two separate attacks around two hours apart, according to Daily Mail.
So what are the current gun laws in the US?
Even though the Second Amendment of the US Constitution says that the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed and federal law has minimum standards for firearm regulation, individual states have their own laws when it comes to gun control.
According to The Sun, even though most states have prohibited or regulated laws related to 'open carry' carrying arround of firearms in public most of them have also eventually weakened the laws.
Thirty-one states in the US allow open carry and fifteen other states require a license for open carry.
California, Florida and Illinois prohibit people from open carry. New York and South Carolina prohibit open carry but long guns are exceptions. Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Jersey prohibit open carry of long guns but not handguns.
Gun laws in Las Vegas are some of the most lenient in the US. In Nevada, people are allowed to carry firearms and do not even have to register themselves as a gun owner.
People are allowed to sell weapons privately and Nevada also does not ban assault weapons. There are also no limits on buying ammunition.
Las Vegas: The mass shooting in Las Vegas is the deadliest in modern United States history, but is it terrorism?
While much will hinge on the motives of a white gunman attacking a mostly-white country music crowd, that uncomfortable question also hits at some of America's most divisive issues: race, religion and politics.
The FBI said Monday that the 64-year-old shooter, identified as US citizen Stephen Paddock, had no connection to an international terrorist group. The Islamic State group earlier claimed responsibility, saying Paddock was a recent convert. But beyond the claim, which offered no proof, the shooter's motives are unclear and little was known immediately beyond his name and his choice of target.
"Just because we rush to ascribe motive when the shooter is Muslim doesn't mean we should rush to ascribe motive when the shooter is white," Shadi Hamid, a fellow at the Brookings Institute think tank and author of Islamic Exceptionalism, wrote in a tweet Monday.
Just because we rush to ascribe motive when the shooter is Muslim doesn't mean we should rush to ascribe motive when the shooter is white. Shadi Hamid (@shadihamid) October 2, 2017
Paddock, from Mesquite, Nevada, apparently killed himself as police closed in on his hotel room. The lack of known motive so far clouds whether the shooting meets traditional definitions of terrorism. Those generally include having a political, economic, religious or social goal; and using violence to convey a message to a broader audience than just the victims.
The absence of information leaves many to fall back on a debate that has roiled the United States since even before Timothy McVeigh used a truck bomb against a federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995.
McVeigh was convicted not of terrorism, but of using a weapon of mass destruction and of murder for the deaths of eight federal law enforcement officers who died in the blast, which killed a total of 168 people.
At well over 50 dead, Sunday's toll surpassed that of the June 2016 shooting at Orlando's Pulse nightclub, which killed 49 people. The Orlando shooting was carried out by Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old US citizen who claimed allegiance to the Islamic State group and was killed by police. Then-president Barack Obama called it "an act of terror and an act of hate."
Within hours of the Pulse shooting, then-candidate Donald Trump sent a self-congratulatory tweet "for being right on radical Islamic terrorism." On Monday, as president, Trump offered condolences to victims and their families and called the shooting "an act of pure evil."
Outside the US, recent attacks that have resulted in terrorism charges include the November 2015 Islamic State attacks in Paris, which killed 130, and the 2011 rampage by Norwegian mass killer Anders Breivik, a neo-Nazi who gunned down 77 people in 2011.
Ahead of Monday's shootings, Randall Law, who wrote Terrorism: A History, said he believed there is a racial component to the United States' reluctance to clarify or prosecute with domestic terror laws.
Many Americans, he said, think only "people with foreign names ... and people with dark skin funding foreign ideologies" would commit such horrific acts.
He adds that different branches in the US federal government from Homeland Security to the FBI to the State Department have "multiple definitions of terrorism." ''It's a truism that nobody can quite agree on how to define terrorism," he said.
Law said there are complex arguments against drawing up a comprehensive definition of domestic terrorism in law. First Amendment concerns arise in legal discussions about making domestic terrorism a crime. Many worry the federal government would criminalise speech, religion or ideology.
Regardless, Nevada law has a clear definition of terrorism: "The use or attempted use of sabotage, coercion or violence which is intended to cause great bodily harm or death to the general population."
The mayor of Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman, made no reference to that on Monday, simply describing the shooter as "a crazed lunatic, full of hate."
Whether a crime is called terrorism has important practical implications, as Connecticut representative Jim Himes, whose state endured the mass killing at Sandy Hook elementary school, in 2012, pointed out.
"Now we're obsessing over whether the (Nevada) carnage was 'terrorism'," he wrote in a tweet. "If we decide it is, we'll mobilise untold resources. If not, nothing."
Baltimore: A coalition of Muslim and Iranian-American advocates and a nonpartisan legal institute filed the first lawsuits against the Trump administration's new travel restrictions for citizens of eight countries, including Iran, that were announced late in September.
The suits were filed Monday in federal courts in New York and Maryland.
The Trump administration in September announced the most recent restrictions, which affect citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen and some Venezuelan government officials and their families. They are to go into effect 18 October.
One lawsuit, filed on Monday night in US District Court for the Southern District of Maryland on behalf of the Iranian Alliance Across Borders and six individuals, argued that restricting travel for citizens of predominantly Muslim countries violates the US Constitution.
A second suit, filed hours earlier in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, sought to compel the State Department to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request and turn over documents submitted to the White House by the Department of Homeland Security detailing the information-sharing practices of foreign countries and justifying the decision to exclude travelers from select countries.
The US Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. The White House referred questions to the State Department, which declined to comment on ongoing litigation.
President Donald Trump on 24 September issued a proclamation outlining the new travel restrictions. Administration officials said the latest version is the result of a lengthy process, based on an objective assessment of each country's security situation and willingness to share information with the US.
It was the administration's third measure to limit travel after a broad ban that sparked chaos at US airports in January and numerous challenges in courts across the country. The administration later issued a temporary order after suffering legal setbacks on the earlier attempt at restrictions.
The Iranian Alliance Across Borders lawsuit is filed against Trump, acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, acting Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection Kevin McAleenan, acting Director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services James McCament, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The suit argues that simply adding two countries that are not majority-Muslim to the list is only "an effort to disguise the Proclamation's targeting of Muslims." Such discrimination violates the First Amendment and the Immigration and Nationality Act, the suit says. The group is asking for a nationwide injunction to stop the restrictions from going into effect.
"Despite President Trump's attempts to cloak this latest iteration of his Muslim ban in religiously neutral garb by invoking a national security review and including North Korea and Venezuela, the purpose and effect of the Proclamation remain unchanged: to keep Muslims from entering the United States."
The prior ban included Sudan but didn't include Chad, North Korea or Venezuela. The new measures range from an indefinite ban on visas for citizens of Syria to more targeted limitations. Iranians, for example, will not be eligible for immigrant, tourism or business visas but remain eligible for student and cultural exchange visas if they undergo additional scrutiny.
Johnathan Smith, legal director for Muslim Advocates, an organisation representing the plaintiffs in both lawsuits, said the complaints take issue with both the impact of the travel restrictions and the process by which they were developed.
"You can't ignore the fact that this ban affects heavily Muslim countries, and the fact that they attempt to obscure that bias by adding two countries North Korea and Venezuela that don't have a Muslim majority doesn't negate the fact that at its core, this policy is about blocking entry of Muslim individuals into the United States," Smith said.
"In addition to the challenge of constitutionality to the program, it's equally important to bring some transparency, some light, some sunshine to these processes so all Americans can see what's happening and make their own judgments and assessments about what the White House and federal agencies are doing," he said.
The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups previously sued the administration over its original travel ban on visitors from six majority-Muslim countries. Last week, the ACLU announced that it planned to amend its existing lawsuit to include the latest restrictions, and seek to stop the suspension of visas and other entry restrictions. Justice Department spokesman Ian Prior said in an email Friday that the agency "will continue to vigorously defend the President's inherent authority to keep this country safe."
Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday summoned Indias deputy high commissioner over the alleged ceasefire violations by the Indian troops along the Line of Control (LoC).
The Foreign Office, in a statement, alleged that Indian forces resorted to firing in Rukh Chakri and Rawalakot Sectors on 30 September and 2 October, killing three civilians and injuring five others, including a woman.
Director General (South Asia and SAARC) Mohmmad Faisal summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh and "condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations" by the Indian forces, it said.
Faisal claimed that it was the fifth ceasefire violation by the Indian forces in the past twelve days that killed 11 civilians, including five women, and injured 37 others.
He said despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations.
"The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation", he said.
Pakistan claimed that Indian forces have carried out more than 900 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary this year, which have resulted in the deaths of 43 civilians and injuries to 153, as compared to 382 ceasefire violations in 2016.
Meanwhile, a senior Indian government official said two minors were killed on Monday and 12 civilians injured in cross- border shelling by Pakistan along the LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday embarked on a four-day visit to Djibouti and Ethiopia, his first trip abroad since taking office.
During his visit to the two African nations, the president is expected to sign agreements on institutionalisation of foreign office consultation and greater economic cooperation with Ethiopia, Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary (East and Southern Africa) in the Ministry of External Affairs had said earlier.
Press Secretary to the President Ashok Malik has said that Djibouti is an important Indian Ocean partner country with whom Indias bilateral trade stands at $ 284 million in 2016-17.
"The president is looking forward to the visit. He recognises that the Africa and Indian ocean region are central to Indian foreign policy. That is why this region was chosen as his first foreign visit," Malik said.
India has extended a line of credit of $ 49 million to Djibouti, mainly for constructing a cement plant. It is a strategically located country just off the Gulf of Aden.
Kovinds visit will be the first by an Indian president to Ethiopia after 45 years. The last visit was by President VV Giri in 1972.
India's bilateral trade with Ethiopia in 2016 was nearly $ 1 billion. The country is among the top three foreign investors in Ethiopia with an approved investment of 4 billion dollars.
In both the countries the president will also interact with the members of the Indian community.
Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh): The five-year-old Rohingya boy was so emaciated that doctors could not insert a drip into his tiny arm, one of thousands of children facing life-threatening malnutrition in overstretched Bangladeshi refugee camps.
"He said he hadn't eaten anything in eight days. Nothing," said Dr SK Jahidur Rahman at a clinic run by Bangladeshi medical charity Gonoshasthaya Kendra.
The lucky ones make it to the overwhelmed clinics just in time. But some are not so fortunate, dying before help can reach them or forced to beg by the roadside.
The UN says more than 14,100 children are at risk of dying from malnutrition in wretched camps where half a million mainly Rohingya refugees depend entirely on charities for survival.
Food distribution in the vastly overcrowded settlements is still ad hoc and uncoordinated, the UN says, more than a month after refugees began pouring into southern Bangladesh to escape ethnic bloodshed in Myanmar.
Huge crowds descend on aid deliveries and soldiers need to herd starving people into bamboo pens where they squat cheek by jowl under the scorching sun for a meal.
Many go hungry as charities scramble to feed 500,000 mouths every day.
Children make up the bulk of new arrivals and are most vulnerable to the paucity of food, with 145,500 infants under five needing urgent intervention to stave off malnutrition, aid agencies say.
"Lots of children are showing all the signs of hunger and malnutrition, which is an alarming prospect when they've just fled so much horror," said Save the Children's emergency health unit director Dr Unni Krishnan.
'Skin and bones'
In a field clinic for infants suffering the severest malnutrition, Monura tried to soothe her gaunt 13-month-old daughter Rian Bebe, whose cheekbones jutted out below sunken eyes.
A nurse wrapped a measuring tape around her pencil-thin arm and placed her tiny frame on the scales -- 5.5 kilograms, less than the weight of a healthy child half her age.
Monura, who like many Rohingya uses one name, said she had little to feed her desperately hungry child on the five-day trek from Myanmar.
"Most sip a little water and walk five days," said Dr Rahman. "They hide in the jungle, chewing wood, anything, to beat hunger."
Many Rohingya children were already malnourished before making the perilous journey to Bangladesh, doctors say. Their health has since deteriorated further.
The Rohingya come from impoverished Rakhine , where state-imposed restrictions have ensured abysmal living standards for the persecuted Muslim community.
Their children's immune systems are already weakened, leaving them defenceless should a disease outbreak sweep through the camps as charities fear.
Monura's little girl, chewing on a high-calorie paste, has been rescued just in time and should make a slow recovery.
But for others it is a different story.
In the largest district hospital in Cox's Bazar, a skeletal eight-month-old girl died after being admitted with severe malnutrition and pneumonia contracted in her enfeebled state.
"Skin and bones," lamented Shaheen Abdur Rahman, the hospital's resident medical officer, of the dying girl brought to his ward.
"It was a very grave condition."
Cooking for 10,000
Others drift through the camps desperately seeking food among the chaotic throngs and begging people in passing cars for morsels.
On a roadside near rolling hills of refugee shanties, 15-year-old Sitara Banu worried endlessly about her weak five-month-old son Jahidur Rahman.
"He can't get enough milk. I can't manage to get any food for myself either. I fed him a little banana someone gave me, but that made him sicker," she told AFP.
In a nearby canteen, men in singlets sweated over huge cauldrons, toiling throughout the night to make rice, meat and lentils.
"They will be working for months like this. It is very hard work to cook for 10,000 people," said Abdul Mukit, a volunteer overseeing the kitchen run by Turkish government aid body Tika.
It is a drop in the ocean given the sheer scale of the crisis.
But for thousands of children, most of whom survive on boiled rice and high-energy biscuits when they can get them, this could be their only proper meal of the day.
As a truck carrying the 40 kilogramme pots approached a relief distribution area, children swarmed the sun-baked clearing from all directions, naked toddlers struggling to keep up with the surge.
Corralled into queues by the military, they sprinted to the volunteers clutching outstretched plates, buckets and plastic bags -- whatever they had to hand.
"It makes me feel good," said head chef Manzar Alam of his part in feeding the youngsters, who carefully take their curry and rice back to their shanties.
Barcelona (Spain): Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont called Monday for international mediation in the crisis pitting his regional separatist executive against Madrid, a day after police violence marred an independence referendum banned by the central government.
Speaking to reporters, he called for "mediation", "which means there must be the presence of a third party, which must be international to be efficient."
Just as he spoke to reporters, Catalans took to the streets of central Barcelona in droves to protest the violence, cutting roads to traffic and shouting: "The streets will always be ours," a phrase that has become the slogan of the pro-referendum movement.
The vote on Sunday saw riot police move in on polling stations in Barcelona and other towns and cities in the Catalan region to stop people from voting, in some cases baton-charging and firing rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
Madrid had warned Catalan separatist leaders they could not hold the vote in a region deeply divided over independence, stating it was illegal and courts had ruled it unconstitutional.
But they had retorted that Catalans had a right to decide on their future and pressed ahead anyway.
More than 800 people received medical attention as a result of the crackdown, according to regional authorities.
Puigdemont also demanded Monday that Madrid withdraw all police it had deployed to Catalonia from other parts of the country.
He requested the "withdrawal of all police forces deployed to Catalonia for these acts of repression."
In the early hours of Monday morning, the Catalan government claimed that 90 percent of voters backed independence in the referendum, which it said saw a turnout of just over 42 percent despite attempts to stop them from voting.
Puigdemont, meanwhile, said his region had "won the right to an independent state."
He told reporters Monday that so far, 73 Catalans had filed official complaints against police brutality.
"It's the biggest day of gratuitous violence that we've experienced in the past 40 years," Puigdemont said, referring to the four decades of democratic rule in Spain.
"Not only can it not happen again, but it can't remain unpunished."
Puigdemont also called for "detente" as Catalans reeled from the clashes.
WORMLEYSBURG The idea of cutting taxes for corporations is something Americans have long felt was a bad idea.
Thats what theyve told pollsters, anyway. Yet President Donald Trump and his allies are betting that many voters just need someone to explain to them how a corporate tax cut would unleash an economic bonanza, with new jobs, faster growth and ample pay raises. And theyre taking that message right to some voters doorsteps in hopes of igniting a surge of support.
So on an unseasonably hot Saturday recently, a chipper Ashley Klingensmith canvassed a neighborhood of stately colonial homes outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Using an iPad, she rang the doorbells of people presumed to be sympathetic to the notion of revamping the federal tax code. And indeed, all but one of the nine she and a colleague interviewed agreed that corporate taxes should be lowered as Trump and Republican leaders have proposed in hopes of further strengthening the job market.
Yet not everyone saw it as an urgent problem that a president who is facing tough problems involving North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, trade deals and natural disasters must solve this year.
He has so much on his plate that its going to be hard to get the Congress to focus on that, what with how many thousands of pages of the IRS tax code thats out there, that need to be redone, said Leora Kirkpatrick, a retiree.
At some other homes, Klingensmith encountered people prepared to blame Republicans in Congress rather than the president if a tax overhaul failed, whether or not it included a corporate tax cut.
Weve got a Congress that doesnt do anything, said Harold DeGarmo, who retired after working for the Army for 40 years. I think (Trump) is doing good, trying to. The Republicans are fighting him.
The canvassing was part of a 35-state operation spearheaded by Americans for Prosperity, a group backed by the billionaire Koch brothers network and where Klingensmith, 31, works as Pennsylvania field director. There are also phone bank operations and TV ad campaigns run by outside groups that have met with White House officials as part of the push. The outreach is expected to continue in coming months in hopes of helping drive the plan through Congress.
The operation is meant to remedy a perceived flaw in Trumps failed drive to repeal President Barack Obamas 2010 health insurance law. That effort lacked a base of voters ready to push lawmakers to back the repeal. By contrast, the outreach on taxes is aimed at loyal conservative voters who are seen as open to applying pressure to lawmakers via phone calls and meetings.
It was impossible to gauge around Harrisburg just how intense the follow-through will be by targeted voters. But the state directors of Americans for Prosperity held more than 100 meetings with federal lawmakers and staff last week.
On paper, it isnt an easy sell. Trumps tax plan would slash business taxes by $2.65 trillion over a decade while increasing the tax burden on families and individuals by $471 billion, according to a preliminary analysis by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.
The sales job amounts to a test of whether Trumps allies can galvanize ordinary people on an issue as complex and polarizing as taxes. Among their talking points is that the tax code is a deplorable mess that favors special interests. U.S. companies, they argue, pay an inflated tax rate compared with those in other countries. So reducing the 35 percent corporate rate to 20 percent and eliminating unspecified loopholes, they say, would kick economic growth into a higher speed.
Vanessa Williamson, a fellow at the Brookings Institution who studies public attitudes toward taxes, said cutting corporate taxes has remained consistently unpopular with voters despite the efforts of conservative groups.
Theyve been trying for decades at the elite levels of the Republican Party to make pro-big-business issues something that motivates their base and I dont think theyve had much success, Williamson said.
In April, the Pew Research Center found that 62 percent of Americans said they were bothered a lot by their belief that some corporations dont pay their fair share of taxes. That perception concerned people far more than the amount of taxes they paid or the complexity of the tax code. A Washington Post-ABC News poll in September reported that 65 percent of Americans said they believed large companies paid too little in taxes.
Trump might be the rare politician who can bridge the gap between corporations and ordinary voters who feel let down by the political establishment. He campaigned against trade deals and illegal immigration while casting himself as a corporate success in a way that reassured voters who sought a stronger economy.
He is somewhat uniquely positioned to make that argument because he ran and is governing as a populist, said Rohit Kumar, a former tax counsel to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who is now an executive in PwCs tax policy services practice.
Most economists favor simplifying the corporate tax code by removing loopholes and reducing rates to make the system more efficient and transparent. But mainstream analyses say corporate tax cuts wouldnt generate anywhere near the growth or jobs being promised by Trump.
The Treasury Department last week removed from its website an internal 2012 analysis that challenged its argument that lower corporate rates would disproportionately benefit ordinary workers. The analysis had suggested that any savings from lower corporate rates would flow mainly to wealthy investors, business owners and top executives, with a small share of the benefits going to ordinary workers.
Defying that conclusion, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has said its his belief based on the studies he prefers that lower corporate rates help primarily middle class workers, not the wealthy.
The argument that corporate tax cuts could benefit much of America might stand as good a chance of registering in the Harrisburg area as just about anywhere. The metro area lost more than 1,000 companies roughly 8 percent of all businesses in the past decade. The losses involved primarily businesses that employed fewer than 20, according to the Census Bureau. The areas unemployment rate is 4.6 percent, still higher than the 3.7 percent rate when the Great Recession officially began a decade ago.
It was in one such typical neighborhood that Klingensmith, 31, wearing black leggings and running shoes, left her black SUV idling as she power-walked to each door. She joined Americans for Prosperity three years ago, having previously worked as a district staffer for Rep. Keith Rothfus, a Republican in western Pennsylvania, after graduating from law school in Pittsburgh.
As Klingensmith and a fellow volunteer knocked on about three dozen doors, they posed four questions that struck a succession of themes: That it had been three decades since the tax code was overhauled, that Americans were forced to spend too much time filling out tax forms, that loopholes existed for the politically connected and that the corporate tax rate had been hindering economic growth.
The questions resembled whats known as a push poll, in which the goal tends to be to sway opinion rather than elicit objective feedback.
Our burdensome tax code is hindering economic growth, Klingensmith said. America has the highest corporate tax rate in the world, which is preventing job creation and making us less competitive. Do you think that reducing the corporate tax would make America a better place to do business and spur economic growth?
Heres how that question was typically answered by residents:
Absolutely.
Oh, yes.
Most definitely.
That was just what Klingensmith wanted to hear.
And she responded to them with a Wonderful! or an Amen, sister.
What does it say about Kansas that three teenagers are running for governor?
All three high school students say they are serious contenders to succeed Gov. Sam Brownback, whose administration has by all accounts been an absolute flop. In less than five years, Brownbacks firm belief that the state could tax-cut its way to prosperity proved to be a horrendous debacle. The promised flood of private sector jobs never materialized. Could these high-schoolers do any worse?
Among the other candidates they face is Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who has become a trusted collaborator of President Donald Trump and who is the It Boy of the Republican crusade to kick certain Americans off the voting rolls. Voter suppression policies first honed by Kobach in Kansas, predicated on the fallacy that voter fraud is rampant, have been adopted across the country. Meanwhile, his attempts to find and prosecute such violations in Kansas have turned into an expensive farce. (Again, could the high schoolers do any worse?)
I salute their energy and willingness to serve their fellow Kansans, but the truth is they are running because they can. There are zero requirements zilch for gubernatorial candidates in Kansas. There are no age limits. No basic requirements. In fact, a candidate need not even be registered to vote, nor do they have to be a human being. (Its only a matter of time before Toto enters the race.)
The young candidates include a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old from Wichita and a 17-year-old from Prairie Village, a suburb of Kansas City. All are boys.
An argument could be made that allowing such youthful candidates makes a mockery of the states highest office. What we need are elected officials who are more seasoned in life, not less. Maybe then we wouldnt have ridiculous antics such as the Missouri state senator who recently hoped on Facebook for the president to be assassinated.
Every state has at least one example of such
daftness. It never ends. A Kansas legislator once opined that undocumented immigrants should be hunted like feral hogs, with a gun from above in a helicopter.
And voters too often let this foolishness pass or, worse, encourage it. Weve deluded ourselves into thinking that someone who seems relatable, a lot like ourselves, is the best candidate. Intelligence, experience in government, ability to grasp the complexities of policy and process: Who needs it? Americans vote for, and campaigns promote, candidates who flatter the average.
Its a symptom of poll-driven electioneering. And it produces a political system that appeals to nobody in particular. (The exception is gerrymandered or otherwise overwhelmingly partisan districts, where pandering to extremists is increasingly typical.) Its hardly a surprise that so many Americans choose not to be engaged in electoral politics.
The lax no, deplorable voting patterns in the United States begin when prospective voters are young. They often dont see voting as a civic duty or, in many cases, even as a right to protect jealously.
The three young candidates in Kansas may be having a bit of a lark, but they are indicative of what American politics needs. Primarily, our political system must engage people at a far younger age than it does now. (Also, we need to get young women involved. None has thrown her hat in the Kansas gubernatorial ring yet.)
Jack Bergeson of Wichita, running with a 17-year-old friend as his lieutenant governor, includes some telling language in his website: Despite our age, we feel the obligation to run for public office and give the people of Kansas a choice of candidates who have had no chance to be unadulterated by the political establishments of Topeka or Washington, D.C.
Imagine that: a candidate who pitches himself as new, fresh and unseasoned.
Yes, the American political system could use the invigoration of fresh voices, of people who arent beholden to slush funds put together by PACs with untraceable donor lists, or to party hierarchies that threaten elected officials with being primaried for even the slightest perceived infraction against a set ideology.
Too often, something happens to people, even very well-intentioned people, when they seek to enter politics.
Weve cranked up the political system to work against the better intentions of newbie candidates. People cant get elected without a lot of money. So our parties ossify; our political process becomes unresponsive.
So maybe we should foster the passions and advocacy of young people. We may not find them qualified to lead a state before they have graduated high school, but we need to listen to them, respect them and channel their best impulses toward a future when they will have the experience necessary to lead.
Mary Sanchez is an opinion-page columnist for The Kansas City Star. Readers may email her at msanchez@kcstar.com.
An assailant opened fire at the Mandalay Bay casino in Las Vegas Sunday, killing at least 58 people and injuring more than 500. The massacre marks the deadliest shooting in U.S. history, surpassing the 2016 rampage at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, where 49 people were killed.
More than half of the nations deadliest mass shootings have occurred in the last two decades. FOX Business takes a look at the top 10.
2. Pulse Nightclub: Orlando, Fla. - June 12, 2016
Forty nine people were killed and 50 were wounded at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The attacker referenced ISIS and the terror group called him "a soldier of the Caliphate in America."
3. Virginia Tech: Blacksburg, Va. - April 16, 2007
A single gunman went on a shooting rampage at the university, killing 32 people and injuring 17 before killing himself.
4. Sandy Hook Elementary School: Newtown, Conn. - Dec. 14, 2012
The assailant shot his way through a glass window at the front of the elementary school he had attended as a child, firing at and killing 26 people. Among the victims were 20 first grade students and six adults.
5. Luby's Cafeteria: Killeen, Texas - Oct. 16, 1991
A gunman opened fire in a crowded cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, killing 23 people and wounding at least 20 others before turning the gun on himself.
6. McDonald's restaurant: San Ysidro, Calif. - July 18, 1984
The attacker opened fire on a McDonalds restaurant using a semi-automatic pistol, killing 21 people and wounding 19.
7. (tie) University of Texas Tower: Austin, Texas - Aug. 1, 1966
A lone gunman killed his wife and mother before opening fire from the University of Texas Tower, killing 14 people and wounding 31.
7. (tie) Edmond Post Office: Edmond, Okla. - Aug. 20, 1986
A disgruntled mailman opened fire on his post office, killing 14 people and wounding six others before turning the gun on himself.
7. (tie) San Bernardino, Calif. - Dec. 2, 2015
A husband and wife duo opened fire at the Inland Regional Center, killing 14 people and injuring several others. The FBI believes this was an inspired terrorist act, but there has been no indication it was directed by a foreign terror organization.
10. (tie) Columbine High School: Littleton, Colo. - April 20, 1999
Two high school students carried out a shooting rampage at Columbine High School that killed 13 people and injured 24 others. The attack is the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history after Sandy Hook.
10. (tie) Fort Hood, Texas - Nov. 5, 2009
A U.S. Army Officer went on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, killing 13 people and injuring 30. The tragedy was the worst mass murder at a U.S. military instillation.
Information compiled from Fox News Research
U.S. lawmakers are due to question the former head of Equifax at a Tuesday hearing that could shed light on how hackers accessed the personal data of more than 140 million consumers.
Richard Smith retired last week but the 57-year-old executive will answer for the breach that the credit bureau acknowledged in early September.
Late Monday, Equifax said an independent review had boosted the number of potentially affected U.S. consumers by 2.5 million to 145.5 million.
In March, the U.S. Homeland Security Department alerted Equifax to an online gap in security but the company did nothing, said Smith.
"The vulnerability remained in an Equifax web application much longer than it should have," Smith said in remarks prepared for delivery on Tuesday. "I am here today to apologize to the American people myself."
Smith will face the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday but there will be three more such hearings this week.
Equifax keeps a trove of consumer data for banks and other creditors who want to know whether a customer is likely to default.
The cyber-hack has been a calamity for Equifax which has lost roughly a quarter of its stock market value and seen several top executives step down alongside Smith.
Smith's replacement, Paulino do Rego Barros Jr., has also apologized for the hack and said the company will help customers freeze their credit records and monitor any misuse.
There has been a public outcry about the breech but no more than 3.0 percent of consumers have frozen their credit reports, according to research firm Gartner, Inc.
Smith said hackers tapped sensitive information between mid-May and late-July.
Security personnel noticed suspicious activity on July 29 and disabled web application a day later, ending the hacking, Smith said. He said he was alerted the following day, but was not aware of the scope of the stolen data.
On Aug. 2, the company alerted the FBI and retained a law firm and consulting firm to provide advice. Smith notified the board's lead director on Aug. 22.
(Patrick Rucker contributed from Washington; editing by Clive McKeef.)
Wells Fargo & Co CEO Tim Sloan will be questioned about sales practices, mischarging customers for auto insurance, and complaints about mortgage fees at the bank's consumer lending unit when he testifies before U.S. senators on Tuesday.
The U.S.'s third-largest bank has yet to shake off a year-long sales practices scandal that has hammered its reputation, sparking management changes, lawsuits and government investigations.
Reuters reported on Monday that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the leading regulator for Wells Fargo, was considering new sanctions against the bank for customer abuses involving auto insurance and mortgage loans.
Wells Fargo reached a $190 million settlement with regulators a year ago after it said it had opened as many as 2.1 million accounts without customers' authorization to meet internal sales target.
That estimate was raised to potentially as many as 3.5 million in August after an expanded review.
Sloan, appearing before the Senate for the first time as chief executive, is keen to reassure lawmakers that the San Francisco-based bank has moved on from the scandal and will highlight changes he has made including overhauling the structure and senior management of its retail bank.
But with the emergence of more recent problems in other products, including auto insurance and mortgages, he faces a tough task.
The stakes are high for Sloan, a 30 year company veteran. His predecessor, John Stumpf, resigned less then a month after he earlier appeared before the same committee to answer questions about the bank's sales practices.
"We came to Congress without a good plan and all of you were right to criticize us," Sloan said in prepared remarks ahead of the hearing.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who last year accused Stumpf of "gutless leadership", has repeatedly called on the U.S. Federal Reserve to remove 12 members of Wells Fargo's Board of Directors.
Among those is vice chair Elizabeth Duke, a former Federal Reserve Governor who is set to take over as chair of Wells Fargo's board at the start of the year.
Last week, Maxine Waters, the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, released a staff report questioning whether Wells Fargo should be allowed to keep its federal bank charter.
The problems around auto-insurance and mortgage products emerged publicly this year.
In late July, Wells Fargo said hundreds of thousands of customers were due a refund on auto insurance that they did not need.
In late August, a homeowner sued Wells Fargo for charging too much for his fixed-rate mortgage. Wells Fargo has already said its 'rate lock' service is under investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
(Additional reporting by Ross Kerber in Boston; Editing by Carmel Crimmins)
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has awarded a $7.25 million contract to Equifax (NYSE:EFX) in exchange for its help preventing fraud at the government agency.
The no-bid contract, first reported by Politico, appears to have been finalized last week at a time when Equifax is still reeling from a massive hack that compromised the personal information of more than 145 million Americans. According to the filing, Equifax will verify taxpayer identity and assist in the ongoing identity verification and validations needs of the [IRS].
The contract is a sole source order, meaning the IRS is granting Equifax exclusive rights to provide these services.
Meanwhile, former Equifax CEO Richard Smith has a series of testimonies on Capitol Hill this week, where he is faced with angry lawmakers who want answers about a megabreach that compromised the personal information of hundreds of millions of U.S. adults. The breach took place between Mid-May and July, and hackers accessed everything from Social Security numbers to birth dates to drivers license numbers.
Ford Motor Co.'s new CEO plans to cut $14 billion in costs, drop some car models and focus the company's resources on trucks, SUVs and electric vehicles as part of a renewed effort to win over skeptical investors.
Jim Hackett, who became Ford's CEO in May, met with around 100 investors in New York Tuesday to lay out his plans for the future. He said getting the company lean and flexible will help it handle the changes the auto industry is facing, from car-sharing to self-driving vehicles, to the shift to electric cars.
"I feel a real sense of urgency for what we're doing here," Hackett said.
Hackett and his executive team spent the summer reevaluating Ford's operations after former CEO Mark Fields was ousted in May. Hackett traveled to Russia and Turkey and visited North American plants and Ford's Silicon Valley research center as part of his review.
He said he was impressed by the talent at Ford, but wants to update factories and speed product development and decision-making. One of his first moves was to pare down the number of people reporting to him. Hackett has eight direct reports, compared to 18 for Fields.
Ford told investors it expects to reduce material costs by $10 billion by 2022 through new deals with suppliers and simpler designs. The company plans to share more parts between vehicles and reduce the options available for configuring a car. For example, customers can now order a Ford Fusion sedan in 35,000 possible combinations. Ford is reducing that to 96.
Ford also says it will cut $4 billion in engineering costs through 2022 by making fewer prototypes and reducing product-development time.
It plans to cut one-third of its engine development costs and redeploy them to electric and hybrid vehicles. Ford plans to introduce 13 new electrics and hybrids over the next five years, including a small electric SUV coming in 2020.
The company plans to reallocate $7 billion from cars to SUVs and trucks. Global demand for those vehicles is rising, and they are critical to Ford's bottom line. Jim Farley, head of Ford's global markets, said Ford plans more off-road SUVs like the upcoming Bronco for North America and more low-end small SUVs and seven-passenger SUVs for China.
The automaker plans to cut some cars from its lineup, but didn't name them Tuesday. Farley said Ford will still offer small cars, like the Focus, but will stick to more expensive and more profitable versions.
Ford emphasized that it's open to new partnerships, such as its recent agreement with Indian automaker Mahindra Group to cooperate on mobility, electric cars and other projects. It is also working with ride-hailing company Lyft on self-driving technology and with China's Zotye Automobile Co. about an electric car partnership.
The company says its vehicles will get smarter, with 90 percent of its global vehicles getting modem connectivity by 2020. That will allow things like software updates or apps that help drivers find parking. Ford can differentiate itself by offering, say, connected commercial vans that help small businesses keep track of their deliveries.
Marcy Klevorn, Ford's head of mobility, said Ford launched a medical van service eight weeks ago that can pick up wheelchair-bound patients and take them to the doctor. The service uses Ford-developed software for scheduling appointments, and it will help the company figure out ways that consumers will eventually use self-driving vehicles.
"We have created a box of assets that we can pull out and use for various things," Klevorn said.
Ford stuck to its previous guidance for 2017 on Tuesday. The company expects adjusted earnings of $1.65 to $1.85 for the full year. Ford earned $1.76 per share 2016.
Hackett, the former CEO of office furniture company Steelcase Inc., joined Ford's board in 2013. He briefly led Ford's mobility unit before being tapped as CEO.
Ford hired Hackett, in part, to turn around its share price, which has languished for the last two years even as rival General Motors Co. saw its shares rise to their highest level in seven years. Ford sunk below Tesla Inc. in market value earlier this year, even though it earned $4.6 billion in 2016 and Tesla has never made a full-year profit.
Ford's shares rose 2 percent to close at $12.34 Tuesday before Hackett's presentation. It's not yet clear if his pitch will improve investors' confidence.
"Straddling the now and the future will be tricky, especially in terms of profitability," said Michelle Krebs, an executive analyst for the car-buying site Autotrader.com.
Investors have been critical of Ford for waiting too long to bring a long-range electric vehicle to market, as GM did with the Chevrolet Bolt. They also struggled to understand Ford's plans to compete on autonomous cars.
"In the past few years, Ford simply hasn't had a compelling narrative that investors could latch onto," Barclay's analyst Brian Johnson wrote in a recent note to investors.
Our Divisions
Copyright 2022-23 DB Corp ltd., All Rights Reserved
This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics.
Four months after he grabbed the wheel of Americas second-largest automaker, Ford (NYSE:F) CEO Jim Hackett will meet with investors and Wall Street analysts Tuesday to unveil his game plan for the future.
Ford installed Hackett, its one-time mobility chief and the former CEO of furniture maker Steelcase (NYSE:SCS), as its new chief at a time when investors were raising concerns about the companys strategy to develop self-driving carsand how it would make money from related ventures. Ford has also fallen behind some rivals, including General Motors (NYSE:GM), in the race to build electric cars and fast-growing SUVs.
It remains unclear how much Hackett will divulge from Fords playbook. There are plenty of questions about Fords product lineup, production plans, new technologies and internal culture. Overall, analysts expect Hackett to offer a more cohesive vision of Fords future.
Ford has to continue to focus on designing, building and selling the product they have now, because were still going to have a lot of gas-powered cars. Thats their bread and butter. At the same time, Ford has to be looking at where theyre going in the future, said Autotrader Executive Analyst Michelle Krebs. Theyve done work on autonomous and electric vehicles, but I dont feel like theyve pulled it all together.
Balancing the present and future is something that Hackett has emphasized in his early days as Fords CEO. He recently noted that dealers should be pleased with Ford and Lincoln vehicles in the pipeline, and Ford unveiled a premium version of its Super Duty pickup trucks last week.
Meanwhile, Hacketts Ford has already made some moves to accelerate its investment in new technologies. Ford, which has kept much of its autonomous vehicle work in-house, has partnered with Lyft to test self-driving cars in the ride-hailing companys fleet. Ford previously announced that it would offer self-driving cars in fleets by 2021, but details were scarce and prior negotiations with Google's Waymo reportedly fell through. The partnership with Lyft may have surprised some industry insiders given that GM is a major investor.
Also, Ford said Monday a new internal unit called Team Edison will research and develop electric cars, including a crossover with a range of 300 miles. Ford intends to launch a total of 13 battery-powered cars in the next five years.
Fords development of electric and self-driving cars has long been in motion, but industry watchers are looking for Ford to clarify its strategy, said Stephanie Brinley, senior analyst at IHS Automotive.
I dont think were going to see a complete change in direction. Autonomy and electric vehicles are happening, and Ford needs to refine their strategy in that direction, Brinley said.
Analysts have been searching for details on how Ford plans to achieve its goal of providing self-driving vehicles by 2021. Hackett might also offer some clues as to whether Ford will pursue more partnerships with technology players.
The most important thing Tuesday is Hackett gets the opportunity to state that strategy and say where he thinks the company should be going forward, Brinley added. What Hackett should communicate is his vision for the company.
Krebs said other companies have thus far done a better job of offering a bigger picture for developing electric, autonomous and connected vehicles.
Wall Street is also focused on the here and now, where Ford has been slow to market in certain segments. GM launched a long-range electric car, the Chevrolet Bolt, earlier in the year and a pair of midsize pickup trucks, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, in 2014. Ford expects to bring the midsize Ranger pickup to the U.S. in 2019. In the popular SUV segment, Ford is finally offering its home market a subcompact crossover, the EcoSport, early next year.
Fords production plans could come under the microscope as well. Automakers in the U.S. have slashed production of slow-selling sedans in response to weaker consumer demand. Last month, Ford said it would temporarily halt some assembly lines to cut its output of small cars and other models. The company also plans to shift production of the compact Focus to China beginning in 2019, and analysts have warned that automakers could eliminate some car models entirely.
I suspect we are going to see some more consolidation, especially in the car categories. Every manufacturer is dealing with a shift from cars to SUVs. Ford has to be looking at its portfolio and saying, do we need more SUVs and less cars? And how do we adjust our production capacity? Krebs said.
The presentation, billed by Ford as a CEO Strategic Update, is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. ET in New York.
Ford shares rose 1% to $12.09 Monday. The stock is down 0.3% since the start of the year, though Ford has gained 8% over the past three months.
The former chairman and CEO of Equifax says the challenge of responding to the concerns of tens of millions of consumers in the wake of a massive data breach proved overwhelming, and regrettably, his company made mistakes.
In prepared congressional testimony to be given Tuesday, Richard F. Smith outlines steps the credit reporting company is taking to regain the nation's trust. His appearance before a House subcommittee Tuesday morning is the first of several he'll be making over the course of the week before House and Senate panels reviewing a data breach that affected an estimated 145 million Americans.
In his testimony, Smith is offering apologies, an explanation of how the company allowed the hacking to occur and what it's doing to limit the damage for consumers whose personal information, including Social Security numbers, birthdates and addresses, was stolen.
Smith said the company's call centers were overwhelmed after the breach was announced on Sept. 7.
"Many needlessly waited on hold or were otherwise unable to have their questions answered through the call centers, which I deeply regret," Smith said in his prepared remarks.
Equifax had 500 customer service representatives dedicated to customers before the breach. Adding to the company's woes, two of the larger call centers in Florida were forced to temporarily close during Hurricane Irma. Now, the company has more than 2,500 customer service employees on duty and that number is growing, Smith said.
The company has also put in place a support package that includes free credit file monitoring, identity theft insurance and a credit lock that restricts access to a consumer's credit report without their permission. A service that will be available by Jan. 31 will allow consumers to lock and unlock their credit files repeatedly, for free, over the course of their lifetime.
Looking ahead, Smith said "this humbling experience has crystalized" the need for an industry standard that places access to credit data in the hands of the consumer. He said the company's lifetime lock program should become the industry standard. Second, he said the country should begin discussing the replacement of Social Security numbers as the primary means to verify a consumer's identity.
"It is time to have identity verification procedures that match the technological age in which we live," ''Smith said.
Lawmakers are expected to grill Smith about why it took the company so long to notify the public after he was informed of "suspicious activity" on July 31. In his prepared remarks, he is apologetic and said the millions affected are not just numbers in a database, but friends, family, neighbors and members of his church. He said accountability "starts at the top" and that was why he decided to step down as CEO and retire.
"Equifax was entrusted with Americans' private data and we let them down," Smith said.
The House subcommittee holding the hearing has jurisdiction over e-commerce and consumer protection issues.
__
On Twitter, reach Kevin Freking at https://twitter.com/APkfreking
A Las Vegas businessman on Monday donated $400,000 to a fund established to aid the victims of the Las Vegas massacre.
Stephen Cloobeck, a Democratic fundraiser, donated the money to a GoFundMe account that has received more than $2 million in donations as of Tuesday morning.
Cloobeck is the founder of Diamond Resorts, a Vegas-based timeshare company.
He has over 25 years of experience in the development and operation of real estate properties ranging from vacation ownership resorts, hotels and retail shopping centers, Bloomberg reported.
Cloobeck has appeared on the television series "Undercover Boss.
Cloobeck has considered running for political office, reports said. Earlier this year, he said he may throw his hat in the ring as a candidate for governor of Nevada.
The Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak, who plans the run for governor, also played a role in building momentum for the fundraiser. He donated $10,000.
*Stephen Cloobeck is Founder of Diamond Resorts. An earlier version of this article first identified him as chairman and CEO.
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) said that its U.S. sales increased 8.7% in September from a year ago, well ahead of a small increase for the overall U.S. market. That good gain was driven by the favorable timing of some big commercial-fleet deliveries, a big month for Ford's F-Series pickup trucks -- and a solid result at retail.
Ford's sales in September: The raw numbers
What worked for Ford last month: Trucks, SUVs -- and a small-car surprise
As ever, Ford's sales story starts with its vaunted F-Series pickup trucks, and last month was a very good one on that front. Ford sold 82,302 F-Series pickups in September, a 21.4% increase from its total in September of last year (which looked like a strong result at the time).
That's a huge total that was helped both by post-hurricane effects (Houston is a very strong market for Ford pickups) and by continued high commercial-fleet demand for Ford's new Super Duty trucks. F-Series sales significantly outpaced the (very good, in context) 73,342 total sales of General Motors' (NYSE: GM) full-size pickups, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. The average transaction price on Ford's F-Series was up about $2,300 from a year ago, the company said, suggesting that Ford wasn't using discounts to goose the numbers.
On the flip side, a drop in sales to fleet customers hurt overall results for Ford's SUVs, but as a group, they had a very good month at retail. Retail sales of Ford-brand SUVs rose 8.8% last month, to what Ford said was its best result at retail for SUVs since 2003. Retail sales of the Escape, Edge, Explorer, and Expedition were all up year over year, with the Explorer up nearly 15% at retail.
A good sign within the numbers: Overall sales of the compact Escape were up 2% year over year. There have been hints that the Escape, an aging design, was losing some sales ground to GM's all-new Chevrolet Equinox; the sales growth last month was good to see.
Sedan sales continued to be weak at Ford (and across the industry). But the Blue Oval's compact Focus had a good month, up 5.3% overall with an 8.3% sales gain at retail. Ford said that result was helped by strong demand for the high-performance Focus ST and RS models.
Last but not least, Ford's luxury Lincoln brand continued to do fairly well in what has been a softening U.S. luxury-vehicle market. Sedan sales were down, but sales of Lincoln's SUVs were up 10.6%, enough for a roughly flat overall performance (and in a declining market, a market-share gain).
Ford continues to manage inventories well
Including vehicles in transit to dealers at month-end, Ford had a 72-day supply of vehicles in its U.S. inventories as of the end of September. That's a good number, one that suggests Ford has been carefully matching its production to overall demand.
High inventories are worrisome for investors: They suggest that the automaker will have to resort to discounts to clear out excess inventory, hurting profit margins. That hasn't been a problem for Ford: The Blue Oval's overall inventories have been in good shape all year, and continued to look just right in September.
The upshot: A lot of good news for investors here
The U.S. market is probably past its cyclical peak. Sales growth can be scarce in such conditions, and the temptation to resort to profit-squeezing discounts to boost sales can be strong.
Ford has done a good job of resisting that temptation and letting sales fall where they will. TrueCar estimated that Ford's per-vehicle spending on incentives was $4,289 in September, down slightly from August and down almost 4% from a year ago, while its average transaction prices are up slightly.
Ford's pickups, particularly its all-new Super Duty models, are helping those averages a lot. It all adds up to what should be a good third-quarter profit for Ford in North America. We'll find out when Ford reports its third-quarter earnings on Oct. 26.
10 stocks we like better than FordWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.*
David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now... and Ford wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys.
Click here to learn about these picks!
*Stock Advisor returns as of September 5, 2017
John Rosevear owns shares of Ford and General Motors. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Ford. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The Vatican secretary of state urged law enforcement agencies, governments and social media sites on Tuesday to take responsibility to protect children from online sexual abuse and exploitation a statement that came even as one of his diplomats is caught up in an international child porn investigation.
Continue Reading Below
Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the case of Monsignor Carlo Capella was "very painful" for all involved. Parolin said the Vatican was treating the Capella case with "utmost concern, utmost commitment" but also confidentiality to protect the integrity of the investigation. He spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a Catholic Church-sponsored conference on protecting children from online threats. Canadian police have issued an arrest warrant for Capella, accusing him of accessing, possessing and distributing child pornography during a visit to an Ontario church over Christmas. He is now in the Vatican after being recalled from the Vatican's embassy in the U.S. Vatican prosecutors have also opened an investigation into Capella's actions. Parolin Capella's boss headlined the opening of the four-day conference on protecting children online that has drawn leading researchers in public health, Interpol, the U.N., government representatives as well as executives from Facebook and Microsoft.
Continue Reading Below Advertisement
Wal-Mart Stores said on Tuesday, it has acquired Parcel, a New York-based last-mile delivery startup, as the retailer seeks to better compete with e-commerce giant Amazon.com.
Parcel, a 24/7 operation that delivers packages the same-day, overnight and in scheduled two-hour windows, was bought for an undisclosed amount "smaller than previous acquisitions" Wal-Mart made this year, the discount retailer said.
"We plan to leverage Parcel for last mile delivery to customers in New York City including same-day delivery for both general merchandise as well as fresh and frozen groceries from Walmart and Jet," Wal-Mart said in a blog post.
Wal-Mart said in June it would buy online men's fashion retailer Bonobos Inc for $310 million, on the same day Amazon unveiled a $13.7 billion deal to buy upmarket grocer Whole Foods Market.
The company also bought internet retailer Jet.com for about $3 billion last year in the largest-ever deal for an e-commerce startup.
A Wal-Mart representative declined to disclose the Parcel deal value. Parcel was not immediately available for comment outside regular business hours.
Recode reported citing a source that the acquisition price was less than $10 million.
(Reporting by Subrat Patnaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Gopakumar Warrier)
Yahoo, now part of Verizon Communications Inc, said on Tuesday that an investigation showed all 3 billion of its user accounts were affected in a 2013 data theft, tripling its earlier estimate of the largest breach in history.
However, the company said the investigation indicated that the stolen information did not include passwords in clear text, payment card data, or bank account information.
Yahoo said last December that data from more than 1 billion user accounts was compromised in August 2013.
Verizon in February lowered its original offer by $350 million for Yahoo assets in the wake of two massive cyber attacks at the internet company.
The closing of the deal, which was first announced in July, had been delayed as the companies assessed the fallout from two data breaches that Yahoo disclosed last year. The company paid $4.48 billion for Yahoo's core business.
A Yahoo official emphasized Tuesday that the 3 billion figure includes many accounts that were opened but never or only briefly used.
The company said it was sending email notifications to additional affected user accounts.
(Reporting by Munsif Vengattil and David Shepardson,; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
The Las Vegas massacre is recharging the debate over gun control in America.
CBS (NYSE:CBS) fired an executive Monday after she posted deeply unacceptable comments to Facebook regarding the country music festival rampage. Hillary Clinton took heat hours after the shooting over a tweet about guns and the NRA, while late-night host Jimmy Kimmel used his shows opening monologue to plea for stricter gun laws.
However, former U.S. Army officer Dr. Darrin Porcher, made a case for gun ownership in the U.S. during an appearance on FOX Business on Tuesday.
We need guns to protect ourselves, Porcher told Maria Bartiromo on Mornings with Maria. We need good people in the hands of guns to protect ourselves from bad people in the hands of guns.
The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots.
Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get. Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 2, 2017
Las Vegas law enforcement said Tuesday they found 23 firearms inside the Mandalay Bay hotel room of gunman Stephen Paddock and an additional 19 firearms at his home in Mesquite, Nevada.
While Nevada is an open-carry state, in Porchers opinion, the debate should focus on how to protect large crowds from attacks.
The truth of the matter is this was more of an aberration than the norm it just goes back to, how do we ramp up our fortifications or our threat assessment as law enforcement to prevent these situations from happening in the future? Its an arduous task but I think we are fit for the challenge, he said.
Porcher pointed out how Chicago has the strictest gun laws in the country but the propensity for high levels of violence.
So what happens in Chicago is you have bad guys that are in possession of guns. The good guys dont have guns look at the police department. How does the police department counter bad people? With guns. The Secret Service protects the president with guns we need guns in the hands of good people, he said.
ABC News Chief Foreign Correspondent Terry Moran doubled down Tuesday on his left-leaning position regarding gun control one day after slamming right-wing media by saying conservatives will instantly politicize acts of terror committed by Muslims but not mass shootings by Americans.
Guns don't kill people. Americans with guns kill people. In greater numbers, with greater malice and horror than anywhere else in the world, Moran tweeted on Tuesday morning.
Moran seems to be transforming from straight-news reporter to liberal pundit, which would be fine, except for the fact that he is still a reporter who is expected to be fair and non-partisan.
Moran declined comment when asked if he was purposely shifting to punditry.
A gunman opened fire at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas late Sunday night, killing at least 59 people and sending more than 500 others to hospitals in what is now the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
Moran took to Twitter on Monday to write, A Muslim commits an atrocity, right-wing media instantly politicize the tragedy: Pass the travel ban! US mass shootingsDont talk about guns!
Moran has also retweeted several anti-Trump and left-leaning messages from non-ABC reporters in the past 24 hours, including a Politico story about Jared Kushners alleged improper email use, a VOX piece that uses maps to highlight gun violence in America and a story published by The Atlantic which claims nobody is in control of the GOP.
Back on Sept. 30, Moran said Trump shames our country and referred to a tweet from the president as contemptible.
One of the first signs that Moran was morphing into a liberal pundit occurred last January, when the former Nightline anchor compared Trumps inaugural address to Nazi rhetoric when he accused Trumps America First phrase of being a loaded term.
Now, he defined it here as total allegiance to the United States of America, Moran said during ABCs live inauguration coverage. However, it carries with it, overtones from the 1930s, when an anti-Semitic movement saying, We dont want to get involved in Europes war. Its the Jews fault in Germany! Charles Lindbergh led them. It is a term the words itself carry very ugly echoes.
Earlier this year, Tucker Carlson Tonight ran an entire segment that poked fun of the liberal bias on display on Morans Twitter feed. Carlson said it seemed like a DNC press release with added moral outrage.
Perhaps Disneys ABC News doesnt mind one of its reporters expressing liberal views, as the network has recently skipped coverage of immigration activists interrupting House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and President Trump accused ABC News anchor Martha Raddatz of crying on Election Night after he won (which the veteran journalist denied). The networks chief anchor, George Stephanopoulos, was forced to recuse himself from moderating presidential debates for not disclosing a substantial donation to Clintons charitable organization back in 2015.
ABC News did not immediately respond to Fox News requests for comment.
Late night talk show hosts opened their monologues Monday night to discuss the Las Vegas massacre that left at least 59 people and nearly 530 others injured.
The comments came a day after Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire from his 32nd floor suite at the Mandalay Bay Hotel on a country music festival.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: FULL COVERAGE OF MASSACRE ON THE STRIP
Many of the talk show hosts used their stage to discuss gun control, urging politicians to take action and start a discussion about gun violence.
Jimmy Kimmel
The host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" used his opening monologue to call out politicians he indicated were soft on gun laws. He tearfully addressed his audience, saying these officials are quick to offer their prayers for victims but said, They should be praying to God to forgive them, for letting the gun lobby run this country."
When someone with a beard attacks us, we tap phones, we invoke travel bans, we build walls, we take every possible precaution to make sure it doesnt happen again. But when an American buys a gun and kills other Americans, theres nothing we can do about it, he said.
He told the audience that he was talking about common sense and not gun control.
Common sense says no good will ever come from allowing a person to have weapons that can take down 527 Americans at a concert, he said.
Kimmel said, Its too much to even process all these devastated families who now have to live with this pain forever because one person with a violent and insane voice in his head managed to stockpile a collection of high-powered rifles and use them to shoot people."
Trevor Noah
The Daily Show host also discussed gun control. Noah, a native of South Africa, said he felt people were becoming more accustomed to news like the Las Vegas massacre.
Noah said he feels like Americans avoid having a discussion about guns.
"I've never been to a country where people are as afraid to speak about guns. Every time there's a shooting you got to look at something else. Is it Muslims? Is it their religion? Is that what it is? Is it the blacks? Is it mentally ill people? Is it white nationalists? Every time it's a different question. Now, after this incident in Las Vegas, we're asking a new question. Is it hotels?" Noah said.
Noah concluded his monologue by apologizing to the massacres victims and families.
"To the people of Las Vegas, I can't give you thoughts and prayers. I can only say that I'm sorry. I'm sorry we live in a world where people will put a gun before your lives, Noah said.
Conan O'Brien
OBrien echoed his fellow late night talk show hosts and mentioned that something needs to change.
"When I began in 1993, occasions like this were extremely rare. For me, or any TV comedy host, to come out and need to address a mass shooting spree was practically unheard of. [...] Things have changed, OBrien said.
"I'm not the most political of our comics, but I will repeat what I said not long ago, after Orlando I don't think it should be so easy for one demented person to kill so many people so quickly. Something needs to change," OBrien concluded.
Seth Meyers
Late Night host Meyers began his monologue with condolences to the victims and their families of the attack as well as people who risked their lives to save strangers before calling on Congress to discuss gun violence.
"I would just like to say are there no steps we can take as a nation to prevent gun violence? Or is this just how it is, and how it's going to continue to be?"
Meyers asked when is the time to talk about gun violence before adding what you really mean is, there is never a time to talk about it.
"If you're [Congress] not willing to do anything, just be honest and tell us.... If it's going to be thoughts and prayers from here on out, the least you can do is be honest about that," Meyers concluded.
Stephen Colbert
The Late Show host also had a message for Congress -- and one for President Trump.
This afternoon the president called [the Las Vegas massacre] an 'act of pure evil.' And I think hes right, Colbert said. So what then are we willing to do to combat pure evil?
Colbert then directed his message to Trump.
Doing nothing is cowardice. Doing something will take courage, Colbert said.
"Now, President Trump, you said you want to be a transformative president, who doesnt care about the way things have always been done in Washington, D.C. This is your chance to prove it. And I mean this sincerely. You do not owe the Republicans anything. You know the Republicans tried to stop you from being president. Well, screw em! Colbert proclaimed.
Colbert concluded by asking Trump what he should be doing.
Think about what you ought to do, and then pray for the courage to do it, Colbert said.
James Corden
The Late Late Show host Corden echoed his colleagues and said it was time to talk about gun control.
Corden, who is from the United Kingdom, said during his time living in the United States he has seen two of the largest mass shootings in the history of America.
Now, I come from a place where we dont have shootings at this frequency so its hard for me to fathom, but it should be hard for everyone to fathom, Corden said. Gun violence should not be a staple of American life. Some say its too early to talk about gun control. For those victims last night, its far too late.
Corden asked why the U.S. has trouble preventing shootings.
Forgive me, as Im just a foreigner here and some of you may feel I have no place to say this, but how does every other developed country do a better job of preventing these attacks? Corden asked. We cant be surprised that gun crime will always occur when there is such wide availability of guns.
Corden concluded by saying these types of incidents must stop.
Jimmy Fallon
Tonight Show host Fallon said a few words before he opened his show with a song. Singer Miley Cyrus and comedian Adam Sandler performed as a duet, singing Cyrus The Climb and Didos No Freedom.
"This morning, we woke up to the news of another senseless shooting. This time in Las Vegas. In the face of tragedies and acts of terror, we need to remember that good still exists in this world," Fallon said before introducing Cyrus and Sandler. "We're here to entertain you tonight, and that's what we're going to do."
Farmington businessman Bret Burgess was about three blocks southwest of the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas when tragedy struck Sunday night.
Stephen Craig Paddock, a 64-year-old retiree from Mesquite, Nevada, opened fire from his hotel room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino around 10:15 p.m. during a performance by Jason Aldean at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, authorities said. As of press time Monday, 59 people had been reported killed, making it the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. At least 527 others were injured.
Burgess, who had flown to Nevada on Thursday to visit a friend in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, had returned to Las Vegas around 4 p.m. Sunday to make final preparations for his return flight to Missouri the following morning.
"I was filling up my rental car when I heard all kinds of sirens coming towards my direction," he said. "I drove towards the 'Strip' to my hotel. That's when all the commotion began. I was just a few blocks away from Mandalay Bay. Just across the street was where the assaults were being targeted. It was just a mess. There was a whole lot of chaos.
"We didn't know what was going on. People just kept saying that there was somebody shooting. Nobody knew any details, of course, at that time. We knew there was an active shooter, but they thought it might be terrorism. They locked up all the hotels. I was actually staying at Trump International because I got the best rate for Sunday. I couldn't get back to my hotel they had that all blocked off . They were very concerned initially that Trump International was going to be targeted."
Burgess was caught in traffic as people were running away from the shooting site.
"I was in my vehicle behind some minimal barricade that was just being set up because EMS and the police were just getting there at the time," he said. "People were coming out screaming. There was this terrible fear as anybody would have in that type of situation. It was very difficult because you felt so helpless.
"I was right there on Thursday watching them set up for the Harvest Festival and [Sunday] night I actually had plans of coming back to the festival. If they were still playing music, I was gonna' park and listen. By the time I got back was when the chaos was going on and there was nothing but people running and taking cover. People were filtering out into the streets.
"People were trembling, screaming, confused, and I felt so helpless. Yet, I saw the men and women in blue and the men and women in red running towards the very place everyone else was running from. Las Vegas Metro [Police] and Clark County [Sheriff's Office] and everybody involved did about as good as they could in that type of situation.
Burgess said there are many, many thousands out on the street any night of the week on the Las Vegas Strip.
"They literally had every property shut down. Every property was barricaded probably within 20 or 30 minutes. They didn't know what they had. They were expecting the worst as they should."
Burgess didn't get into his hotel room until around 1 or 1:30 a.m. and as one might imagine he had difficulty sleeping. He wasn't aware until the next morning how bad it had been.
"It's really been weighing on me today as I'm sure it is a lot of people," he said. "I'm the lucky one who gets to come home. I saw them on Thursday setting up for the Harvest Festival and I was actually going to stay at Mandalay Bay on Thursday night because I wasn't driving to see my buddy until Friday.
"I ended up choosing the Venetian because I don't know I think the reviews online were better. I actually went into the hotel lobby at Mandalay Bay and for some reason the room was even a little bit cheaper I just decided not to stay there and evidently that's around the same time Paddock checked in.
"I have a very heavy heart today, especially for those I saw grieving for their loved ones, but I also feel such admiration and respect for those who are willing to serve their communities and have chosen an average to below average paid profession that requires them to run towards the threat and not away from it."
Despite Sunday night's senseless act of mass murder, Burgess said he hopes that somehow good may come as a result.
"Las Vegas is definitely a place where sin and evil abound, but even in the midst of sin, God's love and mercy is present," he said. "I pray the city and community of Las Vegas will heal from this horrible act of evil and may God's love become more apparent in a place that needs restoration."
Lena Dunham said there is "no way not to politicize" the shooting which left at least 59 people dead and more than 500 hospitalized after a gunman opened fire at the Route 91 Harvest Festival Sunday night in Las Vegas.
The "Girls" creator took to Twitter Monday to share her throughts.
"No way not to politicize this tragedy. It's about gender & race as well as access to guns. Considering it random is comforting & dangerous," Dunham tweeted.
Poet Alex Dimitrov responded to Dunham saying "and capitalism" to which Dunham answered, "Yes."
Fans immediately responded to Dunham's tweet urging the Hollywood actress to keep her opinions to herself.
"After the success you had during the 2016 election, it's obvious that people really care about what you say," one user tweeted at Dunham.
Another wrote, "Cars kill more people annually than guns. This is about humanity, not politics. But thanks for making it about you."
"Are you kidding? You have to be," one person added while another simply told Dunham to "zip it."
Do us all a favor zip it #FreakingHollywood Elizabeth Carver (@ElizabethMTHC) October 2, 2017 Are you kidding? You have to be suzanne bevis (@Suzanne0711) October 2, 2017
The 31-year-old isn't the only celebrity to polticize what is the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history.
Lady Gaga tweeted Monday, "Prayers are important but @SpeakerRyan @realDonaldTrump blood is on the hands of those who have power to legislate. #GunControl act quickly.""Star Trek" actor William Shatner tweeted to his fans, "Why would you need an automatic weapon for self protection? If that many people were coming after you then you have much bigger problems."
Actor Michael Ian Black called the NRA a "terrorist organization."
The future of Shake Shack doesnt involve human cashiers.
The popular burger chain announced on Monday that its newest New York City location will be cashless and kiosk-only, meaning robots will be taking orders instead. Customers at the Astor Place location will be ordering their food using an app or the touchscreen kiosks and paying with credit cards only. Theyll be alerted via text message when their order is ready.
AMERICA'S FAVORITE BURGER CHAIN IS NOT IN-N-OUT, BUT RATHER
Were really viewing this as an evolution of the guest experience aimed at enhancing hospitality, Kristyn Clark, Shake Shacks senior manager of brand communications, told Fox News.
The Shack kiosk was developed to allow Shake Shack to serve more guests at peak times whether in-Shack, for pickup via the Shack App, or even delivery resulting in fewer lines, less wait time and quicker speed of service at every channel. Its a guest-centric approach," she added.
SHAKE SHACK SECRETS REVEALED: INSIDE THE FAST FOOD CHAIN'S FIRST COOKBOOK
Instead of spending time waiting in line, customers will now be able to leisurely walk through the restaurant and spot open seats while they wait. The orders will be ready at the counter.
The restaurant wont be completely staff-free. Workers will guide diners at the kiosks and work through potential tech glitches. The new set up will be a test run for the chain, who boasts about its $15 minimum wage at its New York, California and Washington, D.C., locations.
The Astor Place Shack will be a playground where we can test and learn the ever-shifting needs of our guests, the chains CEO Randy Garutti said in a news release.
Clark told Fox News the kiosks are not meant to replace human workers, but to provide greater hospitality.
The Astor Place location is expected to open this month.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
Shake Shack is one of the few restaurants going cashless. Sweetgreen, a popular salad chain, also stopped taking cash earlier this year at all locations.
The residents of Las Vegas have banded together to help the victims of Sundays mass shooting, lining up for hours to donate blood, as people around the world collectively donated over $2 million to help with relief efforts.
Lines started forming at the crack of dawn at blood banks operated by United Blood Services across the metro, according to The New York Times, while hundreds of people dropped off food and other supplies at the Thomas & Mack Center on the University of Nevada campus.
Local officials also set up a GoFundMe page to help victims just hours after the gunman opened fire on a country concert, killing at least 59 and sending more than 510 others to hospitals.
As of Monday evening, over $2 million was raised and will be used to provide relief and financial support to the victims and families of the horrific Las Vegas mass shooting, according to a statement posted on the charity page.
Even celebrities heeded to the call to help including Mike Tyson, Kid Rock and country music group Florida Georgia Line.
NFL team the Oakland Raiders -- who are scheduled to move to Las Vegas in 2020 -- donated the highest amount at $50,000.
The call for blood donation and other assistance from the public started during an early-morning news conference on Monday.
"If you have the ability to donate blood to help the cause, please do so," Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo stressed during the news conference.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: AT LEAST 59 DEAD, MORE THAN 500 SENT TO HOSPITALS IN MASSACRE
The city's mayor and Nevada's governor later echoed his call.
"If our people want to do something and they are healthy, then please donate blood," Mayor Carolyn Goodman said. "We will have plenty of banks available, always call a hospital where to go."
Gov. Brian Sandoval thanked paramedics and first responders and described the scene as "a war zone."
"We need blood," he said.
Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center said in a statement it received 14 patients who died and more than 160 who were injured. The statement said the Las Vegas hospital's doctors performed about 30 surgeries and that police were still trying to notify relatives of the victims.
Hospital CEO Todd Sklamberg said most of the hospital's trauma team and staff worked through the night after the shooting
Lombardo said United Blood Services would be taking donations at 6930 W. Charleston in Las Vegas, and 601 Whitney Ranch in Henderson. He said those unsure of where to go should consult local hospitals or the police department website.
"We are asking to solely utilize Blood Services for blood donation and [University Medical Center] as the only places to donate blood," Lombardo said. "We had some resource issues associated with the Laborer's medical clinic. I applaud their effort to help us in that effort, but we had some resource issues associated with that."
Photos taken by witnesses at multiple donation centers showed lines of volunteers snaking through parking lots. Rep. Ruben Kihuen, a Democrat whose congressional district includes a portion of Las Vegas, visited a hospital where some of the victims were taken.
"Literally, every single bed was being used, every single hallway was being used," Kihuen said, according to the Associated Press. "Every single person there was trying to save a life."
Additional information on blood donation requirements and eligbility can be found on the American Red Cross website.
Police have identified Stephen Craig Paddock as the lone suspect in the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history. The 64-year-old Mesquite, Nev., resident was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside his room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
FULL COVERAGE OF MASSACRE ON THE STRIP
More than 22,000 were attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival across the street when the bullets rang out. Officials said the death toll had reached at least 58, with 515 others injured. Video footage from the event shows country star Jason Aldean fleeing the stage amid gunfire, as thousands ducked for cover.
The FBI is asking anyone with videos or photos concerning the shooting to call 1-800-CALL-FBI. Those looking to report a missing person in connection to the shooting are instructed to call 1-866-535-5654.
Fox News' Alexandria Hein and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Witnesses have come forward to speak about the heroes who risked their own lives to turn back into a crowd of concert-goers in an effort to render first-aid and save others as a crazed gunman sprayed hundreds of bullets on them from the windows of a nearby high-rise hotel room.
There were so many people out there that you wouldnt think they would be helping others at a time like that, but it wasnt an 'every man for himself'-kind of situation, Tiffany Michelle, a witness to Sundays massacre, told Fox News. Everybody just sort of grabbed somebody around them and tried to do everything they could to get others out.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: GOFUND ME PAGE RAISES OVER $2M, VOLUNTEERS WAIT HOURS TO DONATE BLOOD
Many of the selfless heroes are among the 59 killed and 520 people injured, including a nurse and two firefighters who were shot while protecting others.
Sunny Melton, a 29-year-old nurse at Henry County Medical Center in Paris, Tenn., was attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival with his orthopedic surgeon wife when the shots rang out. Melton stood behind on his wife and pushed her forward to run away from the gunfire before he was fatally shot in the back.
Travis Phippen, an EMT, was shot and injured while trying to revive his father, John, who was fatally wounded in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Phippen is still hospitalized but is expected to recover. Off-duty firefighter Kurt Fowler, of Lake Havasu, Ariz., was shot in the lower right leg while protecting his wife, and is recovering in a hospital.
They heard the gunfire, him and his wife. Kurt took his wife to the ground and was shielding her and then was struck in the leg, Steve Bunn, Erickson and Desert Hills fire captain and union president, told AZFamily.com.
Los Angeles fire captain, Mark McCurdy, was attending the concert with his wife and sister-in-law and managed to carry his injured in-law back to their room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel before turning around and heading back out to help others. His friend, fellow firefighter Steve Keys, was shot in the chest and wounded while performing CPR on another victim.
Prayers needed. Lot of people hit. A lot killed. Was doing CPR on a woman in the concert when I got grazed, Keys posted to Facebook, alongside a video of the chaos. Im OK. But a lot of people arent. I am lucky. Stayed behind on the street to help people.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: REMEMBERING THE FALLEN
Mike Cronk, a retired teacher, told ABC 13 that many able-bodied witnesses, with and without first-aid training, banded together to carry victims toward first-responders. Cronk himself used his shirt to stop the bleeding after his friend was shot three times. He described a woman who helped him push his friend under the stage to safety.
Im no hero, he said. But theres a lot of heroes out there.
Russell Black described seeing police officers fearlessly charge into the gunfire despite knowing that they didnt have the weapons to go up against the automatic gunfire.
I want people to understand that what these men and women did, even the slightest distraction, kept countless [deaths] from happening, he said. Hundreds of rounds, there was no escaping. There were 10-foot fences, we were trapped. It was a kill zone.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: FULL COVERAGE OF MASSACRE ON THE STRIP
Michelle, who thanked first responders and the bravery of strangers in a lengthy Instagram post after she was reunited with her husband and group of friends, described the moment her boot got stuck on the fence and how a stranger helped her get free.
He was very helpful. I dont know if I wouldve been able to get it unstuck without him, she told Fox News. Im just so thankful that somebody was there.
Assistant Clark County Sheriff Todd Fasulo said officers found 23 firearms inside the gunman's Mandalay Bay hotel room, and an additional 19 firearms at his home in Mesquite, Nevada.
More than 500 victims injured by a gunman who opened fire on concert-goers at Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival on Sunday night arrived at nearby hospitals after the massacre, where medics were quickly faced with life-altering scenarios. University Medical Center (UMC) is the only level-one trauma center in Nevada, and turned into controlled chaos after being flooded with over 100 patients who arrived in ambulances and witnesses' cars.
We started divvying them up, taking them to the operating room and doing whats called damage control surgery, where youre not definitively repairing everything, Jay Coats, a trauma surgeon at UMC, told USA Today. You are just stopping the dying.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: FULL COVERAGE OF MASSACRE ON THE STRIP
Coats said the injuries varied, but that every bed was quickly filled, with patients overflowing into the hallways and even outside the medical center. With the injury count so high, Coats has no recollection of who he operated on.
It was very clear that the first patient I took back and operated on that this was a high-powered weapon, he said. This wasnt a normal street weapon. This was something that did a lot of damage when it entered the body cavity.
As a level-one trauma center, the hospital is fully staffed with surgeons and trauma nurses around-the-clock in case disaster strikes. The classification also means UMC participates in two major disaster drills each year, in addition to internal drills. Dr. John Fildes, a trauma surgeon and UMCs director of trauma and chair of UNLV School of Medicine surgery department, said the center has drilled on a concert venue disaster in the past.
We trained on this, he told The Las Vegas Review-Journal. And it just went off perfectly, on our side. I feel bad for the people that were hurt I really do. But Im glad we could help.
Hospital spokeswoman Danita Cohen said UMC had been in contact with medical staff in Orlando in the aftermath of the Pulse nightclub shooting as part of their training.
We were able to use that today, she told the news outlet.
One lesson included moving gurneys and wheelchairs outside to make room for more patients, The New York Times reported. The trauma center quickly called for supplies from other departments of the hospital as patients continued to stream in. Staffers whose shifts had ended or who werent scheduled to work stayed on and showed up in droves to help care for patients.
Ive been a nurse for 30 years, and this was by far the worst moment Ive had, the worst injuries, Toni Mullan, a nurse who returned to UMC after finishing a 12-hour shift in the trauma resuscitation department, told The New York Times. But it was the proudest moment.
DURING LAS VEGAS SHOOTING, HEROES RISKED LIVES TO SAVE OTHERS IN 'KILL ZONE'
At Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, classified as a level-two trauma center, doctors worked through the night to treat 180 victims who were injured, with 14 fatalities. In total, the hospital said it performed about 30 surgeries. A spokeswoman for the Valley Hospital System, which includes Desert Springs, Spring Valley, Henderson, Valley, Summerlin and Centennial Hills, told the news outlet that the network treated 228 total patients. St. Rose Dominican hospitals, which includes three centers, treated 57 patients.
Authorities have said identifying the 59 victims killed after Stephen Paddock opened fire from his Mandalay Bay hotel room on the 32nd floor will be a long process. Families searching for loved ones in connection to Sundays massacre are instructed to call 800-536-9488. The Clark County Medical Society said it is working with the Nevada Psychiatric Association to bring on mental health professionals for community members, physicians and other medical professionals.
We appreciate that there are often acute and long-term mental health effects of such traumatic experiences, and we are working on identifying psychiatrists and other mental health professionals who are available to help those suffering with these effects, Dr. Leslie Dickson, executive director of Nevada Psychiatric Association, told The Las Vegas Sun.
Medical professionals looking to volunteer are instructed to call 702-739-9989.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
One of the 520 victims injured in Sundays Las Vegas massacre has lost her right eye and is in a coma in a hospitals intensive care unit (ICU). Tina Frost, who was attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival with her boyfriend when a gunman opened fire on the crowd from his 32nd floor hotel room at Mandalay Bay, is listed as critically stable, and is currently on a ventilator.
Tina is out of surgery and her vitals are stable, Mary Watson Moreland, the 27-year-old womans mother, said, according to a GoFundMe page. They removed her right eye, where the bullet was lodged, and there is an implant there now to keep the space open. She has sight in her left eye but will never see from the right again.
DURING LAS VEGAS SHOOTING, HEROES RISKED LIVES TO SAVE OTHERS IN 'KILL ZONE'
Moreland said doctors were forced to remove a bone from her daughters forehead to relieve brain swelling, and that they plan to see how she responds to simulation over the next few days to assess brain damage. The GoFundMe page, which was set up on Monday, raised more than $100,000 in just 19 hours, quickly surpassing the $50,000 goal.
The Maryland native had moved to San Diego and drove to the concert with boyfriend Austin Hughes, who was uninjured. According to The Baltimore Sun, the couple was separated after Frost was taken to a nearby hospital. Once he learned that she was in surgery, Hughes kept the family updated on her status until they were able to fly to Las Vegas.
Please pray for our oldest, Tina Frost, who is halfway through a projected 2 hour operation, for a bullet shot to the head above her right eye in Las Vegas, Rich Frost, the womans father, posted to Facebook early Monday. Her boyfriend Austin who was with her at the concert, is safe and in the hospital waiting room, providing us with updates.
FULL COVERAGE OF MASSACRE ON THE STRIP
A follow up post on Tuesday said Frosts vitals and responses were good, and that she had not developed a fever.
When they have to move her, she sits up on her own, rolls herself and pushes the nurses away, Rich wrote. She calms down when we say easy Tina. Her eye is swollen shut and she is on the ventilator and still in her coma, but it is encouraging.
Another GoFundMe page set up on behalf of Jonathan Smith described his heroic actions before he was wounded while at the concert to celebrate his brothers birthday.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: HOSPITAL HAD TRAINED FOR CONCERT VENUE DISASTER
Jonathan was shot during the Las Vegas massacre while trying to secure the safety of others, Tiffany Jones, the mans sister-in-law, wrote on the GoFundMe. He was there celebrating his brothers 43rd birthday when shots were fired. According to witnesses, he helped save dozens of lives ushering people to safety before he too was shot and wounded.
The page, which doubled its $7,000 goal within 17 hours, was updated to include that Smith had returned home and was recovering with his three children.
In addition to 520 wounded, 59 were killed in the most deadly shooting in modern U.S. history.
Fox News' Alexandria Hein contributed to this report.
Nearly 40,000 pounds of ground turkey were recalled on Monday after officials discovered metal shavings in one of the packages.
Prestage Foods, Inc. recalled the meat packages sold at supermarkets in nine states -- including Connecticut, Florida, and New York -- that were produced between Sept. 25 and 26, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in a press release.
Employees at the processing plants found the metal shavings in a ground turkey package on Sept. 27. The recalled items have the establishment number "P-22000."
'DEATH WISH' COLD BREW COFFEE RECALLED OVER BOTULISM CONCERNS
The packages included Publix ground turkey breast with natural flavorings, Publix ground turkey with natural flavorings, Fit & Active fresh ground turkey break with natural flavorings, and Weis Markets fresh ground turkey breast.
Customers are urged to toss out the recalled meat packages. So far, the company has received no reports of consumers finding the shavings.
Im thankful I dont live in a state like Oregon, where assisted suicide is legal. When I was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and told I would probably be dead in four months, I went in an instant from living the American Dream with my wife and son to living a nightmare. In that moment of depression, I might have chosen to end my life.
After a seizure sent me to the hospital, the neurosurgeon told me I had a brain tumor known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and that the tumor was inoperable. In fact, three different doctors told me there was nothing that they could do.
The news was overwhelmingly depressing. As a United States Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War, I could have lost my life on a faraway battlefield serving my country. Thankfully I survived, but I had now received a death sentence at home.
With the support of my family, I chose to fight the cancer. I have had some great success with an experimental, cutting-edge treatment and am still alive three years after I was told I had only a few months to live.
Not everyone is so lucky to have the support I do. Since my diagnosis of terminal brain cancer my wife and I welcomed our second son into the world. I would have missed out on so much if I had been given and had accepted the option of assisted suicide.
Assisted suicide laws require a prognosis of six months or less to live, but how can we let our life-and-death decisions rest on these prognoses, when even the most experienced doctors are often wrong? My own experience reveals how tragic that could turn out to be.
We also know from the 2016 Oregon Health Report that in Oregon, which 20 years ago became the first state to make assisted suicide legal, only 4 percent of patients considering ending their lives were referred for psychological evaluation.
Yet a 2008 study, published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The BMJ, revealed that 25 percent of patients requesting assisted suicide suffered from major depressive disorder. These numbers suggest that people with mental illness could well be prescribed a death-too-soon, instead of the treatment they deserve.
On top of that, the legalization of assisted suicide injects government and profit-driven insurance companies into everyones end-of-life decisions. Just in the last year, more cases have surfaced of patients being denied coverage for care, showing how legalizing assisted suicide results in more abuse and less choice.
Take, for example, Stephanie Packer, a California mother of four suffering from a serious case of scleroderma, a chronic connective tissue disease. She reported that her insurance company denied her coverage for chemotherapy treatment but would pay for her to kill herself.
Then there is Dr. Brian Callister, a Nevada physician who asked insurance medical directors to approve lifesaving, curative treatments for a patient in California and another in Oregon two states that have legalized assisted suicide. Callisters requests were denied, and the patients were offered coverage for suicide drugs instead.
People are starting to realize the threat that assisted suicide poses. Though an onslaught of new bills has been introduced, 23 states have rejected laws designed to legalize assisted suicide this year.
And states like Alabama and Ohio recently enacted laws to strengthen the prohibition of assisted suicide. Legislators across the nation of all political persuasions are recognizing that assisted suicide is bad policy and puts people like me at risk.
Some vulnerable populations, like people with disabilities and terminal illness, are at more immediate risk to be adversely affected by the legalization of assisted suicide. But the truth is, assisted suicide affects everyone.
Just ask my wife and our sons.
Editor's note: The following column originally appeared in The Hill and in TheHill.com.
Are there any Russians in the audience? I dont see too many Russians, a defiant President Trump recently told an Alabama crowd.
He finds joy, even now, in ridiculing reports of Russian interference in last years presidential campaign.
Speaking to his true believers, he reassured them that Russia did not help me win and dismissed reports to the contrary as the Russia hoax one of the great hoaxes.
So, in the self-aggrandizing manner of the president, let me ask Are there any Russians reading this column right now?
And the answer to my question, Mr. President, is the same as the answer to your question: YES.
Yes, the Russians are likely reading this column right now, because I always share my Hill column on my Twitter and Facebook page.
And, yes, the Russians planted propaganda on Twitter and Facebook. They also tried to manipulate Google searches to promote stories damaging to Hillary Clintons reputation.
Thats the truth. But the president is still telling his core supporters there is no evidence of Russian interference an assertion he will cling to, short of investigators finding proof of Russians hacking into voting machines or threatening people outside polling stations.
Trumps denials continue even as House and Senate committees are finding evidence that Russia used social media to distort the American publics view of Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee, by demonizing her while lionizing Trump.
Twitter has revealed that it shut down 201 accounts that were tied to the same Russian operatives who posted thousands of political ads on Facebook during the race, according to The Washington Post.
And The New York Times reported Congressional panels learned that Russians, posing online as Americans during the campaign, used large-scale automated messaging on Twitter to spread false stories and promote news articles about emailsobtained by Russian hackers.
Earlier, the Times reported a shadowy Russian company linked to the Kremlin bought 3,000 Facebook ads that targeted divisive social issues such as race, gay rights, gun control and immigration.
The Russians showed special delight in encouraging racial bitterness in the country. They targeted ads at cities rocked by police shootings like Baltimore, Maryland, and Ferguson, Missouri.
Their goal was to spread dissension, was to split our country apart, and they did a pretty good job, Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told ABC News last week.
This new information goes beyond earlier reports from the U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia paid people to get on social media and defame Hillary Clinton.
In a more sophisticated assault, the Russians encouraged divisions by stoking Americas culture wars.
Their goal was to place stories on social media to anger and energize Trump supporters. They wanted to stir the belief among voters that politically correct mainstream news reports were covering up the threat posed to the country by Clinton, blacks, Muslims, immigrants, and gays.
Yes, a foreign power Russia warped our citizens voting behavior by poisoning our social media. Name a 2016 campaign that used the same playbook?
Despite the presidents efforts to get people to look away from any evidence of Russian interference in the campaign, the public is alert to the smell of corruption.
A CNN poll taken in September asked voters plainly, How likely do you think it is that Russian-backed content on Facebook or in other social media affected the outcome of the 2016 presidential election?
A majority, 54 percent said it was somewhat or very likely; 43 percent said it was not very or not at all likely.
And the public has yet to hear from Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating ties between Trump campaign officials and Russia.
In late July, Muellers team tightened its squeeze on former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, reportedly threatening him with an indictment and picking the locks on his home to execute a raid.
The Washington Post reported that Manafort offered private briefings on the campaign to a Russian oligarch with close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mueller is also showing interest in possible obstruction of justice by the president and key members of Trumps White House.
He is pushing for notes and e-mails from White House officials involved with the firing of former FBI Director James Comey and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
He also wants records on a Russian lawyers meeting with Donald Trump Jr., the presidents son, during the campaign.
It was one year ago this week when the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and the Department of Homeland Security issued a rare public statement.
That statement expressed confidence that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of emails from U.S. persons and institutions, including from U.S. political organizationsto interfere with the U.S. election process.
That finding was followed up by a more detailed analysis from the DNI, the FBI, the CIA and the NSA.
Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump. We have high confidence in these judgments, their January 6, 2017 report stated.
Yes, Mr. President: Russia did help you. Mueller doesnt seem to care if you label his investigation a hoax. And he has yet to be intimidated by your press secretarys continued attacks on Comey.
The walls are closing in with the Mueller investigation.
The looming question is when will Congressional Republicans begin to distance themselves from Trump?
Will they believe the evidence in front of them or the fake news on their Facebook page?
To help the people of Puerto Rico, the United States should think of its job in two phases.
Phase one is to solve the immediate crisis.
Currently, the island is crippled. Days before Hurricane Maria, Hurricane Irma had already knocked out electricity for 1 million Puerto Ricans. Then, Maria's 165 mile-per-hour winds, combined with one day of rain so heavy it equaled three days worth of rainfall in Houston's extraordinary storm experience from Hurricane Harvey, simply devastated the island.
The collapse of services in Puerto Rico also creates a potential migration crisis that could rob the island of a generation of talent.
The combined impact of these two hurricanes has caused some of the most thorough destruction any American community has ever experienced.
Eighty percent of the islands electrical transmissions system has been destroyed. The collapse of the electrical grid has compounded every human need. There is a real danger that the loss of refrigeration and clean water will lead to a dramatic spread of disease across the island.
Puerto Rico is experiencing the kind of collapse Bill Forstchen wrote about in his book One Second After . The novel describes the aftermath of an electromagnetic pulse attack, which destroys the U.S. electrical grid.
One good thing that could come from Puerto Ricos experience may be a much greater investment in hardening the islands power infrastructure against an EMP, caused by either a foreign attack or a natural solar event. Another good result could be a realization of how vulnerable the entire United States electricity grid is to an electromagnetic event.
The magnitude of eroded highways, collapsed bridges, weakened dams, and other infrastructure damage is historic and will take an enormous effort to overcome. For example, more than 90 percent of the telephone cell towers were knocked out by the storm.
Washington is only now beginning to realize how much bigger and more aggressive the first phase of recovery and response must be. More military assets must be deployed and more emergency engineering will have to be implemented to avoid further problems in the next 30 to 60 days.
The collapse of services in Puerto Rico also creates a potential migration crisis that could rob the island of a generation of talent. Faced with such destruction, many Puerto Ricans will exercise their rights as American citizens to move to the mainland. This would accelerate an already growing trend. From 2005 to 2015, about 446,000 Puerto Ricans moved to the mainland about 13 percent of the islands population.
The longer the crisis goes on, the greater the loss of talent will be.
Even if we can quickly solve the immediate problems, the average Puerto Rican may still conclude that life on the post-hurricane island will be inadequate. This would further devastate the island and its future. We must convince the most energetic, ambitious, and competent younger Puerto Ricans to stay and invest their lives in their home island by ensuring a dramatically better future.
That is why the recovery and survival effort must be immediately followed by phase two: "Creating a 21st Century Puerto Rico."
Creating a 21st century Puerto Rico may seem a little premature when most Puerto Ricans are currently without electricity, drinkable water, or permanent shelter. However, creating a 21st century Puerto Rico must be advocated and described as early as possible. Puerto Ricans must know their island will have a future worth investing their lives in.
The federal government is going to have to invest a lot in Puerto Rico's recovery. The scale of devastation requires a massive rebuilding program.
The key to Puerto Rico's future is to avoid rebuilding obsolete, old infrastructure and instead investing money in a new, modern, 21st century Puerto Rico. This will increase economic growth and improve quality of life on the island.
The Trump administration is in a perfect position to develop and implement a 21st century infrastructure program for Puerto Rico.
All the work the administration has done in thinking through its infrastructure plan, its economic growth agenda, and its vocational education and training plans for the mainland can be brought to bear to develop a plan for 21st century Puerto Rican prosperity.
A 21st century investment plan should:
1. Implement deregulatory reforms which will enable government and private contractors to cut through red tape and save time and money, while securing Puerto Rico's future prosperity;
2. Design and develop new, modern, island-wide infrastructure systems. Replacing rather than repairing old highway, electrical, and water systems will maximize economic growth, tourism, and convenience for residents. The administration should integrate private sector and private capital to leverage funds;
3. Rebuild the electric grid with resilience, so it can survive both future natural disasters and potential EMP events. Once the system is completed, the administration should grant long-term concessions to the private sector under a payment mechanism to reimburse the federal taxpayers and ensure long-term modernization and performance;
4. Create a broadband network for the entire island, so every Puerto Rican can have access to high-speed internet for education, shopping, and work. The administration should examine space-based and other broadband systems being developed for large, rural areas;
5. Develop an island-wide health system. The administration should seek help from the best large mainland health systems (including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) to help develop a system to modernize the hospitals, integrate community health systems, and use telemedicine and other modern delivery systems so even the most remote communities are served;
6. Use cutting edge technologies to create smart city solutions to improve connectivity and modernize the islands cities and towns;
7. Create an island-wide enterprise zone with tax advantages for investing and operating in Puerto Rico. The need for economic growth is going to be so great, and the disadvantages of an island territory competing with the mainland are such that companies must be given incentives for investing in and operating in Puerto Rico. More targeted tax advantages have clearly worked to create jobs in Puerto Rico in the past, but the scale of devastation is so great the entire island should be given enterprise zone status for at least the next 20 years. It is vital to make doing business in Puerto Rico more attractive than in nearby foreign countries. This creates American jobs for American citizens living in Puerto Rico;
8. Make the Jones Act shipping exemption for Puerto Rico permanent. As a Caribbean island, Puerto Rico is at a huge disadvantage by being forced to pay American domestic shipping prices while all its competitors have dramatically lower world market shipping rates. The Jones Act makes shipping to Puerto Rico dramatically more expensive than it is for other islands. This both raises the cost of living and weakens Puerto Rican companies trying to compete. Repealing the Jones Act for Puerto Rico would be like a giant tax cut that would provide an economic stimulus for the island;
9. Apply the Trump administration apprenticeship, vocational education, and online learning initiatives to help the Puerto Rican work force acquire the knowledge and skills needed to do the jobs the enterprise zone status will bring to the island.
These are examples of the kind of forward-looking initiatives that would give Puerto Ricans hope that their island will bounce back as an exciting desirable place to work and live.
Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are very, very concerned about the people of Puerto Rico. Both have joined the mayor of San Juan in criticizing President Trump for not doing enough for the Commonwealth in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
Seriously, where have they been?
Where were they when Puerto Ricos debts ballooned to $123 billion, thrusting the economy into an 11-year recession?
Where were they when 50,000 of the islands best and brightest hightailed to the mainland every year, looking for jobs and opportunities, as median household income sank to $18,626 as compared to $56,516 on the mainland?
Where were they as the territorys power system went bust, while its administrators came under FBI investigation for stealing from the people of Puerto Rico?
They were nowhere to be seen, except of course during election season. As more Puerto Ricans left the island looking for work, they swelled the Hispanic population in Florida, a group that Hillary Clintons campaign determined was key to her success in the state. In Orlando alone there were 80,000 registered Puerto Ricans. Signing up new Puerto Rican voters, who as residents of the U.S. are allowed to cast a ballot, became a critical tactic in Clintons Florida strategy. Polling determined that 74 percent of the newcomers were likely to support Hillary, as compared to 17 percent that fell in Trumps column.
Hillary appealed to Puerto Ricans in New York, Florida and elsewhere by appearing to support their enthusiasm for statehood. She didnt bother to campaign in the territory, even though winning Puerto Ricos Democratic primary helped her quest for the nomination last year. She sent Bill, instead.
Thats ironic because it was President Bill Clinton who signed the repeal of Section 936, the 1976 tax provision that exempted corporations operating in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico from federal taxes and caused a surge in economic activity on the island. That loophole caused numerous U.S. companies to set up shop in Puerto Rico, extending an industrialization program initiated in the 1950s called Operation Bootstrap. Over the period 1950 to 1980 per capita GNP rose ten-fold while disposable income soared 1,600 per cent. In the twenty years following the repeal of the tax advantage, manufacturing jobs were cut in half. Ten years after Clinton signed the phase-out into law, employment peaked in Puerto Rico, and the government started borrowing to make ends meet.
Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders, also campaigning for Puerto Rican votes, was one of the few that voted last year against the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, called Promesa, describing it as a return to the worst form of colonialism. The Promesa established a board, similar to those enacted to oversee the rescue of New York in the 1970s and Detroit in 2014, to resolve the islands financial situation and to rebuild its economy. Bernie was bound to hate the measure, especially since one of its key missions was to reduce the islands minimum wage. Given that cheap labor abounds in neighboring islands, and the Commonwealths persistently high unemployment, the federal minimum of $7.25 is injurious. Soon after losing the Puerto Rico primary, Sanders dropped the issue.
To be fair, Clinton and Sanders are not alone in having ignored Puerto Ricos problems. Legislators on both sides of the aisle have stood idly by, hoping the territorys unpayable debts would miraculously disappear. Now that the islands dysfunction has morphed from dangerous to fatal, and Puerto Rico is blaming Hurricane Maria and Donald Trump for its misfortunes, Americans are taking a hard look at just how badly the Commonwealth has been mismanaged. Theyre discovering that the damage wrought by recent storms, and the inadequate emergency response, was inevitable.
The federal oversight board claimed in its filings that the local government is unable to provide its citizens effective services. A year ago, the New York Times wrote that the territorys towering debt burden had crowded out other governmental spending in Puerto Rico, leaving a wake of devastation: closed schools, fewer hospital beds, homeless people squatting in abandoned houses. These conditions were devastating; Hurricane Maria made them life-threatening.
As disastrous as Puerto Ricos overall finances have become, the management of the territorys now-bankrupt power system the source of much of todays distress has been even worse. The utility, called Prepa, has for decades sent free power to 78 municipalities, many government endeavors, and even to for-profit businesses, as the Times reports, leading to high bills for private citizens and declining service. The system long relied on imported oil; the management has been accused of improper use of substandard fuel and of profiteering.
Weeks ago, before any major storms had hit the island, Prepas management warned that outages might last up to six months, given the antiquated state of its infrastructure. In September the Times quoted a 2016 report saying that Prepa appears to be running on fumes, anddesperately requires an infusion of capitalmonetary, human, and intellectualto restore a functional utility. No wonder most of the island is still without power.
If any good is to come out of the devastation of Hurricane Maria, perhaps it will be that Americans learn that political corruption fed by high taxes and a bloated bureaucracy is a toxic combination. This is not Venezuela. This is a U.S. territory, and a struggling neighbor, which needs our help and a serious economic reboot.
While President Trump was consoling the nation and offering support for Las Vegas, the Democrats and their friends in the media were rushing in to politicize a tragedy in the most despicable way imaginable.
The 59 people gunman Stephen Paddock killed were not even buried and the hundreds he injured still fighting for their lives when irresponsible politicians and members of the press sought to score cheap political points and push a gun-control agenda.
"Our grief isn't enough, said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. We can and must put politics aside and stand up to the NRA and work together to try and stop all of this from happening again."
Likewise, Hillary Clinton weighed in less than nine hours after the shooting and went deep into the gutter of politics. She mused that the massacre would have been worse if Paddock had a silencer, showing she knows as much about firearms as she does running a campaign.
Do these people have any decency? We don't know Paddocks motive. We have very few details. Families are still in shock. But this is their initial impulse. Imagine if President Trump today brought up the Second Amendment. How would the news media in this country have reacted?
When it comes to the medias reaction to this horrific event, it gets even worse. Liberal CNN reporter Jeff Zeleny suggests that the only reason President Trump is going to Las Vegas tomorrow is because the victims in the audience may have been his supporters.
Of course Las Vegas is a town that he is connected to and knows well, his name is emblazoned on top of a hotel there as well, he campaigned there a lot, Zeleny said. So, this is something that I'm not surprised at all to see him go there visiting early. Something else I think to keep in mind, a lot of these country music supporters were likely Trump supporters.
A top lawyer for CBS was fired Monday after writing something on Facebook that ought to make you sad and angry.
"If they wouldn't do anything when children were murdered, I have no hope that Republicans will ever do the right thing, wrote Hayley Geftman-Gold, CBSs now former vice president and senior counsel. I'm actually not even sympathetic [because] country music fans are often Republican gun toters."
Exploiting this shooting is pathetic. Yet every single time something like this takes place, Democrats rush to judgment without facts, immediately calling for stricter gun control. The lack of sympathy for the families speaks volumes. And if you watched TV all weekend, you saw they were doing the exact same thing when it comes to the recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
The island was pounded with two hurricanes. Its infrastructure, airports, roads, electrical grid, water supply and cellular service were all knocked out. And instead of focusing on the Trump administration's valiant efforts to help those people in need, the media again tried to politicize a natural disaster to hurt the president.
You've also heard a lot of commentary saying that yesterday might have been President Trump's Katrina moment, ABC newsman and former aide to President Clinton George Stephanopoulos said.
Let's go back to, you know, this comparison with Katrina, whether or not, this is Trump's Katrina, this could actually be worse, one guest said on NBCs Meet the Press. Because Katrina was about indifference and incompetence, this is about mean spiritedness.
And CNNs Jake Tapper decided race or ethnicity might be playing a factor in what he erroneously believes was Trumps delayed reaction to Puerto Rico.
In truth, the Trump administration is working nonstop to help people in need. After unrelenting attacks from the media, the White House press secretary Sarah Sanders tried to set the record straight.
The federal government is doing everything within our powers and capabilities to first focus on the life-sustaining and life-saving measures as well as on the rebuilding process, she said. Weve got over 12,000 federal staff on the ground, 64 hospitals out of 67 are partially or fully operational. Fourteen are now back on the electrical grid. Forty five percent of customers in Puerto Rico have access to drinking water. Eight commercial airports are operational, 65 percent of gas stations are open, all of these things are things that we are continuing to push, continuing to move forward and will be part of that effort.
Does that sound like Katrina? Does that sound like racism?
Whether it is a mass shooting by a lunatic or a devastating hurricane, the rush to politicize a tragedy and attack President Trump shows the liberal mainstream media would they rather just play politics than tell the truth or do its part to help when people are suffering.
Adapted from Sean Hannity's monologue on "Hannity," Oct. 2, 2017
Iraqs Christian and Yazidi communities have survived beheadings, sexual slavery and bloody religious genocide by ISIS but they may not endure the grossly unfair and badly managed U.S. aid programs that are now meant to help them following ISIS defeat. The ugly possibility is that U.S. assistance policies may finish the terrible work that the fanatics of ISIS started.
In fact, as Congress will learn Tuesday at a hearing on this issue, things are like they were in the Obama administration, only worse. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and USAID Director Mark Green continue to channel over $1 billion of aid for Iraqis through various United Nations agencies, which divert the money away from the smallest and most beleaguered minorities, who suffered most grievously under the Islamic State.
Unbelievably, to get U.S. assistance, Yazidis, another genocide-targeted minority in Iraq, and Christians were both expected to go to U.N. refugee camps that are infiltrated by ISIS sympathizers. The deeply traumatized minorities rejected this aid offer and sought private help instead.
For all of the past three years, U.S. humanitarian aid has bypassed the Christians and short-changed the Yazidis. The Chaldean Archdiocese of Erbil, which has been the sole guarantor of care for most Christian survivors of ISIS genocide, has received exactly zero of the $1.4 billion of U.S. humanitarian aid to Iraq since 2014. It chronicles a dozen times when its specific requests for aid were rejected by USAID and the State Department.
Unbelievably, to get U.S. assistance, Yazidis, another genocide-targeted minority in Iraq, and Christians were both expected to go to U.N. refugee camps that are infiltrated by ISIS sympathizers. The deeply traumatized minorities rejected this aid offer and sought private help instead.
Now, both groups are at an historic crossroads. Either Iraqs non-Muslim minorities get help to leave their displacement shelters in Kurdistan and rebuild their shattered towns or, in despair, they must emigrate and see the extinction of their ancient communities, along with Iraqs religious pluralism. The exodus is already occurring. Iraqs Christian community has plummeted 80 percent, to less than 250,000 since 2003.
The outlook is grim. These minorities are now facing the same U.S. policy regarding reconstruction aid as they have for food aid. The Trump administration has handed over all Americas reconstruction funding and decision-making to the United Nations. Moreover, the U.S. lacks direct oversight of the U.N.s projects in the Christian Nineveh Plains of Iraq.
The majority of the Christians and Yazidis have not gone home from shelters in Kurdistan, as the U.N. itself acknowledges. In fact, the non-Muslims have the lowest return rate of any Iraqi religious or ethnic group displaced by ISIS.
For the most part, their devastated towns remain uninhabitable, lacking the U.N.-sponsored water and electricity projects seen in the Sunni Muslim city of Mosul in the wake of ISISs ouster there in late July. Instead, U.N. reconstruction projects in Christian areas, for example, will not actually help most residents, but are minimal or nonexistent, local church authorities told me.
In one main Christian town, Bartella, the U.N.-listed projects largely consist of repairing municipal buildings, including a project to repair a buildings canopy and another to renovate the mayors building.
In the Christian town of Teleskof, the U.N. brandishes its name outside a girls school as a sign that it is reconstructing within. But photos of the interior reveal abandoned, unlit classrooms strewn with rubble and possibly booby traps. Local Christians point to it as an example of many bogus U.N. projects there.
Christian organizations overseeing the minorities return to their homes have no say in what projects are undertaken and Christians are virtually excluded from reconstruction contracts and jobs, the only real work available there now.
In July, a USAID Crisis Response official responded to an appeal for urgent help there, stating we do not specifically target assistance to minority religious or ethnic groups. For heavens sake, why not?
USAIDs response shows total disregard for the continuing struggle of Iraqs Christians and Yazidis to overcome religious-based genocide. Secretary of State Tillerson officially recognized this genocide last August.
In September, a State Department officer breezily dismissed my own plea, declaring the Nineveh Christians dont need help because the Church is taking such good care of them.
Meanwhile, Iran has opened a new elementary school in formerly Christian Bartella, named after the Ayatollah Khomeini. Tehran also completed a mosque and library there. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Iranian diplomats and Iraqi officials gave speeches. Iranian-backed militias flying sectarian flags man checkpoints in other Nineveh towns where Christians have not returned.
In other words, American aid policies are facilitating Irans colonization of parts of Nineveh.
At a Rome conference of the papal charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), on September 28, Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Sako decried the hatred of the radical Muslim persecutors towards the Christians, which has driven them to wipe away our heritage, destroy our homes and even to remove us from the memory of Iraqi history.
His words were uncharacteristically stark and reflect that Churchs desperation. He pleaded for international help for Ninevehs Christians.
With private donations, ACN, along with the Knights of Columbus and Samaritans Purse, are repairing Christian houses and churches. But U.S. government assistance is essential, especially for large infrastructure projects.
President Trump cannot afford to wait. He must direct his cabinet to bypass the U.N. and ensure that U.S. aid reaches Iraqs smallest minorities.
Important American humanitarian and security interests are at stake. So are countless lives in one of the oldest areas of continuous Christian settlement in the world.
A House bill banning abortions after 20 weeks on Monday received the official backing of the Trump administration.
The White House strongly supports the Republican efforts to secure critical pro-life protections and believes Americas children deserve the stronger protections that the bill would provide.
The bill, if enacted into law, would help to facilitate the culture of life to which our Nation aspires, the statement said. Additionally, the bill would promote a science-based approach to unborn life, as recent advancements have revealed that the physical structures necessary to experience pain are developed within 20 weeks of fertilization
Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks is sponsoring the bill and it is scheduled to come up for a vote on Tuesday in the House.
The bill would criminalize abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, introducing fines and jail sentences - up to five years for those who perform or attempt an abortion.
The measure would not penalize women seeking abortions after 20 weeks and would allow the procedure in the case of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.
Pro-choice groups have come out in staunch opposition to the bill, calling it cruel and unconstitutional.
"20 week abortion bans are: unpopular, unconstitutional, part of the agenda to ban ALL abortion, tweeted Planned Parenthood.
The Guttmacher Institute's director of public policy, Heather Boonstra, wrote in an op-ed for The Hill, saying the bills claim that unborn children can feel pain after 20 weeks is not supported by the preponderance of scientific evidence.
She also slammed the bills "particularly callous and cruel rape and incest exceptions" that require women to wait 48 hours and have two doctor visits with two different abortion providers before being allowed an abortion.
A similar bill passed the House back in 2015 but was later blocked by Senate Democrats, The Hill reported.
The new abortion bill is likely to pass the Republican-majority House but it might face opposition in the Senate where the rules require larger majority meaning Republicans would need to sway at least eight Democrats to pass the bill.
A familiar partisan divide was on display Tuesday at the Supreme Court in a case examining complaints that Wisconsin Republicans went too far in drawing electoral districts for maximum political advantage.
In a lively hour of oral arguments, the justices appeared at odds over whether the lawmakers created "extreme" legislative boundaries that benefited Republicans but were out of balance with the state's political makeup.
"It's okay to stack the decks so that for 10 years or an indefinite period of time one party, even though it gets a minority of votes, can get the majority of seats?" Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked, rhetorically.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, though, questioned whether such a court-mandated formula was possible or desirable.
"So what's this court supposed to do, a pinch of this, a pinch of that? Or are we supposed to actually specify a uniform standard," he asked. "That doesn't seem very fair to the states to me, to know what they're supposed to do to avoid the kind of litigation we're talking about."
The case on gerrymandering, which even brought actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger to D.C. Tuesday in support of changes, could have far-reaching implications for elections well beyond Wisconsin.
The court is being asked to endorse a standard for redistricting that would apply nationwide. The stakes are huge: the balance of power in state legislatures and Congress could tip in coming years, particularly after the 2020 census, when voting boundaries will be redrawn based on population changes.
After having lost the White House and Congress in 2008, Republicans undertook a complex plan to win control of state legislatures around the country in the 2010 mid-terms, so they could shape congressional districts going forward. They were wildly successful, and Democrats now hope a high court ruling in their favor will help them chip away at GOP gains.
After lower federal courts struck down Wisconsin's 2011 voting boundaries, state officials asked the high court for a "workable" legal standard to determine when partisan gerrymandering is impermissibly extreme.
In closely divided "purple" Wisconsin, the GOP still has a 64-35 advantage in the state Assembly and a 20-13 edge in the state Senate. This, despite President Trump winning the 2016 election by a single percentage point in that swing state.
The justices have traditionally been reluctant to wade too deeply into the gerrymandering issue, with several on the bench believing it is a political issue best handled outside the courts.
'I say 'hasta la vista' to gerrymandering.' Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Supreme Court redistricting case
"The court is ultimately going to decide, number one: is this an issue we as a court can decide and resolve, or is it something best left to the political branches?" said Thomas Dupree, a former top Bush Justice Department official. "And number two-- if it is something we can decide, what the heck do we do?"
Justice Anthony Kennedy seems to be the decisive vote for any major intervention, with court watchers citing a 2004 concurrence. Kennedy said he "would not foreclose all possibility of judicial relief if some limited and precise rationale were found to correct an established violation of the Constitution in some redistricting cases."
In Tuesday's oral arguments, Kennedy appeared open to the idea of this court getting involved. He repeatedly pressed lawyers representing Wisconsin to answer whether a constitutional violation was at issue, and what remedy was preferred.
Other members of the court were more vocally skeptical of the Wisconsin state plan.
"What's really behind all of this? The precious right to vote, if you can stack a legislature in this way, what incentive is there for a voter to exercise his vote?" said Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. "Whether it's a Democratic district or a Republican district, the result, using this map, is preordained in most of the districts."
The increasing use of computer technology to create these maps has created competing analytical models that rely on such wonky metrics as "sensitivity testing" and "efficiency gaps." Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Stephen Breyer both jokingly called it "gobbledygook," but the justices are being asked to embrace some kind of social science statistical model going forward.
Supporters of reform included members of both major political parties, including former GOP California governor Schwarzenegger, who attended the arguments. He said the current redistricting system unfairly favors incumbents.
"You know there is something wrong with the system, and they will not fix it, the politicians," he said. "Both parties do the same thing ... I say 'hasta la vista' to gerrymandering," he added, quoting his famous movie line.
Misha Tseytlin, the state solicitor general in Wisconsin, called claims of politics gone amok to be "scare tactics not borne out by the data," and said legislators in his state acted within the law.
Justice Samuel Alito called gerrymandering "distasteful," but added, "if we're going to impose a standard on the courts it's going to have to be manageable."
Roberts worried what would happen if the high court gets involved in a every gerrymandering dispute.
"We'll have to decide in every case whether the Democrats win or the Republicans win," said Roberts. "That is going to cause very serious harm to the status and integrity of the decisions of this court in the eyes of the country."
More than three-dozen states rely on the state legislature to redraw boundaries. Other states such as California rely on an independent commission to create what supporters say would be less extreme districts. Two years ago, Kennedy was the deciding vote in a ruling allowing Arizona voters to take put the process into such a commission.
Federal courts are deciding whether Maryland's Democrat-crafted maps go too far, and similar lawsuits challenge the GOP-controlled version in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
The high court case is Gill v. Whitford (16-1161). A ruling is expected by next summer.
The Environmental Protection Agency awarded more than $540 million worth of often-sensitive information security contracts during the last two years of the Obama administration without learning whether the contractors now doing the jobs have gotten special role-based training required for their tasks, according to an internal audit report.
Indeed, the EPA, at the time the audit was conducted, was unaware of the number of contractors who actually had significant information security responsibilities and required such training, the audit says and largely didnt even track contractors to see if they met the training requirements.
Nor had the agency reported any of the training lapses to the White House Office of Management and Budget, as required, for either of the two fiscal years, 2015 and 2016, a period when the EPA was under the direction of Administrator Gina McCarthy.
The federal governments fiscal year runs from October of the previous year through October of the designated year.
As a result, the audit declares in carefully oblique prose: EPA management lacks the necessary data to make risk-based decisions about the capabilities of its contractor workforce charged with protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the agencys network and data.
Translation: EPA officials had no way of knowing whether the contractors were always capable of keeping its cyber-networks and their data secure or not, because it neither evaluated them for significant information security responsibilities nor provided role-based training for them, as required both by law and by internal administrative guidelines.
Moreover, without consistently developing contractor employee skills to counter cyberattacks, EPA [computer] applications are more likely to be compromised by a security breach where personally identifiable and other information could be lost or altered. This could lead to compromised identities, or the potential for environmental data used to protect and improve human health and the environment being altered or erased.
The 11-page audit by EPAs Office of Inspector General (OIG) concerning the glaring info-security lapses, and accompanying preliminary responses from EPA officials, was finished last July, but the agency told Fox News last week it is still working on its formal replies. Auditors worked on the project for more than a year, from March 2016 through April 2017.
CLICK HERE FOR THE AUDIT
Some of the work being carried out by those untracked contractors is far from trivial. Based on a sampling of five of 688 EPA contracts that nonetheless covered roughly 30 percent of the overall $546.5 million total, these areas included:
? Information technology hosting service at EPAs National Computing Center, located in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, and self-described as one of the largest computer centers in the United States. The NCC is EPAs main nerve center. It provides large scale computing services for EPA nationwide, including administrative activities as well as telecommunications and e-mail, and advanced supercomputing for scientific research in air quality protection and other environmental studies, according to the NCC website, not to mention EPAs information security.
? The custom application management contract at the same National Center, which focuses on ensuring that computer applications are fine-tuned appropriately in such areas as security, performance and disaster-proofing.
? Operation and maintenance support for EPAs own procurement system, which currently lists about $4.4 billion in contracts as of May 2017;
? The general information technology contract for EPAs desktop applications, security partitioning, and remote access, among other things.
The lapses in the EPAs cybersecurity training cycles spanned a period that started three months after the Obama administration launched a much-publicized 30-Day Sprint to patch cybersecurity vulnerabilities in 2015, after some of the biggest hacks of U.S. government data in history at the White House Office of Personnel Management.
The lapses in procedure, and failure to report the shortcomings, also came more than two years after the massive U.S. intelligence breaches carried out by notorious leaker Edward Snowden, many of them accomplished while he was an information security contractor with the ultra-sensitive National Security Agency.
The EPA, of course, is by no means as sensitive a government agency as the ultra-secret NSA.
Nonetheless, in the new atmosphere of concern for information security vulnerabilities of all kinds, the OIG watchdogs found that in three of the contacts they inspected, which included the NCC and procurement systems, there was no language at all demanding contractors complete the required training.
The auditors also discovered that EPA personnel overseeing the contractors were themselves not often aware of the demand for special contractor training and only one of them ensured that any contractors got the appropriate training.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, even before the auditors finished their investigation, things began to change. By the end of 2016, their report says, the EPA told them that the agency had developed standard contract clauses to require contractor compliance with federal information security requirements, including the specialized training.
New contracts for 2017, the audit report says, are being reviewed to make sure they contain the new language.
However, the report adds, the official said no milestone dates have been established to review existing contracts for the inclusion of the clauses.
The auditors offered a number of recommendations, including inclusion of its new information security clauses, in all existing and future information technology contracts and task orders, not to mention getting a list of all the contractors in sensitive positions that they are already supposed to be tracking, and recording whether they are getting the required specialized training or not.
The question is when? Under a timetable appended to the audit, the EPA was supposed to implement a strategy for updating all those past contracts by the end of June 2017. It also was supposed to report the number of contractors in special positions, as required by law, by the end of September.
It is additionally supposed to implement a process to have appropriate EPA officials maintain a listing of sensitive contractor personnel and make the EPA bureaucrats accountable to the agencys Chief Information Security Officer for ensuring that the appropriate training takes placeby the end of 2018.
And EPA is supposed to the update its procurement policies to include cyber-security tasksthe training issue among themonly by the end of October 2019.
All of that, however, is apparently still preliminary. In response to a question from Fox News late last week, an EPA spokesperson declared that two internal EPA offices are still working to develop our formal response [to the audit] and a timeline for delivering that response.
The Republican-controlled House on Tuesday approved a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy -- a measure backed by the Trump White House but still facing long odds in the Senate.
The measure passed 237 to 189.
So often we get caught up in the policies of this issue and we forget that these are babies, for goodness sake," Alabama Republican Rep. Martha Roby said in a speech on the House floor. "They feel pain and we need to protect them.
The measure faced strong opposition from abortion-rights lawmakers.
When abortion is banned, it does not go away, Oregon Democratic Rep. Suzanne Bonamici said on the floor before the vote. It drives women to unsafe back alleys and to dangerous self-induced abortion.
The White House said Monday that it strongly supports the efforts to secure critical pro-life protections and that the bill provides children with the stronger protections they deserve.
The bill, if enacted into law, would help to facilitate the culture of life to which our Nation aspires, the White House also said in a statement. Additionally, the bill would promote a science-based approach to unborn life, as recent advancements have revealed that the physical structures necessary to experience pain are developed within 20 weeks of fertilization.
The measure, if enacted into law, would allow the procedure after 20 weeks in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother and would not penalize women. However, it would criminalize other abortions after 20 weeks and punish abortion providers with a maximum five-year jail sentence.
The landmark 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade protects womens right to have an abortion. However, more than a dozen states now ban them after 20 weeks.
Its science: unborn babies feel pain by at least 20 weeks. Late, dismemberment abortions are too extreme for America. #TheyFeelPain, bill sponsor Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., tweeted ahead of the vote Monday.
Franks' bill enjoyed the support of fellow conservatives in the GOP conference and from the influential Susan B. Anthony List pro-life group.
However, the bill needs the unlikely support of at least eight Democrats to pass in the narrowly GOP-controlled Senate.
South Carolina GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham has companion legislation that could be introduced as early as Tuesday, a congressional source told Fox News.
Senate Democrats rejected a similar House bill in 2015.
"20 week abortion bans are: unpopular, unconstitutional, part of the agenda to ban ALL abortion, tweeted Planned Parenthood.
Fox News' Joseph Weber and Alex Pappas contributed to this report.
Top health officials from the Obama administration testified Tuesday that Sen. Robert Menendez pressured them to change a long-standing Medicare policy in a way that would benefit the Florida ophthalmologist at the center of the New Jersey Democrats corruption trial.
Menendez is accused of accepting campaign donations, gifts and vacations from his friend Dr. Salomon Melgen. In return, Menendez allegedly used his Senate powers to lobby on behalf of Melgens business interests.
Then-Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, the highest-level Obama official to testify in the case, took the stand Tuesday to describe a meeting she had with Menendez in the office of then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. Prosecutors previously filed brief said that meeting was held in August 2012 and alleged Menendez personally pressured Sebelius to intervene over a Medicare payment policy, though Sebelius balked.
Giving her side of the story, Sebelius testified Tuesday that the gist of the conversation involved Menendezs unhappiness over the policy, which he felt was unclear and unfair to providers. The policy happened to be at the center of a billing dispute involving Melgen.
He felt this was a policy that needed attention and was not fair to health care providers, Sebelius said Tuesday. I basically reiterated what I knew about this practice and what I knew about the policy, which was I thought the policy was clear.
She added, To me it was pretty simple, and noted that she didnt think it was a very satisfactory meeting for Menendez.
Sebelius also said it was unusual for Reid to invite her to a meeting involving another member of Congress. It was actually the only time in five and a half years that this occurred, she said.
But Sebelius wasnt the only Obama health official with whom Menendez met. Two months earlier, Menendez met with then-Acting Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Marilyn Tavenner, who also testified Tuesday.
Their meeting apparently ended on a similar note with the health official pushing back, and Menendez allegedly dissatisfied.
Tavenner testified Tuesday that she met Menendez in his office in June 2012 to discuss the Medicare payment policy.
What he was asking me was to take a look at the policy, and the policy went back for a few years, Tavenner testified. And he was questioning the clarity of the policy and [asked] if I would take a look.
She suggested that when Menendez determined Tavenner would not be altering the policy, he seemed to want to take his request up the ranks.
I think he was not happy. He told me he was disappointed, that he felt there should have been changes, Tavenner testified. And that he did not intend to let it stand. He intended to take it to the next steps.
Tavenner, who worked for CMS for five years, explained that those next steps would include bringing the issue to Sebelius.
According to court documents filed in 2016, CMS in 2009 suspected Melgen had overbilled Medicare for $8.9 million from 2007-2008 by engaging in a prohibited practice known as multi-dosing. According to court documents, the Medicare policy required that each patient receiving the drug Lucentis be treated using a separate vial, but Melgen routinely used the extra solution from a single vial to treat multiple patients. CMS believed Melgen was paid for more vials of the drug than he actually used.
According to Tavenner, the changes to the Medicare payment policy Menendez allegedly proposed would have benefitted Melgen, though she did not recall Melgens name coming up in the June 2012 meeting.
HARRY REID EXPECTED TO BE CALLED TO TESTIFY IN MENENDEZ TRIAL, SOURCE SAYS
Menendez has proclaimed his innocence in the case. When the trial opened last month, his lawyers said the case is not about corruption or bribery but about a long-term friendship.
Reid also is expected to be called to testify in the Menendez trial. The former Senate Democratic leaders name re-emerged weeks ago in the case, when prosecutors said he was first enlisted by Menendez in November 2011 to advocate for Melgen in the ongoing dispute with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS.)
Reid already has met with the Justice Department and the FBI in connection with the investigation, back in 2015.
Court documents claim that Reid reached out to the White House deputy chief of staff in 2011 about Menendez being upset about how a Florida ophthalmologist was being treated by CMS. Prosecutors said the White House deputy chief of staff demurred as it involved a dispute between a single doctor and an administrative agency, not a policy matter.
In June 2012, Melgen also apparently flew Reid on his companys private plane from Washington to Boston and back, but Menendez was not present, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
Reid did not respond to Fox News request for comment.
Fox News' Tara Prindiville and Whitney Ksiazek contributed to this report.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis testified Tuesday that the United States should remain in the Iran nuclear deal, as President Trump weighs whether to renew the controversial agreement ahead of an Oct. 15 deadline.
The president has been highly critical of the Obama-era pact, as recently as last month calling it one of the "worst deals" he's ever seen.
But Mattis and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford both indicated support for the agreement during a hearing Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Mattis was pressed by Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, on whether he thought there was a national security interest to remain in the Iran deal.
Yes, sir. I do, Mattis said.
Late last month, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson suggested that the president had made his decision on whether to withdraw from the agreement but had not shared that decision externally.
The president, who has twice re-certified the deal since taking office, has repeatedly slammed the arrangement. He told reporters last month that it's not "fair" and should never have been made.
But Trump has not said whether he plans to re-certify Iran's compliance by the Oct. 15 deadline. Denying certification could lead the U.S. to reintroduce sanctions, which could lead Iran to walk away from the deal or even restart some nuclear activities it had engaged in prior to the 2015 agreement.
Dunford testified Tuesday that Iran, however, is following the requirements of the deal.
The agreement right now, what I testified to last week, Iran is not in material breach of the agreement, Dunford told lawmakers on the panel. And I do believe the agreement, to date, has delayed the development of nuclear capability by Iran.
Mattis noted that while he believes it is in the best interest of the U.S. to abide by the nuclear deal, the administration is very alert to any cheating by the Iranians.
The amount of misconduct, I would call it, internationally, whether it be with ballistic missiles, rhetoric, support to terrorists, threats to our friends, Arab and Israel in the region by Iran, are areas that they are open to a great deal, I think, of censure by the international community, Mattis said. We are not naive about their agreement on the nuclear issue, and we are being very alert to any cheating on that right now.
Congress requires the president to certify the Iran deal every 90 days under law.
They are two different pieces, Mattis said, referring to the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act and the international agreement. Ive been dealing with the president and the secretary of state and it is being considered in terms of security for the U.S.the law plus the agreement.
Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, called it both inappropriate and premature to discuss whether Congress should consider gun control legislation in the wake of Sundays massacre in Las Vegas, where 59 people were killed and more than 500 were injured by a crazed gunman who shot concertgoers from a high-rise casino hotel room.
Look the investigation has not even been completed, and I think its premature to be discussing legislative solutions, if there are any, McConnell told reporters, when asked if he could support new gun restrictions in response to the countrys deadliest mass shooting.
Pressed on the issue, McConnell said the Senates priority is still on passing tax reform.
I think it's particularly inappropriate to politicize an event like this, the Kentucky Republican said. It just happened in the last day and a half.
Democrats are calling on Congress to take action. On Monday morning, just hours after the shooting, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton called for the defeat of a National Rifle Association-backed bill in Congress that would ease regulations on gun silencers.
The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots, Clinton tweeted. Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get. Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again.
Likewise, Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, an ardent proponent of gun control, blasted what he referred to as legislative indifference on guns.
It's time for Congress to get off its ass and do something," he said.
On Tuesday, President Trump wouldnt discuss whether he thought there should be new gun control measures, but suggested hes open to a debate about gun laws in the United States at a later date.
HILLARY CLINTON SLAMMED FOR STATEMENT ON GUNS AFTER LAS VEGAS SHOOTING
Look, we have a tragedy, the president told reporters at the White House. What happened is, in many ways, a miracle. The police department, theyve done such an incredible job. And well be talking about gun laws as time goes on.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday its too early to discuss policy changes when authorities still havent gathered all the facts of the shooting.
There's a time and place for a political debate, but now is the time to unite as a country, Sanders said. There is currently an open and ongoing law enforcement investigation. A motive is yet to be determined.
Senate Democrats and Republicans agreed Tuesday to work together to keep protections for young illegal immigrants under DACA, in their first hearing since President Trump ended the Obama-era immigration policy -- but the partisan divide remained on full display.
Republicans called for increased border security while Democrats focused on the estimated 700,000 dreamers who would benefit from crafting a legislative alternative to the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
We all have empathy for these young people, who came to this country through no fault of their own. And, for many of them, it is the only country they know, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in his opening statement.
However, he followed up with demands that any new legislation first and foremost include robust border security.
And by that, I dont mean a wall, Grassley said. Tactical infrastructure like fencing is a part of the answer, but border security is more than that. Border security is an all-of-the-above approach and includes fencing, technology, funding for more law enforcement personnel and equipment.
Trump announced in early September that the administration would end former President Barack Obamas DACA executive action that essentially allows law-abiding illegal immigrants brought into the U.S. by their parents to live and work in the country without fear of deportation.
The administration argued federal courts were ready to strike down DACA as unconstitutional, which would put the dreamers in peril.
Trump gave Congress six months to find a legislative alternative, then struck a framework deal with House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, California, and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, New York, that could allow the dreamers to stay with an eventual path toward citizenship.
If Republicans continue to insist on measures outside of the Dream Act and sensible border security that excludes the wall, theyre going to risk ruining a bipartisan agreement, Schumer, who is not a member of the Judiciary committee, said after the hearing Tuesday.
At the hearing, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the committees top Democrat, continued her partys efforts to highlight successful dreamers, in negotiating a legislative solution.
They have become a part of Americas society. And efforts to expel them, I believe, would be unconscionable, Feinstein said in opening remarks in which she also introduced Denisse Rojas, a dreamer and medical student at Mount Sinai in New York who would later testify before the committee.
I am so proud of her, Feinstein said. The last months must have been a rollercoaster of fear and uncertainty for young Miss Rojas and the rest of those young people.
If Congress fails to act by March, dreamers work permits will begin to expire and they will become subject to deportation.
The hearing also included testimony on the issue from top officials from the Justice Department, Homeland Security Department and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
"They are a benefit to this country They are a valuable contribution to our society," Michael Dougherty, an assistant Homeland Security secretary, testified as dozens of dreamers wearing orange shirts watched from the audience.
Dougherty; James McCament, ICEs acting director; and Chad Readler, Justices acting assistant attorney general, all said they are eager to provide Congress with technical guidance on crafting legislation but declined several requests by senators to make suggestions.
Fox News' Joseph Weber and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Trump visited storm-ravaged Puerto Rico on Tuesday to survey damage and talk to residents, while also meeting and briefly praising the San Juan mayor following their feud over the administration's response to Hurricane Maria.
The president, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, participated in a packed briefing on storm recovery shortly after landing at Luis Muniz Air National Guard Base in San Juan.
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who has repeatedly criticized the presidents actions since the storm wreaked havoc on the U.S. territory last month, was seen shaking Trump's hand and joining him for the briefing in a hangar.
Trump didnt mention Cruz in his remarks to the media. But in comments that seemed meant to draw a contrast the president singled out Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, for praise.
This governor did not play politics, Trump said. He didnt play it all. He was saying it like it was. And he was giving us the highest grades.
While in Puerto Rico, Trump viewed the damage from a helicopter, participated in several briefings with officials, met storm victims and toured the USS Kearsarge. He also met with senior military personnel and government officials, including Rossello and Kenneth Mapp, the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which was also severely damaged by the storm.
Now, I hate to tell you Puerto Rico, but youve thrown our budget a little bit out of whack, the president said at the hangar briefing. Because weve spent a lot of money on Puerto Rico. And thats fine, weve saved a lot of lives.
The president pointed out that 16 people died in Puerto Rico because of Maria -- a death count far lower than that of a real catastrophe like Katrina in 2005.
Sixteen people versus in the thousands, Trump said. You can be very proud of all your people.
Trump's visit comes just days after getting into a high-profile spat with the San Juan mayor.
Cruz had begged the administration to "make sure somebody is in charge that is up to the task of saving lives."
Trump responded angrily on Twitter, deriding the "poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help."
Trump downplayed the spat with the mayor when asked about it by reporters as he departed the White House on Tuesday.
Well, I think shes come back a long way, Trump said. I think its now acknowledged what a great job weve done, and people are looking at that. And in Texas and in Florida, we get an A+. And Ill tell you what, I think weve done just as good in Puerto Rico, and its actually a much tougher situation.
But Trump added: On a local level, they have to give us more help.
After his hangar briefing, Trump walked from home to home through a neighborhood in Guaynabo, where piles of debris and downed trees were visible. Accompanied by Puerto Ricos governor, Trump greeted residents and took photos with them outside their homes.
Maria was the most powerful hurricane to hit the island in nearly a century and unleashed floods and mudslides that knocked out the island's entire electrical grid and telecommunications, along with many roads.
Nearly two weeks after the Puerto Rico storm, 95 percent of electricity customers remain without power, including some hospitals. And much of the countryside is still struggling to access such basic necessities as food, fresh water and cash.
Trump and other administration officials have worked in recent days to reassure Americans that recovery efforts are going well and combat a perception that the president failed to fully grasp the magnitude of the storm's destruction in its immediate aftermath.
While early response efforts were hampered by logistical challenges, officials say that conditions, especially in the capital, have improved.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there are now more than 10,000 federal officials on the ground on the island, and 45 percent of customers now have access to drinking water. Businesses are also beginning to re-open, with 60 percent of retail gas stations now up and running.
Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing on Tuesday that the United States military has 10,000 troops on the ground in Puerto Rico.
A number of top officials joined the president for Tuesday's trip, including Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, Puerto Ricos representative in Congress, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, Small Business administrator Linda McMahon and Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert.
FEMA administrator Brock Long is also in Puerto Rico.
Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
President Trump told Puerto Rico officials during a visit to the hurricane-ravaged island Tuesday that they should be proud of a death toll that is lower than that of other disasters like Katrina.
The awkward exchange took place during a briefing Trump attended minutes after touching down in San Juan.
Every death is a horror, but if you look at a real catastrophe like Katrina, and you look at the tremendous, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people that died, and you look at what happened here with really a storm that was just totally overpowering. Nobody's ever seen anything like this," Trump said.
He then paused and asked, What is your death count?
When told the number still stands at 16, Trump said, Sixteen people versus in the thousands you can be very proud."
Puerto Rico officials have indicated in recent days, though, that the situation remains dire for many residents.
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who has repeatedly criticized the presidents actions since the storm wreaked havoc on the U.S. territory, attended Tuesdays briefing and was seen shaking Trump's hand.
Trump also took a swipe at the cost of the storm response Tuesday.
Youre throwing our budget a little out of whack, because weve spent a lot of money on Puerto Rico, and thats fine. Weve saved a lot of lives, he said.
President Donald Trump is embarking on a trip to Puerto Rican capital San Juan in the wake of criticism from local politicians for the allegedly weak response to Hurricane Maria that destroyed the U.S. territory.
There's nothing left. It's been wiped out," Trump said last week about Puerto Rico following the hurricane that left most people without power and fresh drinking water. "Nobody has ever seen anything like it."
The president is expected to spend at least five hours in Puerto Rico during which he will meet first responders, local politicians and some residents. He is expected to meet with Gov. Ricardo Rossell, visit a local church, and attend briefings. Accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, they also will meet Marine Corps and Navy personnel.
It will be Trumps fourth trip to a region devastated by natural disasters, including Texas, Florida, Louisiana, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Most Puerto Rican politicians have worked closely with the Trump administration in coordinating the recovery efforts, but some local politicians have attacked Trump for, in their view, lousy response to the disaster.
"We are dying, and you are killing us with the inefficiency," San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz slammed the Trump administration during a press conference last Friday, adding that a genocide is looming if the crisis is not handled.
Trump has fired back at criticism, tweeting: Such poor leadership ability by the Mayor of San Juan, and others in Puerto Rico, who are not able to get their workers to help. They want everything to be done for them when it should be a community effort. 10,000 Federal workers now on Island doing a fantastic job.
FEMA reportedly said there are more than 10,000 federal personnel on the island providing vital recovery support. Nearly 50 percent of people now have access to drinking water, the agency added.
Hurricane Maria has exacerbated the dire situation in Puerto Rico, a territory that has been in economic recession for about a decade and undergoing a debt crisis. The economic woes left the countrys infrastructure in a sorry state, making the recovery harder.
Almost two weeks after the hurricane slammed the territory, more than 90 percent of residents are still left without power. Some hospitals reportedly have no power as well. Rural areas still struggle to access essential needs such as food, fresh water or medicine.
Trumps visit is thought to be about fixing the perception among some that the administration has neglected the response to the crisis. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Monday the trip will be about the recovery to which the administration is fully committed to.
"The top priority for the federal government is certainly to protect the lives and the safety of those in affected areas and provide life-sustaining services as we work together to rebuild their lives," she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The U.S. has ordered the expulsion of 15 Cuban diplomats from their embassy in Washington following mysterious attacks on American officials in Havana.
U.S. officials said the diplomats must leave the country within seven days. While the move is described as an "expulsion," the U.S. isn't declaring them "persona non grata" -- a designation that would prevent them from ever returning, according to a State Department official.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday the decision was made because Cuba failed to protect diplomats on its soil -- without directly blaming Cuba for the attacks on Americans in Havana.
"The decision was made due to Cuba's failure to take appropriate steps to protect our diplomats in accordance with its obligations under the Vienna Convention," Tillerson said in a statement.
The U.S. is also withdrawing 60 percent of U.S. diplomats from the embassy in Havana as a result of the unexplained attacks that have harmed at least 22 American government workers and their family members.
"Until the government of Cuba can ensure the safety of our diplomats in Cuba, our embassy will be reduced to emergency personnel to minimize the number of diplomats at risk of exposure to harm," Tillerson said. "We continue to maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, and will continue to cooperate with Cuba as we pursue the investigation into these attacks."
The Cuban government called the move "hasty" and "irresponsible," according to the Associated Press.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez denied Cuba's involvement in the attacks in a news conference.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly protests and condemns this unfounded and unacceptable decision as well as the pretext to justify it," Rodriguez said.
At least 22 U.S. Embassy employees on the communist-run island have reported injuries from attacks "of an unknown nature," according to the State Department. Symptoms have included ear issues, hearing loss, dizziness, headache, fatigue, cognitive issues and difficulty sleeping.
The State Department said last week that investigators have been unable to determine who is responsible or what is causing these attacks.
On Friday, the Trump administration ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Havana, as well as all family members. The U.S. also issued a travel warning advising American citizens to avoid travel to Cuba.
"We have no reports that private U.S. citizens have been affected, but the attacks are known to have occurred in U.S. diplomatic residences and hotels frequented by U.S. citizens," Tillerson said.
The Associated Press, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported that American intelligence operatives in Cuba were among the first and most severely affected victims.
In some of these cases, U.S. operatives have suffered brain injury and hearing loss that has not healed, according to the AP. The American spies affected also reported hearing an unsettling sound inside and sometimes outside their Havana homes, described as similar to loud crickets. Then they fell ill with a range of physical symptoms.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Philosopher Jeremy Bentham's severed head will put on display for exhibit, with scientists also looking to see if the famed eccentric may have had autism.
Bentham, who died in 1832, was a leading philosopher during the late 18th and early 19th century, weighing in on issues such as social and economic reform. He established the "greatest happiness principle," which brought about the idea that the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people was the measure of right and wrong.
The exhibition positions Benthams head within the context of his scholarship and his beliefs, with reference to prevailing ideas of the time about death and dead bodies," Subhadra Das, Curator of Collections, UCL Culture, said in a press release. "It asks the question, 'why did he believe donation was important'? And forces us to ask what that means to us today.
ANCIENT PUZZLE: 4,000-YEAR-OLD DECAPITATED TOADS FOUND IN ISRAELI TOMB
Bentham was an atheist, who said the teachings of the church at the time were "nonsense on stilts." As a result, he was opposed to a traditional Christian burial.
The body has been on public display at University College London, but due to a mistake with the mummification process, Bentham's head has been thought too distasteful to show in the past, being checked only once a year for upkeep, including checking that the skin and hair are not falling off, according to The Telegraph.
Scientists have also taken samples of the famed philosopher's DNA to see if he has Aspergers or autism.
Das said that by putting his head on display, it allows scientists to find out the truth about his mental state, as Asperger's or autism have genetic components to them.
It has also allowed scientists to test his DNA to see if he was autistic," Das said. "We have been working with the Natural History Museum who have new techniques of studying ancient DNA."
HITLER MAY HAVE COME CLOSE TO BUILDING ATOMIC BOMB, GERMAN TREASURE HUNTER FINDS
Studying ancient DNA is like looking at the shredded pages of a book, so much information is missing," he added. "And we have found that 99 per cent of the DNA taken has come from bacteria in his mouth. So it may be tricky to come to a firm conclusion. We want to explore what drove Bentham to donate his body, but also to address the challenges of putting this type of material on display.
The exhibition runs from October 2 2017 to February 28 2018 at the Octagon Gallery, Wilkins Building, UCL.
A new examination of old data suggests that there might be ice hiding in the Martian equator, even though scientists previously thought that the substance couldn't exist there.
Scientists uncovered an unexpected amount of hydrogen when looking at older data from NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft dating back to between 2002 and 2009. At higher latitudes, hydrogen generally indicates buried water ice, but this was not believed possible at the equator, according to a statement from NASA.
If there is indeed water there, this would help with a future human mission to Mars, because it could mean the astronauts wouldn't need to bring the substance with them for drinking, cooling equipment or watering plants, researchers said in the statement. Instead, the astronauts could live off the land to an extent, reducing the number of resources that need to be trucked (at higher cost) from Earth. [How The Search for Water on Mars in Pictures]
Mars Odyssey's first major discovery, in 2002, was also linked to water; the spacecraft found buried hydrogen at high latitudes, and the 2008 landing of the Phoenix Mars lander confirmed that there was water ice. However, at lower latitudes, measurements of hydrogen were explained as hydrated minerals (which other spacecraft have also observed). Researchers didn't think water ice was thermodynamically stable in those areas.
For this new study, the researchers analyzed data collected using Mars Odyssey's neutron spectrometer. The instrument is not designed to directly detect water, but by measuring neutrons, it can detect signatures of hydrogen, which can mark the presence of water or other hydrogen-bearing substances.
The science team reduced the blurring or "noise" in Odyssey's data using image-reconstruction techniques based on those used for other spacecraft and for medicine, according to the statement. This improved the spatial resolution of the data to 180 miles (290 kilometers), twice the previous resolution of 320 miles (520 km).
"It was as if we'd cut the spacecraft's orbital altitude in half, and it gave us a much better view of what's happening on the surface," Jack Wilson, the study's principal investigator and a postdoctoral researcher at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland, said in the statement. Using those closer views, the researchers saw even higher levels of hydrogen, suggestive of water.
Their work focused on equatorial areas, particularly in zones around the Medusae Fossae formation, an area that includes material that is easy to erode. Previous observations from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and the European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter suggested there might be volcanic deposits or water ice just below the surface. Scientists, however, were skeptical that it was water ice, because "if the detected hydrogen were buried ice within the top meter [3.3 feet] of the surface, there would be more than would fit into pore space in soil," Wilson said.
The study's scientists emphasized that more evidence is needed to conclude that the signature indeed comes from water ice. They're not too sure how the water was preserved, they said; perhaps ice and dust flowing from the poles moved through the atmosphere when Mars had a steeper axis tilt than today. However, it's been at least hundreds of thousands of years since those conditions existed, and the water ice deposited back then shouldn't be around anymore, the researchers said. (This would be true even if, somehow, dust or a crust at the surface trapped the humidity underground, the scientists added.)
"Perhaps the signature could be explained in terms of extensive deposits of hydrated salts, but how these hydrated salts came to be in the formation is also difficult to explain," Wilson said. "So, for now, the signature remains a mystery worthy of further study, and Mars continues to surprise us."
The new work was detailed Sept. 28 in the journal Icarus.
Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
Google's latest hardware event is almost here, and it's slated to be a big one.
While the upcoming Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones will likely be the stars of the show, we're also expecting big new announcements for Google Home, as well as the debut of an ultra-premium Chromebook. From sexy new phones to stunning augmented reality tech, here's everything to expect from Google on Oct. 4, and where to watch all the big reveals.
When and Where to Watch
Google's big hardware showcase will kick off on Oct. 4 at 12 p.m. ET, and will be livestreamed on the company's YouTube channel. We'll be on the ground in California covering all the big news as it happens, so be sure to check back right here for all the latest announcements and hands-on impressions.
Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Google is set to finally unveil the much anticipated sequels to its Pixel phone, which became an Android favorite last year, thanks to its excellent camera and pure software experience. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are expected to build on that foundation, offering faster performance, curved OLED displays (at least on the XL), waterproof bodies, and, potentially, squeezable frames that let you summon Google Assistant by simply squeezing the phones.
LG is rumored to be building the Pixel 2 XL, while Google's newly-acquired HTC is expected to be working on the Pixel 2. The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will likely have 5- and 6-inch displays, respectively, will run on powerful Snapdragon 835 chips, and may ditch the headphone jack, which would be controversial. Expect the Pixel 2 to start at $649, and the Pixel 2 XL at a much more premium $849.
Pixelbook
Chromebooks are known for affordability, but they might soon welcome an ultra-premium member to the family with Google's rumored Pixelbook. This purported high-end Chromebook could feature a 2-in-1 convertible design, complete with a touchscreen and a special Pixelbook Pen designed for accurate drawing.
While Chromebooks typically run almost entirely on web-based applications, the Pixelbook could be different.The highest-end version of Google's notebook is expected to sport a 512GB hard drive (for a whopping $1,749), suggesting that the Pixelbook could launch with a new hybrid software that blends together Chrome OS and Android for more robust app functionality.
Google Home Max and Mini
The Google Home could get two major new variations that would help Google continue to compete with Amazon for smart speaker dominance. According to leaked images, the first of these devices will be the Google Home Mini, a $49 puck-shaped speaker that will come in a variety of colors and looks like a direct answer to Amazon's Echo Dot.
We also might see a higher-end Google Home Max, according to a report from 9to5Google . The Max could feature stereo speakers to deliver higher-quality sound, and is expected to sport "premium" materials. It's unclear whether this device will be a dedicated speaker such as Apple's upcoming $349 HomePod , or a hybrid touchscreen device such as the new $229 Amazon Echo Show . Either way, it'll probably be expensive, and will hopefully sound great.
Daydream and ARCore
Expect to hear updates on both virtual- and augmented reality at Google's big event. Google's Daydream VR headset is approaching its one-year anniversary, and could get three new models that come in charcoal black, fog gray and coral -- just like the leaked Google Home Mini. According to DroidLife , these new models will cost $99, which is a $20 price bump over last year's model. No word yet on what kinds of technical upgrades to expect, nor what kind of new VR content Google has up its sleeve.
There's also Google's new ARCore technology, which is poised to compete with Apple's ARKit by enabling developers to create all kinds of cool AR experiences for your Android devices. Google first unveiled the tech in August, and we expect to see some substantial demos of it in action once Oct. 4 rolls around.
"Sex for me is ... perhaps the single greatest humanizing force on this earth," Hugh Hefner said during a 1974 interview with CBS, sitting alongside Protestant theologian Harvey Cox. "It would be a rather sad planet if there weren't two sexes. And I think that we've managed to use and abuse and misunderstand our sexuality."
"Sex is cheap," sociologist Mark Regnerus at the University of Texas at Austin, explains in his book, "Cheap Sex: The Transformation of Men, Marriage and Monogamy. "It is more widely available, at lower cost to all than ever before in human history. ... Cheap sex has been mass-produced with the help of two distinctive means that have little to do with each other -- the wide uptake of the Pill and mass-produced high-quality pornography -- and then made more efficient by communication technologies. They drive the cost of sex down, make real commitment more 'expensive' and challenging to navigate, ... put women's fertility at risk -- driving up demand for infertility treatments -- and have taken a toll on men's marriageability ... Cheap sex does not make marriage unappealing; it just makes marriage less urgent and more difficult to accomplish."
Playboy was certainly on the cutting edge of the sexual revolution, albeit in ways that seem relatively quaint compared to what's taken as convention these days. Regnerus opens the book with the story of a 32-year-old named Sarah, who is essentially looking for love in all the wrong places, so to speak. Adrift in a sea of casual relationships, she still wants marriage someday -- only nothing she's doing is likely to get her there, as Regnerus' research makes clear.
And his is no "wistful" ode to an era that never was, but a clear-eyed look at what's going on. Regnerus writes with compassion about Sarah and other woman in the U.S. "mating market." His chronicle of the situation, based on extensive numbers and interviews, shows what misery the Playboy Philosophy, as it were, has wrought. It's one fueled by medicine -- primarily, birth control -- and an ideological idolization of a false freedom that changed not just mores, but expectations and led to utter incoherence in individual lives.
"Despite shrinking double standards and growing egalitarianism, something seems amiss with sex these days," Regnerus writes. "Most Americans -- left or right, religious or not -- can sense it. ... Online porn is now standard operating procedure for a near-majority of men. We construct comprehensive identities and communities around sexual attraction in a way unfamiliar to most of the Western world, including Western Europe. Cultural struggles over marriage continue -- now out of the political limelight -- in households, congregations and workplaces. Meanwhile, the common date has eroded, now quaint in light of the ubiquitous, unromantic hookup. ... We can't seem to get enough of sex -- so we focus on technique -- but what we get is leaving us hungering for still more or longing for some emotion or transcendent satisfaction that cheap sex seems to promise but seldom delivers. Social and interpersonal trust erodes; solitude and atomization increase. Mothers and fathers split. In light of these common realities, how many of us would confidently declare that yes, these are the best of times in American sexuality, that we are making progress, that we have modeled a template of more satisfying, fulfilling sexual unions?"
Hugh Hefner has been quoted talking about the devastation of infidelity -- his first wife cheated on him. He also said, during that CBS interview, "I think that there are certain aspects of adolescence that might be best retained for a lifetime." Pretending this is a healthy attitude would fall on the immature side of our perpetual adolescent times and would mean we've learned nothing from Hefner's life and legacy. Hefner's passing invites us to get moving on next steps, so love won't be lost more permanently -- out of reach for so many -- to a state of misery pretending to be freedom.
Kathryn Jean Lopez is senior fellow at the National Review Institute, editor-at-large of National Review Online and founding director of Catholic Voices USA. She can be contacted at klopez@nationalreview.com
Fake news quickly surfaced on Facebook and Googles platforms in the aftermath of Sundays massacre in Las Vegas that left 59 people dead and more than 500 injured.
News reports emerged that Facebooks Safety Check feature surfaced fake news on Monday. Safety Check lets users notify friends and family that they are safe and its crisis response page also surfaces news stories related to the event.
Fast Company reports the page featured a news story from blog Alt-Right News that contained inaccurate information related to the horrific shooting in Las Vegas. The story was subsequently removed from the page.
PRESIDENT OBAMA WARNED MARK ZUCKERBERG ABOUT FAKE NEWS ON FACEBOOK, REPORT SAYS
We recognize that accurate information is critical during a crisis. Yesterday our crisis page included links to articles that contained incorrect information," explained a Facebook spokesman, in a statement emailed to Fox News. "These should never have shown up and our team removed them within minutes. We are working to fix the issue that caused these articles to appear in the first place and deeply regret the confusion this caused.
When Safety Check was activated after the mass shooting in Las Vegas, a crisis page was automatically created, containing publicly posted content to help people stay informed and tools such as fundraisers.
The Verge reports that scammers also targeted the Safety Check page.
Safety Check, which was launched in 2014, has already been used in response to major events such as the Brussels terror attacks, the bombing in Ankara, Turkey and the attacks that rocked Paris in 2015. In June 2016, the service was activated for the first time in the U.S. following the mass shooting at Orlando's gay nightclub Pulse.
Safety Check was also activated for the sniper attack on Dallas police officers and the terror attack in Nice, France. It was also used after the 2016 earthquake in Italy, and more, recently, during Hurricane Irma.
FACEBOOK UNCOVERS $100G IN FAKE AD SPENDING TIED TO RUSSIAN OPERATIVES DURING 2016 ELECTION
The Las Vegas attack is the deadliest in U.S. history. Authorities said Tuesday that 23 firearms were found in the Mandalay Bay hotel room of gunman Stephen Paddock.
Google has also been in the spotlight following the massacre after surfacing threads from the 4chan message board website on Monday that misidentified another man as the Las Vegas shooter.
Google told Tech Crunch that it picked the 4chan thread up from the broader Web, not its Google News feature. The search giant explained that 15 percent of the searches Google sees every day are new, so when the 4chan threads began to circulate, they rose to the top of Google's Top Stories section for specific queries.
We were briefly surfacing an inaccurate 4chan website in our Search results for a small number of queries, explained a Google spokeswoman, in a statement emailed to Fox News. Within hours, the 4chan story was algorithmically replaced by relevant results. This should not have appeared for any queries, and well continue to make algorithmic improvements to prevent this from happening in the future.
Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Images obtained by Fox 25 Boston show two of the weapons used in Sundays mass shooting in Las Vegas that left 59 people dead and more than 500 injured.
The images, which were obtained from police sources, show the rifles on the floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel room used by gunman Stephen Paddock. The shooter used the suite to unleash hundreds of rounds on a crowd of concertgoers at Sunday nights Route 91 Harvest Festival.
The mass shooting is the deadliest in U.S. history.
Ryan Cleckner, a firearms attorney at RocketFFL, identified both weapons as AR-15-style rifles. One of the rifles, he told Fox News, has a vertical foregrip and a muzzle brake on its barrel - both of which can help a shooter control a rifle during rapid fire.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: FACEBOOK, GOOGLE SURFACED FAKE NEWS
Cleckner also noted that one of the firearms has a bump-fire stock, which would have enabled the shooter to fire off rounds much more quickly.
Bump-firing is a technique whereby a shooter pulls a firearm forward into a stationary trigger finger. The recoil from firing sends the firearm rearward while the forward pull brings it back into contact with the trigger finger thereby firing the rifle again. "Bump-fire stocks" effectively replace a gun's standard stock, with a mechanism that aids in allowing the rifle to slide back and forth behind a stable trigger finger.
Technically, that means the trigger is being pulled once for each round fired, keeping the weapon a legal semi-automatic.
The gun is able to articulate in and out of the stock by an inch or so, said Cleckner. By using the recoil of the firearm, near automatic rates of fire can be achieved.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: TECH EXECS, INCLUDING TIM COOK, EXPRESS CONDOLENCES
Two officials familiar with the investigation into the shooting told the AP that Paddock had two "bump stocks." They are investigating whether those stocks were used to modify weapons used in the massacre, according to the officials, who were briefed by law enforcement and spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still unfolding.
"We are aware of a device called a 'bump stock' that enables an individual to speed up the discharge of ammunition," said Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo, during a press conference Tuesday. ATF is evaluating the gun modifications, according to Clark.
A semi-automatic weapon requires one trigger pull for each round fired. With a fully automatic firearm, one trigger pull can unleash continuous rounds until the magazine is empty.
Cleckner also noted that the rifle has a holographic sight, which is typically used for rapid, as opposed to precision, firing. Additionally, the orangeish, brownish tint on the rifles barrel indicates recent rapid firing.
Paddock had 23 firearms in his hotel room, authorities said Tuesday. The weapons found include a handgun, and at least 10 rifles, several of them with scopes added, according to a report by Axios.
Cleckner identified the second weapon, which has a bipod and a scope, as a Daniel Defense AR-style rifle. Thats a fairly high-end rifle, he said. Youre looking at a few thousand dollars to get one of those.
The firearms expert said its hard to tell from the picture if the weapon is using .223 or .308 caliber ammunition. The latter, he explained, is better for shooting over longer distances. The presence of a bipod and a scope, however, indicate an intent to take a longer, more precise shot, according to Cleckner.
Cleckner notes that, in most states in the United States, it is legal to purchase an AR-15, provided you are 18 years or older and not a prohibited person, such as a felon. Rifles dont have to be purchased in the buyers home state of residence, but the rifle has to be deemed legal in both your home state and the state youre buying it in, he explained.
During his press conference Tuesday, Lombardo declined to comment on the legitimacy of images appearing in the media that reportedly show the interior of Paddock's hotel room just after the attack. "I can tell you that I am troubled by it," he said, adding that an investigation has been launched.
Lombardo confirmed that police found cameras located outside and inside the room, which may have been set up to alert Paddock.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has not yet responded to a request for comment on this story from Fox News.
The Associated Press contributed to this article. Additional reporting by Fox News Chris Ciaccia.
Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
A Disney Cruise ship is reportedly sticking to its schedule after accidentally backing into a pier in the Bahamas over the weekend.
The Disney Dream was preparing to dock in Nassau on Saturday when the incident occurred, reports Florida Today. According to footage taken by YouTuber Scott Lewitt, the ship loudly collided directly against the end of the pier, causing damage to the hull before coming to a complete stop.
IS A DISNEY CRUISE WORTH THE COST?
I knew that was going to happen, Lewitt can he heard saying in the footage. (WARNING: The clip below contains explicit language. Viewer discretion is advised.)
Disney has since told Florida Today that no one was injured in the accident, and passengers were not affected. A woman aboard the three-day cruise to the Bahamas claims she didnt even feel the impact.
FOOTAGE CAPTURES CARNIVAL CRUISE NEARLY PLOWING INTO JET SKI
"When we were backing into Nassau this morning, the Disney Dream hit the pier. We never felt a thing, wrote cruise passenger Judi Laplante on Facebook, per Florida Today. Rough seas last night and very foggy this morning, so I'm not sure of those were contributing factors or not."
The hull of the ship, meanwhile, did suffer minor damage, according to Disney, and was subsequently repaired during a scheduled stop at Castaway Cay in the Bahamas. Laplante later tweeted out a photos and video of the crews working to repair the damage to the ships stern.
Florida Today reports that the Dream maintained its original schedule and returned to Port Canaveral, in Florida, on Monday. It was also preparing to depart Monday evening on another four-day cruise to the Bahamas, just as scheduled.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS
A representative for Disney Cruise Lines was not immediately available for comment.
Google engineer James Damore claimed in his now-infamous memo on diversity in the workplace citing graphs and exhibits of evolutionary psychology that women in essence are less apt to succeed in the Google tech industry than their male counterparts. Then Google fired him for perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes.
But Damore didnt just become an overnight symbol of what some consider to be misogyny. He became a martyr for mens rights in corporate America and, according to his supporters, amplifies the growing problem that a company can fire an employee for advocating point of view that may not be politically correct, even if using scientific research.
And other tech entrepreneurs have suggested that even Charles Darwin would be fired from Google for his views on the sexes.
We are in an age when free speech is being threatened by corporations. Those corporations will double down on efforts to silence political and social dissent, Paul Elam, activist and founder of A Voice For Men, told Fox News. James memo was scientifically sound. There are differences in the aptitudes, interests and life choices of men and women. The tendency in workplaces is to view the open discussion of those facts as stereotyping.
Indeed, Googles move last month not only ignited nationwide debate over what constitutes a harmful stereotype, but also raised the heated question of whether corporate speech codes have become so stifling that they suppress even the consideration of empirical evidence on gender differences in the workplace.
The bulk of scientific research on biological and socially constructed sex differences consistently demonstrates profound but complementary differences between men and women. It should be an obvious statement that women tend to perform differently in the corporate environment than men empirically, women possess different cognitive, relational, emotional and organizational skills, asserted Chicago-area licensed clinical psychologist Dathan Paterno. But speaking to the empirical data on sex differences can be treacherous, as the modern corporate milieu encourages a subjective interpretation as inferior, rather than the more benign, objective meaning.
More and more men specifically in the corporate tech arena are said to be joining various mens rights groups to defend their stances of male-female differences, according to the New York Times, and several men in Silicon Valley have even filed employment discrimination lawsuits.
Because speech codes effectively suppress speech implying there is wrong speech and correct speech, these codes force ignorance of empirical evidence and ironically prevent a robust appreciation of uniqueness and diversity, Paterno noted.
Speech codes, many argue, have lost their initial intention, which was to limit hateful and slanderous rhetoric, and have ventured into the murky and confining realm of denying the right to free speech. But the reality is, there is no legal right to free speech in corporate America and Google has its defenders.
EX-GOOGLE EMPLOYEE JAMES DAMORE: 'UNDERGROUND CONSERVATIVE NETWORK' IN SILICON VALLEY BEING HUNTED BY LEFTISTS
Mark Lipton, author of Mean Men: Perversion of Americas Self-Made Man, a professor of management at The New School in New York and a consultant to several high-level CEOs, contends that while the empirical research is solid and does show some thematic differences between men and women in the workplace, the data points are too often misrepresented by those who imply all men act one way and all women another.
We see women executives who act more like men than other women. And we see males who thoroughly break the stereotype of male executives by exhibiting subtle yet clear female traits, he explained. So the data is sound but the generalizations one can make at the individual level: youre a woman so I know you are going to act this way, is invalid.
And despite the outpouring of support Damore has received in bringing to light gender issues and speech codes in Americas corporate culture, Lipton insisted Google made the right retaliatory move.
The author of the memo twisted some scientific findings to suit his needs. The tone of the piece did not encourage discussion or dialogue between men and women, it served to only divide them further, he claimed. There is no right to free speech in corporations.
SILICON VALLEY SEES RISE OF VOCAL MEN'S RIGHT MOVEMENT AMID PUSH FOR GENDER PARITY
Troy Slaten, a partner at California-based employment and criminal defense firm Floyd, Skeren and Kelly, concurred that there is no such thing as free speech in the private sector, and the First Amendment is inapplicable to nongovernmental actors.
A company is free to hire and fire based on speech from its employees that it likes or dislikes, just as we saw in the Google memo. Every human resources department is freaked out about a lawsuit based on an alleged hostile work environment that, win or lose, can cost hundreds of thousands in litigation costs, he said. Anything can cause an issue in the workplace because anyone can be sued about anything at any time. This has caused companies to crack down in lots of areas.
On that note, employees are not just subject to restrictive on-the-job speech codes these days, but in all facets of their lives, often unrelated to their work with social media posts and social settings becoming increasingly under scrutiny from employers. Even the American Bar Association last year adopted a new provision in its Model Rules of Professional Conduct, meaning that any conduct related to the practice of law, which includes interacting anywhere with coworkers, clients or personnel, could render them subject to a bar complaint if their views or actions are considered offensive by another.
While public workers and some states offer a little legal protection from being fired for political and personal views, most in Americas workforce arent offered such protections.
In addition to Damore, two male gaming developers were axed from their jobs after a female tweeted a photograph of them to public shame what she considered to be sexist jokes about big dongles, several people were reprimanded or fired for mocking the Womens March this year including Paterno who was ordered to step down from his school board position for ridiculing the majority of vagina screechers participating in the protest for likely not having voted.
Even Nobel Prize-winning scientist Tim Hunt was Twitter-vilified before being squeezed out of multiple honorary board positions two years ago, for making a light-hearted luncheon joke about women scientists crying in the lab.
And the subjective notion of what offends, as well as the appropriateness of speech codes in discussing gender matters, is likely only to escalate as a hot-button issue in corporate America.
It has always been difficult to debate or dissent from feminist talking points in and out of the workplace for most people, Elam added, as the perception is that disagreement with feminism implies being anti-woman or anti-equal rights. Time will tell whether society responds through free enterprise, creating the demand for viable platforms predicated on freedom of expression.
A staff member is to blame for the false reports of an active shooter on the University of Southern California campus Monday afternoon, law enforcement officials said.
She reportedly told students during class that there was an active shooter in the building. The announcement came just hours after a gunman opened fire on concertgoers in Las Vegas, killing 59 people and injuring more than 520 others before turning the gun on himself.
Its unclear why the USC staffer made the false claims but Los Angeles police are questioning her.
The school went on lockdown shortly after 12 p.m. after reports surfaced of an alleged shooter on campus.
USC had sent out campuswide alerts announcing police activity near the area. They told staff and students to seek shelter and avoid the area in downtown Los Angeles.
Officers said they found no immediate signs of gunfire. Police searched in and around the building in question but found no signs of a shooter.
Less than an hour later, police gave the all-clear.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Law enforcement officials were working Monday to determine what may have motivated a gunman described as aggressively unfriendly with an arsenal of weapons to kill at least 59 people and wound more than 520 enjoying a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
The killer, identified as 64-year-old Stephen Paddock of Mesquite, Nev., was a gambling multimillionaire who made much of his money investing in real estate, according to his brother, Eric, who added that he had no reason to believe the gunman had run into financial trouble.
On Sunday night, Stephen Paddock shot down at the packed Route 91 Harvest Festival from the 32nd floor of the hotel, where he had been staying since Sept. 28. Officials said he booked one suite, with two rooms that had windows facing different directions.
Neighbors in Reno where he had a home, in addition to a property in Mesquite described Paddock as extremely standoffish, The Washington Post reported. One neighbor told the paper that Paddock occasionally revealed a refrigerator-sized safe when he opened his garage door, but otherwise kept the blinds drawn.
No affiliation, no religion, no politics. He never cared about any of that stuff, the gunman's brother, Eric Paddock, told reporters as he alternately wept and shouted. He was a guy who had money. He went on cruises and gambled.
He told reporters outside his home Monday that the shooter was a multimillionaire who had no history of mental illness.
Eric said he and his brother had business dealings and owned property together. He said he was not aware that his brother had gambling debts. He had substantial wealth. He'd tell me when he'd win. He'd grouse when he'd lost. He never said he'd lost four million dollars or something. I think he would have told me.
Investigators uncovered 19 firearms, explosives and several thousand rounds of ammunition at the gunman's Mesquite home, police said. In addition, authorities found 23 firearms in Paddocks hotel room. The weapons consisted of a mixture of handguns and long rifles, which, according to Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, traveled up to his hotel suite through 10 different suitcases.
A computer was also found in Paddock's hotel suite, and is being evaluated as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities also found several pounds of tanerite, a product used for firearms target practice, at the Mesquite home.
The shooting Sunday was the deadliest in U.S. history. Gunfire rang out from inside Paddocks hotel room before SWAT officials broke down the door and found the gunman dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Lombardo said earlier that the rifles found included scopes on them. Two of the guns were modified to make them fully automatic, two U.S. officials told The Associated Press.
It was unclear if Paddock used a hammer to break the windows he shot from, or if he just shot them out. Investigators are looking at both possibilities.
Upon inspection of Paddocks car, officials found ammonium nitrate an ingredient thats harmless alone, but when combined with other chemical ingredients, can make a bomb.
Asked about a potential motive, Lombardo said he could not "get into the mind of a psychopath at this point."
But in spite of what the shooting has brought to the city of Las Vegas, goodness is coming out in full force. Theres a six to eight hour wait to donate blood at nearby centers, supply donations are abundant and a GoFundMe account set up by officials has raised over $2.2 million from more than 30,000 separate contributions as of late Monday night.
Fox News' Jake Gibson and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A Florida man has been sentenced to 13.5 to 27 years in the killing of a suburban Philadelphia teenager more than three decades ago.
Fifty-seven-year-old Geneva resident George Shaw convicted in July of third-degree murder and attempted indecent assault but acquitted of rape in a nonjury trial.
Bucks County authorities said Shaw drugged and suffocated 14-year-old Barbara Rowan in Bensalem in August 1984, then dumped her duct tape-bound body along a highway with the help of a friend.
Through his attorney, Shaw maintained his innocence, saying Rowan was killed by someone else. Defense attorney Louis Busico attacked the credibility of the testimony of a prosecution witness who pleaded guilty to hindering apprehension.
Under law in effect in 1984, the maximum term for third-degree murder was 10 to 20 years.
The Las Vegas hotel room used by the gunman who opened fire on a country music festival Sunday held 23 firearms, authorities said Tuesday.
Assistant Clark County Sheriff Todd Fasulo said officers found the firearms inside the Mandalay Bay room of Stephen Paddock, and an additional 19 firearms at his home in Mesquite, Nevada.
Paddock killed 59 and wounded more than 500.
Police found rifles, equipped with scopes, and at least two of the guns in the cache were modified to make them fully automatic, two U.S. officials told The Associated Press.
The shooting reignited the countrys gun debate.
The crowd fled at the sound of gunshots. Imagine the deaths if the shooter had a silencer, which the NRA wants to make easier to get, Hillary Clinton tweeted, adding: Our grief isn't enough. We can and must put politics aside, stand up to the NRA, and work together to try to stop this from happening again.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders also pushed back when asked about Clintons statements at Mondays briefing.
I think before we start trying to talk about the preventions of what took place last night, we need to know more facts, and right now were simply not at that point, Sanders said. It is very easy for Mrs. Clinton to criticize and to come out, but I think we need to remember the only person with blood on their hands is that of the shooter, and this isnt a time for us to go after individuals or organizations. I think we can have those policy conversations but today is not that day.
On Sunday night, Paddock shot down at the packed Route 91 Harvest Festival from the 32nd floor of the hotel, where he had been staying since Sept. 28. Officials said he booked one suite, with two rooms that had windows facing different directions.
Neighbors in Reno where he had a home, in addition to a property in Mesquite described Paddock as extremely standoffish, The Washington Post reported. One neighbor told the paper that Paddock occasionally revealed a refrigerator-sized safe when he opened his garage door, but otherwise kept the blinds drawn.
In addition to the firearms, investigators said they found explosives and several thousand rounds of ammunition at the gunman's Mesquite home.
Fasulo stressed that investigators believe Paddock was the sole shooter.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Five people were arrested Monday after authorities found an apparent ready-to-detonate bomb in a chic Paris neighborhood the same weekend as a deadly stabbing at a train station in southern France.
A neighbor alerted authorities to suspicious activity early Saturday in the apartment building in the affluent 16th district of western Paris, Paris police said.
The man was woken up by a noise and a very strong smell of gasoline and discovered a device made of gas cylinder in his hallway, Le Point newspaper reported.
A firing device, made with a mobile phone and connected to several wires, had been attached to these cylinders, law enforcement sources told Le Point.
"This device was perfectly made," a source close to the case told the newspaper.
A separate judicial official told the Associated Press an explosive device was found and deactivated, adding counterterrorism prosecutors opened an investigation.
One of the suspects being held for questioning was already under government surveillance for radicalism, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said Tuesday on France Inter radio.
When asked to explain how someone under surveillance could carry out an attempted attack undetected, Collomb said radicals usually have "friends, networks that can carry out the act," people who don't show outward signs of radicalization "but are ready to help."
He said the failed bombing shows that the threat against France remains "extremely big."
"Blowing up a building in a chic neighborhood of Paris is this not a sign that no one is safe? This doesn't happen just in suburbs in working class neighborhoods," he said.
Early last month, an explosives-making workshop was discovered in the southern Paris suburb of Villejuif, according to Le Monde.
The failed bombing came the same weekend a man slit the throat of one woman at a train station in Marseilles before killing her cousin. He was later shot dead by soldiers. Officials have opened a probe as to why the man was briefly detained by police the day before the attack in the city of Lyon, and then released.
Politicians in France are set to vote later Tuesday on a new counter-terror law designed to end the country's two-year state of emergency.
Authorities would be able to place people under house arrest, order house searches and ban public gatherings without needing the prior approval of a judge.
The country has been under a state of emergency since the Islamist attacks in Paris in November 2015, which killed 130 people and left more than 400 injured.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
CNN Senior White House Correspondent Jeff Zeleny still hasnt explained why he thinks so many country music fans likely support President Trump after making the claim shortly after Trumps remarks Monday about the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
A lot of these country music supporters are likely Trump supporters, Zeleny said on air. This is something, of course, hitting the tapestry of all Americans and there are going to be victims from across the country here.
Zeleny didnt elaborate on what he meant, but its safe to wonder if he thinks most country music fans are white. After all, this is the same CNN reporter who said Trumps July trip to Poland included a white America speech.
Thousands of thousands of people were waving American flags and Polish flags, but this is not a speech he could have given, really, anyplace else. This was a white America, America first kind of speech, Zeleny said last summer after the Warsaw speech. He was offering a very stark view, actually, about, you know, migration, immigration, about other things. It wasnt a modern-day speech, if you will. It was sort of a throwback speech.
A gunman opened fire at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas late Sunday night, killing at least 59 people and sending more than 500 others to hospitals in what is now the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
Media Research Center Vice President Dan Gainor said that a reporter wouldnt be able to get away with assuming a group of predominantly African-American concertgoers supported a specific candidate.
A reporter who made inferences about people of color would probably be accused of stereotyping, Gainor told Fox News. The backlash is always more severe about anything the left doesn't like.
Zeleny wasnt the only person to whip out stereotypes following the tragic event. CBS parted ways with one of the companys top lawyers after she said she was not even sympathetic to victims of the Las Vegas shooting because country music fans often are Republican.
Back in 2009, Zeleny famously asked President Obama what had "enchanted" him about occupying the White House. The clip is now frequently used when political watchdogs compare the way the mainstream media treated Obama compared to how Trump is treated.
Zeleny has also been criticized for declaring that Trump had little empathy for victims of Hurricane Harvey, and was accused of lying by former GOP-presidential hopeful Rick Santorum.
He was even called pathetic and a wannabe journalist by Trump himself during a November Twitter tirade.
CNN did not respond to Fox News request for comment.
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The bipartisan moment has come, and gone, in Washington.
Forget about the budget agreement President Donald J. Trump sculpted with Democratic leaders in early September. Put aside the accord the president and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi formed over a White House dinner a few days later. There are no more signs that bipartisanship has broken out in Washington than there are indications Kim Jong Un is abandoning his nuclear missile plans.
Just because Trump is a president who won the Republican presidential nomination does not make him a Republican president; John Tyler was elected to the vice presidency in 1840 on the Whig ticket, but when he ascended to the White House after the death of William Henry Harrison, he did not comport himself as a Whig president.
At his core, Trump is more rebel than Republican, more provocateur than politician.
And while a political novice occupies the White House, the professionals up on Capitol Hill remain mystified by his instincts and impulses, some of which -- for the briefest breath in time -- seemed to indicate a presidential willingness to abandon House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to embrace their Democratic counterparts.
But overlooked amid the shock emerging from the agreement with his Democratic rivals -- political figures he had demeaned, derided and dismissed -- was the fact that Trump may have talked about bipartisanship but, because he was not negotiating with both parties, was not practicing it.
Indeed, Trump, whose Republicans hold a 240-194 majority in the House and a 52-48 advantage in the Senate, was not negotiating with Republicans at all. He was negotiating with one party, and, as former Reagan White House Chief of Staff Kenneth Duberstein said in a telephone conversation the other afternoon, "You have to get both sides together to have bipartisanship, and talking with one side doesn't do it."
The notion of bipartisanship is more than a philosophical concept in American politics. Just last week, as Republicans pressed, and failed, for the third time to overturn Obamacare, an early bellwether of the fate of the effort came with the refusal of Sen. John McCain to side with the Republican repeaters. McCain, the GOP presidential nominee eight years before Trump captured the prize, said that legislation to alter one-seventh of the American economy "requires a bipartisan approach."
McCain's relationships across the partisan aisle have been productive over the years. In 1993, the Arizona Republican and Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John F. Kerry, both veterans of the Vietnam conflict, embarked on a joint mission to the Hanoi prison where McCain was held for six years, producing a cease-fire in the war of recriminations growing out of that country. With Sen. Russ Feingold, a Wisconsin Democrat, he won a landmark campaign finance overhaul 15 years ago. So it was with a plea for bipartisanship that McCain doomed the Obamacare repeal effort:
"We should not be content to pass health care legislation on a party-line basis, as Democrats did when they rammed Obamacare through Congress in 2009. If we do so, our success could be as short-lived as theirs when the political winds shift, as they regularly do."
Trump may be less an operative and more an opportunist -- not always a pejorative term, as Franklin Roosevelt and Richard Nixon, both accomplished schemers and rule-breakers, demonstrated. The president may have moved toward the Democrats merely because, as George Washington University political scientist Sarah A. Binder put it, "the Democrats had some leverage: votes the president needed."
That confederation of convenience was as artificial as the World War II partnership between the Western allies and the Soviet Union -- an arrangement that Winston Churchill called a Grand Alliance, but that Adolf Hitler characterized as an "unnatural coalition" and that the British historian Max Hastings termed a "great charade." At least the World War II alliance lasted four years and produced a victory that changed, and saved, the world.
But Trump's sometimes-partnership with the Republicans makes no sense either. He is more alienated than ever from McConnell, and he and Ryan, who have sparred repeatedly since Trump emerged as a credible presidential candidate, seem to have contempt for each other. Meanwhile, Sen. Jeff Flake, McCain's fellow Arizona Republican, has published a book excoriating Trump. And here in New Hampshire, likely Republican voters surveyed in an August poll indicated that a majority favored Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, who finished a distant second to Trump, for president in 2020.
"A lot depends on what happens in the 2018 midterm elections," says former state Attorney General Thomas D. Rath, an important New Hampshire campaign strategist vigorously recruited by presidential candidates for the first primary of the political season.
At least the Whigs of 1840, understanding their differences, created no party platform.
Trump's best chance to repair his alliance with Republicans is a massive overhaul of the tax code, an effort that almost certainly will return the Democratic leadership into strong opposition and will prompt Pelosi and Schumer to characterize the Republicans as tools of the wealthy and of business interests.
All this underscores the frustration that Trump has fostered in Washington -- and that he surely feels about Washington.
"Political parties are a marvelous mechanism, which, on the national scale, ensures that not a single mind can attend to the effort of perceiving, in public affairs, what is good, what is just, what is true," the French philosopher and political activist Simone Weil wrote in a landmark book, "On the Abolition of All Political Parties," published in Paris in 1957. "As a result -- except for a very small number of fortuitous coincidences -- nothing is decided, nothing is executed, but measures that run contrary to the public interest, to justice and to truth. If one were to entrust the organization of public life to the devil, he could not invent a more clever device."
Perhaps Weil -- an anarchist and onetime Marxist who harbored Leon Trotsky in a Paris apartment -- is the political lodestar for Trump, who until now has been identified with no known political philosophy, nor political party. It is hard to guess which of the two would be more bewildered, or horrified.
David M. Shribman is executive editor of the Post-Gazette (dshribman@post-gazette.com, 412 263-1890). Follow him on Twitter at ShribmanPG.
Three suspected gang members in Cleveland reportedly doused two men with gasoline, tied them up and then raped one with a metal pipe before shooting a third man, police said.
The trio believed to be part of the dangerous street gang called Heartless Felons are accused of assaulting a 31-year-old man after storming into his apartment around 12:30 a.m. last Thursday.
Two of the men identified by officials as Nathaniel Ramos Jr., 18, and Keli Dunnican, 22 were reportedly wearing masks, Cleveland.com reported.
Police said the two men, along with 47-year-old Troy White, stormed into the apartment and pummeled the apartment owner, punching and kicking him. A 51-year-old man, who was in the house, was also assaulted.
The 31-year-old mans hands were tied behind his back with blue tape and he told police he hurled a homophobic slur at White, accusing him of sexually assaulting inmates in prison, police records said.
The accusation seemed to anger White, who had Ramos and Dunnican hold the man down before he sexually assaulted him with a metal pipe threader, police said.
Then Ramos poured gasoline on both men, but they decided against lighting them police said Dunnican talked them out of it.
A third man, identified only as a 41-year-old, reportedly showed up at the home during the incident.
After scuffling with the third person, White pulled out a gun and shot the man twice in his right leg, police said. The man reportedly yelled for help.
It seemed to spook the three suspects who ran from the home soon after. Dunnican stole a cellphone and shoes.
The men were arrested several hours later outside a home. White was found with a handgun in his pocket, police said.
Ramos had 14 baggies of marijuana and smelled of gasoline, while Dunnican had rolls of duct tape, a knife and three cellphones in his backpack.
Both Dunnican and Ramos declined to talk to investigators, but White told police he was involved in a theft ring with both victims and that they had smoked crack together earlier that day, police reports show.
White, according to prison records, has served two stints in prison for armed robbery.
White is charged with felonious assault and is being held in the city jail on $100,000 bond; Ramos is charged with aggravated burglary and is jailed on $25,000 bond; and Duncan is charged with aggravated robbery and is jailed on $50,000 bond.
O.J. Simpson's lawyer said in an interview Monday that he told his client that he hoped nobody would "pin any of this on you" after he learned about the Las Vegas massacre.
Malcom LaVergne told the New York Post he spoke with the newly freed Simpson on Monday, whos staying in Las Vegas. I spoke to him this morning, and he was What the heck is going on?
And I said, Well, I hope nobody tries to pin any of this on you,' the lawyer said. Simpson, 70, served nine years in prison for an attempted robbery.
Simpson planned to move to Florida following his release but decided to stay in Las Vegas due to the aftermath of Hurricane Irma that tarnished the state.
The place he is looking to move into had a power outage and other troubles, he said. He didnt want any drama, he wanted to wait it out in Nevada, LaVergne told the Post.
Just hours later after Simpson settled into the home following his release from prison early Sunday, gunman Stephen Paddock began his rampage on the Las Vegas Strip from his room at the Mandalay Bay during a music festival.
The gunman used at least 10 guns to shoot from his hotel room on the 32nd floor, killing at least 59 people and injuring more than 520 others.
LaVergne said Simpson has no plans to go out in public right now. He wants to stay back and lay low.
The Navy hospital ship Comfort arrived in Puerto Rico Tuesday as part of the federal government's stepped up support for the island territory in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
The Comfort docked in San Juan four days after it departed from its base at Norfolk, Va. and hours after President Donald Trump arrived to tour the devastation.
The Comfort has been deployed in response to numerous other humanitarian disasters, most notably the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake.
The Trump administration has been heavily criticized for what's been seen as a slow response to Maria, the most powerful hurricane to hit the island in nearly a century. The storm unleashed floods and mudslides that knocked out the island's entire electrical grid and telecommunications, along with many roads.
Nearly two weeks after the storm hit, much of the countryside is still struggling to access such basic necessities as food, fresh water and cash.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there are now more than 10,000 federal officials on the ground on the island, and 45 percent of customers now have access to drinking water. Businesses are also beginning to re-open, with 60 percent of retail gas stations now up and running.
The Health and Human Services Department says federal medical teams with their own equipment and supplies have been sent to help provide care at Centro Medico, a major trauma center in San Juan. Additional teams have been sent to five hospitals in other parts of the island.
For many, however, Washington's response isn't enough. On Monday, the nonprofit relief group Oxfam announced that it would be taking the rare step of intervening in an American disaster, citing its outrage over what it called a "slow and inadequate response."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria roared through Puerto Rico, destroying much of the islands infrastructure, more than 500 homebound at-risk veterans still havent been reached by doctors, nurses and social workers, Fox News has learned.
There are 1,687 homebound vets in Puerto Rico who require ongoing treatment such as dialysis, chemotherapy and insulin to survive. Since Maria struck Sept. 20, the San Juan VA Medical Center has dispatched special teams consisting of a doctor, nurse and social worker to visit the homes of each one of these vets.
It has been a tough task. Most of the island still lacks power because of damage to the electric grid and intermittent phone service because of downed lines and cell towers. Many rural areas have been rendered inaccessible by damage to roads and the scarcity of gasoline for vehicles.
As of Tuesday, VA officials said visits have taken place at the homes of 1,147 homebound vets. That leaves 540 more to be seen. The VA is vowing to reach the rest but isnt sure how long it will take.
"The safety of all our patients is a top priority," VA spokesperson Mary Kay Rutan told Fox News Tuesday. "We have been going out in the communities where it is safe to do so. Additionally, we are engaged with local shelter operations and other agencies to assist in helping us locate veterans."
One of the visits resulted in a homebound vet who needed more treatment being transported by military helicopter to the San Juan VA, Rutan said.
Another visit brought more insulin to 75-year-old Vietnam vet Miguel Olivera in the hard-hit mountain town of Aguas Buenas, north of San Juan. The Veterans of Foreign Wars in Washington had asked the VA to check on Olivera after learning that he was in danger of losing his last vial of insulin because he had no electricity to keep it refrigerated.
Im just happy to hear one veteran is being taken care of. VFW spokesman Joe Davis told Fox News. I wish there was more that all of us could do for Puerto Rico, its just terrible down there.
VA whistleblower Joseph Colon, a credentialing official at the San Juan VA Medical Center, said more needed to be done for the island's homebound vets.
If you are truly in the business of caring for veterans it should not take two weeks to check on all high-risk patients, Colon told Fox News.
Colon also complained that the majority of staff at the San Juan VA had to be sent home last week because the hospital was running out of food, water and diesel fuel for generators.
He also accused hospital leaders of not having a contingency plan to deal with the storm and said the hospitals acting director, Dr. Antonio Sanchez, wasnt around when Maria struck.
If you know you are going to have problems with water and possibly the electrical grid, why wouldnt you stock up on supplies? he said. There is a big new concrete garage next door, they couldve put it in there.
As of Monday, the hospital was back at full strength, according to officials.
Rutan defended the hospitals plans for dealing with Maria and the previous one that passed through, Hurricane Irma.
The San Juan VA Medical Center has comprehensive and well-tested emergency management and operations plans where they have successfully managed numerous hurricanes and other events, including most recently Hurricane Irma, she said.
Rutan also said that Sanchez was at a VA meeting in the U.S. the day of the hurricane and returned as fast as he could three days later.
He was on the very first available flight to the island on Saturday after the storm, Rutan said. In his absence, the deputy medical center director and the full incident management team conducted necessary operations ensuring the safety of more than 300 patients and 800 staff during the height of the storm.
But Colon said he still questioned why Sanchez wouldnt skip the meeting knowing that a Category 4 storm was bearing down on Puerto Rico.
He had plenty of time to get back here was that conference so important? he said.
The future of the Iran nuclear deal may hinge on a face-saving fix for President Donald Trump so he doesn't have to recertify the Islamic republic's compliance every 90 days, according to U.S. officials.
Several officials familiar with internal discussions say the periodic reviews mandated by Congress have become such a source of embarrassment for Trump that his national security aides are trying to find ways for him to stop signing off on the seven-nation accord without scuttling it entirely.
The president has called the agreement one of America's "worst and most one-sided transactions" ever. Officials say what Trump hates most, however, is a provision in a 2015 U.S. law known as the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act that requires him to tell Congress every three months if Iran is meeting promises to scale back its nuclear program in exchange for broad international relief from oil, trade and financial sanctions.
Because the U.N. nuclear watchdog has found Iran in compliance, it's difficult for the U.S. administration to say otherwise.
But Trump has said repeatedly that he doesn't want to certify Iranian compliance again after having done so twice already, declaring last month he even had made his mind up about what he'll do next. "Decertification" could lead Congress to reintroduce economic sanctions on Iran that were suspended under the deal. If that happens, Iran has threatened to walk away from the arrangement and restart activities that could take it closer to nuclear weapons.
"Iran is not in material breach of the agreement and I do believe the agreement to date has delayed the development of a nuclear capability by Iran," Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
Asked if he believed staying in the deal was in America's national security interest, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said, "Yes, senator, I do."
For U.S. officials involved in the decision-making process, the focus on finding a way for Trump to avoid anything looking like approval for the accord has become a source of frustration. Various options are in play to resolve the problem, but none are clean solutions, according to officials who weren't authorized to discuss the private deliberations and demanded anonymity.
The most likely strategy centers on Trump not certifying Iran's compliance when he faces another deadline Oct. 15. Below the president, diplomats and officials would then strive to manage any fallout with Tehran and America's European allies by emphasizing that the U.S. isn't leaving the deal or applying new nuclear sanctions on Iran. After that, Trump wouldn't have to address the certification matter again, officials said.
The State Department and National Security Council declined to comment for this story.
The Iran review law provides a potential out for Trump. The president must determine that Iran is implementing the nuclear deal and hasn't committed a "material breach," or taken action that could advance its nuclear weapons program. It also demands the president's verdict on a fourth question: whether suspending sanctions is "appropriate and proportionate," and if doing so is "vital to the national security interests of the United States."
Mattis hinted his boss may try to decertify without breaking the deal.
"You can talk about the conditions under one of those, and not walk away from the other," he said. "They're two different pieces."
The goal would be to reinforce the administration's argument that Iran's technical compliance meeting uranium stockpile limits, pouring cement into the core of a plutonium reactor and so on doesn't mean it's living up to the "spirit" of the agreement. This lofty but ill-defined notion encompasses things not directly covered by the nuclear deal, such as Iran's missile development, threats to America's Middle East allies and support for U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.
While Mattis described the issues of certification and upholding the deal as "different pieces," they overlap.
If Trump declares the nuclear deal isn't in the nation's security interests, how will his administration stick to it? In January, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson must again waive multiple sets of sanctions on Iran, and the national security question is relevant to those decisions.
As a possible solution, officials said the administration is weighing whether to send the question of sanctions back to Congress. But if lawmakers pass new economic penalties on Iran, the same risk to the overall deal applies.
Other alternatives are being weighed, too, according to officials.
One would involve Trump grudgingly certifying Iran's compliance a final time and then persuading Congress to change the law so he wouldn't have to do so again. Officials say this option is unlikely because no one expects already gridlocked lawmakers to pass anything quickly on so polarizing a topic even if the objective isn't to save or destroy the deal, but help Trump avoid the discomfort of the certification process.
A further, even more remote possibility, officials said, is Trump not saying anything in 12 days' time. His silence would amount to decertification, but would seem to be the least Trumpian course of action for a president who has loudly and consistently railed against the merits of the deal.
Close observers of the Iran deal, both for and against, say Trump may even deliver a major foreign policy speech outlining his decision.
An Iraq War veteran staying at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas heard gunshots ringing out nearby late Sunday, and helped alert authorities to the location of the gunman.
Chris Bethel heard a barrage of gunfire, now known to be 64-year-old Stephen Paddock shooting down from the 32nd floor of the hotel at a crowded music festival on the Las Vegas Strip Sunday evening.
WHAT TO DO DURING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION
I could just hear the gunshots. Continuously. Just full automatic, Bethel told KTVT. Theres explosions going off. It was like, a bomb just went off, man. And then there were more gunshots.
The walls and windows were vibrating. You could feel kind of the compression, the sound. It was just.... Bethel said, desribing the shooting to WFOR-TV. I seriously thought he was next door.
Convinced the gunman was nearby, Bethel called police and hotel security. Bethel said police called him back 10 minutes later to say they found the gunman in Room 135, just two floors above where he was staying.
Looking back at what he heard, Bethel said he heard Paddock switch weapons as he was reporting what he heard to law enforcement.
I remember, he switched weapons. The caliber sound switched. He went from automatic to sniper rifle. Phew, phew, just a totally different sound, Bethel told WFAA. The rounds are not stopping. Seconds are going by when I make the phone calls, and the rounds are still going.
The gunfire that Bethel heard from two floors below is now the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. At least 59 people who were enjoying a country music concert were killed and more than 520 were injured.
REMEMBERING THE FALLEN: LAS VEGAS MASSACRE VICTIMS
While not on the ground during the massacre, the shooting still took its toll on Bethel, who had traveled to Las Vegas from his home in Fort Worth, Texas, for an IT conference.
I feel like I didnt do enough. I feel like I couldnt get ahold of somebody quick enough to let them know. And it felt like it took them too long to get over there to take him out. To get him. And its actually eating me up inside, Bethel said. I just need to go home. Thats my thing. I need to go home to my family. And just process all of this.
"You relive the night over, and over, and it tears you up," he said. "I'm traumatized."
The Las Vegas shooter sent tens of thousands of dollars overseas, federal law enforcement officials told Fox News Tuesday, revealing new information that could shed light on what sparked him to unleash the deadly massacre.
The revelation came amid questions about the whereabouts of Stephen Paddock's girlfriend, Marilou Danley, who left the U.S. before Paddock committed the horrific attack that killed 59 and injured at least 515 others. Police said Tuesday afternoon that they considered Danley a person of interest in the investigation.
Investigators are looking into whether Paddock sent the cash to Danley amid conflicting reports she's in either the Philippines or Japan, the officials said.
In addition, a U.S. government source told Fox News that federal investigators have interviewed an immediate relative of Paddocks girlfriend. This relative said the family found Paddock unstable, and he made relatives uncomfortable. FBI officials declined to comment on this interview.
Investigators noted the money crossing hands was a significant amount and authorities were trying to uncover who received the cash and where it currently is. It was not immediately clear when the money was transferred.
Sources also tell Fox News the FBI ran Paddock through its federal databases and got no hits indicating ties to international terrorism. The FBI now has Paddocks electronics and will take a day or two to process them.
Senior law enforcement in the Philippines also confirmed to Fox News that they are reviewing a photo that was taken around 2012 or 2013 purportedly showing Paddock in the country.
The photo was posted online Tuesday by a relative of Danley, and, if confirmed, is the first documented evidence of the shooter visiting the Philippines.
The photo shows a man who appears to be Paddock sitting down at a table of food and talking to a woman -- possibly Danley. Two other women are in the photo as well.
FULL COVERAGE OF MASSACRE ON THE STRIP
The windows in the background of the photo have grills that are of a typical Filipino style of most middle class urban homes.
Law enforcement in the Philippines told Fox News that they are looking into Paddock's potential past visits and they have been contacted by the FBI.
An Australian newspaper, Brisbanes Courier-Mail, reported Monday that Danley was an Australian citizen originally from the Philippines.
Police say they want to question Danley further when she returns to the U.S.
Paddock was a prolific gambler who was known to play poker games for $1,000 a hand, and was spending up to $30,000 a day on the casino floor in the days leading up to the shooting, according to casino accounts.
It's like a job for him, his brother, Eric Paddock, said Monday. It's a job where you make money. He was at the hotel for four months one time. It was like a second home.
The gunman was purportedly well known in Las Vegas and was even comped free rooms and given access to special casino facilities thanks to the large sums of money he spent on the Strip.
MARILOU DANLEY: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT LAS VEGAS GUNMAN'S COMPANION
Despite his time gambling, his family said he was simply a wealthy former accountant who enjoyed the Vegas lifestyle, and there is no clear evidence he had incurred massive gaming losses.
ISIS, which has a strong presence in the Philippines, claimed Monday that Paddock was a soldier who converted to Islam months ago. But the FBI on Tuesday discounted any connection between Paddock's deadly rampage and international terrorism.
Fox News Jake Gibson, Catherine Herridge, Mike Cohen and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Las Vegas mass murderer who killed dozens and injured hundreds by shooting them from 32 floors up deliberately planned out his attack, which included installing cameras inside and outside of his hotel room, authorities said Tuesday.
As law enforcement continued to seek a motive in the shooting and investigated the crime scene at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino where 64-year-old Stephen Paddock shot down at a crowd of 22,000 people at a county music festival Sunday night, authorities said Paddocks actions were premeditated.
This individual was premeditated obviously premeditated, Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said at a news conference early Tuesday evening.
The fact that he had the type of weaponry and amount of weaponry in that room, it was preplanned extensively, and Im pretty sure he evaluated everything that he did and his actions, which is troublesome," Lombardo said.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTER DESCRIBED AS 'UNSTABLE' SENT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OVERSEAS
Before his attack from his hotel room, Paddock set up two cameras outside his room, including on a service cart in the hallway.
Another camera was placed inside the hotel room door's peephole. Lombardo noted he wasn't aware that any of the footage was being transmitted outside the hotel.
Lombardo speculated the gunman set up the cameras to scout out if anyone was coming to take him into custody.
All electronic evidence found is being investigated. It will take a day or two to process the devices, but a previous FBI analysis indicated there was no connection at this time to terrorism, the sheriff said.
INSIDE LAS VEGAS SHOOTER'S MANDALAY BAY SUITE
Authorities said 12 "bump stocks" legal devices that mimic automatic weapon gunfire were found in Paddock's hotel suite, in addition to 23 firearms.
The firearms consisting of shotguns, pistols and rifles were purchased in Utah, California, Texas and Nevada. In total, 47 firearms were recovered from three different locations, including the hotel suite and Paddock's house in Mesquite, Nev.
The Clark County undersheriff said late Tuesday night that the gunman fired on and off between 9 and 11 minutes. The first emergency call was received at 10:08 p.m., and the firing ceased at 10:19 p.m.
While police had formed a group and found the location of the shooter, the room could not be accessed until a SWAT team arrived on scene, according to the undersheriff. It's believed during the time the shooting stopped and SWAT team arrived, the shooter had barricaded himself.
Lombardo revealed that Paddocks girlfriend, who was initially sought out as a suspect after the attack, was now seen as a person of interest.
Marilou Danley, 62, was the shooters live-in girlfriend. She left the U.S. before the massacre, but returned from the Philippines on Tuesday night and was met at Los Angeles International Airport by FBI agents, according to a law enforcement official.
MARILOU DANLEY: WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT LAS VEGAS GUNMAN'S COMPANION
Paddock recently sent tens of thousands of dollars overseas, which authorities have speculated may have been sent to Danley.
A U.S. government source told Fox News that an immediate relative of Danley called Paddock unstable, and made them feel uncomfortable.
We anticipate some information from her shortly, Lombardo said of Danley.
In the days since the Las Vegas attack, police have been searching for a motive behind Paddock's shooting rampage, which left 59 people dead and more than 520 injured.
Fox News' Jake Gibson, Catherine Herridge and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Country
Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Canada Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cuba, Republic of Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Dominican Republic Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Haiti, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Jamaica Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Mexico, United Mexican States Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Virgin Islands Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
A gunman inside a Las Vegas casino killed at least 58 people at a nearby country music festival in a late Sunday night shooting, officials said.
More than 480 others were hurt in the massacre, called the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, according to police.
Here's a look at how the incident unfolded - and what authorities are currently investigating.
Thursday, September 28
Suspected gunman Stephen Paddock checks into the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Sunday, October 1
9:40 p.m.
Country music star Jason Aldean starts his performance at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in front of a crowd of more than 22,000 in Las Vegas.
10:05 p.m.
This is when Paddock begins to fire, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says Wednesday.
10:08 p.m.
I see the shots coming from Mandalay Bay, halfway up! someone says in police scanner audio published by Broadcastify.
10:12 p.m.
Two officers reach the 31st floor of the casino "and announce the gunfire is coming from directly above them," Las Vegas police later say on Wednesday.
10:15 p.m.
Paddock fires his final shots, police say Wednesday.
10:17 p.m.
This is when two officers get to the 32nd floor, where Paddock was, according to the police timeline.
10:18 p.m
A security guard says he's been shot and tells them where Paddock's room is, police say Wednesday.
10:20 p.m.
It's been awhile since we've heard any shots," someone says in a transmission, The New York Times reports. "Does anybody have eyes on the shooter?
10:26 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
This, police later say, is when eight more officers show up "and begin to move systematically down the hallway, clearing every room and looking for any injured people."
10:38 p.m.
We're investigating reports of an active shooter near/around Mandalay Bay Casino, police tweet. Asking everyone to please avoid the area.
11 p.m.
Part of the Las Vegas Strip is shut down, authorities tweet.
11:20 p.m.
Authorities use a device to breach a Mandalay Bay room.
"They observed the suspect down on the ground and also saw a second door that could be not accessed from their position," police later say Wednesday.
11:27 p.m.
A second breach goes off.
"Officers quickly realized there was no one else in the rooms and announced over the radio that the suspect was down," according to authorities.
11:58 p.m.
Confirming that one suspect is down, Las Vegas police tweet. This is an active investigation. Again, please do not head down to the Strip at this time.
Monday, October 2
12:21 a.m.
"At this time we do not believe there are any more shooters," Las Vegas police tweet.
1:40 a.m.
Officers confronted the suspect on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, Lombardo says early Monday morning. Authorities say the man is dead. They don't release the suspect's name but say he is a local resident.
The death toll stands at more than 20 dead and 100 injured.
1:57 a.m.
Las Vegas authorities tweet they are looking for two vehicles associated with the gunman.
2:22 a.m.
Las Vegas police tweet a photo of Marilou Danley, believed to be Paddock's partner, saying that they are looking for her.
3:30 a.m.
At least 50 people are said to be dead, with more than 200 injured.
Authorities have identified Paddock as the suspected shooter. They also say they have located Danley.
"We have located the vehicles in question, and we are confident we have located the female person of interest," Las Vegas police tweet at 3:37 a.m.
"Marilou Danley is no longer being sought out as a person of interest," the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution report published later Monday morning. "LVMPD detectives have made contact with her and do not believe she is involved with the shooting on the strip."
4:11 a.m.
"My warmest condolences and sympathies to the victims and families of the terrible Las Vegas shooting," President Donald Trump tweets. "God bless you!"
4:30 a.m.
"Two on-duty LVMPD officers were injured during the shooting," police tweet. "One is in stable condition after surgery and the other sustained minor injuries."
5:33 a.m.
Las Vegas police tweet a press release which says a SWAT team found Paddock dead in a hotel room at the Mandalay Bay. They say that 50 people are dead and 406 others are hurt.
Police say in the release that an off-duty officer is among the dead.
8:44 a.m.
The death toll reaches 58 with 515 others hurt, Lombardo says.
3:05 p.m.
The death toll moves to 59 including the shooter with 527 others injured, law enforcement officials say at an afternoon press conference.
8:50 p.m.
The estimated number of people injured is reduced to 516, according to a news release by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The death toll remains at 59.
10:00 p.m.
During a news conference, officials say the number of those injured was 527, despite a previous press release.
Tuesday, October 3
Tuesday afternoon
During a 1 p.m. news conference, authorities say Paddock set up cameras inside and outside the hotel room where he opened fire. They also say that Paddock put a camera in a food service cart outside his hotel room.
Lombardo also says that Danley is once again a person of interest.
Late Tuesday evening
Danley, who had been in the Philippines, comes back to the United States.
Wednesday, October 4
Wednesday morning
Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive in Las Vegas, where they meet with Lombardo and others. Later in the morning, they go to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, where they meet with victims.
Wednesday afternoon
Trump speaks at Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Headquarters, and tells law enforcement that they should be proud of the way they responded to the mass shooting.
Wednesday evening
The number of those injured was 489, Lombardo says.
"Of that 489, 317 have been discharged from the hospital," he says.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A former New Jersey restaurant owner convicted of fatally shooting his wife in the head is going to state prison.
Sergio DeRosa received a 30-year sentence on Tuesday.
DeRosa was convicted in July on a murder charge for the May 2014 death of 57-year-old Lynn DeRosa at their Mullica Hill home. The couple owned the Old Bay Restaurant & Bar in Egg Harbor City.
Atlantic County prosecutors say DeRosa shot his wife in the head with a shotgun.
He says he accidentally shot his wife while cleaning the gun. In an interview with police that was played to jurors, he cursed himself for putting a live round into the gun and pulling the trigger.
DeRosa's daughter-in-law testified the couple argued about money and DeRosa said he took $80,000 from a safety deposit box.
The one person who can provide insight into the Las Vegas killer's warped mind -- and potential motive -- returned to the U.S. Tuesday night after being in the Philippines, authorities said.
Marilou Danley, the Las Vegas shooter's live-in girlfriend who left the country before Stephen Paddock gunned down 59 people outside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, was initially cleared in the aftermath of the shooting, but has since become a "person of interest."
How and when did Paddock acquire his deadly arsenal? And why did he open fire on a country concert crowd, killing dozens and injuring more than 500 people?
Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said Monday that Danley, 62, was in Tokyo, although on Tuesday her location and estimated return date to America were not immediately clear.
"She was reported to have been in the Philippines at the time of the incident, but there are unconfirmed reports that she is no longer in the Philippines at this time," Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Robespierre Bolivar told the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday. Bolivar added there was "no official confirmation yet on her nationality, original or acquired."
Police combing the hotel room Paddock used as a perch for his deadly rampage found Danleys slot machine card, Clark County Commission Chair Steve Sisola told the Nevada Independent. Lombardo said Paddock also was carrying some of Danleys identification.
Those items led police initially to declare her a person of interest and launch a search. But detectives later made contact with her and said that they "do not believe she is involved with the shooting on The Strip."
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: FULL COVERAGE OF MASSACRE ON THE STRIP
I've met her three or four times, Paddocks brother, Eric, told CBS News. She's got a Facebook page; she sends my mom cookies.
Danleys LinkedIn profile reportedly listed her as working as a high limit hostess at Atlantis Casino in Reno between 2010 and 2013. The casino told the Reno Gazette-Journal it was cooperating in the investigation.
An Australian newspaper, Brisbanes Courier-Mail, reported Monday that Danley was an Australian citizen originally from the Philippines.
The newspaper said they believe she left the home she shared with Paddock in Mesquite, Nev., around two weeks ago to head to the Philippines.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said American authorities contacted the country after the shooting for help trying to track down Danley.
"They did make inquiries of our authorities about her whereabouts, but she is no longer a person of interest," Bishop told Channel Seven, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
FAMILIES, FRIENDS OF LAS VEGAS VICTIMS SPEAK ABOUT LIVES OF LOVED ONES
Multiple media outlets have reported that Danleys now-deleted Facebook page identified her as a "proud mom and grandma who lives life to the fullest."
She previously was married to Arkansas resident Geary Danley, until the pair divorced in 2015.
A person listed as her witness in the divorce records insisted Danley isnt connected with Paddocks behavior.
She had nothing to do with this psycho, the man, who was not identified, told the Reno Gazette-Journal. The poor lady, she is in the Philippines visiting family.
Authorities have said Paddock has no links to international terrorist groups, despite ISIS claiming him as a soldier who converted to Islam months ago, The Associated Press reported.
Authorities say a Massachusetts man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for sexually exploiting about 150 boys by posing as a 14-year-old girl and convincing them to send him nude photos and videos of themselves.
Twenty-four-year-old Curtis Simoneau, of Framingham, was sentenced in federal court Monday after pleading guilty in June to coercion and enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography.
Prosecutors say Simoneau told a 13-year-old boy he was a girl living in Maine. Authorities say the victim believed he was in an online relationship with the girl and the two exchanged nude photos and videos.
Prosecutors say investigators found nude and sexually suggestive photos and videos in Simoneau's home that were sent by boys who thought they were sending them to a girl.
It was a phone call urging renewed scrutiny of the unsolved 1937 killings of two eastern-central Nebraska lawmen that helped lead to a re-examination and solving of the case, Nebraska investigators said Tuesday.
But it wasn't the victims' family calling for a new look. It was the son of one of the suspects.
"He called me in late December 2014," Seward County Sheriff Joe Yocum said. "He had seen a story about the case that had appeared in Nebraska Life magazine. He was convinced that his father was involved in the killing of these men."
The Nebraska Attorney General's office is convinced, too, declaring the shooting deaths solved. Officials gathered for a news conference Tuesday in Albion to say Marion Cooley and Charles Doody both long dead had shot Boone County Sheriff Lawrence Smoyer and Boone County Constable William Henry Wathen outside a ranch near Albion on June 17, 1937.
That morning, Smoyer and Wathen were investigating reports of a suspicious vehicle parked at the ranch when they encountered two suspects who fired on the officers. Smoyer was shot in the head and died instantly in the ambush. Wathen returned fire, but was shot in both hips and left for dead. He was found the next day and lived another 108 days before succumbing to his injuries. Tuesday's announcement was made on the 80th anniversary of Wathen's death.
Wathen was able to give detailed accounts of the shooting, the suspects and their car and even the car's license plate. Within days, Cooley and Doody, who were already career criminals, had been identified as the top suspects.
The car used in the ambush turned out to have been stolen from Denver. It was later found in Cheyenne, Wyoming, riddled with bullets from Wathen's gun. Multiple sightings of the car and men matching the description of Cooley and Doody were reported. A plaster cast from the scene matched Cooley's footprints.
When Nebraska investigators were ready to issue an arrest warrant for the men about a year after the shooting, Doody was nowhere to be found, and Cooley was already serving a prison sentence in Colorado in an unrelated case. According to the laws at the time, Nebraska had to wait until Cooley was paroled in 1948 before Nebraska officials could take him into custody.
But by then, World War II had wreaked havoc on the case. The original investigators who would have served as witnesses had died or been killed in the war, were still in the military stationed at unknown posts or had retired to places unknown. A reorganization of the Nebraska State Sheriff's Association into what is now the Nebraska State Patrol saw the shuffling of files in the case that weren't found again until sometime in the last three years.
And as the years marched on, Cooley and Doody who used the alias Charles Simms served time in prisons in Colorado and California for various crimes. Officials say Cooley had no known children and died in 1965. Doody, living as Simms, married at least a couple of times and had several children, including the son who called Nebraska investigators in 2014. Doody died in 1995.
Yocum said he and state attorney general chief investigator Bill Black, who is originally from Albion, learned sometime in 2014 that they had both been occasionally investigating the case on their own. They began exchanging information on the case when Doody's son called.
Yocum and Black then began poring over old files in the case whenever they had time aside from their other cases, piecing together long-buried notes, files and evidence to confirm what investigators 80 years ago had believed that Cooley and Doody were responsible.
Prosecutors reviewed the work against modern prosecutorial standards to close the case, said Suzanne Gage, a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Attorney General's Office.
"If these men were living, they would be charged and, we believe, would be held responsible," she said.
Yocum said he spoke to Doody's son a few days before Tuesday's announcement.
"He said he didn't want to be contacted by media," Yocum said. "All he wanted from me was any newspaper articles or any stories that were written in the local media. He also wanted me to extend an apology to the families of the deceased."
The Las Vegas gunmans exact location took police 72 minutes to reach after the first 911 call.
Police received the first 911 call regarding Sundays shooting at the country music concert at 10:08 p.m. local time, NBC News reported. By the time, Stephen Paddock was done shooting, at least 59 people were dead and 515 injured.
Officers began their search for the gunman following the call and responders discovered the gunfire was coming from a window of the Mandalay Bay hotel-casino after seeing muzzle flashes, dispatch tape showed, The Mercury News reported.
23 FIREARMS FOUND IN MANDALAY BAY HOTEL ROOM OCCUPIED BY LAS VEGAS GUNMAN
Police began searching the hotels 29th floor before determining the gunman was on the 32nd floor, NBC News reported.
Authorities, however, eventually located the shooter due to the large amount of smoke from the gunfire, The Washington Post reported.
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com
The SWAT team utilized the alarm activated by the smoke to determine Paddock's location. But it still took SWAT some 20 minutes from the time they arrived at the hotel to pinpoint the exact room Paddock was located in, according to The Post.
The Washington Post reported if the alarm did not go off, the SWAT team would have had to search all 45 floors of the hotel.
LAS VEGAS SHOOTING: REMEMBERING THE FALLEN
When first responders got to the hotel room, Paddock shot through the door, striking one of the hotel's security guards in the leg. SWAT team members then used an explosive device to force the door open into the hotel room but found Paddock had committed suicide.
Investigators found 23 guns some with scopes in the hotel room where he had been staying since Thursday. Paddock knocked out two of the rooms windows to create snipers perches he used to rain bullets on the crowd of 22,000 some 500 yards away.
U.S. officials said Paddock had two bump stocks" that can be used to modify weapons to make them shoot rapid-fire.
Authorities found 19 more guns at Paddocks residence, explosives and thousands of rounds of ammunition. His motive was not immediately clear.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Extreme "Trumpism" and "white victimization" motivated the Las Vegas shooter who killed 59 and injured at least 515 others, according to a Drexel University professor.
Associate Professor George Ciccariello-Maher tweeted just hours after the massacre white people and men will go on shooting sprees when they dont get what they want.
Stephen Paddock used a perch inside the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino to rain down fire on a crowd at a country music concert Sunday night.
Drexel University told Fox News the professors tweets dont represent the universitys views.
The recent social media comments by George Ciccariello-Maher, associate professor of Politics and Global Studies at Drexel University, are his own opinion and do not represent the Universitys views, the university said in a statement. Drexel is deeply saddened by the tragic shooting in Las Vegas. The thoughts and prayers of the Drexel community are with the families of those affected by this senseless act of violence.
This professor has a history of controversial tweets. In 2016, he tweeted all I want for Christmas is white genocide.
Cicariello-Maher began a Twitter thread Monday morning with a three word message: A White Man.
Its the white supremacist patriarchy, stupid, he tweeted.
Cicariello-Maher continued:
"But liberals will drown out all discourse with a deafening chorus screeching 'gun control.' To believe that someone who would shoot down 50 people wouldn't circumvent any gun law you pass is the height of delusion. But liberal escapism means talking about easy questions and proposing easy non-solutions rather than talking about who kills and why.
"White people and men are told that they are entitled to everything. This is what happens when they don't get what they want. The narrative of white victimization has been gradually built over the past 40 years. It is the spinal column of Trumpism, and most extreme form is the white genocide myth. Yesterday was a morbid symptom of what happens when those who believe they deserve to own the world also think it is being stolen from them."
He ended with this tweet several hours later:
Here's a wild idea: white supremacy in the U.S. is a bipartisan project, & *both* the gun lobby *and* the anti-gun lobby are racist as f---.
Scientists determined skeletal fragments found in Aruba did not belong to Natalee Holloway, who disappeared on the island in 2005.
Dr. Jason Kolowski, a forensic scientist who led the testing of the bone fragments told Oxygen the results showed the remains did not belong to Holloway. Oxygen recently wrapped up its series, The Disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
The series followed Holloways father, Dave, and private investigator T.J. Ward in their quest to find Natalees remains on the tropical island.
During the Oxygen series, Dave Holloway and Ward went to Aruba for 18 months as part of an undercover investigation with Gabriel, an informant who was friends with an individual who had personal knowledge from Joran van der Sloot, Dave Holloway said.
HUMAN REMAINS FOUND IN SEARCH FOR NATALEE HOLLOWAY BELONG TO FEMALE OF EASTERN EUROPEAN DESCENT, TESTS SHOW
Van der Sloot, a Dutch national, has long been considered a suspect in the case.
Holloway said in August the informant took them to a place where the skeletal remains were found.
Holloways mother, Beth, gave a saliva sample to help with the testing. The remains were said to have been of a female of Eastern European descent. Holloway had Eastern European heritage.
Kolowski said the forensic teams did not know who the bone fragments belonged to.
Out of four individual bone samples only one was found to be human, Kolowski said. The mitochondrial DNA bone sample was not a match to [mother] Beth Holloway, and so it was ruled out as being Natalee Holloway.
NATALEE HOLLOWAYS DAD REVEALS HE FOUND HUMAN REMAINS IN ARUBA
We dont know how old that person is. We dont know how long that person has been dead, Kolowski said.
Natalee Holloway, 18, a straight-A student from Mountain Brook, Ala., disappeared from the Dutch island while celebrating her high school graduation. She was slated to attend the University of Alabama on a full scholarship, Oxygen reported.
Van der Sloot is currently in a Peruvian prison serving a 28-year sentence for killing business student Stephany Flores just five years after Natalee Holloway vanished.
A Texas kindergarten teacher previously charged with allegedly harming children was arrested again Monday, accused of slapping a 5-year-old student.
The El Paso Police Department said Olga S. Najera, 52, was taken into custody and booked into the county jail under a $15,000 bond.
The latest incident allegedly took place at Helen Ball Elementary School between July 31 and Aug. 28, police said in a news release.
Najera was previously arrested in August for a separate investigation of an incident that allegedly happened in August 2016, KFOX14 reported.
In the August 2016 incident, Najera allegedly pinched a child younger than 14 on the arm, and scratched the child around the hands, according to court documents obtained by the television station.
The 52-year-old also allegedly slapped another child in the face, stepped on the childs foot and kicked the child, the documents said.
Najera was originally placed on administrative leave in March due to reports of inappropriate behavior, but there were no findings to prove the allegations and the teacher was transferred to another school, the school district said.
The teacher was cleared through a school district probe and returned to work, but the case was turned over for a police investigation, the El Paso Times reported.
Najera's attorney, Mary Stillinger, called the accusations "absolutely false" in a statement to KFOX 14.
"Olga Najera has worked as a bilingual educator of very young children for over ten years in the Socorro Independent School District. She has an excellent reputation with students, parents and fellow teachers. The accusations made against her are absolutely false," Stillinger said. "The allegations have been investigated and were found to be without any merit."
She added: "Unfortunately, it is very easy to manipulate or misunderstand what very young children say. Our children's safety and education are of utmost importance, but it is also law enforcement's responsibility to do thorough investigation, before bringing charges. That was not done here. These false accusations have been devastating to Ms. Najera and her reputation. We are looking for forward to clearing Ms. Najera's name and getting her back in the classroom."
At least four people are dead and 14 others wounded after a gunman went on a shooting rampage in Northern California Tuesday.
Two children are among the injured.
It's not clear what the gunman's motive was, but neighbors had lodged complaints about him and he was the subject of a domestic violence call the day before the attack.
Heres a look at experts advice on how best to deal with an active shooter situation.
What are the steps to take when theres an active shooter?
In the event of an active shooter, the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center says to avoid, deny and defend -- in that order, if possible.
First, Dr. Peter Blair, the executive director of ALERRT and a criminal justice professor at Texas State University, said people should avoid the attacker by creating an exit plan and moving away from the threat quickly.
The next option, Blair said, is to deny the shooter access to ones location. That could include putting up barriers to block the shooter or turning off the lights.
And finally, as a last resort, one should defend against the attacker, Blair said. Do not fight fairly. This is about survival, ALERRTs website said.
"The immediate goal should be: how do I become a harder target?" Greg Crane, founder and CEO of the Alice Training Institute
Blair told Fox News that its important for people to be prepared and have a script in mind for high-pressure situations.
23 FIREARMS FOUND IN MANDALAY BAY HOTEL ROOM OCCUPIED BY LAS VEGAS GUNMAN
When you walk into any location, locate the secondary exits, Blair suggested. Be aware so that you can avoid the crowds all leaving out the same main exit.
Blair also encouraged people not to take lightly the feeling that something is wrong. For example, if the concert music stops, start taking action, Blair said.
What if the shooter is at a higher level?
Blair recognized there could be situations when not all of the three recommended steps are viable options, such as during the Las Vegas massacre in October. In instances when the shooter is at an elevated level, the only option people have is to avoid, Blair said.
In those types of situations, Alice Training Institute founder and CEO Greg Crane said people need to evacuate and make themselves less of a target.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE LAS VEGAS GUNMANS COMPANION
The immediate goal should be: how do I become a harder target, Crane said. For a shooter on a higher level, that could mean standing straight up instead of lying flat on the ground, Crane said.
Anything else to know?
When the police arrive, the University of Miamis Miller School of Medicine encourages people to make sure hands are empty and visible. People should also follow officials instructions and avoid making quick movements.
Blair and Crane stressed the importance of recognizing the sound of gunshots.
If you hear repeated loud banging, treat it as if its gunfire, Blair said.
A retired G-man has begun a cold case investigation into who told the Nazis about Anne Franks Dutch hideout during World War II.
Former FBI agent Vince Pankoke will lead a team of 19 top forensic experts using investigative techniques developed in the past decade, including the crunching of big data to uncover leads, The Guardian reported Monday.
The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam has opened its archives and supports the new probe, which will be shown online on video, as the historians, profilers and ex-detectives sort through the evidence, the paper reported.
Pankoke said that by scrutinizing recently declassified documents that had been shipped back to the U.S. after the war he was able to come up with some new theories about what might have happened.
The German security services maintained all records of arrests but it long had been thought that all the documents pertaining to the Franks case were destroyed in a British bombing raid in 1944.
But Pankoke has found a trace of the documents in Washington and we are now restoring damaged documents water damaged, fire damaged we are reconstructing them, and we believe they hold the secrets of the time, Thijs Bayens, a filmmaker, told The Guardian.
CLICK FOR MORE FROM THE NEW YORK POST.
Officials in Kazakhstan say five people, including two doctors, have died when a plane carrying them crashed soon after takeoff.
Kazakhstan's Health Ministry said the An-28 plane with a crew of three was flying the doctors from Kazakhstan's largest city, Almaty, to the southern city of Shymkent on Tuesday. Communications with the plane were lost soon after takeoff and its burning fragments were later found near Almaty.
The ministry said all five people aboard were killed in the crash.
The cause of the crash wasn't immediately clear.
The An-28 is a Soviet-built short-range turboprop.
Two days after Catalonias highly-contested referendum for independence, thousands took to the streets of Barcelona on Tuesday to protest what they say were heavy-handed police tactics they claimed turned peaceful demonstrations into scenes of mass violence.
Large crowds gathered outside the national police headquarters in Barcelona. The protesters accused Spanish police officers of becoming an occupying force in the region and urged them to leave.
People are angry, very angry, said Josep Llavina, a 53-year-old self-employed worker who traveled to Barcelona from a nearby town to participate in the protests. They brought violence with them. They have been beaten people who were holding their hands up. How can we not be outraged?
The outrage grew as mobile phone footage made the rounds on social media showing officers in body armor pushing people, dragging them by the hair and striking them with batons.
More than 890 civilians were treated for injuries, most of them not serious, according to Catalan regional health authorities. Spain's Interior Ministry says 431 National Police and Civil Guard agents were injured, too.
The Spanish government, acting on a judge's order to shut down the referendum, defended the response as professional and proportionate.
The police response drew worldwide criticism though the European Union and most governments backed Spain's stance in what has become the countrys most serious political crisis in decades.
Juan Ignacio Zoido, Spains interior minister, accused the pro-independence Catalan government of representing totalitarianism and hatred for encouraging protests against Spanish police.
"We will not accept the incitement of hatred toward the police and Civil Guard nor that those who have done so much for Spaniards are harassed," he said in a tweet.
He blamed Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont for the protests after he demanded police leave the region.
Demonstrators arrived by foot, walking along empty boulevards and streets closed off by municipal police as tourists watched from a distance.
Protesters blocked several roads in the city and bus and taxi services were affected.
The strike was not backed by Spain's two main unions, the UGT and CCOO groups, and there were no reports of disruptions affecting big industry or Barcelona's airport.
"I disagree with the strike. In fact, at work nobody told me anything about a strike. So I decided to come," said Jose Bolivar, 54 a town hall employee.
Office worker Antonia Cuello, 37, said the protests were a major disruption but she understood why they had to happen.
"On one side, it is a hassle to try to get to work in the midst of a strike," she said. "We are suffering this because a few decided to behave in an improper way. On the other hand, I understand the circumstances surrounding the strike."
The strike was backed by the famed Barcelona soccer club and two other Catalan teams in the Spanish soccer league.
La Liga leaders said none of its professional or youth teams are practicing on Tuesday and the club headquarters is closed. The Girona soccer team also suspended practice while Espanyol had players undergo physical training behind closed doors.
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique, one of the most outspoken supporters of Catalonias independence, was harassed by fans Monday when he reported to Spains national team training camp in Madrid ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Police had to intervene as fans chanted and held posters against him. Spain coach Julen Lopetequi told the COPE radio station the central defender remains motivated despite the abuse from fans. He praised Piques commitment to the national team and said there is no reason not to have him on the squad.
Catalan officials said that 90 percent of the 2.3 million people who voted Sunday were in favor of independence. But fewer than half of those eligible to vote turned out. The vote was boycotted by most of Spain's national parties on grounds it was illegal and lacked basic guarantees, such as a census.
Puigdemont has vowed to act on the results regardless of the legality of the referendum. He is expected to present them this week to Catalonia's regional parliament, which could trigger the process of starting to break away from Spain. Such a move that would inevitably be met by a robust response from Madrid, and Spain's interior minister has said the 5,000 extra officers deployed to Catalonia will stay as long as necessary.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
next Image 1 of 2
prev Image 2 of 2
A group of 20 foreign diplomats who visited Myanmar's Rakhine state, where half a million ethnic Rohingya Muslims fled recent violence, have urged the government to allow access by humanitarian groups and by a United Nations fact-finding mission to investigate allegations of human rights violations.
But the president's office spokesman, Zaw Htay, told The Associated Press on Tuesday the government will stick by its earlier decision to bar the U.N. mission. It has said the group, assembled after similar violence last October, is interfering in Myanmar's affairs.
The diplomats, taken Monday on a guided government tour of the affected area, said in a joint statement that there is a dire need for humanitarian aid.
Iran's foreign minister is in Qatar for talks with top officials there as a quartet of Arab nations continues to boycott the energy-rich country.
Mohammad Javad Zarif's visit on Tuesday comes after Qatar in August restored full diplomatic relations with Iran. Zarif was in Oman on Monday.
Qatar pulled its ambassador from Tehran in early 2016 after Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric sparked attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. The pullout was in solidarity with the kingdom.
The boycott now by Saudi Arabia and others is partly over what they perceive as Doha's overly warm ties with Tehran.
Iran and Qatar have strong shared commercial interests, namely a massive offshore natural gas field, called the South Pars Field by Tehran and the North Field by Doha.
A report on the almost three-year search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 said Tuesday the continuing mystery over the fate of the plane and the 239 people on board is "almost inconceivable."
But the Australian Transport Safety Bureau's final report on the search, which was abandoned in January, concedes that authorities are no closer to knowing the reasons for the plane's disappearance, or its exact location. This is despite last year's narrowing down of its most likely resting place to a 9,650-square mile patch of the southern Indian Ocean.
The Boeing 777 carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew disappeared soon into its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014.
A 52-day surface search covered an area of several million square square miles in the Indian Ocean west of Australia, before an underwater search mapped 274,000 square miles of seabed at depths of up to 20,000 feet. They were the largest aviation searches of their kind in history, the bureau said.
Despite other methods such as studying satellite imagery and investigating ocean drifts after debris from the plane washed ashore on islands in the eastern Indian Ocean and the east coast of Africa, the 1,046-day search was called off by the governments of Malaysia, China and Australia on Jan. 17.
"The reasons for the loss of MH370 cannot be established with certainty until the aircraft is found," the bureau, which coordinated the search, said in the 440-page report.
"It is almost inconceivable and certainly societally unacceptable in the modern aviation era with 10 million passengers boarding commercial aircraft every day, for a large commercial aircraft to be missing and for the world not to know with certainty what became of the aircraft and those on board," it said.
"The ATSB expresses our deepest sympathies to the families of the passengers and crew on board MH370. We share your profound and prolonged grief, and deeply regret that we have not been able to locate the aircraft, nor those 239 souls on board that remain missing."
However, the report said the understanding of where the plane may be is "better now than it has ever been," partly as a result of studying debris that washed ashore in 2015 and 2016 which showed the plane was "not configured for a ditching at the end-of-flight," meaning it had run out of fuel.
The search team also looked back at satellite imagery which showed objects in the ocean that may have been MH370 debris. The report said this analysis complemented work detailed in a 2016 review and identified an area of less than 9,650 square miles roughly the size of the U.S. state of Vermont that "has the highest likelihood of containing MH370."
The bureau noted the Malaysian government is "continuing work on their investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the loss of MH370."
The search was extremely difficult because no transmissions were received from the aircraft after its first 38 minutes of flight. Systems designed to automatically transmit the flight's position failed to work after this point, the report said.
Subsequent analysis of radar and satellite communication data revealed the aircraft had continued to fly for seven hours. Its last positively known position was fixed at the northern tip of Sumatra by surveillance systems operating that night, six hours before it ended its flight in the southern Indian Ocean.
The bureau said the search had at least led to some important gains in the field of locating missing aircraft on flights over deep ocean areas, with improvements made to systems for tracking aircraft.
"Steps are being taken to advance other aircraft systems including emergency locator transponders and flight recorder locator beacons," the report said.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Greg Hood praised the commitment of everyone involved in the search.
"This was an unprecedented endeavor and there has been an extraordinary response from the global community," he said in a statement.
Israel's prime minister has pledged to build thousands of new housing units in the West Bank's biggest Jewish settlement and annex it to Israel.
Benjamin Netanyahu spoke during a visit on Tuesday to Maale Adumim, where he promised "enhanced development" of the settlement.
Netanyahu gave no specifics or a timetable, which suggests he may have been playing to his nationalistic base.
Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 war and has since built dozens of settlements there.
The Palestinians, along with much of the international community, view the settlements as illegal and an obstacle to peace. Israel disputes this, saying the fate of settlements must be resolved through negotiations.
Netanyahu has lately amped up his rhetoric, repeatedly pledging that settlements would never again be abandoned.
North Korea threatened to bring nuclear clouds to Japan and mocked Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for acting like a headless chicken at the United Nations General Assembly when the leader urged U.N. members to force North Korea to end its nuclear and missile programs.
Pyongyang claimed Japan was inciting more tension in the Korean peninsula, calling its plea to end Kim Jong Uns nuclear goal a suicidal deed that will end with a nuclear attack to sink the island, according to a statement released Monday by the states official Korean Central News Agency.
Japan's such rackets inciting the tension of the Korean peninsula is a suicidal deed that will bring nuclear clouds to the Japanese archipelago, the statement said. No one knows when the touch-and-go situation will lead to a nuclear war, but if so, the Japanese archipelago will be engulfed in flames in a moment. This is too self-evident."
NORTH KOREA'S HISTORY OF DECLARING WAR ON US
North Korea called Abe a headless chicken and said the country could be the first victim of nuclear disaster in the world.
North Korea has already fired two missiles that flew over Japan in the last two months. The missile from the latest launch in September reached a height of 480 miles and flew 2,300 miles out, putting it in range of U.S. territory Guam. North Korea then threatened to sink Japan and reduce the U.S. to ashes and darkness.
"The four islands of the archipelago should be sunken into the sea by the nuclear bomb of Juche. Japan is no longer needed to exist near us," KCNA said in another message.
A top government spokesman for Japan responded to the threat by calling it outrageous and provocative.
The growing nuclear threat pushed Abe to seek a public mandate on his tougher diplomatic and defense policies to deal with escalating threats from North Korea. He dissolved Japans lower house of parliament and called for a snap election to be held this month.
CHINA CLOSES NORTH KOREAN BUSINESSES; NORTH KOREA ALLEGEDLY SWELLS ARMY TO FIGHT US
North Koreas string of belligerent threats have continued since President Trump vowed to totally destroy the dictatorship in his speech to the U.N. General Assembly. North Koreas foreign minister Ri Yong-ho said Trumps threatening words was a declaration of war, though the White House insisted no such explicit statement was made.
Trump once again ripped Little Rocket Man Kim Jong Un in a series of tweets over the weekend after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said there was lines of communication to Pyongyang. Trump urged Tillerson to save [his] energy because he was wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Philippine police say two Swedish citizens and their Filipino driver were wounded, apparently in the crossfire, when communist guerrillas attempted to attack a police car in a central province.
A police report said a Swedish man was shot in the wrist and a Swedish woman was injured in the shoulder, while their Filipino van driver was wounded in the face, stomach and thigh during the attack Tuesday by the New People's Army in a village in the coastal town of Cauayan in Negros Occidental province.
The report said the five policemen in the patrol car, which was targeted by the insurgents, were not wounded. The rebels withdrew when army reinforcements arrived.
The communist rebellion in the Philippines has raged for 48 years, making it one of Asia's longest.
Russia's military says its airstrikes in eastern Syria this week killed more than 300 Islamic State militants.
Russia has been a major backer of Syria's President Bashar Assad whose government troops have been advancing in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour against IS under the cover of Russian airstrikes.
Meanwhile, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces are also marching against the Islamic State group, backed by the U.S.-led coalition.
Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement early on Tuesday that its airstrikes just outside Deir el-Zour, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, killed more than 304 IS fighters and left more than 200 wounded.
The ministry says the airstrikes also hit and destroyed an IS training center, as well artillery positions, tanks and ammunition depots belonging to the militants.
The Danish inventor charged with killing journalist Kim Wall aboard his homemade Nautilus submarine had a computer containing video of the torture and killing of women, a prosecutor said Tuesday.
Senior prosecutor Jakob Buch-Jepsen said at a court hearing that investigators uncovered a hard drive with material on it described as torture on other women.
"We think it's video recordings of true killing of women," Jakob Buch-Jepsen said, according to a translation in The Ekstra Bladet newspaper, adding some of the videos containing killings done by "decapitation and burning."
"It's not just that we have the same grounds for arrest as before, but I think they are stronger than last time," Buch-Jepsen said, adding that suspect Peter Madsen should be detained during the hearing. A judge later ruled Madsen will continue to sit behind bars until Oct. 31 as police continue to investigate Wall's death.
Madsen's body also had DNA traces from Wall, including scrapes on his face and neck, according to Buch-Jepsen.
The inventor, who attended the hearing on a video link with his lawyer, said the computer in question has been used by others, including a trainee at the workshop, who "practically" lived there, the Danish B.T. tabloid reported.
"I would like to clarify that the computer in the custody of the police and the items that have been removed from the space laboratory are not mine," he said in court.
While authorities have not yet officially announced a cause of death for Wall, Buch-Jepsen said the journalist had a chest wound, and several stitches had been sewn on her torso.
The wounds came "about the onset of death or shortly thereafter," Buch-Jepsen told the court.
Madsen's lawyer, Betina Hald Engmark, told the court the autopsy report does not indicate Madsen had sex with Wall prior to her death, the B.T. tabloid reported.
The inventor said Wall died after she was hit by a hatch cover aboard the homemade submarine and bled to death from an open skull fracture.
Wall's naked, headless body was found Aug. 21 on a Copenhagen beach, 10 days after she was last seen entering Madsen's sub as part of a story she was writing.
Her family has set up a crowdfunding campaign to raise donations for the "Kim Wall Memorial Fund" -- a grant that will help support a young female reporter.
The three finalists have been selected for the fifth annual Made in FredVA business startup competition organized by the Next Generation of Business Leaders, a program of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce.
The businesses selected are Beyond High C Singing Specialty, Fredericksburg Food Coop and Mandala Pies. Each will have ten minutes to pitch their business ideas to a panel of local entrepreneurs at 6 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Inn at the Old Silk Mill, 1707 Princess Anne St. in Fredericksburg. The judges will have ten minutes to ask the business owners questions.
We were thrilled to receive new and creative ideas for our fifth year of the competition, said Rich Brown, chairman of the NextGen board of directors. It has been great to watch this program grow.
Kiersten Kanasters Beyond High C Singing Specialty is a low-cost, online group music program for survivors of brain injury. It offers post-acute support designed to overcome financial constraints, transportation difficulties and reduce social isolation and instances of depression. There are plans to adapt the program to serve dementia and autism populations.
Fredericksburg Food Coop, presented by board member Rich Larochelle, plans to be a full-service grocery store that will focus on local foods, natural and organic products and practices. It will be owned and controlled by its local members.
Caitlin LaCombs Mandala Pies connects consumers to agriculture by using organically grown, local ingredients for her baked-from-scratch pies. Her specialties include Ginger Spice & Everything Nice, a pumpkin with a gingersnap crust, and The Old Farmers Almanac, an apple pie with a cinnamon roll crust.
Made in FredVA is patterned after the popular Shark Tank television show. This years judges will be Mike Adams, president of JON Properties; Gerald Childress, owner of The Childress Agency; and DD Lecky, owner of LibertyTown Arts Workshop.
The winner will receive $10,000 toward their business startup expenses. Additionally, the audience will vote for the $500 peoples choice cash award. Potential investors are encouraged to attend and hear the business ideas pitched.
The prizes are made possible through sponsorships from the City of Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority, the Stafford County Economic Development Authority, the Next Generation of Business Leaders and Virginia Partners Bank.
Linda Upshaw was looking for bargains, not someone elses childhood memories.
But as she searched through an antique store in King George County, she spotted a book that made her look twice. It was Misty of Chincoteague, a childrens novel about a family raising a filly born to a wild horse.
Upshaw always loved horses and had cared for those rescued from the racetrack at her home near Sneads Farm in Woodford of Caroline County. Also, Misty had been a favorite of her oldest child, Caroline Hughes, whod recently become a mother.
Upshaw thought the book would be a perfect addition to the growing library of Carolines daughter, Harper, who was born in May.
But there was another reason Upshaw couldnt leave Misty behind.
In the back was a two-page inscription from a mother to her daughters, recounting their visit to Chincoteague Island for the annual penning of ponies. It was addressed to Kimmy and Cammy, dated July 1978 and filled with words of wisdom that touched Upshaw, a mother and new Grandmama, as much as the story itself.
The inscription read: All in all girlsalways remember that our lives are lived, not in great sweeps of cosmic time, but in small, graspable, everyday moments. Love always, Mom
Those words would make many eyes misty in the days to come.
HOW FAMILIAR IT FELT
Caroline Hughes lives in Richmond and was spending a day with her mother in August. Upshaw had planned to present the book as a Christmas present, but just couldnt wait.
Over coffee at the kitchen table, Upshaw shared the story of the books discovery and how she paid $10 for it. Thats steep for a woman who follows her mothers mantra to never pay full price.
It made me tear up when I read it in the store, and I just couldnt leave it, Upshaw explained to her daughter, adding: I knew you were the type of person who would really appreciate the words in it.
Indeed she did.
Hughes read the inscriptions account of the sisters, who tried to push each other off a picnic table as they stood on tippy toes to see the activity around them. It sounded like something she and her sister, Ann, would have done.
And the part about the father getting separated from the familythen discovered later, enjoying a tall Pepsi and a box of cookies, well, that could have been their father, Keith Upshaw, Hughes thought.
How familiar it felt, Hughes said about the episode. It could have just as easily been our family.
LIKE A HALLMARK MOVIE
Hughes agreed the book was too personal to leave in a store. But she wanted to take it another step and get it back into the hands of the original owners.
If this were my book, Id want it to be with my family, she said.
But almost 40 years had passed since the family had visited Chincoteague Island. At the bottom of the second page was a name tag that read: HELLO. My name is Cammy.
In a childs handwriting, the last name Robinson had been added in pencil.
Hughes wondered: Was it possible to find Cammy Robinson? Would she be interested in the book? Or did those kind of reunions happen only in Hallmark movies?
WE WERE ALL CRYING
Hughes shared the Misty story on social media and within 15 minutes, her friend and Facebook sleuth, Ryan Ellis, sent her a profile of a woman that looked to be the right age for Cammy Robinson.
Hughes sent Robinson a message, acknowledging this is kind of a long shot, and within minutes, the two were talking.
She called, crying and said, Thats my book, and before you know it, we were all crying, Hughes said.
Robinson, an attorney in Washington and Maryland, has no idea how the book ended up in King George County. She told Hughes about her mother, a psychologist who loved books and believed every good one deserved an equally good inscription. Her name was Dr. Jean Robinson, and she died May 2, 2016.
My mom was my best friend in the whole world, said Robinson, who lives in Northern Virginia with her three children. Its almost earth-shattering when you lose someone that close.
She says its miraculous that shes even still standing after the events of the last two years. Her mom suddenly got sick, Robinson got divorced after 15 years of marriage and her older sister, Kimmy, developed dementia, and Robinson had to put her in a nursing home.
Afterwards, shed gone through the private possessions of both women, sorting through items collected over the course of more than 40 years.
On the same day that Robinson heard from Hughes, she had come back from vacation to find that her mothers cat had gone missing. She and the kids put up posters and Facebook notices and were able to find the cat, seemingly out of nowhere, Robinson said.
Less than 10 minutes later, she got a message from a woman shed never met, saying shed found a book that may belong to her.
It was this unbelievable divine intervention that somebody would have gotten it in King George and been touched by it and then gone through all the trouble to locate me, Robinson said. I was not an overly religious person until my mom passed, but so many things have happened, I feel like theres something bigger out there.
FELT LIKE KARMA
On her way home to Richmond the same day she learned about the book, Hughes had it shipped to Robinson. Hughes and her mother were thrilled to add another chapter to the story, one that helped a grieving daughter reconnect with a little piece of her mother.
It felt like karma, Hughes said. There are times in life when youre struggling and have a lot of challenges, and then little things happen, and they can be a ray of light.
Upshaw prefers to put it another way. My mom always said there are no coincidences in life, and I believe that, too.
The only part of the tale thats unfinished is that Harper Genevieve, whose middle name is the same as Upshaws late mother, doesnt have a book about Misty the Chincoteague pony among her collection.
Grandmama will take care of that at Christmas. And, shell be sure to write the perfect inscription.
Someone recently vandalized the flagpole that flies the controversial Confederate flag that towers above Interstate 95 on private property in the Falmouth area, authorities said.
Stafford County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Amanda Vicinanzo said Deputy George Motley was called to the property Sunday afternoon and found "take it down" and "racist" spray-painted on the base of the pole.
The rope used to hoist the flag was also damaged, Vicinanzo said, and there was an apparent attempt to remove the plaque on the pole that reads, "Virginia."
The huge flag has been especially controversial of late and a number of speakers at several recent meetings have urged the county Board of Supervisors to take a stand against it. They said it reflects poorly on Stafford to have the flag so prominently displayed.
Suggestions have included things from outlawing the flag altogether to issuing a proclamation denouncing the Confederate flag, which some believe is a symbol of racism and white supremacy. In addition, a lawyer in the county recently filed a complaint to the county zoning department, contending that the flag is an illegal sign that should come down.
The flag was raised in 2014 on private property near the intersection of Interstate 95 and U.S. 17. It can be seen by motorists on the interstate.
County Attorney Charles Shumate has said because the flag is on private property, the county has no legal authority to force the property owners to take it down.
Vicinanzo said the landowner, Hubert Cash, informed Motley that the pole is owned by the Virginia Flaggers and that he agreed to have the flag and pole on his property. There are a number of no-trespassing signs around the pole and property line.
Cash told the deputy that he noticed the damage about 3 p.m. Sunday and had last seen the pole undamaged on Sept. 24. Vicinanzo said Cash told police he doesn't know who caused the damage, "but knows there are a lot of people who do not like the flag."
One vocal opponent of the flag on the Cash property, however, says she condemns the vandalism. Susan Kosior recently got a permit to erect her own 80-foot pole on which to fly a Black Lives Matter flag at her home in Ferry Farm in opposition to the Confederate flag.
I have worked tirelessly the last seven weeks to use the system to legally combat the I-95 flag in our community, Kosior wrote in an email. This type of behavior only sets back our work for justice and our cause for peace. I have never advocated violating the Cashes property rights using any means, including trespass and vandalism. I remain steadfast in that conviction.
The James Monroe Museum in downtown Fredericksburg will host a fundraiser Friday for hurricane relief in Monroe County, Fla.
The county, which encompasses the Key islands and was severely damaged when hurricane Irma hit last month, was named for fifth president James Monroe.
"As the museum staff considered how they could help those in need, they thought of focusing their efforts on Monroe County, Florida, established on July 2, 1823, and named after then-president James Monroe," a museum press release states.
Irma destroyed many homes and businesses and was responsible for 14 deaths in the county.
The museum is inviting the public to visit on Friday and make a donation to Habitat for Humanity of the Middle and Lower Keys. Donations will be accepted during the museum's regular hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as during the First Friday event Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Everyone who donates on Friday will receive a coupon for free museum admission for a group of four.
There will also be a link to Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys at the museum's website through the month of October.
Free Freightnet Membership
List your company in the Freightnet directory. It's Free, it's Easy and your company can be displayed in front of potential freight buyers within 24 hours.
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
The UK should capitalise on the growing market for plant-based protein such as soya after Brexit, farmers are being told.
A report by think tank the New Economics Foundation, commissioned by the Vegan Society and due to be launched this week, will point to crops such as soya, lentils, peas, beans and flax seeds as being key crops in a more sustainable agriculture system in the UK after Brexit.
Griffin Carpenter, economics modeller at New Economics Foundation, told the Labour Party Conference last week the UK could seize the opportunity created by Brexit to set subsidies at different rates in favour of crops such as soya.
See also: Surge in soya area predicted next season
Soya offers a sizeable global market, with China importing 85m tonnes of the 150m tonnes traded annually on world markets to support its meat sector.
Ready market
In August, prices stood at about 380/t, up from 165/t after it was first introduced as a contender in the UK in 2002.
The UK, while considerably smaller with imports of just 3m tonnes, presents a huge and ready home market for UK growers, according to soya seed supplier Soya UK.
David McNoughton, director at Soya UK, said farmers are already turning to soya because they are very keen to find a spring break crop that delivers a decent gross margin.
This message was echoed by Savills director and Cambridgeshire farmer Peter Bennett at a meeting with farmers in Sprowston, Norfolk, on Friday 29 September.
He said farmers need to consider diversifying into new crops to compete after Brexit, and growing soya makes sound economic sense.
Mr Bennett told Farmers Weekly that when he first attempted to grow soya 15 years ago, the low prices and lower yields forced him to abandon it.
However, he said Soya UK had worked with seed producers to improve yields and this, combined with a rise in prices, has led him to replace oilseed rape in the crop rotation of sugar beet and potatoes at his 243ha farm in Cambridgeshire.
From our point of view, with its gross margin and yield, its a great crop.
There is definitely a market for it. Some farmers are worried about how it fits into a rotation, because of how late it is, he said.
There is no guarantee it will be harvested in time to allow wheat to be sown in the second week of October.
Mr Bennett had been growing the crop under the ecological focus area scheme, and said he would welcome any future incentive to grow the crop.
Although not commonly grown in the UK, the area of soya is predicted to quadruple next year to more than 8,000ha as this years growers look to expand their crop area.
A Pinch of Salt: The election is over, I think, so what now?
LAS VEGAS Surreal, and, like something out of a movie."
That's how mid-valley residents in Las Vegas on business and pleasure trips described learning that a gunman killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 500 Sunday night at a Jason Aldean country music concert in an outdoor venue near the Mandalay Bay hotel.
Lebanon City Councilor Rebecca Grizzle, who works for Linn-Co Federal Credit Union, planned to attend a business conference Monday morning. Her niece, Jennifer Shelton, who lives in Alaska, is with her, but not on business.
They are staying in the Mandalay Bay hotel, around the corner from the alleged shooters suite.
Its really weird here right now, Grizzle said Monday afternoon. The conference has been canceled, I cant cancel my room and we cant change our flights. There has been a mass exodus out of here.
Grizzle said she and her niece went out Sunday evening and returned to their room about 9:40 p.m.
About 22,000 people were attending the nearby outdoor concert, clearly visible from the hotel. Alleged gunman Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire into the crowd about 10 p.m. Paddock died of a self-inflicted gunshot, according to Las Vegas SWAT officers. Several rifles were found in the room.
I was asleep in about 10 minutes, but Jennifer took a shower and heard what sounded like pop, pop, pop, Grizzle said. She thought it was a jackhammer or something like that. You just dont know about something like this. We didnt know about the shooting until we received a phone call about 5 a.m. from the hotel staff informing us to not leave our room. Later in the morning, we got another message that said all conferences had been canceled.
Grizzle said she turned on the television and learned about the shooting, that it was over and the shooter was dead.
It was kind of surreal, Grizzle said. When we were able to leave the hotel, we walked down Las Vegas Boulevard and it was eerie. It had been shut down and there was no street traffic at all.
Grizzle said the hotel provided free breakfasts to all guests, but she said it was a very somber experience.
You could tell that folks had been up all night, Grizzle said. We didnt know if someone sitting next to us had lost loved ones, or had someone in the hospital.
Grizzle said she hadnt spoken with anyone else who was to attend the conference, but said it was likely that one of the conference attendees might have been at the concert, since it was only a few hundred yards from the hotel.
Gary Robertson of Albany is in Las Vegas to compete in the senior softball World Series, along with team members from Portland and Salem.
We got into town Thursday and will leave tonight (Monday), Robertson said. We are staying in condos about two miles off the strip, behind the Luxor.
Robertson said he, his girlfriend and a friend attended a Beatles tribute show at the Mirage Sunday evening.
About 11 p.m. my son texted and said there was an active shooter on the strip, Robertson said. I told him we were at the show and we were fine. He lives in Las Vegas and kept texting me reports of what was going on.
Robertson said his friend had been gambling and had gone to cash out about midnight when people stared flooding through the doors saying that was a shooter somewhere outside. There was immediate panic.
Robertson said it was like something out of a movie.
As far as we knew, we were running for our lives, Robertson said. People were dropping things everywhere and everyone was running for the escalators.
By the time Robertson and his girlfriend arrived at their car, his friend already was behind the steering wheel.
We drove out of the parking garage the back way and got out of there, Robertson said. We got back to our rooms, but still didnt really know what was going on. It was run and duck. Our trip to the strip was canceled for today.
Robertson said the plan was to hang out Monday until it was time to catch a flight home.
I have talked to my son several times, he said. Obviously, he is very upset, as is my girlfriend. Everyone is OK, everyone is fine, but it was truly scary stuff.
TNVolunteer73 said: Nope when was the Fed created?
1913 following the Creation we have had
1920 Depression
1929 Great Depression
Recession of 1950s
stagflation of the 1970s
1980 recession
1989 Recession
1999 recession
2008 recession Click to expand...
taxpayer monies, they got to keep all of the foreclosures.
I'd suggest you take it one step farther. EVERYTHING changed in 1913 but the most serious problem when everything changed to a debt based system. When I say serious I mean for us, not the for the powers that be. They never lose. For instance, in the case of the bailouts the banks not only got theSavings and InvestmentIn order for all the debt thats used to create the money supply to be payableeven theoretically payableall of the debt-created money has to be spent into the economy so it will be available for paying off debt. If that doesnt happen then there will be a scarcity of money even if enough new loans are made to keep recreating the money that disappears when debt is paid off.Enter the guys in the white hats (or white coats maybe), the wise principles of sound money managementnamely savings and investment. Most people believe that these things are good and right and wise. In a sensible monetary system, maybe they are. In the fractional-reserve, debt-based system, they can be deadly.A penny saved is a penny held out of the working economy where it could have been used to pay debt. Savings that earn interest, compound the problem because not only is the saved money held out of the economy, its acting as a magnet to draw additional money out of the system. The accumulated interest money is generally added to the savings rather than spent, compounding the interest and drawing more money from the system.You put our fiat currency out there and combine it with a fractional reserve banking system with a debt based economy and we're all ******.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
Rental prices in large and university cities : Prices for student apartments are rising steeply in Bonn and Cologne
Bonn/Cologne Students in Germany must pay increasingly more money in rent. Average prices have risen by up to 70 per cent since 2010 and have also gone up in Bonn and Cologne.
Teilen
Teilen Weiterleiten
Weiterleiten Tweeten
Tweeten Weiterleiten
Weiterleiten Drucken
Studying is more popular than ever today. In the winter semester 2016/17, the number of students in Germany exceeded the 2.8 million mark for the first time. As a result, more and more young people are leaving the family home and need their own apartment in their place of study. City life is also becoming increasingly attractive to employees, trainees, long distance commuters and pensioners. This increases competition for the already extremely limited living space.
Whether a shared room, student residence or an apartment, living space is becoming increasingly scarce. Added to this are the huge increases in rental prices, especially in large cities and university towns. These are the results of a report by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research for the German Real Estate Funds Advisor in cooperation with the internet site Immobilienscout24.
The study examined 15 cities over a period from 2010 to the end of the first half of 2017. This showed the highest percentage increase in net rental prices since 2010 was in Berlin with 70.2 per cent (from six to eleven euros per square metre) followed by Stuttgart with 62.2 per cent and Munich with 53.1 per cent.
Rental prices in Bonn up by a quarter
The rental prices for students also rose significantly in Cologne and Bonn. Students in Cologne paid an average of 22.3 per cent more than in 2010 and in Bonn the rents have increased by 24.9 per cent. While the average rent for a typical student apartment in Bonn was 435 Euros in 2010, in the first half year of 2017 it is already 487 Euros. Generally, the experts estimate the average rental prices for new rental contracts in Cologne and Bonn at around eleven euros per square metre.
Reasons for increasing rents
The significant increase is not only due to the generally increasing shortage of living space in desirable locations, but also because an increasing number of rental apartments are offered furnished, which drives prices up even more, said IW property specialist, Michael Voigtlander. The situation can only be eased through more new-build apartments and additional student residences, Voigtlander said.
bayonel3 at 3-10-2017 02:32 PM (5 years ago) (m)
The former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke on Tuesday pleaded with the Federal High Court in Lagos to compel the Attorney General of the Federation to bring her back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, where she travelled to shortly after leaving office in 2015. Diezani made the plea through an application filed on Tuesday, by one Obinna Onya, a lawyer from Abuja, who appeared before Justice Aikawa with an application seeking the joining of Diezani as one of the defendants in the charge.
The former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke on Tuesday pleaded with the Federal High Court in Lagos to compel the Attorney General of the Federation to bring her back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom, where she travelled to shortly after leaving office in 2015. Diezani made the plea through an application filed on Tuesday, by one Obinna Onya, a lawyer from Abuja, who appeared before Justice Aikawa with an application seeking the joining of Diezani as one of the defendants in the charge. Diezani said she would like to appear in court in Nigeria to defend a criminal charge bordering on alleged laundering of N450m, where her name was mentioned.
The main defendants in the charge are a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Belgore; and a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman. Belgore and Suleiman were charged before Justice Rilwan Aikawa for allegedly collecting N450m from Diezani and laundering same in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which filed the charges, claimed that the N450m was part of a sum of $115m which Diezani allegedly doled out to compromise the 2015 general elections. The SAN and the professor were arraigned on five counts, wherein Diezanis name was mentioned, but she was declared as being at large.
Diezani's application seeking to be joined in the suit was filed pursuant to Section 36(1),(5),(6 (a)-(e) of the Constitution and sections 216 (1) (2) (3) (4); and 217 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, sought an amendment to the charges against Belgore and Suleiman, so as to join Diezani as one of the defendants.
The lawyer contended that contrary to the declaration by the EFCC that Diezani was at large, the former minister was in the UK and was willing to return to Nigeria so that she could appear in court to take her plea and defend the charges..
The lawyer argued that since Diezanis name had been mentioned in the charge, it would be against her right to fair hearing for the case to proceed without affording her the opportunity to defend herself.
The statement made by the prosecution means that the applicant (Diezani) is going to be convicted without being given the opportunity to defend herself, Onya told Justice Aikawa. The application prayed for an order mandating the Attorney General of the Federation, being the agent of the complainant, to facilitate the prompt appearance of the applicant in court on the next adjourned date, to take her plea and to defend the allegations made against her in counts 1, 2,3 and 4 of the charge, numbered FHC/L/35c/2017.
Onya urged Justice Aikawa to hear and determine the application before proceeding with the case on Tuesday. But the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed him, saying the application was not ripe for hearing, as he had yet to be served.
However, Onya told the court that he had attempted to serve Oyedepo on Tuesday morning on the court premises but that the prosecutor declined, adding that his effort to serve the application at the EFCC office on Friday was also frustrated.
But Oyedepo advised him to go and serve the application at the registry of the EFCC, assuring him that the application would be accepted. Responding, Justice Aikawa said the court could not entertain the application until all the parties had been properly served. Meanwhile, the trial proceeded with the second witness for the EFCC, Usman Zakari, continuing his testimony. Through the witness, Oyedepo tendered two letters written to the EFCC in relation to the case Standard Charted Bank Nigeria Limited and Guaranty Trust Bank.
The court admitted the two letters as exhibits in evidence against the defendants.
However, Oyedepos attempt to tender a trail of electronic mail communication between Diezani and the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank was resisted by the defence counsel, Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN).
They contended that the document was not admissible as, according to them, it did not meet the requirement of the Evidence Act. Oyedepo sought an adjournment to counter the objection by the defence. Justice Aikawa adjourned till Wednesday, October 4 for continuation of trial. In the charges, Sulaiman, a professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Abuja; and Belgore, a former governorship aspirant in Kwara State, were accused of conspiring between themselves to commit the offence on March 27, 2015. The duo were accused of making a cash transaction of N450m on March 27, 2015, without going through any financial institution.
But they pleaded not guilty to the charges. Diezani said she would like to appear in court in Nigeria to defend a criminal charge bordering on alleged laundering of N450m, where her name was mentioned.The main defendants in the charge are a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Belgore; and a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman. Belgore and Suleiman were charged before Justice Rilwan Aikawa for allegedly collecting N450m from Diezani and laundering same in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which filed the charges, claimed that the N450m was part of a sum of $115m which Diezani allegedly doled out to compromise the 2015 general elections. The SAN and the professor were arraigned on five counts, wherein Diezanis name was mentioned, but she was declared as being at large.Diezani's application seeking to be joined in the suit was filed pursuant to Section 36(1),(5),(6 (a)-(e) of the Constitution and sections 216 (1) (2) (3) (4); and 217 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, sought an amendment to the charges against Belgore and Suleiman, so as to join Diezani as one of the defendants.The lawyer contended that contrary to the declaration by the EFCC that Diezani was at large, the former minister was in the UK and was willing to return to Nigeria so that she could appear in court to take her plea and defend the charges..The lawyer argued that since Diezanis name had been mentioned in the charge, it would be against her right to fair hearing for the case to proceed without affording her the opportunity to defend herself.Onya told Justice Aikawa. The application prayed for an order mandating the Attorney General of the Federation, being the agent of the complainant, to facilitate the prompt appearance of the applicant in court on the next adjourned date, to take her plea and to defend the allegations made against her in counts 1, 2,3 and 4 of the charge, numbered FHC/L/35c/2017.Onya urged Justice Aikawa to hear and determine the application before proceeding with the case on Tuesday. But the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed him, saying the application was not ripe for hearing, as he had yet to be served.However, Onya told the court that he had attempted to serve Oyedepo on Tuesday morning on the court premises but that the prosecutor declined, adding that his effort to serve the application at the EFCC office on Friday was also frustrated.But Oyedepo advised him to go and serve the application at the registry of the EFCC, assuring him that the application would be accepted. Responding, Justice Aikawa said the court could not entertain the application until all the parties had been properly served. Meanwhile, the trial proceeded with the second witness for the EFCC, Usman Zakari, continuing his testimony. Through the witness, Oyedepo tendered two letters written to the EFCC in relation to the case Standard Charted Bank Nigeria Limited and Guaranty Trust Bank.The court admitted the two letters as exhibits in evidence against the defendants.However, Oyedepos attempt to tender a trail of electronic mail communication between Diezani and the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank was resisted by the defence counsel, Mr. Ebun Shofunde (SAN) and Olatunji Ayanlaja (SAN).They contended that the document was not admissible as, according to them, it did not meet the requirement of the Evidence Act. Oyedepo sought an adjournment to counter the objection by the defence. Justice Aikawa adjourned till Wednesday, October 4 for continuation of trial. In the charges, Sulaiman, a professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Abuja; and Belgore, a former governorship aspirant in Kwara State, were accused of conspiring between themselves to commit the offence on March 27, 2015. The duo were accused of making a cash transaction of N450m on March 27, 2015, without going through any financial institution.But they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Post Reply I scour the world wide web to bring you interesting stories from around the globe. [email protected] Posted: at 3-10-2017 02:32 PM (5 years ago) | Hero
Chances are good that you were among those voters who gave the green light to annual legislative sessions when the idea landed on state ballots in 2010.
Ballot Measure 71 passed with better than a 2-to-1 margin statewide. The measure won a majority in every one of Oregon's 36 counties.
Most Oregon voters even those with a (well-founded) fear of the Legislature understood that state government had become such a complicated operation that legislators simply couldn't keep an eye on it by meeting every other year.
But the measure was carefully structured to ease the fears of voters: Most of the Legislature's heavy lifting, we were told, would occur in sessions that took place in odd-numbered years. Those sessions would run 160 days. Those were the sessions to pitch big ideas or major changes in state policies.
The sessions scheduled for even-numbered years, such as the one that will begin next year, were intended essentially for legislators to tie up loose ends from the longer sessions; the idea was that legislators would use the 35-day sessions to rebalance budgets and make technical fixes to laws.
There's a good reason for that: A 35-day session is not the place for big ideas to get the full hearing they deserve, let alone for those ideas to get the public exposure they deserve.
But that's not how the short sessions have played out in recent years. The 2016 session alone featured two big policy measures, a bill requiring power companies to eliminate coal-fired resources from their power supply and another measure to increase the state's minimum wage. Regardless of what you think about both of those measures, they deserved more consideration than they received in the short session.
All of which explains why it's alarming to learn that another big-deal bill may be getting the short-session treatment in 2018. The Oregonian reported over the weekend that many Democrats, including Gov. Kate Brown, will be pushing for a bill to cap greenhouse gases and charge some of the state's largest companies for their carbon output.
The Oregonian reported that Brown has several work groups hammering out the numerous details of the proposal, but the hope is to have bill language ready by November.
To be fair, this bill proposal follows on the heels of other similar bills that haven't gotten much traction yet in the Legislature, so it's not a complete surprise that it's surfacing now.
But so many details remain to be worked out that even some Democrats, such as Sen. Mark Hass of Beaverton, are questioning the wisdom of trying to push it through in a short session. "I'm not sure we have all the answers on a giant policy like that to act in 30 days," Hass told The Oregonian.
It's not just that: Other issues might be competing for legislators' attention during the 2018 session, including school funding and the increasing unfunded liability of Oregon's public pension system, which recently grew to $25.3 billion, not that anyone appears to be counting.
But here's one of the reasons why Brown and other Democrats might want to be pushing the carbon-tax proposal: It could raise big money $700 million a year for the state.
Although numerous details remain to be worked out, two ideas are likely to be at the heart of the proposal, according to The Oregonian story: a statewide mandate to lower greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 and a requirement that some of the state's biggest polluters would have to pay for their emissions. That money would go to the state, but no one knows yet where exactly it would be spent or, for that matter, which branch of an already stretched-thin state government will administer the program.
Sound complex? It is. All the better reason for the people pushing the proposal to take their time and aim for the 2019 session, when it will have ample opportunity for the full hearing with ample opportunities for public input it deserves. (mm)
With the price of solar panels dropping, more people are opening up to the idea of installing renewable energy in their homes and businesses to help offset electric costs.
Among them is James LaPrade, president of BMS Direct on Millrace Drive in Lynchburg. LaPrade had solar panels installed on the roofs of his business last year, and those panels now supply about half of BMS Directs electricity.
Im a big fan of renewable energy, he said.
When installed, solar panels absorb the suns rays and convert it into electricity. Solar panels are made up of different types of silicon cells joined together to form a circuit. While the savings and environmental benefits from using solar power can be an attractive investment, prospective buyers must weigh those advantages against the upfront cost of installing solar panels and assess whether their property receives enough sunlight to make solar power viable.
When LaPrade built his home 10 years ago, he installed solar hot water and said he has been able to see the savings from that over the years. When an opportunity came to do something similar at his office, LaPrade jumped on it.
The 80,000-square-foot facility that employs 72 people and specializes in processing invoices has a fully open roof with more than 900 solar panels on it. The initial installation last year at BMS involved 722 panels placed on the roof, and this year another 200 were added. The first investment cost $402,000, and LaPrade just added another $100,000.
Before installing the panels, he said, the offices electric bills were anywhere from $6,000 to $9,000 per month. The payback timeline on the panels at BMS is six years.
My intention is to keep adding on each year until I can maximize my roof space, LaPrade said. There is about 40 percent of the roof remaining.
LaPrade hired Affordable Energy Concepts Inc. in Madison Heights.
The cost of solar has dropped dramatically over the past five years primarily due to technology improvements and the supply and demand for solar, Affordable Energy Concepts Owner David Wall said.
Installing residential panels can cost between $2.30 per watt and $2.75 per watt. An average residential installation totals around five kilowatts, or 5,000 watts, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. For commercial, the panels can cost between $1.40 per watt and $2.20 per watt.
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there were 26,000 Virginia homes powered by solar as of Sept. 12, and there has been a 55 percent price decline in solar over the past five years.
Matthew Brady, director of business development for Lynchburg-based New Dominion Solar, said increased electricity costs and the publics greater awareness of solar power have contributed to its popularity.
New Dominion Solar, which opened last year, works mostly in theresidential market but is hoping to break into commercial soon. Brady said using solar panels can replace homeowners and businesses power bills.
Financing is available for solar panels, and in Virginia, those with solar panels are eligible for a 30 percent federal solar investment tax credit. With the tax credit, the net cost of a $20,000 solar installation would be $14,000, with $6,000 returned during the tax season.
Aaron Sutch, program director of Virginia Sun, a nonprofit that helps communities go solar across Virginia and advocates for fair solar policies across the state, said Virginians want solar power and they dont want their options blocked.
He explained there are several regulations from the General Assembly, one being that third-party leases arent allowed.
For example, if a business doesnt have the money to buy the panels upfront, but a third party offers to own the panels and sell the electricity, that isnt allowed, Sutch said.
This can be done in Washington, D.C. and in Maryland.
Stand-by charges exist from Appalachian Power and are billed to the customer if their system uses over 10 kilowatts of alternating current or AC.
Appalachian Power Company serves about 500,000 customers in its Virginia territory, APCo spokesman John Shepelwich said.
It has about 750 customers in its net metering program, which allows the customer to install and use solar generators on their property for their own use while remaining attached to the Appalachian Power grid, and most are residential solar installations.
All APCo customers pay a monthly service charge which is less than $9.
That covers meter reading, billing and account servicing.Others who get some of their power from solar power also receive the monthly service fee and might also receive a stand-by charge if they use over 10 kilowatts of the generation capabilities. Those charges range from about $5 to $75.
Those using solar arent completely going off the grid, Shepelwich said. They are still connected to the utility, which has to have a plan for those customers if their system goes down or power goes out.
Six hours a day [solar] may be generating power for them; the rest comes from us. We still have to have the infrastructure available, power system, transformers and people available to fix all of that stuff, he said. Thats still part of the formula. Were providing that service. It has to be covered in some way.
He said APCo is in a middle ground of moving toward a new world of distributed generation.
As things go along, this will get worked out as we move forward with a renewable energy as the price comes down.
Sutch said companies such as APCo are preventing solar from taking off even more.
Monopoly utilities are blocking access for market options for their customers because solar is a disruptive technology to their business model that hasnt had to change in decades, Sutch said.
Sutch said the charges unfairly target solar producers.
Wall said he wants the regulations to stay fair so solar companies can continue working.
We need fair regulations and fair fee structures; if they do that, we will see the economy grow, he said.
After price, the biggest factorwhen looking at residential is how much sunlight a property gets.
Wall said a home or business should go solar if they have 15 percent or less shade coverage.
Brady said it is rare for New Dominion Solar to turn anyone down due to shade coverage on a roof.
We can usually figure out a way to make it work, he said. We go to extreme lengths to make it work, but we have had to say no to a few.
There are customers who want solar, and they want to maximize production, but Brady said sometimes their homes are not set up for it.
If you put panels there, it could take 30 years to pay off, he said. In full sun, it will pay for itself sometimes in seven years.
LaPrade, of BMS Direct, enjoys his savings from his solar investment and the warranties on the equipment, which last 15 to 20 years.
Its a long-term product that is producing, he said.
LaPrade said one of the biggest benefits is the federal tax credit, and because his business is placed in an enterprise zone, he can take advantage of infrastructure improvement credits through local and state programs.
LaPrade said he thinks one of the biggest hold-ups others have with solar is the initial investment.
Im very happy with what weve done, he said. We feel we are being a good steward of our environment and I think the project we put on here is really helping to educate the public and others about renewable energy. I feel this is our future.
SOUTH BOSTON On Friday, regional leaders from industry, workforce development and education attended Make Itin SoVA where the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center launched its newest workforce training partnership with Siemens Technik Akadmie in Berlin, Germany.
Were excited to officially launch our partnership with Siemens Technik Akademie. This partnership, and the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program, will provide a tremendous asset and resource for industries in Southern Virginia, said Betty Adams, SVHEC executive director.
The Make Itin SoVa launch event highlighted the mechatronics training program, and featured special guest speakers from Berlin, Germany and Carson City, Nevada. Mechatronics combines mechanical, electrical, computer, and software and control engineering to design and manufacture products. Individuals trained in mechatronics are prepared for many successful careers including machine operator, industrial maintenance technician, and electrician.
Lauren von Steuben, Product Manager for Digital Products Division at Siemens AG in Berlin, Germany, and oversees the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program (SMSCP) in 16 countries. She provided an overview of the SMSCP program which provides an internationally recognized certification for individuals trained in mechatronics.
With the SMSCP, students are able to earn a global certification without leaving Virginia. This is the same certification as students in Canada, Germany, and India, von Steuben said. Everything is hands on with 30 percent theory and 70 percent practice. The core of the program is hands-on practice and troubleshooting working with real mechatronic systems, she continued. She described individuals who obtain the Siemens mechatronic certification as being ready to hit the ground running, when hired by industry.
According to von Steuben, the SMSCP is vendor neutral and not dependent on Siemens, or any particular, equipment, SMSCP is a mechatronic skills certification, not a Siemens product certification, she said.
Make Itin SoVA attendees also heard from Dr. Emily Howarth, Professor of Electronics and Industrial Technology at Western Nevada College in Carson City, Nevada. Dr. Howarth launched the SMSCP program a year ago at Western Nevada College, and since then, has seen the difference mechatronics trained students make within industry. Whatever your field or industry mechatronics will cover it. Mechatronic students can analyze problems and provide solutions at a higher level than those not trained in mechatronics. They understand how their work affects other people, and the companys bottom-line, she stated.
Dr. Howarth went on to say that a number of major industries in Nevada, including Tesla, Zappos, Panasonic, and GE, have bought into the concept of mechatronics, hiring graduates from her program and often paying them higher wages because of their Siemens mechatronics certification.
David Kenealy, Director of Industry & Workforce Advancement at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center shared information about mechatronics training at the SVHEC. Currently all three levels of the SMSCP are available, with several training cohorts in progress. A cohort of seven trainees completed Level 1 mechatronics training in August 2017, and a new cohort of Level 2 trainees is scheduled to start in October. Kenealy emphasized mechatronics training as being essential for preparing workers for the future growth of industrial automation.
Betty Adams closed the launch by speaking directly to regional employers saying, Mechatronics training is hands-on, customized, vendor-neutral, and gives you more bang for your buck. But if you leave with only one thought I hope it is this: The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center is here to help you, to serve you. We want you to succeed because we want Southern Virginia to be strong.
A number of industry representatives attended Make Itin SoVA and were pleased with the information they heard. Cindy Kirby, HR Coordinator for American Buildings Company stated, Im very excited about this program. Im looking forward to investigating it to see what options are available for American Buildings Company.
Individuals or employers interested in learning more about mechatronics training or the Siemens Mechatronic Certification Program at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center are encouraged to visit contact program coordinator Scarlett Brandon at 434-572-5473 or by email at scarlettbrandon@svhec.org.
VANCOUVER, B.C., Oct. 02, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Metallis Resources Inc. (TSX-V:MTS) (the Company or Metallis Resources) is pleased to announce that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement with 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation beneficially owned by Eric Sprott raising gross proceeds of up to $2,200,000. The financing is expected to close shortly.
Private Placement Details
Two (2) million units will be issued at $1.10. Each unit will consist of one (1) common share of the Company and one-half of one (1/2) non-transferable share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at a price of $1.50 per share for a period of two years from the date of closing. Any finders fees and/or agents fees will be paid in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. The private placement is subject to Exchange approval.
Proceeds from the private placement will be used for the 2018 Drilling Program on the Companys 100%-owned Kirkham Property situated in the heart of the Golden Triangles Eskay Camp in northwest British Columbia and for general working capital.
About the Kirkham Property
The 10,600 hectare Kirkham Property, prospective for gold-copper porphyry, high-grade gold and base metal mineralization, is located about 65 km north of Stewart within the prolific Golden Triangle. The northern border of Kirkham is contiguous to Garibaldi Resources E&L Nickel Mountain Project, approximately 12 km southwest of the Eskay Creek mine. The eastern border is within 15 to 20 km of Seabridge Golds KSM deposit and Pretium Resources Brucejack mine which is now in commercial production.
About Metallis
Metallis Resources Inc. is a Vancouver-based company focused on the exploration of precious metals and base metals at its 100%-owned Kirkham Property in northwest British Columbias Golden Triangle. Metallis trades under the symbol MTS on the TSX Venture Exchange and currently has 26,320,974 shares issued and outstanding and completing the forgoing private placement the Company will have 28,320,974.
On behalf of the Board of Directors:
/s/ Fiore Aliperti
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
For further information:
Tel: 604-688-5077
Email: info@metallisresources.com
Web: www.metallisresources.com
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Press Release may contain statements which constitute forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities and operating performance of the Company. The words may, would, could, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Companys future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including quarterly and annual Managements Discussion and Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The TSX-V Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.
London (FSCwire) - Further to the announcement of 18 August 2017, the Board of SolGold (the "Board") is pleased to announce that the Company has issued a prospectus in connection with its admission to listing of its ordinary shares (the "Ordinary Shares") on the Standard Listing segment of the Official List of the UK Listing Authority (the "Official List") and admission to trading on the main market for listed securities (the "Main Market") of London Stock Exchange plc (the "London Stock Exchange") (together, "Admission").
The Prospectus was approved by the UK Listing Authority on 2 October 2017 and is available to be viewed on the Company's website at: www.solgold.com.au/prospectuslisting.
Dealings in the Ordinary Shares are expected to commence at 8.00 a.m. on 6 October 2017 subject to the receipt of the necessary approval from the London Stock Exchange.
The Company's shares will continue to be registered with their existing ISIN number GB00B0WD0R35 and SEDOL number B0WD0R3. The Company's ticker symbol will continue to be SOLG. The Company's existing share certificates will remain valid.
The Company's existing shareholders should consult their own tax advisers as to the tax implications of the Company's proposed move to the Main Market.
By order of the Board
Karl Schlobohm
Company Secretary
Brisbane, Australia
CONTACTS
Mr Nicholas Mather Tel: +61 (0) 7 3303 0665
SolGold plc (Executive Director) +61 (0) 417 880 448
nmather@solgold.com.au
Mr Karl Schlobohm Tel: +61 (0) 7 3303 0661
SolGold plc (Company Secretary)
kschlobohm@solgold.com.au
Mr Ewan Leggat / Mr Richard Morrison Tel: +44 (0) 20 3470 0470
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (NOMAD and Broker)
ewan.leggat@spangel.co.uk
Follow us on twitter @SolGold_plc
NOTES TO EDITORS
SolGold is a Brisbane, Australia based, dual AIM and TSX listed (SOLG on both exchanges) copper gold exploration and future development company with assets in Ecuador, Solomon Islands and Australia. SolGold's primary objective is to discover and define world class copper gold deposits. The Board and Management Team have substantial vested interests in the success of the Company as shareholders as well as strong track records in the areas of exploration, mine appraisal and development, investment, finance and law. SolGold's experience is augmented by state of the art geophysical and modelling techniques and the guidance of porphyry copper and gold expert Dr Steve Garwin.
SolGold was shortlisted as a nominee for the Mining Journal Explorer Achievement Award for 2016. The Company announced USD54m in capital raisings in September 2016 involving Maxit Capital LP, Newcrest International Ltd and DGR Global Ltd, and a USD41.2m raising in June of 2017 largely from Newcrest International with USD1.2m raised from Ecuadorean investors. All of these raisings were undertaken at substantial premiums to previous raisings, and SolGold currently has circa USD65 million in available cash to continue the exploration and development of its flagship Cascabel Project.
Mr Craig Jones joined the SolGold Board on 3 March 2017, nominated to the Board of SolGold by Newcrest Mining, now a 14.54% shareholder in SolGold. Mr Jones is a Mechanical Engineer and is currently the Executive General Manager Wafi-Golpu (Newcrest-Harmony MMJV). He has held various senior management and executive roles within the Newcrest Group, including General Manager Projects, General Manager Cadia Valley Operations, Executive General Manager Projects and Asset Management, Executive General Manager Australian and Indonesian Operations, Executive General Manager Australian Operations and Projects, and Executive General Manager Cadia and Morobe Mining Joint Venture. Prior to joining Newcrest, Mr Jones worked for Rio Tinto.
Cascabel, SolGold's 85% owned "World Class" (Ref: Cautionary Notice http://www.solgold.com.au/cautionary-notice/) flagship copper gold porphyry project, is located in northern Ecuador on the under explored northern section of the richly endowed Andean Copper Belt. SolGold owns 85% of Exploraciones Novomining S.A. ("ENSA") and approximately 5.34% of TSX V listed Cornerstone Capital Resources ("Cornerstone"), which holds the remaining 15% of ENSA, the Ecuadorian registered company which holds 100% of the Cascabel concession. Subject to the terms of existing agreements, Cornerstone is debt financed by SolGold for its share of costs to completion of a Feasibility Study ("Financing Option"). In terms of repayment, SolGold shall receive 90% of Cornerstone's distribution of earnings or dividends from ENSA or the Tenement to which Cornerstone would otherwise be entitled until such time as the amounts so received equal the aggregate amount of expenditures incurred by SolGold that, but for the Financing Option, would have been payable by Cornerstone, plus interest thereon from the dates such expenditures were incurred at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus 2 per cent until such time as SolGold is fully reimbursed.
The investments by Newcrest for 14.54% of SolGold endorses Ecuador as an exploration and mining destination, the management team at SolGold, the dimension, size and scale of the growing Alpala deposit, and the prospectivity of Cascabel and its multiple targets. The gold endowment, location, infrastructure, logistics are important competitive advantages offered by the project.
To date SolGold has completed geological mapping, soil sampling, rock saw channel sampling, geochemical and spectral alteration mapping over 25km2, along with an additional 9km2 of Induced Polarisation and 14km2 Magnetotelluric "Orion" surveys over the Alpala cluster and Aguinaga targets.
SolGold has completed over 42,000m of drilling and expended over USD50M on the program, which includes corporate costs and investments into Cornerstone. This has been accomplished with a workforce of up to 176 Ecuadorean workers and geoscientists, and 6 expatriate Australian geoscientists. The results of 35 holes drilled (including re-drilled holes) and assayed to date have produced some of the greatest drill hole intercepts in porphyry copper-gold exploration history, as indicated by Hole 12 (CSD-16-012) returning 1560m grading 0.59% copper and 0.54 g/t gold including, 1044m grading 0.74% copper and 0.54 g/t gold.
The average grade of all metres drilled to date on the project currently stands at 0.32% copper and 0.27 g/t gold. Intensive diamond drilling is planned for the next 12 months with 10 drill rigs expected to be operational by early 2018, targeting over 90,000m of drilling per annum.
Cascabel is characterised by fifteen (15) identified targets, "World Class" drilling intersections over 1km in length at potentially economic grades, and high copper and gold grades in richer sections, as well as logistic advantages in location, elevation, water supply, proximity to roads, port and power services; and a progressive legislative approach to resource development in Ecuador.
To date, SolGold has drill tested 4 of the 15 targets, being Alpala Northwest, Alpala Central, Hematite Hill, and Alpala Southeast. Currently drill testing of Alpala Northwest, Alpala Central and Alpala Southeast targets is underway, with drill testing of the Aguinaga target to commence in August 2017.
The Alpala deposit is open in multiple directions and the mineralised corridor marked for drill testing of the greater Alpala cluster occurs over a 2.2km strike length from Trivinio in the northwest to Cristal in the southeast. The mineralised corridor is known to be prospective over approximately 700m width.
High priority targets within the Alpala cluster, at Moran approximately 700m to the north, and at Aguinaga approximately 2.3km north east, are closely modelled by 3D MVI magnetic signatures that currently encompass over 10Bt of magnetic rock. Based on a strong spatial and genetic relationship between copper sulphides and magnetite, this body of magnetic rock is considered to be highly prospective for significant copper and gold mineralisation, and requires drill testing.
SolGold is focusing on extending the dimensions of the Alpala deposit including Hematite Hill, Alpala South East, Cristal, Alpala Northwest and Trivinio before completing a resource estimate and drill testing of the other key targets within the Cascabel concession at Aguinaga, Tandayama-America, Alpala West, Carmen, Alpala East, Moran, Parambas, and Chinambicito.
The Company is currently planning further metallurgical testing and completion of an independent Pre-Feasibility Study at Cascabel. SolGold is investigating both high tonnage open cut and underground block caving operations, as well as a high grade / low tonnage initial underground development towards the economic development of the copper gold deposit/s at Cascabel.
Drill hole intercepts have been updated to reflect current commodity prices, using a data aggregation method, defined by copper equivalent cut-off grades and reported with up to 10m internal dilution, excluding bridging to a single sample. Copper equivalent grades are calculated using a gold conversion factor of 0.63, determined using an updated copper price of USD3.00/pound and an updated gold price of USD1300/ounce. True widths of down hole intersections are estimated to be approximately 25-50%.
Following a comprehensive review of the geology and prospectivity of Ecuador, SolGold and its subsidiaries have also applied for additional exploration licences in Ecuador over a number of promising porphyry copper gold targets throughout the Country. 38 such concessions have been granted and announced to date. SolGold is negotiating external funding options which will provide the Company with the ability to have some of these projects fully funded by a third party while focussing on Cascabel.
In Queensland, Australia the Company is evaluating the future exploration plans for the Mt Perry, Rannes and Normanby projects, with drill testing of the Normanby project planned for the coming quarter. Joint venture agreements are being investigated for a joint venture partner to commit funds and carry out exploration to earn an interest in the tenements.
SolGold retains interests in its original theatre of operations, Solomon Islands in the South West Pacific, where the 100% owned, but as yet undrilled, Kuma prospect on the island of Guadalcanal exhibits surface lithocap characteristics which are traditionally indicative of a large metal rich copper gold intrusive porphyry system. SolGold intends in the future to apply intellectual property and experience developed in Ecuador to target additional "World Class" copper gold porphyries at Kuma and other targets in Ecuador and Argentina.
SolGold is based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The Company listed on London's AIM Market in 2006, and dual-listed onto the TSX in July 2017 (both exchanges using the ticker code: SOLG) and currently has on issue a total of 1,516,245,686 fully-paid ordinary shares, 31,795,884 share options exercisable at 28p; 9,795,884 share options exercisable at 14p and 46,762,000 share options exercisable at 60p.
END
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/solgold10032017.pdfSource: SolGold plc (TSX:SOLG, AIM:SOLG)
To follow SolGold plc on your favorite social media platform or financial websites, please click on the icons below.
Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com
Copyright 2017 Filing Services Canada Inc.
Vancouver, 3 October 2017 - Newlox Gold Ventures Corp. (CSE: LUX) (Frankfurt: NGO) ("Newlox" or the "Company") is pleased to advise that it has applied the funds raised in its recent Revenue Participation Financing (July 17, 2017) to fieldwork and toward strengthening of its technical and operations team.
As part of the Company's current fieldwork program, plant circuit modifications and upgrades have been underway. These activities have advanced well and the concentration facility is now undergoing testing.
Newlox has expanded its team of advisors and operations personnel with the following appointments:
Helio Rodriguez P. Senior Consulting Engineer: Mr. Rodriguez is a Civil and Metallurgical engineer with lifelong experience in small, medium, and large mining industry design, development, and operation. He is well experienced in the commissioning, start-up, and optimization of mineral processing operations, as well as chemical and metallurgical plant operations, in Central and South America. Mr. Rodriguez is particularly well suited to Newlox's operations due to his extensive experience operating highly successful gold producing plants in Central America.
Eng. Gonzalo Ramirez, MBA, Process Engineer: Mr. Ramirez is a seasoned process engineer, with vast experience in the analysis, design, construction, and management of mineral resource projects. Mr. Ramirez has been responsible for the design and construction of several notable gold production facilities in Central and South America. His areas of expertise include management of mining projects, design of electromechanical equipment and spare parts, and project management. Mr. Ramirez is highly skilled as a developer and is proficient in the use design software such as AutoCAD. He excels in the design and implementation of maintenance programs for heavy machinery using TPM and RCM methodology.
Dr. Rolando Perera Molina, Metallurgical Engineer (QP): Metallurgical Engineer graduate of the Universitatii Politehnica din Bucuresti with a Masters of Science Degree in Extractive Metallurgy, the Universitatii Politehnica din Bucuresti Doctor of Philosophy Degree. He has practised his profession continuously since 1983. He has been involved in the invention, research, development, patenting, and manufacture of a series of metallurgical products, under his brand Perbols38. Dr. Molina has provided important services to public and private companies and has been involved in the evaluation, design, and operation of mineral processing facilities and recovery systems similar to that utilized by Newlox Gold Ventures Corp. during his career. Dr. Molina is a member of the Association of Engineers (C.I.Q.P.A.), with the designation of Metallurgical Engineer.
Dr. Stewart A Jackson P.Geo Consulting Geologist: (QP): Dr. Stewart A. Jackson, is an accomplished mining professional with 50 years of experience in the exploration and development of mineral deposits and in the management of public companies. He has been involved in multiple mineral discoveries and evaluations. Most recently he has been involved in the delineation of a major uranium, molybdenum, nickel, and vanadium resource in Sweden. Prior to that, he was instrumental in the advancement of the Turnagain nickel sulphide deposit in Canada, held by Hard Creek Nickel Corporation. While involved with his initial public company, Crown Resource Corporation in the 1980's, multiple discoveries of gold were made in the Republic District of Washington State, USA. In the 1970's he recognized the potential of the enormous Red Dog zinc-lead deposits in western Alaska and was instrumental in their exploration and development. Red Dog today produces a substantial portion of the world production of zinc from this long-lived zinc resource field. Subsequently, he was Exploration Manager for Houston Oil and Minerals Corporation during the discovery and development of the Manhattan, South McCoy and Borealis gold deposits of Nevada, USA.
James A Turner P.Geo, Consulting Geologist (QP): James Turner's geology career has spanned more than 42 years commencing in 1974 when he worked with Cominco and Newmont Gold before forming his consultancy, TerraSat Geomatics Inc. in 1990. TerraSat Geomatics Inc. has worked with several juniors involved in greenstone belts around the world. Terrasat was involved in the interpretation of remote sensing data. From 2004-2006, James gained valuable first-hand knowledge in Central America providing valuations and NI 43-101 reports for the several small 100-150 tonne projects. In addition to assisting Newlox, James is advising on a gold project in South Africa, copper deposits in Namibia and British Columbia, tailings deposits in Nova Scotia, Oregon, and Peru.
Ryan Jackson, President of Newlox Gold Ventures Corp., has returned from the field and reports that, "impressive progress has been made in the Company's operations over the past few weeks. Newlox's beefed-up operations team is working in cooperation with the Company's technical advisors to great effect".
About Newlox Gold Ventures Corp.
Newlox Gold Ventures Corp. is focused on recovering contaminants and residual precious metals from historical waste left behind over more than a century of inefficient artisanal and small-scale mining in politically and socially stable jurisdictions in Latin America. The Company, with the guidance of its advisors, has identified remediation technologies designed to recover deleterious materials present due to historical artisanal mining practices and will be deploying these systems in the field as part of the commissioning process.
Newlox has agreements with local artisanal mining cooperatives to provide a steady supply of feedstock and is currently testing its first processing plant in Central America under the supervision of the Company's experienced engineer and metallurgist. With hundreds of years of mining history in Latin America and inefficient artisanal processing continuing to this day, the Company believes that there is a compelling opportunity to grow its business model. Newlox has identified a niche within the extractive industry where a clean-technology company can apply innovative processing techniques to not only recover precious metals but also effect positive change in the environmental and social landscape in its targeted jurisdictions of operations.
Forward-Looking Information
The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the completion of the work programs currently underway and the results of these programs. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, achievements, or performance may vary materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. The material risk factors that could cause actual results to differ include the risk that work undertaken by the Company may have unintended effects, the risk of delays in completing work, and the risk that the Company may not be able to raise sufficient funds and Force Majeure. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.
Neither Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release).
Technical Disclaimer
The Company advises it is not basing any decision to produce on a feasibility study of mine reserves demonstrating the economic and technical viability of the project and also advises there is increased uncertainty and specific economic and technical risks of failure associated with any production decision.
Stewart A. Jackson, Ph.D., P.Geo., is a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the contents of this News Release.
On Behalf of the Board,
Newlox Gold Ventures Corp.
Contact Newlox
Ryan Jackson, President
Newlox Gold Ventures Corp.
Telephone: +1 778 998 0867
Email: ryan@newloxgold.com
Website: www.newloxgold.com
Email: info@newloxgold.com
opyright (c) 2017 TheNewswire - All rights reserved
VANCOUVER, Oct 3, 2017 - Nevada Clean Magnesium Inc. . (TSXV: NVM; Frankfurt-M1V; OTCQB: MLYFF) (The "Company") today announced the appointment of Dennis Mee, CPA, CA to the board of directors and as CFO.
Dennis Mee has over 35 years' experience as a senior financial and operational executive with a variety of industries and is currently President of Part Time CFO Inc, providing companies finance/accounting, strategic planning and other operational management expertise targeting smaller companies or those in a startup mode that need assistance developing strategies, business plans, budgeting or in raising capital.
Mr. Mee's previous business experience includes acting as the Chief Financial or Operational Officer for a variety of small to mid-size companies in the Telecommunication, Service and Distribution Industries. Mr. Mee has gained valuable experience on both sides of the business cycle, having led teams through major downsizings and restructurings along with start-ups. Mr. Mee received his Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University in Ottawa and his C.A. while at K.P.M.G in Toronto. He is a member of both the BC and Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants.
The Company also announces the acceptance of Steve Thorlakson's resignation as CFO. Mr Thorlakson will remain as a director of the Company.
About Nevada Clean Magnesium, Inc.
Nevada Clean Magnesium is focused on becoming a major U.S. producer and distributor of primary, high grade, low cost magnesium metal extracted from its 100% owned Tami-Mosi property located in North Central Nevada. Based on the Company's NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment Report published in September 2011 and amended in July 2014, the Tami-Mosi Project has an inferred resource of 412 million tonnes with an average grade of 12.3% Mg for a contained metal content of 111 billion pounds of magnesium using a 12% cut-off grade contained within a high purity dolomite block. For more information, please visit www.nevadacmi.com.
This press release was prepared under the supervision and review of James Sever, P. Eng., president and COO for Nevada Clean Magnesium . Mr. Sever is a non-independent qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 standards.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this news release include that we will conduct and close a private placement and that we can become a a major U.S. producer and distributor of primary, high grade, low cost magnesium metal. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including the Company's dolomite reserves may not be mined because of technical, regulatory, financing or other obstacles, the market price for magnesium may make our resources uneconomic, we may not be able hire and retain skilled employees, and other risks associated with being a mineral exploration and development company. We may not be able to close with interested investors on our intended private placement because of perceived risks or market conditions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release.
To Reach Nevada Clean Magnesium Please Contact:
Edward Lee, CEO at (604) 210-9862
For additional information please visit our website at http://www.nevadacmi.com or view our profile at http://www.sedar.com.
You may also follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Copyright (c) 2017 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
As I read the letters to the editor, it seems that almost everyone misses the "elephant in the room."
In the 1950s, J.Edgar Hoover, head of the F.B.I., told of the Russian plan to take over America without firing a shot. It was common knowledge then. The Russians said they have a long range plan and may take several generations to happen.
The plan included putting their agents in our educational systems, breaking up the family institutions, breaking all of our traditional way of life and traditions and religions.
In other words breaking us down over time so each generation would not remember how it was.
One famous Communist agent is Angela Davis from the University of California at Berkley. She is an avowed Communist and set up cells to preach her poison. Was she fired for being a traitor to our country? No! She was allowed to stay and continued to preach against this Country. She has many followers today. They are grown up and in all walks of life.
People need to research this for themselves. This is what is now happening to our country. Schools no longer teach what we older folks were taught. Besides dumbing down our children, they are now taught in school to march against anyone who disagrees with what their teachers have told them. Universities now teach classes in public disobedience! The Angela Davises have multiplied and are now in power.
Marilyn Taggart Schlim
Sweet Home (Oct. 1)
As new mobility options have transformed the urban landscape, one startup sector was supposed to make it easier to rent a bicycle for a short trip. But over the past year, several dockless bike companies have given up on major cities, leaving the bike rental industry under the stewardship of older, docked bike companies.The two business models are very different, and the difference highlights the importance of what one might call slow urban capitalism. Rather than move fast and break things -- the familiar tech industry mantra -- its better to sometimes move gradually to improve things.Bikesharing has helped define urban transportation in Europe for more than a decade, but it didnt come to a big U.S. city until 2013. That year, New York City entered into a public-private partnership to inaugurate Citi Bike, through which New Yorkers could sign up for annual memberships or buy shorter-term passes to access a bike for a short ride. The idea, modeled on Paris Velib, was that a rider could use a smartphone app to unlock a bike from a stationary dock, take a short trip and leave the bike at any other dock. The Citi Bike model has since been adopted in dozens of cities across the country.Citi Bike, compared to the typical urban startup, was a capitalist dinosaur. Unlike Airbnb and Uber, it didnt just open for business and dare city officials to address regulatory issues and other challenges. Rather, it worked with officials. It participated in local hearings to decide where to place docks. It agreed to reliability standards. And though Citi Bike must sustain itself financially, it does not face competition; it benefits from a long-term franchise.The model has drawbacks. The stationary docks dont meet all commuters needs. The cost of an annual pass, $169, is a barrier for some. And when the company has fallen short of standards -- not emptying full docks or filling empty ones, for instance -- no competitor has been there to step in.Dockless companies like Jump, Lime and Pace promised a more nimble experience. Customers could take or leave a bike wherever they found convenient, paying as little as $1 a ride. In New York, the companies could serve places Citi Bike couldnt, particularly outlying areas such as Staten Island and the Rockaways in Queens.Yet these companies are flailing. Last fall, a season into New Yorks pilot dockless program, Pace abandoned its project, citing low ridership in the cooler weather. And New Yorks leading pro-bike website, Streetsblog, has characterized Limes offerings as a joke, criticizing its electric bikes as rickety and poorly maintained.Other cities have experienced a surge and then an evacuation of dockless bikeshare companies. Ofo, for instance, flooded Europe with bikes two years ago. Now, suffering cashflow problems, it has all but abandoned these cities, often leaving bikes to decay in place.In Paris, meanwhile, the docked Velib system has endured technical glitches and management problems but remains reliable. New Yorks Citi Bike carried an average of 41,000 people a day in December, despite the cool weather. Citi Bike and Velib arent perfect, but because they operate under long-term concessions residents and visitors can generally rely on them.The reliability is in part a byproduct of their capital investment. Its harder for investors to abandon a system of docks and sturdy bikes that cost millions of dollars. Dockless startups are cheaper to launch but are also flexible enough to desert cities when things dont work out, leaving residents without a service that, had it been better conceived, might have provided real public value.
Just a year or two ago, few policymakers had any inkling of an emerging technology known as blockchain. But that is changing rapidly as awareness grows that the technology that underlies the digital currency bitcoin has the potential to modernize how the public and businesses interact with their governments and each other while revolutionizing record-keeping, and to do so far more securely than with the paper records or digital technologies currently in use.Blockchain's potential applications go far beyond finance. It can be applied to a wide variety of functions including ones as disparate as property records, voting and cybersecurity. By broadly distributing record-keeping functions -- a concept known as "distributed ledgers" -- blockchain can maintain accurate, highly secure records of large numbers of transactions without the need for a centralized authority. Blockchain's inherent security is particularly important for governments, which maintain a treasure trove of confidential data that needs to be protected against an ever-expanding cohort of cyber criminals.But governments' role goes far beyond simply securing and modernizing their own business operations. Given their central role in regulating financial transactions among individuals, businesses and local governments, in addition to those among their own agencies, it will fall to state governments in particular to sort out the issues surrounding blockchain.That's beginning to happen. Several state legislatures have already taken up bills related to blockchain. The measures cover a wide range of blockchain uses, from increasing transparency to consumer protection. While not all have been enacted, even those that failed help illustrate potential uses for the technology and some of the issues it raises. One of the earliest out of the gate was Vermont. House Bill 868, which went into effect on July 1, 2016, created what's known as a "rebuttable statutory presumption of authenticity" for records using the technology. This legislation calls for any "fact or record" verified through the use of a blockchain to be considered authentic. This removes barriers to using blockchain-notarized documents, including those on the bitcoin blockchain, in a court of law. Delaware lawmakers recently passed Senate Bill 69, which went into effect Aug. 1. It provides statutory authority for Delaware corporations to use blockchain for corporate recordkeeping, including a company's stock ledger. The legislation is part of the state's effort to promote the use of blockchain via the Delaware Blockchain Initiative, a joint venture between the state and a blockchain provider. Nevada Senate Bill 398, signed into law in June, recognizes and authorizes "the use of blockchain" and smart contracts by the state's residents. The legislation mainly serves to ensure that Nevada's local governments will not interfere with the use of blockchains, either through regulation or taxation. The bill does not prevent the state from regulating or taxing blockchain transactions, but emphasizes that there will be consistent treatment of blockchain in the state. This March, Arizona House Bill 2417 became law. It defines both blockchains and smart contracts. The bill declares that all data tied to a blockchain is "considered to be in an electronic format and to be an electronic record" acceptable for use by the state. Illinois House Resolution 120 calls for the creation of the Illinois Legislative Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Task Force to study how and if Illinois' state, county and city governments can benefit from a transition to a blockchain-based system for record-keeping and service delivery. This task force is in addition to the Illinois Blockchain Initiative, an effort by six state and local agencies. Hawaii House Bill 1481 would establish a working group to consider several ways in which bitcoin and blockchain can help the state develop economically. "Digital currencies such as bitcoin have broad benefits for Hawaii," the bill reads. The bill is pending after passing several committees. In Maine, Senate Bill 950 proposed a 90-day field study to learn the effects of "Using Blockchain in Conjunction with Paper Ballots in Maine Elections." The study was to focus on paper-ballot security, increasing election transparency and reducing costs. The bill did not pass. North Dakota Senate Bill 2100 called for a study to consider "the feasibility and desirability of regulating virtual currency, such as bitcoin." While it passed unanimously in the Senate, it died in the House due to opposition based on the fact that virtual currency is not legal tender under federal law.The range of issues that these measures take up serves to underline the complexity of choices for the regulation and deployment of blockchain technology that policymakers will face in the coming years. Governments at all levels are just beginning to sort these issues out. But it won't be long before they have to start making decisions. Perhaps they should wait for private industry to develop best practices. Or governments could start experimenting by integrating the technology into a limited sector of their operations.Whatever the path they may choose, all governments should, at the very least, investigate the technology and its application to the provision of their core services. In an era when trust in government is nearing all-time lows and "transparency" has become a buzzword, blockchain may serve as a cornerstone for building trust and improving the relationship between the government and the governed.
The Kansas Supreme Court ruled Monday that the state's new school finance system is unconstitutional, striking a definitive blow to the Legislature's latest effort.The decision found the state failed to meet the Kansas Constitution's requirements to adequately fund education, but it did not specify a dollar amount to reach constitutional muster.The ruling also ordered a fairer distribution of state funding to ensure that students in poor districts have the same educational opportunities as their peers in wealthier communities.With Monday's decision, the latest stage of the Gannon v. Kansas school finance case, the justices sent the issue back to lawmakers as they head into an election-year legislative session in January.The majority of justices supported giving the Legislature time during next year's session to try to come up with a school-finance law that meets court requirements.The court is ordering that a new funding law be crafted by April 30 so there's time for the justices to review it before schools' money runs out."...While we stay the issuance of today's mandate through June 30, 2018, after that date we will not allow ourselves to be placed in the position of being complicit actors in the continuing deprivation of a constitutionally adequate and equitable education owed to hundreds of thousands of Kansas school children," the decision reads."I think the court's drawn a line in the sand and they've issued the warning of, 'Don't test us on this one this time around,' " said Olathe Superintendent John Allison, a longtime Wichita superintendent who started in Olathe this school year.Three of the seven justices -- Lee Johnson, Eric Rosen and Dan Biles -- wrote or joined in dissents saying they wanted the Legislature to have to move faster."I would direct the State to tell us no later than the end of this year precisely how the legislature intends to fix its years-long breach of the Kansas Constitution," Johnson wrote.Lawmakers seemed in agreement that the ruling means more funding will be needed. But how much was unclear -- as is the source of any potential increase."The next challenge is if more funding is required -- if -- how do we pass a tax bill to provide more funding? I don't have the answer to that," said Rep. Steven Johnson, an Assaria Republican who chairs the House Tax Committee.Lawmakers labored for weeks this spring to come up with the votes for a tax increase that could overcome Brownback's veto. Johnson doesn't think enough votes could be found to override another veto.The formula the Legislature passed this spring included bipartisan work, and House Minority Leader Jim Ward, a Wichita Democrat, said he hoped that would continue."It really will come down to resources," Ward said. "When you're dealing with adequacy, that's usually resources."Four school districts, including Kansas City, Kan., sued the state in 2010 for more education funding, contending that the state was failing to meet a constitutional requirement for suitable funding.The court has divided the complex case into two parts: adequacy -- the overall amount of education funding -- and equity, whether the Legislature has fairly divided money between property-wealthy and property-poor districts.The court ruled the Legislature had failed on both counts.On adequacy, the court said the state hasn't proved it's providing enough money to fulfill the so-called Rose standards, a set of guidelines stemming from a 1989 Kentucky case that establish what schools must provide to meet students' minimum educational needs.The court also held that the Legislature failed to show equity in funding because it allowed expanded use of so-called local option budgets, which allow residents of wealthier school districts to tax themselves to provide educational extras."That system, through its structure and implementation, is not providing school districts with 'reasonably equal access to substantially similar educational opportunity through similar tax effort,' " the ruling said.LOBs are popular in Johnson County and some other wealthy suburbs -- and are generally considered to be crucial to winning enough lawmakers' votes to pass a school-finance plan in the Legislature.The underlying issue is that in wealthy areas, minor increases in property tax rates can generate large amounts of money because of high property valuations. It's nearly impossible for property-poor districts to raise a significant amount of money that way.The state has provided some funding to poor districts in an effort to offset that advantage, but the court ruled it's not enough.For many districts, the ruling was a win, but their celebration had a cautionary tone."We're pleased and hopeful, but we've been here before," Kansas City, Kan., Superintendent Cynthia Lane said. "We're a little bit cautious because we've experienced these things several times over the last decade. We're hopeful that this time we can come to resolution."Still, she called the day an "important milestone.""Without this today we wouldn't move forward," Lane said. "I don't want to downplay that it was significant. We want to see resolution so we can focus fully on advancing education for kids."In Kansas City, Kan., school leaders have had to cut $55 million in the past eight years, Lane said, dramatically affecting the district's ability to retain teachers, expand early education resources and support a high school career and college readiness program. The district only recouped roughly $10 million through this year's resolution."Just think about all the resources and support that we have not been able to provide to our kids," Lane said.Olathe Superintendent Allison said he recalled the 2009 recession, when some of the first cuts to public education were made. Leaders told school districts that "we'll make this right once the economy improved," said Allison, who was superintendent of Wichita when it filed suit in 2010.He said he saw Tuesday's ruling as acknowledgment from the Supreme Court that Kansas has not delivered on that promise."I think the sad part in all of this is that we have had almost a generation of Kansas students enter school and be close to graduation under ongoing financial and legal issues," Allison said.The Shawnee Mission district's interim superintendent, Kenny Southwick, said in a statement that the district was still reviewing the decision.Lawmakers struggled to approve a new school finance formula during the 2017 session in light of a March ruling from the state's high court that Kansas had failed to ensure adequate funding for public schools.The court's March ruling also found Kansas had failed to provide roughly one-quarter of its public school students with basic math and reading skills.Both the Senate and the House passed the formula late in the session, but it came over vocal objections from leading Democrats about the level of funding. Democratic attempts to pump more money into the formula failed.The new formula adds a net of roughly $488 million over two years, funds all-day kindergarten and adds early childhood funding.Sen. Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Republican who voted for the formula, said she wasn't surprised by the court's decision."I think there were a lot of us who voted for this, especially moderates, who thought, 'This isn't gonna to do it, but we're going to try to bring those more conservative people on board and get the vote,' " Sykes said.The legal team for the school districts suing the state contended in an earlier court filing that the "the lowest estimate of what it costs to constitutionally fund an education to Kansas K-12 public school students is ... $893 million over the next two years."But the state's legal team argued that the formula met the court's standard.A spokeswoman for Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said Monday evening that his office was still reviewing the ruling. Gov. Sam Brownback said, "We are looking at the decision and will have further comment upon full review."The GOP Senate leadership issued a statement Monday criticizing the court's decision.Senate President Susan Wagle of Wichita, Vice President Jeff Longbine of Emporia and Majority Leader Jim Denning of Overland Park said the "ruling shows clear disrespect for the legislative process and puts the rest of state government and programs in jeopardy.""As promised, Senate Republicans remain committed to providing every Kansas student with an exceptional education, however, raising taxes to fund this unrealistic demand is not going to happen," the statement said.Sen. Julia Lynn, an Olathe Republican, said legislators worked hard on the formula. She was critical of the tone of Monday's ruling, saying she was "not looking forward to the tax increase debate.""I think it was unnecessary ... for them to have that kind of tone or ... to show such disappointment in our product as if we aren't capable of producing a product that would meet their expectations," Lynn said.She said she's come to the conclusion there will "never, ever be enough money" to satisfy the court."And unless somebody else has a better idea, we're going to be doing this for the rest of our legislative lives. The Legislature will be fighting this," she said.
It could be months, if not years, before southeast Texans and scores of counties and cities receive federal funds to pay for the long-term rebuilding and recovery of homes and communities battered by Hurricane Harveys epic rains.Federal Emergency Management Agency money for short-term relief like debris removal and some house repairs is already flowing to people and government agencies. But state lawmakers were told Monday that Housing and Urban Development disaster relief funds, which includes money for extensive home repairs or rebuilds, could take seven to 32 months to work their way through bureaucratic processes and several layers of government agencies.It could be some time, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush told the House Urban Affairs Committee.That panel and the House Appropriations Committee met simultaneously Monday on the University of Houston campus to discuss local, state and federal responses to the worst rainfall event in U.S. history. And some officials and experts said they are already starting to worry that countless Texans will lose personal wealth theyd accumulated, slide deeper into poverty or become homeless.We may have a new crisis on our hands, State Rep. Diego Bernal, D-San Antonio.People affected by disasters receive HUD disaster relief funds, which are distributed as grants from various government agencies and non-profits. Before the government agencies can disperse the money, they must develop an action plan that HUD approves. The public must also have a chance to comment on the plan, a process that can take 30 to 60 days. Texas officials have asked that time period be reduced to seven days.State officials told lawmakers that immediate FEMA payments are for homes that are up to 50 percent damaged. Long-term HUD disaster relief funds cover homes damaged beyond that threshold, they said.Beth Van Duyne, the regional HUD administrator for Texas and four other states, said the agency is working to fast-track all processes.What were trying to do is make those time periods in between as tight as possible, realizing people need help today, she said in an interview with The Texas Tribune last month.The funds also come with certain limitations on how they can be spent and who should receive them. Congress approved $7.4 billion in HUD disaster relief funds last month. But that may have to be shared with Florida and Puerto Rico, which have each been hit by hurricanes in the weeks after Harvey battered Texas, unless legislators approve another aid package.State officials said it could be November before HUD releases allocations and the stipulations on how such funds can be spent. From there, the states General Land Office plans to work with metropolitan planning organizations to develop disbursement plans and determine how to divvy money up across such a wide swath of the state.Some southeast Texas officials say they want the HUD funds to come directly to cities and counties, not flow through the state land office and metropolitan planning groups before getting to local governments.Dickinson Mayor Julie Masters, whose town of about 20,000 is southeast of Houston, fears the regions biggest metropolitan planning organization will send the bulk of funds to larger urban areas like Houston and Harris County.And then we all get a crumb at best, she said of the scores of smaller communities also devastated by flooding but that have gotten much less media attention.Houston and Harris County officials also raised concerns with the steps federal relief funds must take to reach to local governments. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner urged state leaders to send the money directly.Harris County Judge Ed Emmett echoed Turners comments.Fewer hands that touch the money, the better, he said. Direct allocations are better."The reaction from local officials foreshadowed how determining the amount of money various cities and counties receive could become a political minefield.This is going to be a sensitive issue, to be very candid with you, Bush told lawmakers Monday.Bush said as officials await HUDs decisions on allocations and accompanying stipulations, his office is working with several Texas universities collecting data on the extent of storm and flood damage so they will already have a good idea about overall needs.Meanwhile, some local officials and advocates told lawmakers theyre worried about the long-term impact of the storm on vulnerable Texans. Baytown Mayor Stephen DonCarlos said many residents in his town of about 75,000 arent poor enough to qualify for some federal aid programs, but arent wealthy enough to make mortgage payments on damaged houses while paying rent for temporary housing.We are anticipating there is going to be a significant rise in foreclosures, he said.Marilyn Brown, president and CEO of Houstons Coalition for the Homeless, told lawmakers that it could be weeks or months before it becomes clear how many low-income renters now meet some federal definitions of homeless.She said the most vulnerable are people who were living paycheck to paycheck and lost their vehicles to flooding, missed work in the immediate aftermath or now must find apartments in a market inundated with new renters.Thousands of Houstonians are in this precarious situation, she said.Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath spent more than an hour taking the Appropriations Committee through a long list of costs the state might have to consider to get schools back on track. School districts across the state are taking in students who have been displaced from their homes and are enrolling away from their home districts.We have a lot of newly homeless students in the state of Texas, Morath said. The Texas Education Agency plans to shift about $380 million from the second fiscal year of the biennium to compensate districts for their sudden increases in enrollment.The Corpus Christi area has seen the most displacement, hosting the only three school districts still closed, set to open in October, he said. The state agency plans to spend an estimated $250 million to keep up the funding of districts with lower enrollment due to the storm and ask the Legislature to pay for it in the 2019 legislative session. It also plans to forgive about $150 million of the increase in funds property wealthy districts affected by Harvey would be required to pay the state.Property-wealthy school districts can apply to redirect the recapture funds they would pay to the state to offset property poor districts to instead fix up their own facilities. That could cost the state a maximum of $500 million in lost funds, Morath estimated.The state is also required to pay more for students who are considered homeless and receive free or reduced price lunch over the next two years. That could cost the state $266 million.
Almost immediately after the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, which killed at least 59 and injured more than 500 country music festivalgoers, the Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas realized that it needed help.It requested physicians from other states to come and treat the victims suffering gunshot wounds and injuries from being trampled while trying to escape the venue where bullets were firing at rapid speed from a room in a high-rise hotel. On Monday evening, Gov. Brian Sandoval issued a public health and medical state of emergency, which will make it easier for out-of-state doctors to get to work.The emergency declaration reflects not just the large scale of this horrific event but also the state's doctor shortage, which puts Nevada in a uniquely vulnerable position when responding to a mass shooting.The state routinely has one of the lowest resident-to-physician ratios in the country. A 2015 white paper from Merritt Hawkins, a physician research and consulting firm, ranked Nevada 49 out of 50 states, with only 180 doctors per 100,000 people.We need all the medical personnel that are available, said Amy Shogren, director of communications for the Nevada Hospital Association, which worked with the governor to issue the state of emergency.A hospital can request emergency services from out-of-state doctors without a statewide emergency declaration, but having the support of the governors office helps. Shogren said she doesn't know how many out-of-state doctors to expect.Whenever doctors come in from other states in an emergency, they must prove they are a licensed physician in good standing to both the states health department and a high-ranking hospital member. Its a logistical hoop, but one that can be done quickly in times of crisis, says Janis Orlowski, chief health care officer for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).Itsnecessary because hospitals cant just have anyone walking in claiming to be a surgeon, she says.Requests for out-of-state doctors during an emergency usually correlate with whether or not a state already has a shortage of physicians. After Hurricane Harvey, medical officials in Texas -- which ranks 42 out of 50 in the Merritt Hawkins white paper -- requested out-of-state help. But after the 2013 mass shooting in Washington, D.C, at the Navy Yard, there was no need to bring in doctors from Virginia or Maryland because there were adequate trauma centers nearby, according to Orlowski.As the country continues to deal with mass shootings and environmental disasters, its important that states continue to think about the number of physicians as a key part of their infrastructure, she says.For its part, the state of Nevada has been trying to address its shortage. It opened a medical school this year at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and two Nevadans introduced a bill in Congress that would require more federal funding for medical residencies.Sixty-eight percent of medical students stay where they trained and did their residency. In 2014, there were 340 residency students in Nevada . The number of residencies varies by state, but across the country, growth is largely flat, according to the AAMC.and
It is inconceivable to me that the governor of our great state of Oregon would sanction laws that are in opposition to the "law of our country." Foreigners who come into our country illegally are breaking the law. Therefore, she is aiding and abetting them by offering them sanctuary. Many people have become citizens of this country by lawfully completing requirements.
On the whole, the size of America's state government workforce has remained flat the last four years. But a closer look at new data shows some states -- and some professional fields -- experienced significant cutbacks.Nationwide, state governments employed just over 2.4 million workers as of March 2016, according to data released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau. That figure, which excludes education, started to drop with the onset of the Great Recession and currently mirrors employment levels from the early 1990s.One of the shifts occurring is a gradual shrinking of the workforce in several areas of state government. Last year, social insurance administration and other government administration incurred the two largest cuts (-2.5 percent and -2.9 percent, respectively) of any employee classification in the Census survey.Looking back further, most areas of state government have experienced much deeper reductions since total employment peaked in 2009. Social insurance administration, which includes agencies providing unemployment assistance and job services, is down 12.5 percent over the seven-year period. Highways and corrections similarly incurred steep job losses that have yet to rebound.The one segment of the workforce that appears to be headed in the opposite direction is higher education. Nationally, employment for state colleges and universities has steadily increased for decades, and it rose again last year.While overall state employment has changed little over the 12-month period ending in March 2016, a few individual states registered substantial declines. Several of these states, predictably, experienced budget shortfalls.The following states registered the largest year-over-year declines in public employment, excluding education:The biggest cut to the workforce -- 4.8 percent -- of any state occurred here. Thats on top of reductions from the prior year, all primarily resulting from plummeting revenues driven by a drop in oil prices. Vacancies accounted for many of the eliminated positions, and the state has consolidated several divisions . Despite these cuts, however, the state still employs a relatively large workforce given its population.: The Aloha State shed about 3 percent of its workforce between 2015 and 2016. Its public hospitals were among the most affected, with employment declining nearly 7 percent for the year. By contrast, both its local schools and higher education institutions reported increases.The state experienced a particularly notable drop in its corrections officers, thanks to a declining prison population that has allowed the state to close a few of its aging facilities and problems filling vacancies. The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services recently announced a hiring bonus for new officers. In all, total state government employment dipped 2.7 percent last year.The state employs fewer than 13,000 public employees, down 2.7 percent from 2015. The Census data indicate nearly every area of state government experienced a slight reduction in its workforce. More recently, the state announced additional cuts after revenues failed to meet projections and lawmakers rejected proposed tax increases.The size of the Illinois state government workforce has fluctuated a bit in recent years but has stayed relatively flat. Last year, staffing for nearly all types of agencies experienced downsizing, with an overall reduction of 2.6 percent. One area that didnt decline was state law enforcement personnel, which added about 1,100 jobs.
A lawyer for Wisconsin Democrats, who have been shut out of power in the state since Republicans drew new election maps nearly a decade ago, pleaded with the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday to restrict partisan gerrymandering, the practice of one party using redistricting to give itself a political advantage.The politicians are never going to fix gerrymandering, Paul M. Smith, an attorney for the Campaign Legal Center, told the justices. You are the only institution in the United States that can solve this problem.Wisconsin Democrats say the 2011 Republican legislative map violated the First Amendment by punishing them for their political beliefs and violated the 14th Amendments equal protection clause because it intended to dilute Democratic votes but not Republican ones.The Supreme Court has ruled that racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional in many cases, but it has never done so for partisan gerrymandering. It would open up a whole new line of attack on redistricting plans, which judges already scrutinize for racial discrimination and many other factors.One of the reasons the justices have been so reluctant to weigh in on the issue is that they had no good way to gauge how partisan a redistricting plan is. But Smith and many voting rights advocates say there are several tools judges can use to make that determination.Social scientists have come up with several mathematical formulas that show how much maps tilt in favor of one party or the other. Those tools, Smith says, can help courts determine whether a redistricting plan violates the rights of voters in the minority party.The case comes at a crucial time. Every state will have to redraw their legislative maps after the 2020 Census, and whatever the high court does in the Wisconsin case could have a major impact on that process. The courts decision could curtail partisan abuses or, Smith warned, the court could encourage partisans to go even further next time if it doesnt strike down the Wisconsin map.Several Supreme Court justices indicated that they, too, are frustrated by naked partisanship in the redistricting process, but Chief Justice John Roberts expressed concerns about the impact that striking down the Wisconsin map would have on the Supreme Court.Unlike appeals in most other types of cases, redistricting cases automatically end up on the Supreme Court docket. If the court followed Smiths suggestion to use social science to determine how skewed maps are in favor of one party, Roberts said ordinary people likely wouldnt understand it, and it would make it seem as if the court itself were playing politics.We would have to decide in every case whether the Democrats win or the Republicans win, the chief justice warned. That is going to cause very serious harm to status and integrity of this court in the eyes of the country.Wisconsin Solicitor General Misha Tseytlin, the lawyer defending the Wisconsin maps and the GOP lawmakers who drew them, argued that the tools make things more convoluted by comparing actual maps to other possibilities.Plaintiffs are asking the court to launch a redistricting revolution, he said. You'll have federal courts engaging in battles of hypothetical experts.Other justices expressed concerns about the mathematical formulas themselves.Justice Samuel Alito, a conservative like Roberts, said one of the tools touted by the plaintiffs -- the efficiency gap" -- is new and not well-vetted. The empirical measures, he added, might not take into account legitimate motivations by state legislators, including protecting incumbents or obeying the Voting Rights Act.If we are going to impose a standard on courts, it has to be manageable, Alito said.But Justice Stephen Breyer, a member of the courts liberal bloc, suggested that the court could set up a relatively simple set of tests to determine whether political parties went too far in pushing their advantage with new redistricting plans.First, they could see whether one political party controlled the redistricting process. If so, courts could see whether the maps treated both parties similarly, so that a party that won the majority of votes in legislative races would win control of the legislature. (In Wisconsin's case, Democrats won a majority of votes in Assembly races in 2012, but Republicans won 60 of the chambers 99 seats.)Then, they would determine whether that pattern persists over time or occurs under simulations of many different voter turnout scenarios. Then, they could determine if the partisan advantage under the map was particularly extreme. Finally, they would see whether the plans designers had any other justification for the lopsided results.That set of tests would likely limit the number of maps struck down for being too partisan, Beyer said. I suspect thats manageable.Justice Elena Kagan, a liberal, also asked about what thresholds the court should set so that not every redistricting case would lead to a challenge.Whats that line? she asked. But, she added, it seems [Wisconsin's] map has gone over every line.The hearing drew a lot of attention, particularly for a redistricting dispute. Seating in the courtroom was shoulder-to-shoulder, and a raucous crowd chanted outside while carrying signs with slogans such as Equal districts under the law and Let every vote count.Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who led efforts to move Californias redistricting process to a nonpartisan commission, drew a phalanx of photographers. He told reporters that politicians didnt respond to many looming crises in the country because partisan redistricting kept their jobs safe.The court is expected to issue a ruling in the case by the end of June.
Not long after alleged gunman Stephen Paddock opened fire on the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday night, killing at least 59 people and injuring more than 500, progressive politicians and activists around the country began calling for stricter gun control measures.Early reports suggest the gunman was armed with as many as 20 firearms and may have used an automatic weapon in the attack on the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, which now ranks as the nation's deadliest mass shooting on record.While details are still unfolding, one thing is for sure: It doesnt have to be this way," said Shannon Watts, founder of gun control advocacy group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, in a statement Monday. "Americans should be able to go to concerts, to nightclubs, to elementary schools and movie theaters without worrying about the threat of gun violence. While we grieve for the 50 people shot and killed and the more than 400 who are hospitalized, we must also act in their honor. Gun violence is preventable.But Nevada's own recent politics suggest just how difficult it can be for states to enact gun control measures -- even when a majority of their citizens favor them.Nevada has some of America's most lax gun control laws. Residents don't need a permit to buy or own handguns, rifles or shotguns, according to the National Rifle Association (NRA), and the state doesn't require gun owners to register their firearms. There's no mandatory waiting period in Nevada before residents are allowed to purchase a gun. In 2015, the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence gave Nevada an 'F' grade for its gun control measures. (It's not clear whether any of these measures would actually have restricted Paddock's ability to obtain firearms.)Then last year, Nevada voters considered a change.In a ballot initiative, voters were asked whether they supported expanded background checks for private gun sales and transfers, including online and gun show sales. The campaign in favor of the initiative received more than $14 million in financial backing -- the majority of which came from former New York City Mayor Michael Bloombergs Everytown for Gun Safety group, according to state elections officials. The NRA and other gun rights groups contributed $6.7 million opposing the ballot measure.The initiative won narrowly, receiving 50.4 percent of the vote. Citing the new law, the Law Center upgraded Nevada from an 'F' to a 'C-,' placing it in the middle of the pack among the 50 states.But the matter was not over.Just weeks after the election, Nevada Republican Attorney General Adam Laxalt said he wouldnt enforce the new gun regulations. Nevada is one of 12 states that conduct their own background checks, using a state Central Repository, rather than relying only on the FBI's database. But the language of the ballot initiative said that the expanded checks would have to be done through the FBI. In a letter to Laxalt, the FBI said it would not help Nevada with the background checks because the language in the ballot dictated the way federal resources were spent, and the FBI by its own policy could not comply.Gun control supporters accused Laxalt of playing politics. He had publicly opposed the ballot measure during the campaign, and critics said he was using the FBI letter as an excuse to ignore a law he simply didn't agree with.Nevada wouldnt be unusual in having a hybrid system, Jennifer Crowe, Nevada spokeswoman for Moms Demand Action, an advocacy group affiliated with Everytown for Gun Safety, told the. There are other states that have some checks run through the FBI and some checks run through their in-state agencies."In fact, 18 states have requirements like those in the Nevada law, according to theOpponents of the measure, meanwhile, said the backers had purposefully crafted it to rely on the FBI in order to appear revenue-neutral on the ballot. Had it called for the state to conduct the checks, the ballot measure would have had to mention what it would cost the state.Having the FBI conduct the checks would still cost Nevada $650,000, but that fiscal analysis was excluded from the ballot question, which opponents say helped the measure pass."Given that [the ballot initiative] passed by less than 1 percent of the vote, I believe a sizable fiscal note couldve changed the outcome, said Robert Uithoven, a campaign director affiliated with the NRA, in December. The drafters and the sponsor, Michael Bloombergs group, never asked law enforcement to give input on the initiative. ... Had there been some collaboration, this issue might have been brought up earlier, and this couldve been avoided.Uithoven suggested that the confusion over the law -- and the attorney general's refusal to enforce it -- arose because the ballot measure had been pushed by groups from outside Nevada."This is what happens when you allow uninformed, out-of-state lobbying groups that prey on people's emotions to write your laws, he said.
Immigrants who are being held while seeking the right to remain in the United States, and who would pose no threat if released, are entitled to have bail set in an amount that considers how much they can afford to pay and whether they can be safely monitored without bail, a federal appeals court ruled Monday.The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco upheld a federal judge's order that applied only to immigration courts in California's Central District, which covers seven counties, including Los Angeles, and includes nearly half the state's population. But a lawyer for immigrants in the case said Monday's ruling set standards for the entire circuit, which includes California and eight other Western states."Hundreds of detainees are being locked up every day in detention centers across the Ninth Circuit merely because they lack resources to pay a bond," said Michael Kaufman, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney. "It's our expectation that the government will follow the law that the Ninth Circuit laid down."Government lawyers, under President Barack Obama and the Trump administration, argued that bail-setting in immigration cases was a discretionary decision not covered by the constitutional standards for criminal cases, and that taking detainees' finances into account would be time-consuming and expensive.The administration could seek a rehearing from the full appeals court or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. In the meantime, the lower-court order requiring bail hearings, which had been suspended during the government's appeal, will take effect.On Tuesday, the nation's high court will hear arguments in the Justice Department's appeal of another Ninth Circuit ruling, which entitled immigrants in government custody to a hearing every six months over whether they were eligible for release on bond.The latest ruling came in a class-action suit by immigrants who entered the United States without authorization, or overstayed their visas, and are being held while they seek political asylum or legal status based on considerations such as hardship to U.S. family members.In each of their cases, government hearing officers or immigration courts have found that they would pose no risk of violence or of fleeing if released, but set their bail without considering what they or their families could afford.One plaintiff, a gay man who said he fled Honduras to escape persecution, was held for more than four years before a community organization raised $3,000 to pay his bond, the appeals court said. Lawyers reported the case of another detainee who had to miss the funeral of her mother, who had been murdered, because she could not pay a $9,000 bond.Under the Constitution, "no person may be imprisoned merely on account of his poverty," Judge Stephen Reinhardt said in the ruling. He said the government has no reason to detain "individuals who have been determined not to be a danger to the community and whose appearance at future immigration proceedings can be reasonably ensured by a lesser bond or alternative conditions."The court ordered the government to take financial conditions into account in future cases and for immigrants who are now in custody. One member of the three-judge panel, Ferdinand Fernandez, said in a partial dissent that the ruling should apply only to future cases.
On Sunday, in the afternoon, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC departed Brisbane for an official visit to Sydney, and the Honourable Justice Walter Sofronoff commenced duty as Acting Governor of Queensland.
Following, at ANZ Stadium, the Governor attended the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final contested by the North Queensland Cowboys and the Melbourne Storm.
On Monday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC returned to Queensland, and the Honourable Justice Walter Sofronoff ceased duty as Acting Governor of Queensland.
On Saturday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey departed Brisbane for an official visit to the Somerset region.
Following, at the Somerset Regional Art Gallery The Condensery, Toogoolawah, the Governor, with Mrs de Jersey, unveiled the Red Deer sculpture of Norman and addressed guests, and then toured the Art Gallery.
Following, at the Toogoolawah History Museum, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey toured the Museum and met volunteers, before returning, in the afternoon, to Brisbane.
In the evening, at Blackbird Bar & Grill, Brisbane, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended the 20th anniversary of the Brisbane Festival Sunsuper Riverfire Closing Night Function.
Description
GIS 03 October, 2017: The Energy Efficiency Management Office of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the field of Energy Efficiency with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency of India.
The MoU aims at strengthening, developing and promoting cooperation for implementation of energy audits in small and medium enterprises and for the establishment of an Energy Efficiency Cell by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
It further aims at providing technical assistance for the establishment of an Energy Efficiency Information data base and in the economic modelling of energy efficiency. The MoU also focuses on the development of a framework for the implementation of a green building scheme and a framework and guidelines for energy efficiency in agriculture.
The Energy Efficiency Management Office (EEMO) has been set up under Section 4 of the Energy Efficiency Act 2011 with the objectives of, among others, promoting awareness for the efficient use of energy as a means to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. The functions of the EEMO are, in particular, to implement strategies and programmes for the efficient use of energy, establish links with regional and international institutions and participate in programmes pertaining to the efficient use of energy.
Description
GIS 03 October 2017 : The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Mauritius, Mr Mohammad Moniri Nik, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, today at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis.
In a statement after the visit, Mr Moniri Nik highlighted the fruitful discussions with the Prime Minister in several areas of collaboration where both Iran and Mauritius can provide mutual assistance. He pointed out that Mauritius has a great potential as a tourism market for the 18 million Iranians. He added that the management of the Iranian-owned castle in Moka, Chateau Val Ory, will be reviewed, and that the castle can become a major tourist attraction for visitors from Iran.
The Ambassador also spoke of his countrys energy sector, namely the petrochemicals project. Suggestions for co-investment from the private sector of both countries in joint ventures were put forward to the Prime Minister during the meeting.
Mauritius and Iran relations
Diplomatic relations between Mauritius and Iran were established on 24 September 1971. Cooperation focuses mainly on trade and Mauritian exports to Iran, which are mainly medical products, increased from Rs 568 470 in 2010 to Rs 25 298 605 in 2015, with a peak of Rs 32.5 million in 2013. The main products imported from Iran in 2015 and which amounted to Rs 15 432 592 were paraffin wax, wafers, and dried fruits, among others.
Description
GIS - 03 October, 2017: The Mauritius Container Terminal (MCT) is now a leading container port in the region with the completion of the extension of the quay to a length of 800 metres. This project, to the tune of Rs 6.5 billion, is in line with Governments vision to make the Port Louis Harbour the preferred maritime gateway in the Indian Ocean. The Mauritius Container Terminal (MCT) is now a leading container port in the region with the completion of the extension of the quay to a length of 800 metres. This project, to the tune of Rs 6.5 billion, is in line with Governments vision to make the Port Louis Harbour the preferred maritime gateway in the Indian Ocean.
This statement was made by the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit and Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, yesterday at the inauguration of the new Quay at the Port Louis Harbour, Terminal III, Mer Rouge.
According to the Prime Minister, the extension of the quay project is yet another important milestone in the development of Port Louis Harbour. This project will transform the harbour, the principal gateway of the country handling about 99.5% of the total volume of external trade representing 7.3 million tons of cargo annually, into a major regional logistics and maritime hub offering efficient, competitive and integrated services to the business, shipping and maritime community.
With regards to the quay extension project, Mr Jugnauth stated that it fits the vision of the Government to transform the harbour into a transhipment hub as outlined in the new Port Master Plan elaborated by the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA). This he added, is a giant leap ahead to attract major players of the shipping community and capture a bigger regional container transhipment share of the market.
The MCT project, he stated, coupled with the forthcoming development of the Riche Terre Special Economic Zone will contribute immensely to the economic development of the country in bringing additional businesses and creating new segments in the manufacturing industry.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister announced another important development project in the port area, namely the construction of an Island Container Terminal opposite the MCT. This facility, he said, will undoubtedly be the most important container port in the region with a capacity of over 1.5 million TEUs. In this respect, the MPA is undertaking a Techno Economic Feasibility study for the Island Container Terminal project which is being financed through a grant from the African Development Bank and is expected to start next month, Mr Jugnauth added.
For his part the Chairman of MPA, Mr Ramalingum Maistry, spoke of MPAs commitment to follow the road map traced by Government to attain its objectives and to bringing vital contribution to the country sustainable economic development.
Quay Extension Project
The project was partly financed by the Agence Francaise de Development to the tune of Rs 1.4 billion, through a grant of 3.0 million Euros from the European Union Infrastructure Trust Fund and the remaining Rs 5.0 billion was injected by the MPA. It comprised the extension of the existing quay to accommodate two large container vessels of about 360 metres each, thus positioning Port Louis Harbour as the deepest port in the South West Indian Ocean. Construction works started in 2015 and the project comprised three components namely: extension of the MCT quay by 240 metres; expansion of the container stacking yard by some 7.5 hectares; and the strengthening of the existing 560 metres quay.
To find trees in the desert, we often have to go up in the mountains. I grew up in the Midwest, so every once in awhile I get a yearning to ...
(TNS) The University of Texas at Dallas and the city of Richardson are appealing to Amazon's geeky side in their proposal for the Seattle-based technology and retail giant's search for a second headquarters city.UT Dallas is offering Amazon more than 100 acres of vacant land that it owns adjacent to its campus, making its research facilities, students and faculty a short walk away from a future headquarters site. Amazon said last month that it will spend $5 billion to build a new headquarters, dubbed Amazon HQ2, where it can house the employees it expects to hire over the next 10 years as many as 50,000 people.The university is ready to create a partnership similar to what it has had with Dallas-based Texas Instruments since the university was created 48 years ago, said UT Dallas president Richard Benson. More UT Dallas graduates work for TI than from any other school. The state endowed several chairs at UT Dallas in 2004, and TI built a $3 billion facility nearby. It was the first and still the largest economic development partnership of the Texas Enterprise Fund created by former Gov. Rick Perry.The state of Texas is expected to come up with incentives for Amazon that will be neutral to whatever city Amazon might chose in Texas.During the 2016-17 academic year, UT Dallas awarded 2,465 bachelor's degrees, 3,372 master's degrees and 189 Ph.D.s. The fall freshman class has 157 National Merit Scholars."Ninety percent of our students are in STEM and management programs. We have a strong base that aligns with Amazon," Benson said."It's the region's largest recurring source of talent that Amazon will need from interns to their own employees being able to walk over to continue their education," said Bill Sproull, president of the Richardson Economic Development Partnership.Amazon HQ2 located next door to UT Dallas "will be further transformed and benefit the whole region," Sproull said.The Richardson site is located along Waterview Parkway and West Renner Road just south of the President George Bush Turnpike. The proposed Cotton Belt rail line, which will connect northern suburbs with D-FW Airport, runs through the UT Dallas site. Richardon's site proposal includes multiple acreage and square feet of office space available around the two Richardson DART train stations at CityLine and Galatyn Park.Mayors in the region are in agreement that they just want Amazon "to pick Texas and then North Texas," said Richardson Mayor Paul Voelker. "We want Amazon to know that Texas is a really good place to do business. The focus should be on Amazon, not on what makes sense for Dallas or Fort Worth."Still, Voelker said, in addition to UT Dallas students, the region has one of the largest populations of computer and software engineers. "The joke in Richardson is that the neighbor to the left of you is an electrical engineer and the one to the right of you is a software engineer," he said.When he worked at HP, the company would send over algorithms for students to test.UT Dallas' Benson said the university has shown its nimbleness, having created a mechanical engineering department with University of Texas at Arlington less than 10 years ago and has formed a partnership with the UT Southwestern for biomedical engineering.It's one of 14 universities in a program of the National Science Foundation that is researching high speed broadband. UT Dallas is offering Amazon its GENI rack with an ability to connect into its 100 gigabit capacity system.The city of Richardson and its chamber first partnered with UTD in 2013 to join US Ignite's Smart Gigabit Communities program to work on next-generation, high-bandwidth, low-latency fiber optic network applications. It's used in financial transactions and in health care for imagery that must be viewed in real time by physicians during complicated surgeries.Voelker said Richardson has another advantage of being home to a highly educated and diverse population. "Sit around any conference room at a local technology company, and you'll see the diversity that we have in our neighborhoods and at our restaurants."A company like Amazon seeking global talent and future markets to grow in would find a microcosm of the global environment in Richardson," Voelker said.
AUSTIN, Texas Its relationships between IT and procurement agencies, as well as between government and vendors, that are essential to effective public-sector purchasing.That was the theme at a session with Minnesota CIO Tom Baden and Sarah Hilderbrand, chief procurement officer of Idaho, at NASCIOs annual conference Tuesday morning, one that reflects the previous days opening keynote speech . From making strides in innovation to doing more with fewer resources, establishing open lines of communication with critical partners is key to maximizing impact.When it comes to getting new tech into government, Baden said, the challenge of innovation falls on both sides of the fence.In other words, not only must government figure out how to creatively use new tech, but also vendors need to help them find those use cases.For Hilderbrand, innovation comes from early involvement from vendors, because we need to understand from an industry perspective whats out there, whats coming.Negotiations can be limited if you wait for government to release an RFP, she explained. Getting in early with the public agency builds more flexibility into the ultimate contract, which allows for more innovation; it also helps avoid potential stumbling blocks down the road and allows feedback from both parties.Both Baden and Hilderbrand also stressed the importance of the relationship between a jurisdictions IT and procurement agencies. For example, in Idaho, a monthly meeting between procurement and IT staff helps both groups strategize, and allows for planning based on what theyre seeing in their organizations.Creating this relationship has helped dispel some of the miscommunication between IT and procurement, Hildebrand said, adding that when issues do arise, those lines of communication become key.Both Minnesota and Idaho operate on centralized purchasing models, which according to Baden is essential for everything from cybersecurity to oversight and visibility. It also helps ensure continuity across operations and compliance within applicable legal regulations.Baden also sees enterprise agreements as the future of state government procurement, saying they are really driving us to innovation. This allows for numerous applications to be accomplished with solutions that are already in place, rather than going through a big RFP process every time a need arises.He also spoke to the future of agile procurement as a way to get more done more quickly, operating in terms of many small purchases rather than a few large ones.The days of big, big procurements, Baden said, are a thing of the past.
Employees from the Department of Planning and Zoning estimate flood depth
Civic Tech Volunteers Spearhead Crowdsourcing
The Harvey and Irma open-source sites
Sharing Data Across Agencies
Nothing exposes a citys limited resources quite like an emergency. The reality is that during many natural disasters, municipalities face more 911 calls than they could possibly field, more ravaged buildings than they could possibly repair, and more residents in need of help than they could possibly reach.And yet the situation is not a hopeless one. By leveraging the power of datawhether by pushing relevant information out to residents and volunteer responders or prioritizing for rescue areas with more damage and vulnerable residentscities can maximize the value of the resources they do possess. The successes and missed opportunities in the response to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma are an apt reminder of the value of data in emergency management and the capacity for cities to expand their efforts in the future.During Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Houston and Miami took on the responsibility of pulling together information from a variety of sources that would be useful to residents and responders during and after the storms. During Harvey, the City of Houston partnered with Harris County in order to release information like flooding estimates and evacuation routes. Then, during the recovery phase, the city released updates on the status of city services , a power outage tracker, and transit routes resuming service . Similarly, Miami curated flood maps from Miami-Dade Countys website and initial storm surge information from Florida International Universitys (FIU) Storm Surge Simulator during the storm and information on city services, transit, and other critical developments throughout the response and recovery.In addition to curating existing data, Miamis GIS teams out of its Department of Information Technology (IT) made efforts to gather new, more accurate flood data in the days following the storm. The city had models of storm surge from old FEMA maps, but wanted more accurate estimates of flooding. With this in mind, the city armed nine pairs of staff members from the Department of Planning and Zoning as well as four volunteer teams with Survey123 for ArcGIS, a tool that allowed users to input flood data from their smartphones.The turnaround was astoundingly swift: Within 24 hours, we had more than 700 datapoints, said Michael Sarasti, Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Miami. The sense of urgency to use data and technology was really impressive. Irma was a rallying point to use tools that have been sitting there for a while, he added. The city made this information available in an online map , enabling residents and responders to make decisions using accurate flood information.Internet of Things (IoT) sensors were also a valuable resource during the response. According to Sarasti, the Miami Police Department used wind sensor data in order to identify opportunities to safely dispatch officers to calls for service.And to ensure this information reached the largest audience possible, these cities brought data to residents where they were already activeon social media. Houston and Miami alike used Twitter to disseminate information like open grocery stores in the area, shelters accepting residents, the safety of drinking water, the status of curfews, and evacuation orders.To supplement city data, Houston and Miami also sought to capitalize on residents knowledge in order provide better information to those affected. Houston started this trend by working with local civic technology group Sketch City to create and disseminate via social media a Google Sheet for residents who needed rescue or knew of someone in distress. Residents were asked to input information including their location, the number of people in need of rescue, and any additional needs, such as medications or wheelchair accessibility. Sketch City then converted all of this information into a crowdsourced Google Map, which rescuersboth government first responders and volunteers like the now famous band of volunteers called the Cajun Navythen used to identify and rescue people in need. Emergency responders and volunteers were able to go from location to location on the map and rescue residents, explained Jesse Bounds, Houstons Director of Innovation. Volunteers in Miami replicated this effort for Irma with the Crowdsource Rescue site , which asked users in need of rescue to input critical information.To ensure that residents not only knew where flooding was happening but could also find their way to safety, Sketch City devised crowdsourced maps of all the shelters in Houston and Miami. The maps allowed residents to input the locations of shelters, whether or not they were accepting residents, and what supplies they needed. To complement this service and make it accessible to residents who may not have had internet connectivity, Sketch City also created a chatbot that enabled residents to ask for the nearest shelter via text.To bring all these resources together, Sketch City and a number of other tech volunteers collaborated to stand up a Harvey Needs website that gathered relevant data and tools in one place. According to Bounds, Throughout Harvey, we were able to express to Sketch City what we needed and they created it for us. On this website, residents could not only input their information for rescue and visualize the locations of shelters, but could also access emergency and safety tips, flooding and evacuation assistance, and emergency and government agency contact information. Residents could also volunteer to help in the relief effort by donating money or working at a shelter or food bank. Sketch City and a number of volunteers then forked the code for this websitecopying the source code for independent developmentin order to create the Irma Response website. Sarasti credits not only developers in the Miami area, but from around the countryincluding Cincinnati Chief Performance Officer Leigh Tami and South Bend Chief Innovation Officer Santiago Garcesfor offering to help in the response. As an example of the kind of ad hoc help offered by civic tech leaders, San Diego Chief Data Officer (CDO) Maksim Pecherskiy built an Irma shelter map for Puerto Rico out of an Airbnb attached to the former Chief Innovation Officers (CIO) house.Going forward, Sarasti hopes to make the process for civic tech collaboration more systematic. We want to develop a more clear process for integrating civic-driven disaster tools with city initiatives, Sarasti said. He envisions a network of civic tech collaborators ready to get to work at the citys request. We want to create those inroads so we just flip that on, he explained. Bounds echoed this hope for systematization, explaining that Houston is developing an emergency response package that will outline processes and civic tech partners for future emergency situations.Houston and Miami also relied on the power of the crowd for additional information on the severity of flooding throughout the city. Created by environmental firm Marine Weather and Climate and tech company Tailwind Labs, online mapping application U-Flood allowed residents to input information on flooding throughout their city. Users needed only visit floodmap.io and click on street segments where they observed flooding. Originally designed for Houston, in anticipation of Hurricane Irma, the companies expanded the application to a number of Florida cities including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa.By gathering information from people on the ground during the storm, crowdsourcing allowed Houston and Miami to collect accurate and timely information. With crowdsourcing, we were able to get updates in real time, said Bounds. This allowed the cities to pinpoint areas and people in need and deploy more effective rescues.In the wake of Hurricane Irma, the City of Miami has started thinking about ways to better prepare responders and residents in the days leading up to a storm. This is one of the primary discussions happening in the community nowwas enough done ahead of time? Sarasti explained.A critical part of coordinating a proactive response is thinking creatively about how data across various city departments may be useful to responders. In Miami, the citys Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services did just that, collecting information on the location of vulnerable populations across the city that required additional assistance. According to Sarasti, the Resilience Office shared a list of affordable and critical housing structures, the Department of Planning and Zoning provided a list of assisted living facilities, and Florida Power & Light (FPL) collaborated with the city to provide power outage data. Knowing which neighborhoods had higher concentrations of buildings with prior structural problems, power outages, or residents lacking the physical or economic means to evacuate allowed Miami to send responders where they were needed most.While laudatory of these efforts, looking to the future, Sarasti stated frankly, We can do better. How we prepare communities that need more attention ahead of time and increase awareness of them post-floodthats the next step, he explained.Facilitating easier, quicker access to this data will be one way of improving emergency response. Following Irma, many news outlets circulated a story about an assisted living facility in Hollywood, FL where nine patients died in the wake of Irma. After a fallen tree destroyed the homes generator and disabled the air conditioner, many patients overheated and failed to receive prompt medical attention. While the city was looking at concentrations of assisted living facilities to inform response, ensuring responders have this information well before a disaster hits and make it a real priority in preparation will be critical in similar situations down the road.Cities can also expand the range of data they use to inform response. For example, looking at data from the Department of Motor Vehicles could help determine which residents require assistance finding transportation out of the city. Targeting those areas that have fewer registered vehicles for evacuation assistanceor even pairing residents that do not have vehicles with those that do for carpoolscould ensure that everyone is able to get out of dangerous areas.Realizing these kinds of cross-agency predictive projects requires a culture of data sharing in city government. Were still getting there on embracing open data in the community, Sarasti said. Weve released things like permitting and 311 data, but have not gotten sophisticated enough on the sharing side.Analyzing Hurricanes Harvey and Irma can be a valuable learning experience for cities in the path of natural disasters. These events show that data is not a peripheral tool in disaster management, but rather is absolutely essential to effective rescue and recovery. And, as Sarasti explained, necessary to effective data-driven response is a municipal culture that emphasizes collecting and sharing quality data. Things like data standards, inventories, and useable platforms for sharing are not trivial matters reserved for bureaucratic quibbling, but in fact can be a matter of life and death.
BUSINESS ADVICE
GOVERNMENT ALLY
EQUIFAX
CONTROLS
(TNS) -- After an onslaught of hacking, breaches and malware this year, and the resultant waves of publicity, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month should be a bit anticlimactic.But for some people, the message never gets old.One of the organizations most aware of cyberthreats and most active in countering them is CIS , a non-profit steadily expanding its client base and 130-person workforce. Along with creating benchmarks and protocols by which organizations large and small can secure their computer systems, CIS serves public entities as a cybersecurity partner, including all 50 states and 1,400-plus municipalities containing more than 80 percent of the U.S. population.CIS formerly the Center for Internet Security is officially designated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as the go-to source for free cybersecurity services for state, local, territorial and tribal governments. It is hired by private organizations and companies for similar tasks.CIS is keeping busy.Each year I think it cant get any worse, and then it gets progressively worse, said Curtis Dukes , executive vice president and general manager of the CIS Best Practices and Automation Group.October is Cybersecurity Month , a Department of Homeland Security promotion that gives prominence to issues CIS deals with every month.Too many organizations, Dukes said, are not taking the critical steps of setting up a secure system, then reducing what areas are vulnerable to attack, then working to stay secure by following an industry-accepted protocol of best practices.CIS has developed CIS Controls and CIS Benchmarks as its defense against cyberthreats. There are other protocols, each with their own supporters, Dukes said, and while it would be nice for government and industry to all agree on a single standard, were not there yet. Steven Spano , president and chief operating officer of CIS, spoke Monday at the annual meeting of the Business Council of New York State about the importance of taking preventative steps before a cyberattack.Having a chief information security officer in the company doesnt guarantee there wont be a breach, he said, but not having a CISO will likely make the breach worse.Now you have a PR nightmare on top of the breach, Spano explained.He advises companies to look at the cost of a breach, or of an extinction-level event.The $150,000 salary of a CISO seems small in comparison.Not enough business leaders see this, he said.Theres a disconnect to how a lot of businesses approach cybersecurity. I sense an intrinsic ignorance about the topic.Rather than admit ignorance, he said, they hand the problem off and hope it gets fixed.Cyber is not static, Spano said. Trying to keep pace with the art and the science is a big challenge.He also cautioned against outsourcing cybersecurity and forgetting about it. Oversight is still needed. If theres a breach, ultimately its the business and its customers who will suffer, regardless of who was supposed to be standing guard at the gate.In 2011, CIS took over the Multistate Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which was created by New York state. The MS-ISAC remains a close partner with New York state but also serves the other 49 states, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. There is no cost to government users Homeland Security picks up the tab for the states and for more than 1,400 municipal entities.The focus is on cyberthreats such as malware, but the MS-ISAC has also warned its municipal partners about hacktivists those who try to shut down a government website in response to a local incident such as a police shooting.Such threats are more of a nuisance than a danger. Cyberterrorists and cyberwarriors, by contrast, might want to damage critical infrastructure such as the power grid.The MS-ISAC cant detect incoming attacks from unknown sources; its function is to respond to known threats and weaknesses by recommending security updates, and to help entities that have been attacked understand how and why the attack was able to succeed.If needed, its Computer Emergency Response Team can travel to the scene of an attack to do forensics.In their work, MS-ISAC personnel find varying levels of cyber vigilance among municipal entities. This is a critical detail, because most attacks target known weak spots.The MS-ISACs Security Operations Center is staffed around the clock by cybersecurity experts who respond to state and local government inquiries, provide network monitoring for these governments, and watch for data dumps that could compromise members websites. An intelligence team within the SOC investigates attacks and looks for trending indications of threats, though it does not work around the clock.On Tuesday, the SOC was fairly quiet. The total number of tickets any request for action by a member stood at one. Network monitoring and bug tracking indicators were both zero. Advanced persistent threats state-sponsored attacks also registered zero.The scraper an automated sweep of open-source websites for anything potentially threatening to a municipal member periodically bounced from zero to one and back to zero.The threat level was blue, or guarded second-lowest on the five-step scale from green (low) to red (severe). Multiple vulnerabilities in Google Chrome and Joomla! were the latest threat warnings.Blue indicates there are potentially significant vulnerabilities that havent been exploited, or have been exploited without impact.CIS has never gone to red threat. In 2014, the HeartBleed bug sent CIS to the second-highest threat level, orange, which indicates high risk of increased hacking, virus, or other malicious cyber activity that targets or compromises core infrastructure, causes multiple service outages, causes multiple system compromises, or compromises critical infrastructure.The private client roster of CIS ranges from single-person companies to Fortune 100 firms and stretches around the world. The fee-for-service offerings include vulnerability assessments, consulting and training.Also Tuesday, CIS issued a news release saying the breach at the credit reporting agency Equifax in which 143 million Americans personal information was exposed could have been prevented with implementation of CIS Controls. The breach was an exploitation of a known vulnerability, exactly the kind of situation CIS works to prevent.Equifaxs CEO was ousted and its stock value plunged 35 percent in six trading days in mid-September, erasing $6 billion in value exactly the kind of collateral damage Spano warned about.Equifax is a particularly bad breach for consumers, Dukes said, because it potentially provides all the information needed to validate a transaction with a stolen identity.Once that information is lost, the criminal network can easily take that.Credit agencies relationship is with businesses selling or lending to consumers, rather than with consumers themselves, Dukes said, so they are a step removed from the people affected.Organizations that are holding this information need to be accountable to us, he said, suggesting that standards be set and federal regulations implemented.In the meantime, consumers should not wait for anyone to protect them, Dukes recommended.I think it is now incumbent ... to do some amount of the due diligence yourself, he said.For starters, people should take advantage of the right to a free credit report every quarter, and make note of who is checking their credit and why.Dukes expressed optimism that the business world will move away from collecting such sensitive material as social security numbers.And he urged people to stop giving out such personal identifying information freely whenever asked.I think you have to be mindful each and every time you do an online purchase, he said.CIS Benchmarks and CIS Controls are the centerpiece of the cybersecurity program offered by CIS, formerly the Center For Internet Security.Benchmarks is 100-plus configuration guidelines for various technology groups to safeguard systems against evolving cyber threats.Controls is 20 specific actions that can be used to implement the objectives of cybersecurity frameworks created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, International Organization for Standardization, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council. It is free, and to date has been downloaded more than 85,000 times.
Riverside County officials arent saying yet who responded to an RFP that marked the public debut of their RIVCOconnect Broadband Initiative, a public-private partnership aimed at building out what may be the nations largest broadband network.But after a four-month procurement process that was extended to nearly six months, responses are in and should be made public later this week. Already, its clear this process could signal a new way of streamlining large, essential IT infrastructure projects.When construction begins, potentially as soon as the summer of 2018, RIVCOconnect will deliver last-mile, gigabit-speed fiber-optic broadband to a far-flung county thats nearly the size of New Jersey and home to more than 2.3 million people.An estimated 21,114 businesses will also benefit from receiving the service, though build-out will take five years.Steve Reneker, RIVCOconnect Chief Broadband Officer (CBO) and recent former Riverside County CIO, said officials decided to act knowing coastal communities like San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles are typically the first to get these types of services.We know that if we would have done nothing, it would be probably five to 10 years before we would see any type of advanced Internet services. Were excited about what this might be able to bring for economic development, and the digital equity perspective for Riverside County residents, Reneker said.The county also intends to require build-out to cover higher-income areas in equal increments with more disadvantaged regions, to avoid cherry-picking.Nearly 40 potential partners, including representatives of AT&T, Spectrum, Frontier Communications and General Dynamics; the cities of Riverside, Indio and Moreno Valley; and financial institutions including J.P. Morgan attended an online proposers conference with county officials on Thursday, April 20 While typical government procurement will most likely continue in Riverside County, the success of the online conference, and the design of this RFP process could signal an alternative path for similar projects.I would say certainly, large projects, maybe of a capital nature, might make sense to go down this process, Reneker said, describing them as very few and very infrequent.Riverside County extended the deadline to respond to this RFP twice following its release on Monday, April 3 with an Aug. 15 due date. At the request of potential applicants who went on to apply, officials prolonged it to Sept. 7, then to Sept. 28.But Reneker described it as more a Request for Participation than a Request for Proposal because were literally looking for participation from the curator and Internet service providers in the communities determined.One key difference between RIVCOconnect and other projects: the county isnt buying anything, and so it will ultimately enter into a contract with a provider or a team of providers after negotiating based on what these carriers are looking for from government to plan and build out the infrastructure, he said.The public-private partnership the project will create has a valuation of between $2 billion and $4 billion.The Riverside County Board of Supervisors will be briefed before the county releases applicants names. Significantly, however, Reneker noted that the county doesnt represent 24 other incorporated cities which must get approval from their own elected bodies to opt in or out of the project.While commitment levels may vary, Reneker confirmed some commitment exists from all 24 entities and the county is hopeful all will formally join.There wont be an actual financial commitment from the county or cities, but one request the county has made is for communities to commit to trying to follow either expedited or reduced permitting fees, to ensure the build can be done in an expeditious fashion.Another likely pledge will be making assets available in project areas, including existing fiber networks, streetlights, power poles and municipal facilities.Making all those facilities available for this project at some given price or lease arrangement thats attractive, is what weve all committed to, providing a single point of contact for the effort and providing concierge-type services for the vendors so that they can quickly and efficiently get things through the government bureaucracy as quickly as possible," said Reneker.Should the vendor require it, some of the communities could end up with long-term commitments to high-speed service as a condition of their anchor tenancy, he added.County officials hope to determine which candidates meet the RFPs mission, provide a level of reasonableness and confirm their financial status by mid-October, advancing them to Level One status.By the end of November, officials plan to further evaluate Level One proposals and meet with vendors for about a half-day each, to obtain answers to more detailed questions and move some to Level Two.A scoring process will then determine which vendor or vendors are passed through Level Two to negotiations conducted by Riverside-based national law firm Best, Best & Krieger LLP.Reneker said a master contract or contracts should be ready for approval by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors during the first quarter of 2018.
FEES, NOT PERMITS, WAIVED
SPEED LIMIT
(TNS) -- FLAGLER BEACH Anyone who wonders how self-driving cars will be able to react instantly to surrounding conditions will soon get an answer: antennas mounted atop municipal utility poles.The Flagler Beach City Commission last week approved an ordinance on first reading that will give city officials some say over how and where the new 5G antennas may be placed in accordance with a recent state law that paves the way for such technology.Local control is limited, however. For instance, city officials cannot outright deny an applicant from installing such an antenna. But the commission did weigh in on portions that the state allows them to decide.Primarily, this refers to design standards, registration and adopting fees.The state Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act essentially allows antennas to be attached to public utility poles in rights-of-way. Gov. Rick Scott signed it into law on July 1.In addition to guiding self-driving vehicles, the fifth generation (or 5G) of wireless technology will also provide anyone with compatible devices access to greater quantities of data at higher speeds.A presentation on the subject was made in August during a Florida League of Cities conference. City Commissioner Joy McGrew, referring to the presentation, said most of the antennas would be about the size of a shoebox.Most of them will be installed on existing poles, such as decorative light poles."The biggest issue that I think local governments are going to face is going to be the number of these that are going in," City Attorney Drew Smith said during Thursday night's meeting.Because 5G needs very high frequencies, its antennas must be close together and therefore more numerous.The local ordinance mandates a permit for installation of antennas and conditions under which waivers must be sought. The antennas may not be placed within eight feet of the curb or on arms that support traffic signals.The wireless facilities must be at least 20 feet from energized electrical distribution lines and must not block the view of any sign.In addition, the wireless facilities must be concealed to protect the city's aesthetic qualities.Antennas may not extend more than 10 feet above the pole upon which it is mounted, and they may not be placed onto poles shorter than 15 feet.Here's a look at some other issues addressed by the commission.Issue: Waiving some fees to help residents following Hurricane Irma.What happened: Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance waiving fees on drywall removal and repairing fences and screened enclosures due to damage from the hurricane. The action formalizes a practice instituted following the Sept. 20 meeting. It covers a 180-day period starting on Sept. 12. The ordinance does not negate the requirement to get a permit for work being done. And any requirements for detailed drawings would remain in effect.Issue: Mandating a speed limit for a stretch of John Anderson Highway within the city limits.What happened: The board voted unanimously to establish a 35-mph speed limit for that part of the road. City Manager Larry Newsom explained that any transition from one speed to another is supposed to be recognized by the agency enforcing the limit in this case, the city. Though the road was already 35 by default, the transition from State Road 100 hadn't been formally recognized. "Apparently, this is something that should have been done eons ago," said Chair Jane Mealy.
It's sometimes billed as "America's playground," but most of America doesn't live within four highway hours (much less if you speed) from downtown Las Vegas.Which partly explains why the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history -- a Sunday night rampage near the Las Vegas Strip that left at least 59 dead and more than 500 wounded or injured -- feels like a local crime.Though hard numbers aren't known, a huge chunk of the estimated 22,000 people on hand when Jason Aldean's performance was halted by the crackle of an automatic weapon, came from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Even the name of the three-day country music event -- the Route 91 Harvest festival -- refers to the former name of the stretch of freeway and highway that connects Long Beach to Las Vegas.So it's no surprise that an early list of the dead includes a special education teacher and a police records tech from Manhattan Beach; a teacher from Simi Valley, a contractor from Santa Clarita and a Disney California Adventure cast member who went to high school in Orange County and lived in Riverside. The wounded include off-duty sheriffs deputies from Los Angeles and Orange counties, off-duty firefighters from Los Angeles, an off-duty officer from the Ontario Police Department and the manager of a contractor's office in Whittier.The carnage in Las Vegas prompted a national address from President Donald Trump, who described it as "an act of pure evil." But it also brought a city-to-city message of condolence from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti:"Innocent people went out for an evening of fun," Garcetti wrote. "And (they) walked into a nightmare that defies our ability to understand or express sorrow in words."The shooting spree was the start of a long night of fear and chaos.Though about 10 minutes passed between the first and last showers of bullets, which came down from a two-room suite on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, the concert grounds and surrounding area was an active crime scene for several hours. Hundreds of people hid for much of night, believing the shootings were part of a broader attack; police were unable to assure them otherwise.Initially, survivors were confused by the sound of the gunfire, which came faster than a human can pull a trigger. But confusion switched to grim recognition as some in the crowd fell, wounded or mortally shot."There was blood pouring everywhere," Melissa Ayala, of Orange, told the New York Times."We were trying to take cover and we had no idea where to go."Police said the shooter was Stephen Paddock, a 64-year-old retiree from Mesquite, Nevada, whom they said took his life before authorities could enter his suite. Federal officials said Paddock doesn't appear to be linked to any terror group, though Islamic militants on Monday claimed otherwise.Paddock apparently planned the night in meticulous detail.Police said he used a hammer to break two sealed windows in his suite, No. 32135. He also set up at least two guns capable of automatic weapon fire near those windows, and may have used several other guns as the first weapons became too hot to use.The choice of weaponry seemed to push the death toll higher.Though it is generally illegal to own fully automated weapons, it is possible to modify semi-automatic weapons so they can shoot hundreds of rounds a minute. Police, who said Monday they are continuing to investigate all aspects of the crime, said they found had as many as 20 guns in the room, as well as more guns, ammunition and explosives in Paddock's home, about an hour away from Las Vegas.Police also noted that the site -- about 300 feet above the targeted area -- was an ideal spot for taking lives.The site, and the shooter's behavior, also seemed designed to amplify fear.Videos posted online by survivors indicate about 40 seconds passed from the first burst of gunfire until more bullets came. The shooter then sprayed the area for about 10 minutes, with bullets coming from the sky in unpredictable waves.During that time the crowd turned primal, as people either scrambled to escape or lay flat on the ground, hoping to avoid being shot. Hundreds of people climbed a nearby barbed-wire fence, though fire officials eventually ripped it up from the ground, letting people escape under the metal.It's unclear how many of the estimated 527 wounded were hit by bullets and shrapnel, and how many were hurt trying to escape the area or by others trying to run away.The events also overwhelmed medical help. Though hospitals in the area have trained for exactly the kind of attack that took place, emergency rooms and ambulances and even radio equipment were swamped by the sheer number of dead and wounded, forcing area hospitals to seek regional assistance.It's unclear what sparked the crime. Paddock's brother, who lives in Florida, told news outlets that family is surprised, and that Paddock previously wasn't known to own or use guns and that he had no financial problems or signs of mental instability.Paddock's father, Benjamin Hoskins Paddock -- who reportedly was not close to his sons -- was on the FBI's list of wanted criminals during much of the 1970s, described as a violent, serial bank robber.But even as police worked to sort out Paddock's possible motive, the shooting kicked off discussion of tougher gun laws. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, said on Twitter that the carnage in Las Vegas is a result of political cowardice. "The police say the shooter appeared to have acted alone. That's not true. Every gun lobbyist and the politicians who do their bidding were all in that room with him."But many survivors had little to say about gun legislation -- for now -- or the shooter's motives. Instead, they focused on what they described as courage and empathy they found in each other.The list of heroes -- and many people helped or comforted the wounded, or shielded others from bullets -- also reaches deep into Southern California.Melanie Cooper, an off-duty investigator with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, performed CPR on a half-dozen people and held a man as he died during the shooting spree.Cooper, like many others, spent much of the rest of the night believing more bullets were coming. After she escaped the concert area, she led a group of strangers to safety when rumors circulated that there was another shooter in the hotel bar.Similar stories were told about some off-duty police and fire personnel who were at the event. The country music scene, many said, is popular in that circle, and dozens of off-duty first responders from Southern California were at the festival.Still, Cooper said the night sparked fear that'll be hard to forget."I keep hearing those gunshots going off and off and off and off."Others have similar memories.Rudy Rios, an off-duty police officer from Long Beach and an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, remembers empty shoes."You're seeing everybody just running out of their ... boots," Rios said.Rios saw concertgoers sweep up their children and barricade themselves in nearby gaming rooms and hotel rooms; even air conditioning ducts to escape the bullets.Others, Rios said, simply couldn't move."There's people in the fetal position, crying. They don't know what to do."Southern California News Group wire services and staff writers Keith Sharon and Jeremiah Dobruck contributed to this article.2017 The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)Visit The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.) at www.ocregister.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(TNS) - Thousands of storm-weary but relieved hurricane evacuees from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands arrived Tuesday at Port Everglades aboard a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship.The Adventure of the Seas, with a capacity of up to 3,807 passengers, sailed into the Broward County seaport after concluding a humanitarian relief mission that delivered essential supplies to residents in the hurricane-ravaged U.S. territories. The cruise ship then was used to transport many island residents with medical and special needs to the U.S. mainland for treatment and better living conditions.From the U.S. Virgin Islands, priority was given to high risk pregnant women, the elderly and those with urgent medical needs, Governor Kenneth E. Mapp said. Many other passengers had commitments from family members to stay with them in the U.S.Laura Berrios, 30, who arrived with her two small children aged 3 and 8, was among the 1,791 people from Puerto Rico on board, most of whom were fleeing the wreckage and dire conditions left behind by Hurricane Maria. Berrios said the well-being of her children was the overriding factor in her decision to leave her San Juan home."There is no power and although we had some water, it's not potable because the treatment plants are not working." Berrios said. Her mother-in-law who lives in South Florida was scheduled to pick them up and drive them to Tennessee to stay with family there.Carl Fleming, 24, a cook from St. Thomas, lamented the current state of his island home as he waited to transfer to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport for a flight to Austin, Texas, his final destination.More than 3,000 people from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were brought to Florida on board the Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale."We're down right now, he said. We have no power, we have nothing. There isn't much to do back home right now because we don't have any tourists to provide the money. The only thing making money right now is the gas stations and food places."University of Miami MBA student Adam Quintanilla, 29, who has family and friends in Puerto Rico, was among those who stood ready to help the displaced passengers arriving at the port. He turned out, he said, because he wanted to help. So he organized nearly two dozen volunteers many bilingual to greet and assist the Spanish-speaking evacuees who arrived aboard the ship.Quintanilla said the roughly 20 volunteers planned to assist through the American Red Cross with translation services, filling out Federal Emergency Management Agency paperwork and providing access to cell phones and chargers.Im really happy about the volunteerism going on. A lot of people want to help out, he said. And this is something closer to home that we can do to try to ease the suffering.More than 1,400 people aboard the Adventure of the Seas were from the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to a tourism official.Some 866 passengers boarded the ship Friday in St. Croix, and another 560 from St. Thomas and St. John joined them Saturday before it departed for Fort Lauderdale, said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, the territorys commissioner of tourism, in a news release Sunday.The Adventure of the Seas relief trip brings the total number of people evacuated from the U.S. Virgin Islands on mercy cruises to 3,000 since hurricanes Maria and Irma, Nicholson-Doty said.Hurricane Maria churned through the Caribbean, delivering new devastation to islands previously hit by Hurricane Irma.Other islanders close to 1,500 were also able to escape the harsh living conditions created by the storms on mercy flights sponsored by airlines such as Delta, United and JetBlue."These gestures go a long way to help the people of the Virgin Islands get back on our feet and get our economy moving again, said Nicholson-Doty.Adventure of the Seas regular Sept. 30 cruise was canceled to facilitate the relief mission. The cruise ship will return to its home port of San Juan on Friday to prepare for its next scheduled sailing the following day. That sailing, however will operate, on an amended itinerary, which will replace St. Croix with Martinique, Royal Caribbean said.Passengers booked on the canceled cruise received a full refund of the fare and fees paid, and a 25 percent discount for a future cruise booked within 30 days, according to the Miami-based cruise operator. Prepaid shore excursions were also refunded.2017 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)Visit the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at www.sun-sentinel.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WHAT IS AGILE? The NASCIO/Accenture report defines agile as follows: An iterative project management methodology that delivers differentiated, high-value solutions in rapid deployments and functionality and relies on frequent feedback and adaptation to reach desired outcomes.
WHO'S AGILE? Agile requires an organizationwide change in culture that extends far past the boundaries of IT. Other stakeholders that must be on board are agency leadership, budgeting and procurement, CIOs and CTOs.
AGILE SUCCESS FACTORS The report identifies seven steps to help improve your chances of agile success.
1. Secure Executive Sponsorship
2. Spark a Cultural Transformation
3. Maintain Business Engagement
4. Adopt User-Centric Design Thinking
5. Involve Budgeting & Procurement
6. Engage Authorizing Agencies
7. Conduct Training Across the Enterprise
AUSTIN, Texas At its annual conference on Oct. 2, NASCIO, in conjunction with Accenture, releasedThe report is fueled by detailed surveys and interviews of state government leaders from across the country, both inside and outside of IT. It makes the point that although government is perhaps better positioned than the private sector to benefit from agile development methods, there are more structural impediments standing in the way of its success. Among governments built-in challenges, according to the report, are budget constraints and cumbersome requirements around compliance.At an afternoon session, New Hampshire CIO Denis Goulet and Nebraska CIO Ed Toner , alongside NASCIOs Eric Sweden and Accentures Keir Buckhurst, offered their take on how to advance agile development in state government, despite the hurdles.As reported byearlier this year, Nebraskas enterprise content management system is run using agile development by an enthusiastic group of millennials, fresh off their college-level agile coursework.In New Hampshire, Goulet brings extensive private-sector agile experience to the state. He pointed out that agile requires a level of commitment from the business side that is far greater than traditional waterfall methods. It was a sell job to the business, really, he said. Theres going to be some fear and uncertainty and doubt.But there are many benefits to be had. Sixty-six percent of survey respondents felt that agile helped avoid major failures, while 58 percent said it kept them from investing in programs that dont meet business needs. About half indicated that agile helps reduce risk and bolster efficiency.In New Hampshire, Goulet described the payoff in specific terms. One agency customer was routinely slow in paying central IT following project delivery. Using agile, central IT worked alongside its agency partners on a year-long project, which included sprints (small, measurable deliverables) every two weeks. Upon the projects conclusion, the agency paid the bill within two days. Goulet credits the change to the customer's full engagement throughout the process that stemmed from agile.Panelists also offered their take on 10 agile starting points offered in the report. The list includes picking the pilot something with broad impact, preferably; addressing budgeting and procurement , processes that can be at odds with agile; fostering the knowledge and enthusiasm of the team and injecting experience into the process.Some people think agile is just an excuse to be undisciplined, Goulet said, but the reality is quite different. Agile is incredibly disciplined.Done well, agile development has performance management built in. A good agile team knows whos performing, knows who isnt and does a lot of that difficult work for itself/themselves, he added.
Top 10 jobs most vulnerable to automation
Top 10 jobs least vulnerable to automation
(TNS) CLEVELAND, Ohio Training and education may not be enough to robot-proof your job, a recent report dealing with the impact of automation and offshoring on job loss shows.The 10 jobs most vulnerable to automation include mathematical science occupations and insurance underwriters, according to a Ball State University study. A college degree is usually required for these occupations, both of which have median annual salaries of more than $65,000.Many of the other top 10 jobs most vulnerable to automation pay less and don't require the same level of education.However, all on the list have something in common, according to "How Vulnerable are American Communities to Automation, Trade and Urbanization?""The study found that low risk of automation is associated with much higher wages, averaging about $80,000 a year," states a news release on the report. "Occupations with the highest risk of automation have incomes of less than $40,000 annually."Only one of the jobs least at risk of automation occupational therapist paid about $80,000 a year, according to the updated report released last week, but published in June.Like most of the other robot-proof jobs, occupational therapist is a "high touch" occupation, or one in which direct interaction with clients and/or colleagues is routinely required. Most of the least vulnerable jobs are in health care and related fields.The study looked at communities throughout the United States that are most at risk of job loss due to automation. No Ohio counties made the top 25 list. Ranking first was the Aleutians East Borough, Alaska followed by Quitman County, Georgia and Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska."Automation is likely to replace half of all low-skilled jobs," said Michael Hicks, director of Ball State's Center for Business and Economic Research, in the release. "Communities where people have lower levels of educational attainment and lower incomes are the most vulnerable to automation. Considerable labor market turbulence is likely in the coming generation."The report also looked at jobs most at risk of being off-shored. Several of them had median annual salaries in the $80,000 range or higher. They included: computer programmers ($79,530), computer and information research scientists ($80,110), actuaries ($97,070), mathematicians ($111,110) and statisticians ($110,620).One in four of all U.S. jobs will be at risk of being lost to foreign competition in the coming years, the report says.The report incorporates research on automation and offshoring published in recent years, as well as an analysis of government and other data.1. Data entry keyers. Annual median wage is $29,4602. Mathematical science occupations, $66,2103. Telemarketers, $23,5304. Insurance underwriters, $65,0405. Mathematical technicians, $46,6006. Hand sewers, $23,6407. Tax preparers, $36,4508. Photographic process workers and processing machine operators, $26,5909. Library technicians, $32,31010. Watch repairers, $34,7501. Recreational therapists. Annual median wage is $45,8902. Emergency management directors, $67,3303. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers, $63,0104. Mental health and substance abuse social workers, $42,1705. Audiologists, $74,8906. Healthcare social workers, $52,3807. Occupational therapists, $80,1508. Orthotists and prosthetists, $64,4309. Health technologists and technicians, $41,26010. Hearing aid specialists, $49,600
Pawan To Contest Only In AP?
The statement issued by Jana Sena Party chief and power star Pawan Kalyan on Monday that his party would be contesting elections in 175 assembly seats in the Telugu states has created a lot of confusion among the people as well as his followers.
Pawan sent the message to his party cadre through a statement instead of his regular medium Twitter. But the statement says the Jana Sena would contest 175 seats in Telugu states which means both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
He also made it clear that his party would contest the elections only in those areas where it was strong enough.
Though his statement appeared to be very clear, the number he has mentioned has created confusion. There are in all 175 seats in Andhra Pradesh. So, when Pawan said his party would contest in 175 seats, it implies that he would be contesting only in Andhra Pradesh.
Secondly, the Jana Sena Party cannot afford to contest in Telangana, because he was a strong critic of bifurcation and many a times, he openly said the bifurcation had done a lot of injustice to Andhra Pradesh.
Probably, he has realised that he might not win a single seat in Telangana, since the Jana Sena does not have enough strength here. So, whatever strength Pawan has, it must be only on Andhra Pradesh. Hence, he might have referred to the number 175.
If that is the case, why did Pawan say Telugu states? May be he does not want to create an impression that he is no force in Telangana, thereby disappointing his fans!
Lucas Bruch, 34, had just checked in to Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Sunday before going outside to take a few photos of the Strip. He could hear music from the Route 91 Harvest country music festival when he heard a few pops.
The nations three largest tobacco manufacturers have agreed on the wording and timing of federal court-ordered corrective statements about the dangers of smoking combustible cigarettes.
The ads will commence Nov. 26. Full-page newspaper ads will run in major U.S. metropolitan areas, and 30- to 45-second spot ads will be shown on the ABC, CBS and NBC television networks. In North Carolina, the newspaper ads will be published only in Charlotte.
The ads are projected to cost several millions of dollars for each manufacturer. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. said Tuesday that it could cost $20 million to comply.
Reynolds spokesman David Howard said Reynolds remains the entity obligated to comply with the court order even though it is now the U.S. subsidiary of British American Tobacco PLC.
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., along with the other parties, including the U.S. Department of Justice, filed joint consent motions in the U.S. District Court concerning the implementation of the court-ordered corrective statements, Reynolds said in a statement.
Each statement will begin: A federal court has ordered Altria, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Lorillard and Philip Morris USA to make this statement ... The manufacturers will take turns being the first listed in the statement.
The agreement settles an 18-year-old lawsuit about the marketing of the manufacturers and their various affiliates and acquisitions going back to the 1950s.
In 2006, U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler ruled the manufacturers had concealed the dangers of smoking for decades. The U.S. Justice Department filed a civil case in 1999 under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law, or RICO.
In April, a federal appeals court reaffirmed that the manufacturers are required to include corrective warning statements.
However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit also ruled that the statements cannot include the phrase that Kessler required: Here is the truth.
The courts order requires that the companies publish five statements related to cigarette smoking across several communication channels, including on their websites and on cigarette packs for at least a year.
The statement will cover these categories:
The adverse health effects of smoking.
Addictiveness of smoking and nicotine.
Lack of significant health benefit from smoking low tar, light, ultra light, mild and natural cigarettes.
Manipulation of cigarette design and composition to ensure optimum nicotine delivery.
Adverse health effect of exposure to secondhand smoke.
This industry has changed dramatically over the last 20 years, including becoming regulated by the FDA, which we supported, Murray Garnick, the general counsel for Philip Morris USAs parent company Altria Group Inc., said in a statement.
Were focused on the future and, with FDA in place, working to develop less-risky tobacco products.
Ads to have themes
The newspaper ads with the corrective statements will appear in the front section of the Sunday edition on five different dates: Nov. 26, Dec. 10, Jan. 7, Feb. 4 and March 4.
Each week will feature a different statement theme. Some Spanish-language publications are among the newspapers listed for the ads.
The five broadcast TV ads will run weekly for an entire year, with the manufacturers having the option of when the ads run between 7 and 10 p.m. between Mondays and Thursdays.
The manufacturers are required to notify the federal court a week in advance which statement will run and on which network and in which time slot.
The parties are negotiating how the corrective statements will appear on the manufacturers websites for the first five years of the court order. The goal is to reach a mock-up resolution by Oct. 23.
The 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with 46 state attorneys general led to significant industry changes that included banning cigarette billboards, stadium advertisements and brand-name merchandise.
Restrictions became more extensive in 2009 when Congress gave the Food and Drug Administration broad regulatory authority over nearly every aspect of tobacco product manufacturing and marketing.
We remain committed to aligning our business practices with societys expectations of a responsible company, Garnick said. This includes communicating openly about the health effects of our products, continuing to support cessation efforts, helping reduce underage tobacco use and developing potentially reduced-risk products.
Matthew Myers, the president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said in April that he had mixed feelings about the appellate courts ruling.
While the ruling should clear the way for publication of these long-overdue corrective statements, it is disappointing that the court rejected the here is the truth requirement, Myers said.
The fact that tobacco companies have repeatedly fought this simple phrase shows they havent changed and remain as allergic to the truth as ever, he said.
In court filings, the manufacturers have argued that the 2009 Tobacco Control Act eliminated any reasonable likelihood the companies would commit future violations, thus making the need for remedies, such as corrective statements, moot.
The manufacturers filed a joint appeal of Kesslers ruling in January 2013. They have tried to persuade Kessler to reject the statements, calling them forced public confessions in legal filings.
The appellate court judges, in dealing with that appeal, ruled that Kesslers overarching statement and five preambles exceeded in part the U.S. District Courts limited remedial authority.
The statements were sent back to Kessler for further review.
The appeals court ruled in May 2015 that proposed federal corrective statements on cigarette advertising exceeded their legal reach with some parts of their language, particularly that tobacco manufacturers lied to consumers.
Switching from traditional cigarettes to an electronic version could save the lives of up to 6.6 million Americans over the next 10 years, according to researchers from Georgetown and Yale universities.
The researchers said in a study published Monday in the journal Tobacco Control that 6.6 million lives is on the best-case side of the switching scenario, while 1.6 million lives is on the worst-case side.
The study, funded by National Institutes of Health, compares a status-quo scenario with a scenario in which e-cigs and vaporizers largely replace traditional cigarettes over 10 years.
Researchers said they considered the relative harm of vapor products versus cigarettes, as well as the impact of vaping on cessation, switching and new users, including by nonusers.
Our projections show that a strategy of replacing cigarette smoking with vaping would yield substantial life year gains, even under pessimistic assumptions regarding cessation, initiation and relative harm, the researchers said in their report.
An endgame scenario for cigarettes might well be within reach if new technologies for delivering nicotine with substantially less harm, but sufficient satisfaction, are harnessed with sufficient passion and political will.
As has been the case in most studies reviewing a potential reduced-risk for e-cigs, what these results signify depend on where individuals fall on the anti-tobacco, anti-smoking spectrum.
Some anti-tobacco advocacy groups and Democratic congressional leaders push for banning traditional cigarettes as the lead element of their quit-or-die strategy, eventually getting rid of all nicotine and tobacco products as their endgame.
They claim e-cigs could serve for youths as gateway products to traditional cigarettes a potential outcome that is under intense debate. They also say that raising tobacco excise taxes, promoting smoke-free public areas and cessation programs have produced more consistent results than e-cigs and vaporizers.
Meanwhile, some studies, including a high-profile one by the Royal College of Physicians, have claimed that e-cigs and vaporizers are up to 95 percent less harmful than traditional cigarettes. The Royal Colleges study on traditional cigarettes played a key role in the landmark 1964 surgeon generals determination on the harmful effects of smoking.
David Levy, a lead researcher and professor of oncology at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, said that old policies need to be supplemented with policies that encourage substituting e-cigarettes for the far more deadly cigarettes.
The study comes about two months after Dr. Scott Gottlieb, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, called for a sweeping regulatory road map on tobacco and nicotine products.
That included easing some regulations for product innovations, and extending the application deadline for FDA regulatory review for new products, such as e-cigs and vaporizers, from late 2018 to as far out as August 2022.
This study could represent a seismic shift in the way the FDA and public health groups look at vaping, said Gregory Conley, president of the American Vaping Association.
For years, harm-reduction advocates have relied on quality research from independent European researchers and non-government organizations, only to be told that such research was somehow not trustworthy because the authors were not American.
Now, we have some of the most respected American researchers in the field of tobacco control explaining in detail how vaping can and will save lives, Conley said.
Conley stressed that under current FDA timing, the study assumes that a functional vaping market will still exist in a decade. Some advocates said going through reduced-risk status could cost more than $1 million to go through the application gauntlet.
We are hopeful that studies like this will give Gottlieb the confidence he needs to truly modernize the way FDA regulates smoke-free nicotine products, Conley said.
In August, researchers at Columbia Universitys Mailman School of Public Health and the Rutgers School of Public Health determined that 52 percent of daily e-cig users in a study had quit smoking in the past five years, compared with just 28 percent of adults who had never tried e-cigs.
Researchers said it was one of the first studies to reveal the patterns of cessation prevalence among e-cigarette users at a national level. They determined that as e-cig and vaporizer technology evolves, they become easier to use and more effective in becoming a nicotine product option over traditional cigarettes.
However, infrequent e-cig users were less likely to quit cigarettes or likely to be users of both products.
In April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a 26-month study of 15,943 adult cigarette smokers. It was published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease.
The goal was determining what may be the most effective ways of quitting smoking among 10 common methods.
When it came to a potential smoking-cessation device, substituting some cigarettes with e-cigs (35.3 percent) was used by a greater percentage of smokers than the nicotine patch or gum (25.4 percent) or other cessation aids approved by the FDA, the CDC said.
You have permission to edit this article.
Edit Close
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
GREENWICH Sandy Morgan always saves the New York Times arts section that heralds a new season. It excites her the promise of novelty that comes with change. To her, autumn is a second New Years, chock full of hope and enthusiasm.
So for her gallerys fall show, Morgan has decided to encapsulate the freneticism and vitality of new beginnings by forging a few of her own with painters and photographers from throughout the East Coast. Through their shared passionate pastels, dynamic angularities and dramatic compositions, five artists diverse styles converge in Punch and Sizzle, which runs at her SM Home Art Gallery through Nov. 18.
Monique Lazard, Brooke Maples, Janice Mehlman, Beth Munro and Katie Re Scheidt are all new to the gallery. Though their works span from abstracts to figurative paintings to florals and have no unifying theme, they are in dialogue because of their pull toward color and life.
When Camilla Cook, associate art director at the gallery, curated the collection, she thought of a few words: Lush, seductive, playful, exuberant, unexpected.
It was all of those adjectives that seemed right for the new season, Morgan said.
The descriptors eventually landed on a gallery invitation, in a whimsical yet refined font that is reflective of the exhibit itself. Cook also named the show. When she threw Punch and Sizzle out as a prospective title, Morgan said, Thats it!
The words do mean something, but its more a feeling and a mood. Were not serving punch, Morgan joked.
We wanted to shake it up a little bit. Just inject a little bit of energy and vibrancy, Cook said. Just give it a little edge, a little something.
Janice Mehlman, a photographer who splits time between New York City and Pietrasanta, Italy, may be adding more than a little edge to Greenwich. Her newest series features abstract photographs of her lingerie, structured in a way to seem almost biological, like veins and arteries.
Im looking into myself a lot this year, and Im thinking a lot about my sexuality, Mehlman said. I think this body of work has a lot of angst in it.
The series includes some 17 photographs, three of which will be on display at Morgans gallery. It is making its debut in Greenwich.
In the past, Mehlman primarily focused on structures in her art, often in black and white. But slowly, she incorporated color over the years, and now her photographs burst with strong, eye-catching hues.
For her latest series, she said, I just sort of started an exploration. Theyre very, very different than my previous works, even my previous colored works.
Cook said Mehlman represented a niche we didnt have. The gallery has presented photographs before, but they have tended more toward seascapes and shorelines.
Janices work was very vibrant and architectural, Cook said. We felt that it would be a nice counterpoint to the things we have here.
Lazards still lifes could not be more different.
Theyre traditional, the painter said. Theyre conservative. They prove non-offensive. They make you happy, theyre happy paintings. I think it fits into the lifestyle in the sense of the good life. Theyre feel-good paintings.
Hailing from Miami, Lazard uses more representative, impressionistic techniques. Though she has painted a myriad of subjects including the Cuban landscape during a trip to Havana in January 2016, sponsored by PleinAir Magazine she said Morgan was drawn to her bouquets. And she understood the pull.
I think the paintings, the florals, really speak to people, she said. Everybody loves flowers, lets face it.
Unlike more typical exhibition spaces, SM Home Art Gallery, on Arch Street, feels like a house. The art looks how it might inside a habitable place and not the whitewashed environs where it is sometimes shown.
People can imagine what the work would look like at their home, over their sofa, Cook said.
Still, Morgan who painted when she was in school said art serves a larger role than mere decoration. To her, its part of life itself.
It records moments that we dont want to forget, that we may not have noticed, she said. But its essential. Its like breathing.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
GREENWICH Despite a statement from his own political party that it would not support him following disclosure of a shoplifting arrest last month, Selectman Drew Marzullo is staying in the race for a new term on the Board of Selectmen.
Marzullo was arrested Aug. 26 in Clinton and charged with fifth-degree larceny, a misdemeanor. He is accused of taking items from two stores in the Clinton Crossing Premium Outlet Mall. He did not tell Democratic Town Committee leadership about the arrest until it became public Sept. 21.
In a statement issued Thursday night after a meeting of the membership, the DTC Executive Committee said it could no longer support Marzullos candidacy.
The Greenwich Democratic Party believes elected officials must be held to the highest standards of integrity, honesty and transparency, the statement said. The Executive Committee has concluded that Drew Marzullos actions over the past month have not measured up to these standards.
Marzullo had no comment on the discussion at the DTC other than to say he is still in the race.
Sandy Litvack, the Democrat challenging incumbent Republican First Selectman Peter Tesei, said Friday he felt it was best for Marzullo to withdraw.
I both encouraged (the executive committees) decision and fully support it, Litvack said. Although I am sympathetic and feel badly for Drew, I believe integrity in government is critical and therefore, as I have told him, I believe he should withdraw as a candidate.
Under Connecticut law, the DTC cannot remove Marzullo from the ballot; it is a decision that can only be made by the candidate. Marzullo has said he is moving forward with his campaign for a fifth term.
Howard Richman, treasurer of the DTC who is acting chairman while the partys chairman Jeff Ramer is out of the country, said the DTC would support the other members of the ticket separately from any efforts Marzullo and his supporters might be making toward his re-election.
He added there had been no discussion he was aware of within the party leadership of having Marzullo leave the DTC.
The vote in favor of the committees statement was not unanimous but did have clear support from among those present at the meeting, members who attended Thursday said.
The Executive Committee and I have given this matter a lot of attention and come to, what I think, is the right decision, Litvack said. As a result, I believe the party is more united than ever.
Litvack said he had reached out to Marzullo before Thursdays meeting but had not received any response. As a member of the Executive Committee, Marzullo could have attended the meeting, but chose not to. Richman said on Thursday he had personally asked Marzullo to attend.
According to Richman, nearly 20 people attended. Not all were members of the 21-person Executive Committee.
Christine Edwards, who attended, said she continues to have a lot of respect for Marzullo and the decision about whether he should continue to serve as a selectman should be made by the people.
Drew has served us well for over eight years, (he is) concerned for the needs of the citizens of Greenwich, especially for our most vulnerable populations, Edwards said. Greenwich is a very compassionate community which has people in public life despite DUIs and other offenses who have served us capably. Its up to the voters to exercise their constitutionally protect rights, not for us to judge or condemn one another. Its the old adage of throwing the first stone.
Edwards is not a member of the Executive Committee and did not have a vote on the content of the statement. Samarpana Tamm, the committees District 4 leader, was the lone vote against the statement, though there were three abstentions.
The DTC Executive Committee is not a full representation of the entire body and how people necessarily feel, Tamm said. Many members reached out to me to express their displeasure (with the statement). I personally am appalled.
Executive Committee member Elizabeth Sanders abstained during the vote because she had not talked to all members of District 1 first, she said.
I did not want to speak for myself, I was there representing the district, Sanders said. I think there were some who were speaking for themselves and not their districts at the meeting. We were there to talk about what our districts felt.
Sanders said residents in her district believe what Marzullo is accused of doing is wrong but that the decision on whether he should continue to serve should be made by the voters.
But there were many committee members who said they felt it was up the party to make its views clear. DTC Vice Chair Jonathan Perloe said he wanted to put the incident behind the party and move onto electing the Democratic slate.
I supported the statement because it expresses exactly how I feel. As an Executive Committee member, my responsibility is to the voters and upholding what I believe the Democratic Party stands for, Perloe said.
Executive Committee member Bob Brady said had Marzullo been in corporate America or the military, he would have been dismissed. He estimated DTC members had spent hundreds of hours discussing and debating their stand on the arrest over the past week that should have been spent working to elect the Democratic ticket. Brady said both the arrest and Marzullos silence until the arrest became public bothered him.
He violated a trust that was placed in him when he took his oath of office, Brady said.
Marzullo got strong support from several prominent Greenwich Republicans after the statement was issued, including state Rep. Fred Camillo (R-151st).
When any of us screw up and break the law, there is always a price to be paid for that, Camillo said. In this case, Drew will need to pay a bigger price as he is in the public spotlight. Nevertheless, as someone recently told me, you never want to judge a man on his worst day. Likewise I would say that we should never judge a man on his best day either. Rather we should all be judged by the totality of our lives.
Marzullo is due in court Oct. 17 and is free on a $5,000 bond. According to the Clinton Police Department report about the incident, Marzullo allegedly stole 16 separate items from a J. Crew store worth about $486 and nine items from a Sketchers store worth about $185.
The report, written by Officer Joseph OBrien, says Marzullo initially misled him about the items he was found with, claiming he hadnt shoplifted and that additional items found in his vehicle must have been put there by someone else. The report describes witness statements as well as security footage of Marzullo removing items from the J. Crew.
Ultimately, OBrien said, Marzullo apologized several times for wasting my time and lying to me. He is described in the report as cooperative throughout the process and was booked without incident.
Marzullo admitted that he stole the clothing items from the two stores and said he does not know why he did it because he could have just purchased the items, OBriens report states.
kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
GREENWICH The League of Women Voters of Greenwich is asking all 270 candidates for the towns RTM to provide information for an online voters guide.
The new initiative is designed to help residents with their ballots on Nov. 7. Interest in national politics has resulted in several grassroots efforts to get more people involved on a local level, creating competitive races in eight of the towns 12 Representative Town Meeting districts.
This can be a very useful guide for the voters and we are hoping everyone will respond, said League member Jara Burnett. We hope voters will pay attention to this because there will be a lot of information in it. We want people to know who their representatives are and what they feel about the issues in town. I believe this guide will be very helpful. Our challenge is to make sure people are aware of this and that they utilize it.
Requests for information were sent out via email and snail mail Sept. 29. As of Tuesday, 14 people had responded. The League is asking for the information by Oct. 10.
The response we have gotten from (RTM) leadership has been good but theres no question that for some people to respond it will be a little bit like pulling teeth, Burnett said. We will have to see but we certainly hope as many people as possible participate in this.
The guide will include names, addresses, photographs, information about the number of terms, if any, a candidate has served and answers to two questions: Why are you running for the RTM and what are the three most important issues facing Greenwich today.
Those who do not participate will still have their names and addresses included but with the notation did not respond.
With 270 candidates, the 230-person RTM will have competitive elections in all districts except Chickahominy (District 3), Byram (District 4), Pemberwick/Glenville (District 9) and Havemeyer (District 12).
The most competitive races are in District 5, which covers Riverside, where 30 candidates are running for 18 spots, and District 8 in Cos Cob, where 37 candidates are running for 26 spots.
I think theres nothing to pique voter interest quite like a competitive election, Burnett said.
The league will publish its annual printed voters guide during the week before the election.
It is also sponsoring an RTM meet and greet from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 29, at Central Middle School. Interested residents will be able to meet with candidates in an informal setting for what the league calls handshakes and hellos.
The league is asking both the candidates and the voters to RSVP in advance by emailing Burnett at cdb299@aol.com to gauge attendance. All participants will be wearing name tags.
kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
GREENWICH When police arrested a New Jersey man in August for allegedly stealing a Honda CRV in central Greenwich, officers assigned to the car-theft squad and the accused had met before.
The alleged thief, Jose Antonion Cruz, 51, of Clinton Place, Newark, had been arrested twice earlier in Greenwich, according to court papers, in 2000 and 1997. The affidavit said Cruz has a record of 20 arrests for auto theft, larceny and burglary all over the region.
LAS VEGAS - Perched in his suite at a high-rise hotel overlooking the Las Vegas Strip, a 64-year-old retiree with no real criminal history and no known affiliations with terrorist groups rained bullets down into a crowd at a country music festival Sunday, killing at least 59 people and injuring hundreds more in the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.
The attack, at least initially, was as inexplicable as it was horrifying. Law enforcement officials said they could not immediately tell what drove Stephen Paddock to fire at thousands of unsuspecting concertgoers from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino before killing himself.
Authorities said a sweep of law enforcement databases showed that Paddock had no known run-ins with police, and - despite the Islamic State's repeated claims - investigators could not find any connections to international terrorist groups. Paddock was a son of a notorious bank robber, and his own crime demonstrated some sophisticated planning.
Police said he had stayed in the large hotel suite for several days and had aroused no suspicion. He brought with him an arsenal of 23 guns - their calibers ranging from .223 to .308, some with scopes - authorities said. One of the weapons he apparently used in the attack was an AK-47-type rifle, with a stand to steady it for firing, people familiar with the case said. He fired, without warning, from an elevated position on an open-air venue, leaving his victims few options to avoid harm.
"I can't get into the mind of a psychopath," said Sheriff Joseph Lombardo, head of the Las Vegas police department, which is leading the investigation.
Investigators Monday searched Paddock's home in Mesquite, Nev., and another piece of property he owned, and they hoped to review surveillance footage and other electronic equipment to determine how and why Paddock perpetrated the unprecedented massacre.
Among the questions they have: how a former accountant with a penchant for high-stakes gambling obtained a weapon that sounded to those on the ground like it could fire as an automatic, and how he was able to bring it and many other weapons into a Vegas hotel suite undetected.
Lombardo said hotel staff had been in and out of the two-room suite, where Paddock had stayed since Thursday, and had spotted nothing "nefarious," though he had more than 10 suitcases.
"It wasn't evident that he had weapons in his room" before the shooting, Lombardo said.
Investigators believe that at least one of the guns functioned as if it were fully automatic, and they are trying to determine if Paddock modified it or other weapons to be capable of spitting out a high volume of fire just by holding down the trigger, people familiar with the case said.
Gun purchase records indicate that Paddock legally bought more than two dozen firearms over a period of years, according to a person close to the investigation. Guns & Guitars, a store in Mesquite, said in a statement that Paddock purchased some of his weapons there, but that employees followed all procedures required by law and Paddock "never gave any indication or reason to believe he was unstable or unfit at any time." Lombardo said Paddock also seemed to have purchased guns in Arizona.
Investigators also found at least 19 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition and the chemical tannerite, an explosive, at Paddock's home in Mesquite, a little more than an hour outside Las Vegas on the Arizona border. They also found ammonium nitrate, a chemical that can be used in bombmaking, in Paddock's vehicle, Lombardo said.
More than 22,000 people were at the Route 91 Harvest festival, a three-day country music concert at a venue across the street from the Mandalay Bay, when the shooting began about 10 p.m. Sunday, according to police. As country star Jason Aldean played what was expected to be one of the last sets of the night, Paddock opened fire - his bullets flying from a window on the casino's golden facade, which he had smashed with some type of hammer.
Aldean fled the stage. Thousands began racing for safety under the neon glow and glitz of the Las Vegas Strip.
"People were getting shot at while we were running, and people were on the ground bleeding, crying and screaming. We just had to keep going," said Dinora Merino, 28, a dealer at the Ellis Island casino who was at the concert with a friend. "There are tents out there, and there's no place to hide. It's just an open field."
The death toll in Las Vegas was massive, surpassing the 49 people slain by a gunman in Orlando, Florida, in June 2016. That shooter, who later said he was inspired by the Islamic State, opened fire inside a crowded nightclub. And Lombardo said the number of dead from Sunday's concert shooting could rise, as an additional 527 were thought to have been injured.
The dead included a behavioral therapist who was soon to be married, a nursing assistant from Southern California, a commercial fisherman and an off-duty Las Vegas police officer. Two other officers who were on duty were injured, police said; one was in stable condition after surgery, and the other sustained minor injuries. Another off-duty officer with the Bakersfield Police Department in Southern California also sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to a statement from the department.
Some of the wounded were injured not by gunfire but in the ensuing chaos. One 55-year-old California woman who declined to give her last name said she was "trampled" trying to flee what she initially thought were fireworks. Clark County Fire Chief Greg Cassell said responders saw a "wide range" of injured people, including gunshot victims, those wounded by shrapnel, people who were trampled and those who were hurt jumping fences.
But those who ran said they could clearly see the gunman's toll in the bullet wounds of those around them. Taylor Benge, 21, said that when the lights came on, he realized that "about five feet to the left of me there was a man with a bullet wound to his chin."
"He was just lifeless on the ground," he said. He said he and his sister threw themselves on the ground as the gunfire continued, then ran for the exit. "My jeans are covered in someone's blood, my T-shirt is covered in someone's blood, my sister's whole leg was covered in blood," Benge said.
Jonathan Smith - who came to Vegas to celebrate his brother's 43rd birthday - was shot at least twice, including once in the neck.
"I really didn't want to die," Smith said.
Police and hotel security officers scoured several floors of the Mandalay Bay looking for the shooter and came upon Paddock's suite, Lombardo said. At some point, Paddock fired through the door and hit a security guard in the leg, he said, adding that the guard is expected to survive. SWAT officers ultimately stormed the room, and some fired shots, though Paddock is believed to have killed himself, Lombardo said. He was not counted in the death toll authorities reported.
President Donald Trump ordered flags flown at half-staff and said he would visit Las Vegas on Wednesday. He praised the "miraculous" speed with which local law enforcement responded to the shooting - asserting that their actions saved lives - though he noted that hundreds were still mourning the loss of loved ones. Answers for them, he said, would "not come easy."
"It was an act of pure evil," Trump said during remarks from the White House.
Visitors, residents and officials filled the pews at the Guardian Angel Cathedral on Monday looking for comfort and unity during an emotional interfaith service. Hundreds of people wiped tears and embraced, and during a moment of silence, community religious leaders rang a gong 59 times to honor the dead.
Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chair from Las Vegas, praised the police for their quick response and commended the outpouring of support from the community; more than 25,000 people have donated to a fundraising effort for victims and people have been waiting eight hours in line to donate blood, he said.
"Las Vegas will never be quite the same as a result of this," Sisolak said. But, he said, "We'll be back."
Eric Paddock, Stephen Paddock's brother, said he was stunned to learn that his sibling could be responsible for such violence. Stephen Paddock had no history of mental illness, nor did he have problems with drugs or alcohol, Eric Paddock said, noting that his brother was a high-stakes gambler, sometimes wagering hundreds of dollars on a single hand of video poker.
When he spoke to the FBI, Eric Paddock said, he showed agents three years of text messages from his brother, including one that mentioned winning $250,000 at a casino. A federal law enforcement official said investigators had reviewed reports suggesting that Paddock engaged in high-dollar gambling, and they are trying to determine whether he faced financial strains.
Eric Paddock said his brother was "wealthy," in part because he had no children to support. Stephen Paddock had worked in the past as an accountant, and he had real estate investments in the Orlando area, Eric Paddock said.
Eric Paddock said he knew that his brother had guns - Stephen once took Eric's children skeet shooting - though not the sort of weaponry that police discovered.
Police said they think Paddock was a "lone wolf" attacker, though they were still interested in speaking more with a woman named Marilou Danley who lived with him in Mesquite. Police had said they were searching for Danley, Paddock's girlfriend, immediately after the shooting, but they later said she was outside the country - as of Monday afternoon, in Tokyo - and was not involved in the shooting.
"We still consider her a person of interest," Lombardo said Monday. He said investigators also are exploring a report that Paddock attended a different music festival in September.
Not long after the shooting, the Islamic State claimed responsibility, though law enforcement authorities were quick to reject that assertion. "We have determined, to this point, no connection with an international terrorist group," Aaron Rouse, the special agent in charge of the FBI in Las Vegas, said at a news briefing.
The FBI was involved in the case - and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was helping trace the weapons - but they said they were supporting local authorities in Las Vegas. Department of Homeland Security officials said there were no specific, credible threats to other public venues across the country.
The FBI had a previous dealing with the Paddock family, though it did not initially seem to involve Stephen. Eric Paddock said his father was Benjamin Hoskins Paddock, a convicted bank robber and con man described in a wanted poster as "psychopathic'' with suicidal tendencies. But Eric Paddock said his father, who escaped from prison in 1969 and was at one point on the FBI's list of most-sought-after and dangerous criminals, was not around during their childhood. Benjamin Paddock was apprehended in 1978, according to news reports.
Relatives said Stephen Paddock, a licensed pilot who owned two airplanes, was a quiet man who often went to Las Vegas to gamble and attend concerts. In a statement, Lockheed Martin, the defense giant, said Paddock worked for the company for three years in the 1980s.
A former neighbor of Paddock's recalled that his home in a 55-and-over community in Florida looked more akin to a college freshman's dorm room, with bare walls and only a few pieces of furniture.
"One of the first times we met him, he told me he lived there, in Vegas," recalled Don Judy, his next-door neighbor in the community until two years ago. "He explained that he was a gambler and a prospector. He said he was buying this house to check it out for his mother . . . and that if she liked it, he planned to buy another next door with a floor plan like ours."
Soon, Judy said, Paddock put up a for-sale sign and was gone, saying he was moving back to Las Vegas.
---
Zapotosky, Barrett and Berman reported from Washington. Felicia Mello and Heather Long in Las Vegas; Barbara Liston in Orlando; Justin Glawe in Mesquite, Tex.; and Derek Hawkins, Travis M. Andrews, Brian Murphy, Wesley Lowery and Julie Tate contributed to this report.
- - -
VIDEO: More than 50 dead, 200 injured at shooting on Las Vegas Strip
--URL: http://wapo.st/2xLjCkg
--Embed code: